Armed Struggle and Nonviolence
by Jonathan Kuttab
Many Palestinians are considering joining or supporting the armed resistance these days. Daily attacks by settlers and soldiers are being carried out with impunity (at least one Palestinian has been killed on average every day this year), as well as daily acts of intentional provocation. Palestinians feel they have no protection either from their own Palestinian Authority or from the international community. Recently, 144 attacks on people and property by settlers were reported in a single evening. In addition, the current Israeli government has made it clear it believes only Jews are entitled to self determination and that Jews have unquestioned rights to the land in the entire area between the River and the Sea. Extremist ministers publicly call for a Second Nakba and for ethnic cleansing in Masafer Yatta, Khan al Ahmar, Area C and areas in East Jerusalem. No political process is in place, and armed struggle seems to be the only method available. Even international law guarantees the right of people to fight for their independence and freedom (provided of course that violence is not aimed at innocent civilians). It is infuriating when the Western world is quick to applaud Ukrainian resistance to Russian invasion, and it rushes to provide them with weapons and tanks, while simultaneously labeling Palestinian resistance as illegitimate terrorism.
Yet, like the majority of Palestinian Christians, Sabeel has taken a different approach, remaining steadfastly pacifist and refusing to use or advocate violence—however legitimate and justified it might be. They (and FOSNA as well) understand the teachings of Christ to prohibit his followers from taking up the sword and taking the lives of enemies or oppressors. For this reason (in the proven tradition of Tutu, King, Gandhi, Bonhoeffer, Tolstoy, and others), they have opted for creative nonviolence in their fight for freedom. Sabeel has advocated for and asked their supporters in the West to show their solidarity by supporting nonviolent tactics such as BDS (Boycotts, Divestment, and Sanctions) as well as the application of international law and resorting to the International Criminal Court. Nonviolence is never an easy or simple option. It is not merely about refraining from shedding blood, but it is an active practice of opposition to injustice and principled confrontation with the oppressors while aimed at a proper solution based on equality, dignity, and justice.
Doing so, we believe we are standing in obedience to Jesus’ commandments. Yet, we also believe nonviolence is the most effective strategy for Palestinians at this juncture in their history. Even just attempting to out-violence the Israeli war machine would lead to horrific results. Palestinian armed resistance is not only ineffective; it can also be counterproductive. Violent resistance, however justified, is not likely to result in liberation. Imposing pain and suffering on the other side may fulfill an emotional need, but it leads neither to liberation nor a better future.
It is important therefore to assert once again our position regarding nonviolence:
We believe that violence, weapons, and warfare are not the answer. As followers of Jesus, we do not practice violence, even when it appears justified or provoked.
All life matters and must be respected.
All God’s children are equally entitled to human rights and dignity
We oppose racism, discrimination, and apartheid and believe in equality.
We are called to speak truth to power and challenge unjust institutions and actions, but we must not do so with unjust and evil methods ourselves
Nonviolence is not only refraining from violence but working to create just and fair structures.
We are called to be “peacemakers.” Yet, the peace we seek is not about passively accepting injustice or maintaining the status quo, but it is a dynamic challenge to evil institutions and the building of situations that more closely approximate the Kingdom of God.
Occupation, repression, and the denial of Palestinian self-determination are evils that must be resisted continuously, These are the true violence.and resisting such injustice must be done even at great personal cost and sacrifice.
Israeli violence is reflected not only in bullets, bombs, and guns but also in bulldozers, checkpoints, the Segregation Wall, and the whole system of apartheid in all its manifestations.
The siege of Gaza is one of the greatest manifestations of Israeli violence.
This is what Sabeel, Palestinian Liberation Theology, and FOSNA stands for on this issue.
Journey with Jonathan
Our Executive Director Jonathan Kuttab will be in Jerusalem this month! Stay tuned for #JourneyWithJonathan updates as we follow him and receive his reflections on the situation in Palestine during this important time.
Take Action!
Tell Congress: Stop Funding Israel's Massacres
(USCPR): From Jenin to Gaza, we have witnessed Israel's brutal massacres of Palestinian people again and again. We have watched our U.S. politicians and media outlets dismiss Israel's killings, dehumanizing Palestinians as they live under Israel's apartheid every day, only to scream for “calm” the moment a Palestinian person resists.
Israel's massacres are funded into existence by our U.S. tax dollars, with a blank check for $3.8+ billion to the Israeli military every year.
In defense of Palestinian life, human rights, and land, 150 organizations representing Palestinian communities, Palestinian solidarity organizations, and the racial justice movement have signed on to the new joint statement “Stop Funding Israel's Massacres,” calling out the U.S. government's racist dehumanization of Palestinian life and demanding an end to U.S. military funding to Israel. Use your constituent power to amplify this demand to Congress today.
Get Involved!
We invite you to join us in the following events and activities:
Sunday, February 12, 2023
Featuring Dr. Yasser Abu-Jamei, Psychiatrist and Director of the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme
12:00-2PM, in person reception, lecture fundraiser/free will offering to support GCMHP
Foundation for Gaza Community Mental Health Program, 501C3/Zoom link below
Online Registration at: bit.ly/HolyLandZoom
Continuous Trauma and Social Devastation, or Caring for All?
Dr. Abu Jamei will be joined by local panelists discussing social division and racisms globally, in the Gaza Strip, and in Washington, as well as anti-racism, equality and respect as core values going forward for all peoples—“no exceptions!"
With Dr. Nancy Murray, Fida Adely, James Gordon, Kathryn Chefetz, and Richard Chefetz.
In Person at:
St John's Norwood Episcopal Church
6701 Wisconsin Ave Chevy Chase MD 20815
(red line Metro Bethesda/Chevy Chase stop)
February 12: Online
VFHL Film Salon: “‘Til Kingdom Come”
Millions of American Evangelicals are praying for the State of Israel. Among them are a dynasty of Kentucky pastors and their Evangelical congregants in an impoverished coal mining town. They donate sacrificially to Israel’s foremost philanthropic organization, the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, because they fervently believe the Jews are crucial to Jesus’ return. This film traces this unusual relationship, from rural Kentucky to the halls of government in Washington, through the moving of the American Embassy in Jerusalem and to plans for annexing the West-Bank. It exposes a stunning backstory of the Trump and Netanyahu administrations, where financial, political, and messianic motivations intersect with the apocalyptic worldview that is insistently reshaping American foreign policy toward Israel.
On Sunday February 12, join an online discussion about the documentary “’Til Kingdom Come” at 3:00pm ET. Learn about the political alliance between US Evangelical pastors and the state of Israel. Register, view the film, then join the event.
March 5: Online
Join our online book discussion of Protecting Human Rights in Occupied Palestine: Working Through the United Nations by UN Rapporteurs John Dugard, Michael Lynk, and Richard A. Falk, with a foreword by Francesca Albanese, on March 5th via Zoom.
Stay tuned for more details!
Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center, Jerusalem:
Weekly
Sabeel Prayer Service. Join Sabeel every Thursday (6pm Jerusalem) for online Bible Study, discussion, and prayer. Examine scripture in light of the ongoing realities confronting the Palestinian Church and the pursuit of Palestinian liberation.
Wave of Prayer. Subscribe to receive Sabeel's Wave of Prayer, enabling friends of Sabeel around the world to pray over issues of critical concern to the Holy Land on a weekly basis.
Kumi Now! (Week 5) Palestinian Citizens of Israel. Palestinian citizens of Israel face regular discrimination in policing, employment, housing, and every other facet of life. As the High Follow-Up Committee for Arab Citizens in Israel has called for January 30 to be an International Day for Supporting the Rights of the Palestinian Citizens of Israel, the Kumi Now community is this week turning our attention to these citizens. Here’s what you need to know about discrimination in Israel and what you can do so that together we can rise up.