Equality
By Jonathan Kuttab
As Christians, we believe, along with many others from different faith traditions, that all human beings are created in the image of God and are inherently and equally worthy of dignity and respect. This is firmly based on our belief in one God, the creator of us all. Policies and ideologies that mandate or privilege the supremacy of one group over others are not only wrong, but they represent a sinful rejection of the unity of the Godhead, who created each of us with purpose and intentionality.
This affirmation also forms the historic basis of many secular human rights principles, which reject discrimination on the basis of color, race, sex or ethnicity (cf. the “Scripturally Annotated UN Declaration of Human Rights” produced by the Carter Center). For us, it is our theological convictions that inform our rejection of racism, discrimination, national chauvinism, Islamophobia, anti-Jewish antisemitism, and all forms of discrimination, racism, or apartheid. It even goes beyond this. Christ teaches that we need to treat the vulnerable, the needy, the sick, and the imprisoned as if each of them was Christ himself. We will be judged on the basis of how we treated each of these brethren, as if we helped (or failed to help) Christ himself.
We know that in the past religious justifications have been used to enable and even mandate racism and discrimination. Slavery was justified by the pseudo-science of eugenics, as well as by the heretical teaching of the “curse of Ham.” The “doctrine of Discovery” sought to justify imperialism, colonialism, ethnic cleansing, and even the genocide of native populations undertaken by so-called “Christian” nations. Even today, the concept of “Christian nationalism” attempts to manufacture religious justifications for the worst forms of racism, xenophobia, homophobia, and imperialism. The feeling that our “Christian” country is a “shining city on the hill” and that we somehow represent a higher form of humanity, which is allowed to oppress others, hold privilege over them, or must be exempt from universal principles of justice, international law, and human rights, is often shrouded with the pseudo-theological claims of exceptionalism and superiority.
In the Old Testament, the concept of a “chosen people” was sometimes properly understood to mean a people chosen with a mission from God, to bring into the world salvation and redemption, yet it was often used as a justification for privilege and superiority. Jesus, speaking as the Messiah and the “expected king,” made clear that he rejected such claims for superiority based on lineage and insisted that God loves all people, Jew and gentile alike. His salvation is open to all humankind, since God is no respecter of persons. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16; emphasis mine). St. Paul also warned Christians against the proud belief that they were special and favored by God over others.
This fundamental belief in the unity of the Godhead is the basis for the belief in equality and should be the guiding principle to our political positions regarding any movement, ideology, or activity that smacks of racism, discrimination, or the belittling of any human being or group. The struggle continues today on many fronts. Women still aspire to equality, even within the most advanced countries, as attempts continue to be made to keep them, if not in total subjugation, then at a distinct disadvantage in all spheres of life. Racism, even after the Civil War and later the Civil Rights movement, continues to be a serious problem in American society. Those fighting for equality continue to face obstacles in every sphere. Black Lives Matter arose precisely because, in confrontations with the police, black lives did not seem to matter as much as the lives of whites. Native Americans continue to feel the ongoing effects of centuries of ethnic cleansing, discrimination, and a long history of broken promises and treaties that systematically stripped them of their lands and denigrated their culture and way of life. Imperialism and neo-colonialism, in different guises, continue to pursue Western hegemony and the exploitation of majority-world countries.
In Israel/Palestine, centuries, indeed millenia, of anti-Jewish discrimination is now being used to permit a system that discriminates against non-Jewish Palestinians in their very homeland. While many Israeli Jews would not specifically espouse discrimination, they nevertheless all benefit from a system of overt discrimination in their favor. The current government is guided and controlled by those who openly espouse Jewish supremacy. There, too, religion is used to justify systematic racism, discrimination, and even ethnic cleansing. Religious fanatics shout out their belief that a Jewish soul is holy, and the preservation of Jewish lives is the highest value, justifying almost any excess, but that Arabs are not entitled to the same dignity or respect. In fact, this is why Israelis can claim their army is the most moral army in the world, in that it protects Jewish lives at any cost—including the cost of Arab lives, Arab property, and Arab dignity. An ideology based on such blatant dehumanization should not be allowed to survive.
I thank God for those Israeli Jews and their supporters who see this, and who are willing to fight for genuine equality. Not only do they prove excellent allies, but the best hope for a peaceful future and a coexistence in Palestine/Israel is based on equality and not on either Arab or Jewish domination. Regardless of the balance of power at any particular moment, or the demographic composition of the country, we need to champion the cause of equality, human rights, and dignity for all—here in this country as well as in the Holy Land.
FOSNA News
Visit Palestine With Us This Summer
We are hosting a witness trip with Sabeel led by Jonathan Kuttab this July! Experience the resilience and struggle for liberation of the Palestinian people. If you are curious and interested in joining please fill out the form below and share it with anyone who may be interested in being part of this journey. We will contact you very soon!
Buy Sabeel's New Book
This week Sabeel released a new book titled "This is Where we Stand: A Sabeel Reflection on Antisemitism." Use the link below to buy a physical copy for a limited time only, or buy it in PDF form here.
The foundations on which we struggle against Palestinian oppression are the same foundations on which we are committed to fighting against antisemitism.
Easter 2023
FOSNA’s 2023 Easter Appeal is here! Thank you so much to all of our supporters. Please go read our message from co-founder Samia Khoury and consider giving today with the link below.
Take Action!
Freedom to Worship: A Call of the Churches
We are calling upon organizations and churches to stand with the churches of Palestine in their rejection of recent restrictions on their religious freedoms and the attacks on their houses of worship, cemeteries, and clergy.
Take a Stand Against Islamophobia
During the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has released statements on no less than 7 different Islamophobic incidents in North America. Between hateful tweets by State Representatives to threats towards the Islamic Society of Markham mosque in Ontario, and the word "Allah" on the Dr. Hani Awadallah school in New Jersey being vandalized twice in one week, we feel alarmed at the hatred targeting Muslim communities across North America.
These are painful reminders that we must educate ourselves and future generations on how to embrace diversity and be inclusive of all.
FOSNA strongly opposes and condemns all forms of Islamophobia. We believe it is essential to stand in solidarity with and build community with our Muslim neighbors and encourage you all to do the same.
As you may know, our national organizer Pastor Chad Collins has been working with the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh to get the Muslim and Christian communities together united in a time of fasting and prayer. He hosted members of the Islamic Center at Valley View Church, and this week the Islamic Center hosted an iftar for members of Valley View Church! We hope that this exchange can serve as inspiration for building an accepting, interfaith community.
In honor of Eid al-Fitr, we suggest taking some time to learn ways to be an ally to Muslims. As a starting point, you can:
Learn about Islamic teachings and traditions, and engage in regular dialogue with Muslims.
Attend events organized by Muslim communities and invite Muslims to your events.
Challenge stereotypes and hate speech when you encounter it.
Report discrimination and hate crimes.
Be aware of and actively challenge Islamophobic legislation.
Join us in this initiative and take a stand against Islamophobia!
Get Involved
April 30: Online
IHRA: An Anti-Free-Speech Definition of Antisemitism and How to Oppose it
Sunday, April 30, 2pm Pacific/5 pm Eastern
This UUJME-sponsored webinar explains the IHRA definition of antisemitism and its problematic aspect – it conflates antisemitism with opposition to Israeli violations of Palestinian human rights. This discussion is important because the IHRA definition is suddenly being adopted without discussion in many localities. While supporting the fight against real antisemitism, UUJME opposes the adoption of the IHRA definition by municipalities and legislatures. Remarkably even Kenneth Stern, the author of the IHRA definition, opposes its use in laws and on campuses because of the chilling effect it can have on free speech. The moderator of the discussion will be Unitarian Universalist minister Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley, and our subject matter experts will be Lara Friedman, President of the Foundation for Middle East Peace, and Zeina Ashrawi Hutchison, a Palestinian American human rights advocate who recently faced the IHRA definition in the Virginia state legislature.
May 4: Online
ICMEP Presents: Interview with Sandra Tamari
Sandra Tamari is a Palestinian organizer and the Executive Director of Adalah Justice Project. She is a co-founder of the St. Louis Palestine Solidarity Committee and was co-chair of the Steering Committee for the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights (2015-2018). Sandra was the Palestinian liaison with the St. Louis Black community when Michael Brown was murdered in Ferguson, MO in 2014. Adalah Justice Project is a Palestinian-led organization working to achieve collective liberation, rooted in the conviction that linking US policy abroad and repressive state practices at home is crucial to shifting the balance of power.
Join us on Zoom at 1:00pm Eastern for this interview.
May 6: Online
PCAP Book Event: "Palestine Hijacked: How Zionism Forged an Apartheid State From the River to the Sea"
You are invited to join PCAP in commemorating the anniversary of the 75th Nakba with author, Thomas Suárez, who will speak with us about his latest book, Palestine Hijacked: How Zionism Forged an Apartheid State from River to Sea.
Suárez has published widely on the issue of the injustices committed against the Palestinian people by Israel and the Zionist movement. Illan Pappe called his book State of Terror: How Terrorism Created Modern Israel (Olive Branch Press, 2016), “The first comprehensive and structured analysis of the violence and terror employed by the Zionist movement and later the state of Israel against the people of Palestine.” State of Terror has been translated into Arabic and French. His book Writings on the Wall: Palestinian Oral Histories (Interlink, 2019) collects and preserves oral testimonies of what Palestinians have experienced under seven decades of Israeli rule. His articles have appeared in Mondoweiss, Middle East Monitor, Washington Report on the Middle East, and countercurrents.org.
May 6: Oakland
NorCal Sabeel Presents: TEA for Palestine
Support the new Palestine Studies Program at U.C. Berkeley and Pal Trek. Music by ASWAT, the premier Arab music ensemble.
Palestinians in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza continue to live under an increasingly horrifying Israeli apartheid regime. This TEA for Palestine: Truth, Education, Action is a fundraising event to support future leaders in the U.S. who will mobilize their talents on behalf of Palestinian rights. The SF Bay Area premier Arab music ensemble, ASWAT, will be playing and there will be delicious refreshments. Please join us! If you can’t join us, please consider making a donation. All expenses associated with this event are donated.
All funds collected are tax exempt and will be directed to the new Palestine Studies Initiative at U.C. Berkeley and to Pal Trek.
The Palestine Studies Initiative has been launched after two years of preparation. It is a groundbreaking effort, and organizers are now raising funds and preparing for its first course offerings under the Department of Ethnic Studies.
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 17) Nation State Law. On May 1, 2018, the Knesset passed the Nation-State law (officially: Basic Law: Israel as the Nation-State of the Jewish People) in its first reading. As we approach the anniversary of this passage, we as a Kumi Community want to analyze this law and what it means for Palestinians and other minorities in Israel. Here’s what you need to know and what you can do so that together we can rise up.