And The Truth Shall Set You Free
By Jonathan Kuttab
“And you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free” (John 8:23).
In the struggle for justice and peace between Palestinians and Israelis, the TRUTH and truth-telling is perhaps our most important weapon.
Recent events have made this perfectly clear: Reports from credible international (as well as Israeli and Palestinian) human rights organizations, pointing out specific patterns of behavior that constitute apartheid, have been invaluable to the struggle for justice. Frequent attacks on journalists, including the killing of Shereen Abu Aqleh (who an Israeli official tells us was “armed with a camera”) shows us that the other side understands very well the importance of truth-telling. CNN’s meticulous analysis, showing us that Shireen’s assassination was the result of deliberate targeting, created real shock waves. Finally, monitoring and calling out media bias in reporting on Palestine/Israel has resulted in some significant corrections and apologies from news outlets, like the New York Times which uncritically continues to present the Israeli narrative and often parrots Israeli army lies.
Palestinians (and Israeli peace activists) seem to have little power these days other than to carefully document, expose, and publish the facts on the ground. Most recently, such facts included the blatant, shamelessly bigoted “Jerusalem Flag March,” whereby a virtual pogrom was carried out in East Jerusalem. Israelis repeatedly shouted, “Death to the Arabs,” threatened ever more killing and burning of property, and attacked and intimidated Arabs in the Muslim Quarter, as well as foreign journalists from the BBC—all under the protection of the Israeli police. Pictures and videos of this event reveal the truth about the occupation of East Jerusalem and, contrary to the desire of the organizers, show Jerusalem to be a truly divided city, occupied and contested, rather than firmly united under Israeli sovereignty. Meanwhile, a member of the Knesset openly warned of a second Nakba—referring to the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in 1948. Such truths must be made known to all.
An important part of the work of FOSNA is to spread the truth about Palestine/Israel and work for justice, using weapons of light against the forces of darkness. In carrying out this work, we seek to abide by a number of key principles:
We seek to disseminate only accurate and well-documented information. Speaking truth requires that our message is accurate and factual, devoid of exaggerations, hyperbole, or unsubstantiated accusations.
We are always conscious of the dignity and humanity of those on “the other side.” We recognize that even as they oppress Palestinians, Israeli Jews are themselves victimized by the very systems they have created; their own humanity and moral dignity is undermined by them. We seek and pray for their healing as well.
With humility, we recognize that we too are capable of being wrong or perpetrating injustice, so we are always on the lookout for any evidence of anti-Semitism and bigotry, as well as Islamophobia. We recognize that human rights and the requirements of justice are universal and prohibit uncritical support for any one side. Truth requires that we be as critical of Palestinian actions, when they contradict the principles we espouse. We can also be critical of our own government, as well as of friends who may be progressive on other issues but have a blind spot when it comes to Palestine.
We are committed to nonviolence. While we recognize that oppressed people have the right to armed struggle against injustice, we ourselves, as followers of Jesus, are committed to nonviolence. Nor do we ever glorify or support the use of violence against or the killing of others, however legitimate and justified it may be according to the international laws of armed conflict and humanitarian law. We are critical of all responses based on military action, increased spending on defense, arguments based on “deterrence,” and the like.
We are always open to hearing other points of view. To do so is not to presume there is no truth, that both sides are equally to blame, or that there is any equivalency between the views of the occupier and occupied, the perpetrator and the victim, the oppressor and the oppressed. But it does mean that we are willing to listen with an open mind, that we wish to learn from all, and that we seek to change hearts and minds (even of our opponents) rather than vanquish and dominate those with whom we disagree.
We recognize that speaking truth comes with a cost. It often goes against conventional wisdom, is uncomfortable, violates social taboos, embarrasses those with power and authority, or jeopardizes friendships and other relationships. This is particularly true when interfaith dialogue is often hijacked to prevent anyone from addressing the question of Palestine. A prophetic message is always uncomfortable, rarely appreciated by those being called out.
We are always on the lookout for opportunities to follow up our truth-telling with action! This may involve lobbying our representatives, joining with BDS actions, protesting, and even civil disobedience or other creative initiatives. For we seek not only to speak truth to power, but also do what we can to take proactive, transformative action in the pursuit of justice.
Finally, we maintain hope in the ultimate sovereignty of God and in the eventual victory of good over evil. No matter how desperate the situation appears, we continue to speak the truth and strive for justice, with hope and faith in the knowledge that the truth shall set us free.
Take Action!
Endorse & Share
FIFA: Suspend Apartheid Israel. 70+ civil society organizations around the world & several hundred athletes, artists, academics & activists have already said, "FIFA, Suspend Apartheid Israel!" Join them in signing the declaration below. Read the full statement to FIFA (available also in Spanish, French, Arabic), and sign on below as an individual and/or on behalf of an organization.
Watch
FIFA: Suspend Apartheid Israel Webinar (Spanish and Arabic translations also available)
Contact Your Representative
Tell Congress: Stop the forced displacement of Palestinians in Masafer Yatta. FOSNA, alongside friends and allies throughout the movement, has proudly endorsed a Dear Colleague Letter addressed to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and spearheaded by Congresswoman Cori Bush (D-MO). In the letter, Rep. Bush and several other members call out Israeli war crimes and demand that the U.S. push for Israel's continuous demolitions and displacement campaigns to end. Thanks to grassroots pressure from people like you, 14 congresspersons have singed on to the letter. More are needed! Pressure congress to act and contact your representative today.
Get Involved!
FOSNA Calls on Biden To Support Christian Presence in Jerusalem
Over 100 organizations and organizational leaders have endorsed a letter from FOSNA, delivered over the weekend to the White House and State Department, calling on President Biden to help protect and defend the Palestinian Christian presence in Jerusalem and to meet with local Christian leaders on his forthcoming trip to the Holy Land.
The letter specifies the Israeli government’s lack of seriousness in restraining harassment of Christian community and turning a blind eye to the takeover of church properties. The letter also asks that the death of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh be investigated seriously and that those who are responsible will be held accountable.
FOSNA invites you to join us in the following events and activities:
June 8
How To Think About Converting an Apartheid Regime into a Democratic State: A Conversation with Jonathan Kuttab. Join Robert Herbst from the Israeli Committee against Home Demolitions-USA for what promises to be an engaging conversation with human rights lawyer and FOSNA Executive Director Jonathan Kuttab. Robert Herbst is a civil rights lawyer, co-chair of the ICAHD-USA board, and a member of Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) and the Westchester, New York, Peace and Action Coalition (WESPAC).
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 21: Child Fatalities. Israeli armed forces have been regularly implicated in widespread and systematic human rights violations against Palestinian children living under occupation. Although children affected by armed conflict are entitled to special respect and protections under international law, Israeli armed forces have consistently violated these protections through indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks that result in the unlawful killing and maiming of children. Israeli forces are rarely held accountable for these killings. The Kumi Now community this week looks at the all-too-real child fatalities of the Occupation and what you can do so that together we can rise up.
