United Methodist Kairos Response (UMKR)
is an international peace movement in the United Methodist Church responding to the urgent call from Palestinian Christians - in "Kairos Palestine: A Moment of Truth" - for effective action to help end the Israeli occupation and support a just peace in Israel/Palestine.
is an international peace movement in the United Methodist Church responding to the urgent call from Palestinian Christians - in "Kairos Palestine: A Moment of Truth" - for effective action to help end the Israeli occupation and support a just peace in Israel/Palestine.
KAIROS PALESTINE
5th Anniversary of Kairos Palestine
International Conference brings participants from over 20 nations
Life with Dignity - Conference Statement includes analysis of the current situation and call to solidarity in action. Download it »
KAIROS PALESTINE:
A Moment of Truth
Discover this statement of faith and call to action that has mobilized Christians globally, including United Methodists. Learn more »
International Conference brings participants from over 20 nations
Life with Dignity - Conference Statement includes analysis of the current situation and call to solidarity in action. Download it »
KAIROS PALESTINE: A Moment of Truth
Discover this statement of faith and call to action that has mobilized Christians globally, including United Methodists. Learn more »
EDUCATION
STUDY GUIDES FOR KAIROS PALESTINEEngage with the document that has become a worldwide movement in over 20 countries. Easy-to-use resources for groups in congregations and other organizations. Find them »
IS ISRAEL AN APARTHEID STATE?
The government of South Africa funded a 15-month study by an international team of legal analysts. The conclusion: Israel is clearly enforcing a regime of apartheid and colonialism in the occupied territories. Read the summary and download it »
THIS IS THE KAIROS...A catalog of resources on Israel-Palestine, from some of the top educational materials for learning the basics to specific advocacy resources, and including films and books.
See it, download it »
BOYCOTT
Boycott the SettlementsThe UMKR boycott campaign has many resources for justice advocates
Use our
resources to answer questions about the settlements and the products
they export, WHY we should boycott them, HOW to participate in the
boycott and much more! Learn more »
Some of our boycott resources:
• Brief powerpoint introduction to the boycott
• Bulletin Insert for congregations
• Preparation for a church boycott
• Boycott Flyers
• Q&A about the boycott
• Letters to Companies and to UMC Bishops
• The Call to Boycott SodaStream from the
UM General Board of Church & Society
• UMC Resolution opposing settlements products
See these and more; download them
Some of our boycott resources:
• Brief powerpoint introduction to the boycott
• Bulletin Insert for congregations
• Preparation for a church boycott
• Boycott Flyers
• Q&A about the boycott
• Letters to Companies and to UMC Bishops
• The Call to Boycott SodaStream from the
UM General Board of Church & Society
• UMC Resolution opposing settlements products
See these and more; download them
FEATURED RESOURCES
CORPORATE ENGAGEMENT
Some believe that our church should keep investments in companies complicit in the occupation, to continue our corporate engagement and encourage them to change their policies. See the history of our advocacy with the corporations that are named in our 2012 divestment resolution.
DIVESTMENT Q & A
The answers to many of your questions about divestment! Learn more
WHO SUPPORTS DIVESTMENT?
See many of the Christian and Jewish organizations
that support divestment, as well as businesses and pension funds that have cut their ties to the Israeli occupation. Learn more
INVESTING IS NOT ENOUGH
Some United Methodists recommend replacing church divestment from the occupation with something that sounds more 'positive' - investing in the Palestinian economy. This approach cannot sufficiently help the Palestinians or their economy while they live under a brutal military occupation. Learn more
Some believe that our church should keep investments in companies complicit in the occupation, to continue our corporate engagement and encourage them to change their policies. See the history of our advocacy with the corporations that are named in our 2012 divestment resolution.
DIVESTMENT Q & A
The answers to many of your questions about divestment! Learn more
WHO SUPPORTS DIVESTMENT?
See many of the Christian and Jewish organizations
that support divestment, as well as businesses and pension funds that have cut their ties to the Israeli occupation. Learn more
INVESTING IS NOT ENOUGHSome United Methodists recommend replacing church divestment from the occupation with something that sounds more 'positive' - investing in the Palestinian economy. This approach cannot sufficiently help the Palestinians or their economy while they live under a brutal military occupation. Learn more
HOLY LAND TOURISM
Responsible Tourism
Walk with the people of our faith in the place where it all began! Follow the guidelines of UMC resolutions to live our values when visiting this extraordinary land.
Learn more and download tourism resources »
in the Holy Land
Walk with the people of our faith in the place where it all began! Follow the guidelines of UMC resolutions to live our values when visiting this extraordinary land.
Learn more and download tourism resources »
SHARE THIS PAGE
If you believe in the advocacy work of UMKR, please help our work continue
with a donation,
in whatever amount you are able.
Every gift makes
a difference.
with a donation,
in whatever amount you are able.
Every gift makes
a difference.
SUPPORT UMC PROJECTS
IN THE
HOLY LAND
IN THE
HOLY LAND
United Methodist Advance Projects are supplying vital aid for Palestinians and changing lives throughout the Holy Land. Donating online or by check is easy. See the list of projects, make a choice and make a gift! Learn more »
NEWS
WALKING WITH PALESTINIAN CHRISTIANS...
For Holy Justice
and Peace
The first church-wide conference on Israel-Palestine, presented by For Holy Justice
and Peace
the General Board of Global Ministries and Ginghamsburg UMC
Find out what happened when United Methodists gathered for this
ground-breaking event in August 2014
Articles, photos, videos »
IN 2013 AND 2014, MORE UNITED METHODISTS DIVEST AND COMMIT TO WORKING FOR A JUST PEACE
Since the UMC General Conference 2012, eleven regional conferences in the U.S. have adopted legislation calling for divestment and other actions to achieve a just peace in Israel-Palestine. read more »
Since the UMC General Conference 2012, eleven regional conferences in the U.S. have adopted legislation calling for divestment and other actions to achieve a just peace in Israel-Palestine. read more »
UMKR SUPPORTS 15 CHRISTIAN LEADERS
Fifteen leaders of Christian denominations and organizations - including the President of the UMC Council of Bishops - wrote a letter to Congress seeking to make U.S. military aid to the State of Israel contingent on Israel's compliance with U.S. law.
read the UMKR press release »
Fifteen leaders of Christian denominations and organizations - including the President of the UMC Council of Bishops - wrote a letter to Congress seeking to make U.S. military aid to the State of Israel contingent on Israel's compliance with U.S. law.
read the UMKR press release »
U.S. POLICY
Third Thursday Alerts
Action alerts from the Faith Forum on Middle East policy, mobilizing advocates across the United States each month to bring a common message to their Members of Congress. Learn more »
21 Organizations Send Letter on Gaza to Kerry and USAID
Citing the failure of promised reconstruction of Gaza, 21 organizations including the UMC General Board of Church & Society have sent a letter to the U.S. Secretary of State and the administrator of USAID. They call for specific and immediate steps to relieve the "humanitarian crisis in Gaza." See the letter »
Support this message, take action »
Congressional Briefing:
Bethlehem district threatened by huge
land confiscation in the West Bank
Washington DC - November 2014
West Bank village of Wadi Foquin is overwhelmed by illegal Israeli settlements
In 2014, Israel announced their largest land grab in thirty years, in the region of Bethlehem. United Methodists and partners organized an important Congressional briefing about land confiscation and the impact of the settlements on prospects for peace. Learn more »
Action alerts from the Faith Forum on Middle East policy, mobilizing advocates across the United States each month to bring a common message to their Members of Congress. Learn more »21 Organizations Send Letter on Gaza to Kerry and USAID
Citing the failure of promised reconstruction of Gaza, 21 organizations including the UMC General Board of Church & Society have sent a letter to the U.S. Secretary of State and the administrator of USAID. They call for specific and immediate steps to relieve the "humanitarian crisis in Gaza." See the letter »
Support this message, take action »
Congressional Briefing:
Bethlehem district threatened by huge
land confiscation in the West Bank
Washington DC - November 2014
West Bank village of Wadi Foquin is overwhelmed by illegal Israeli settlements
In 2014, Israel announced their largest land grab in thirty years, in the region of Bethlehem. United Methodists and partners organized an important Congressional briefing about land confiscation and the impact of the settlements on prospects for peace. Learn more »
DIVESTMENT
In the news, Jan 2015:
UMKR Welcomes New Investment Fund, While Noting Problems
Read the press release »
In the news, June 2014: United Methodist Church Divests from G4S
June 2014 - Groundbreaking divestment action by the largest mainline Protestant church in the United States. United Methodists justice advocates celebrate this landmark step and look forward to further United Methodist economic advocacy for human rights in Israel-Palestine. Read the press release »
Aligning our Words and Actions
For many years, United Methodist resolutions have urged an end to Israel's occupation of Palestinian land and a sharing of the city of Jerusalem, which is holy to three faiths. Yet United Methodist boards and agencies hold stock in companies which sustain that occupation. It is time for the church to align its actions with its words. We need to stop investing in companies whose goods and services enable the occupation to continue.
Watch our short video "Answering the Call"
An introduction to the Israeli occupation & why we are calling for UMC divestment. Watch it »
DIVESTMENT PETITION
to the UMC General Board of Pension and Health Benefits
Are you a United Methodist employee or clergy who believes our church should stop investing in companies that sustain the occupation? Take action by signing the petition today!
UMKR Welcomes New Investment Fund, While Noting Problems
Read the press release »
In the news, June 2014: United Methodist Church Divests from G4SJune 2014 - Groundbreaking divestment action by the largest mainline Protestant church in the United States. United Methodists justice advocates celebrate this landmark step and look forward to further United Methodist economic advocacy for human rights in Israel-Palestine. Read the press release »
Aligning our Words and Actions
For many years, United Methodist resolutions have urged an end to Israel's occupation of Palestinian land and a sharing of the city of Jerusalem, which is holy to three faiths. Yet United Methodist boards and agencies hold stock in companies which sustain that occupation. It is time for the church to align its actions with its words. We need to stop investing in companies whose goods and services enable the occupation to continue.
Watch our short video "Answering the Call" An introduction to the Israeli occupation & why we are calling for UMC divestment. Watch it »
DIVESTMENT PETITION
to the UMC General Board of Pension and Health Benefits
Are you a United Methodist employee or clergy who believes our church should stop investing in companies that sustain the occupation? Take action by signing the petition today!
This petition is for United Methodist clergy and employees who participate in/benefit from services of the UM General Board of Pension and Health Benefits (GBPHB)
Endorsements for UMC Divestment
Archbisop Desmond Tutu's message to delegates at General Conference 2012 Read it »
Tutu's letter of endorsement for UMKR divestment work. Read it »
Archbisop Desmond Tutu's message to delegates at General Conference 2012 Read it »
Tutu's letter of endorsement for UMKR divestment work. Read it »
United Methodist Bishop Mary Ann Swenson writes of her experience visiting Israel-Palestine and asks for support of UM divestment. Read it »
Rev. Alex Awad, Dean of Students at 
Bethlehem Bible College and GBGM missionary, sends a powerful letter supporting divestment to UMC Annual Conferences. read and download it »
See the video and letter
from Israeli citizens
See the Letter from Rabbis in the United States - www.rabbisletter.org
Read the letter from ICAHD-USA Letter
Read the statement from the Rabbinical Council of Jewish Voice for Peace
See the endorsement statement of the UMC General Board of Global Ministries, and others' statements. See all our group endorsements
Bethlehem Bible College and GBGM missionary, sends a powerful letter supporting divestment to UMC Annual Conferences. read and download it »
See the video and letter from Israeli citizens
See the Letter from Rabbis in the United States - www.rabbisletter.org
Read the letter from ICAHD-USA Letter
Read the statement from the Rabbinical Council of Jewish Voice for Peace
See the endorsement statement of the UMC General Board of Global Ministries, and others' statements. See all our group endorsements
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