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UMKR emails bring you news about current justice work, action alerts, and great resources for learning and action. Usually 1 newsletter and 1 action alert per month.
News & Views
Noteworthy News in 2016
United Methodist regional bodies oppose "anti-BDS" legislation – September 2016
UMKR questions Israeli crackdown on humanitarian aid – August 2016
Congressional Briefing on the impact of Settlement Expansion - February 2016
United Methodist Pension Fund Excludes and Divests from Israeli Banks - January 2016
Noteworthy News in 2015 & earlier
UMKR celebrates Boycott Success in Palestinian Territories - October 2015
Read the press release
Eight United Methodist annual conferences vote for divestment in 2015
See the press release
UMKR welcomes new UM investment fund, while noting problems - January 2015
See the press release
Landmark action: United Methodist Pension board divests from G4S - June 2014
See the press release.
Selective Divestment
Throughout the church, the call is growing for the UMC to cut its financial ties to the Israeli occupation that it has long opposed Learn more
Responsible Tourism
Be more than a tourist in the Holy Land. See remarkable tours that will show you biblical history and introduce you to the people of the land. Learn more
2018
Ecumenical Statement from 16 Christian Leaders:
Current U.S. Policy, Israel/Palestine, and the Churches
Nov 2018 – This statement was sent to all members of the U.S. Congress, as well as to the White House. It addresses the disturbing shifts in U.S. policy regarding Israel/Palestine during the Trump Administration. See the statement
Seminal Conference of 2018 Makes Clear: The Future of Justice Activism Is Intersectional
The September USCPR national conference, Together We Rise, brought together the most diverse lineup of presenters yet seen in the movement for Palestinian rights, put remarkable women in the limelight, and unmistakably set the intersectional path for the movement's future.
October 2018 – See the report
Reaching Evangelical Christians in the Bible Belt
Oct 2018 – UMKR provided multi-faceted support for the first-ever Christ at the Checkpoint conference in the United States, which featured an impressive lineup of speakers from Palestine and across the U.S. and, like similar conferences in Bethlehem, focused on reaching evangelical Christians and refuting the theology of Christian Zionism. See the report
2018 Resolutions Focus on Palestinian Children
July 2018 – Among the eleven Palestine-related resolutions adopted in annual conference this year, eight addressed the human rights of Palestinian children and their abuse in Israeli military detention.
July 2018 – See the report
UMKR Condemns Israel’s Apartheid Law
UMKR joins numerous partners in condeming the recent adoption by the Israeli legislature of the Nation State Law. This bill now enshrines in Israel's Basic Law, the Israeli equivalent to a national constitution, the denial of equal rights for Palestinian Israeli citizens who comprise 20% or more of Israel's population.
July 2018 –See the press release
Palestinian Missionary writes open letter to UMC Leaders
Rev. Alex Awad, a retired UMC missionary and member of the UMKR Steering Committee challenges UMC leaders to do more for the people of the Holy Land, with several concrete suggestions for action.
May 2018 – See the letter
8000 UM Women and UMKR is there
May 2018 – UMKR outreach at United Methodist Women Assembly 2018
See the report
UMKR Condemns Israel's Response to the Great March of Return 2018
UMKR condemns without reservation Israel’s deliberate killing of over 100 protesting Gazans and the maiming of thousands since protests began on 30 March 2018, Palestinian Land Day, and through the following weeks.
See the statement here
BDS movement nominated for Nobel Peace Prize
Read more and take action to support the nomination
2017
Reflections of a United Methodist Missionary
Janet Lahr Lewis reflects on her time as a missionary in Israel and Palestine.
United Methodists in U.S. defend the right to boycott and divest
Twenty-three resolutions adopted in fifteen annual conferences in 2017, on a wide range of issues related to Israel/Palestine
UMKR welcomes new UMC investment fund: Equities Social Values Plus Fund
See the press release
UMKR Calls for Boycott of HP Products
15 Christian organizations send a Briefing Paper on Israel/Palestine
to the Trump Administration and the U.S. Congress.
12 UMC Holy Land Missionaries Publish Open Letter to Donald Trump:
"Don't move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem."
Palestinian Pastor Sends Open Letter to UK Prime Minister
Recalling the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration, Rev. Alex Awad calls on PM for a new path for Britain regarding Israel/Palestine
UMKR Prepares 6 New Resolutions for 2017 Conferences
See and download the resolutions
FOSNA Lenten Study for 2017 added to UMKR Worship Resources
7 Recommended Holy Land Trips in 2017
Action
Worship & Devotional Resources
Enrich your spiritual connection to the cause of justice in the Holy Land, with diverse materials for congregations & personal devotions. See the resources
Is It Apartheid?
Find out what an international team of legal scholars - commissioned by the South African government - said about the Israeli occupation. See the answer
Israel/Palestine 101
Prepare for peacemaking by learning the basics: the history of this conflict and the real situation today. We have some easy ways to get started. Learn more
UMKR 2018 Resolutions &
Resources: children's rights, the right to boycott, new UMC invest-ment funds, & more Use them
Sign the Petition
For UMC clergy and employees:you are the stakeholders in the services provided by the UM General Board of Pension and Health Benefits. Let them know you want occupation-free investments.
Sign the petition to GBPHB
MAIL
General Inquiries:
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Make donations payable to our fiscal agent:
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UMKR Condemns Israel's Apartheid Law - 16 July 2018
This bill now enshrines in Israel's Basic Law, the Israeli equivalent to a national constitution, the denial of equal rights for Palestinian Israeli citizens who comprise 20% or more of Israel's population. Read the press release
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Kairos Palestine
Palestinian Christians have called on us to help end the Israeli occupation. Discover the document that is mobilizing Christians around the world! Read it
Changing U.S. Policy
It is time for a change in U.S. policies regarding Israel/Palestine. Find out how UMKR and allies are making an impact in Washington & get involved. Learn more
UMKR on Twitter
Action alerts in real time
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Dec. 2016 – UMKR has a (slightly) new name: United Methodists for Kairos Response
Answering the urgent call from Palestinian Christians
~ in Kairos Palestine: A Moment of Truth ~ for effective action to end the Israeli occupation and achieve a just peace in the Holy Land.
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Stronger together
Advocate with UMKR for a
just peace in the Holy Land
Add your voice to thousands of United Methodists who advocate for equality and freedom for all the people of Israel and Palestine. Consider working with one of UMKR's committees or focus on advocacy in your area.
Settlements Boycott
The UMC has called for a global ban on products from Israeli settlements. See many familiar products & how you can support the boycott. Learn more
Palestinian Missionary to
UMC Leaders: "You need to
do more for justice in the
Holy Land" See the letter