UMKR POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS
& ISSUES












H.R. 2590: Palestinian Children and Families Act

In April 2021, Rep. Betty McCollum and 13 colleagues introduced the most comprehensive bill Congress has seen to address the violations of Palestinian human rights. The full title of HR 2590 is Defending the Human Rights of Palestinian Children and Families Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act.
   The bill seeks to ensure that the US is no longer complicit in Israel’s crimes against millions of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. This legislation would ensure that U.S. taxpayer dollars aren’t used by the Israeli government to imprison and torture Palestinian children, steal and destroy Palestinian homes and property, or further annex  Palestinian land.
Learn more and take action



















Stop Jerusalem Expulsions

Israel has plans underway for widescale ethnic cleansing in occupied East Jersualem, with forced expulsions and home demolitions that could target hundreds of families, thousands of Palestinian residents in Sheikh Jarrah, Silwan and other historically Palestinian neighborhoods.
  This is part of Israel’s larger plan of racist colonial expansion throughout the West Bank including East Jerusalem, displacing Palestinian families from their land and homes and replacing them with illegal Israeli settlements.
Learn more and take action


















Stand with the 6

On 19 October 2021, the Israeli government declared six prominent Palestinian human rights groups as "terrorist institutions,” a legal designation could subject them to great harm under harsh and extreme Israeli laws and within the international community.
United Methodists and many of our faith partners know these groups; they advocate for Palestinian human rights at the local and international levels, provide services and support to women, children, farmers, and prisoners. They are being targeted because they are doing critical work to expose and resist Israel’s constant violations of Palestinian rights. See what can be done to support them and oppose this dangerous and outrageous labeling of these groups.
Learn more and take action







 



Israeli Detention of Palestinian Children

One of the most disturbing aspects of Israel's military occupation is the toll it takes on Palestinian children growing up under this oppressive regime. Hundreds of children every year are abused by Israeli military, processed through Israel's military court system, and incarcerated in military prisons. Learn more about the systemic violations of Palestinian children's human rights and  find opportunities for action.  Go there









Protecting the Right to Boycott
The right to address and correct injustice with economic action like boycotts and divestment is in danger in many places that claim to uphold democratic values. In the US, dozens of states have laws that seek to penalize boycott and divestment actions that support Palestinian rights. Learn more about this crucial area of political organizing and how you can get involved.
See more

__________________________________________________________________________________

Get Involved

To take part in our political advocacy, SUBSCRIBE to receive our action alerts: Sign up here

United Methodists are responding to Kairos Palestine: A Moment of Truth ,a statement of faith and urgent call to action from Christians in Palestine.  UMKR seeks, through nonviolent means and in partnership with Palestinian Christians, freedom, justice and equality for all Palestinians and Israelis.

Political Action        Home Page


for our work to continue.

We need your support.

With very limited resources, UMKR has made a major impact in the United Methodist Church.


Groundbreaking divestment and boycott actions by the UMC would never have happened without UMKR's advocacy AND the extraordinary partners and allies who have worked with us and supported our efforts.


 If we are to continue advocating for Palestinian rights throughout our international denomination, we need your support.   


Click here to donate online or by mail.

Please give as generously as you are able, and know that gifts of every size make a difference.

        

For News & Alerts

- 1 or 2 per month –

join our mailing list!

🔸 New or Recently Updated   


SEE RESOURCES, STATEMENTS, AND LETTERS ON THE RIGHT »»»

See recommended Political Advocacy Tools from our partners: click here

UMKR needs your support

FAITH LEADERS' LETTERS & STATEMENTS

Palestinian Christian Alliance for Peace (PCAP) letter to Biden and Blinken, urging them to reconsider U.S. policies regarding Hamas – June 2021
Download this letter


13 Christian organizations write to U.S. Secretary of State Blinken to "stop the imminent displacement" of thousands in Jerusalem– April 2021
Download this letter


17 Christian Organizations write to President-elect Biden urging him to change the course of U.S. policy on Israel/Palestine, lay out six priorities  – December 2020

Download this letter

26 Christian Leaders write to Members of Congress in Support of H.R. 2407, to end U.S. funding for child incarceration in Israel/Palestine or anywhere – November 2019
See the letter, take action to support it

18 Christian denominations and organizations  to U.S. Congress: Restore US funding for UNRWA and bilateral programs – March 2019

See the letter


Ecumenical Letter to Pres. Trump: Restore funding, stop politicizing humanitarian aid – February 2019 
See the letter


21 Organizations' Letter on Gaza to U.S. State Department - December 2014

Download the letter


15 Christian Leaders' Letter to Congress 
on U.S. Military Aid to Israel
- October 2012

Download the letter

_____________________________________________________

UMKR RESOURCES, LETTERS, STATEMENTS




UMKR Action Alerts
Often including a political action and drawing on the monthly alerts from the Faith Forum on Middle East Policy
See our alerts


Congressional Briefings on Israel/Palestine
See the reports


UMKR Briefing Paper on Anti-BDS Legislation 
See & download this paper


United Methodist Western Jurisdiction
Opposes Anti-BDS Legislation - July 2016

See & download the resolution


UMKR commends UN Security Council resolution, US role in its passage, and Secretary of State Kerry's statement - December 2016  See & download the statement


Quakers' Letter to Hillary Clinton and UMKR Endorsement – July 2016 See & download them


UMKR's Letter to Hillary Clinton on BDS – Aug 2015   See & download the letter

  

_____________________________________________________________