The ongoing human rights abuses carried out by Israel against Palestinians in its occupation of the Palestinian territories of Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, are what many call the “ongoing Nakba” (disaster). Palestinians have faced decades of violence, house demolitions, child imprisonment, and humiliation by the Israeli government and its institutions – police, military, courts, etc – which have now led to powder keg conditions all over Israel and the Palestinian territories. 

 Israelis too, seek a lasting peace and many are involved in justice-seeking organizations and movements. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have recently declared that conditions in Palestine/Israel amount to apartheid.

The Middle East Working Group (MEWG) continues to bring many of these issues to the attention of our congregations through special services, educationsl events, list-serve updates and advocacy opportunities. 

Our working group is made up of members from Trinity-St.Paul’s, Bloor St. and Bathurst United Churches. Many of us are also involved with the Palestine Network of Shining Waters Region as well as the United Network for Justice and Peace in Palestine and Israel ( UNJPPI). 

To learn more about the situation in Palestine/Israel you can join the Kumi Now weekly webinars (Tuesday at 11 am) which bring updates on the present situation in Palestine.

If you are interested in joining our MEWG group, please contact Barbara Lloyd barblloyd@rogers.com