Peace Not Walls
A special ELCA campaign calling for a just peace in Palestine and Israel
Peace not Walls is a campaign connecting ELCA members to their Lutheran sisters and brothers in the Holy Land through:
Our church’s primary companion in the Holy Land is the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL). This Arabic-speaking community of faithful Lutherans in the Holy Land is the primary relationship through which the ELCA sees the situation in Israel and Palestine. Together, our churches are members of the Lutheran World Federation, a global communion which has a strong Jerusalem area program that works closely with the ELCJHL.
The campaign supports a viable, contiguous Palestinian state; a secure Israeli state at peace with its Arab neighbors; and a shared Jerusalem with equal access and rights for Jews, Muslims and Christians.
Advocacy Updates
OREGON SYNOD CREATES 5 SHORT VIDEOS ON ISRAEL/PALESTINE The Oregon Synod has created 5 very short videos about Palestine/Israel to inform their constituents about our companions and their situation. You are free to use these (they are downloadable) for your awareness-raising. Thanks to the Oregon Synod for being proactive and making these videos available:
Love Your Enemies |
Keys to Understanding |
Healing in the Holy Land |
The Checkpoint |
Forbidden Family.
OCTOBER 5 LETTER ON EXAMINING US MILITARY AID GIVEN TO ISRAEL:
On October 5, ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson joined with 14 other Christian leaders in signing a letter requesting hearings about the use of military aid given to Israel to ensure compliance with US and international human rights law. The letter questions the continuation of unconditional U.S. financial assistance to the government of Israel.
Read the letter.
Plan to Attend a PNW Night May 19 and the CMEP Conference May 20-21
The CMEP (
Churches for Middle East Peace) Conference will be held this year on May 20-21 at the Pryzbala Center at the Catholic University of America in Washington DC.
On Sunday night, May 19, we will have a PNW network meeting beginning with a dinner at 5 pm at the
Washington Seminar Center .
Hostel-style housing is available at the
Washington Seminar Center for $40 a night, and other lodging options are available
here. Registration for the CMEP conference is $170.
Please let us know if you are attending the PNW evening by contacting PNW Coordinator
Karin Brown.
New Online Survey to Update Our Database
The Peace Not Walls (PNW) staff has developed a new online survey to collect information and ideas from the grassroots advocates .
Please fill out the survey to help us learn from your experience and strengthen the PNW network.
Our Companions
- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL)
The ELCJHL, the world's only Arabic-speaking Lutheran Church, ministers through 6 churches, 5 schools and 3 additional educational programs.
- The Lutheran World Federation's Jerusalem Program
The ELCA and the ELCJHL are members of the Lutheran World Federation, which operates Augusta Victoria Hospital and its village clinics and two vocational training centers. We, plus other international partners, are partnering in the Mt. of Olives Housing Project.
Other Partners
- Churches for Middle East Peace
CMEP works to encourage U.S. policies that actively promote a just, lasting, and comprehensive resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, ensuring security, human rights and religious freedom for all the people of the region.
- Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) The EAPPI brings internationals from all over the world to the West Bank to experience life under occupation, provide protective presence to vulnerable communities, monitor and report human rights abuses and support Palestinians and Israelis working together for peace.