Palestine-Israel Justice Project


A battered wall in a refugee camp has been painted with a large, colorful, realistic butterfly. Graffiti says "Here, only butterfly and birds are free."The purpose of the Palestine-Israel Justice Project (PIJP) is to educate individuals, congregations, and the denomination about actions that work toward peace and justice between Palestine and Israel. Members attempt to give a balanced view of true plight of both Israelis and Palestinians through a variety of programs, projects, actions, and conference resolutions. As followers of Jesus, we are called to express our love for neighbor through acts of mercy and justice. Dr. Cornel West reminds us: “Never forget that justice is what love looks like in public”. In the Palestine Israel Justice Project, we envision a Holy Land where love and justice prevail for all of God's children. The group meets the first Thursday of each month from 9:30 to 11 a.m, usually by Zoom. Contact the PIJP Chair if you have an interest in the group.

Key projects and initiatives:

  • Displays at annual conference session to illustrate the conditions prevailing in Palestinian areas.
  • Creates curriculum and shares resources to educate about Palestine/Israel, available through the PIJP website.
  • Introduced resolutions that were then passed at annual conference and passed along to General Conference as well as Minnesota government representatives; resolutions provide support for “on-the-ground” learning through trips to Palestine/Israel.
  • Supports the planting of olive trees in Palestinian lands.
  • Support Palestine-Israel allies that lobby for legislative action. Receives guidance from our United Methodist parent group U.M.K.R. (United Methodists for Kairos Response).

panorama photo of Israel


Contact

Chair: Shirley Duncanson

sduncanson@comcast.net / (763) 561-9466


Minnesota Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church

122 West Franklin Avenue, Suite 400 Minneapolis, MN 55404

info@minnesotaumc.org

(612) 870-0058