Resolution on Palestine and Israel: 2016 Mennonite Church Canada Assembly

North American Mennonites have lived and studied, ministered and served in Palestine and Israel for nearly 70 years. Many partnerships have formed over these years, particularly through Mennonite Central Committee, our various denominational mission boards and Christian Peacemaker Teams. Thousands of Mennonites from Canada and the US have participated in learning tours and exchanges facilitated by Mennonite educational institutions, service and mission agencies, and tour operators. Most recently, Mennonite Church Canada has sent workers to serve at Bethlehem Bible College and Serve Nazareth.

This resolution, approved at the 2016 Mennonite Church Canada Assembly, emerges largely in response to the plea of Palestinian Christians that the global church come alongside the Palestinian people as they suffer under Israel’s 49-year military occupation of their lands: the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza. Their concerns are expressed in the 2009 document entitled A Moment of Truth: A Word of Faith, Hope and Love from the Heart of Palestinian Suffering, issued by the churches of the region, through a cooperative effort known as Kairos Palestine.

Also see a FAQ document responding to key questions this resolution raises.

Also see Pathways for Peace and Justice in Palestine and Israel Congregational Study, one outcome of this Resolution.