Looking ahead to 2017: A message from PIEN President Helen Rainger

Occupation 101. This documentary, viewed in the context of theology studies, was my starting point for my awareness of the injustices on many levels suffered by the Palestinian people. Why wasn’t I more aware and concerned before this point, a mere five years ago? There are many reasons (and non-reasons); and that is where PIEN comes in.

Those in Palestine Israel Ecumenical Network perhaps see their role as being to wake people up. Put more formally (and see our website for our aims), we are working to make people in general in Australia and more specifically people within our churches, aware of the need for peace with justice in that troubled land. A voice from the churches and to the churches.

To misquote a friend speaking of a different ‘rumour’, I like to see our mission also as ‘keeping the rumour of Palestine alive’. How political should a theology be? As ‘political’ as it needs to be. The significance of Palestinian theology is that it brings our view of God into conversation with the realpolitik of what is happening in Palestine and Israel.

Also part of the role of PIEN is to be in solidarity with Palestinian Christians. The Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Centre for is holding its 10^th International Conference in Bethlehem in March and Fred (Rainger) and I are attending. From moments of worship at the Sea of Galilee to confronting the various brands of religious extremism, participants from around the world will stand together. 

Read the rest of the President's message here

Palestine in the news

• The US abstaining from a Security Council Resolution on Palestine
• The reaction to the Resolution, with Australia claiming it was one-sided and the Israeli PM declaring it was a 'declaration of war' from co-sponsors New Zealand . What seemed to be lost was the reality that the the resolution re-affirmed many previous resolutions and again acknowledged the reality that Israel is the Occupying Power.
• A powerful speech from outgoing US Secretary of State John Kerry on the Israeli Settlements.

• Also in the news was the pro-Israel stance of incoming US President Donald Trump, including the likelihood of hard-line appointees and a promise to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem, despite the long-standing US approach to maintain the Embassy in Tel Aviv along with other powers.
• It was great to see long-term PIEN member Dr Kevin Bray have his opinion piece published in the Canberra Times, the Sydney Morning Herald and The Melbourne Age. (Have you thought of writing a letter to the editor or an opinion piece on Palestine? We can help you if you are interested.)

• Palestine has opened an Embassy in the Vatican and the PM Mahmoud Abbas has met Pope Francis. 
• Catholic Bishops returned from a visit to the Gaza and West Bank and described the "Scandal" of the Occupation