NEME News

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On the recent declaration by Israel's Defense Minister that six West Bank civil society organizations are terrorist organizations: 

• From Rabbi Jill Jacobs: Rabbis Condemn Decision to Label Palestinian Human Rights Groups as Terrorists
  
  "From at least the time of the Bible, governments have resisted listening to the prophetic voices that expose unpleasant truths. Nevertheless, these voices are necessary for transparency and to ensure human rights protections. By falsely accusing human rights and civil society organizations of being terrorist groups, the Israeli government attempts to shield itself from criticism while also doing potentially lasting damage to Palestinians and to Palestinian society."
   
• From Churches for Middle East Peace: Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) Strongly Opposes Designation of Palestinian Human Rights Groups as Terrorist Organizations 
  
  "In a statement, Kevin Vollrath, Manager of Middle East Partnerships at CMEP, said, 'The work of these organizations ensures that the basic rights of Palestinians are realized by holding governments accountable for human rights violations. For decades these organizations have worked for peace in Israel and Palestine. Effectively outlawing their work is anti-democratic and has grave implications for the work of human rights organizations everywhere.'”

What we've been reading/watching: 

• Archbishop Hanna: Christian Presence in Palestine is Declining Due to Israeli Occupation, The Palestine Chronicle, October 14, 2021. 
• Faith and resilience in Middle East's imperiled Christian Communities, YaleNews, October 19, 2021.
• The Evangelical Church is Breaking Apart, The Atlantic, October 24, 2021.