English 21/9/2017

Sabeel Wave of Prayer
September 21^st,  2017

The United Nations Human Rights Council plans to publish a list of companies operating in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories and the Golan Heights, in spite of immense diplomatic pressure from the United States and Israel. American Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, has threatened that the US will cut funding to the UN Human Rights Council if the list of international companies operating in the occupied territories is released.

·         Lord, we are reminded of your scripture: "No one can serve two masters…. You cannot serve both God and money.” We pray that the UN will not succumb to pressure and expose the companies who make profit from our suffering. Lord in your mercy…

The United Nations General Assembly is holding its annual meeting this weekend in New York, 193-member states are represented including Palestine as an observer state. 

·         Lord, we hold the Palestinian people living under occupation in our prayers as the powerful and the weak meet this week for the United Nations General Assembly. May the meetings bring tangible results that would put an end to the injustice in the land of our Holy One. Lord in your mercy...

Israeli rights group, B’Tselem, critiqued the Israeli government’s plans to forcibly expel two Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank. In a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, B’Tselem said that such a move would constitute a “war crime.” The forcible transfer of Khan al-Ahmar will enable future expansion of settlements, including in the area designated E1 – a plan being promoted in part by the settler lobby. 

·         Lord, grant all people of conscience the courage and strength to continue to speak truth to power. May the voices of justice and equality continue to echo in the ears of the Israeli decision makers and may they surrender to your will of peace. Lord in your mercy…

On Thursday September 14^th, Israeli bulldozers demolished a Palestinian home in the Negev, south of Israel, for the eighth time. The Israeli authorities raided the village of Umm Qabu and demolished a house belonging to Salman Abu Sabileh, whose home was demolished seven times before by Israeli authorities for allegedly lacking almost impossible-to-obtain building permits.

·         Lord, once again we are reminded of your scriptures: (Matthew 18:21) “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?” We pray that the family of Abu Sabileh continues to rebuild their home regardless of the number of times the Israeli state sins against them. Lord in your mercy…

The Sabeel office in Nazareth is organizing a theatrical play that focuses on Palestinian heritage and identity. The play aims to strengthen the Palestinian narrative and deepen our roots in the land. The play comes at a time when the Israeli government is trying to redefine our own identity.

·         Lord, bless the work of Sabeel locally and internationally. We ask you to be with the young people on stage as they challenge the narrative of the Israeli state by being who they are. Lord in your mercy…

·         We join the World Council of Churches in praying for the countries of Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.
Lord in your mercy…