We mourn the recent legislation,
“the nationality and entry into Israel law,” passed by the Knesset. This law
ends all hope of family unification for Arab families, as it obstructs people from
the West Bank or other Arab “enemy countries” from living in Israel, even if
they are married to an Arab Israeli. In
Jerusalem alone, the law will affect over 100,000 people who must now make an
agonizing choice. We ask God for guidance for each person who will make a
difficult choice because of the law. Should
they relocate to keep their family together, losing their residency rights in
Jerusalem (health insurance, businesses, right to visit, children’s benefits,
social security)? Or should they remain and face consequences from the Israelis
for residing “illegally” together in Jerusalem or anywhere else in Israel? As couples and families face the intimate
consequences of demography engineered to diminish the number of Arabs in Israel,
we pray fervently for their wellbeing. Lord, in your mercy…
God sends rain on the righteous
and the unrighteous…and we thank God for the rainfall in Palestine this winter,
up 10% from last year. We pray for
farmers, for a good planting season leading to a bountiful harvest. Lord, in your mercy…
As Palestinian students returned
this week to begin a new semester at universities in the United States and
other countries, Sabeel received reports of increased harassment and
intimidation tactics from Israeli security at Ben Gurion airport (Tel Aviv). We lament the unequal treatment of Palestinians
at the Israeli airport. We pray that
freedom of movement soon becomes reality, and customer service unaffected by racial
profiling becomes a value. Lord, in your
mercy…
We pray for the Sabeel visioning
and planning meeting on Friday, January 20th. We pray for safety in travel to the gathering
for all members of the board and assembly. We pray that God’s Spirit will be
palpably present in these strategic planning meetings. Lord, in your mercy…
With the World Council of
Churches we pray for the churches and residents of Cyprus, Greece, and
Turkey. We lift them up to God, in whose
compassion we rest. Lord, in
your mercy…
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