PM Netanyahu has invited Avigdor Lieberman
of the extreme right wing party, Yisrael Beiteinu, to step in as Defense
Minister in an attempt to bring his party into the government coalition. One of Lieberman’s conditions is the
implementation of the death penalty in military courts where Palestinians in
the West Bank are tried but not in the civil courts which tries illegal Israeli
settlers, which would, in effect, be a death penalty only for
Palestinians. Another condition,
pensions for Russian immigrants, is being debated but has not been approved.
God
of justice, every day we see evidence of how some lives are valued more highly
than others, not just here in Palestine-Israel but throughout the world. Open our eyes and our hearts to see the
sacred value of all life and help us to create a world that places a higher
value on human life than it does on economic concerns.
Lord,
in your mercy…
After many discussions with those deeply
involved with the politics of Israel-Palestine, prominent feminist historian,
Prof. Catherine Hall of University College, London, declined to accept the Dan
David Prize, one of Israel’s most prestigious academic awards worth $300,000.
Earlier this year, Hebrew University professor David Shulman chose to donate
the $20,000 he won for the Israel Prize to Ta’ayush, a Palestinian-Jewish Israeli
NGO that works with Palestinians in the West Bank.
Lord,
we thank you for these people of conscience who put justice above personal gain
and prestige. May their actions
challenge us to examine our own values to see where we might be asked to make sacrifices
so that your justice will be done.
Lord,
in your mercy…
God,
in all things we look to you for hope. For Palestinian young people, education
is also a source of hope, a hope for a better future. This week, as our children take their school
exams we ask that you give them clarity of mind and confidence to do their
best, and ask a special prayer for our high school students as they take the
tawjihi, the exams that will determine their ability to enter university. May our young people never lose hope in a
future of possibilities for a life of freedom and peace.
Lord,
in your mercy…
Liberating
God, we pray for the Community Retreat
sponsored by Sabeel Nazareth being held at Maison d’Abraham in Jerusalem May 28
and 29. We ask your blessing on all
participants and on the leadership of Cedar Duaybis and Assis Naim Ateek as
they reflect on Liberation Theology and what it means for life today. May their time together be a source of hope
and encouragement.
Lord,
in your mercy…
We
pray alongside the World Council of Churches for the countries of Malawi and
Zambia.
Lord,
in your mercy…
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