The Trump administration recently imposed “terrorist” grade sanctions on Francesca Albanese, UN special rapporteur for Palestine, despite the fact that as a UN official she has diplomatic immunity. The designation came after Albanese named several private American companies in a UN report for contributing to gross violations of human rights in Gaza and the West Bank and urging the ICC to investigate. Her report and letters so alarmed the U.S. companies that at least two sought help from the White House. In addition to Albanese, the Trump administration sanctioned eight ICC judges and three prosecutors last year.
God of oppressed, we thank you for the brave prophetic voice of Francesca Albanese who has helped illuminate to the world how structures of oppression are intertwined. Be with Francesca and all human rights defenders and activists who refuse to give up justice and accountability. Embolden all of us with the same courage to speak truth and confront injustice.
Lord in your mercy...hear our prayer
Last week, Israeli forces detained two journalists, two foreign solidarity activists, and Palestinian anti-settlement activist Rateb al-Jbour in the Rujum al-Aala area of Masafer Yatta, south of Hebron, while they were documenting an assault carried out by illegal settlers. Residents reported that attacks in the area have intensified in recent days, leaving women and children injured, damaging homes and property, destroying agricultural crops, and preventing families from accessing farmland and grazing areas.
Redeemer Christ, we recall how you were arrested, mocked, and abused for speaking truth to power and confronting the empire of your time. Assure all who are resisting brutal occupation and settler violence in the West Bank that you see them and will deliver them from their oppression. In the face of such violence, empower us to continue the struggle for goodness and justice.
Lord in your mercy...hear our prayer
The United States has been quietly deporting Palestinians arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to the occupied West Bank by a private jet owned by an Israeli-American property tycoon, with two such flights taking place in coordination with the Israeli authorities since the beginning of this year. Eight Palestinian men — shackled for the entire journey by their wrists and ankles — were flown from an ICE deportation hub in Phoenix, Arizona on Jan 20. After arriving at Ben Gurion Airport, the men were put in a vehicle with an armed Israeli police officer and released at a military checkpoint outside the Palestinian town of Ni’lin in the West Bank.
Good God, we are overwhelmed with the actions of empires. Be with the many who are detained and abused by this unjust system and provide them with your healing and safety. In the face of systemic sins, help us to fight for the oppressed creatively and persistently.
Lord in your mercy...hear our prayer
On February 6, workers from over 20 Mediterranean ports, led by the USB union in Italy and groups in Greece, Turkey, Morocco, and Spain, staged strikes to block vessels including the Zim Virginia suspected of arms shipments to Israeli ports such as Ashdod and Haifa. On the same day, February 6, anti-Zionist activists attempted to cut the Gaza border fence, to break into the largest concentration camp in the world. This action is in solidarity with the strike by the dockworkers across the Mediterranean, protesting against arms shipments to Israel.
Holy God, we worship your name whenever we use our bodies and voices to support the most vulnerable. Lord, illuminate to us where we can bear witness in our lives through creative resistance, and continue to cultivate in us hope and courage to dismantle all structures of oppression.
Lord in your mercy...hear our prayer
Last week, Sabeel launched the Faithful Futures project with Rabbis for Human Rights at the Notre Dame Center in Jerusalem. 50 people attended the meeting. Bishop William Shomali, Hind Khoury, Dr. Fawzi Barakat, and Rabbi David Rosen were invited to speak on religion and international law at the opening event.
Loving God, we give thanks for the success of this event and we give thanks for your Holy Spirit which is always present in the form of solidarity, sumud, and hope. We pray that our interfaith solidarity will shine as an example of an alternative reality rooted in mutual love and equality. Grant us the faithful persistence of your Spirit so that we may each day work for this reality, until liberation belongs to all in your Holy land.
Lord in your mercy...hear our prayer
We join the World Council of Churches in their prayers for the people of Andorra, Italy, Malta, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, and Vatican City.
We also lift in our prayers this week the people of Cuba who are at risk of starvation and humanitarian collapse due to the decades-long illegal embargo by the United States and the recent U.S. seizure of Venezuelan oil leading to a fuel shortage in Cuba.
Lord in your mercy...hear our prayers
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