Category: Blog
Why An Israel-Hamas Ceasefire?
A message from Kairos West Michigan Board of Directors
Why An Israel-Hamas Ceasefire?
We abhor all violence. Wherever it originates and on whomever it is visited.
Over the past 75 years, cycles of violence perpetrated by both sides have resulted neither in Israelis living in peace and security within their own borders, or Palestinians attaining their legitimate human rights, including self-determination, an independent state and the right of return for refugees. When a state commits violence against innocent humanity we call it, “the occupation, or apartheid, or the right to self-defense.” When an oppressed people commit the same, we refer to it as “terrorism.” Where have the past 75 years of such practices brought us?
About 50% of the 2.2 million Gazans are 18 years old or younger. The violent bombing, the killing of more than 27,000 of them and counting (60% of which have been women and children) is only radicalizing another generation. This violence will lead only to more violence. The Pentagon estimates that after 120 days of war Hamas has lost only about 25% of its militants. But Hamas is more than a militant terrorist group; it is a movement, an ideology. Even if Hamas lost every one of its fighters, the brutality of Israel’s military operation is serving to fertilize its continued growth.
Let’s stop the violence. We call for equal human rights for everyone in Israel and Palestine. We are for Israel, because we believe the cessation of violence and the recognition of the equal human rights between the Israeli and Palestinian people are the only paths to Israel living in peace and security within its borders. We are for Palestine, because we believe the recognition of the equal human rights of the Israeli people is the only way Palestinians will achieve their legitimate aspirations and independence.
Neither Hamas nor the current Israeli government led by Benjamin Netanyahu espouse equal human rights for everyone in Israel-Palestine. It is time for us as Americans to hold both Hamas and Israel accountable to this essential, fundamental American value, fought and died for by generations of Americans.
Our Reformed, Christian tradition calls us to look forward to the day when Christ restores all things broken by sin and evil. In the meantime, however, we work tirelessly and proactively toward the ultimate goal of shalom, wholeness, and peace. As followers of Jesus, we call for a ceasefire and the resumption of aid to UNWRA, the lifeline for refugees in Gaza and the Middle East. We cannot imagine that the Prince of Peace would advocate for the continuation of this brutal assault!
Darell Dalman
Bart Den Boer
John Hubers
John Kleinheksel
Shelly Millen
Grace Newhouse
Marlin Vis
Kairos West Michigan Board of Directors
A Conversation With Cindy and Craig Corrie
Tuesday, February 6 at 2:00pm ET
March 16, 2024 will mark the 21st anniversary of Craig and Cindy’s daughter Rachel being crushed to death by an Israeli Army bulldozer as she stood in front of it attempting to prevent the demolition of the home of a Gazan family with whom she’d been staying.
“I don’t think Rachel should have moved. I think we all should have been there, standing with her.” Cindy Corrie, 2013
We’ll catch up with the Corries about Rachel’s memory, the ongoing work of the Rachel Corrie Foundation, and their reflections on the brutal violence Israel is inflicting upon Gaza today.
The Stones Cry Out Solidarity Delegation February 27-March 7
Mike Spath, Mark Braverman, Doug Thorpe, Wendell Griffen, and Don Wagner invite you to participate in “The Stones Cry Out Solidarity Delegation,” February 27-March 7.
Rifat Kassis, Munther Isaac, and others from Kairos Palestine and the Global Kairos for Justice Coalition are urging us to come and stand with them. Kairos Palestineis our host.
Please note the three actions that comprise the Delegation:
- In Bethlehem: Stand with Kairos leaders (Feb. 27-March 3)
- In Washington: Take political action (March 4-5)
- In Your Community: Spread solidarity for peace and non-violence (March 6)
HELP US MAKE SURE WEST MICHIGAN IS REPRESENTED AT THESE IMPORTANT EVENTS! DONATE HERE: https://www.kairoswestmichigan.org/donate/ (We need $6,000 to send two representatives)
On Wednesday, March 6 we are urging you to organize in your community. Send a message that our friends seeking non-violence and equal rights in Palestine are not alone.
Watch for continual updates about this delegation at
- Palestine Portal (https://www.palestineportal.org/)
- Indiana Center for Middle East Peace (https://www.indianacmep.org/)
Join us in Bethlehem and/or in Washington DC. Organize, strategize, and mobilize in your areas to promote equal human rights for all in Israel-Palestine.
Munther Isaac Zoom Recording
Munther Isaac: Pastor, Theologian,
Author, and Activist
Tuesday, January 30
2:00pm EST SEE THE RECORDING AT THIS LINK
Munther Isaac is a pastor of Bethlehem’s Christmas Evangelical Lutheran Church, Academic Dean at Bethlehem Bible College, and an author, theologian and activist. He recently gave the widely acclaimed Christmas sermon, “Christ in the Rubble.” |
We at Kairos West Michigan are honored to provide this recording of Munther’s presentation with our ICMEP and Kairos USA partners. |
Three Prolific Voices from Palestine and Jordan: Recorded Interviews and Events
https://mailchi.mp/f50c045c1fdb/thee-prolific-voices-17615056
A Palestinian physician, activist, and politician who serves as General Secretary of the Palestinian National Initiative (PNI). He has been a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council since 2006 and is also a member of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Central Council. In 2007, Barghouti was Minister of Information in the Palestinian unity government.
January 11, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. EST.
See Dr. Barghouti’s January 11 Interview Here (Passcode: Yc9KY^Cj
Jordanian politician who served as the 42nd Prime Minister of Jordan from June, 2018 to October 12, 2020. Born in Al-Salt, Razzaz began his schooling in Amman, later continuing his studies abroad. He has been director of several national and international institutions and Minister of Education before his designation as Prime Minister. Senior Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School’s Middle East Initiative.
Interview held on January 17, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. EST.
See the Dr. Omar Razzaz Interview Here
Passcode: h77B4&#T
Dr. Hanan Ashrawi A former member of the PLO’s Leadership Committee, serving as the official spokesperson of the Palestinian delegation during the Madrid Peace Conference of 1991. In 1996, she was appointed as the Palestinian Authority Minister of Higher Education and Research. Hanan was elected to the Palestinian Legislative Council representing Jerusalem in 1996 and was re-elected in 2006. She was elected as member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in 2009 and 2018, becoming the body’s first female member. EVENT POSTPONED: NEW DATE YET TO BE DETERMINED |
Register Here for Dr. Ashrawi (Registrants will receive a link when event has been rescheduled) |
Israel-Palestine in Context: Five Key Understandings for Americans
Christ In The Rubble: A Christmas Sermon
See and hear the Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac’s Christmas sermon at this link: It begins at minute #12 of the video.
Gaza At 20,000 Dead
20,000 Dead…. 500,000 Starving…. 1.7 Million Displaced
Isaiah 32:1 Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule with justice.
We can only hope for the true king of righteousness by longing for that which characterizes him, for righteousness and justice.
The vision of Scripture includes a personal grace within a larger, more comprehensive picture: a picture of peoples, of nations, of creation as a whole sitting under the good judgment and righteous rule of the same One who made the heavens and the earth. Adam Johnson, Biola University
Two Ways To Take Action Today
- Demand a Cease-Fire Now: Write your U.S. Senators and Representatives at this link: https://fcnl.quorum.us/campaign/51886/
- Contribute to Shepherd Society “Gaza Cries Out”
Zoom Event: The Israel-Hamas War in Context
December 10, December 17 6:30-8:00 PM EST
Presenters: Josh, Sally, and Marlin Vis, ChrisDeBlaay
The Vis’s have almost 20 years of experience connected to this struggle between two people groups living a strained and often violent existence. Chris DeBlaay is Josh Vis’s Global Mission co-worker.
Description: Who is Hamas? What do we mean by the term “settler colonialism” and what does this have to do with anything? What sources can we trust with accurate information? And finally, how does this ongoing conflict affect us?
Dates and Times: December 10 and 17, from 6:30-8pm EST. (Two identical 1 ½ hour sessions, limit 20 participants/session)
Registration: Email Marlin Vis at marlinpvis@gmail.com
Cost: $25 donation for Josh Vis and Chris DeBlaay’s Global Mission (Reformed Church America) support.