Palestine - Israel Network (PIN)
The Mennonite Church BC Palestine and Israel Network (MCBC PIN) is a network of individuals who seek to promote a just peace in the Holy Land.
Our mandate is aligned with the resolution on Palestine and Israel that was passed at the Mennonite Church Canada 2016 Assembly, in response to the call of Palestinian Christians.
In keeping with the activities of the resolution, the MCBC PIN seeks to:
- stimulate prayer, education, and advocacy action in our congregations,
- collaborate with Canadian Jews, Palestinians, and church-related bodies advocating for justice and dignity for all in Palestine and Israel,
- promote support for international law and human rights in Israel and Palestine by engaging our government representatives, and
- discourage economic practices and policies that help perpetuate the oppression of Palestinians under Israeli occupation.
We invite your participation with the MCBC PIN. To join a distribution list for updates, simply send your email address to Jon Nofziger.
PRAY
People in Gaza are waiting for the outcome of ceasefire talks while Israeli attacks, starvation, diseases, and hellish circumstances continue, affecting 2.2 million people. Children are dying of starvation in northern Gaza, and many are experiencing severe malnutrition. Aid is systematically denied from entering Gaza, especially the northern part and the aid that does make it through is at times under fire from Israel’s military.
● God of the oppressed, the full extent of the suffering in Gaza is unknown. Lord, we come to you like the Psalmist asking “Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1). Lord, we hold on to our faith that the depths of agony and pain are only truly known by you and the people of Gaza. Lord, deliver the people of Gaza and stop the starvation they are experiencing. Keep us from growing numb to the suffering that is occurring.
Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer
LEARN
Peace and Possibility
A Webinar with the authors of The Wall Between: What Jews and Palestinians Don’t Want to Know About Each Other. Raja Khouri and Jeffrey Wilkinson speak about how absolutist narratives prevent each side from expressing empathy for the other’s pain.
This hour long presentation, hosted by Anabaptist World and Canadian Mennonite, can be viewed at Peace and Possibility
You can glean further insights and order the book at The Wall Between
ADVOCATE
The continued destruction of Gaza and Palestinian peoples marches on. It is widely agreed that the first step for a peaceful resolution of the Hamas-Israel Conflict is a ceasefire. Many have already written to their governmental representatives, strongly communicating this need. The petition we posted on thus site has now achieved the required number of signatures and will be read into Parliament in the near future. Thank you for adding your voice.
Another form of advocacy is acts of solidarity. There is a solidarity event planned for Saturday 16 in Delta/Surrey. This march is part of the global Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage. Participants will engage in a 35 km walk (symbolic of the distance between Gaza City and Rafah) which is being organized by Estuary Church and Christians 4 a Free Palestine. You can participate in the full distance or parts of it. For more information and to register, visit
To read more about these acts of solidarity please check the website at gazaceasefirepilgrimage.com.