United Church Social Policy Positions

That the Executive of the General Council

1. Receive "A Moment of Truth: A word of faith, hope and love from the heart of the Palestinian suffering"—the KAIROS Palestine document—as an authentic voice of Palestinian Christians and offer the document and responses to it to United Church Conferences, presbyteries, congregations, and community ministries to use in their ongoing consultation, dialogue, study, and prayer as adopted by the 40th General Council 2009 in part six (6) of its implementation of Measures Towards Peace in the Middle East.
2. Direct the General Secretary, General Council, to make available the KAIROS Palestine document and such responses and further guidance that the General Secretary, General Council, deems helpful in keeping with part five (5) adopted by the 40th General Council 2009 in its implementation of Measures Towards Peace in the Middle East.

General Council: General Council Executive, November 2010
Record of Proceedings Page Ref. 2010-11-13-105
See also: the 40th General Council's Implementation of Measures Towards Peace in the Middle East.

Supplementary Information and Resources

The Kairos Palestine Document: A Moment of Truth is offered to the world by Christian Palestinians as "A word of faith, hope and love from the heart of the Palestinian suffering."

From the introduction to "A Moment of Truth":

This document did not come about spontaneously, and it is not the result of a coincidence. It is not a theoretical theological study or a policy paper, but is rather a document of faith and work. Its importance stems from the sincere expression of the concerns of the people and their view of this moment in history we are living through. It seeks to be prophetic in addressing things as they are without equivocation and with boldness, in addition it puts forward ending the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land and all forms of discrimination as the solution that will lead to a just and lasting peace. The document also demands that all peoples, political leaders and decision-makers put pressure on Israel and take legal measures in order to oblige its government to put an end to its oppression and disregard for the international law. The document also holds a clear position that non-violent resistance to this injustice is a right and duty for all Palestinians including Christians.

In November 2010 The Executive of General Council received the KAIROS Palestine document as an authentic voice of Palestinian Christians. It offers the document, and responses to it, to assist the church in engaging the directions of the 40th General Council, specifically that "United Church Conferences, presbyteries, congregations, and community ministries immediately enter into consultation, dialogue, study, and prayer, and then to take appropriate action toward ending the illegal occupation of Palestinian territory, and enter into conversation as to how to move the two peoples toward reconciliation (including, but not limited to economic boycott)."

Read the full Kairos Palestine Document A Moment of Truth: A Word of Faith, Hope and Love from the Heart of the Palestinian Suffering.

The General Council Executive has also asked that the following responses be made available:

• A letter from the Most Reverend Desmond M. Tutu (PDF [1 p/218 KB] on the Kairos Palestine site)
• The World Council of Churches (PDF [2 pp/38 KB] on the Kairos Palestine site)
• Response from the Canadian Friends of Sabeel
• Response from the Canadian Jewish Congress
• Responses from many diverse faith communities from around the world
• Statement from the Rev. Dr. Bruce Gregersen [PDF: 2 pp/42 KB] of The United Church of Canada at the Kairos Palestine document's launching in Bethlehem, December 2009.

The informative study resource A Moment of Truth: Kairos Palestine Study Guide is available UCRDstore for small group three-week discussion and reflection programs.

Visit the United Church's Israel Palestine page for further resources, including photos, videos, letters from overseas personnel, and worship and study resources.

For a related and significant statement on the situation in the Middle East please read reports on the Special Assembly of Bishops of the Catholic Church found at the Church News Site and the VoltaireNet press network.