Websites
Websites with Current News Updates About Palestinians
The Electronic Intifada
An independent online news publication that focuses on Palestine, its people, politics, culture, and place in the world. Its writers and reporters include Palestinians and others living inside Palestine and other places where news about Palestine and Palestinians is made.
Mondoweiss
An independent website reporting developments in Israel/Palestine and pertinent US foreign policy, often unavailable in mainstream media. Founded in 2006 as a personal blog of journalist Philip Weiss, it is part of the progressive Jewish community and a critical resource for the movement for justice for Palestinians.
Middle East Monitor (MEMO)
The Middle East Monitor is a not-for-profit press monitoring organization that emerged in 2009. MEMO is largely focused on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict but writes about other issues in the Middle East as well. It has Spanish and Portuguese editions.
Washington Report on Middle East Affairs
The American Educational Trust (AET) is a non-profit foundation incorporated in Washington, DC in 1982 by retired U.S. foreign service officers to provide the American public with balanced and accurate information concerning U.S. relations with Middle Eastern states. This foundation maintains this website as well as publishes a magazine.
Stories from Gaza
We are not numbers
Founded in 2015, this website seeks to humanize Palestinians by sharing stories written by young Gazans of personal struggles, aspirations, and triumphs. This is unlike most news coverage that reports life under occupation with impersonal numbers of those killed, injured, homeless, and/or dependent on aid.
Other websites
On several of these websites, there are informative webinars on topics germane to the Israeli-Palestine conflict.
Americans for Peace Now
Americans for Peace Now (APN) “…is the sister organization of Shalom Achshav, Israel’s preeminent peace movement. APN’s mission is to educate and persuade the American public and its leadership to support and adopt policies that will lead to comprehensive, durable, Israeli-Palestinian, and Israeli-Arab peace, based on a two-state solution, guaranteeing both peoples’ security, and consistent with U.S. national interests. We also work to ensure Israel’s future and the viability of Israel’s democracy and Jewish character through education, activism, and advocacy in the United States, and by mobilizing American support for Shalom Achshav.” WEBSITE
Bright Stars of Bethlehem
“Founded in 2004, Bright Stars of Bethlehem is a US 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides funding and support to educational and cultural initiatives through Dar al-Kalima University of Arts and Culture, Diyar Academy for Youth, and Ajyal Senior Care Center. Bright Stars of Bethlehem is dedicated to supporting the educational, medical, professional, and spiritual development needs of people living in Palestine.” WEBSITE
B’Tselem (“In the Image of”—Gen 1:27)
B’Tselem (“In the Image of”—Gen 1:27) is the Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories, established in 1989 by academics, attorneys, journalists, and Knesset members. It documents and educates the Israeli public and policymakers about human rights violations in the Occupied Territories—with reports on restriction of movement, Israeli settlements, separation barrier, East Jerusalem, house demolitions, and Palestinian violence.WEBSITE
Christian Peacemaker Team
Christian Peacemaker Team (CPT Palestine) “…is a faith-based organization that supports Palestinian-led, nonviolent, grassroots resistance to the Israeli occupation and the unjust structures that uphold it. By collaborating with local Palestinian and Israeli peacemakers and educating people in our home communities, we help create a space for justice and peace. We maintain a project in the southern West Bank city of Hebron (Al-Khalil in Arabic)” WEBSITE
Churches for Middle East Peace
Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) “…works to encourage U.S. policies that actively promote a just, lasting, and comprehensive resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, ensuring security, human rights and religious freedom for all the people of the region” (website). CMEP began its work in 1984 and is a coalition of 22 national church denominations in Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant traditions.
WEBSITE
Diyar (International Center of Bethlehem)
“Diyar is the plural of Dar, which means ‘home’ or ‘homeland’ in Arabic. Diyar (International Center of Bethlehem) is a Lutheran-based, ecumenically oriented organization serving the whole Palestinian community, with emphasis on children, youth, women, and the elderly through unique programs that are contextual and holistic in nature. Founded in 1995 as the International Center of Bethlehem, Diyar Consortium serves several thousands of members and reaches to more than 60,000 people annually.” (website) WEBSITE
EcoPeace Middle East
“EcoPeace Middle East is a unique organization that brings together Jordanian, Palestinian and Israeli environmentalists. Their primary objective is the promotion of cooperative efforts to protect our shared environmental heritage. In so doing, they seek to advance both sustainable regional development and the creation of necessary conditions for lasting peace in our region. EcoPeace has offices in Amman, Ramallah, and Tel-Aviv.”
ELCA’s Peace Not Walls
“The ELCA is working for justice and peace in Palestine and Israel through our campaign, Peace Not Walls. Through accompaniment, advocacy and awareness raising, Peace Not Walls connects ELCA members to our companions and promotes dignity, full respect for human rights, healing, and reconciliation. With our Palestinian Lutheran companions, we also accompany Palestinians and Israelis, Jews, Christians, and Muslims working together for peace with justice.” WEBSITE
Israeli Committee Against Home Demolitions
Israeli Committee Against Home Demolitions (ICAHD) ICAHD non-violently opposes Israeli demolition of Palestinian houses in the occupied territories, land expropriation, settlement expansion, by-pass road construction, policies of closure, and uprooting of fruit and olive trees. Headed by Jeff Halper, ICAHD has rebuilt destroyed homes and called for divestment. WEBSITE
Jewish Voice for Peace
“Jewish Voice for Peace members are inspired by Jewish tradition to work together for peace, social justice, equality, human rights, respect for international law, and a U.S. foreign policy based on these ideals . . . JVP opposes anti-Jewish, anti-Muslim, and anti-Arab bigotry and oppression. JVP seeks an end to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem; security and self-determination for Israelis and Palestinians; a just solution for Palestinian refugees based on principles established in international law; an end to violence against civilians; and peace and justice for all peoples of the Middle East.” WEBSITE
J Street
“J Street was formed to change the conversation on Israel . . . We work to give voice to the majority of pro-Israel American Jews who believe that as friends of Israel, we have a responsibility to vocally oppose Israeli government policies that threaten Israel’s future as a Jewish and democratic homeland. We advocate for a strong US role in helping to achieve a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict because we believe that Israel’s survival depends on it.” WEBSITE
Kairos USA
In response to the release in 2009 of Kairos Palestine, “a group of clergy, theologians and laypersons founded Kairos USA in 2011 and soon after published Call to Action: U.S. Response to the Kairos Palestine Document.” “Kairos USA is dedicated to education, advocacy and theology that takes seriously Jesus’s call for love, forgiveness, justice and peace. The movement provides a home for U.S. Christians seeking to move and act within their institutional contexts as well as beyond institutional limitations to take a bold, prophetic stand against the unjust policies that oppress Palestinians and sicken Israeli society.” WEBSITE
Kumi Now Online-Archives
Kumi Now Online-Archives (kumi is an Aramaic word meaning “Rise Up” – see Mark 5:41) is a recently initiated coordinating group that offers online webinars with a variety of organizations working for an end of the Israeli occupation of Palestinians and a peaceful and just solution to the long conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. Its archives contain videos of the speakers for the various online sessions. WEBSITE
Machsom Watch
“Machsom Watch is a volunteer organization of Israeli women who are peace activists from all sectors of society. We oppose the Israeli occupation in the area known as the West Bank, we oppose the appropriation of Palestinian land and the denial of Palestinian human rights. We support the right of Palestinians to move freely in their land and oppose the checkpoints which severely restrict Palestinian daily life. Since 2001 we have been observing and reporting on the Occupation. . .” WEBSITE
Mar Elias (Prophet Elijah) Educational Institutions
Father Elias Chacour is a Palestinian Melkite priest who for over 30 years has worked non-violently for justice and built much needed educational institutions in the Galilee for Palestinian children and teachers. “The mission of Pilgrims of Ibillin is to support the Mar Elias (Prophet Elijah) Educational Institutions and other mission projects that cultivate a just peace in Israel and Palestine. Pilgrims of Ibillin provides this support through financial resources, education, and peace building projects” (website). Chacour’s books are Blood Brothers, and We Belong to the Land. WEBSITE
Middle East Peace Now
Middle East Peace Now, a group of activists in Minnesota’s Twin Cities, “. . . believe a just resolution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is the key to Middle East peace. [They] support policies that promote peace, justice, security and equal rights for all Palestinians and Israelis.” The group holds monthly forums that feature guest speakers and conversations around Palestine-Israel issues. WEBSITE
No Way to Treat a Child
No Way to Treat a Child is a campaign that seeks to end Israel’s military occupation of Palestinians by exposing widespread ill-treatment of Palestinian children in the Israeli military detention and court system. It is a joint project of Defense for Children International – Palestine and American Friends Service Committee. WEBSITE
Palestine Portal
“Palestine Portal is a meeting place and resource for the churches organizations and faith-based communities – local, regional, national and global – committed to the justice movement for Israel/Palestine. As part of an emerging global movement, the church in the United States has taken a leading role in working for the liberation of Palestinians and Israelis from the evil of apartheid in our time” (website). Explore this website for resources for worship and awareness raising in congregations. WEBSITE
The Parents Circle/Families Forum
Established in 1995, “The Parents Circle/Families Forum (PCFF) is a joint Palestinian Israeli organization of over 600 families, all of whom have lost a close family member as a result of the prolonged conflict. Joint activities have shown that the reconciliation between individuals and nations is possible, and it is this insight that they are trying to pass on to both sides of the conflict. Moreover, the PCFF has concluded that the process of reconciliation between nations is a prerequisite to achieving a sustainable peace. The organization thus utilizes all resources available in education, public meetings and the media, to spread these ideas.” WEBSITE
Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center (The Way/Spring of Water)
Headed by Dr. Naim Ateek, Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center
(The Way/Spring of Water) as an ecumenical center for Palestinian liberation theology is located in Jerusalem and strives to develop a spirituality based on justice, peace, nonviolence, liberation, and reconciliation for the different national and faith communities. Sabeel was the first organization to bring various Christian traditions in Jerusalem area to meet. Sabeel conferences are held periodically in the U.S. WEBSITE
Friends of Sabeel in North American (FOSNA)
Friends of Sabeel in North American (FOSNA) “…is a nonprofit, tax-exempt Christian ecumenical organization seeking justice and peace in the Holy Land through nonviolent advocacy and education. Sabeel is an international peace movement initiated by Palestinian Christians who seek a just peace as defined by international law and existing United Nations resolutions.” WEBSITE
UNRWA (United Nations Relief & Works Agency)
“Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict, UNRWA (United Nations Relief & Works Agency) was established by United Nations General Assembly resolution 302 (IV) of 8 December 1949 to carry out direct relief and works programmes for Palestine refugees. The Agency began operations on 1 May 1950″ (website). UNRWA is unique in its ongoing work with Palestinian refugees in Gaza, West Bank, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan. WEBSITE
