Middle East Work Group

Presbyterian Church (USA)

• Presbyterian Ministries – Israel and Palestine
• Presbyterian Ministries – Middle East
• Presbyterian Peacemaking Programs – Act Now - Israel Palestine 
• Presbyterian Peacemaking Programs – Act Now – Middle East 
• GA statements – Israel and Palestine
• Presbyterian not-for-profit distributors – Palestinian handicrafts, products 
• The Israel/Palestine Mission Network – Study Resources

Witherspoon  The Israel/Palestine Conflict – an index of reports

Jewish-American and Israeli peace and justice groups

BOOKS

Failing Peace: Gaza and the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict.  Sara Roy.  Pluto Press (distributed by University of Michigan Press),  2006, 408 pages, $29.95 paper.

Reviewed by Kristine Currie

SARA ROY COULDN’T have predicted the deterioration of Gaza since the 2005 unilateral pullout of Israeli occupation forces and settlers any more effectively than in her book Failing Peace: Gaza and the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict. For those seeking a thorough understanding of the failure for peace to spontaneously erupt upon the exit of the settlers from Gaza, Failing Peace is a valuable resource.

During the time my family lived, worked and went to school in Gaza (2000-2003) we witnessed the “de-development” that Roy documents in this selective anthology.  full review …

Obstacles to Peace: A Re-Framing of the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict.  Jeff Halper. 2005, 128 pages

Reviewed by Dexter Synder.

This book is the best single resource for understanding present reality in the Occupied Territories, and for learning a framework to describe them in a Peace and Justice context.  Jeff Halper an Israeli anthropologist and Coordinator of ICAHD, the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions.  Israel consistently describes its actions as driven by the need for security and claiming the historical Land of Israel.  Halper lays out the facts to support an accurate re-framing with the following elements:

• The conflict properly is explained with a Peace and Human Rights framing.
• Israel pursues a pro-active policy of expansion into the Occupied Territories based on settlement and control.
• The Palestinians recognize Israeli sovereignty over 78% of the country; the Arab world has offered Israel regional integration.
• The problem is Israel’s Occupation; Palesinian violence is a symptom of oppression. In human rights language, all attacks on civilians are prohibited, whether from non-state or state actors.
• Israel is a major regional superpower that must be held accountable for its actions.
• A Palestian state has to be viable and truly sovereign, not merely a bantustan.
• Only a solution based on human rights and international law ensures a win-win solution.
• Anti-Semitism is a form a racism; only respect for human rights will effectively address anti-Semitism and Israel’s security.

“Reframing Antisemitism,” Henri Piciotto and Mitchell Plitnick, Editors (Jewish Voice For Peace, 2004, 91 pages)

This is a collection of essays by Jewish Voice for Peace on ways to handle and reframe charges of antisemitism used against any critic of State of Israel policies.  One gets a perspective from authors who fullly understand the forces at work and make recommendations for more productive dialogue, and actions, toward achieving just peace.  Understanding the Jewish viewpoint is particularly important at this time when achieving productive change hinges on winning a war of ideas.

Contents

Reclaiming the Struggle Against Anti-Semitism - Mitchell Plitnick

In Search of Anti-Semitism at the World Social Forum - Cecilie Surasky

No, It’s not Anti-Semitic - Judith Butler

What is “Anti-Semitism” and Does It Will Exist? - Terry Fletcher

Bogus Charges - Henri Picciotto

Discrimination, Racism, and Anti-Semitism in our Community - Laurie Polster

Historical US Anti-Semitism – The Invisible Oppression: Stereotyping, Scapegoating, Discounting - Penny Rosenwasser

Is Criticizing Israel Anti-Semitic? – Chuck Sher