How should we, as churches and Christians, respond to the reports stating that Israel is committing the crime of apartheid against the Palestinian people?

Several recent reports, published by well-known international human rights organizations, including the UN Special Rapporteur for the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territory, conclude that Israel conduct apartheid practices in the occupied Palestinian territory.

This summer, ‘A Dossier on Apartheid’ was issued by the ecumenical Christian Palestinian movement Kairos Palestine, which calls on the worldwide church to use the definition ‘apartheid’ when describing Israeli policies towards Palestinians. The World Council of Churches’ General Assembly 2022 also encourages Christians and churches to reflect on the reports from the human rights organisations and respond to their content.

How should we -churches and Christians in Norway, respond to this challenge? And why does the use of the term cause such great debate, both within our own churches, and in the public discourse?

Opening remarks by:

– Professor Nils Butenschøn, former Director of the Institute of Human Rights at the Faculty of Law, University of Oslo
– Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac, Lutheran pastor, member of the board of Kairos Palestine and a leading theologian in Palestine today.
– Fazel Sabetzadeh, Project Manager Middle East & North Africa at LO (The Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions)
– Berit Hagen Aagøy, International Director of National Council of Church of Norway

The remarks are followed by a conversation with: Munther Isaac, Fazel Sabetzadeh, Berit Hagen Aagøy.

The event is part of the World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel, initiated by the World Council of Churches. In Norway the Church of Norway, Norwegian Church Aid, Y-Global and YWCA-YMCA Norway, Norwegian Church Academies, Quakers in Norway, Student Christian Movement in Norway, Sabeel Kairos Norway, and the Karibu Foundation are jointly organising this week.