SALAAM SHALOM

SALAAM SHALOM, THE ISRAEL-PALESTINE SUPPORT GROUP OF THE CHURCH OF RECONCILIATION

Our Calling

Salaam Shalom, the Israel-Palestine support group of the Church of Reconciliation, is comprised of truth and justice seekers who have refused to accept the mainstream media as our only source of information regarding the tragic, but mostly misreported, situation facing Palestinian and Israeli families in Palestine and Israel.

Mission Statement:
There is a well-known Hymn which begins with “Open my eyes that I may see…” Although out of context with the rest of the hymn, this phrase, “Open my eyes that I may see…” describes quite well one of Salaam Shalom’s most important missions. This describes what has happened to those of us who have had the privilege of traveling to Israel/Palestine and seeing with our own eyes what is really going on with regard to Israeli treatment of Palestinians. The shock is even greater when we realize how long this mal-treatment has been going on.

The state of Israel has militarily colonized and occupied Palestine for more than 6 decades, the longest on-going military occupation in modern history. During this period, the United Nations Human Rights Council has condemned Israel dozens of times, and in fact, the United Nations General Assembly has adopted a number of resolutions stating that Israel’s strategic relationship with the United States, a permanent member of the Security Council with veto power, encourages Israel to pursue aggressive and expansionist policies and practices in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Unfortunately, a great majority of the American people are almost completely unaware of this very sad and unjust situation. It is our hope that we can help interested persons to truly understand, and perhaps even join in our struggle and determination to obtain justice and equal rights for both Israelis and Palestinians. Our work is primarily to inform, educate, motivate, advocate, and otherwise act to achieve an immediate end to the Israeli military occupation of Palestine, and a land where all Palestinians and Israelis can live together in justice, safety, and harmony.

In the spirit of reconciliation and with love for the people of both Palestine and Israel, Salaam-Shalom is dedicated to inform, educate, advocate, and otherwise act to achieve an immediate end to the Israeli occupation of Palestine, and a lasting peace with equal justice for all in Israel and Palestine. We provide credible resources (many from Israeli and/or Jewish sources) for use by the average person in becoming aware and self-educated with regard to the real ongoing and worsening, yet hidden, tragedy going on in Palestine and Israel.

Relationship with the Presbyterian Church USA:

Salaam-Shalom joins wholeheartedly with the following Action of the 222nd General

Assembly (2016) regarding Israel/Palestine: “…the 222 nd General Assembly

(2016 approved a lengthy report containing a re-evaluation of the Presbyterian Church (USA)’s

historic support of a two-state solution in Israel/Palestine. The document,

“Israel-Palestine: For Human Values in the Absence of a Just Peace”, says the

PC(USA) “should advance those efforts that best accord with its values…including, but

not limited to, that of two sovereign states—Israel and Palestine.” “…Also approved

was an overture urging advocacy for the safety and well-being of the children of

Palestine and Israel. The measure asserts that children “suffer widespread and

systematic patterns if ill treatment and torture within the Israeli military detention

system, “affirms the United Nations convention on the Rights of the Child and directs

the Presbyterian Mission Agency, through it office of Public Witness, to advocate and

witness for the human rights of the children of Palestine and Israel. The assembly also

voted to recommend prayerful study of “the call from Palestinian civil society for

boycott, divestment and sanctions against the state of Israel”

Salaam Shalom also joins wholeheartedly with the following additional Presbyterian

statements of the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, the Committee on the Office of

the General Assembly, and the Israel/Palestine Mission Network:

In a world of trouble and despair, we need a unity of spirit (January 17, 2022)
A Message from the stated clerk (January 22, 2022)
Committee affirms that Stated Clerk may speak for the PC(USA) (February 9, 2022)
Israel/Palestine Mission Network issues statement on the Stated Clerk’s MLK Day call (January 25, 2022)

Salaam Shalom is an organizational member of the Israel/Palestine Mission Network (IPMN)

of the Presbyterian Church (USA). IPMN dates back to 2004 when the 216 th General

Assembly approved a resolution for Presbyterians to have a deeper understanding of the

struggle for justice that Palestinians endure. By 2014 the IPMN was said to be the biggest and

most effective of nearly fifty Presbyterian Mission Networks. Salaam Shalom is proud to be

a member of IPMN and sponsors delegates to attend their annual meetings. In between

meetings, Salaam Shalom engages with IPMN through their website, Facebook, Twitter, and

email in our mutual efforts toward justice and human rights for Palestinians and Palestine.

ABOUT US

Salaam Shalom, the Israel-Palestine Support Group of the Church of Reconciliation

Why we do it: Many of us have been to Israel and Palestine and have seen with our own eyes the real facts on the ground, and have read the Israeli English-language newspaper, Ha’aretz, which far more accurately and thoroughly than American media, reports both sides of the horrible situation in Israel and Palestine. Even for those of us who have not traveled and seen for ourselves, we have thoroughly studied and self-educated ourselves for the purpose of informing and motivating others to do the same. We hope that once you are yourself aware, that you will pass these resources on to others of your own family, friends, and associates, so that they too might become aware.

What can You do? Join us and a growing number of other concerned and informed individuals, as we do whatever we can to educate, advocate, and otherwise raise awareness of the plight of real Palestinian families just like yours who are suffering daily occupation, persecution, humiliation, mass imprisonment (often without charge), and all too often grave injury and even death. This is all done in Palestine and even in Israel in plain sight, without the floodlight of the American mainstream media calling the Palestinians’ plight to the attention of the 99% of Americans who if they only knew would really care. And, they in turn, would tell others who will also care, until we create the groundswell and outcry similar to that which finally helped end the 43-year Apartheid in South Africa.

In fact, many South Africans who lived through that apartheid, today emphatically state that the apartheid suffered by the Palestinian people today is in many ways worse (and now longer) than they suffered in South Africa. And, this Israeli occupation, including hundreds of checkpoints, illegal appropriation of Palestinian land, demolition of Palestinian homes, middle of the night raids, assassinations and mass imprisonment, often without charge, has been going on now, right under our noses for almost five decades, the longest occupation in modern history.

Find out for yourself through our self-education resources. Many of us have been to Israel-

Palestine and have seen what is going on with our own eyes, but not everyone can afford to

make a personal journey. However, with a few trusted and credible resources, you can find out for yourself. Don’t be dependent upon the American mainstream media which is owned and run

by the 1% who have such a love-affair with Israel that they refuse to print anything that might in

any way tarnish the image of Israeli policies. We don’t ask you to take our word for it either, just

review some of these resources yourself, and make up your own mind. We hope you will share

these resources with your own family, friends, and associates, so that they too might become

voices for change.

FACTS

Facts that are seldom discussed, but at the same time are easily verified by your own self-study of our credible resources as well as readily available public documents:

Israel has been, illegally occupying Palestinian land since 1967 - the longest such occupation in history, and the only one anywhere in the world today.
Since September 29, 2000:
- 136 Israeli children have been killed by Palestinians, while 2347 Palestinian children have been killed by Israelis. (A ratio of 17 to 1)
- A total of 1,286 Israelis and at least 10304 Palestinians have been killed. (A ratio of more than 8 to 1)
- 12,324 Israelis and 164,038 Palestinians have been injured. (An average of 21 Palestinians killed or injured by Israelis every day.)
Overall, since 1967, a total of approximately 1 Million Palestinians have been imprisoned by Israel, with 4750 Palestinians currently imprisoned.
48,488 Palestinian homes have been demolished by Israel since 1967
Israel currently has 261 Jewish-only settlements built on confiscated Palestinian land, resulting in 740,000 Israeli settlers illegally living on Palestinian land, while Palestinians are not even allowed to travel through Israel without a permit.
418 Palestinian villages were destroyed by Israel during their formation, resulting in 750,000 Palestinian refugees illegally forced from their homes.
45% of Historic Palestine was allocated by the UN for the Palestinians, yet today due to Israeli illegal confiscation of Palestinian land for Settlements and the Separation Wall, only 11% is now available for Palestinians (although Israeli occupied).
Hundreds of Israeli Checkpoints & Traffic Road Blocks are illegally on Palestinian Land, along with over 400 miles of Israeli-Only Roads.
83% of Palestinian Water is Illegally Confiscated for Israeli Use Only.
Israel regularly violates International Law and the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, does not recognize the International Court of Justice and is by far the most flagrant violator of UN Resolutions, even with more than 40 US Security Council Vetoes over the years.
Israel has one of the world’s largest nuclear arsenals, and yet refuses to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Despite constant propaganda, Israel’s claim of only acting in self-defense is not credible -- The above statistics cannot rationally be excused by Israel’s need for security. Easily verified facts show a hugely disproportionate disparity between Israeli and Palestinian “facts on the ground,” thus discrediting any claim of Israel acting only in self-defense.

WHY SHOULD WE END MILITARY AID TO ISRAEL?

For over four decades, the US taxpayers have provided Israel more than $10 Million Dollars each day

in Military Aid. (Far more than we give to any other nation.)

Strong evidence exists showing that Israel's misuse of U.S. supplied weapons to commit human rights

abuses of Palestinians in furtherance of its 54-year military occupation of Palestinian land violates U.S. laws, including the Foreign Assistance Act and Arms Export Control Act.

In addition to these legal implications, ever-expanding amounts of military aid to Israel function as a

disincentive for Israel to take seriously U.S. foreign policy objectives. They also crowd out other budgetary priorities for unmet domestic needs in a time of economic crisis.

Does this seem right?

RESOURCES FOR SELF-STUDY AND VERIFICATION

Don’t be led astray or lulled to sleep by the silence or one-sided

propaganda of the great majority of mainstream media, especially when

it involves Israel/Palestine. In fact, even some of the so-called “more

progressive” media can often not be trusted to tell the truth, the whole

truth, and nothing but the truth, when it comes to Israel/Palestine. There

is even a description which has been coined to describe most “quasi-

progressives” who remain mostly silent or muted regarding Israeli

maltreatment of Palestinians: “PEP…’Progressive except Palestine’”

It is for this reason that we provide the following carefully curated list of

sources which provide what we have found to be the most trustworthy

information regarding Israel/Palestine issues. To ensure balance we have

included Israeli and/or Jewish sources as well as Palestinian,

American, and International sources.

For self-study, we highly recommend starting with the following

very short primer and video for a very effective introduction to

the Israel/Palestine conflict. It is especially a good place to start

since it is primarily a Jewish organization:

jewishvoiceforpeace.org/palestine-israel-101/

(Palestine/Israel 101)

Once you have viewed the above video, we recommend further self-study

of any or all of the following websites (More credible, current, and

comprehensive than mass-media.)

www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org (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.
www.icahd.org (Israeli Committee against Home Demolitions) is a non-violent, direct-action organization established by Israeli Jeff Halper in 1997 to resist Israeli demolition of Palestinian houses in the Occupied Territories)
www.btselem.org (The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories) As an Israeli human rights organization, B’Tselem acts primarily to change Israeli policy in the Occupied Territories and ensure that its government, which rules the Occupied Territories, protects the human rights of residents there and complies with its obligations under International Law.
www.machsomwatch.org (Machsomwatch), a checkpoint watch established by Israeli women peace activists, opposes the occupation and denial of the. Palestinians’ right to free movement in their land. They conduct daily observations at IDF checkpoints throughout the West Bank to influence Israeli and international public opinion to end the occupation destructive to both Israeli and Palestinian society.
www.gush-shalom.org (Gush-Shalom) The primary aim of Gush Shalom (The Israeli Peace Block) is to influence Israeli public opinion to put an end to the occupation and move towards peace and reconciliation with the Palestinian people.
972mag.com/about/ (+972 is derived from the telephone area code that is shared by Israel and Palestine) is a web magazine that is jointly owned by a group of award-winning journalists and bloggers, sharing on-the-ground reporting and analysis of events in Israel and Palestine.
www.ifamericaknew.org/ (If Americans Knew) A Highly recommended and always current factual resource, helping you decide for yourself, what is really going on in Israel and Palestine)
http://www.wrmea.org/ (Washington Report on Middle East Affairs) As part of its educational mission, The American Educational Trust publishes the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, a 76-page magazine published 8 times per year in Washington, DC, that focuses on news and analysis from and about the Middle East and North Africa and U.S. policy in that region
https://www.hrw.org/middle-east/north-africa/israel/palestine (Human Rights Watch) Israel maintains entrenched discriminatory systems that treat Palestinians unequally. Its over half-century long occupation of the West Bank and Gaza involves systematic rights abuses, including collective punishment, routine use of excessive lethal force against protesters…
www.Fair.org (Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting. FAIR, the national media watch group, has been offering well-documented criticism of media bias and censorship since 1986. We work to invigorate the First Amendment by advocating for greater diversity in the press and by scrutinizing media practices that marginalize public interest, minority and dissenting viewpoints.

As an anti-censorship organization, we expose neglected news stories and defend working journalists when they are muzzled.As a progressive group, FAIR believes that structural reform is

ultimately needed to break up the dominant media conglomerates, establish independent public broadcasting and

promote strong non-profit sources of information.

https://www.amnestyusa.org/endapartheid (Amnesty International’s new research report, Israel’s Apartheid Against Palestinians: Cruel System ofDomination and Crime Against Humanity.
http://www.palestinechronicle.com/ (The Palestine Chronicle) "The PalestineChronicle is a beacon. History, witness, analysis and ways forward are here, written with authority and humanity. Long may it publish." — John Pilger.
http://www.democracynow.org/ (Democracy Now) Democracy Now! is a national, daily, independent, award-winning news program hosted by journalists Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez.
http://mondoweiss.net/ (Mondoweiss) Mondoweiss is an independent website devoted to informing readers about developments in Israel/Palestine and related US foreign policy. We provide news and analysis unavailable through the mainstream media regarding the struggle for Palestinian human rights.
https://uscpr.org/ (US Campaign for Palestinian Rights) A national coalition of hundreds of groups, the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation works to end U.S. support for Israel's occupation of the Palestinian West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. We support a U.S. policy that upholds freedom, justice and equality.
http://www.codepink.org/ (CodePink) CODEPINK is a women-led grassroots organization working to end U.S. wars and militarism, support peace and human rights initiatives, and redirect our tax dollars into healthcare, education, =green jobs and other life-affirming programs.
Sites.google.com/view/vjpweb/VJP (Voices for Justice in Palestine) The mission of VJP is to work for a just and sustainable peace in Israel-Palestine. We educate the public, advocate for change based on equal rights, and directly support peace builders in Israel-Palestine.
https://electronicintifada.net/ (The Electronic Intifada) The Electronic Intifada is an independent online news publication and educational resource focusing on Palestine, its people, politics, culture and place in the world.
http://mikopeled.com/ (Miko Peled) This blog is dedicated to tearing down the separation wall and transforming the Israeli apartheid system into a secular democracy, where Israelis and Palestinians will live as equal citizens.
Hrw.org/middle-east/north-africa/palestine (Human Rights Watch investigates and reports on abuses happening in all corners of the world. We are roughly 450 people of 70-plus nationalities who are country experts, lawyers, journalists, and others who work to protect the most at risk, from vulnerable minorities and civilians in wartime, to refugees and children in need. We direct our advocacy towards governments, armed groups and businesses, pushing them to change or enforce their laws, policies and practices. To ensure our independence, we refuse government funding and carefully review all donations to ensure that they are consistent with our policies, mission, and values. We partner with organizations large and small across the globe to protect embattled activists and to help hold abusers to account and bring justice to victims.
https://kuminow.com/ (Welcome to Kumi Now! We are working to connect activists around the world with the organizations working on the ground in Palestine and Israel to bring a just and lasting peace based on international law and nonviolence. Please register above to receive our weekly newsletter with updates on what is happening in Palestine and activism)
Sabeel.org (Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center ( Mission:To strive towards theological liberation through instilling the Christian faith in the daily lives of those who suffer under occupation, violence, injustice, and discrimination; .Vision:Local Christians inspired by the life and teaching of Jesus Christ stand for the oppressed, work for justice, engage in peace-building)
FOSNA.org ( Friends of Sabeel North America (FOSNA) is a Christian ecumenical organization seeking justice and peace in the Holy Land through education, advocacy, and nonviolent action. As a nonprofit organization in the United States, FOSNA promotes the vision of Sabeel Jerusalem, an ecumenical liberation theology movement founded by Palestinian Christians in the Holy Land, joining Friends of Sabeel chapters around the world. We amplify the voice of Palestinians by advocating in churches, communities, and governments for justice, peace, and liberation in Palestine.)
ICC-cpi-int/Palestine (International Criminal Court : Situation in the State of Palestine: On 3 March 2021, the Prosecutor announced the opening of the investigation into the Situation in the State of Palestine. This followed Pre-Trial Chamber’s decision on 5 February 2021 that the Court could exercise its criminal jurisdiction in the Situation and, by majority, that the territorial scope of this jurisdiction extends to Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.)
Democracynow.org/topics/International/Israel_and_Palestine (Democracy Now :Amnesty International Defends Report on Israeli Apartheid, rejecting Criticism from U.S. & Israel)
Aljazeera.com/middle-east (Al Jazeera:Live Middle East News: Palestine urges African Union to revoke Israel’s observer status)
Wcrc.ch/justice/Palestine (World Communion of Reformed Churches)(“Focus: Palestine” is a comprehensive resource, spanning three parts, an extensive appendix, and linked videos “Hear the Palestinian address to the church. Listen to their stories and struggles; see their hope and resilience. And then, “Go and Tell,’ and boldly act. It is our hope that this handbook will encourage you in that truth-telling. May it be a pilgrimage of the heart, but even more, a journey into solidarity and justice.”)
News.un.org/en/story/2021/101103982 (United Nations) (UN experts condemn Israel’s designation of Palestine rights defenders as terrorist organizations)
Amnesty.org/en/late3st/camoaugbs.2022/02.Israels-system-of=apartheid/ (Amnesty International: This is apartheid. Amnesty International’s new investigation shows that Israel imposes a system of oppression and domination against Palestinians across all areas under its control: in Israel and the OPT, and against Palestinian refugees, in order to benefit Jewish Israelis. This amounts to apartheid as prohibited in international law. Laws, policies and practices which are intended to maintain a cruel system of control over Palestinians, have left them fragmented geographically and politically, frequently impoverished, and in a constant state of fear and insecurity.)
EyewitnessPalestine.org (“Eyewitness Palestine is a transformational education program that inspires and trains participants to be accountable lifelong social justice advocates in the Palestine solidarity movement and within their own communities. We are building a world where Palestine is liberated and all are free.”)
Breakingthesilence.org.il/about/organization (Breaking the Silence is an organization of veteran soldiers who have served in the Israeli military since the start of the Second Intifada and have taken it upon themselves to expose the Israeli public to the reality of everyday life in the Occupied Territories. We endeavor to stimulate public debate about the price paid for a reality in which young soldiers face a civilian population on a daily basis, and are engaged in the control of that population’s everyday life. Our work aims to bring an end to the occupation.)
(English.palinfo.com/about-us) (Palestinian Information Center ;The Palestinian Information Center (PIC) is a news website that provides news coverage of mainly Palestinian events for its readership in the world in various languages. It is dedicated to advocating the Palestinian cause from a multi-layered lens. Since its inception in December 1997,PIC has taken the lead to speak up for Palestinians’ dream to liberate their motherland and restore their infringed rights. The PIC does not lay any claim to neutrality for it blatantly sides with the oppressed Palestinian people. Its material is purely fact-based and rooted in real data compiled and published by a team of professional journalists, on-the-spot reporters, news correspondents, editors, multi-lingual translators, and political analysts. We are dedicated to bringing the news of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from a Pro-Palestine lens to a wide audience with absolute credibility and accuracy despite on-the-field difficulties and challenges.
Cjnv.org/about (Center for Jewish Non Violence; The Center for Jewish Nonviolence strives for a future that honors the full equality and shared humanity of both Palestinians and Israelis. We seek to bring a just and equitable end to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank,East Jerusalem, and Gaza and a dismantling of the connected systems of oppression that harm communities on both sides of the Green Line: Palestinian and Israeli; Muslim, Jewish, Christian, and Druze.
Cpt.org/programs/Palestine CPT Palestine 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 strive to help create a space for justice and peace.
English.palinfo.com (The Palestinian Information Center: Daily up to the minute news reports from Palestine) The Palestinian Information Center (PIC) is a news website that provides news coverage of mainly Palestinian events for its readership in the world in various languages. It is dedicated to advocating the Palestinian cause from a multi-layered lens. Since its inception in December 1997,PIC has taken the lead to speak up for Palestinians’ dream to liberate their motherland and restore their infringed rights. The PIC does not lay any claim to neutrality for it blatantly sides with the oppressed Palestinian people. Its material is purely fact-based and rooted in real data compiled and published by a team of professional journalists, on-the-spot reporters, news correspondents, editors, multi-lingual translators, and political analysts.We are dedicated to bringing the news of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from a Pro-Palestine lens to a wide audience with absolute credibility and accuracy despite on-the-field difficulties and challenges.
Mondoweiss.net/author/ruchama-marton/ ( Forced Existence by Ruchama Marton)
BDSToolkit.org (Resisting Apartheid; Racism. Boycott, Divestment Sanctions: Time-tested Economic Tools as non-violent actions against Israeli human rights abuses. This toolkit is a resource developed by Global Kairos for Justice, in support of the 2005 Palestinian civil society call for economic sanctions or “BDS” (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) against Israel. We are committed to nonviolent means, calling for an end to the Israeli colonization of Palestine. We advocate for the right of self-determination of Palestinian people and a peace with justice for all people in the holy land.)
https://www.ohchr.org/EN/countries/MENARegion/Pages/PSIndex.aspx (The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in the occupied Palestinian territory (OHCHR oPt) is a field presence of the Office of United Nations the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). OHCHR oPt is the only internationally-mandated entity to monitor and report publicly on the human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), and is the official United Nations voice on human rights in the oPt. The Office is based in Ramallah and has a sub-office in Gaza, and field offices in East Jerusalem and Hebron Presbyterian Church (USA) Websites
Salaam Shalom (New Website address) Salaam Shalom support group of the Church of Reconciliation: In the spirit of reconciliation and with love for the people of both Palestine and Israel, Salaam-Shalom is dedicated to inform, educate, advocate, and otherwise act to achieve an immediate end to the Israeli occupation of Palestine, and a lasting peace with equal justice for all in Israel and Palestine. We provide credible resources (many from Israeli and/or Jewish sources) for use by the average person in becoming aware and self-educated with regard to the real ongoing and worsening, yet hidden, tragedy going on in Palestine and Israel.
www.israelpalestinemissionnetwork.org (The Israel/Palestine Mission Network of the Presbyterian Church USA) was established in 2004 to encourage specific mission goals that will create currents of wider and deeper involvement with Israel/Palestine.
www.presbypeacefellowship.org/ (Presbyterian Peace Fellowship--As part of their global mission, they are dedicated to the use of nonviolent means of resolving the conflict between Palestinians and Israelis
gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/global/israel-and-palestine-general-assembly-statements/ (The official website of the Presbyterian Church (USA)) A summary of Presbyterian Church (USA) General Assembly statements and actions about Israel, Palestine, and the Middle East.
www.kairosusa.org -- Kairos USA is a movement to unify and mobilize American Christians – lay, academic and clergy – to take a prophetic stance for a just peace in Israel and Palestine.

PALESTINIANS ARE IN NEED OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

If you would like to help, here is the information you need so that your

donations safely reach those in most need:

Due to the Military Occupation of Palestinian Territories, Palestinians are

faced with a consistently high unemployment rate and a consistently

low average income.

A detailed UNCTAD study and economic dataset shows that without

closures and military operations, GDP per capita in the West Bank in

2019 would have been 44% higher than its actual value.

The study, released today by UNCTAD, estimates the cost of the closures and other measures

of Israeli occupation in the West Bank since 2000 at $58 billion.

The study, entitled, “The Economic Costs of the Israeli Occupation for the Palestinian People:

Arrested Development and Poverty in the West Bank”, indicates that poverty and inequality rose

dramatically since September 2000.

It maintains that without the Israeli closures, and military operations, the poverty rate in the West

Bank in 2004 would have been one-third of the observed 35% and GDP per capita in 2019

would have been 44% higher than its actual value.

“The occupation denies the Palestinian people their inalienable human right to development and

imposes a heavy economic cost on them,” said Richard Kozul-Wright, UNCTAD's globalization

and development strategies director.

Suggested ways to donate to aid Palestinians on the ground in

Israel/Palestine: (These are all highly trustworthy organizations which Salaam Shalom has

supported over the years.)

MECA (Middle East Children’s Alliance) (1101 8 th St. Berkelley, CA 94710)
UNRWA USA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees) (for Gaza) (1875 Connecticut Ave. NW; 10 th Floor; Washington, DC 20009
AL Ahli Hospital – Gaza (25 Old Kings Hwy North, Suite 13; Darien, CT 06820)
JVP (Jewish Voice for Peace) (P.O. Box 15320; Washington, DC 20003)
USCPR (US Campaign for Palestinian Rights) (PO Box 3609; Washington, DC 20027)
IPMN (Israel-Palestine Mission Network) (Little Field Presbyterian Church (IPMN) 1173 Abbey Court; Westland MI 48185)
Salaam Shalom Israel Palestine Support Group (Church of Reconciliation; 110 North Elliott Road; Chapel Hill, NC 27514)

SALAAM SHALOM ACTIVITIES: PAST, CURRENT, FUTURE

Here is a sampling of Salaam Shalom’s Activities:

Keeping the Church community informed about current concerns and celebrations

regarding life in Israel/Palestine. (Isaiah 62:6: On your walls,…I have appointed

watchmen…)

 Advertisement on City Transit System to inform and educate the public

 Involvement in Street Demonstrations

 Middle –Eastern themed lunches with International speakers from Israel, Palestine and

elsewhere, including Rabbis, Muslim, Christian and secular Leaders.

 Showing of Videos, with discussion, accompanied by Middle-Eastern Appetizers.

 Co-sponsoring local events and conferences on Israel/Palestine Issues

 Involvement in UNC as well as other churches and venues events regarding

Israel/Palestine

 Monthly Meetings to address current events in Israel/Palestine and to plan upcoming events, determine donations for organizations helping Palestinians on the ground.

 Support and participate in IPMN activities and yearly conferences

 Participate in Yearly Fairs where Support Groups display information about their

activities’

 Some members of Salaam Shalom have visited Israel/Palestine, and some even lived there. We encourage members and others if able to participate in PCUSA sponsored trips.

 Follow Palestinian issues on social media and share articles via email.



Participate in webinars by organization such as Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology

Center in Jerusalem and Friends of Sabeel North America. Weekly international Bible

Studies on Zoom, led by Rev. Naim Ateek, as well as Kumi now – Together for Justice.

Who works to connect activists around the world with organizations working on the

ground in Palestine and Israel to bring a just and lasting peace based on international

law and nonviolence

SALAAM SHALOM ACTIVITY CALENDAR

You are always welcome to attend any scheduled Salaam

Shalom Meetings, Events, and other Activities. While we

try to keep this schedule up-to-date, you are encouraged

to call the Salaam Shalom Moderator to verify times,

locations and subject matter for upcoming activities. Join

us as we learn from each other and work together to plan

and implement appropriate actions, events, donations,

etc. for the coming months.

Help us create a ground swell against the Israeli Military

Occupation and an outcry to end this terrible injustice,

just like the voices that he3lp3ed end Apartheid in South

Africa.