Palestine Network

PALESTINE NETWORK

For a long time the political and thus the humanitarian situation in Palestine has been

a matter of interest for only a few Christian churches within Korea. Fortunately this

situation has changed during the last couple of years. A crucial event in this context is

the “Statement by Korean Christians for Peace in Palestine-Israel”, which was adopted

by the General Assembly of the NCCK on November 29, 2012. However, this statement

should not stand alone. Initiated by the NCCK, a committee the so-called ‘Korean Christian

Network for Peace in Palestine’ has been founded for this matter, engaged with the task

to create awareness of the Palestine-Israel issue.

In this solidarity network members of following organizations and associations are

represented: NCCK, YWCA Korea, YMCA Korea, Asia Pacific Center for Integral Study of Life,

Imagine Peace, Artizen amongst others. Already last year, during the ‘World Week for Peace

in Palestine Israel’, the NCCK, in collaboration with the YMCA Korea, had organized a one

-week seminar regarding the topic. Lecturers invited for that seminar were Ms. Faten Husari

and Prof. Bae Hyun-Ju of the Presbyterian Theological Faculty in Busan.

In ongoing plans, from end of May on, the Korean Christian Network for Peace in Palestine is

arranging a program, which wants continue pursuing the aforementioned goals. One major

events of this program will be a pilgrimage to Palestine and Israel from June 25 – July 6,

which will be prepared with a seminar to be held on May 30. Apart from that the NCCK will

host a symposium to approach the situation in Palestine from different angles. Therefore

two brilliant minds have been invited to this particular event: one, Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb from

Palestine, President of the Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan & the Holy

Land and founder of the Diyar Consortium in Bethlehem. The other, Jewish-rooted Dr. Mark

Braverman, in his capacity as co-founder of ‘Friends of Tent of Nations North America’ and

serving on the Board of Directors of the ‘Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions-USA’.

Alongside them we will listen to voices from the Korean-theological and feminist

perspective. The symposium is going to take place in the week of June 10.

In addition to the symposium our two guests will have the chance meet with Korea’s future

church leaders as they will hold guest lectures at several theological faculties in Korea.

This symposium is a matter of heart and faith. In spite of the differences of the situation on

the Korean peninsula to the situation in Palestine, we still share the same wish for peace.

In the name of the triune God and as sisters and brothers in faith we want to give this wish

a voice.