I share the longing of many others in the Mennonite church for an end to the illegal Israeli occupation of the West Bank, and I grieve the suffering of Palestinian people. But I have reservations about the boycott-and-sanctions movement against Israelis because it is likely to be counterproductive. Christians, who have deep roots in the traditions and sacred texts of Judaism, should build reconciling relationships rather than coerce or make threats.
Bethlehem, West Bank — More than 30 Mennonites and Brethren in Christ from North America encountered kindred spirits March 7-10 at the fourth biennial Christ at the Checkpoint Conference, hosted by Bethlehem Bible College at the Orient Palace Hotel in the town of Christ’s birth.
BEIT JALA, West Bank — Say the word “Mennonite” here and the first thing many people think of is eggs. At least 2,000 “Mennonite eggs” a day are produced at an open-sided chicken barn on the campus of Hope Secondary School and distributed to restaurants, grocery stores and school cafeterias in the area.
Since the Syrian war began five years ago in March, Mennonite Central Committee has spent about $34.6 million to relieve the suffering of Syrians, Iraqis and people in neighboring countries who have been impacted by violence. It is the organization’s largest response ever.
The 630-square-mile island is home to about 85,000 residents but sits far closer to Turkey than Greece. Lesbos is only four to five miles from the Turkish coast at its closest points.
“The priority is really to bring peace into our country, so we keep our people in our country,” Jarjour said during a Mennonite Central Committee video press conference Sept. 17.
She is a Syrian who works for an MCC . . .
