Dear sisters and brothers at the YWCA / YMCA Norway,
With profound gratitude and appreciation, the National Coalition of Christian Organizations in Palestine (NCCOP) welcomes the recent launch of your new campaign "Free Palestine", where you are calling for a broad economic boycott of Israel and Israeli products. With this letter NCCOP wishes to extend sincerest thanks for your strong as well as ethical position and solidarity. We appreciate your courage and your commitment to peace with justice in our region.
Your campaign adds to existing church related initiatives that use BDS as a nonviolent tool of resistance. This brings hope to all Palestinians and to all peace-loving people who want to see the end of daily systematic violations of human rights and International Laws.
In the Kairos Palestine document we support the global campaign for boycott, divestment and sanctions; because we believe it is a just, nonviolent and peaceful tool. We are convinced that BDS is a way to put pressure on the Israeli government to abide by the international law, honor human rights, cease its occupation to Palestine and respect the Palestinian rights. Today, BDS is one of the few alternatives left to solve this conflict non-violently. It is a powerful nonviolent movement and must be encouraged and spread as widely as possible. Therefore we hope and pray that not only the YWCA/YMCA Norway, but also other Christian organizations, churches and their members will follow this brave initiative.
NCCOP is proud to walk with you along the path of peace with justice. We firmly stand with you against any criticism you might incur because of this bold stance and clearly say that your campaign is both ethical and legal and reflects our true Christian beliefs and values in resisting evil and injustice. Speaking out prophetically is never easy.
Once again, we express our most sincere gratitude for your steadfast commitment to peace and justice.
Member organizations
Jerusalem
- Arab Catholic Scouts Group
- Arab Orthodox Society – Jerusalem
- Caritas- Jerusalem
- Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees- Middle East Council of Churches
- Greek Catholic Sayedat AlBishara Association
- International Christian Committee
- Laity Committee in the Holy Land
- National Christian Association
- Pontifical Mission Palestine
- SABEEL – Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center
- Union of Arab Orthodox Club - Jerusalem
- Young Men's Christian Association – YMCA
- Young Women's Christian Association – YWCA
Gaza
Bethlehem
- The East Jerusalem YMCA /Beit Sahour Branch
- The Arab Educational Institute,
- Holy Land Trust, Bethlehem
- Joint Advocacy Initiative (JAI)
- Wi'am Center, Bethlehem
- Saint Afram Assyrian Society,
- Holy Land Christians Ecumenical Foundation, Bethlehem
- Al-Ihsan Arab Orthodox Society, Beit Jala
- Arab Orthodox Club, Beit Sahour
- Arab Orthodox Club, Beit Jala
- Arab Orthodox Club, Bethlehem
- The Arab Orthodox Charitable Society, Beit Sahour
- Bethlehem Bible College
- Siraj Center for Holy Land Studies
- Alternative Tourism Group, ATG, Beit Sahour
- Senior Citizen Charitable Society
- Environmental educational Center, Beit Jala
- Saint Vincent Charitable Society, Beit Jala
- Shepherds' Children Society, Beit Sahour
KAIROS PALESTINE