Letters re Annexation

An Open Letter from Christian Clergy from the Bethlehem Area about Annexation

An open letter from the Christian Clergy in the Behthlehem area highlights the immediacy and urgency of the situation with regards to annexation.

"We are writing this letter in our capacity as spiritual leaders of various Christian communities in the Bethlehem Area. The Israeli Government is planning to annex more occupied Palestinian land. According to the information they have released, this process could begin on July 1st. For Palestine, Bethlehem and particularly for its Christian population, this new process of annexation will be particularly catastrophic...."

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• Letter re Annexation to PM from Antlantic Regions of UCC (June 4, 2020)
  
  Re: Canada’s response to Israel’s threat to annex parts of the occupied Palestinian territory
  
  We represent members of the United Church of Canada in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and the Gaspe in Quebec. The United Church has a history of supporting work towards a just and lasting peace in the Holy Land. Toward that end, we support and work with Palestinian and Israeli partners who nonviolently work towards a just and lasting peace.
  .....
  You need to know that Palestinian and Israeli human rights organizations have urgently called on the international community to condemn the proposed annexation. Palestinian Christian leaders, in KAIROS Palestine, have said, “Clear decisions are already taken by the UN. So why further waiting to apply what is already decided?” Israeli human rights organization B’Tselem is asking, “How can the rule of law have any meaning when it is determined, interpreted and applied in accordance with the interests of those who control and oppress their subjects with the intention of perpetuating their rule by means of this same ‘law’?” The Council of Patriarchs and Heads of Holy Land Churches urge the government of Israel to restrain from unilateral annexation plans which would surely bring about the loss of any remaining hope for the success of a peace process.
  
  Download the Letter.
  

• Open Letter from former Canadian Diplomats to PM on Israel Proposed Annexation (June 1, 2020)
  
  We are writing to you as retired Canadian diplomats, proud of Canada’s historical commitment to multilateral institutions and its reputation for
  supporting the rule of law.
  
  We would like to urge you to publicly acknowledge Canada’s commitment to multilateralism and the rule of law by issuing a statement that Canada reaffirms its position in support of all relevant UN resolutions, including UNSC resolution 2334, which was adopted on 23 December 2016.
  
  As you are no doubt aware, many of our allies have already spoken out opposing the Israeli proposal. Significant Canadian civil society organizations, including some Christian churches and Jewish organizations, have also urged Canada to take a similar stand.
  
  As former Canadian diplomats, we urge you to protect Canada’s good name in the international community by speaking loudly and clearly on this issue.
  
  Download the letter.