Recall meeting affirms work on Palestine-Israel to continue to apply Justice Principles
“...It comforts me to know that The United Church of Canada—individuals and congregations, and regional councils and grassroots activists—are also praying and working for a just and lasting peace in Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.” – The Right Rev. Dr. Kimberly Heath
About 180 Commissioners joined the recalled session of the 45th General Council, which met online on Saturday, September 13 to address unfinished business from the August 7–11 meeting in Calgary, Alberta. The meeting dealt with a number of proposals, including several related to just peace in Palestine and Israel.
The 45th General Council affirmed the work that the General Council Office is already doing in advocating for a just peace in Palestine and Israel. For example, continuing to apply the Principles for Justice Work to supporting work for equal rights in Palestine and Israel, affirming a Palestinian state, and urging the government to act for justice were all passed with an overwhelming majority.
“I think of Fouad, a talented musician from Gaza City whom I have been following through a close friend. He is on a truck with his young family, trying to escape the wide demolition of his country and home. They don’t have a tent and now they are struggling to find water. He and his family are in constant danger,” says The Right Rev. Dr. Kimberly Heath, Moderator. “I think of all those unnamed family members and friends in Gaza who are in the same situation. I pray for all of them, and it comforts me to know that The United Church of Canada—individuals and congregations, and regional councils and grassroots activists—are also praying and working for a just and lasting peace in Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.”
The council formally adopted the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism, and committed to dialogue with the Canadian government to endorse the JDA instead of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition, because the latter “does not sufficiently respect the rights of Canadians guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.”
The Council also authorized contributing to the development of a post-Gaza theology.
Following GC45 in Calgary, The United Church of Canada signed open letters with partners that included key commitments regarding the current situation in Gaza.