For many years, the UCC Palestine Israel Network has been a reliable source for news, educational resources, and community for members of the United Church of Christ who care deeply about achieving a just peace in Palestine and Israel.

In recent years, our work has taken on more of a focus on solidarity with our Palestinian partners, recognizing that the occupation is not a conflict between two equal sides, but an ongoing settler colonial project in which the Israeli state uses power, military might and diplomatic cover to dominate, intimidate and systematically oppress an indigenous people with no power, no army and no diplomatic support of consequence. Given the lopsidedness of the conflict, it became more and more clear that our name did not accurately reflect the focus of our work.

The notion of “solidarity” and a renewed commitment to moving with our Palestinian siblings and partners has led us to claim a new name and sharpen our resolve in this moment of mass starvation, unapologetic ethnic cleansing, occupation, apartheid, and genocide.

UCC Movement for Palestinian Solidarity (UCCMPS) felt called to make this change given the urgency of the moment as well as our hopes for the future. We are shifting from understanding ourselves as a network to a more dynamic invitation to join and contribute to a “movement” for more mobilization, deeper connection, and bolder action. We are also shifting to more deeply centering our Palestinian siblings, not to exclude our Jewish and Israeli partners, but to join with them in working for a world in which safety is defined not by might and violence, but by mutual dignity. As Jewish writer, Peter Beinart remind us: “We have to recognize that everyone’s safety is intertwined.”

Though we have a new name and a new logo, we continue with the same mission and vision: with Jesus’ commandment to love in our hearts and the Palestinians’ cry for hope calling us to action, we covenant to educate, equip, and mobilize the United Church of Christ in all its entities— local congregations, regional Conferences and national instrumentalities — for bold, prophetic witness and risk-taking advocacy toward the goal of a just and genuine peace in Palestine and Israel. 

Feel free to take a look at our new and improved website, browse our resources, or even better, visit our booth and sign up for our workshop at the upcoming UCC General Synod (see info below). There's never been a more important time to engage in the work. Join us!