Apartheid Free Communities of Faith
Apartheid Free Communities of Faith
The Apartheid-Free network is a coalition of communities who pledge to work together to end Israeli apartheid.
The Network was formed in 2022, following the emerging consensus among the international human rights community that Israel’s treatment of the Palestinian people amounts to the Crime of Apartheid.
Originally created by faith groups in North America, the network currently includes congregations, faith communities, solidarity organizations, non-profits, campus groups, businesses, and more.
UNJPPI and some United Church of Canada congregations (also commonly called communities of faith) have joined the Apartheid-Free network. They did this by taking the pledge to work together to end all support to Israel’s Apartheid regime. This is similar to what happened previously when faith communities and other solidarity groups helped end apartheid in South Africa.
Bathurst Street United in Toronto and Trinity Grace United in Vancouver have already joined the Network.
Your congregation or other supportive organization can join by taking the Apartheid-Free Pledge.
Apartheid-Free Pledge
WE AFFIRM – our commitment to freedom, justice, and equality for the Palestinian people and all people;
WE OPPOSE – all forms of racism, bigotry, discrimination, and oppression; and
WE DECLARE – all forms of racism, bigotry, discrimination, and oppression; and
WE PLEDGE – to join others in working to end all support to Israel’s Apartheid regime, settler colonialism, and military occupation.
How can my Congregation Join?
~ Speak to one or more other members of your congregation to obtain their support. Together you may then approach your governing board and ask them to approve your congregation making the pledge and joining the Network. In some congregations you may first be directed to a congregation committee.
~ UNJPPI is here to provide any helpful advice you need. Please email info@unjppi.ca with any questions you may have.
~ Once your community has joined the Network, you will want to share the News …. this leads to conversations which may lead to others taking similar action.
Emerging Consensus
Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and B’tselem have written detailed reports supporting the fact that Israel’s treatment of the Palestinian people amounts to Apartheid. They have also produced quite short informative videos with summaries of their reports.
For decades before these reports were published, Palestinians were identifying the Israeli military occupation as Apartheid.
Amnesty International
Read the full Report https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde15/5141/2022/en/
Read the Report Summary https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/campaigns/2022/02/israels-system-of-apartheid/
Or watch the report 14.37 minute video
Human Rights Watch
Full Human Rights Watch Report https://www.hrw.org/report/2021/04/27/threshold-crossed/israeli-authorities-and-crimes-apartheid-and-persecution
Or watch the report 3 minute video
B’Tselem Israeli Center for Human Rights
B’Tselem is an Israeli organization working to protect human rights in the Palestinian Territories
Read the full B’Tselem Report https://www.btselem.org/publications/fulltext/202101_this_is_apartheid
Or watch the B’Tselem Graphics Explainer of its report (scroll through to see the highlights)