Who are we?

In joyful obedience to the call of Christ, and in solidarity with churches and our other partners in the Middle East, this network covenants to engage, consolidate, nourish, and channel the energy in the Presbyterian Church (USA) toward the goal of a just peace in Israel /Palestine by facilitating education, promoting partnerships, and coordinating advocacy. Our network speaks TO the Church not FOR the Church.

In the mid 1990s, the Presbyterian Church (USA) de-centralized World Mission and allowed grassroots groups around the country to form independent mission networks. The Palestine Justice Network (PJN) is one of 38 mission networks of the PC(USA) and one of the most successful, based on membership, fundraising, publications, grants, etc. Established by action of the 2004 General Assembly, the Palestine Justice Network encourages congregations and presbytery mission committees, task groups and other entities, toward specific mission goals that will create currents of wider and deeper involvement with Palestine/Israel. After the mandate was passed by GA in 2004, about 15 people met in Spring 2005 at a first planning meeting in Louisville, KY. A leadership group emerged and a second meeting was held in March 2006 in Washington DC in conjunction with Ecumenical Advocacy Days where about 30 people attended. Today we support over 500 members and affiliates and represent over 80 presbyteries.

Though our mandate establishes a Palestine Mission Network to advocate for Palestinian rights, we believe our efforts are in the interests of both Israelis and Palestinians and for this reason, have included both peoples in the name of our network. Additionally, Israel (under 1967 borders) is home to over a million Palestinians who we also advocate for.

As our mandate calls for, we seek to demonstrate solidarity, educate about the facts on the ground, and change the conditions that erode the humanity of both Israelis and Palestinians, especially those who are living under occupation in East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza.

We work in close cooperation with ecumenical partners and with the Office for the Middle East, the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program, the Presbyterian Washington Office, the Presbyterian UN Office and with other appropriate entities of the General Assembly and General Assembly Mission Council.

The Palestine Justice Network is an opportunity for Presbyterians throughout the country and at all levels of the church to coordinate ongoing efforts and discover new ones. Ultimately, we aim to support our church partners in Palestine to:

• Strengthen Christian social institutions

• Create jobs and promote economic development

• Maintain schools and hospitals

• Enable affordable and safe housing for Palestine

We unite our efforts through this Network, praying for the Holy Spirit's bold guidance in our work for peace and justice. Please continue to view our web site, learn more about our activities, and imagine with us how you might get involved.

Want more? Download our informational brochure here.