Join the MCEC Palestine Israel Network Working Group in a Lunch and Learn featuring Don Wagner and Don Betz.

Don Wagner, an international expert on Christian Zionism, will explore the beliefs and influence of Christian Zionism and it's impact on Palestinians living across historic Palestine. 

Don Betz will provide an overview of a worldwide network of 1,200 NGOs and 400 individuals (ICCP), reflecting on its purpose and considering where this vision might go in the future.

An international civil society movement for Palestine is needed today more than ever
-by Kathy Bergen, Don Betz, Larry Ekin and Rev. Dr. Don Wagner - October 27, 2024

June 18, 2026
12:30 p.m.
50 Kent Ave., Community Room

Don Wagner, PhD, Professor Emeritus 

Don Wagner established the first Palestinian solidarity organization in the US called the "Palestine Human Rights Campaign".  He has been involved in Palestinian solidarity in various ways since 1978. He grew up in 2 types of Christian Zionism.  He is an ordained Presbyterian clergy person and served 3 churches before becoming the National Director of the Palestine Human Rights Campaign. He then taught Middle East History and Politics at North Park University in Chicago from 1995-2010, when he became the National Program Director for Friends of Sabeel---North America.  He has led over 40 witness trips to the Middle East, 90% to Palestine and Israel.  He is the author of six books on various topics, including Christian Zionism, Palestinian Christianity, and Palestinian human and political rights.  His memoir "Glory to God in the Lowest: Journeys to an Unholy Land" was published in 2022, and a second edition will be published later this year under a new title," No Place Left to Go: Why Palestine Matters." 

Don will have copies of his latest book for sale "Glory to God in the Lowest."

Don Betz, Ph.D, President Emeritus

Don Betz has had a life-long focus on leadership.  Most recently, he sits on the International Association of University Presidents (IAUP) executive committee and has served in the past as the USA coordinating chair. Don Betz has enjoyed a distinguished career in higher education that spans more than 50 years, developing a reputation for collaborative leadership, team development, effective teaching, and transformative learning. Don has led three US universities as President/Chancellor: The University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) in Oklahoma City, OK; Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma (Capital of the Cherokee Nation), only to name a few.

Don has worked at the United Nations Division for Palestinian Rights in New York and became the Chair of the ICCP (International Coordinating Committee for NGOs on the Question of Palestine), a worldwide network of 1,200 NGOs and 400 individuals with an office in every continent. Kathy Bergen was the director of the ICCP for the last four years of its existence.  Don Betz, Don Wagner, and Kathy Bergen have been working to find ways to preserve its history and encourage Palestinians to establish a new worldwide network today.   

Don will talk about a worldwide network in the 1980s that was based at the UN in Geneva and he was the chair of at that time.    

The constituency-based MCEC Palestine Israel Network Working Group serves the MCEC constituency by promoting awareness and education on specific issues and topics. The information and links are those of the Working Group and do not necessarily represent MCEC as a whole.