Palestine Israel Network Working Group
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.
Educating ourselves, engaging our neighbours, encouraging sustainable justice and peace for Palestinians and Israelis
The MCEC Palestine-Israel Network (PIN) builds relationships and advocates for peace and justice in Israel and Palestine.
We offer a variety of educational activities, with a special focus on the congregations of Mennonite Church Eastern Canada, and welcome partnerships with other groups.
Members of PIN are available to speak in churches and to organize or co-sponsor public events.
Our group was formed after Mennonite Church Canada passed a resolution in 2016 affirming the efforts of Israelis and Palestinians who are committed to non-violent ways of overcoming the injustice in their region, and committed Canadian Mennonites to working in partnership with them and with Jewish and Palestinian communities in Canada. The resolution also called upon congregations to deepen their understanding of the Palestine-Israel relationships.
There are similar Palestine-Israel Network groups in several other Canadian provinces. The Mennonite Church Canada PIN website provides additional information and resources.
Contact: Kathy Bergen
2016 Mennonite Church Canada Assembly
Resolution on Palestine and Israel
North American Mennonites have lived and studied, ministered and served in Palestine and Israel for nearly 70 years. Many partnerships have formed over these years, particularly through Mennonite Central Committee, our various denominational mission boards and Christian Peacemaker Teams. Thousands of Mennonites from Canada and the US have participated in learning tours and exchanges facilitated by Mennonite educational institutions, service and mission agencies, and tour operators. Mennonite Church Canada has sent workers to serve at Bethlehem Bible College and Serve Nazareth.
This resolution, approved at the 2016 Mennonite Church Canada Assembly, emerges largely in response to the plea of Palestinian Christians that the global church come alongside the Palestinian people as they suffer under Israel’s 49-year military occupation of their lands: the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza.