The Bethlehem Call: “Here We Stand - Stand With Us” asks us to ‘read and interpret this text with a Kairos consciousness and gaze of prophetic anger’ and describes the ‘treacherous conditions imposed by the Israeli occupation on the Palestinian people’, listing the frequent human rights abuses and the various ways in which Israel continues to flout international law. It condemns too the lack of action from Western powers; both governmental and religious, who do little or nothing to uphold the terms of the Geneva Conventions or UN resolutions and stand up for the Palestinian people. Lastly it encourages readers to engage in non-violent acts of resistance including the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement.

The document speaks directly to the Church, stating that the signatories: 

• Reject the silence of the church, lest we be accomplices in crimes against humanity, such as those of apartheid and persecution. It is imperative to speak up and cry with the oppressed in demanding justice.
•  Call the Israeli occupation of Palestine a crime and sin. We reject any theological or political justification for the Occupation. We regard such theologies as defying the core of the Gospel.
• Reject any argument aimed at convincing Palestinians and the international community that the problems are caused by Muslims rather than the Occupation.
•  Demand that churches take bold and courageous positions for justice against injustice. We are appalled at the spiritual and institutional cowardice that refuses to take an unequivocal stand for justice. Equally, victims and perpetrators cannot be put on equal footing in efforts to create illusions of balance.
•  Resist being party to any church or church-related organisation offering tours to the Holy Lands that do not include an encounter with local Palestinians and express our opposition to such initiatives.

The document ends with words of hope and encouragement to action:

The tide is turning. The pain will pass soon if we act now. This calls for a collective willingness to take risks in the cause of justice.

You can read the whole document here or as a pdf here.