Becoming apartheid-free
Taking the pledge is an important step in your collective commitment to resisting racism and apartheid. Whether your community is still learning how to name Israeli apartheid, is already advocating for justice, or working to end complicity, signing this pledge connects you to a network of communities committed to the work of justice, freedom, and equality for Palestinians and all people. The prophetic work of challenging apartheid begins with naming its realities and committing to the work of discerning how to take action.
Living into the Pledge – there are many ways to creatively take action against Israeli apartheid. Understanding apartheid, changing the narrative, and advocating for change are all important collective actions that move toward Palestinian liberation. Each community has a different context and is on a different journey toward addressing the evils of apartheid. In signing this pledge, you commit to discerning context-specific ways you can take action. You also become part of a growing network of communities working together to support Palestinians in their quest for self-determination. Here are some suggestions for your next steps, based on actions that others have already taken.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES FOR ACTIONS
Be creative. The actions listed here are ideas based on what some Apartheid-Free Communities and others have already been doing. But you are the expert on your community and know best what would work in your local context. If you have ideas that should be listed here, please let us know.
Focus. It’s important to focus your efforts to generate the greatest impact. Start small and prioritize. Make a plan for the first few months, then for the year, then beyond.
Support is here. The actions listed here have already been taken successfully by other communities and organizations. If something looks interesting but you’re not sure how to start, or just have questions, reach out for help at info@apartheid-free.org.
ACTION IDEAS
Educate Your Congregation / Naming Apartheid
Create a study group for members of your congregation to learn more about Israeli apartheid. We recommend starting with A Dossier on Israeli Apartheid: A Pressing Call to Churches Around the World, by Kairos Palestine and Global Kairos for Justice.
Highlight Palestinian realities during the liturgical year:
- Preach Palestine during Advent
- Share Kairos Palestine Christmas and Easter Alerts
- Celebrate your commitment to be Apartheid-Free during worship once a year
- Honor the anniversary of when you took the pledge as a way to continue to live into your commitment
Educate Your Community / Awareness Raising
Publicize your commitment to become apartheid-free:
- Send a press release to local media about your congregation becoming Apartheid-Free
- Publicize your commitment on your website, social media, or public newsletter
- Place a banner or signs (forthcoming here) in your congregation
- Wear a campaign pin (forthcoming here) and engage others in conversation
- Encourage other communities to take the pledge and join the movement
Organize events, webinars, movie screenings, etc. in your broader community to spread the word about apartheid and the Apartheid-Free Communities pledge. Make sure to center Palestinian voices – contact us for speaker suggestions.
Organize a delegation from your congregation to Palestine and learn about the situation firsthand. Come and See, Go and Tell is the request of Palestinians and the best way to gain first-person encounters with the on-the-ground realities Palestinians endure.
Several groups offer resources for ethical travel, including the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights and Episcopal Peace Fellowship.
Some organizations offer both in-person and virtual tours, like Eyewitness Palestine.
Engage in Advocacy
Join with others in political advocacy, asking the government to withdraw its support of apartheid.
Existing national faith-based solidarity groups include:
- Friends of Sabeel North America (FOSNA)
- Churches for Middle East Peace
- Community Peacemaker Teams (CPT)
- Episcopal Peace Fellowship – Palestine Israel Network (EPF PIN)
- Israel/Palestine Mission Network of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (IPMN)
- Mennonite Palestine Israel Network (MennoPIN)
- Quaker Palestine Israel Network (QPIN)
- United Church of Christ Palestine Israel Network (UCC-PIN)
- United Methodists for Kairos Response (UMKR)
- Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East (UUJME)
- Americans for Justice in Palestine Action
- JVP Action
Or, join a specific advocacy campaign, such as:
-
No Way to Treat a Child – a national campaign lobbying for a federal bill to end the ill-treatment of Palestinian children in the Israeli military detention system.
-
Not on Our Dime! – a campaign in the state of New York lobbying for a state bill that would stop the flow of tax-free “charitable” donations to illegal Israeli settlements.
Engage in Economic Activism
Join a corporate accountability campaign as a group. Ongoing campaigns active in North America include:
Divest
- If your community has investments, use the Investigate website to screen them for involvement in the occupation.
- Organize within your community to ensure it is not invested in apartheid. Start with one company at a time for study and discussion, including Israel Bonds.
- Contact the American Friends Service Committee for specialized support on institutional divestment.
- If your church has already divested from the Israeli occupation, now is a good time to deepen that commitment by divesting from apartheid!
Educate Your Community / Awareness Raising
Publicize your commitment to become apartheid-free:
- Send a press release to local media about your community becoming Apartheid-Free
- Publicize your commitment on your website, social media, or public newsletter
- Place a banner or signs (forthcoming here) in your congregation
- Wear a campaign pin (forthcoming here) and engage others in conversation
- Encourage other communities to take the pledge and join the movement
Organize events, webinars, movie screenings, etc. in your broader community to spread the word about apartheid and the Apartheid-Free Communities pledge. Make sure to center Palestinian voices – contact us for speaker suggestions.
Organize a delegation from your congregation to Palestine and learn about the situation firsthand. Come and See, Go and Tell is the request of Palestinians and the best way to gain first-person encounters with the on-the-ground realities Palestinians endure.
Several groups offer resources for ethical travel, including the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights and Episcopal Peace Fellowship.
Some organizations offer both in-person and virtual tours, like Eyewitness Palestine.
Engage in Advocacy
Join with others in political advocacy, asking the government to withdraw its support of apartheid.
Existing advocacy campaign include:
-
No Way to Treat a Child – a national campaign lobbying for a federal bill to end the ill-treatment of Palestinian children in the Israeli military detention system.
- Not on Our Dime! – a campaign in the state of New York lobbying for a state bill that would stop the flow of tax-free “charitable” donations to illegal Israeli settlements.
Or, join a national solidarity organization that offers advocacy opportunities, such as:
Engage in Economic Activism
Join a corporate accountability campaign as a group. Ongoing campaigns active in North America include:
Divest
- If your community has investments, use the Investigate website to screen them for involvement in the occupation.
- Organize within your community to ensure it is not invested in apartheid. Start with one company at a time for study and discussion, including Israel Bonds.
- Contact the American Friends Service Committee for specialized support on institutional divestment.
- If your community has already divested from the Israeli occupation, now is a good time to deepen that commitment by divesting from apartheid!