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20 Years of Commitment to Justice for Palestinians

A Christian Voice for Palestine

2016 Annual Report

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
2 Our Values, Our Voice
3 Letter from Executive Director Tarek Abuata
4 Highlights from 2016
6 Member Profile: Dave Grishaw-Jones of Peace
United Church of Christ
7 Board Member: Diane Dulin from Standing
Rock to Palestine
8 Finance and Administration
9 Looking Forward to 2017
10 Letter from the Board of Trustees
11 People: Who We Are

Mission Statement: Friends of Sabeel North America (FOSNA) is a nonprofit, tax-


exempt Christian ecumenical organization seeking justice and peace in the Holy
Land through nonviolent advocacy and education. Sabeel is an international peace
movement initiated by Palestinian Christians, who seek a just peace as defined by
international law and existing United Nations resolutions.

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OUR VALUES,
OUR VOICE
We advance Palestinian liberation.

We recognize theology is a liberating force.

We believe active engagement with the world is an


integral element of faith.

We are building a base of active support for


Palestinian freedom in US Churches.

We value intergenerational leadership and advocacy.

We are accountable to and led by Palestinian


communities in Palestine and the diaspora.

We see the connections between struggles and work


across movements for justice.
FOSNA: A CHRISTIAN LEADER FOR JUSTICE
Letter from our Executive Director
These are challenging times to stand for Palestinian justice
and equality. Congress continues to condone the colonialist
settlement enterprise, the status of Jerusalem as the future
capital of Palestine continues to be challenged, and anti-
BDS legislation is in effect in several states.

Today, the question for our FOSNA community continues


to be: What does it mean for us to be a Christian leader for
justice? In referring to Jesus, Richard Horsley defines leader
as someone who decisively influences (persuades, inspires,
organizes) followers in a seriously problematic historical
situation in a way that they gain new perspective and take
decisive action.

This was how Jesus led, and this is how FOSNA is leading. We choose to be Christian by
following Jesus lead, harnessing our joint energy to act in decisive, prophetic ways that
define justice as full equality for Palestinian citizens.

2016 was a year of substantial growth. At times throughout the year, we asked ourselves,
Can we really do this much? Are we able to fulfill our Christian duty? The FOSNA
community answered yes, by supporting FOSNAs work with financial resources, time, and
local leadership.

Today, we have 12 part-time staff members who are implementing a full programmatic
plan, along with parallel communication and development plans. We have a strong national
base, and we are developing the skills of local organizers through webinars, conferences,
and one-on-one work with our National Organizer. We are building strong coalitions
through our municipal divestment campaigns, and supporting denominational networks
that are passing resolutions of justice. And we are advancing liberation theology to
challenge the literalist, false interpretations of the Bible at the root of Christian Zionism.

I thank you for making FOSNA A Christian Leader for Justice. I also ask you to continue
supporting our staff in amplifying a Christian Voice for Palestine, one that seeks justice
and equality for all citizens in Palestine/Israel.

Sincerely,

Tarek Abuata

Executive Director
Friends of Sabeel, North America

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HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2016

FOSNA exponentially expands its internship program.


FOSNA interns study and debate cutting-edge issues of
liberation theology and resistance strategies. They also
research methods of supporting Boycott, Divestment
and Sanction campaigns.

Hundreds join FOSNA in Santa Cruz,


California, for the conference Justice
FOSNA helps launch a campaign for Palestine: Boycott, Divestment and
led by BDS Jordan, USCPR, and Sanctions at the Crossroads of Campus,
others, causing UNHCR in Amman Church and Community.
to drop its G4S contract. Then, when Israeli officials deny BDS
co-founder Omar Barghouti permission
to travel and join FOSNA in Santa Cruz,
54 percent of Unitarian we livestream his address to hundreds
Universalists vote to divest from of people around the globe.
companies that are complicit in
The Presbyterian
Israeli human rights violations.
General Assembly
The Alliance of passes several
UNICEF in Jordan ends
Baptists divest from resolutions
Hundreds of clergy and 20 its contract with G4S.
companies that supporting justice in
organizations sign our letter
Catholic Conference profit from human Palestine.
denouncing the growing
wave of proposed anti- of Major Superiors rights violations in
BDS legislation across the issues call to join the Palestine.
country. boycott of settlement
products and
companies.

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun


Peace United Church of
Santa Cruz becomes first
HP-free church in the
United States.

FOSNA convenes
a powerful
leadership retreat in
commemoration of its
20th anniversary.
FOSNA launches our HP-Free
The City of Berkeley divests from Churches campaign, calling on
corporationsincluding G4Sthat operate churches to stop supporting FOSNA supports the
private prisons. The city of Denver also occupation profiteer Hewlett- work of Occupation
chooses not to renew a $2.5 million Packard by pledging to not buy Free Portland to
municipal contract with G4S after hearing HP products, including printers, encourage Portland,
from Palestinian rights activists. computers, and ink. Oregon, to stand
by its Socially
Our Clergy Support
Responsible
Network launches to offer
Investment Policy
wise counsel, spiritual
and divest from
support, and resources
Caterpillar.
for Palestine activists
experiencing intimidation FOSNA
or harassment. members and
The Evangelical Lutheran Church local groups
in America votes overwhelmingly Co-convened in nine cities
to create an investment screen interdenomination- participate in
that would identify and remove al summit for the Global BDS
the churchs investments in over seventy faith Week of Action
corporations profiting from Israels leaders prior to the Against HP.
violations of Palestinian rights. US Campaign for
Palestinians Rights
Conference!

Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec


MEMBER PROFILE:
Senior Pastor Dave
Grishaw-Jones

On December 7th, 2016 Peace United Church of Christ (UCC) in Santa Cruz became
the first church to pledge to not buy Hewlett Packard products, including printers,
computers, and ink, until the company ends its complicity in the illegal Israeli
occupation and ceases to profit from the violation of Palestinian human rights.

Dave Grishaw-Jones, a Senior Pastor at the UCC, was integral to initiating the boycott
in his congregation. Grishaw-Jones noted that the decision to participate in the BDS
movement was a natural one, given his churchs long history of action against injustice.

Despite this, the decision to engage in the boycott was not made lightly. Grishaw-
Jones has been learning about and organizing around Palestine for over a decade. Of
particular importance for Grishaw-Jones were the relationships he developed with
Palestinians along the way. Those relationships are key, he said, to center those voices
and those relationships in our theological and moral discernment so that were not just
making this stuff up for ourselves, but were always listening closely to the voice of an
occupied people and trying to respond faithfully to what they need.

Through this work, hes learned too that standing up for Palestinian rights is not anti-
Semetic. We can be faithful allies to our Jewish friends and faithful advocates and
nonviolent allies with our Palestinian friends as well, he said, noting the importance
of continuing to fight against anti-Semitism, without allowing Zionists to intimidate
activists who support Palestinian rights.

Grishaw-Jones serves on the FOSNA Clergy Support Network, which provides personal
and organizational counsel, prayer, legal resources, theological instruments, and other
means of support for groups and individuals facing intimidation or pushback from
Zionist groups due to their activism. I hope that pastors and church leaders around the
country will take advantage of that network and the opportunity to make a phone call,
to talk something through, Grishaw-Jones added, we need to know that there are folks
we can talk to.

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BOARD MEMBER:
Diane Dulin from
standing rock to
palestine

In November I traveled to the Oceti Sakowin (Seven Council


Fires) camp in Cannon Ball, North Dakota.

I was responding to a Call: The Standing Rock movement had


invited allies, soul mates, clergy, military veterans, elders, and
young warriors to join the nonviolent, prayer-based community
of resistance in Cannon Ball.

And while I recognized colonialism in Palestine, at long last I truly felt the colonial
actions of my own country. The current pipeline crisis of the Sioux Nation was an
extension of long-lived settler colonialism, land theft, environmental destruction, and
genocide.

I was also theologically curious. The photos I had seen of water protectors in the river,
sprayed with water hoses by militarized personnel, reminded me of Jesus baptism in the
Jordan. Mini wiconi (water is life), one of the mottos of the Standing Rock movement,
expresses something of Jesus message I am the living water. The center of Lakota
gatherings, the peta waken (sacred fire), speaks of Pentecost with its flames of Spirit.

Over and over throughout our five days in North Dakota, indigenous leaders repeated
the following: We Lakota Sioux are a prayerful people. All we want from you is your
prayer. Everything we do here is ceremony [prayer, worship]. Behave accordingly.

From our recent travel to the West Bank and East Jerusalem, we quickly recognized
commonalities with the Palestinians response to occupation: hospitality; spirituality;
steadfastness; the power of community; the hope and courage that springs from bold,
nonviolent action.

Energy Transfer Partners has vowed to continue building the pipeline, and the president
holds financial investments in Energy Transfer. For these reasons, our witness and our
prayer must deepen.

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2016 Administrative and
Financial Overview
2016 was FOSNAs first full year of having a full-
time Executive Director and National Organizer.
With their leadership, FOSNA...
Successfully raised funds to hire a part-time
Communications Coordinator
Was supported by a community of over 1,700
individual donors
Was sustained by 24 monthly donors and 139
Circle of Friends members
Had six new members join the Board of
Trustees

Friends of Sabeel North America 2016 expenses

Total 2016 expenses: $663,852


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Looking forward TO 2017
Build our Community and Win More BDS Campaigns
We will continue building our national, multi-denominational Christian base,
educating and advancing the Palestinian call for Boycott, Divestment and
Sanctions (BDS). We will grow our HP-Free Church and municipal campaigns and
build national and international alliances. We will strengthen the skills of local
organizers across the country through the FOSNA activist network (FAN), webinar
trainings, one-on-one coaching with the national organizer, and conference
attendance.

Support Church Divestment and Related Resolutions at 2017


Denominational General Conferences
Unitarian Universalist in New Orleans, June 2125
United Church of Christ (UCC) General Synod in Baltimore, June 30July 4
Mennonite USA in Orlando, July 48
General Assembly of the Christian Church Disciples of Christ in Indianapolis, July
812

Convene the Praxis Seminary Network


To foster relationships with the forthcoming generation of Christian leaders and
provide avenues for them to become active supporters of the BDS movement,
we will bring together Christian seminary students, young clergy, and seminary
faculty to advance praxis-based liberation theology.

Focus on Ending White Supremacy


The oppression of Palestinians depends on the privileging of white and Jewish
communities in historic Palestine. This is the same privileging that marginalizes
people of color, queer communities, working class individuals, and non-Christians
in the United States. In 2017, we will focus on cultivating a FOSNA culture that is
anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and anti-colonial.

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letter From the
Board of trustees
Dear Friends of Sabeel,

Grace and peace to you! A little more than a


year ago, we the board members of Friends of
Sabeel North America made the big decision
to hire our first full-time executive director.
Since hiring Tarek Abuata, weve continued to
learn and to grow. We are excited to see the
good work that Tarek and our staff will do and
the progress that we will make together for
justice and peace.

As a board, weve been making some changes to better support the work of
FOSNA. The formation of a new finance committee and development committee
has allowed us to be more proactive in meeting the budgetary needs of a rapidly
growing organization. Weve worked closely with staff to help us bring new
energy and intention to our fundraising and development efforts, as well as to
create clearer communication among the many groups that make up our broad
movement.

Most importantly, of course, we remain excited and committed to working


together with you our friends and supporters to answer the call from our
Palestinian sisters and brothers to work for justice and peace.

Thank you for your continued support. We are grateful!

Gratefully,

David Finnegan-Hosey
President
Friends of Sabeel North America Board of Trustees

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People:
Who We Are
President of the Rochelle Gause Mark Braverman
National Organizer Kairos USA
Board, Sabeel,
Jerusalem Rev. Dr. Donald E. Wagner Thomas Getman
Consultant in Theology Consultant on International
The Rev. Canon Naim Ateek Affairs
Sister Elaine Kelley
Development and Administrative Rt. Rev. Thomas Gumbleton
International Patron, Coordinator Catholic Diocese of Detroit

Sabeel John Erickson Gabriel Habib


Senior Program Advisor Middle East Fellowship
The Most Rev. Desmond M.
Kali Rubaii Yvonne Haddad
Tutu
Development Coordinator and Georgetown University
Internship Manager Zaha Hassan
Board of Trustees Ashleigh Zimmerman Attorney at Law
Nicholas Ammar Data Specialist Rashid Khalidi
Rev. Julie Brenton Rowe Middle East Institute, Columbia
Leila Abdelrazaq
Monica Burnett Univ.
Communications Coordinator
Diane Dulin
David Finnegan-Hosey Nadya Tannous Michael Lynk
Stop Child Detention Tour Western University, Ontario,
Joyce Ibrahim
Coordinator Canada
Lynn Martin
Catherine Ann Nichols Jay Visbal Afif Safieh
Leila Richards Website Coordinator Former Head of PLO Mission to
Bob Ross the USA
Mike Spath Advisory Board John Salzberg
Doug Thorpe Sandy Springs Friends Meeting
Rev. Richard K. Toll Laila Al-Marayati
Taurean Webb KinderUSA Dorothy Jean Weaver
Eastern Mennonite Seminary
Wini Wolff Mubarak Awad
Nonviolence International Cornel West
Princeton University
Staff Kathy Bergen
Tarek Abuata Friends International Ctr.,
Executive Director Ramallah (ret.)

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