Karios Palestine comes to the Bay Area: Promoting a "pathetic manifesto" for the delegitimization of Israel

Palestinian Christians Manawel Salameh and Areej Masoud from Kairos Palestine will be on a local speaking tour, organized and promoted  by a coalition of extremist anti-Israel groups under the umbrella of the California-Nevada Israel-Palestine Task Force of the United Methodist Church.

Kairos Palestine is working to achieve the goals of the notorious  "Kairos Document," issued in 2009 and described by the JCPA as a "pathetic manifesto for the delegitimization of Israel.” 

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs expressed its shock at the extreme rhetoric of a recently released document, "Call to Action: U.S. Response to the Kairos Palestine Document," produced by a group of American Christians. 

“The Kairos USA document, signed by American pro-Palestinian Christian activists in response to the 2009 Kairos Palestine document, is deeply disturbing.  If embraced, it would set back the clock on peacemaking even further,” said JCPA President Rabbi Steve Gutow.  “It is appalling to think that religious leaders would sign a document that places 100% of the blame for the tragic Israeli-Palestinian conflict on one party – faulting Israel even for the terror used against it.  This document offers no support for a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians.  It compares those who challenge Israel to those who fought the Nazis.  It is a pathetic manifesto for the delegitimization of Israel.”    

“Kairos USA misdiagnoses the conflict as one of Israeli ‘state violence’ with no recognition of the threats to Israel,” continued Gutow. “There are over 8,000 words in the document purportedly on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; not one of them is ‘terror’ and not one of them is ‘Hamas.’ That makes this document nothing less than a false witness. The Christians who composed and who sign this document are accepting carte blanche the ‘Kairos Palestine’ document which said ‘if there were no occupation, there would be no resistance.’   Had any of these authors or signatories read the Hamas charter—which promotes a jihad to wipe Israel off the map - they may not have been so naïve.

Their itinerary follows:

Tuesday, September 16, with a 6 p.m. reception and 7 p.m. program at the Buena Vista UMC, 2311 Buena Vista Ave., Alameda

Bechtel International Center on campus at University of the Pacific, Stockton  Time: 12:00noon, Thursday September 18th. 

Thursday, September 18 at 7 p.m. at the First UMC Sacramento, 2100 J Street; 

Fri, September 19, 7:30pm – 9:00pm  University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA,  

Sat, September 20, 10am – 12pm Allen Temple Baptist Church, 8501 International Boulevard, Oakland, 

Sunday, September 21, at 10 a.m. worship at Open Door UMC, 6226 Arlington Blvd., Richmond; 

Monday, Sept. 22nd, 7:30 p.m. Zaytuna College, 2401 Le Conte Ave.  Berkeley

Tuesday, September 23, at 7:30 p.m. at Aldersgate UMC, 4243 Manuela Ave., Palo Alto, CA.

Read more about churches, NGO's and the Global campaign against Israel here

Kairos USA document bears "False Witness"

The Jewish community has reacted strongly to the shockingly atavistic Kairos USA Document, released as part of the anti-Israel lobby's pressure campaign against US Churches.

From the Jewish Council for Public Affairs

"The Jewish Council for Public Affairs expressed its shock at the extreme rhetoric of a recently released document, "Call to Action: U.S. Response to the Kairos Palestine Document," produced by a group of American Christians.

“The Kairos USA document, signed by American pro-Palestinian Christian activists in response to the 2009 Kairos Palestine document, is deeply disturbing. If embraced, it would set back the clock on peacemaking even further,” said JCPA President Rabbi Steve Gutow. “It is appalling to think that religious leaders would sign a document that places 100% of the blame for the tragic Israeli-Palestinian conflict on one party – faulting Israel even for the terror used against it. This document offers no support for a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians. It compares those who challenge Israel to those who fought the Nazis. It is a pathetic manifesto for the delegitimization of Israel.”

“Kairos USA misdiagnoses the conflict as one of Israeli ‘state violence’ with no recognition of the threats to Israel,” continued Gutow. “There are over 8,000 words in the document purportedly on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; not one of them is ‘terror’ and not one of them is ‘Hamas.’ That makes this document nothing less than a false witness. The Christians who composed and who sign this document are accepting carte blanche the ‘Kairos Palestine’ document which said ‘if there were no occupation, there would be no resistance.’ Had any of these authors or signatories read the Hamas charter—which promotes a jihad to wipe Israel off the map - they may not have been so naïve.

“The Kairos USA document sets up a straw conflict between Israelis and Palestinian Christians,” said JCPA Chair Larry Gold. “Israel takes defensive measures in response to genuine threats, not to harm individuals. Israel’s defensive measures exist to save lives. Contrary to the author’s claims, there would be no need for security measures were there no violence against Israel. It is outrageous that this reality is excluded from the Kairos narrative. We also reject the document’s false dichotomy between fighting anti-Semitism and working for justice for Israelis and Palestinians; we reject the specious claim that Americans have tried to ‘foment panic’ about rising levels of anti-Semitism. Kairos-USA attempts to silence the voice of Jews who are concerned about terrorist attacks against Israel – this is not a message of peace and reconciliation, but of partisan politics. We think true peacemakers are committed to hearing the voices and ending the suffering of those on all sides.”

Buy Israel Week Nov. 28-Dec 4

Kairos Palestine just issued a formal statement condemning Buy Israel week.
Guess what? They don’t like it.
Are we surprised?

Oh, how they hate it when the Jews fight back

Kairos is clearly threatened by the initiative, an integrated print and online marketing campaign organized by jdeal.com, The Jewish Week Media Group of NY, Washington Jewish Week, Florida Jewish Journal, Tribe Media Corporation, the Jewish Standard of New Jersey, the Chicago Jewish News, Israel-America Chamber of Commerce, Manufacturers’ Association of Israel, Israel Export and Cooperation Institute and Stand With Us.

Using language like "Frantic". "Anything but subtle". "Desperate" . "A sense of hysteria" , Kairos has attacked Buy Israel Week, to be held from November 28 to December 4

Why are they feeling so threatened?

Buy Israel Week features a marketing package that includes exposure to up to 1 million people in targeted markets across the US, as well as comprehensive social media outreach through Facebook and Twitter, blog features, YouTube videos and “Seriously Surprising Israel Deals” featuring Israeli products and giveaways
How can you participate?
Check out the Buy Israel Week blog.
"Like" their facebook page. Follow them on Twitter
Sign up for updates

If you are a local business that sells Israeli good, offer a deal

And buy, buy , buy Israeli products.

Word of the campaign is spreading throughout the Jewish community. "It is a matter of pride for me to want to buy products that are made in Israel, Esther Adler, 86, of Boynton Beach said. "When I shop for food and see something that is imported from Israel, it is always my first choice."