Churches are learning from the costly nonviolent witness of the Church in Palestine with Dr. Yousef AlKhouri’s visit to Australia. He has completed a NCCA sponsored tour where he has spoken with church communities in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Perth on the theme: How can Christians Support a Just Peace in the Holy Land?
During his visit, Dr. AlKhouri, Academic Dean of Bethlehem Bible College, was asked the question: how do you love your enemies if they don’t see you as human?
His response was one that should challenge each of us: “I’m not expecting my enemy to see me as a human, but I will see the face of God in them, I will love them, and call them to repentance, into our shared humanity.” Dr. Yousef Kamal AlKhouri.
Dr AlKhouri shared firsthand accounts of the harrowing plight of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. Forced displacement, demolition of homes and Israeli settler attacks continue to undermine prospects for a just and lasting peace in Palestine and Israel.
NCCA joins international calls for Israel to fulfill its obligations under international law to curb settler violence, protect civilians, and end policies that enable settlement expansion and annexation.