During this program we discuss the relationship between Dutch Christian churches and political parties with Israel. Many churches and Christian political parties emphasize the special bond they have with the Jewish people and establish themselves as an ally of the state of Israel. How is this experienced by Palestinian Christians? And how can Christian organizations contribute positively to the dialogue between Jews and Palestinians? We discuss it with, among others, Jonathan Kuttab, human rights activist in East Jerusalem and a Palestinian Christian himself.

Within the Protestant Churches in the Netherlands (PKN), a fierce discussion about the relationship with Israel arose last fall. In the church order – the rules of the church – it states that the PKN has an ‘inalienable solidarity with the people of Israel’. A group of liberal theologians has written a pamphlet. They want to get rid of the suggestion of inalienable solidarity with the state of Israel and its politics. The relationship with Israel is also a point of discussion within the Dutch Christian political parties.

Jonathan Kuttab is a Palestinian Christian, human rights activist and in favor of non-violent resistance. In his lecture he tells how Christian support to Israel is experienced by Palestinian Christians. And how, according to him, Dutch Christian organizations can make a positive contribution to the dialogue between Palestinians and Jews.
After his lecture there will be a panel discussion led by Jan Keulen, director of The Rights Forum.

About the speakers

• Jonathan Kuttab is a human rights lawyer from East Jerusalem. For him, working for peace is “a way of life”. Kuttab worked as a lawyer for the Christian Peacemaker Teams. “If people only put a fraction of their time, energy and resources into trying to create peace, we could achieve much more”.
• Han cuperus is a preacher and member of the Christian Peacemaker Teams.
• Jan Keulen is the director of The Rights Forum, a center that provides knowledge on the Palestine/Israel issue. He was a journalist for a long time and worked as a correspondent in Lebanon and Jordan, among other places. Keulen will moderate this program.

In cooperation with The Rights Forum.