Social Justice News

22 August 2016

Social Justice: Update from UUJME—Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East

AIPAC (American Israeli Political Action Committee) is spending money to influence American elections so there is a permanent tilt toward Israel. More information is becoming public that Israel is destroying Palestinian homes with Caterpillar bull dozers and invading homes at night at gun point as well as taking away Palestinian water rights.

Concerned Unitarians, many of them of Jewish heritage, have reflected on our 7 Principles and how they apply to supporting justice in Palestine. This is not an anti-semitic group. UUJME is pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel. They believe that it is in Israel’s best interest to promote Palestinian human rights and peace.

Our principles in order: Every person has inherent worth and dignity; Justice, Equity and Compassion in all Human Relations; Acceptance of One Another and Encouragement to Spiritual Growth in our Congregations; A Free and Responsible Search for Truth and Meaning; the Right of Conscience and the Use of the Democratic Process within our Congregations and Society at large; the goal of World Community with Peace, Liberty and Justice for All; and lastly, Respect for the Interdependent Web of Existence of which we are all a part.

It is because of these principles that the UUA board has divested from Hewlett Packard, Motorola and Caterpillar which were all making a profit from the Israeli occupation. Because of UUJME the UUA board has moved to screen all investments for human rights abuses.

For those wishing to discuss these ideas further, there will be upcoming events and opportunities. A screening, here at the church, of the popular film “Budrus” about how one village succeeded by taking a non violent stand to oppose the Israeli Army, the IDF will happen on October 21st. Look for further details soon.