Going Deeper: The Conflict in Israel and Palestine

Approaching Conflict as Peacemakers

Jesus invites us as his followers to be peacemakers in our families, neighborhoods, cities, and global community. Jesus himself blesses peacemakers and says that “they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9 NIV).  Peacemaking is a deliberate posture toward all of life that shapes how Christians engage, and peacemaking in time of conflict begins with seeing the dignity and image of God in everyone around us. Before drawing conclusions or taking action, it is essential as peacemakers to go deeper by immersing ourselves in the conflict. This document provides resources to help you go deeper in your understanding of peacemaking and this current conflict. 

Note: The aim of this document is to approach conflict and other challenging issues theologically and from the posture of peacemaking. The resources below are not presented as InterVarsity’s endorsement of any viewpoints but as opportunities for you to grow as a peacemaker who thinks theologically. InterVarsity does not advocate partisan stands on political issues.

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Learning About Peacemaking

• Dear White Peacemakers: Dismantling Racism with Grit and Grace, Osheta Moore. Book offering
  an invitation to peacemaking in the context of racism.
• Exclusion and Embrace: A Theological Exploration of Identity, Otherness, and Reconciliation,
  Miroslav Volf. Classic theological text articulating how and why to embrace others, especially
  among violent enemies, as God has embraced us.
• Mending the Divides: Creative Love in a Conflicted World, Jon Huckins and Jer Swigart. Book on
  theology of peacemaking and four key practices.

Understanding History and Theology

• Blood Brothers: The Dramatic Story of a Palestinian Christian Working for Peace in Israel, Elias
  Chacour. Narrative account of the conflict combined with historical research.
• Christ at the Checkpoint: Blessed are the Peacemakers, eds. Manfred W. Kohl and Munther
  Isaac. Book of papers from various authors submitted at Christ at the Checkpoint conferences
  held in Bethlehem 2012-2016.
• The Land Cries Out: Theology of the Land in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, eds. Salim J. Munayer
  and Lisa Loden. Book sharing views from Messianic Jewish and Palestinian Christian scholars.
• A Land Full of God: Christian Perspectives on the Holy Land, ed. Mae Elise Cannon. Book with
  contributions from theologians, activists, politicians, and other experts who address issues of
  history, politics, and theology.
• “The Land in Messianic Context,” Jennifer M. Rosner, Covenant and the People of God: Essays in
  Honor of Mark S. Kinzer. Chapter that summarizes various perspectives on the land from leading
  Christian theologians and then shares new thinking around a Messianic Jewish perspective.
• Larnaca Statement. Agreement adopted in 2016 by Messianic Jews and Palestinian Christians
  when they met as part of the Lausanne Movement, an international missions association.
• The Other Side of the Wall: A Palestinian Christian Narrative of Lament and Hope, Munther
  Isaac. Book from Palestinian pastor and theologian sharing about life in the midst of the conflict.
• Through My Enemies Eyes: Envisioning Reconciliation in Israel-Palestine, Salim Munayer and Lisa
  Loden. Book sharing perspectives on divisive theological topics related to the conflict from
  Messianic Jewish and Israeli Palestinian Christian theologians.

Exploring Political Prospects for Peace

• Is Peace Still Possible? Website with resources to help understand the four main areas that must
  be addressed to reach political peace: Borders, Security, Jerusalem, and Refugees.

Engaging with Peacemaking Organizations

• The Global Immersion Project. Organization that equips Christians to be everyday peacemakers
  in their context and a virtual immersion with peacemakers in Israel and Palestine.
• American Friends of the Parent’s Circle – Families Forum. Organization sharing the experience of
  Palestinian and Israeli Bereaved Families for Peace.
• Telos Group. Organization that forms communities of peacemakers across lines of difference
  and equips them to reconcile conflicts through principles and practices of peacemaking.

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This resource was produced by Theological Formation and Scripture Engagement, March 2024.