PIEN welcomes new Executive Officer
Palestine Israel Ecumenical Network - Update

PIEN welcomes new Executive Officer

The Palestine Israel Ecumenical Network is delighted to announce that Tim Budge has been appointed as the new PIEN Executive Officer.

Tim comes to the role with an extensive background in organisational change and development and in international aid, with years of experience of visiting occupied Palestine, and with many ecumenical contacts through his membership of the Uniting Church and through working with Anglican, Catholic and other church-related organisations. Tim has also been directly involved in PIEN activities in the past.

PIEN was very impressed with the quality of applicants for the position. The selection panel felt that any of the applicants interviewed could fill the role well.

PIEN looks forward with great confidence to Tim’s leadership and service through 2016 and beyond. We anticipate significant growth in our activities over this next period.

Tim is based in Melbourne and commences in the part-time role (12 hours per week) in early February. He can be contacted at contact@pien.org.au.

 

Help PIEN continue its work

Before Christmas, we put out a request to this network for financial support to help PIEN continue its work for peace and justice in Palestine-Israel, and we are humbled by the many generous responses to this - thank you to all who have made a donation in the last month.
There's still time to contribute to PIEN's work, so if you'd like to make a donation please read here for information on how your contributions are used and how you can donate.
 

  

News from and about Palestine

United Methodist Church (USA) Pension Fund rules 5 Israeli banks off-limits for investment due to settlement involvement

The Pension and Health Benefits Fund of the United Methodist Church has declared the five largest Israeli banks off limits for investment and has divested from the two that it held in its portfolios. This is the first time a major church pension fund has acted to preclude investment in Israeli banks that sustain Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian land.

Vatican accord with Palestine comes into effect

An agreement signed last year making the Vatican's de facto recognition of Palestine in 2012 official has come into effect. The Vatican signed its first treaty with the 'State of Palestine' last June when it called for moves to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and backed a two-state solution.

New act of anti-Christian vandalism targets Dormition Abbey
Three weeks after the vandalism against the Salesian convent in Beit Gemal, another act has occurred against the Dormition Abbey on Mount Zion in Jerusalem, a significant place for interreligious dialogue between Judaism and Christianity.

Rev Dr Mitri Raheb awarded the 2015 Olof Palme prize
Rev Dr Mitri Raheb, pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem, has been awarded the 2015 Olof Palme prize jointly with Israeli journalist Gideon Levy 'for their courageous and indefatigable fight against occupation and violence, and for a future Middle East characterised by peaceful co-existence and equality for all.'

Upcoming events

Sydney:
Trivia with a cause
29 January 2016
Leichhardt Friends of Hebron's popular annual fundraiser supporting early education projects in Hebron. Book your tickets now.

Melbourne:
Ali Abunimah in 2016
26 March 2016
For your diary: Palestinian author, Ali Abunimah, at the 2016 Marxism Conference, 26 March 2016.

 

Trips to Palestine

JAI-ATG Olive Picking Program 2016
8-17 October, 2016 (TBC)
Part of the 'Keeping hope alive' program, the tour includes olive picking, cultural events, lectures, and visits to vulnerable communities.

Christ at the Checkpoint Conference
Bethlehem Bible College
March 7-10, 2016

APAN Study tours 2016
8 - 21 May 2016 and 23 Oct - 5 Nov 2016
Visiting Palestine, Israel, Lebanon and Jordan
 

Do you want a speaker/preacher?

PIEN has details of people all around Australia who have had powerful first hand experiences in the West Bank and Gaza.  We particularly recommend speakers who have served with the World Council of Churches'- EAPPI - the Ecumenical Accompaniment Program in Palestine and Israel. Email contact@pien.org.au to talk about possibilities.

Australian Christians who seek lasting peace for the people of Palestine and Israel. 

We aim to equip and 
inform Australian churches, inspired by Christ’s vision for universal reconciliation.