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Connection
JUSTICE
Standing Up for the Rights of Palestinian Children
presbyterian.ca
SPRING 2023
PRESBYTERIAN
11
  By the Rev. Gordon Timbers and the Rev. Dr. Dorcas Gordon, Members of CSUFPCR and of the International Affairs Committee
Canada, Stand Up for Palestinian Children’s Rights (CSUFPCR) is a broad-based cross-Canada coali- tion working to support Palestin- ian children living under the Israeli military occupation. Between 500 and 700 children every year, as young as 12 years of age, are prosecuted in the Israeli military court system, which lacks basic fair trial guarantees and is noto- rious for widespread, systematic and institutionalized ill-treatment of Palestinian children. Many are subject to night arrests, physical abuse and imprisoned without the presence of their parents or access to legal counsel. (More can be read in the report of the International Affairs Committee that the General Assembly ac- cepted in 2019, see pp. 276–279 of the Acts and Proceedings at presbyterian.ca/aandp)
The violence is increasing. In 2022, 30 children were targeted
By Carragh Erhardt, Program Coordinator, Sexuality and Inclusion
Over the last two years, there has been a marked increase in threats, hate crimes and protests targeting LGBTQ+ people. Across Canada, drag performers and venues that host family-friendly drag events have experienced waves of online harassment and death threats, which, coupled with protests at their shows, are leading many to fear for their safety. In the United States, GLAAD reported that there were “141 incidents in 2022 of anti-LGBTQ protests and threats targeting specific drag events,” which grew increasingly violent throughout the year, including the presence of armed protesters af- filiated with white supremacist groups.
One of the common messages
and killed by the Israeli military, making it the worst year for Pal- estinian children since 2006. In a three-day attack on Gaza, 17 chil- dren were killed, just over 30% of the total number of Palestinian deaths (dci-palestine.org/year_ in_review_2022). By January 16 of this year, already four children had been killed, signalling it will be another deadly year for Pales- tinian children.
The Canadian government speaks often and proudly about its commitment to international human rights. Yet, what this rheto- ric hides is becoming increasingly clear—that Canada’s govern- ment believes only some people have human rights. MP Heather McPherson criticized the govern- ment on its failure to talk about the rights of Palestinian children, among others (See youtube.com/ watch?v=wmIXxCznQGI).
Recently, Israel elected the most hardline, right-wing govern- ment in its almost 75-year history. Some of its leaders have openly expressed their commitment to the ethnic cleansing of Palestin-
ians from Israel and from the militarily occupied Palestinian ter- ritories. Prime Minister Netanyahu (@netanyahu) Tweeted: “The Jewish people have an exclusive and unquestionable right to all ar- eas of the Land of Israel. (We) will promote and develop settlement in all parts of ...Israel...Judea and Samaria (the West Bank).”
The significance of this shift in the Israeli government seems to have been missed by the Gov- ernment of Canada. In his con- gratulatory message to Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Canada indicated that it is basi- cally “business as usual” be- tween Canada and Israel, with no mention of the new government’s extreme positions, including its il- legal plans to annex the occupied West Bank (pm.gc.ca/en/news/ statements/2022/11/03/state- ment-prime-minister-results-is- raeli-election).
It would appear that Canada continues its commitment to sup- port the current government of Is- rael, even though its government has promised to act in ways that
A boy standing in the ruins of his UN-built home in Jerusalem, the afternoon that the state authorities illegally demolished his home in front of him.
are antithetical to accepted Cana- dian laws and values.
Our Prime Minister’s words are even more alarming, considering the recent protests of Israeli citi- zens against the government and the resignation in January of the Israeli Ambassador to Canada, Ronen Hoffman, citing differenc- es with the new government. He stated, “My professional and per- sonal integrity has compelled me to request to shorten my post.”
Our commitment to international human rights, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Joint Statement on Physical Punishment of Children and Youth, principles of democracy and the rule of law, demands that Canadians call for
the Government of Canada to act in line with Canada’s commitment to international law and the protec- tion of all, especially children.
Section 8.4.3 of Living Faith calls us to remember that “Justice involves protecting the rights of others. It protests against every- thing that destroys human dignity.” One thing we are learning the hard way is that when one group is dis- criminated against, marginalized, seen as “less than” and discarded, it affects the humanity of us all.
For more information on the decisions of the PCC General As- sembly on Palestine, consult the International Affairs Committee reports to General Assembly.
  A Faithful Response to
the Rise in Anti-LGBTQ+ Hate
 being used to mobilize these anti- LGBTQ+ demonstrations and legislation is the false claims that gay and transgender people are pedophiles or that they’re groom- ing children for sexual abuse. This rhetoric was made popu- lar by Christian lobby groups in the 1970s, particularly as they sought to repeal legislation that banned discrimination on the ba- sis of sexual orientation in areas like housing and employment.
Since then, the field of psychol- ogy has widely discredited the claim that LGBTQ+ people are more likely to sexually abuse chil- dren than heterosexual people. In 2021, General Assembly likewise rejected such claims (A&P 2021, p. 658). Nevertheless, politicians and media personalities continue to use this disinformation to stoke fear and prejudice, and to attempt to justify anti-LGBTQ+ legisla- tion. Around 350 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were introduced in the United
States in 2022, many of which most directly impact transgen- der youth. Rather than improving safety and care for children, these bills and the harmful rhetoric used to debate them have further mar- ginalized LGBTQ+ people of all ages, the impacts of which we’re also feeling across the border in Canada.
In our Confession to God and LGBTQI People (adopted by the 2022 General Assembly), we ac- knowledge that: “The church has often perpetuated harmful lies that LGBTQI people are dangerous and abusive. The resulting stigma fosters an environment where gifted people are discouraged and excluded from providing leader- ship in the church. The church’s prejudice contributes to hatred and neglect of LGBTQI people making them targets for physical, spiritual and emotional violence.”
Having contributed to prejudice and oppression, it is not enough
to confess the harm the church caused. Our Christian faith calls us to protect the rights of others, to seek fairness and to oppose prejudice in every form. The mes- sages we share matter. We need to be intentional about repairing the harm the church has caused and take actions to prevent further harm. There are ways that each of us can faithfully work to respond to the rise in anti-LGBTQ+ hate.
Whether in worship or in our day-to-day conversations, we can speak out against discrimi- nation and false narratives about LGBTQ+ people. We can include prayers for the safety and well- being of LGBTQ+ people. May 17, the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, will be a good oppor- tunity to address religious-based homophobia in worship. Or, a congregation may choose to fo- cus on the Confession to God and LGBTQI People over one Sunday
or multiple Sundays.
Looking outside the church’s
walls, do you know who your neighbours are? Do your research and connect with local LGBTQ+ community groups in your area to find out if there are ways you or your congregation can support them. For example, some groups have been organizing counter- protests to protect and support drag performers and those who attend their shows. Are there spir- itual or material needs you are well-equipped to help with?
The Presbyterian Church in Canada affirms that all people, whatever their sexual orientation or gender identity, are equally beloved by God (A&P 2021, p. 617). In a time where hate is so loud, this is a message our com- munities need dearly. I pray that God will fill us with the courage and hope to be part of creating a safer, more just world where we all get to flourish.




























































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