On the 6th of September, Fr. Jamal Khader and Nidal Abuzuluf made a presentation about the Kairos document to the Greek Catholic Parish in Beit Sahour, where Fr. Boulos Armali the head of the church and around 40 people attended.
On the 1st of September, Nidal Abuzuluf met a Korean delegation from the Korean Christians for Peace in Palestine, spoke to them about the Kairos document where Mr. Lee Yun Hee made the Korean translation of the document and the group agreed on promoting the document among their Christian communities.
On the 23rd of August, Rifat Kassis, Nidal Abuzuluf and Nader Abu Amsha met with a group from Dan Church Aid headed by their General Director. Rifat introduced them to the Kairos Document and the process that created it, urging churches in Denmark and Dan Church Aid itself to respond positively to the Kairos.
On the 14th of August, Rifat Kassis met with the Palestinian Initiative of Responsible Tourism steering group, along with a representative from World Council of Churches. Together, they discussed the guideline for responsible pilgrimage; this guideline will soon be ready for sharing with churches all over the world.
On the 6th of August, Rifat Kassis and Nidal Abuzulf spoke to a group from the Latin Youth committees; members came from various parts of Palestine. Two other groups, one Italian and one French, also attended the lecture. The Kairos Document was distributed among them
On the 5th of August, Bishop Atallah Hanna and Rifat Kassis attended a welcoming meeting for the new Bishop His Grace Willaim Shomali. The meeting was organized by Aliqa Center.
On the 30th of July, Rifat Kassis met with Mr. Ben White from Amos Trust in the UK to discuss cooperation between Kairos and Amos Trust.
Kairos Palestine in Syria from 24-28 July
Further to the several visits made by His Grace Bishop Atallah Hanna to Syria in the context of widening the exposure and spreading the word in the Arab Countries and in Syria in particular, and with the coordination and contribution of Mrs. Manal Abdo the coordinator of the Initiative in Syria, the Kairos Document is gaining more support and encouragement from public figures as well as Church leadership. Within a visit last month made by Yusef Daher some very important meetings took place where more support and even future plans were discussed with Archbishop John Qwaq from the Syrian Orthodox church in Damascus, Bishop Ghattas from the Greek Orthodox Church , Father Juan Hanna from the Greek Catholic Church and Mr. Samer Lahham the director of the Ecumenical relations department at the Greek Orthodox Church.
On the 23rd of July, Rifat Kassis made a lecture about the Kairos to an international group in the Greek Catholic seminary in Beit Sahour. The event was organized By Sabeel Centre for liberation theology.
On the 21st of July, father Jamal Khader and Rev. Mitri Raheb made a lecture about the Kairos theology to theological students from Germany.
On the 21st of July, Kairos group met to discuss issues related to the Kairos in Latin seminary in Beit Jala.
On the 20th of July father Jamal Khader and Rifat Kassis made a lecture about the Kairos to a group of theological students from Germany.
On the 15th of July, his beatitude Michel Sabah and Archbishop Atallah Hanna made a lecture about the Kairos at Orthodox club in Amman, Jordan.
On the 12th of July, the Australian National Council of Churches made a resolution on the Palestine Israel endorsing the Kairos document asking the member churches to consider boycotting the Israeli goods produced in the illegal Israeli colonies.
From 1st of July till the 15th, Rifat Kassis visited Australia invited by Act for Peace (the international aid agency of the National Council of Churches in Australia) and the Canberra Ecumenical Working Group on Palestine-Israel to make public lectures on the Kairos document, meet officials and to attend the Australian national council of churches.
Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Sydney
The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic & Cultural Boycott of Israel with Samah Sabawi from Gaza & Rifat Kassis, President of Defence for Children International, from Palestine.
Lunchtime, Thursday, 8th July
12:30 – 14:00, Saturday 10th July
NGO roundtable forum on Palestine & Israel, Melbourne 13 July
On Monday the 14th of June 2010, Ms. Yasmine Khoury, Communication & Administrative Officer at Kairos Palestine spoke to different groups of teachers at Global school about the Kairos document in Jönköping, Sweden.
On the 21st of June 2010, Rifat Kassis, made a presentation about the Kairos document to the Defence for Children International (DCI) staff in Ramallah.
International Council for Christians and Jews (ICCJ)
The annual meeting of the international Council for Christians and Jews (ICCJ) took place in Istanbul (Turkey) between the 21-24 of June 2010. on the second day, there was a panel on the Kairos document. Fr. Jamal Khader presented the document, and then Rev. Dr. Shanta Premawardhana, from the Interreligious Dialogue and Cooperation (World Council of Churches) and Rev. Peter Pettit, from the American Lutheran Church responded. The presentation was followed by an open discussion. The ICCJ issued, as promised during the panel, a statement on the Kairos document.
World Council of Churches
The World Council of Churches held a consultation on “Christian Self-understanding in the Context of Judaism” in Istabul (Turkey) between the 17-20 of June 2010. This consultation is one of a serious concerning the interreligious dialogue with different religions. More than thirty Christian theologians from all over the world participated in the consultation, and three Jewish observers. The Kairos document was presented by Fr. Jamal Khader, focusing on the relationship between the Old and New Testaments and the relationship with Jews and Judaism. In the final report stated the appreciation of the Consultation of the Kairos Palestine document.
On the 19th of June 2010, Kairos Palestine organized a meeting with the American Jewish thinker, Dr. Mark Braverman, to discuss with him the Kairos and how it can be strengthened and spread within the USA. The meeting was attended by small group of Palestinian intellectuals.
On the 16th of June 2010 Some representatives from Kairos board of directors attend the welcoming reception on the international president of World Vision and discuss with him the Kairos document and it can be supported.
The Central Committee of the Ecumenical Committee for Catechism in the Holy Land held its third general meeting at “Dar AnnAdwa Ad-Duwaliah”, in Bethlehem, and decided to include Kairos in the curriculum
On Thursday the 10th of June 2010, Mr. Yusef Daher spoke to a Swedish group about the Kairos in Bethlehem.
On the 8th of June 2010, Kairos board of directors met in the YMCA Beit Sahour to discuss their future actions.
Between the 4th till the 8th of June 2010, Mr. Yusef Daher visited Sweden to speak about the Kairos document. He spoke in the International Partnership fair of Church of Sweden in Vaxjo, in the preparatory training of Sweden EAPPI and at the joint meeting of NGOs working on BDS in Stockholm.
BDS National Committee (BNC) Conference, 31 May 2010 (Arabic)
BDS National Committee (BNC) Conference, 31 May 2010 (English)
On the 29th of May 2010, Rifat Kassis met a representative from Kerk in Actie, A Dutch organization, and brief him about Kairos development.
On the 26th of May 2010, Rifat Kassis met representatives from ICCO, a Dutch organization, and brief them about Kairos development.
On the 20th of May 2010, Rifat Kassis met representatives from international Christian related organizations at the WCC in Geneva to discuss with them the Kairos and the steps forward. The following organizations attended the meeting; the World Council of Churches, the Christian World Student Federation, Lutheran World federation, World Alliance of Reformed Churches, Conference of European Churches, Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, World YWCA, World Alliance of YMCAs, Pax Christi and the Ecumenical Coalition on Tourism. The meeting was moderated by Rev Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit, General Secretary, World Council of Churches.
Between the 18th till the 22nd of May 2010, Rifat Kassis, Rev. Imad Haddad, Rami Kassis, Michel Awad and Sari Khoury participated in a theological reflection about “the theology of Pilgrimage to the Holy Land”. A statement was issued which can be vied under responses.
On the 18th of May 2010, Rifat Kassis made in Geneva a lecture to the World Council of Churches staff about the Kairos document.
On the 15th of May 2010 Naim Ateek, the founder and director of Sabeel, Jerusalem, spoke about the Kairos document at the Thornbury centre.
On the 15th of May 2010, Rifat Kassis was invited by the Swedish Theological Institute in Jerusalem to speak about the Kairos to Swedish Students from Lund University at Dar Al Nadwa in Bethlehem.
On the 13th of May 2010, Rifat Kassis spoke to Swedish student group, who was visiting the Lutheran Church in Beit Sahour, about the Kairos.
Consultative meeting will promote justice tourism for pilgrims to Palestine-Israel, 12 May 2010
Actions from PIEF and the network, 11 May 2010
On the 11th of May 2010, Rifat Kassis met a student group from different parts of the world to talk about the Kairos document. The meeting was organized by the Alternative Information Center (AIC).
On the 10th of May 2010, Rifat Kassis met a group from the Netherlands and spoke to them on the Kairos. Some members of the group are members of the Netherlands Kairos working group and are active on promoting the document in the Netherlands.
On the 9th of May 2010, His grace Archbishop Attalah Hanna met a high rank Spanish delegation and spoke to them about the Kairos and the Israeli human rights violations in the OpT.
On Sunday the 9th of May 2010, father Jamal Khader, Nidal Abuzuluf and Rifat Kassis made a lecture in Beit Sahour to the scouts groups from Bethlehem area about the Kairos. At the end of the meeting, members of the scouts signed the document.
On the 8th of May 2010, the authors of Kairos document met in Beit Sahour at the YMCA to update each others on the development and to plan together for the future.
On the 8th of May 2010, Rifat Kassis met in Dar Annadwa two representatives from Civil Peace Service from Germany to discuss how can they support the Kairos document.
On the 7th of May 2010, Rifat Kassis spoke to a group from Anglicans in World Mission from UK and South Africa about the Kairos document and the way to support it. The group was headed by rev. Canon Edgar Ruddock, the deputy general secretary and international relations director.
On the 4th of May 2010, Father Jamal Khader, Rev. Mitri Raheb, Yusef Daher and Rifat Kassis participated in a workshop dedicated to discuss the Kairos document and how it can be used for the advocacy work of the Coordination Committee for Cooperation between the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land and her overseas Partners. This meeting was organized by the Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy land and was conducted in Dar Annadwa in Bethlehem.
On the 20th of April his beatitude Michel Sabah gave a lecture about the Kairos in Nazareth.
On Thursday the 15th of April 2010, Dar Annadwa in cooperation with the Palestinian Christian Initiative- Kairos Palestine had a seminar entitled “a Moment of Truth” between the theological and political reading. It took place at Ad- Dar Hall /Dar Annadwa from 17:00 hrs -19:00hrs. (Invitation)
Click here to view the images of this event.
On Wednesday the 14th of April 2010, Rifat Kassis met an American/Canadian group in Beit Jala to speak to them on the Kairos document. The meeting was organized by Sabeel.
On April 2010, Sabeel Center issued a special edition from their monthly magazine (Corner Stone) on the Kairos document. The magazine is published in both Arabic and English languages.
On the 5th of April 2010, Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, Nidal Abu Zuluf and Rifat Kassis met Mr. Constantine S. Dabbagh, Executive Secretary of the Near East Council of Churches Committee for Refugee Work in Gaza Area. They discussed the Kairos document and how to distribute it in Gaza and future strategies.
On the 30th of March 2010, Rifat Kassis participated in an event to mark the Land Day in Salfeet governorate. He spoke about the Karios document and the BDS component.
Introductory meeting between the Palestinian Christian Initiative, “A Moment of Truth”, and the Embassy of Egypt in the Arab Palestinian National Authority on March 29, 2010.
On Monday the 29th of March 2010, Bishop Atallah Hanna, Rifat Kassis and Youssef Daher from the Palestinian Christian Initiative delivered the document "A Moment of Truth" to His Excellency the Egyptian Ambassador to the Palestinian National Authority, Mr. Yasser Osman. Explaining the contents of the document, they stressed its importance in maintaining the presence of Palestinian Christians and articulating the Palestinian struggle for justice and independence. The ambassador expressed his admiration for this historic document and its significance in influencing public opinion on both Arab and international levels. He also commented on the powerful timing of the document’s release and its positive impact on the current Palestinian cause, both in general and specifically on the issue of Jerusalem. He noted Bishop Attalla’s call for enriching and developing the dialogue between Christians and Muslims: such partnership is crucial at this very moment of the Palestinian struggle, given the unprecedented onslaught of settlements in Jerusalem and other Palestinian territories. The members of the initiative asked His Excellency the Ambassador to deliver the document to the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt. The Ambassador stated his readiness to organize a meeting between members of the initiative, the Egyptian government, and Al-Azhar in Egypt. (View images)
On March 25-26, the Association of Christian Churches in Baden-Wurttember (Germany) (ACK Arbeitgemeinschaft Christlicher Kirchen in Baden-Wurttemberg) had a 2 days meeting on Palestine at the Monastery of Kirchberg (Stuttgart). After an overview of a visit done by the Association to Palestine/Israel, Fr.Jamal Khader presented the Kairos document followed by discussion on the best ways to support peace and justice in the Holy Land. The discussion will continue within the churches present at the meeting in order to send a formal response at the Kairos document. Several suggestions were made to translate this support into church policies.
A Norwegian weekly newspaper, Morgenbladet, published the entire Kairos document in Norwegian language in its Easter week edition on the 26th of March 2010. It's a newspaper that goes to about 100,000 readers, mostly intellectuals and politicians - people involved in public policy debates.
On March 26, Fr. Jamal Khader presented the Kairos document to the Forum for Social Peace (FgF- Karlsruhe - Germany); journalist Johannes Zang made a presentation about the Christians of the Holy Land. The presentation was followed by discussion.
On March 20, Fr. Jamal Khader presented the Kairos document in Reneh -Nazareth, at the Latin Parish Hall; more than 100 people from the different parishes and the local community were present. the presentation was followed by discussion and signing of the document.
On the 19th of March, Rifat Kassis met the General Director of CORD AID, Dutch Catholic donor agency, in the Hague to discuss with him the possible cooperation on the Karios document.
On the 18th of March 2010, Fr. Jamal Khader presented the Kairos document in Rafidiah -Nablus at the Latin Parish Hall; around 80 people from the parish were present. The presentation was followed by discussion.
On the 17th of March 2010, Rifat Kassis met the Kairos working group of the Netherlands, which is comprised from some Dutch organizations and churches, to discuss with them their future strategies and cooperation.
On the 16th of March 2010, Rifat Kassis met Mr. Harry Derksen and Ms. Mieke Zagt, representatives from ICCO which is a Dutch donor agency, in their office in Utrecht in the Netherlands to discuss further their cooperation on the Kairos.
On the 12th of March 2010, Rifat Kassis spoke to a Norwegian church group about the Kairos document in Paradise hotel in Bethlehem. The meeting was organized by the Alternative Tourism Group (ATG).
On the 5th of March 2010, His Beatitude Michel Sabah, Rifat Kassis and Dr. Mustafa Abu Sway participated in Bethlehem University Symposium on the Presence and Mission of Christians in the Middle East. They presented the Kairos document and answered to the audience questions. At the end of the Panel, which was moderated by father Jamal Khader, the participants signed the document.
On the 3rd of March 2010, Rifat Kassis met in Talitha Qumi, the National Coordinators and Core Group members of the WCC program EAPPI. He introduced the Kairos document and explained the Kairos Palestine official position on the BDS campaign. The meeting was attended by WCC representatives.
O n March 2010, Wi’am Center has conducted awareness raising session about Kairos document hosting 50 women and girls. The discussion focuses on the main themes of the document (occupation, non-violence, messages of advocacy, love and resistance, hope, a word of faith, messages to the outside world and its impact on the local Palestinian context. (View images)
On Sunday the 1st of March 2010, the Latin church in Beit Sahour hosted an event where two representative from JEC/Palestine, the priest of the Latin Parish of Beit Sahour and the president of Pax Christ Italy handed Mr. Rifat Kassis and Mr. Nidal Abuzuluf, members of Kairos Palestine, a folder that includes the names and signatures of supports from the JEC to the Palestinian Kairos Document. This was the result of a general meeting for JEC that was held in Taybeh and headed by Patriarch Michel Sabbah on the 28th of February.
Bethlehem 23 February - Patriarch Michel Sabbah was an honorary guest and speaker to the launching conference of the Palestine Network of Palestinians in the Diaspora and friends. At the Conferences Palace near Solomon pools the Kairos document was distributed to all 100 participants and members of the conference. His Beatitude gave a brief summary of the “Momemnt of truth” and several interviews.
Kairos International coordination and .. On individual basis some Kairos Palestine supporters are becoming more involved and coordinating actions in their countries in circulating the document , gathering signatures and support within their constituencies. Manal Abdo from Syria and Beatriz Saman from El Salvador are two very active coordinators for the Kairos. Beatriz Cristina Saman delivered the document to the Archbishop of El Salvador today. Manal Abdo is visiting the different churches and some refugee camps during this lent period introducing copies of the document and collecting signatures.
Jerusalem 21 February - Within the ceremony of receiving the Archbishop of Canterbury in Jerusalem Yusef Daher approached his grace to present the Kairos Document with its new published booklet. His grace immediately acknowledge receiving the document and the booklets where handed to his aides who were interested to ask some few questions and showed great interest and personal support.
Patriarch Michel Sabbah is participating in an event that is taking place in Lebanon for the Kairos Palestine Initiative. Click here to see the invitation.
On the 12th of February 2010, 11 members of the Kairos group met in the YMCA/Beit Sahour premises to discuss their future strategies. They took a decision to establish a small coordination secretariat, to continue their public meetings with the local Christians, to continue and intensify the signature campaign and to start an international advocacy campaign.
Also on the 12th of February 2010 in the afternoon, Rifat Kassis and Nidal Abu Zuluf met in the YMCA/Beit Sahour an international group coming from different parts of the world to participate in the olive tree planting event organized by the JAI and the ATG. He spoke about the Palestinian Christians and the Kairos document.
On the 12th of February 2010, Rifat Kassis met an American student group in the Alternative Tourism Group (ATG) office in Beit Sahour. He spoke to around 40 students coming from different universities in the USA about the Christians in Palestine and the Karios document. Many of them promised to distribute the document widely in their context and ask their churches to support it.
Also on the same day, the 10th of February in the evening, His Beatitude Patriarch Michel Sabah, Father Rafiq Khoury and Rifat Kassis 3 co-authors of the Karios document together with the Dr. Said Abu Ali the Palestinian Minister of Interior spoke on the Kairos in the Latin Church in Ramallah. Around 150 people, Muslims and Christians, attended the meeting. The co-authors introduced the document and spoke about the background and the content of the document and what is expected from the local and international churches. His Excellency the Minister on Interior Dr. Abu Ali gave his personal reflection on the document and described as a historical document comes in a time where all Palestinian voices must be united.
On the 10th of February 2010, His Beatitude Patriarch Michel Sabah, Yusef Daher and Rifat Kassis participated in the third annual conference for the clergy organized by Sabeel Center in Jericho. There were around 50 fathers, reverends and priests coming from different part of the West Bank and from inside the green line. The co-authors spoke about the Kairos document. His Beatitude introduced the content of document and both Yusef and Rifat introduced the responses from the local and international churches, ecumenical bodies and organizations. They answered the questions raised by the audience and at the end of the meeting, all participants signed the document and pledged to include the Kairos in their ceremonies and preaches.
On the 6th of February 2010, Nidal Abu Zuluf, Yusef Daher, Lucy Thaljiah and Rifat Kassis, four co-authors of the Kairos in addition to Mr. George Rishmawi, the advocacy officer of the International Christian Committee and Usama from Wiam Center met with the Revd David Gamble the President of the Methodist Church in UK and the Vice President Dr. Richard Vautrey. They discussed the Kairos and what is expected from the Methodist Church in UK. The guests informed the group that the Kairos is already on their web and it will be one of the topics in their next Synod in June this year. The guests also spoke about their experience during this visit to the OpT and Israel and showed their solidarity to the Palestinian people.
Jericho – Catholic Church priest distributes the document to parish after mass.
Jerusalem – Mr. George Abu Said distributes the document on all teachers of the De La Salle college in Beit Hanina.
Christian Youth Students JEC-YCS Palestine promotes Kairos Palestine on their web site: www.jec.ps
الأمانة العامة للشبيبة الطالبة المسيحيّة في فلسطين: دعوة لجميع الشبيبات للتوقيع على وثيقة وقفة حقّ، صدور وثيقة هامّة من مسيحيي فلسطين بعنوان وقفة حقّ
Bishop Atallah Hanna have disptched a call for several Orthodox congregations in Syria and Lebanon about the Kairos.
On the 29th of January 2010. Rifat Kassis was interviewed by a Spanish journalist on the Karios document.
On the 25th of Janauary 2010, the Carter Center in Ramallah organized a lecture in Ramallah at Friends Meetinghouse with the title “Palestinian Perspectives on Jerusalem” where Dr. Mahdi Abdel Hadi, from the Palestinian Academic Society for the Study of International Affairs (PASSIA), and Mr. Rifat Odeh Kassis from Defense for Children International – Palestine, coordinator of the Kairos group spoke about the topic. Rifat spoke about Jerusalem in the Karios document. Many people attended the lecture which was broadcasted on Palestine TV as well.
On Friday the 22nd of January 2010, a meeting for the Jerusalem christian Organization took place at the Jerusalem interChurch Centre. A review and evaluation of the document and initiative led to some important proposals that are acrried forward to the follow up committteeof the Kairos Group.
On Wednesday the 20th of January 2010, Yusef Daher made a presentation to English speaking cogregassion of the Lutherans in Jerusalem together with some other guests from the US. The presentation was made at the residence of Rev Mark Mallman on Mt. of Olives with almost 40 people present.
Yusef Daher was interviewed by Vatican radio on the document.
On the 15th of January 2010, Rifat Kassis met in Geneva Mr. Michel Nseir, the WCC program executive on Palestine and Mr. Ranjan Solomon the communication officer on Palestine and discussed with them the development on the Kairos initiative and its strategies.
On the 9th of January 2010, Rifat Kassis met a group from the WCC program EAPPI and spoke about the Karios document to them and answered their questions.
On the 9th of January 2010, Rifat Odeh Kassis met Mr. Ben White, a free lance journalist and member of Amos trust initiative for a just peace for the Palestinians to discuss the possible cooperation between both initiatives.
On the 5th of January 2010, Rifat Odeh Kassis was hosted by the Alternative Information Center in Beit Sahour to speak about the Kairos document for the participants of the second annual international political camp organized by the AIC.
On the 28th of December 2009, the Kairos group met in Dar Annadwa, Bethlehem to discuss the future strategy of the group. They agreed that a simple structure should be established to follow up the implementation of the activities.
On the 27th of December 2009 till the 29th, DIYAR consortium organized a youth conference where the Karios document was the main topic on the agenda. Rev. Mitri Raheb and Rifat Odeh Kassis, two co-authors, attended the conference and spoke about the document. The youth also met some members of the document authors lead by his Beatitude Patriarch Sabah and discuss with them their views about the document. At the end of the conference the youth elected a steering group for the new established youth network which will work on distributing the document widely in their own societies and to work on implementing its recommendations.
