Sabeel

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The Sabeel (Arabic 'the way' and also 'a channel' or 'spring') Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center is a Christian organization espousing liberation theology. Based in Jerusalem, it was founded by Palestinian Anglican priest, Rev. Naim Ateek, the former Canon of St. George’s Cathedral in Jerusalem. An official partner of the Presbyterian Church USA,^[1] Sabeel has chapters in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Ireland, and Australia. An advocate of divestment from Israel, Sabeel has been accused of promoting an extreme anti-Israel agenda and of infusing its rhetoric with antisemitism. The Rev. Canon Dr. Richard K. Toll, speaking for Sabeel, has said it "consistently condemns anti-Semitism in all its ugly forms" ^[2].

1 Political agenda
2 Criticism
3 Use of Crucifixion Imagery
4 External links
5 References

Political agenda

In 2004, Sabeel issued a document titled Principles for Just Peace in Palestine-Israel.[1] This document supports a two-state solution as an immediate goal, while envisioning that it would eventually lead to a one-state solution.

Our vision involves two sovereign states, Palestine and Israel, who will enter into a confederation or even a federation, possibly with other neighboring countries and where Jerusalem becomes the federal capital. Indeed, the ideal and best solution has always been to envisage ultimately a bi-national state in Palestine-Israel where people are free and equal, living under a constitutional democracy that protects and guarantees all their rights, responsibilities, and duties without racism or discrimination. One state for two nations and three religions.

After demanding several actions from the Israelis, including reparations, the document states that "No solution is acceptable if it does not guarantee the Palestinians’ and Israelis’ right to self-determination, independence, and sovereignty" and calls for "a peace treaty… between the two states of Palestine and Israel guaranteeing the full sovereignty and territorial integrity of each including recognized borders, water rights, and other resources."

Sabeel's founder, Anglican priest Naim Ateek, disagrees with what he sees as Zionist interpretations of the Old Testament. "Before the creation of the State [of Israel], the Old Testament was considered to be an essential part of Christian Scripture, pointing and witnessing to Jesus. Since the creation of the State, some Jewish and Christian interpreters have read the Old Testament largely as a Zionist text to such an extent that it has become almost repugnant to Palestinian Christians […] The fundamental question of many Christians, whether uttered or not, is: How can the Old Testament be the Word of God in light of the Palestinian Christians' experience with its use to support Zionism?" ^[3]. This does not suggest that the Old Testament is not the Word of God, but how can it be understood as that if a Zionist theology of the Old Testament is accepted by Christian groups?"

In 1989, Ateek wrote: "As a boy, remembering my family's harsh exile from Beisan, and later, as a person of faith and a clergyman, my own struggles with hate, anger, and humiliation were not easy. But these feelings had to be challenged continuously by the demands of love and forgiveness. At the same time, I knew without a doubt that injustice is sinful and evil; that it is an outrage against God; and that it is my duty to cry out against it. It has taken me years to accept the establishment of the State of Israel and its need- although not its right- to exist. I now feel that I want it to stay, because I believe that the elimination of Israel would mean greater injustice to millions of innocent people who know no home except Israel." (Ateek, Naim, Justice and Only Justice: A Palestinian Theology of Liberation (New York, Orbis, 1989), p. 164)

Sabeel has sent representatives to several denominational gatherings in the United States and has advocated for divestment resolutions. The United Church of Christ, the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Disciples of Christ have passed resolutions based on information provided by Sabeel. These two denominations and the Episcopal Church have, as a result of Sabeel's activism, passed resolutions demanding that Israel to take down the security barrier it is building to stop terror attacks emanating from the West Bank.

Criticism

The Israeli organization NGO Monitor has argued that Sabeel "is active in promoting an extreme anti-Israel agenda in Protestant churches in both North America and Europe".

The Stephen Roth Institute For The The Study Of Contemporary Antisemitism and Racism and others have charged Sabeel with infusing its rhetoric with antisemitism.^[4]^[5]The Coe College (Iowa) Department of Philosophy and Religion, which had co-sponsored a Sabeel Conference on its campus, acknowledged that anti-Semitic remarks were made at the conference.^[6]

Sabeel has also been criticized for failing to draw attention to the mistreatment of Christians by Muslim extremists in the disputed territories. http://www.judeo-christianalliance.org/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=62&func=fileinfo&id=10

Use of Crucifixion Imagery

Sabeel's founder, Anglican priest Naim Ateek, has been accused of breathing new life into what French historian Jules Isaac called the “teachings of contempt” and directed their vile energy toward the Jewish State.

For example, in his 2000 Christmas message, Ateek likened the Israeli government to “modern day Herods.” In his 2001 Easter message he stated that ““in this season of Lent, it seems to many of us that Jesus is on the cross again with thousands of crucified Palestinians around Him.…The Israeli government crucifixion system is operating daily." (http://www.juf.org/news_public_affairs/article.asp?key=6398)

And in a February 2001 sermon, Ateek likened the occupation to the “stone placed on the entrance of Jesus’ tomb. … This boulder has shut in the Palestinians within and built structures of domination to keep them in. We have a name for this boulder. It is called the occupation.”

Critics say that with these three images, Ateek has portrayed the Jewish State as a baby- and Christ-killing nation that blocks humanity’s salvation. Critics assert that this imagery has a long history promoting hostility toward Jews and echoes Muslim portrayals of Jews as treacherous prophet killers that pervade the Middle East.