|
Dear ,
I am grateful for the opportunity to share with you the October 2026 Newsletter from the Institute for the Study of Christian Zionism (ISCZ).
Please find below a link to our most recent post, "The Christian Zionist Roots of Palestinian Dispossession" by ISCZ's Aidan Orly, as well as a link to September's post from Tariq Kenney-Shawa on "Israel's Unfolding Illiberal International."
You are also invited to explore following events, opportunities, and resources:
- The latest Librarian's Corner, an author spotlight and reading recommendation from ISCZ Library Manager Dee Roberts. This month, Dee focuses on the writings Mohammed El-Kurd, as well as an invitation to participate in the "One Book, Many Communities" initiative from Librarians and Archivists with Palestine.
- A link to watch the recent interview with ISCZ's Jesse Wheeler for Across the Divide's October Book Club about his book, "The Bible Is Anti-Zionist: 40 Reflections on the Greatest Moral Crisis of Our Time."
- Information regarding a series of essential upcoming events, including:
- Finally, an opportunity to support the essential work of ISCZ.
Best,
Jesse Steven Wheeler
Associate Executive Director, FOSNA: A Christian Voice for Palestine |
| |
|
 Mohammed El-Kurd (1998— ) is a writer, poet, journalist, and organizer born into a Palestinian Muslim family in Sheikh Jarrah, East Jerusalem, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. In 2009, when he was 11, part of his family's home in Sheikh Jarrah was taken over by Israeli settlers. The event was the subject of the 2013 documentary film "My Neighbourhood," directed by Julia Bacha and Rebekah Wingert-Jabi. El-Kurd holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing from Brooklyn College. He is the Nation’s first-ever Palestine Correspondent and editor-at-large at Mondoweiss, the recipient of numerous honors and awards, and the author of the highly-acclaimed poetry collection Rifqa, which has been translated into several languages. His first work of non-fiction, Perfect Victims and the Politics of Appeal, analyzes the strategy of emphasizing Palestinian victimhood to appeal to a Western, liberal audience. The book was met with positive reviews, it was on multiple bestseller lists, and it won the 2025 Palestine Book Award.
 Selected as the 2026 “One Book, Many Communities” campaign with Librarians and Archivists with Palestine, we encourage you to read the book and host an event in your communities. If you host an event for this campaign, you can get a 50% discount code for the book from Haymarket! You can find an event toolkit, marketing graphics, and the information about the Haymarket discount at this link: https://librarianswithpalestine.org/onebookcampaign-2/
|
| |
 |
|
Across the Divide Book Club |
|
For Across the Divide's October Book Club, ISCZ's Jesse Wheeler sat down with host Jen Maidrand to discuss his recent book, “The Bible is Anti-Zionist: 40 Reflections on the Greatest Moral Crisis of our Time.” They reflect on the responsibility that Christians hold to confront biblical interpretations, like those of Zionism, that have been used to do harm and justify violence. Watch the interview at the link below. |
|
|
| |
 |
|
When Theology Kills: Tools for Understanding Christian Zionism |
|
Our friends with the Presbyterian Advisory Council of Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) are hosting an informative slate of events in Louisville, KY between October 29-November 1. Events will include robust discussion of the current context in Palestine and Israel, countering narratives of Christian Zionism, and concrete ways for communities to engage in initiatives that support just peace in the region.
|
|
|
| |
 |
|
Church at the Crossroads |
|
Meet pastors, theologians, and ministry leaders whose communities have worshiped in the Holy Land since the earliest centuries. Hear how they read Scripture, understand the gospel, and follow Jesus amid one of the world's longest-running conflicts. Along the way, you'll wrestle honestly with the biblical questions many evangelicals are asking about Israel, the Church, the land, justice, peace, and faithful discipleship. Join us for conversations rooted in Scripture, shaped by the witness of the historic Church, and open to honest questions. |
|
|
| |
 |
|
Not in Christ's Name: An Orthodox Christian Summit for Palestine |
|
Our friends with Orthodox Christians for Palestine (OCP) invite all those who share concern for justice and peace to gather for a one-day summit on Palestine. This summit brings together our communities to learn how we can put our faith into action. Inaction is not an option.
Summit topics include: "The Status of the Holy Land: The Places, the Pious, and the Pilgrims"; "Not Their Story to Tell: Reclaiming the Christian Narrative from Christian Zionism"; "What the Tour Bus Won't Show You: Voices from the Ground"; and more!
In addition, participants will be equipped to advocate on Capitol Hill and in parishes, communities, and their wider networks, leaving
with practical ways to act in support of our siblings in Palestine. |
|
|
| |
 |
|
"The Last Christian in Bethlehem" International Simulcast |
|
(Saturday, December 12 @ 9:00am Pacific | 12:00pm Eastern | 5:00pm GMT | 7:00pm Bethlehem)
Join with people of faith around the world for a simulcast showing of “Last Christian in Bethlehem,” a new film featuring the lived experiences of Palestine’s remaining 50,000 Christians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. This film shares the sights, sounds, struggles, and steadfast faithfulness of a sacred pilgrimage. Hosted in Bethlehem with featured guests, our presence at this viewing lets the Palestinian community know they are not forgotten, nor abandoned. |
|
|
| |
|
