‘The United Reformed Church Peace Fellowship strongly objects to the building of a military academy on the sensitive site of the Mount of Olives. The decision to build a military academy on this site can only be seen as a deliberately provocative and likely to exacerbate the difficulties of finding a peaceful solution to the present situation in the area.’
If you have printed off a paper version of the petition, you can either scan it and send it to peaceonthemount@riseup.net, or send it by post to Hannah, 5 Caledonian Road, London, N1 9DX. Paper versions of the petition are available here.
If you would like to sign the petition online, you can do so here.
In recent days statements of support have been published by the Fellowship of Reconciliation (England), the Methodist Peace Fellowship, the Baptist Peace Fellowship and the United Reformed Church Peace Fellowship in the UK
Meanwhile a number of faith-based news sites from different parts of the world have picked up the story about a military college on the Mount of Olives, and are encouraging their readers to take action.
These include Ekklesia: Outrage at plans for military base on Mount of Olives, CathNews New Zealand: Mount of Olives military academy prompts protest independent catholic news: HOLY LAND: SACRED SITES IN DANGER – URGENT PETITION, Baptist Times: Baptist Peace Fellowship objects to Mount of Olives military academy proposal, The Friend: Mount of Olives Military base protest, Associated Baptist Press: Military college planned for holy mount
Why not contact the media in your city and ask them to share the news as well? Email peaceonthemount[at]riseup.net if you’d like tips on how to do this.
From the President of the Baptist Peace Fellowship:
‘I write to object to the proposal to build a military academy on the sensitive site of the Mount of Olives. This place where Jesus refused to take arms to prevent his arrest by temple guards has long been place of pilgrimage and a symbol of peace. In addition the proposed site lies in an area the responsibility for which has remained disputed for many years and therefore the plan to build a military academy there is also particularly provocative.’
You can find the online version of our petition, asking the Israeli government to abandon plans to build a military college on the Mount of Olives here.
If you’ve already signed the petition, have a look at other ways in which you can act here.
The text of the petition is as follows:
There has been a Jewish cemetery on the Mount for over 3,000 years. Many chose to be buried here as it is believed that the resurrection of the dead will begin here when the Messiah comes.
Within Islamic teaching, a thin bridge will connect the Mount of Olives and the Haram A-Sharif (the Dome of the Rock mosque) at the end of days.
This is one of the most disputed pieces of land in Jerusalem. In 1968, following the annexation of East Jerusalem to the state of Israel, the site was expropriated by the Israeli government. It now lies adjacent to the Palestinian neighbourhood of A-Suwane, close to the Israeli settlement of Beit Orot.
Hagit Ofran, an Israeli peace campaigner, said that ‘the location, at one of the most sensitive and disputed areas in Jerusalem, is a little more than provocative.’ A press release published by the Israeli Ministry of Interior said that other sites in Jerusalem were examined, but this was found to be “optimal.”
On the contrary, we fear that this development could be seen as a provocative act, taking Jerusalem yet further away from becoming a city of peace.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
‘The Methodist Peace Fellowship looks for non-violent ways to face controversy and the sitting of a military academy at such a sensitive place [The Mount of Olives] would seem to us deliberately provocative and likely to exacerbate an already difficult situation. I hope that an effective response can be made as this issue is given the widest possible publicity.’
Here are some of the reasons people have given for putting their names to our petition to reject plans for a military college on the Mount of Olives:
‘This is a place where people put their hope in God, not guns.’
‘This site is sacred to humanity; it is of significance beyond any military or secular strategic worth.’
‘The Mount of Olives was the site of Jesus’ arrest. Jesus was a Jew, who stood alongside all those who hunger for peace and righteousness. He spoke against oppression and religious hyprocrisy. The Mount of Olives is important for Christians, Jews, Muslims, Bahais and others. The establishment of a military base there, by any army or government, is a provactive act that will undermine efforts to build peace and reconciliation.’
‘Because of the importance of the Mount of Olives as a holy place but also because because of its position in a very sensitive area which will not help the cause of peace.’
‘I believe that the greatest peacemaker of all time, Jesus, decided to make the ultimate sacrifice of his life while praying on the Mount of Olives. It seems totally inappropriate to use this site in order to train people for war.’
A reminder that you can sign the petition here.
Thanks to Jonathan for the photo.
Emek Shaveh, an organization of archaeologists and community activists focusing on the role of archaeology in Israeli society and in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, has told us:
‘If the Churches get involved and oppose the plan it could have a great impact. If the churches mention the holiness of the mountain, it might affect the plan. The most effective work, for you as outsiders, will be to influence the churches to object to the plan. I think that the Israeli authorities will be affected by pressure from churches and foreign governments’
Peace on the Mount of Olives 