Mission and Outreach

The plight of the Palestinians and a goal of peace with Israel is a focus of the Pacific Mountain Region of the United Church of Canada. The following is a focus at the moment.

The months of October and November are important months for Palestinians as it is olive harvesting time.  Unfortunately some Israeli settlers attack olive trees as part of the attempt to drive Palestinians off their lands. Ecumenical Accompaniers (as Keith Simmonds from Duncan United) provide a protective presence during the olive harvest. Fewer attacks happen when internationals are present. Because of COVID, there are no internationals in Palestine this year and the number of attacks has multiplied.

• Check out this website for information about the olive harvest and its challenges: Middle East Eye (click to open)
• Here is the Beit Zatoun website: great place to buy olive oil and get it shipped to you (click to open). 
• If you would like to support olive farmers by buying olive trees as a gift this year visit the Gifts with Vision website: Plant an Olive Tree (click to open). The money goes through the Joint Advocacy Initiative of the East Jerusalem YM and YW to Palestinian farmers. If you would like to learn more about their work go to kuminow.com/online-archives (click to open) and search for week 52.