Kansas City-based Citizens for Justice in the Middle East (CJME) seeks to educate the American public about the issues involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and to end U.S. support for the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories. U.N. Security Council Resolution 242 of 1967 calls for Israel's withdrawal from occupied territories based on the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by war. The United States voted for this resolution, but despite its stated policy has consistently blocked efforts within the United Nations to implement these and other pertinent U.N. resolutions that apply to Israel.

Instead, U.S. diplomatic protection and massive U.S. foreign aid enable Israel to retain control over the Palestinian territories and to settle the West Bank and Gaza with its own citizens in further violations of international law. These violations are one of the chief sources of instability in the region and foster bitterness and resentment against both Israel and its sponsor state, the United States. Anger at Israel’s harsh occupation of the West Bank and Gaza fuel legitimate resistance to the occupation as well as terrorism against Israel and is likely eventually to lead to increased terrorism against the United States as well.

Composed of Kansas City area citizens concerned about the direction of U.S. policy, Citizens for Justice in the Middle East urges ordinary American citizens to speak out in favor of an even-handed U.S. policy that recognizes the rights and aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians. Only by respecting the need to provide both parties in the conflict with security and self-determination can a viable and just peace be assured.

To learn more about Citizens for Justice in the Middle East or to get involved, contact info@cjme.org or telephone (816) 729-9102.

▪ Some of the public events we have sponsored -

- In May 2006, Anna Baltzer, Jewish-American and author was in Kansas City to discuss her work in the Palestinian Territories

 

- In October/November 2005, CJME hosted our annual Christmas in Bethlehem program

 

- In October 2005, noted Palestinian-American and nonviolence advocate Mubarak Awad, reflected on "Up Against the Wall: Can Gandhi's Principles Work in Palestine?" at UMKC and three area churches. He also met with the Kansas City Star, Kansas City Jewish Chronicle and WDAF-TV4 (Fox) | Read report on Mubarak Awad in KC

 

- In May 2005, Israeli Robi Damelin and Palestinian Nadwa Sarandah, representatives of Parents Circle, gave talks at four locations in the Kansas City area, including Lawrence, Kansas and Columbia, Missouri. Their tour was well-received and covered well by local news organizations. Read report on Bereaved Families

 

- In April 2005 CJME organized a protest at an area Caterpillar sales office highlighting the Israeli practice and U.S. support of Palestinian home demolitions

 

- In January 2005, CJME sponsored "Voices of New Hope" lecture series with Village Presbyterian Church. The four-part series examined prospects for peace between Palestinians and Israelis. During the series we heard from individuals about the impact of the occupation on Palestinians, the threat to security for Israelis and the common ground for peace efforts. Read report on Voices of New Hope

 

- In 2004, Dr. James Kenney and Ginger Kenney, who visited Israel/Palestine in March 2004 and Hedy Epstein, a Holocaust survivor, who traveled to the West Bank in December 2003 gave talks to groups in the Kansas City area.
- In July 2004, Stop the Wall-U.S. organizers John Reese and Erica Kay were in Kansas City to display the impact of the Wall on Palestinians.

- In May 2004 CJME organized a Kansas City presentation by Jeff Halper, coordinator of ICAHD, and Salim Shawamreh, a Palestinian whose house has been demolished four times.

- In March 2004 Joe Carr, a KC resident who worked with ISM in the Gaza Strip, honored the memory of Rachel Corrie one year after her death.

- In 2003, Dr. Neve Gordon, an Israeli citizen who works with an organization called Ta'ayush (meaning Jewish-Arab partnership), gave a talk in Kansas City.

- In 2003, Fred Schlomka, who works with the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions was in Kansas City to discuss a new project called Mosaic Communities, integrated housing with Israeli Jews and Arabs.

▪ Press Releases | CJME in the news

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▪ Questions? 

 

> Call: (816) 729-9102
> Send us an email: info@cjme.org  

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