Even our maps have a bias.

If you’ve ever been to Jerusalem raise your hand.

If you’ve ever been in the occupied territories, raise your hand.

If you’ve ever participated in interreligious dialogue with a Jewish partner, raise your hand.

If you have ever participated in a Jewish worship service, raise your hand.

If you’ve ever participated in interreligious dialogue with a Muslim partner, raise your hand.

If you have ever participated in a Muslim worship service, raise your hand.

If you’ve ever been angered by something a Jewish or Muslim person has said, raise your hand.

If some part of your faith has been challenged or changed by interreligious dialogue, raise your hand.

If you’ve ever been asked about the Presbyterian actions or policies regarding the Holy Land, raise your hand.

If you’ve ever been involved in denominational debates about Israel and Palestine, raise your hand.

If you’ve ever been angered by something that a representative of your own denomination said about Israel or Palestine, raise your hand.

If you’ve ever been glad about something that a representative of your own denomination said about Israel or Palestine, raise your hand.

If you have ever participated in a boycott, raise your hand.

1. On Reviewing General Assembly Policy Regarding the Two-State Solution in Israel Palestine—From the Presbytery of San Francisco. (482/88) (47/13) Passed

2. On Divestment from Caterpillar, Hewlett-Packard, and Motorola Solutions—From the Presbytery of San Francisco. Answered by another motion**

3. On Engaging Presbyterian to Witness for Palestinian Human Rights and for Ending the Occupation of Palestine—From the Presbytery of Grace. (450/139) (33/32) Passed

4. On Supporting Middle East Peacemaking—From the Presbytery of New Covenant. (310/303) Passed**

5. On Calling for a Boycott of All Hewlett-Packard Products—From the Presbytery of New Brunswick.(503/82) (52/12) Disapproved

6. On Affirming Occupation-Free Investment in Palestine—From the Presbytery of Mackinac. (58/5/1) Approved in Consent Agenda

7. On Adopting the Mission Responsibility Through Investment (MRTI) Recommendation on Divestment—From the Synod of the Covenant. Answered by another resolution**

8. Mission Responsibility Through Investment: Engagement with Corporations on Israel-Palestine Issues from 2004–2013--PMA Answered by another resolution**

9. Resolution on Equal Rights for All Inhabitants of Israel and Palestine and on Conversations with Prophetic Voices (61/4) Approved in Consent Agenda

10. Commissioners’ Resolution. On Declaring That Zionism Unsettled Does Not Represent Views of PC(USA).(54/8) Approved in consent agenda

11. Commissioners’ Resolution. On the Tragedy at Tent of Nations. (55/6) Approved in consent agenda

12. Commissioners’ Resolution. On Reaffirming the Rights of Children and Attention to Violence Against Children in Israel and Palestine. (533/37) (55/2) Passed

13. Commissioners’ Resolution. On a Commitment to Prayer for Peace, Justice, and Reconciliation in Israel and Palestine. (58/2) Approved in consent agenda

14. Commissioners’ Resolution. Support for a Just and Peaceful Compromise of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. (561/97) (46/17) Disapproved

Today, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) holds special consultative status to the United Nations through the United Nations Economic and Social Council. This allows our voice to be heard by a truly global audience and to contribute to its agenda by attending international conferences and events, making written and oral statements at these events, organizing parallel and side events at these events, and taking part in advocacy and networking.

The Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations currently represents the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) at the United Nations. The ministry inspires, equips, and connects Presbyterians for ministry as faithful disciples of Jesus in the global community. The ministry advocates for peace and justice to the United Nations, based on policies of Presbyterian General Assemblies.

Mark Koenig!The Rev. Mark Koenig is director of Presbyterian ministry at the United Nations. Koenig brings 30 years of experience in ministry, serving congregations, the Presbytery of the Western Reserve, and the General Assembly Mission Council. He served on the staff of the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program, as coordinator, for four years.

Ryan SmithRyan Smith is the Presbyterian representative to the United Nations. Smith brings experience working in faith-based non-governmental organizations in the United Nations community and Washington. He has worked with Catholic Charities USA and with Caritas Internationalis, a long-time partner of the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations.

The Church Center for the United Nations, located across from the United Nations headquarters, came about after church leaders had worked to build support for the Declaration of Human Rights and urged government leaders to ratify agreements that supported the Declaration.

In 1960 a dream for a Christian center that would support the work of the United Nations emerged and became a reality in 1962 when the building was dedicated.

Owned by the United Methodist Church, it houses tenants such as Church Women United, the American Baptists, the Presbyterians, the World Council of Churches, the Methodist Division of World Peace, and the United Church of Christ. Also housed at the Church Center is the Office of the Anglican Observer.

The Church Center for the United Nations, located across from the United Nations headquarters, came about after church leaders had worked to build support for the Declaration of Human Rights and urged government leaders to ratify agreements that supported the Declaration.

In 1960 a dream for a Christian center that would support the work of the United Nations emerged and became a reality in 1962 when the building was dedicated.

Owned by the United Methodist Church, it houses tenants such as Church Women United, the American Baptists, the Presbyterians, the World Council of Churches, the Methodist Division of World Peace, and the United Church of Christ. Also housed at the Church Center is the Office of the Anglican Observer.

Israeli Perspective:

Nov., 1917: Balfour Declaration.

1921-1947: A series of pogroms

1967: Six-day War

1973: Yom Kippur War

1978-1981: Camp David Accords lead to Israel being recognized by an Arab country

Palestinian Perspective:

1915: Hussein-McMahon Correspondence.

1921-1947: A series of revolts

1967: al Naksah (“the setback”)1973: Ramadan War1978-1981: Camp David Accords lead to Egypt being kicked out of Arab League

1880-1914: Development of Zionist movement

1918: Britain gains control of British-Mandate Palestine from Ottoman Empire after WW I

1948: UN “creates” Israel and Palestine; Israel accepts this; Palestinians don’t.

1948-1967: Repeated skirmishes between Israel and Arab neighbors

And it gets more complicated from here.