RMS SUMUD: For Justice in Palestine and Israel
Requests for awareness and advocacy for those arrested
Our siblings in the ELCJHL https://www.elcjhl.org/request our prayers and advocacy for Beit Jala Church of the Reformation member Natalie Abudayyeh. Natalie comes from a Lutheran family and is a member of the ELCJHL Youth. She is a graduate of Talitha Kumi school in Beit Jala, and a very active member of her church. She played on the National Soccer team for Palestine, and recently began studies as a journalism student at Birzeit University.
In the early hours of June 2, she was arrested by IDF forces and taken to prison. The ELCA ‘s Middle East North Africa (MENA) Desk Director Rev. Gabi Aelabouni has spoken with Bishop Imad of the ELCJHL who requests our prayers and advocacy for Natalie and the four students arrested with her, for their safety and swift release.
ELCA Sumud and all of us await further information about the reason for Natalie's arrest, her condition, and what must be done for her release, as Rev. Gabi stays in close communication with our partner church.
You are encouraged to share this with others who may join you and all of us in prayer and advocacy. Please call your Senators and Representatives to advocate for her and her classmates' swift release. As more information becomes clear, there will likely be a more formal ELCA Sumud Action Alert regarding her case.
Linked below is the official letter sent from Bishop Imad which details more of Natalie's story.
https://elcjhl.org/uploads/media/Natalie%20Statement.pdf
Please pray for Natalie and her family; please pray for all prisoners held unjustly and in inhumane conditions; please pray for Bishop Imad, the Lutheran Church of the Reformation congregation, the ELCJHL and all who work for justice and mercy. May our prayers effect urgent actions by all of us, especially leadership, to contribute to the well-being of all affected.
What is SUMUD?
SUMUD (formerly Peace Not Walls) is the official justice initiative of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) supporting a just, peaceful, and enduring future for Palestinians and Israelis. Through accompaniment, advocacy, and awareness-raising, SUMUD seeks to uphold human dignity, human rights, and the Christian witness in the Holy Land. The name "SUMUD," meaning "steadfastness," reflects the hope, resilience, and commitment of Palestinian Christians and their partners to remain rooted in faith and justice amid ongoing challenges.
Our Core Practices
- Accompaniment—Standing in solidarity with the indigenous Christian communities of the Holy Land, especially those under occupation, through prayer, support, and personal relationships.
- Advocacy—Encouraging political action, ethical investment practices, and policy measures that promote peace, human rights, and justice for all in Israel and Palestine.
- Awareness-Raising—Sharing stories, educational resources, worship materials, and media to help congregations and individuals learn the realities on the ground and respond faithfully.
Recent Actions & Updates
- In 2025, the ELCA Churchwide Assembly passed the resolution “Toward Ending the Occupation of Palestine,” reaffirming the Church’s commitment to peace, justice, and the protection of human rights for Palestinians and Israelis.
- SUMUD hosted a Zoom gathering on October 16, 2025, to unpack the significance of the resolution, provide updates on the situation, share available ELCA resources, and offer concrete ways to get involved.
- SUMUD continues to share prayers, liturgies, and educational tools — including the contemplative Thomas Mass liturgy — to equip congregations for faithful solidarity and intercession.
Get Involved
- STUDY the KAIROS PALESTINE, the Palestinian Christians' call to Christians around the world, asking for support in their struggle for human rights
- SUPPORT Lutheran ministries and schools in Bethlehem through Bright Stars of Bethlehem
- SUPPORT Lutheran schools of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) through Opportunity Palestine
- WHY have more than 200 Israeli settlements been built on Palestinian land? Watch "The Iron Wall" documentary
- Summary of ELCA churchwide actions on Palestine
Direct Support to Palestinian Lutheran Ministries
- Opportunity Palestine - supporting Lutheran schools in Bethlehem, Beit Jala, Beit Sahour and Ramallah
- Bright Stars of Bethlehem - supporting ministries of Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem K–12 schools and after school program, elder care programs, Dar Al–Kalima University College and more
Resources
A reflection from ELCA bishops, ELCJHL Bishop Imad Haddad, and ELCA Sumud Ambassadors about the ELCA's work for justice in Palestine and Israel through Sumud.
A brief introduction to the significance of the resiliency that our Palestinian siblings embody. The ELCA’s calling is to accompany them in their resilient Christian witness and to collaborate with them, for the sake of the world.
Get in Touch
Fill out the form below to connect with Pastor Rebecca Aardahl, RMS SUMUD Chair
