In December 2024-October 2028, the European Commission will provide Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center with €1 million for a proje
According to the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI) database, in December 2024-October 2028, the European Commission will provide Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center with €1 million for a project entitled “Faithful Futures: Religious Leaders for Accountability, Justice and Peace through the Two-State Solution.” As described in the database, the project, apparently funded through the EU Peacebuilding Initiative instrument (approved under the previous Commission), “seeks to preserve from further erosion and possibly reverse the negative public perception of the prospect for peace and a two-state solution.”
Yet, in blatant contrast to the project’s goal and EU policy, Sabeel states that its “ideal and best solution” is “a bi-national state in Palestine-Israel,” “one state for two nations and three religions” (emphasis added). Sabeel, through its “liberation theology” agenda (see section below), demonizes the existence of Israel and promotes antisemitic tropes. As such, Sabeel should be disqualified as a recipient of and a partner in any government-funded peace or development project.
Sabeel
Sabeel is a Jerusalem-based NGO, presenting itself as an “ecumenical grassroots liberation theology movement among Palestinian Christians” that “encourages Christians from around the world to work for justice and to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people.”
Applying “liberation theology,” Sabeel casts Palestinians as the modern-day version of Jesus, blaming the State of Israel and Zionism for their “suffering”. The NGO regularly publishes imagery that violates provisions of the IHRA Working definition of antisemitism, endorsed and used by the European Union, thus also violating EU funding guidelines.1 In particular, Sabeel’s rhetoric conforms to the Working Definition’s examples of contemporary antisemitism is public life, such as:
Using the “symbols and images associated with classic antisemitism (e.g., claims of Jews killing Jesus or blood libel) to characterize Israel or Israelis.”
“denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor”
“holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel.”













