Threading the Needle: Post/Anti-supersessionism and Anti-Zionism?

Abstract “We Choose Abundant Life” (WCAL) provides an excellent example of Middle Eastern contextual theology related to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Several elements of WCAL serve to inform theological responses to the ongoing crisis. Notably, WCAL highlights the common spiritual legacy of Christianity and Judaism and a”rms Jewish presence in the Middle East, while still openly challenging the framework of Zionism. WCAL also appeals to two sources regularly accused of supersessionism: the 2009 Kairos Palestine document and Palestinian Liberation Theology. Taking up the invitation by WCAL to explore issues raised in the document, I read WCAL with an eye towards anti-Zionism and supersessionism, particularly concerned with the possibility of holding post/anti-supersessionism and anti-Zionism together (i.e., threading the needle). To pursue this, I engage external voices from the US and UK that attempt to carefully navigate these issues and examine WCAL to see whether it might also allow Christians to “thread the needle”, thereby promoting justice, freedom, and equality for all.