Katie Cannon and Naim Ateek in Dialogue: A Power Analysis of U.S. Christian Engagement in Israel-Palestine

This paper examines Israel-Palestine through the lens of Christian Zionism, and its critic, Palestinian Christian liberation theology. Christian Zionism exerts influence through political and economic support for Israel, affecting the lives of everyday Israelis and Palestinians. As a theology and a political movement, it holds renewed significance given increased attention on the U.S. government’s role in Israel's campaign in Gaza since October 7, 2023. This paper compares two seminal liberation theology works, Naim Ateek’s Justice, and Only Justice and Katie Geneva Cannon’s Black Womanist Ethics to understand how white, Western Christianity has influenced their communities’ lived experiences and their theologies. Both authors reclaim from hegemonic interpretation the power to understand sacred texts and the power to define moral living despite limited agency. Using Larry Rasmussen’s power analysis framework, I argue that white Christianity must interrogate its power over others as a starting point for ethical engagement in Israel-Palestine.