Arrived home yesterday afternoon with all travel arrangements going as planned. Suffering from a little jet lag this morning but so much to be thankful for: safety while we traveled, great hosts, the opportunity to visit the Holy Land, to hear from many and to personally witness what it is like to live in a land where there is so much hated and conflict, to be able to live in a land which is quite peaceful . . . And yet this morning I am struggling more than ever to answer the question "what does it mean to be a peacemaker?" for Jesus said "Blessed are the peacemakers for they are the sons (and daughters) of God." And as I was traveling home I thought to myself that just maybe we are expecting too much. Can peoples, governments, nations that don't have Christ be changed? Real transformation in people's lives only comes through Jesus and the Holy Spirit. And it starts within me/us. The only one I can really change is myself. Real peace starts within myself and within the community which I am most directly connected with; my family, my church family, the community I reside in. Real and lasting peace only comes through Christ, "the Prince of Peace."
Sharing the Love and Peace of Christ in our own community and around the world,
Dick
Thursday, August 5, 2010
The Other Side
On Sunday we entered a large Jewish settlement located between Bethlehem & Hebron. What seemed very similar to a rather affluent gated community in America. Quite different from many of the areas we had visited so far. We visited with David & Rivka Moriah who graciously welcomed us into their home, served us water and juice, and shared some family photos before sharing their story. They both have been married once before, been married to one another now for 21 years, and have nine children between them. Interestingly, Rivka grew up in the United States, in a small New England town, was raised Quaker, and went to Oberlin College before converting to Judaism. We have learned throughout the trip that many who live in the Jewish settlements have immigrated from America and other countries. David grew up in Israel and is a minister in the local synagogue as well as a school teacher. They consider themselves "moderate Orthodox Jews."
They said they have chosen to live in the settlement in the Holy Land because they are God's chosen people and for them it really isn't a choice. "We live in the land because of the holiness of the land and what it means to be the Jewish people . . .Our job is to create a state in the land showing that a Jewish community can occupy the land and live in it the way God calls us to live." Rivka went on, "for us it is not a choice, we are obligated to live on the land." They know of many who have been killed in the conflict including Rivka's own 21-year-old son who was killed a few years ago when a Palestinian gunman entered a gathering at a post high school seminary and opened fire killing 12 in attendance. Sadly, Rivka shared that story with very little emotion.
While admitting that some Palestinians are good, especially those who they have had personal contact with in a nearby community, they seemed to generalize and demonize most, saying "it is hard to believe just how capable some people are of committing evil." For many in the group, after meeting with many Palestinians over the past two weeks, there were some rather uncomfortable moments during our visit. Rivka did acknowledge that there have been lots of people, on both sides of the conflict, who have been raised to hate those on the other side. They do not see a two state solution as a viable option at this point in time. Rivka quoted an Israeli journalist, "what is needed at this point in time is conflict management vs. conflict resolution because there is so much hatred within us . . .we can't achieve peace staying in the same place." By staying in the same place she meant both ideologically and location. A good visit which left us with the knowledge of the complexity of just some of the the issues involved in the conflict and the great divide in how the two sides see one another.
As we left the Moriah's, returning from the occupied West Bank to the Israeli side, from Bethlehem to Jerusalem, we went through what is perhaps the largest checkpoint in the region, which almost all Palestinians must go through when leaving Bethlehem. Due to the day and time (Sunday afternoon) and the fact that we were Americans, while somewhat irritating, the delay was minimal. For Palestinians, on most days, the checkpoint takes hours, for which many are denied access and for which many just don't bother. A clear sign that we were leaving "occupied territory."
Returning to Jerusalem on Sunday evening, we stayed in a different hotel in the Old City, which we could sit out on the roof which overlooked the entire city and the Mount of Olives. We shared the blessings that each member of the delegation had been to one another over the past two weeks and then celebrated communion. A very moving moment, to think that Jesus celebrated communion with his disciples somewhere in the Old City, in the Upper Room, some 2,000 years ago, on the night before he went to the cross to save mankind from our sins. And to think back to Jesus' words, "if you, even you, had only known what would bring you peace."
They said they have chosen to live in the settlement in the Holy Land because they are God's chosen people and for them it really isn't a choice. "We live in the land because of the holiness of the land and what it means to be the Jewish people . . .Our job is to create a state in the land showing that a Jewish community can occupy the land and live in it the way God calls us to live." Rivka went on, "for us it is not a choice, we are obligated to live on the land." They know of many who have been killed in the conflict including Rivka's own 21-year-old son who was killed a few years ago when a Palestinian gunman entered a gathering at a post high school seminary and opened fire killing 12 in attendance. Sadly, Rivka shared that story with very little emotion.
While admitting that some Palestinians are good, especially those who they have had personal contact with in a nearby community, they seemed to generalize and demonize most, saying "it is hard to believe just how capable some people are of committing evil." For many in the group, after meeting with many Palestinians over the past two weeks, there were some rather uncomfortable moments during our visit. Rivka did acknowledge that there have been lots of people, on both sides of the conflict, who have been raised to hate those on the other side. They do not see a two state solution as a viable option at this point in time. Rivka quoted an Israeli journalist, "what is needed at this point in time is conflict management vs. conflict resolution because there is so much hatred within us . . .we can't achieve peace staying in the same place." By staying in the same place she meant both ideologically and location. A good visit which left us with the knowledge of the complexity of just some of the the issues involved in the conflict and the great divide in how the two sides see one another.
As we left the Moriah's, returning from the occupied West Bank to the Israeli side, from Bethlehem to Jerusalem, we went through what is perhaps the largest checkpoint in the region, which almost all Palestinians must go through when leaving Bethlehem. Due to the day and time (Sunday afternoon) and the fact that we were Americans, while somewhat irritating, the delay was minimal. For Palestinians, on most days, the checkpoint takes hours, for which many are denied access and for which many just don't bother. A clear sign that we were leaving "occupied territory."
Returning to Jerusalem on Sunday evening, we stayed in a different hotel in the Old City, which we could sit out on the roof which overlooked the entire city and the Mount of Olives. We shared the blessings that each member of the delegation had been to one another over the past two weeks and then celebrated communion. A very moving moment, to think that Jesus celebrated communion with his disciples somewhere in the Old City, in the Upper Room, some 2,000 years ago, on the night before he went to the cross to save mankind from our sins. And to think back to Jesus' words, "if you, even you, had only known what would bring you peace."
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Winding Down
Last night we spent the night with the family of the Atta Jabber who reside outside the city of Hebron. Their family has farmed the land for approx. 300 years, but as with many of the others we have visited with, is being threatened by Jewish settlements being built all around them. One of the common themes is that those who reside closest to the settlements seem to suffer most of the abuse. Atta shared many horrendous stories as well as some video tape and pictures of incidents that happened in the past. Two of his homes demolished by the Israeli government and a beating by Israeli soldiers that left him so severely injured that after serving 12 days in prison, a doctor ordered that he be taken to a hospital because he was near death. Atta is a man in his mid 40's with three young children who looks to be in his 60's or even 70's. The many years of abuse, threats, and violence have taken their toll on him and his family. Once again, it was Atta and his family's gracious hospitality, their desire to share their stories to get the word out what it is really like to live in the West Bank, their strong determination to hold on to their land, and to try and resist non-violently which stood out. None of them deny or approve of the violent means that some of the Palestinian terrorist organizations have taken in the past, but that does not seem to be where most of the Palestinians are at.
While trying as hard as possible to remain objective, it is hard to imagine what would justify such abuse, harassment, destruction and violence. For the Palestinians they seem to be up against so much: the Israeli government, the settlers, and a huge army that is supposed to be neutral but is clearly on the side of the Israeli settlers. Tomorrow we get a chance to sit down with an Israeli settler and hear their side of the story.
So much hatred that has built up between the two sides, especially over the past 50 years, yet many, middle age and up, recall a day when the Palestinians and Israeli Jews co-existed peacefully in the region. Seems so far from that today.
Tomorrow we return to Jerusalem for our last night on the delegation. For me it is off to the Sea of Galilee before returning home late Tuesday night, early Wednesday morning. Perhaps the greatest thing I have learned on this trip is just how much we in America have to be thankful for. The ability to live in peace just about all the time. Something not to be taken lightly. And perhaps peace is like all the other gifts God has given us, "for those who have been given much, much is expected."
Sharing the Peace of Christ in our community and around the world,
Dick
Saturday, July 31, 11:35 a.m. Hebron time
While trying as hard as possible to remain objective, it is hard to imagine what would justify such abuse, harassment, destruction and violence. For the Palestinians they seem to be up against so much: the Israeli government, the settlers, and a huge army that is supposed to be neutral but is clearly on the side of the Israeli settlers. Tomorrow we get a chance to sit down with an Israeli settler and hear their side of the story.
So much hatred that has built up between the two sides, especially over the past 50 years, yet many, middle age and up, recall a day when the Palestinians and Israeli Jews co-existed peacefully in the region. Seems so far from that today.
Tomorrow we return to Jerusalem for our last night on the delegation. For me it is off to the Sea of Galilee before returning home late Tuesday night, early Wednesday morning. Perhaps the greatest thing I have learned on this trip is just how much we in America have to be thankful for. The ability to live in peace just about all the time. Something not to be taken lightly. And perhaps peace is like all the other gifts God has given us, "for those who have been given much, much is expected."
Sharing the Peace of Christ in our community and around the world,
Dick
Saturday, July 31, 11:35 a.m. Hebron time
Friday, July 30, 2010
The Lord is My Shepherd
On Thursday we traveled to the village of A'Tuwani, a small village of approx. 200 Palestinians in a rural area south of Hebron and in the northern part of the Desert of Negev. A'Tuwani has been the scene of many settler attacks over the past several years and there is a CPT unit assigned there on a full-time basis. For the first time in my life I saw real shepherds at their jobs as they guided their sheep to and from the villages to graze a couple times a day, very early in the morning and again in the late afternoon. A'Tuwani is a very agricultural community which makes its living on the land - the crops that they plant and their flocks.
A' Tuwani is now bordered by an Jewish Israeli settlement and the shepherds are often attacked as they enter their fields (more like mountains and rock). Often the CPT unit is asked to escort the shepherds to help lessen the chance of attack. Their other major assignment is to escort the children to and from school so they don't get attacked by the settler youth and adults. It was evident by the interaction of the CPT workers and the village people that there is great appreciation for one another.
Once again, as with all the other Palestinians we have met with, certain things stood out: great hospitality, their courage, their determination to stay the course, and their hope.
The men in the delegation stayed overnight at the home of Jumah, one of the leaders of the village. His home is at the outer edge of the village, and the closest to the Jewish settlement. Jumah's family have come under attack many times in the past. His, then five-year-old, son was injured a couple sometime back when a bullet grazed the front of his forehead. Within the past month a group of settlers forced their way into their home , broke some windows, and verbally & physically harassed the women and children. Jumah and his brothers now take turns sleeping on the roof of the house as a lookout for any future attacks. We slept Thursday night on the roof - beautiful skies, cool breeze, and fortunately no incidents. We also slept on the roof because there was no room in the house which is the home of 35 family members.
We also had the opportunity to meet with a couple of young women from "Operation Dove," a Christian organization from Italy, which focuses on peace and reconciliation, somewhat similar to CPT, perhaps with a more intentional effort to bring the two sides in the conflict together. But even they reported their frustration in that the Palestinians seem much more willing, at least at the grass roots level, to engage in dialogue. Other than a relatively small number of Israeli human rights activists, very few of the Israeli Jews want to even dialogue. Why the need to dialogue when you have the Israeli army to protect you?
Throughout that day and evening I couldn't help but think of Psalm 23, "The Lord is my Shepherd . . . You prepare a table in the presence of my enemies." A'Tuwani and the surrounding countryside, such a beautiful area which seems like it should be so peaceful, then you realize how tenious that peace really is. I left the village with great admiration for the people that live there and the CPT workers who serve there on a full-time basis.
A' Tuwani is now bordered by an Jewish Israeli settlement and the shepherds are often attacked as they enter their fields (more like mountains and rock). Often the CPT unit is asked to escort the shepherds to help lessen the chance of attack. Their other major assignment is to escort the children to and from school so they don't get attacked by the settler youth and adults. It was evident by the interaction of the CPT workers and the village people that there is great appreciation for one another.
Once again, as with all the other Palestinians we have met with, certain things stood out: great hospitality, their courage, their determination to stay the course, and their hope.
The men in the delegation stayed overnight at the home of Jumah, one of the leaders of the village. His home is at the outer edge of the village, and the closest to the Jewish settlement. Jumah's family have come under attack many times in the past. His, then five-year-old, son was injured a couple sometime back when a bullet grazed the front of his forehead. Within the past month a group of settlers forced their way into their home , broke some windows, and verbally & physically harassed the women and children. Jumah and his brothers now take turns sleeping on the roof of the house as a lookout for any future attacks. We slept Thursday night on the roof - beautiful skies, cool breeze, and fortunately no incidents. We also slept on the roof because there was no room in the house which is the home of 35 family members.
We also had the opportunity to meet with a couple of young women from "Operation Dove," a Christian organization from Italy, which focuses on peace and reconciliation, somewhat similar to CPT, perhaps with a more intentional effort to bring the two sides in the conflict together. But even they reported their frustration in that the Palestinians seem much more willing, at least at the grass roots level, to engage in dialogue. Other than a relatively small number of Israeli human rights activists, very few of the Israeli Jews want to even dialogue. Why the need to dialogue when you have the Israeli army to protect you?
Throughout that day and evening I couldn't help but think of Psalm 23, "The Lord is my Shepherd . . . You prepare a table in the presence of my enemies." A'Tuwani and the surrounding countryside, such a beautiful area which seems like it should be so peaceful, then you realize how tenious that peace really is. I left the village with great admiration for the people that live there and the CPT workers who serve there on a full-time basis.
Busy Couple Days
It has been a busy couple days. We have been to At Tuwani, a small village to the south of Hebron at the north end of the Negev Desert. Stayed overnight there last night, returned to Hebron today, stood as observers for a couple incidents that occurred, one between settlers and a Palestinian family just outside of Hebron and one actually between Israeli soldiers and two Palestinian police officers here in Hebron. We are currently getting ready to leave to stay the evening with a Palestinian family. Hope to provide a longer blog tomorrow.
In Christ,
Dick
Friday, 7/30, 5:15 p.m. Hebron time
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Whose side is God on?
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners." Isaiah 61:1
My goal prior to arriving here in Israel/Palestine was to try and remain objective. It is difficult with all the we are seeing and hearing. As I read the gospels it seems apparent that Jesus would favor the oppressed. The Palestinians definitely seem to be the oppressed people. They can't go where they want, they are harassed by the Israeli settlers and soldiers at just about every turn, and many seem to be suffering from extreme poverty. The unemployment rate in the Hebron area is about 45% and many say that is a low estimate. It is evident as we walk around the city when the merchants literally beg us to buy their products. Many of the Palestinian shops have been closed by force since the occupation and many are closed because they just can't make any money.
At the same time the Jewish settlers who live in the city, with the armed military surrounding their neighborhood (1500 soldiers to watch over 400 settlers), which appear to be more like condominiums in the U.S., have their own roads and are allowed to come and go freely.
Today we had a nice walking tour of the city. The location in Hebron which brings to light the entire conflict is the Tomb of the Patriarchs - thought to be built over the tombs of Abraham & Sarah, Isaac & Jacob. It is regarded as a sacred place by Jews, Muslims, and Christians. Part of the great wall around it dates back to 20 B.C. Through the centuries it has been a church, a mosque, a temple. It has been the sight of much blood shed over the years, the most recent in 1994 when a Jewish doctor entered the mosque and opened fire killing 29 Muslim worshipers. The city has been under strain and conflict ever sense. Today the building is divided up between the mosque and a Jewish synagogue. Today we visited the mosque, going through several checkpoints overseen by many several armed soldiers.
Later in the day we visited the Qurtuba School, a Palestinian school for children grades 1 through 6. The school is located right across the street from one of the Jewish settlements. Through the recent years the children have been harassed by the settlers as they walk to and from school. Twice the school has been set on fire, their garden torn up many times, all within sight of the Israeli soldier checkpoints. One of CPT's primary responsibilities here in Hebron has been escorting the children to and from school each day. The principal, Reem AL Shareef, was happy to report that with the help of CPT and other internationals watching over the children, there has not been a child injured going to or from school since 2006. As a result the enrollment of the school has gone from 70 students to 155 students.
Despite all the horrendous stories we have heard the past several days, the Palestinian people that we have talked with, especially the women, including the principal of the school today, seem to be a very strong, courageous, and resilient people. For the most part they also seem hopeful. The people that we have talked with in Hebron all say that there seems to be a lot less tension than in quite some time. The current group of soldiers that has been assigned here (they are assigned for four month periods) seem to be a much less aggressive group. We found that to be true today as we engaged in conversation with several of them. Yet the people of Hebron have learned within the past day or two that Israel has approved plans to build another settlement here in the city of Hebron.
Whose side is God on? Good question. Jesus said, "blessed are the poor, those who mourn, the oppressed, the merciful, the peacemakers, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness."
Well, time for dinner. Home made spaghetti tonight!
In Christ,
Dick
Wed. 7/28, 7:00 p.m. Hebron time
My goal prior to arriving here in Israel/Palestine was to try and remain objective. It is difficult with all the we are seeing and hearing. As I read the gospels it seems apparent that Jesus would favor the oppressed. The Palestinians definitely seem to be the oppressed people. They can't go where they want, they are harassed by the Israeli settlers and soldiers at just about every turn, and many seem to be suffering from extreme poverty. The unemployment rate in the Hebron area is about 45% and many say that is a low estimate. It is evident as we walk around the city when the merchants literally beg us to buy their products. Many of the Palestinian shops have been closed by force since the occupation and many are closed because they just can't make any money.
At the same time the Jewish settlers who live in the city, with the armed military surrounding their neighborhood (1500 soldiers to watch over 400 settlers), which appear to be more like condominiums in the U.S., have their own roads and are allowed to come and go freely.
Today we had a nice walking tour of the city. The location in Hebron which brings to light the entire conflict is the Tomb of the Patriarchs - thought to be built over the tombs of Abraham & Sarah, Isaac & Jacob. It is regarded as a sacred place by Jews, Muslims, and Christians. Part of the great wall around it dates back to 20 B.C. Through the centuries it has been a church, a mosque, a temple. It has been the sight of much blood shed over the years, the most recent in 1994 when a Jewish doctor entered the mosque and opened fire killing 29 Muslim worshipers. The city has been under strain and conflict ever sense. Today the building is divided up between the mosque and a Jewish synagogue. Today we visited the mosque, going through several checkpoints overseen by many several armed soldiers.
Later in the day we visited the Qurtuba School, a Palestinian school for children grades 1 through 6. The school is located right across the street from one of the Jewish settlements. Through the recent years the children have been harassed by the settlers as they walk to and from school. Twice the school has been set on fire, their garden torn up many times, all within sight of the Israeli soldier checkpoints. One of CPT's primary responsibilities here in Hebron has been escorting the children to and from school each day. The principal, Reem AL Shareef, was happy to report that with the help of CPT and other internationals watching over the children, there has not been a child injured going to or from school since 2006. As a result the enrollment of the school has gone from 70 students to 155 students.
Despite all the horrendous stories we have heard the past several days, the Palestinian people that we have talked with, especially the women, including the principal of the school today, seem to be a very strong, courageous, and resilient people. For the most part they also seem hopeful. The people that we have talked with in Hebron all say that there seems to be a lot less tension than in quite some time. The current group of soldiers that has been assigned here (they are assigned for four month periods) seem to be a much less aggressive group. We found that to be true today as we engaged in conversation with several of them. Yet the people of Hebron have learned within the past day or two that Israel has approved plans to build another settlement here in the city of Hebron.
Whose side is God on? Good question. Jesus said, "blessed are the poor, those who mourn, the oppressed, the merciful, the peacemakers, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness."
Well, time for dinner. Home made spaghetti tonight!
In Christ,
Dick
Wed. 7/28, 7:00 p.m. Hebron time
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
A Very Sad Day
This morning we began the day by visiting two more human rights groups working in Bethlehem and the surrounding area. After lunch we traveled to the city of Hebron where we will be staying and working out of the CPT Hebron office/apartment for the next several days. It is quite obvious that Hebron is an occupied city, where there is both Palestinian land, homes, and businesses intermixed with Israeli/Jewish settlements. There are heavily armed Israeli soldiers and Palestinian police officers all over and you pass through many checkpoints as you walk around the Old City. This afternoon many of us went out on patrol with the CPT members who are assigned to the Hebron office. We were checked several times by the Israeli soldiers and interacted with many of the Palestinians who seem to be greatly appreciative of CPT's presence. The soldiers quite less.
After patrol we enjoyed a wonderful dinner with CPT's neighbor, Zleekha Mustaseb, who runs a kindergarten for the Palestinian children in the area. She provided us with "Maqluba," a traditional blessing meal of chicken, vegetable, and rice.
Today we received some very sad news. The Bedouin village which we visited on Saturday, where we were served tea and food in many of the homes, was completely destroyed by the Israeli government early this morning. They executed the order with 1,300 police officers, helicopters, water canons, and bulldozers, demolishing all their homes, and displacing approx. 300 Bedouins, many of them young children who we interacted with on Saturday. We have been reading of the account on many of the international news services, including CNN, which you can check out by going to CNN.com and searching for "Bedouins Evicted from Village in Southern Israel." A sobering reminder that we find ourselves in a country where land is being taken by force in many different areas from many different peoples.
I close at the end of a long day with others waiting to get on the computer and looking forward to a good night's rest and the day ahead tomorrow.
With the Peace of Christ
Tuesday, 7/21, 11:00 p.m. Hebron time
After patrol we enjoyed a wonderful dinner with CPT's neighbor, Zleekha Mustaseb, who runs a kindergarten for the Palestinian children in the area. She provided us with "Maqluba," a traditional blessing meal of chicken, vegetable, and rice.
Today we received some very sad news. The Bedouin village which we visited on Saturday, where we were served tea and food in many of the homes, was completely destroyed by the Israeli government early this morning. They executed the order with 1,300 police officers, helicopters, water canons, and bulldozers, demolishing all their homes, and displacing approx. 300 Bedouins, many of them young children who we interacted with on Saturday. We have been reading of the account on many of the international news services, including CNN, which you can check out by going to CNN.com and searching for "Bedouins Evicted from Village in Southern Israel." A sobering reminder that we find ourselves in a country where land is being taken by force in many different areas from many different peoples.
I close at the end of a long day with others waiting to get on the computer and looking forward to a good night's rest and the day ahead tomorrow.
With the Peace of Christ
Tuesday, 7/21, 11:00 p.m. Hebron time
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