The Al-Raja Folkloric Dance Troupe has many fans in United States churches. Here's the latest news from our friends in Ramallah, courtesy of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL)
JERUSALEM, May 20, 2011 – The al-Raja Folkloric Dance Troupe of the Evangelical Lutheran School of Hope in Ramallah soared to new heights with its performance last week.
More than 45 high school students come together after class to practice Dabke, the traditional dance of the Palestinian people, many hours per week during the school year, and their love for the art shone through their passionate performance.
Their name—al-Raja—means “hope” in the Arabic language, and through their bold movements, traditional embroidered costumes, and lively Arab music they convey both the history of the Palestinian people and their hopes and dreams for freedom and peace in their land. In their dancing students Evangelical Lutheran School of Hope in Ramallah—Christian and Muslim alike—offer a powerful witness that the ELCJHL is proud to support.
The al-Raja Folkloric Dance Troupe was founded in 2004 with the partnership of the Grefsen Videregaende Skole in Oslo, Norway, and has performed both locally and internationally in Norway and the United States of America.
Click here to see photos.
Click here to learn more!
Peace,
Rev. Elizabeth McHan
Communications Assistant
ELCJHL
communication@elcjhl.org
--- --- ---
To receive regular bulletins from Ann Hafften, sign up at my blog - A Texas Lutheran's Voice for Peace: http://www.voicesforpeace.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
May 29 - June 4 is World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel
Greetings and peace to you all. You can take part in the World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel.
See a list of international activities scheduled to take place during the Week, from 29 May to 4 June 2011, at this link: http://www.worldweekforpeace.org/
If you are aware of any activities or events being planned for the Week, please kindly forward that information to John Calhoun so he can update the list and help publicize such events. His contact info: calhoun.wwppi@gmail.com
Rev. John Calhoun is Convenor, World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel, 29 May - 4 June 2011, a "Joint action for a just peace convened by the World Council of Churches."
--- --- ---
To receive regular bulletins from Ann Hafften, sign up at my blog - A Texas Lutheran's Voice for Peace: http://www.voicesforpeace.blogspot.com/
See a list of international activities scheduled to take place during the Week, from 29 May to 4 June 2011, at this link: http://www.worldweekforpeace.org/
If you are aware of any activities or events being planned for the Week, please kindly forward that information to John Calhoun so he can update the list and help publicize such events. His contact info: calhoun.wwppi@gmail.com
Rev. John Calhoun is Convenor, World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel, 29 May - 4 June 2011, a "Joint action for a just peace convened by the World Council of Churches."
--- --- ---
To receive regular bulletins from Ann Hafften, sign up at my blog - A Texas Lutheran's Voice for Peace: http://www.voicesforpeace.blogspot.com/
Actions taken by the ELCA Metro Washington DC Synod
The ELCA's Metro DC Synod Assembly considered and passed two resolutions related to this issue on May 7. A workshop on Kairos Palestine on the Friday evening before was well attended:
Investment for Positive Change in Palestine - This memorial requests action of the 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly to encourage various expressions of the ELCA “to consider making positive economic investments in those Palestinian projects and businesses that peacefully strengthen the economic and social fabric of Palestinian society.”
Kairos Palestine Response - Reception of the “Kairos Palestine document” is resolved by this action and affirmation of its belief that "The mission of the Church is prophetic, to speak the Word of God courageously, honestly and lovingly in the local context and in hte midst of daily events.” An invitation to Bishop Munib A. Younan, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, to speak with our synod members will be extended by this resolution.
Memorialized actions for consideration of the 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly include encouraging discussion of the Kairos Palestine document in other parts of the ELCA and review of how investment fund management within the ELCA including the ELCA Foundation and ELCA Board of Pensions.
Nathan Rich heads up the ELCA Metro DC Synod Middle East Working Group:
nathan@WIAMEP.ORG
--- --- ---
To receive regular bulletins from Ann Hafften, sign up at my blog - A Texas Lutheran's Voice for Peace: http://www.voicesforpeace.blogspot.com/
Investment for Positive Change in Palestine - This memorial requests action of the 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly to encourage various expressions of the ELCA “to consider making positive economic investments in those Palestinian projects and businesses that peacefully strengthen the economic and social fabric of Palestinian society.”
Kairos Palestine Response - Reception of the “Kairos Palestine document” is resolved by this action and affirmation of its belief that "The mission of the Church is prophetic, to speak the Word of God courageously, honestly and lovingly in the local context and in hte midst of daily events.” An invitation to Bishop Munib A. Younan, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, to speak with our synod members will be extended by this resolution.
Memorialized actions for consideration of the 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly include encouraging discussion of the Kairos Palestine document in other parts of the ELCA and review of how investment fund management within the ELCA including the ELCA Foundation and ELCA Board of Pensions.
Nathan Rich heads up the ELCA Metro DC Synod Middle East Working Group:
nathan@WIAMEP.ORG
--- --- ---
To receive regular bulletins from Ann Hafften, sign up at my blog - A Texas Lutheran's Voice for Peace: http://www.voicesforpeace.blogspot.com/
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Join Palestinians and Israelis praying for peace
Worldwide action for peace in Palestine and Israel is coming up. We can can all take part in our congregations and communities. The goal is a common witness for peace. You can participate by planning worship and educational events and acts of advocacy in support of a just peace for Palestinians and Israelis.
PIEF news page
As part of a week-long series of events to promote a just peace in Israel and Palestine, Palestinians and Israelis will be praying for peace in front of several Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, the separation wall and in houses of worship in Jerusalem and across Palestine.
They will be part of a worldwide effort to affirm the human dignity and rights of all peoples through the World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel, an initiative of the Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum (PIEF) of the World Council of Churches (WCC), taking place from 29 May to 4 June 2011.
The aim of the week for peace is to encourage concerned communities and individuals to make a common witness by participating in worship, educational events, and acts of advocacy in support of a just peace for Palestinians and Israelis.
“With the Palestinian-Israeli peace process at a standstill, people of faith are increasingly searching for ways to express their support for a just and lasting peace for all in Palestine and Israel,” says the Rev. John Calhoun, the convenor of the World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel. “The WCC has set aside this period of seven days to encourage churches and individuals to worship and pray, to educate and be educated, and to take action in support of a peaceful and just end to the occupation of Palestine, in accordance with United Nations resolutions.”
The common focus of this year's events is Jerusalem. Policies and actions taken by the Israeli government in occupied East Jerusalem continue to threaten the future of Jerusalem as a viable home for two peoples – Palestinians and Israelis – and three faiths – Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
Furthermore, the restrictions on access by Palestinians to places of worship in Jerusalem, the demolition of Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem in order to expand illegal settlement building, and the denial of Palestinians’ right to family reunification in the city, as well as the withdrawal of the residency permits to many Palestinians, as is the case with Bishop Suheil Dawani of the Anglican Church in Jerusalem, constitute grave violations of basic human rights.
The activities planned for the week demonstrate the initiative’s commitment to peaceful action in support of a resolution to this long running conflict. Local church groups and peace activists will advocate with government officials and community leaders through educational seminars, open forums and public demonstrations focusing on the urgent need to bring to an end the ongoing injustices taking place in the region.
The WCC invites member churches, religious and community organizations, and all people of faith to join with peacemakers in the region and around the world by participating in the events of the week.
For more information on the World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel, and to view a list of events being planned by country, please visit the initiative’s website at http://www.worldweekforpeace.org/ or send an email to the convener, Rev. John Calhoun, at calhoun.wwppi@gmail.com
WCC media contact: Michel Nseir, Michel.Nseir@wcc-coe.org (+41-22-7916052) or Ranjan Solomon, ranjan.solomon@wcc-coe.org
Website of the Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum: PIEF
-- --
The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 349 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 560 million Christians in over 110 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, from the [Lutheran] Church of Norway. Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
--- --- ---
To receive regular bulletins from Ann Hafften, sign up at my blog - A Texas Lutheran's Voice for Peace: http://www.voicesforpeace.blogspot.com/
PIEF news page
As part of a week-long series of events to promote a just peace in Israel and Palestine, Palestinians and Israelis will be praying for peace in front of several Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, the separation wall and in houses of worship in Jerusalem and across Palestine.
They will be part of a worldwide effort to affirm the human dignity and rights of all peoples through the World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel, an initiative of the Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum (PIEF) of the World Council of Churches (WCC), taking place from 29 May to 4 June 2011.
The aim of the week for peace is to encourage concerned communities and individuals to make a common witness by participating in worship, educational events, and acts of advocacy in support of a just peace for Palestinians and Israelis.
“With the Palestinian-Israeli peace process at a standstill, people of faith are increasingly searching for ways to express their support for a just and lasting peace for all in Palestine and Israel,” says the Rev. John Calhoun, the convenor of the World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel. “The WCC has set aside this period of seven days to encourage churches and individuals to worship and pray, to educate and be educated, and to take action in support of a peaceful and just end to the occupation of Palestine, in accordance with United Nations resolutions.”
The common focus of this year's events is Jerusalem. Policies and actions taken by the Israeli government in occupied East Jerusalem continue to threaten the future of Jerusalem as a viable home for two peoples – Palestinians and Israelis – and three faiths – Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
Furthermore, the restrictions on access by Palestinians to places of worship in Jerusalem, the demolition of Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem in order to expand illegal settlement building, and the denial of Palestinians’ right to family reunification in the city, as well as the withdrawal of the residency permits to many Palestinians, as is the case with Bishop Suheil Dawani of the Anglican Church in Jerusalem, constitute grave violations of basic human rights.
The activities planned for the week demonstrate the initiative’s commitment to peaceful action in support of a resolution to this long running conflict. Local church groups and peace activists will advocate with government officials and community leaders through educational seminars, open forums and public demonstrations focusing on the urgent need to bring to an end the ongoing injustices taking place in the region.
The WCC invites member churches, religious and community organizations, and all people of faith to join with peacemakers in the region and around the world by participating in the events of the week.
For more information on the World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel, and to view a list of events being planned by country, please visit the initiative’s website at http://www.worldweekforpeace.org/ or send an email to the convener, Rev. John Calhoun, at calhoun.wwppi@gmail.com
WCC media contact: Michel Nseir, Michel.Nseir@wcc-coe.org (+41-22-7916052) or Ranjan Solomon, ranjan.solomon@wcc-coe.org
Website of the Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum: PIEF
-- --
The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 349 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 560 million Christians in over 110 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, from the [Lutheran] Church of Norway. Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
--- --- ---
To receive regular bulletins from Ann Hafften, sign up at my blog - A Texas Lutheran's Voice for Peace: http://www.voicesforpeace.blogspot.com/
Friday, May 20, 2011
Bishop Hanson: Obama speech resonates with ELCA Mideast principles
ELCA NEWS SERVICE
May 20, 2011
Obama speech resonates with ELCA Mideast principles, says presiding bishop
11-073-JB
Full story here
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), said he appreciated President Barack Obama's May 19 speech on the Middle East and agreed that "the status quo" in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is unsustainable.
Hanson also said the speech contained principles that resonate with those in previous ELCA statements on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the region.
Hanson made the comments in a May 20 public statement in response to Obama's speech delivered at the State Department in Washington, D.C.
Regarding developments throughout the Middle East and North Africa, Hanson said the ELCA upholds "the right to self-determination so that the God-given dignity of all people is respected and recognized. This principle, though, must be fully realized everywhere, without exception, so that peace, justice and development will be possible."
In addition to his statement, Hanson was among 29 Christian, Muslim and Jewish leaders who sent a letter to Obama today offering support for "strong, sustained U.S. leadership, in coordination with the Quartet, to press for agreement on a two-state peace agreement before it is too late." The religious leaders urged Obama to visit Jerusalem and the region soon to meet with Israeli and Palestinian leaders to restart negotiations.
Here is the full text of the presiding bishop's statement:
"I appreciate President Barack Obama’s speech on the Middle East this week. It contains principles that resonate with the principles in previous statements by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the region.
I agree with the president that the status quo with regard to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is unsustainable. We, and those we accompany in the region, have been and remain committed to an outcome where Israelis and Palestinians co-exist in justice and peace, as citizens of viable and secure Israeli and Palestinian states. Building on the president’s statement, we also continue to support a negotiated, final status agreement which achieves a "shared Jerusalem" serving as a capital to both Palestine and Israel, with access to and full rights in the city for Jews, Christians and Muslims. The ELCA has said that terrorism and violence by individuals, groups and states must stop. The occupation must end, and Israel must withdraw its civilian population and military presence from all territory it has occupied since 1967. Moreover, a unified Palestinian governing authority must recognize Israel’s right to exist.
Without real pressure to halt Israeli settlement expansion and no sign of unconditional commitment by either of the parties to an immediate return to negotiations, there is a heightened danger of renewed violent conflict. Such conflict would bring more suffering for Israelis and Palestinians and potentially fan the flames of extremism throughout the region.
With respect to developments throughout the Middle East and North Africa, we, too, uphold the right to self-determination so that the God-given dignity of all people is respected and recognized. This principle, though, must be fully realized everywhere, without exception, so that peace, justice and development will be possible.
We support efforts, in concert with others, to enable all people of the region to lift the bonds of oppression, wherever they may be, so that everyone can live a full and flourishing life in which all of their human rights are preserved and protected. As the president noted, this process demands the practices of mutual respect by our country along with others. Similarly, it is essential that our country should work toward promoting better understanding among religions and the defense of the rights of all religious groups for the sake of inter-communal cooperation throughout the Middle East and North Africa.
I am supportive of the president’s call for these principles to be 'translated into concrete actions.' These principles need to be applied consistently, especially to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
As the presiding bishop of the ELCA, I seek those things that support God’s mission of restoring community in this world God loves. This means that no state and no person should be left undefended and that no one should be stripped of one’s rights. The ELCA is committed to work for positive changes to replace the current unsustainable status quo. As a church, we do this not for the sake of any one ethnic or religious group but rather for the sake of all God’s beloved children."
---
To receive regular bulletins from Ann Hafften, sign up at my blog - A Texas Lutheran's Voice for Peace: http://www.voicesforpeace.blogspot.com/
May 20, 2011
Obama speech resonates with ELCA Mideast principles, says presiding bishop
11-073-JB
Full story here
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), said he appreciated President Barack Obama's May 19 speech on the Middle East and agreed that "the status quo" in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is unsustainable.
Hanson also said the speech contained principles that resonate with those in previous ELCA statements on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the region.
Hanson made the comments in a May 20 public statement in response to Obama's speech delivered at the State Department in Washington, D.C.
Regarding developments throughout the Middle East and North Africa, Hanson said the ELCA upholds "the right to self-determination so that the God-given dignity of all people is respected and recognized. This principle, though, must be fully realized everywhere, without exception, so that peace, justice and development will be possible."
In addition to his statement, Hanson was among 29 Christian, Muslim and Jewish leaders who sent a letter to Obama today offering support for "strong, sustained U.S. leadership, in coordination with the Quartet, to press for agreement on a two-state peace agreement before it is too late." The religious leaders urged Obama to visit Jerusalem and the region soon to meet with Israeli and Palestinian leaders to restart negotiations.
Here is the full text of the presiding bishop's statement:
"I appreciate President Barack Obama’s speech on the Middle East this week. It contains principles that resonate with the principles in previous statements by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the region.
I agree with the president that the status quo with regard to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is unsustainable. We, and those we accompany in the region, have been and remain committed to an outcome where Israelis and Palestinians co-exist in justice and peace, as citizens of viable and secure Israeli and Palestinian states. Building on the president’s statement, we also continue to support a negotiated, final status agreement which achieves a "shared Jerusalem" serving as a capital to both Palestine and Israel, with access to and full rights in the city for Jews, Christians and Muslims. The ELCA has said that terrorism and violence by individuals, groups and states must stop. The occupation must end, and Israel must withdraw its civilian population and military presence from all territory it has occupied since 1967. Moreover, a unified Palestinian governing authority must recognize Israel’s right to exist.
Without real pressure to halt Israeli settlement expansion and no sign of unconditional commitment by either of the parties to an immediate return to negotiations, there is a heightened danger of renewed violent conflict. Such conflict would bring more suffering for Israelis and Palestinians and potentially fan the flames of extremism throughout the region.
With respect to developments throughout the Middle East and North Africa, we, too, uphold the right to self-determination so that the God-given dignity of all people is respected and recognized. This principle, though, must be fully realized everywhere, without exception, so that peace, justice and development will be possible.
We support efforts, in concert with others, to enable all people of the region to lift the bonds of oppression, wherever they may be, so that everyone can live a full and flourishing life in which all of their human rights are preserved and protected. As the president noted, this process demands the practices of mutual respect by our country along with others. Similarly, it is essential that our country should work toward promoting better understanding among religions and the defense of the rights of all religious groups for the sake of inter-communal cooperation throughout the Middle East and North Africa.
I am supportive of the president’s call for these principles to be 'translated into concrete actions.' These principles need to be applied consistently, especially to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
As the presiding bishop of the ELCA, I seek those things that support God’s mission of restoring community in this world God loves. This means that no state and no person should be left undefended and that no one should be stripped of one’s rights. The ELCA is committed to work for positive changes to replace the current unsustainable status quo. As a church, we do this not for the sake of any one ethnic or religious group but rather for the sake of all God’s beloved children."
---
To receive regular bulletins from Ann Hafften, sign up at my blog - A Texas Lutheran's Voice for Peace: http://www.voicesforpeace.blogspot.com/
Now is the time for bold moves toward peace
On May 10, former Vice President of the United States Walter Mondale addressed nearly 400 people at a J Street event in Minneapolis.
J Street writes, "With thunder outside and an electric feeling inside the room, the former Vice President told those gathered that while the new Palestinian reconciliation agreement should be viewed with caution, America should not rush to cut off aid to the Palestinian Authority.
"Mondale also suggested that Israel might use this moment as an opportunity to reopen a dialogue with the Palestinian government. The chorus of rational, mainstream voices calling for urgent American leadership is growing louder.
"But with some on Capitol Hill reflexively calling for an immediate end to Palestinian aid, and with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressing a joint meeting of Congress (May 24), we need to tell our elected representatives that now is the time for bold moves toward peace and not rash decisions on aid."
Please contact your Members of Congress now in support of President Obama's specific emphasis on 1967 borders for Israel and the future Palestine.
Ann
--- --- ---
To receive regular bulletins from Ann Hafften, sign up at my blog - A Texas Lutheran's Voice for Peace: http://www.voicesforpeace.blogspot.com/
J Street writes, "With thunder outside and an electric feeling inside the room, the former Vice President told those gathered that while the new Palestinian reconciliation agreement should be viewed with caution, America should not rush to cut off aid to the Palestinian Authority.
"Mondale also suggested that Israel might use this moment as an opportunity to reopen a dialogue with the Palestinian government. The chorus of rational, mainstream voices calling for urgent American leadership is growing louder.
"But with some on Capitol Hill reflexively calling for an immediate end to Palestinian aid, and with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressing a joint meeting of Congress (May 24), we need to tell our elected representatives that now is the time for bold moves toward peace and not rash decisions on aid."
Please contact your Members of Congress now in support of President Obama's specific emphasis on 1967 borders for Israel and the future Palestine.
Ann
--- --- ---
To receive regular bulletins from Ann Hafften, sign up at my blog - A Texas Lutheran's Voice for Peace: http://www.voicesforpeace.blogspot.com/
Monday, May 16, 2011
Mazin Qumsiyeh arrested
Al Walaja: IDF disrupt nonviolent march
Editor Palestine Monitor
15 May 2011
Prominent political analyst, author and professor, Dr. Mazin Qumsiyeh was arrested along with two other Palestinians as they protested in the village of Al Walaja, near Bethlehem, on 15 May 2011. According to Dr. Qumsiyeh’s press release, the three were arrested while participating in a non-violent march of civil disobedience towards the Green Line.
As of six o’clock on Sunday night, Dr. Qumsiyeh was still in detention at the Israeli military compound close to Rachel’s Tomb.
According to reports, Israeli forces bombarded the protest in Al Walaja with tear gas, forcing protesters to find refuge in the village’s houses. Five more were arrested after IDF soliders raided homes. According to the press release, three Palestinians, one Irish and another international were arrested from homes.
The original village of Al Walaja was expelled in 1948 and gradually resettled across the valley, near Beit Jala in the Bethlehem district. The march today planned to march from the newly settled Al Walaja to the village’s original lands, which is now forested with a nature reserve. http://www.palestinemonitor.org/spip/spip.php?article1812
Qumsiyeh wrote: Sunday will be a significant day around the world as we not only commemorate but this time ACT to end the Nakba that started 63 years ago. You can
choose to wait it out or you can go out in the streets and be the change you want to see in this world. I personally will be in Al-Walaja in the Bethlehem district where we gather at 10 AM AT Ain Jweiza mosque and march at 11 AM from the part of Al-Walaja occupied in 1967 to the part occupied and ethnically cleansed in 1948. Others will be in Qalandia Checkpoint (11 AM) and then Ofer Checkpoint (at 2 PM) near Ramallah. Thousands will march on the Lebanese-Palestinian border from both sides.
Same for Egypt and Jordan. Thousands will be in cities around the world marching on Israeli embassies and consulates (usually around noon to 2 PM). 63 years of ethnic cleansing meant that most of our people are refugees or displaced people
(over 7 million) and that we comprise the largest remaining refugee population on earth. 30% of the world refugees are Palestinians. Enough is enough. Thousands have already demonstrated in Egyptian cities and in cities around the world on Friday and Saturday. But it is also not enough to have rallies and speeches.
Civil bedience/civil resistance and other methods (e.g. boycotts, divestments, and sanctions) must be expanded. In Jerusalem, young Milad Said Ayash (17 years old) was murdered by the apartheid regime as the first martyr of the Return uprising. Silence remains as complicity.
Here is what awaits in Palestine: The Beauty of Palestine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtzXPcQu41g
Al-Walaja story
Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcodiFkotgk
Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBeztx5Lcv8
Part 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mramhyCQlI
Mazin Qumsiyeh, PhD
Join us in Palestine July 8-16 (see http://palestinejn.org/)
http://qumsiyeh.org/
http://pcr.ps/
http://imemc.or/
http://www.alrowwad-acts.ps/
Editor Palestine Monitor
15 May 2011
Prominent political analyst, author and professor, Dr. Mazin Qumsiyeh was arrested along with two other Palestinians as they protested in the village of Al Walaja, near Bethlehem, on 15 May 2011. According to Dr. Qumsiyeh’s press release, the three were arrested while participating in a non-violent march of civil disobedience towards the Green Line.
As of six o’clock on Sunday night, Dr. Qumsiyeh was still in detention at the Israeli military compound close to Rachel’s Tomb.
According to reports, Israeli forces bombarded the protest in Al Walaja with tear gas, forcing protesters to find refuge in the village’s houses. Five more were arrested after IDF soliders raided homes. According to the press release, three Palestinians, one Irish and another international were arrested from homes.
The original village of Al Walaja was expelled in 1948 and gradually resettled across the valley, near Beit Jala in the Bethlehem district. The march today planned to march from the newly settled Al Walaja to the village’s original lands, which is now forested with a nature reserve. http://www.palestinemonitor.org/spip/spip.php?article1812
Qumsiyeh wrote: Sunday will be a significant day around the world as we not only commemorate but this time ACT to end the Nakba that started 63 years ago. You can
choose to wait it out or you can go out in the streets and be the change you want to see in this world. I personally will be in Al-Walaja in the Bethlehem district where we gather at 10 AM AT Ain Jweiza mosque and march at 11 AM from the part of Al-Walaja occupied in 1967 to the part occupied and ethnically cleansed in 1948. Others will be in Qalandia Checkpoint (11 AM) and then Ofer Checkpoint (at 2 PM) near Ramallah. Thousands will march on the Lebanese-Palestinian border from both sides.
Same for Egypt and Jordan. Thousands will be in cities around the world marching on Israeli embassies and consulates (usually around noon to 2 PM). 63 years of ethnic cleansing meant that most of our people are refugees or displaced people
(over 7 million) and that we comprise the largest remaining refugee population on earth. 30% of the world refugees are Palestinians. Enough is enough. Thousands have already demonstrated in Egyptian cities and in cities around the world on Friday and Saturday. But it is also not enough to have rallies and speeches.
Civil bedience/civil resistance and other methods (e.g. boycotts, divestments, and sanctions) must be expanded. In Jerusalem, young Milad Said Ayash (17 years old) was murdered by the apartheid regime as the first martyr of the Return uprising. Silence remains as complicity.
Here is what awaits in Palestine: The Beauty of Palestine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtzXPcQu41g
Al-Walaja story
Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcodiFkotgk
Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBeztx5Lcv8
Part 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mramhyCQlI
Mazin Qumsiyeh, PhD
Join us in Palestine July 8-16 (see http://palestinejn.org/)
http://qumsiyeh.org/
http://pcr.ps/
http://imemc.or/
http://www.alrowwad-acts.ps/
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Apologies
Sorry, readers... I've had to replace my computer and getting to know this new equipment has slowed me down. More reports soon. Ann
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)