Khan al-Ahmar news and more

The Land of Canaan Foundation

A personal note: I am volunteering with The Land of Canaan Foundation, which supports projects that help farm families in Palestine stay on their land with food security and economic security. I'll write more about this outstanding organization in future. In the meantime, check the website or find us on Facebook. 

Khan al-Ahmar

The West Bank Palestinian village of Khan al Ahmar is at imminent risk of demolition. The village is located near Jerusalem, between the Israeli settlement of Ma’ale Adumim and one of its elite suburbs, Kfar Adumim. It is one of several Palestinian communities facing forced relocation because it falls within the “E1” plan that would link the Israeli settlements with West Jerusalem (cutting East Jerusalem off from the rest of the West Bank).  All the homes and structures in Khan al Ahmar were issued demolition orders on March 5, 2017, requiring them to demolish their own homes, school, mosque, clinic, and barns.  

Most of the village’s structures are tin shacks, tents or permanent tents that are used to shelter the residents and their livestock. Khan al-Ahmar is also home to the Tire School, a more durable structure, established with European support. Authorities plan to move residents to Al Jabel, a village in the Azariya area, situated between the Abu Dis garbage dump and a chop shop for stolen vehicles. Each family is supposed to receive an area of around 300 square meters in the permanent site.

Here is a link to an excellent current update from +972 magazine. I also recommend this summary provided by B'Tselem, the Israeli human rights organization. 

And follow this link to the ELCA's blog post, Joint Statement on planned demolition of Khan al-Ahmar. "We collectively call on our governments to take action to stop the precedent-setting demolition of Khan al-Ahmar and to denounce this potential war crime. We urge our governments to call on the Israeli government to reverse its decisions to demolish the village of Khan al-Ahmar and forcibly evict its residents before it is too late." 

Please contact your senators and ask them to address this issue with the State Department. 

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Lots of events! 

A number of important events are taking place in the next couple months. 

Prophetic Action: Christians Convening for Palestine

Join Friends of Sabeel - North America (FOSNA) Sept. 27-28 in St. Paul, Minn., for Prophetic Action: Christians Convening for Palestine, a gathering of Christian leaders and their close allies in concert with this year’s US Campaign for Palestinian Rights conference. The gathering will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday and continue until 5:00 p.m. Friday. It will be held at Central Presbyterian Church, 500 Cedar St., St. Paul, close to the venue for the US Campaign conference and immediately preceding it. Click this link for details and registration. 

Together We Rise - the Struggle for Collective Justice from the US to Palestine 

The national conference of the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights will be in the Twin Cities, Minn., Sept. 28-30. Together We Rise will be a space for people to connect with and learn from others working in support of Palestinian rights across the country, and renew our commitment to the struggle for freedom, justice, and equality. Venue: the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront (11 E Kellogg Blvd, St Paul, 55101). 

The program includes Resilience Across Movements, Updates from Palestine, Intersectional Feminism and Gender Justice, Palestine in US Politics, and Global Struggles for Collective Liberation. Confirmed speakers include journalists Mariam Barghouti and Marc Lamont Hill, human rights lawyers Noura Erakat and Hassan Jabareen, and Indigenous rights activists Waziyatawin and Coya White Hat-Artichoker. Dozens of workshops will teach us about the militarization of the US/Mexico border, how to harness constituent power to make change in Congress, hold a direct action, and more. Here's a link to lots more info and registration. 

Room for Hope Festival

After postponing last year's festival due to Hurricane Harvey, Bright Stars of Bethlehem is coming to Texas for a multi-city festival of Palestinian culture. It's the Room for Hope Palestinian Festival.

Dallas/Ft. Worth - October 5-7, First Presbyterian Church, Fort Worth, and Trinity Presbyterian in McKinney

Austin - October 7-9, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church and Concordia University

Houston - October 9-13, at Kinsmen Lutheran Church, the Hilton - University of Houston (Jerusalem conference) and St. Paul’s Methodist Church

All three locations will feature Palestinian dance students and faculty from Dar al-Kalima University. Click this link for info and registration. 

Bright Stars of Bethlehem presents The Jerusalem Conference

As part of the Room for Hope festival, The Jerusalem Conference is a one-day event on Oct.11 in Houston that brings together scholars, ecumenical theologians, and peace-doers around the topic - Jerusalem: What Makes for Peace? 

The recent move of the American Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem has changed the conversation. Historic commitments to Jerusalem as a city for people of three faiths are being threatened, along with the hope for peace. While the importance of the city for Jews is not questioned, its significance for Christians and Muslims, and particularly Christians is overlooked. For people of faith and for those concerned with peace in the Middle East, an inclusive Jerusalem is a must. So, what do we need to understand about the current political realities in Jerusalem, the implications of theological frameworks of the city, and current US and foreign policy? Finally, what steps can we, as faith leaders take together and in our own networks to advance peace in this region? 

Join the Rev. Jim Winkler, President of National Council of Churches; Rev. Dr. Mae Cannon of Churches for Middle East Peace; Sojourners' Founder and President Jim Wallis; and Bright Stars of Bethlehem President, Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb for a timely exploration of Jerusalem as key to peace in the Middle East. Together, we will identify concrete steps and goals towards advancing the vision of an inclusive, diverse, and equitable Jerusalem.

Click this link to register or for more information. 

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