tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63307982533609778902024-02-19T02:02:12.995-08:00 A Texas Lutheran's voice for peace in Palestine and IsraelSharing resources for prayer, education and advocacy,
seeking justice and peace in Palestine and IsraelAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419233595252822620noreply@blogger.comBlogger509125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330798253360977890.post-91791297079256796452019-10-18T12:57:00.001-07:002019-10-18T12:57:32.484-07:00Two fascinating podcasts. plus news<h2>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've always been a fan of the radio. "Radio" today includes podcasts, basically audio programs available on the internet that we can listen to any time we want. Some of them never air on the radio at all. I have two podcasts to recommend here. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">NPR's <i>Snap Judgement</i> - "<a href="https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/snapjudgment/episodes/turncoat-snap-judgment-radio" target="_blank">Turncoat</a>"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In this episode, an Israeli solider is feeling anything but proud and has an impossible decision to make. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When Dean Issacharoff was a commander in the Israeli Defense Forces, he patrolled the Palestinian city of Hebron and later fought in Gaza. After he got home from the army, Dean made a decision to go public and joined Breaking the Silence to speak about </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">his violent actions. In </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">a twisting turn of events those </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">actions from the past came back to haunt him</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">. </span><a href="https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/snapjudgment/episodes/turncoat-snap-judgment-radio" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Listen at this link</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyYtOUK0E1a7UIMrOULjvsoNTc7V1-jXG_eLLodW7PcF-u4d5I_qyv29ongo5CbTtbPn-UnlWH4fqs7KcSMvUnKKmfNytu0i-zvw2vzbueUJromb2VJ6FwHgLLthi239FjzZBksLIivA3s/s1600/Open+Shehada+Street.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyYtOUK0E1a7UIMrOULjvsoNTc7V1-jXG_eLLodW7PcF-u4d5I_qyv29ongo5CbTtbPn-UnlWH4fqs7KcSMvUnKKmfNytu0i-zvw2vzbueUJromb2VJ6FwHgLLthi239FjzZBksLIivA3s/s320/Open+Shehada+Street.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shehada Street, Hebron, closed to Palestinians </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Reveal</i>, from the Center for Investigative Reporting, presents "<a href="https://www.revealnews.org/episodes/the-right-to-boycott-rebroadcast/" target="_blank">The Right to Boycott</a>." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Supporters like me say that Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) is a nonviolent protest to pressure the Israeli government over its treatment of the Palestinian people. Opponents say its goal is to eliminate Israel as a Jewish state. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Several U.S. states (including my own, Texas) "...have tried to stop BDS by banning boycotts of Israel. We look at where this legislation comes from and weigh it against the First Amendment right to free speech. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Then we travel to the occupied Palestinian territories to meet a man who wanted to protest the Israeli occupation by starting a purely Palestinian business. His answer was to start a mushroom farm. After initial success, he ran into unexpected challenges."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">For a good explanation of the way these state laws affect individuals and businesses, <a href="https://www.revealnews.org/episodes/the-right-to-boycott-rebroadcast/" target="_blank">click this link to listen</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>In other news...</b> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This report makes me nervous. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191018-like-the-ibrahimi-mosque-in-hebron-jerusalems-al-aqsa-mosque-is-also-under-threat/" target="_blank"><b>Like the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron, Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque is also under threat</b></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Although OCHA does not document Israeli attacks on Palestinian holy sites specifically, two of these have been under attack for many years. The Ibrahimi Mosque is in Hebron and is also known as the Tomb of the Patriarchs; it sits in the centre of the city which has been taken over by the Israeli occupation authorities, which now control access to the mosque. The local Palestinians resisted attempts by illegal settlers planted in the city after the 1967 war to control the mosque. The occupation authorities, though, took actual control of the site after a Jewish terrorist-settler massacred 29 Muslim worshippers on 25 February 1994 before he was overpowered and killed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"The Israeli authorities then closed the mosque and divided it into an area for Muslims and another for Jews. On the days of Jewish or Muslim festivals, the authorities only allow Jews or Muslims to pray in the mosque." (...)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Palestinian fears about a full Israeli takeover of Al-Aqsa are entirely justified. They remember the closure imposed by Israel following an attack on security forces at one of the mosque’s entrances, and that the state installed security gates at the main gate used by worshippers. Palestinians refused to accept any changes to their access rights and protested through peaceful prayer for two full weeks, forcing the Netanyahu government to remove the gates.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"This was a blatant attempt by Israel to change the status quo that has existed since Jerusalem and its holy sites were occupied in 1967." <a href="https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191018-like-the-ibrahimi-mosque-in-hebron-jerusalems-al-aqsa-mosque-is-also-under-threat/" target="_blank">Read the full article at this link. </a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>And...</b> See this important report from </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Al-Haq. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.alhaq.org/publications/15212.html#disqus_thread" target="_blank">Occupying Jerusalem’s Old City: Israeli Policies of Isolation, Intimidation, and Transformation</a> [</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Al-Haq is an independent Palestinian human rights NGO based in Ramallah, established in 1979 to protect and promote human rights and the rule of law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT).]</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">'Following the start of the occupation in 1967, Israel moved to annex East Jerusalem and establish the city, alongside annexed West Jerusalem, as its `united capital.' Since that time, Israel has worked to entrench its control over Jerusalem, instituting a variety of policies and practices that aim to drive Palestinians out of the city while acquiring land and property in the process. As a result, the Old City, the heart of Jerusalem, has suffered from the same issues as other Palestinian neighborhoods in the city. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"This includes, in part, the confiscation of property, a discriminatory planning regime and inadequate services, the transfer of Israeli settlers, the targeting of Palestinian institutions, the targeted de-development of the economy, and harassment by Israel’s municipal authorities." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Al-Haq’s new report “Occupying Jerusalem’s Old City: Israeli Policies of Isolation, Intimidation, and Transformation” seeks to highlight some of the seen and unseen, widespread and systematic policies that Israel uses to deepen its control over the Old City, resulting in the forcible displacement of Palestinians there. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.alhaq.org/publications/15212.html#disqus_thread" target="_blank">Click this link to reach the report</a>, then scroll up. The website is </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.alhaq.org/" target="_blank">http://www.alhaq.org/</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419233595252822620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330798253360977890.post-19145951057220334992019-08-03T11:46:00.000-07:002019-08-03T11:46:36.353-07:00Summer reading - Dig in, friends<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Casting back over recent months, I want to share with you some good reading choices.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>A view from Australia</b> - "<a href="https://johnmenadue.com/george-browning-is-christian-zionism-contributing-to-the-israel-palestine-impasse/" target="_blank">George Browning: Is Christian Zionism contributing to the Israel Palestine Impasse?</a>" Browning is the retired Anglican Bishop of Canberra and Goulburn. This blog post goes beyond the definitions of Christian Zionism with which many of us are already familiar to </span><span style="font-size: large;">provide analysis of President Trump and US policy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's a taste: "</span><span style="font-size: large;">Just as Christian Zionism’s concern for Israel resides in a very different priority; similarly, US Middle Eastern politics is driven not by events in the Middle East, but by US domestic politics and the base from which Donald Trump relies on for support – the Evangelical Christian right. We are confronted with utter hypocrisy and disdain for truth on every corner. It is very unlikely that Donald Trump believes the nonsense of the Christian Zionist position, but being their champion keeps him in the White House." <b><a href="https://johnmenadue.com/george-browning-is-christian-zionism-contributing-to-the-israel-palestine-impasse/" target="_blank">Check it out at the link here.</a></b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>An incredible journey</b> - F. Brinley Bruton, senior editor at NBC News Digital’s London bureau, contributed the fascinating "<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/one-israeli-s-journey-ultra-orthodox-settler-peace-activist-n970021" target="_blank">One Israeli's journey from ultra-Orthodox settler to peace activist</a>." Bruton examines the transformation of Shabtay Bendet, a co-founder of Rehelim, one of the West Bank’s first illegal outposts. He became a journalist covering the West Bank and </span><span style="font-size: large;">now serves as the head of Peace Now's Settlement Watch divisio</span><span style="font-size: large;">n. </span><br />
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<img alt="Image: Anti-settlement activist Shabtay Bendet surveys the highway critics have dubbed "apartheid road."" height="265" src="https://media1.s-nbcnews.com/j/newscms/2019_09/2750426/190212-anti-settlement-mc-495_edb301cb8ebdd275726effc7fd794f31.fit-760w.JPG" width="400" /><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo: Tanya Habjouqa/NOOR/for NBC News</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bruton's story also profiles Palestinian Ali Musa. "</span><span style="font-size: large;">Bendet and Peace Now work with the Musas to help them reclaim land that is now the Jewish outpost of Netiv HaAvot, helping navigate what the group describes as a dizzyingly complicated process. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Over the years, Musa says he has seen fruit trees wither from neglect because his family could not reach the land to care for them. He’s also watched settlers' trailers multiply and morph into buildings."</span><br />
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<img alt="Image: Palestinian farm land appropriated for Efrat settlement" height="266" src="https://media2.s-nbcnews.com/j/newscms/2019_07/2750406/190212-anti-settlement-mc-491_557b52a07efda94c80ab843257cdbace.fit-760w.JPG" width="400" /><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: center;">Photo: Tanya Habjouqa/NOOR/for NBC News</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's a bit more: "Bendet surveys Givat Eitam, a Jewish outpost south of Bethlehem that is a handful of buses, trailers and long tent sitting on a bare plot of earth. `</span><span style="font-size: large;">The view is so beautiful but when you start to understand what is going on here, you understand it is not beautiful at all,' Bendet says, adding that the development of the location would likely strike a blow to a contiguous and independent Palestinian state by cutting off communities from each other. `</span><span style="font-size: large;">All the Palestinians see the dream of building a state going away,' he adds." </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/one-israeli-s-journey-ultra-orthodox-settler-peace-activist-n970021" target="_blank">Find this fascinating article at the link here</a></b>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>A story from the ecumenical accompaniers - </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">A group of accompaniers (EAs) from the World Council of Churches (WCC) shared Shabbat dinner with the Kol HaNeshama congregation in Jerusalem: </span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.oikoumene.org/en/press-centre/news/shabbat-dinner-helps-humanize-two-sides-of-the-story" target="_blank">Shabbat dinner ‘helps humanize two sides of the story.’</a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">“The dinner was really interesting,” said (an) accompanier, from Argentina. Seeing how a large part of the EA's time is spent in placements across the West Bank, she reflected, “it is a big change, and a hard change, to try to understand and focus on an Israeli point of view. I had to sit and really listen, and keep an open mind, and it wasn’t easy. But also, I think it helps you to understand much more. We are a programme to accompany both sides, the Israeli and the Palestinian people.” </span><span style="font-size: large;">There are lots of photos with this article. <b><a href="https://www.oikoumene.org/en/press-centre/news/shabbat-dinner-helps-humanize-two-sides-of-the-story" target="_blank">Check it out at this link.</a></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>We Are Not Numbers</b> is a website where Palestinian youth tell their stories "</span><span style="font-size: large;">the human stories behind the numbers in the news</span><span style="font-size: large;">." </span><span style="font-size: large;">Mohammed Alhammami, a Gaza resident, wrote the essay, <b><a href="https://wearenotnumbers.org/home/Story/After_68_years_of_Nakba_is_coexistence_still_possible?fbclid=IwAR1mXJrvrLYjGsHXYweNfkJ49m4VWY05Y4tz7f_AfwYsX7q7X1PNQwirknw" target="_blank">After 68 years of Nakba, is coexistence still possible?</a> </b>He cites "...glimpses of the `good old days' that the elderly remember so vividly, of home, harmony and coexistence; the days before political and ideological strife broke those bonds and drew dividing lines with people’s blood." </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And he shares the story of "a Palestinian student from Jerusalem (who) gave a presentation about the discrimination Palestinians face there, how Israeli laws privileged Jews over non-Jews, making Palestinian life unbearable. Surprisingly, this came as a shock to the Israeli students; they had been so disconnected from the occupation that they did not understand its reality and consequences. `This angered me,' (she) says. `How could they not know what they do to us? How brainwashed could they be?' But the experience also gave her a glimmer of hope. `After a series of presentations and debates, one zealot Israeli changed sides, stating that the Israeli army does not represent her anymore. Another came to the realization that the Jewish dream came at the expense of the Palestinians. Maybe if more Israelis know, things can change."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Alhammami </span><span style="font-size: large;">returns to the question: "Can Jews and Palestinians coexist today in historic Palestine? In today's reality, under the status quo, absolutely not. Peaceful coexistence is impossible in the presence of military occupation, discrimination, ethnic cleansing and apartheid. The only way to bring about coexistence is to resolve the root causes of the conflict: the occupation and refugee crisis." Read the entire essay and see some amazing art by </span><span style="font-size: large;">Ismail Shamout at the blog. And you can learn more about <a href="https://wearenotnumbers.org/home/Story/After_68_years_of_Nakba_is_coexistence_still_possible?fbclid=IwAR1mXJrvrLYjGsHXYweNfkJ49m4VWY05Y4tz7f_AfwYsX7q7X1PNQwirknw" target="_blank">We Are Not Numbers at the website</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I hope you can dig into some of this outstanding reading material. There's a lot to read; it comes to my inbox every day. I think these selections are choice. </span><br />
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Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419233595252822620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330798253360977890.post-52841123829336324432019-05-15T14:44:00.000-07:002019-05-15T14:44:09.871-07:00Nakba Remembrance Day<h3>
#Nakba</h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Greetings on this day of remembrance of the Nakba, the catastrophic displacement of the Palestinian people from their homes and lands. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Nooran Alhamdan writes for the <a href="https://www.unrwausa.org/voices-of-unrwa/2019/5/13/truman-scholar-shares-her-familys-unrwa-story-a-story-of-displacement-struggle-and-hope?fbclid=IwAR36lGFX9MGc24bFxiTBLry4_5RzJ3qiiSqk7PSIi7QS7osgwKg9dvYcMyQ" target="_blank">Voices of UNRWA blog</a>: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"I remember my father pointing out to me the school he attended as a child in the camp for twelve years, its blue and white logo faded but bright in the midst of the lean grey buildings. <a href="https://www.unrwa.org/" target="_blank">United Nations Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA</a>, was written on the sign.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"The school my father attended was an UNRWA school. The food he and his family relied on was UNRWA food assistance. The clinics he went to for basic healthcare were run by UNRWA.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"My first introduction to UNRWA was made years before I was even born. UNRWA has been a part of my family’s story and the story of millions of other Palestine refugees across the Middle East."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.unrwausa.org/voices-of-unrwa/2019/5/13/truman-scholar-shares-her-familys-unrwa-story-a-story-of-displacement-struggle-and-hope?fbclid=IwAR36lGFX9MGc24bFxiTBLry4_5RzJ3qiiSqk7PSIi7QS7osgwKg9dvYcMyQ" target="_blank">Read more at this link.</a> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #363636; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 16px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img alt="Like so many in Gaza, a Palestine refugee in Beach refugee camp, western Gaza City, uses the only means at her disposal to cook, wash clothes and heat her home. © 2017 UNRWA Photo by Tamer Hamam" src="https://www.unrwa.org/sites/default/files/styles/485x324/public/content/resources/resource_82406_34301_1519298324.jpg?itok=yfTJtRfF" /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #efefef; color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like so many in Gaza, a Palestine refugee in Beach refugee camp, <br />western Gaza City, uses the only means at her disposal to cook, <br />wash clothes and heat her home. <br />© 2017 UNRWA Photo by Tamer Hamam</span></div>
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<br />--<br /><br />Thank you, Chuck Lutz</h3>
<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks to Charles P. Lutz, now retiring from his long-held volunteer position with <a href="https://cmep.org/" target="_blank">Churches for Middle East Peace</a>. As Minnesota coordinator, Chuck provided regular information about resources, events, opportunities to advocate for justice, and alternative Holy Land travel. About my colleague for more than 30 years, I can only say, he does all things well. Chuck's keen insight, justice theology and can-do ability has accomplished much in the quest for justice and peace. And I am glad. </span><br />
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Opportunity Palestine</h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Check out the good work of Opportunity Palestine which supports Lutheran schools and educational programs in Palestine. Supporting Opportunity Palestine is a great way to make a positive impact on the future of Palestine's marvelous children. <a href="https://www.opportunitypalestine.org/about.html" target="_blank">Click this link</a> for some fantastic pictures and more information about <a href="https://www.opportunitypalestine.org/about.html" target="_blank">Opportunity Palestine</a>. </span></div>
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<br />Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419233595252822620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330798253360977890.post-59568568702128698522019-03-22T16:08:00.000-07:002019-03-22T16:08:37.887-07:00Call on Congress to ensure access to worship; Jonathan Kuttab on Apartheid in the West Bank; Bright Stars<span style="font-size: large;">This blog post starts with an action alert from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. I've also included an article about Apartheid in the West Bank by Jonathan Kuttab and a reflection by a pastor who traveled to Palestine with Bright Stars of Bethlehem.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Call on Congress to strongly urge Israel to ensure access to places of worship in Jerusalem. </span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the past couple of weeks, the issue of access to holy spaces in Jerusalem has been highlighted in the news. Earlier this month, Israel closed off access to the Haram al-Sharif (“the Noble Sanctuary”), also known as the Temple Mount, to Palestinian Muslims who sought to pray at its Al-Aqsa Mosque, and prohibited entrance to Jerusalem’s Old City for all except its residents. The order provoked physical clashes in Jerusalem and rebukes from Muslim leaders locally and globally.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEuSzg21K6VxJOb4JiEcH9aJ-gInK1Qz9IJQYL8UwIfySkFb_Lif4WVdEsM5Tpix88UALLY7cCzIp9JJLwZ9Xpas-NuAErKOlLVUbFltuB_gMW_8a5UEazLkmEwZT9MT43spWvzLqYaVof/s1600/al+aqsa+israel-bars-palestinians-en-route-to-al-aqsa-mosque-on-int-l-quds-day17215_L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="645" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEuSzg21K6VxJOb4JiEcH9aJ-gInK1Qz9IJQYL8UwIfySkFb_Lif4WVdEsM5Tpix88UALLY7cCzIp9JJLwZ9Xpas-NuAErKOlLVUbFltuB_gMW_8a5UEazLkmEwZT9MT43spWvzLqYaVof/s320/al+aqsa+israel-bars-palestinians-en-route-to-al-aqsa-mosque-on-int-l-quds-day17215_L.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This most recent episode highlights people’s deep sentiments toward and affinity with holy sites in Jerusalem, the tendentious nature of attempts to control access, and the impact of denying believers the opportunity to visit, pray, and worship at places dear to them. </span><a href="https://support.elca.org/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=1123" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Click this link to find the ELCA action alert</a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tell your congressional representatives that this season of Lent, leading to Easter in April, is the right time to urge Israel to ensure free access to places of worship in Jerusalem. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jonathan Kuttab on Apartheid West Bank</span></h3>
<span style="font-size: large;">The word apartheid has become a lightning rod for criticism of the Israeli regime in the West Bank. The word itself is closely connected with the defunct policies of the white-dominated regime in South Africa that collapsed under international pressure and was replaced with that country’s current non-racial political system. <a href="http://www.ameu.org/Current-Issue/Current-Issue/2018-Volume-51/Apartheid-West-Bank.aspx" target="_blank">Read the entire article at this link to Americans for Middle East Understanding</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The seminal feature of the crime of apartheid seems to be systematic or legislative actions providing for (a) a regime of domination over one group and (b) the creation of a separate and unequal system of governance to the detriment of the victim group or its members. Mere violations of human rights and oppression of individuals or groups are not enough to make this charge.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the context of the West Bank, therefore, our inquiry must go to the practices and legislative scheme perpetrated by the Israeli authorities, and to the oppressive and discriminatory treatment of the Palestinian Arab population as compared to the Jewish civilian population living in the Occupied Territories. These include: the use of ID cards that must be carried at all times and that are far more invasive than the “pass law” system of South African apartheid; the pervasive system of permits required for all aspects of life; the Separation Wall; the myriad checkpoints and travel restrictions throughout the Occupied Territories; the extensive use of administrative detention (no charges/no trial); and various other instruments of control. All these elements are actually enacted into laws and military orders in an elaborate legislative system. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">African American pastor witnesses shared struggle - and hope- in Palestine </span></h3>
<span style="font-size: large;">Bright Stars of Bethlehem shared this report from the Rev. Everett Mitchell, senior pastor of Christ the Solid Rock Baptist Church in Madison, Wis. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"I recently returned from a Bright Stars trip to Palestine. Allow me to share my take-aways with you - </span><span style="font-size: large;">Although I previously visited Israel, this trip was different. </span><a href="http://brightstarsbethlehem.org/2019/03/african-american-pastor-witnesses-shared-struggle-and-hope-in-palestine/" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Read Pastor Mitchell's full story at this link</a><span style="font-size: large;">, which includes a video with Pastor Mitri Raheb about the shared struggles of Palestinians and African Americans. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"During the past trip, we mainly focused on historic and Biblical sites in Israel.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"During this trip, however, we spent much of our time in and around Bethlehem, Palestine. In this walled-off city, we had the opportunity to interact with many families in the region and to listen to the everyday struggles of Palestinian people. We also witnessed, first hand, the hope that resides in the dreams and talent of the youth. We visited local schools and colleges, attended cultural performances, and enjoyed laughter-filled moments with these young people.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"We saw worlds that were supposed to be separate, come together." <a href="http://brightstarsbethlehem.org/2019/03/african-american-pastor-witnesses-shared-struggle-and-hope-in-palestine/" target="_blank">Read more at the Bright Stars website</a>. </span><br />
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<br />Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419233595252822620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330798253360977890.post-47244862418087453012019-03-10T19:28:00.000-07:002019-03-10T19:28:04.767-07:00A March of Return action step, `1948: Creation & Catastrophe,' and helpful news media resources<span style="font-size: large;">I want to share an advocacy alert related to the March of Return, a new film on the Nakba, and two media reports that I think are especially helpful. </span><br />
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ELCA Advocacy alert</h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://secure2.convio.net/elca/site/Advocacy;jsessionid=00000000.app295a?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=1118&NONCE_TOKEN=335D824713F43F7A995888D96D8A4957" target="_blank">Ask your U.S. senators and congressional representative to attend the congressional briefing on Gaza’s March of Return, and attend one of the anniversary events being held near you</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">What would happen if Palestinians marched nonviolently and in large numbers towards the boundary fence between Gaza and Israel to demand respect for their rights and call attention to the Israeli-imposed blockade that has created hardship for millions of people for more than a decade? In 2018, Palestinian writer Ahmed Abu Artema asked this question in a Facebook post from his home in Rafah, Gaza. The result was Gaza's March of Return. A U.S. tour, sponsored by American Friends Service Committee, will get underway March 1-22. </span><a href="https://www.afsc.org/gazamarchtour" style="font-weight: 400;" target="_blank">Get information here</a><span style="font-weight: 400;">; </span>please check for a location near you and share<span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">During the Washington stop, Artema and Abusalim will present a congressional briefing at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19, in the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, Congressional Meeting Room South (CVC 217). </span>Please ask your U.S. senators and congressional representative <span style="font-weight: 400;">to attend and/or send a staff member on their behalf. Sample language for your message follows. </span><a href="https://secure2.convio.net/elca/site/Advocacy;jsessionid=00000000.app295a?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=1118&NONCE_TOKEN=335D824713F43F7A995888D96D8A4957" style="font-weight: 400;" target="_blank">Sample language for your message is at this link</a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></span></div>
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1948: Creation and Catastrophe</span></h3>
<span style="font-size: large;">A new film on the Nakba is out, “<a href="https://www.1948movie.com/?fbclid=IwAR02t1CQqhpxL3P_eSxHqaVuSMJN5ma-LQG98PdZ7eHd9TKh1-owaeG8tjk" target="_blank">1948: Creation & Catastrophe</a>." I count filmmaker Andy Trimlett as a friend, since we worked together on some FOSNA projects. Andy told <a href="https://mondoweiss.net/2019/02/last-eyewitnesses-nakba/?fbclid=IwAR07II9Zc55zqLbatIs48CXkKsjZrAXIa82fNLe0X-EDbOnrMqJenZJEB_4" target="_blank">Mondoweiss</a>, "Once I understood 1948, everything that is happening today made sense – the settlers, the home demolitions, the checkpoints, the wall, the violence. This is basically a conflict over land and who lives on that land. Throughout the entire history of the conflict, one side has been pushing the other side off the land through a variety of means. In recent years this process has taken place by creating unlivable conditions for Palestinians and by confiscating Palestinian land through the construction of a wall that runs deep into the West Bank. In 1948 it was done by means of active expulsions." <br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqhUgzEXerRGpoHRx8HFo6Am2EDmiQYyJDKhN2ABZ63M89QQHZmmp6XvV2HQ7C2bXtFN7ctZuGE7oIdk0Mc1hsv1MYHxq-3lruQBUqO7caBMyZvXHpZbO1CIwpmEnlhJ-w38RcpHf7Ecv/s1600/1948+-+Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqhUgzEXerRGpoHRx8HFo6Am2EDmiQYyJDKhN2ABZ63M89QQHZmmp6XvV2HQ7C2bXtFN7ctZuGE7oIdk0Mc1hsv1MYHxq-3lruQBUqO7caBMyZvXHpZbO1CIwpmEnlhJ-w38RcpHf7Ecv/s320/1948+-+Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The film is available on Prime TV and at this link: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/1948-Creation-Catastrophe-Benny-Morris/dp/B07MN849LQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=instant-video&ie=UTF8&qid=1550573900&sr=1-1&keywords=1948+creation&fbclid=IwAR0bXEkM4mbbixbKJY251Xyn1ONBPJORxH94oymVkqiaGZOH0aGP2ujGWH4" target="_blank">1948:Creation and Catastrophe</a>. I watched it twice and was fascinated (and saddened) by the first-person stories and memories. Honestly, this may have been the last chance for many of these witnesses, Israeli and Palestinian, to tell us what happened. </span><br />
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Qalandiya gallery</span></h3>
<span style="font-size: large;">Mondoweiss has published a photo gallery that is perfect for showing in a presentation on the checkpoints. "On a typical day at the largest Israeli checkpoint in the occupied West Bank, hundreds of mostly West Bank Palestinians line up and patiently stand in between metal bars, their hands gripped around their 1hawiya,' or identity cards, waiting to cross the maze of concrete called Qalandiya." Use this link - <a href="https://mondoweiss.net/2019/01/palestinians-experience-photographs/?mc_cid=9a947b22aa&mc_eid=886cbc2891" target="_blank">Qalandiya: How Palestinians experience the largest Israeli checkpoint, in photographs</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The New Yorker</i> tours Hebron</span></h3>
<span style="font-size: large;">There's an outstanding overview of the situation in Hebron in <i>The New Yorker</i>. I have shared it extensively. "Hebron is a microcosm of the West Bank, a place where the key practices of the Israeli occupation can be observed up close, in a single afternoon. For several years, two activist groups, one Israeli and one Palestinian, have been leading tours of the occupation of Hebron. I recently went on both, crossing from the living city of Hebron to its hollow shadow and back several times." Find the article at this link: <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/dispatch/a-guided-tour-of-hebron-from-two-sides-of-the-occupation" target="_blank">A Guided Tour of Hebron, from Two Sides of the Occupation</a></span><br />
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<br />Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419233595252822620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330798253360977890.post-56076073912074658432018-10-30T11:04:00.000-07:002018-10-30T11:04:28.954-07:00Room for Hope: The Jerusalem Conference<br />
<b style="font-size: x-large;">The Jerusalem Conference</b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Franz and I made a road trip to Houston for the Oct. 11 Jerusalem Conference, presented by <a href="http://brightstarsbethlehem.org/" target="_blank">Bright Stars of Bethlehem</a> amid its Texas-wide <a href="http://brightstarsbethlehem.org/what-we-do/events/room-for-hope-festival-2/" target="_blank">Room for Hope Festival</a>. The goal was to advance the vision of an inclusive, diverse, and equitable Jerusalem. It was just one day of programming, but that day was jam-packed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We gathered under the theme Jerusalem: What Makes for Peace? It was a thrill to be among excellent organizers, activists and supporters from all over the USA who are taking part in the struggles for justice and peace in their churches and communities.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Rev. Mitri Raheb and his planning group put together a stellar group of presenters and panelists. A standout speaker was Tarek Abuata, director of <a href="https://www.fosna.org/" target="_blank">Friends of Sabeel-North America</a>. (Sabeel is the liberation theology center in Jerusalem.) He was born in Bethlehem and grew up in a Lutheran church in Houston. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Abuata told us that his story is tied to our Christian history as a people. Churches’ oppression against the Palestinian people is united with the US empire. The sins of Christian Zionism are responsible for “the pillar of sins that form Jerusalem and Palestine today, built on white savior-ism and “Christian” dominance.” </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">“Palestinian Liberation Theology is the prophetic Christian antidote to this sin that flips the tables in the temple,” Abuata said. Christians should act and flip the tables in their churches and out in the streets.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Abuata gave a stirring, challenging speech that can’t really be summarized briefly. He remembered, “My 10-year old Christian child self in Bethlehem” reflecting Christian dominance this way: They didn’t want to know me. In the shadows of the Holy Land, they rushed by my Christ to genuflect to their idols. And my people’s wound was for them a showcase for a pilgrim who was enamored more by the churches of Narcissus than the Streets of the Divine. He said, “Don’t mold me into your image, forgetting that I am already molded into His Image!”</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was pleased to see ELCA leaders like the Rev. Rafael Malpica Padilla, Dennis Frado, Bishop Michael Rinehart, and former bishop Dean Nelson, along with a number for former <a href="https://eappi.org/en" target="_blank">ecumenical accompaniers </a>and other friends. Breaks were few, but we managed to get in a little fellowship.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Christian, Jewish and Muslim speakers were both inspirational and difficult. There were testimonies to suffering, struggle and endurance. While the subject of Jerusalem came from our president’s move of the US embassy, a number of speakers pointed to much earlier factors such as the sequestering indigenous people on reservations, the “western project” that created the state of Israel, Christian Zionists truncating American Christianity, and a culture that makes extremism acceptable, </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dr. Iva Carruthers said we are engaged in “a conversation on what it means to be human. What does it mean for us to allow the humanity in us to lead? The question is who we are becoming. In Flint (Michigan) and in Palestine, water is being weaponized. We have to speak truth to power in a way that allows us to stand and do what we must do.” Carruthers is general secretary of the <a href="http://sdpconference.info/" target="_blank">Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">She outlined some action steps for church leaders, including: Create a framework to exegete the appropriate scriptural texts; use the arts to create a “non-marginalized narrative”; raise consciousness about Israel and Palestine; address policies; cease the “devastating policies of weaponizing natural resources,” challenge and interrupt anti-BDS legislation. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There was just too much to share effectively in a blog post. The event ended with powerful calls for justice and peace. The Rev. Mae Cannon, director of <a href="https://cmep.org/" target="_blank">Churches for Middle East Peace</a>, said, “We need to continue to encourage the choir but also nominate people across the aisles. Talk with people! Talk with conservatives in rural Iowa. Inform them! Change the face of the Palestinian people for those who do not know them.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Raheb said the occupation continues because of hardware provided by the international community to Israel ($38 billion from USA) and software given to them by Christian seminaries. They connect the Israel of today with biblical Israel and view the occupation as part of a divine plan. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I felt like everyone in the room, all attentive and diligently taking notes, was connected that day. Raheb said about the networking that is so necessary, “We need more and more togetherness to develop joint strategies.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The four sponsoring organizations of The Jerusalem Conference (Bright Stars of Bethlehem, the <a href="https://nationalcouncilofchurches.us/" target="_blank">National Council of Churches in the USA</a>, Churches for Middle East Peace, and the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference) affirmed a statement that is worth sharing with your networks. It can be found at this link: <a href="http://brightstarsbethlehem.org/2018/10/affirmation-for-an-inclusive-jerusalem/?fbclid=IwAR0Q9UCCV80hDOdS9uVKtswwIcci8L1zf_ToRl93jMIHd_jS0Rx3KU0UlCU" target="_blank">Affirmation for an Inclusive Jerusalem</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I took part in two other important events in September and October, the FOSNA Conference, <a href="https://www.fosna.org/event/prophetic-action-christians-convening-palestine" target="_blank">Prophetic Action: Christians Convening for Palestine</a>; and the big US Campaign for Palestinian Rights conference: <a href="https://uscpr.org/conference2018/" target="_blank">Together We Rise</a>. I hope I can share some ideas from these outstanding events sometime soon. </span><br />
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<br />Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419233595252822620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330798253360977890.post-88080331616367392612018-09-12T10:03:00.000-07:002018-09-12T10:03:06.472-07:00Action needed for Augusta Victoria<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;"><a href="http://support.elca.org/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&id=1081" target="_blank">Augusta Victoria Hospital in Jerusalem needs your help!</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">ELCA Advocacy reports that Augusta Victoria Hospital and the East Jerusalem Hospitals Network are facing cuts from U.S. assistance. We are praying for the sick and their families who would be affected. Call your lawmakers. Click for info on how to<a href="http://support.elca.org/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&id=1081" target="_blank"> take action here</a>: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">Actions requested:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">1) Call the White House hotline (202-456-1111) and use the White House comments page to urge the president to order the release of the $25 million for AVH and the other East Jerusalem hospitals.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">2) Use the sample letter provided at the link above to urge your senators and representatives to contact the White House as well. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">Thank you! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;"><a href="http://brightstarsbethlehem.org/2018/08/room-for-hope-coming-to-texas-in-october/" target="_blank">Room for Hope coming to Texas in October</a></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">Encounter the heart of a people through their culture! Join us as we celebrate the rich heritage of Palestinians in Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin and Houston and across the globe through their food, music, dance, and art! This festival aims to showcase and support Palestinian cultural life and strengthen ties between Palestine and the rest of the world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">"In the midst of conflict, art creates room to breathe."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;"> ~Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">Festivities include performances by Dance/Theater students from Bethlehem, Palestine, Palestinian appetizers and desserts, live music and presentations by Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb and Bright Stars of Bethlehem. <a href="http://brightstarsbethlehem.org/2018/08/room-for-hope-coming-to-texas-in-october/" target="_blank">Click this link</a> for details, and please share this invitation widely. </span></div>
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Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419233595252822620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330798253360977890.post-11845806253125430772018-08-23T13:45:00.002-07:002018-08-23T13:45:45.124-07:00Khan al-Ahmar news and more <h3>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Land of Canaan Foundation</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">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, <a href="http://www.landofcanaanfoundation.org/" target="_blank">check the website</a> or find us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/The-Land-of-Canaan-Foundation-474569616074518/?fb_dtsg_ag=AdxPFQ4Zxq6T4sdNz2yzHuGc9rvKpxizXomZasSt6H-Isg%3AAdxtLWaNQEa4C0x6Prp6c_ra1-QSCqLaXGsMDDk331HtzQ" target="_blank">Facebook</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">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. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">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.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here is a link to an excellent <a href="https://972mag.com/between-garbage-and-sewage-israels-future-plans-for-khan-al-ahmar/137299/" target="_blank">current update from +972 magazine</a>. I also recommend <a href="https://www.btselem.org/facing_expulsion/20180815_update_on_planned_expulsion_of_khan_al_ahmar" target="_blank">this summary provided by B'Tselem</a>, the Israeli human rights organization. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And follow this link to the ELCA's blog post, <a href="http://blogs.elca.org/peacenotwalls/joint-statement-on-planned-demolition-of-khan-al-ahmar/" target="_blank">Joint Statement on planned demolition of Khan al-Ahmar</a>. "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." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Please contact your senators and ask them to address this issue with the State Department. </span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A number of important events are taking place in the next couple months. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Join Friends of Sabeel - North America (FOSNA) Sept. 27-28 in St. Paul, Minn., for</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> 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 </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">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. <a href="https://www.fosna.org/event/prophetic-action-christians-convening-palestine" target="_blank">Click this link for details and registration</a>. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">national conference of the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights will be in the Twin Cities, Minn., Sept. 28-30. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">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: </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront (11 E Kellogg Blvd, St Paul, 55101). </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">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 <a href="https://uscpr.org/conference2018/" target="_blank">link to lots more info and registration</a>. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">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 <a href="http://brightstarsbethlehem.org/what-we-do/events/room-for-hope-festival-2/" target="_blank">Room for Hope Palestinian Festival</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dallas/Ft. Worth - October 5-7, First Presbyterian Church, Fort Worth, and Trinity Presbyterian in McKinney</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">All three locations will feature Palestinian dance students and faculty from Dar al-Kalima University. Click this link for <a href="http://brightstarsbethlehem.org/what-we-do/events/room-for-hope-festival-2/" target="_blank">info and registration</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As part of the <a href="http://brightstarsbethlehem.org/what-we-do/events/room-for-hope-festival-2/" target="_blank">Room for Hope festival</a>, The <a href="http://brightstarsbethlehem.org/what-we-do/events/the-jerusalem-conference/" target="_blank">Jerusalem Conference</a> 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? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">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? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Click this <a href="http://brightstarsbethlehem.org/what-we-do/events/the-jerusalem-conference/" target="_blank">link to register</a> or for more information. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Perpetua","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">To
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Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419233595252822620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330798253360977890.post-71276073196833992592018-06-13T16:33:00.000-07:002018-06-13T16:33:09.736-07:00The Other Jerusalem, <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_OFJfsIkpjnur522jsy8mXlxcri_s07fmSpfRm762IZqJ4PkaAoAAGU1YqNVPbHoYzFg9aX1Z0XyPqGL7ErtwtBhKeg3naDU7wD-coT2h9ceYKeAAxUuU5pws4C9SFCz-jq1P1S9EX-_w/s1600/Colorado+Mark%2527s+Mt+Scopus.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_OFJfsIkpjnur522jsy8mXlxcri_s07fmSpfRm762IZqJ4PkaAoAAGU1YqNVPbHoYzFg9aX1Z0XyPqGL7ErtwtBhKeg3naDU7wD-coT2h9ceYKeAAxUuU5pws4C9SFCz-jq1P1S9EX-_w/s320/Colorado+Mark%2527s+Mt+Scopus.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-semibold"; font-size: 19pt; font-weight: bold;">This is a helpful presentation concluding with a petition - all from <a href="https://www.theotherjerusalem.org/about" target="_blank">The Other Jerusalem</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Let’s stop this. <a href="https://www.theotherjerusalem.org/?utm_campaign=jerusalem_campaign1&utm_medium=email&utm_source=dcipalestine" target="_blank">Sign the petition</a>. Palestinians in Jerusalem have lived under prolonged occupation, in unequal and discriminatory conditions, since Israel’s unilateral and illegal annexation of East Jerusalem in 1967.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">For 51 years, intersecting discriminatory laws, policies, budgets and practices have impacted every aspect of their daily lives.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Palestinians in Jerusalem live with tenuous “permanent resident status,” under the constant risk of forcible transfer. Between 1967 and the end of 2016, Israel revoked the residency status of 14,595 Palestinians from East Jerusalem. <a href="https://www.theotherjerusalem.org/?utm_campaign=jerusalem_campaign1&utm_medium=email&utm_source=dcipalestine" target="_blank">Click this link to read the entire petition</a>. </span></div>
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Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419233595252822620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330798253360977890.post-86264439637117845162018-05-31T08:44:00.000-07:002018-05-31T08:46:09.498-07:00Walking in Jerusalem, Palestine Open Maps<h3>
Take a walk through Jerusalem </h3>
Adrainne and Ben Gray missionaries<b> </b>of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) share a <a href="https://vimeo.com/257544887" target="_blank">video</a> of their daily walking commute through the streets of Jerusalem. Ben and Adrainne were sent to Palestine by the ELCA to coordinate communications for the Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL). They say, "Our ministry is word, images, and service to a church and a community that has a story to tell; and indeed their story impacts the world." Learn more about Adrainne and Ben’s work <a href="http://www.thegraytones.com/" target="_blank">on their blog</a>.<br />
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Check out <a href="https://palopenmaps.org/#/" target="_blank">Palestine Open Maps</a></h3>
I am an admitted map nerd. I have spent a lot of time lately poring over the amazing maps offered by <a href="https://palopenmaps.org/#/" target="_blank">Palestine Open Maps</a>, a platform that seeks to combine emerging technologies for mapping with immersive storytelling. On a current satellite map, I located the kibbutz where I worked as a volunteer in the 1970s and 1980s. By moving through the overlying maps from 1951 back to 1880, I easily located the villages that I was always told were "abandoned."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmclKMDnr7kBh30uBorJOtp8F1HVyiTMMzohUT5Z39Q8qQYjUmCr7JOfns6nj_vR-gU2s2_n8abngcRlIAio7kKOKfBxHVq_z2N7jW4ecThkoPQhrE3xU2T_ZnLKjN5BUWXdXq6XHMUhg7/s1600/maps+launch-big.9cfa524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1178" data-original-width="1179" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmclKMDnr7kBh30uBorJOtp8F1HVyiTMMzohUT5Z39Q8qQYjUmCr7JOfns6nj_vR-gU2s2_n8abngcRlIAio7kKOKfBxHVq_z2N7jW4ecThkoPQhrE3xU2T_ZnLKjN5BUWXdXq6XHMUhg7/s320/maps+launch-big.9cfa524.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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My Israeli host mother told me their names; I want to say them here: Et Tina, Huraniya, Idhnibba, Mughallis, Tall as Safi, Qastina, and Masmiya al Kabira. These villages have been erased, with the exception of Masmiya, located on the old Tel Aviv to Ashkelon highway.<br />
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Moshe Dayan, writing in <i>Ha’aretz </i>in 1969, said, "Jewish villages were built in the place of Arab villages. You don't even know the names of these Arab villages, and I don't blame you, because these geography books no longer exist [...] Nahalal arose in the place of Mahlul, Gvat in the place of Jibta, Sarid in the place of Haneifa, and Kfar-Yehoshua in the place of Tel-Shaman. There is not one single place built in this country that did not have a former Arab population."<br />
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The idea for this platform was inspired by a large collection of 1940s-era survey maps from the British Mandate of Palestine, recently digitized by the Israeli national library. These maps—all now in the public domain—cover the territory at scales of up to 1:20,000, offering a vivid snapshot of a human and natural geography almost unrecognizable on the ground today, with an unparalleled level of physical detail, including population centers, roads, topographic features and property boundaries. Check out <a href="https://palopenmaps.org/#/" target="_blank">Palestine Open Maps at this link</a>.<br />
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<h3>
Lutheran Peace Fellowship coordinator position </h3>
Lutheran Peace Fellowship (LPF) is in the process of hiring a National Coordinator. The ideal coordinator has a passion to eliminate violence, inequality and militarism and a commitment to nonviolence. He or she will work with members to build awareness of peace issues, encourage member involvement, plan and lead peace education, advocacy, and outreach activities, develop resources, and nurture leadership.<br />
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For a full job description, see <a href="https://www.lutheranpeace.org/articles/position-announcement/" target="_blank">Lutheran Peace Fellowship position</a>. Contact LPF directly at lpf@ecunet.org.<br />
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<br />Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419233595252822620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330798253360977890.post-62870461079125162992018-05-24T12:40:00.000-07:002018-05-24T12:40:48.472-07:00REWIND returns to Sheikh Jarrah, LWF medical aid goes to Gaza, and Sabeel's Wave of Prayer<br />
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REWIND features My Neighborhood</h3>
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I am a huge fan of the work of <a href="https://www.justvision.org/" target="_blank">Just Vision</a>. I frequently use their documentary films in my workshops. </div>
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Earlier this year, Al Jazeera REWIND producers reached out to Just Vision with a request to include their 2012 Peabody award-winning documentary, "My Neighbourhood," in a new series showcasing the best and most timely documentaries they've aired in the past decade. The broadcast revisits the forced eviction of the El Kurd family in Sheikh Jarrah and includes an update about what's happened since the film was released. You can stream the segment on the Al Jazeera REWIND home page in the coming days. Both the broadcast and online video include an interview with Creative Director, Julia Bacha and an exclusive poetry reading with Sheikh Jarrah's own Mohammed El Kurd. <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/rewind/2018/05/sheikh-jarrah-tale-eviction-resettlement-180514083326381.html" target="_blank">View the 25-minute segment at this REWIND link</a>. </div>
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Mohammed El-Kurd of Sheikh Jarrah, My Neighborhood</h4>
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Just vision writes, "The story, sadly, couldn't be more timely. In the midst of a new wave of evictions in Sheikh Jarrah and the Trump administration's reckless embassy move, it's ever more important that we grapple with the impact of forced displacement and settlement expansion across Jerusalem, as well as honor the communities who continue to organize daily for their rights. If you've yet to see the film, this is a good opportunity. And if you have, we hope you appreciate these updates from Julia and Mohammed. Either way, please do share this with your networks and on your social media pages. View the 25-minute <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/rewind/2018/05/sheikh-jarrah-tale-eviction-resettlement-180514083326381.html" target="_blank">segment at this REWIND link</a>. </div>
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A team of doctors and nurses from the Lutheran World Federation’s Augusta Victoria Hospital, in Jerusalem, is in Gaza supporting medical teams tending to Palestinians wounded by Israeli forces earlier this week. (...) May 14 saw an escalation in violence and disproportionate use of force against demonstrators at the Gaza border. (...) more than 3000 people have been injured.<br />
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The team reported that the situation is extremely difficult. Injured are being brought to the hospitals, but there are insufficient staff, supplies and infrastructure to properly care for them. The WHO has asked for additional emergency doctors and nurses.<br />
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Gaza was already facing a crisis of medical personnel, medicine and supplies, having been under blockade for more than 10 years. For the full article from the Lutheran World Federation, <a href="https://www.lutheranworld.org/news/lwf-medical-team-tending-injured-gaza" target="_blank">go to this link</a>. </div>
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Sabeel's Wave of Prayer</h3>
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A massacre occurred in Palestine on Monday, the 14th of May. Sixty one Palestinians were killed by the Israeli forces in one day, as reported by the Gaza Ministry of Health. Among those who died were eight children.</div>
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Over the period of two days of protest, 2771 Palestinians were injured by the Israeli forces, including 225 children and 86 women, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health. The people of Gaza have reached an unbearable level of hardship and despair, on top of which, came the moving of the US embassy to Jerusalem which coincided with the 70th anniversary of Al Nakba.</div>
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Please join people of faith around the world as we pray...</div>
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Lord, we confess that we feel overwhelmed with anger. We pray that your Spirit will work in our hearts to help us continue working for justice and to persevere in our efforts to call for peace and reconciliation. Dear God, we ask that you would grant your mercy and comfort to those grieving for their loved ones. Lord in your mercy…Hear our prayer.</div>
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Join in prayer with the full <a href="http://sabeel.org/2018/05/22/sabeel-wave-of-prayer-28/" target="_blank">Wave of Prayer at this link</a>.</div>
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Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419233595252822620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330798253360977890.post-66866746144495263182018-05-17T14:43:00.000-07:002018-05-17T14:43:40.452-07:00An ACTION STEP and `Windows into Palestine'<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj455D8WWR1XzgQduRi2tuWmS3Lb7P224GOuF5glqbuRxeasoFIG2_jGLMbEq_DB0DqWPc-Mn272cTG2hIojyMt2bQGoJyP1hKx3s1xc6qB0FGHJTd0lliK4svLGl2YL0tZMD1qdQPiBgta/s1600/Windows.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="731" data-original-width="501" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj455D8WWR1XzgQduRi2tuWmS3Lb7P224GOuF5glqbuRxeasoFIG2_jGLMbEq_DB0DqWPc-Mn272cTG2hIojyMt2bQGoJyP1hKx3s1xc6qB0FGHJTd0lliK4svLGl2YL0tZMD1qdQPiBgta/s320/Windows.png" width="218" /></a></div>
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<h3>
Windows into Palestine - May 17-19</h3>
If you're in the Twin Cities area, don't miss Windows into Palestine - A Festival of Palestinian Art & Culture, starting today.<br />
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There's so much offered... exhibition of visual art by Palestinian artists, musical performances and workshops, film: shorts and feature length (discussions follow each film); Palestinian cuisine, including demonstrations and samples from renowned chefs; Authentic Spice & Craft Market.<br />
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The "Windows of Hope" Exhibition is an illuminating exhibit of paintings and photography, all from Palestine. From a people living under oppression in a holy, war-torn land, comes art that speaks of hope. The exhibition presents the reality of life on the ground for artists who paint and make photographs and tells the poignant story of their life in Palestine. It runs May 17 – June 24.<br />
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It's all at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1200 Marquette Ave, Minneapolis, Minn.<br />
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<a href="https://www.windowsintopalestine.org/schedule/" target="_blank">See the website for lots more info - click here</a>. <br />
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[<i>Graphic above: Qasamat, by Mohammad Joulani, oil on canvas, 2010, Westminster Collection</i>]<br />
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<h2>
Take action! </h2>
<h3>
Tell Congress: 70 years of suffering is enough! Stop the lethal Israeli response to Gaza protests, hold Israel accountable, and support human rights for all.</h3>
<h3>
<br />Send a message with this <a href="https://secure2.convio.net/elca/site/Advocacy;jsessionid=00000000.app222b?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=1045&NONCE_TOKEN=D2E74E2B73F96BBF4DC6A48C1280FE4B" target="_blank">easy sample letter - click here</a>. </h3>
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WCC calls for just peace and an end to impunity in the Holy Land</h3>
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World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit condemned use of excessive violence by Israeli forces against civilian protesters in Gaza during last week in which many have lost their lives or lost their loved ones. He expressed particular concern that some Christians are celebrating the move of the US embassy to Jerusalem as a gift from God, despite the disruptively provocative nature of this move.<br />
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See the full <a href="https://www.oikoumene.org/en/press-centre/news/wcc-calls-for-just-peace-and-an-end-to-impunity-in-the-holy-land" target="_blank">news release at this link - click here</a>.<br />
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ELCA presiding bishop's pastoral message on situation in Gaza</h3>
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The Rev. Elizabeth Eaton writes:<br />
Like so many here in our country and around the world, I am appalled and saddened by yesterday's escalation of Israeli military action against protesters in Gaza. Many reports indicate that at least 60 Palestinians, including six children, have died and more than 2,000 have been injured as a result of Israel's disproportionate use of force. Our church will support a planned medical mission from The Lutheran World Federation's Augusta Victoria Hospital in Jerusalem to Gaza to assist the wounded.<br />
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I join Bishop Sani-Ibrahim Azar of our partner church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL), who today said:<br />
<i>We mourn with the families of the dead and dying and pray for the recovery of the injured. We believe that violent actions against the Palestinian civilians will hinder the potential for peace and reconciliation efforts between Israel and Palestine and will only lead to more violence and bloodshed. </i><br />
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For the full <a href="http://www.elca.org/News-and-Events/7931" target="_blank">statement from Bishop Eaton, click here</a>.<br />
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<h3>
Kairos Statement on Gaza and Jerusalem</h3>
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On Monday, May 14th 2018, in Gaza, 60 people were killed and 2771 wounded among crowds walking unarmed towards their villages, from which they had been compelled to leave. They were killed in cold blood and posed no threat to anybody.<br />
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(...) We urge the international community to shoulder its responsibilities. We call upon it to exert every pressure, even sanctions if necessary, to force Israel to follow the path of peace and justice, to lift the oppression from the people of Gaza and all the Palestinian people, to prevent death in the Holy Land, abandon its apartheid practices, and comply with international law.<br />
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We call on churches in our Holy Land and throughout the world to be courageous and faithful to their mission, to assume their responsibilities towards the Holy Land and all those who live in it, to bring through their prayers awareness of what is going on in the Holy Land, and to take effective steps towards justice, equality and peace in this land where the roots of their faith lie.<br />
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Read the entire <a href="http://kairospalestine.ps/index.php/kairos-palestine-blog/255-kairos-statement-on-gaza-and-jerusalem" target="_blank">statement at the Kairos Palestine website - click here</a>.<br />
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----Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419233595252822620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330798253360977890.post-28074876578274910512018-05-16T16:18:00.000-07:002018-05-16T16:18:22.855-07:00Short Walk Home - Long Walk to FreedomIt is being reported that the demonatrations at the Gaza border are related to the US Embassy moving to Jerusalem. Here's the real background:<br />
Every year on March 30, Palestinians commemorate the events of Land Day, when the Israeli government killed six unarmed Palestinians who were protesting the state’s expropriation of land in Galilee.<br />
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On Land Day 2018, Palestinians in the Gaza Strip initiated the Great Return March, a recurring demonstration at the barrier between Gaza and Israel.<br />
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More than 40 Palestinians have been killed by Israel during these demonstrations. A majority of those were refugees, displaced from their homes during the 1948 Nakba - the expulsion of 700,000 Palestinians from territory which became Israel. <b>This poster highlights their villages of origin. </b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNnGB4SLL4rZH6_OHMWEWJkLFm1k1KL30u7zP6u5F4woLntc85Ursn7fCfffye04u6pBAhwOizyPEYDdZFLgAfq2-M84pWwW2mT1cBWFH3lGoQnHirfNoEGh8trUGqE3T8ywBCGGpjZsl/s1600/Short+Walk+Home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1552" data-original-width="1241" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNnGB4SLL4rZH6_OHMWEWJkLFm1k1KL30u7zP6u5F4woLntc85Ursn7fCfffye04u6pBAhwOizyPEYDdZFLgAfq2-M84pWwW2mT1cBWFH3lGoQnHirfNoEGh8trUGqE3T8ywBCGGpjZsl/s640/Short+Walk+Home.jpg" width="508" /></a></div>
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In contravention of international law, Israel has consistently refused to allow Palestinian refugees to return to their homes in present-day Israel, because their presence there could challenge the state’s Jewish demographic majority. Quite simply, according to Israel, they are from the wrong ethnic group.<br />
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In fact, due to Israel’s devastating blockade, Palestinians in Gaza cannot even leave the densely populated coastal enclave, except in rare cases with Israeli permission.<br />
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Great Return March demonstrators are calling for Israel to allow Palestinian refugees to return to<br />
their villages of origin, and to end the blockade. The demonstrations are slated to continue until May 15 - the day on which Palestinians commemorate the 1948 Nakba.<br />
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[Thanks to Visualizing Palestine for this graphic. <a href="https://visualizingpalestine.org/" target="_blank">Here's their website: visualizingpalestine.org/</a>]<br />
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<h3>
Windows into Palestine - May 17-19</h3>
If you're in the Twin Cities area, don't miss Windows into Palestine - A Festival of Palestinian Art & Culture<br />
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There's so much offered... exhibition of visual art by Palestinian artists, musical performances and workshops, film: shorts and feature length (discussions follow each film); Palestinian cuisine, including demonstrations and samples from renowned chefs; Authentic Spice & Craft Market<br />
<br />
Westminster Presbyterian Church<br />
1200 Marquette Ave<br />
Minneapolis, Minn.<br />
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<a href="https://www.windowsintopalestine.org/" target="_blank">See the website for more info - click here. </a> <br />
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<br />Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419233595252822620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330798253360977890.post-74308008280326570552018-05-15T13:28:00.001-07:002018-05-15T13:28:24.321-07:00Nakba tragedy 70 years on<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Palestinians are commemorating the Nakba today, May 15th. This date reminds them of the catastrophe that began 70 years ago, in 1948, when 530 Palestinian villages and towns were destroyed and over 750,000 Palestinians were forcibly driven out of their homes. A whole generation of Palestinians has now been constrained to live out their lives as refugees.<br />
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• Lord we cry out for mercy even as we mourn the injustices suffered by the Palestinian people. We pray that you will keep hope alive in the hearts of those who suffer. So many living in occupied territories and abroad under very difficult circumstances need to come back home. We pray that Palestinians will persevere in their work for peace and that they will remain steadfast in the face of oppression. Lord in your mercy... Hear our prayer. (<a href="http://sabeel.org/category/wave-of-prayers/" target="_blank">Sabeel's Wave of Prayer</a>) <br />
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Take Action</h3>
Palestinians have the right to protest without paying for it with their lives. Email your Members of Congress now to demand the US open an investigation into Israel’s unlawful killing of Palestinian demonstrators in Gaza. <a href="http://org.salsalabs.com/o/641/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=22949" target="_blank">Take Action: Tell Congress to hold Israel accountable. </a><br />
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<br />Dozens killed by Israel While Protesting ... Gaza's Bloodiest Day Since 2014 War </h3>
Speaking to Newsweek, USCPR Executive Director Yousef Munayyer condemns US complicity in and silence around Israel’s use of lethal and excessive force against Palestinians participating in the Great Return March.<br />
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“Once again, Israel has responded to protests in Gaza by using lethal sniper fire, killing scores of Palestinian protesters and wounding many, many more. Had any other country done this, it is hard to imagine Washington remaining quiet,” Yousef Munayyer, executive director of the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights, a Washington, D.C.-based coalition of organizations that oppose Israel’s policies toward Palestinians, told Newsweek.<br />
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“Instead, as this is happening, the United States government is well represented in Jerusalem, where it is opening its embassy to Israel as the Israeli military sheds Palestinian blood in Gaza. This should only be seen as a rubber stamp of the killings and a total abdication of any responsibility to lead on issues of human rights,” Munayyer continued. <a href="https://uscpr.org/" target="_blank">Click here for the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights</a><br />
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Noura Erakat responds to CBS News on Gaza</h3>
"We have tried almost everything. And everything we do, we're told that it's our fault that we can't be free. That's the problem.<br /><br />
Why don't we start shifting the conversation and ask Israel why...it doesn't want to recognize [Palestinians'] right to exist?'<br /><br />
Do yourself a favor and listen to Noura Erakat as she brilliantly responds to CBS News on Gaza and the U.S. embassy move. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JewishVoiceforPeace/videos/10157392479514992/?t=29" target="_blank">Click this link for video</a><br />
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<span style="background-color: #228855; color: #eefffd; font-family: Perpetua, serif; font-size: 21.3333px;">To receive regular bulletins from Ann Hafften, sign up at my blog - A Texas Lutheran's Voice for Peace:</span><span style="background-color: #228855; color: blue; font-family: Perpetua, serif; font-size: 21.3333px; text-decoration-line: none;"><a href="http://www.voicesforpeace.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: #228855; color: #99dddd; font-family: Perpetua, serif; font-size: 21.3333px; text-decoration-line: none;">http://www.voicesforpeace.blogspot.com/</a></span><br />
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Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419233595252822620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330798253360977890.post-25274187102122321672017-03-11T21:45:00.000-08:002017-03-11T21:45:09.693-08:00<div class="s2" style="line-height: 1.2;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">The </span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Cente</span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">r's 10th </span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">international conference </span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">is underway in Bethlehem under the theme: Jesus Christ - Liberator Then and Now. The event recognizes 100 years since the Balfour Declaration, the 1917 letter indicating the British government's favorable view toward "...the </span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people</span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">..." Publication </span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">of the Declaration had long lasting consequences</span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"> </span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">and was a key moment </span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">leading to the Arab-Israeli conflict that remains unresolved today. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Vera Baboun, mayor of the Bethlehem suggested amending the theme to "Jesus Christ - Liberator Then and Now and Ever!" She spoke at the Bethlehem Hotel on March 7.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Baboun said, "The legacy of Jesus Christ is a legacy of justice. He showed us that justice starts with just one individual who is a liberator." She said, "Now Jesus' city is walled, constrained and strangled. The nativity of peace is walled; peace itself is walled." Bethlehem's population is severely hemmed in by the separation barrier constructed by Israel in the occupied Palestinian lands.</span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Bethlehem is all about the message," Baboun said, "and the messenger, who asks us to open our minds and hearts. Bethlehem is part and parcel of Palestine's context. We still have much work to do. Don't lose the message: our liberation is for love."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="s3" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">Nour Odeh, </span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">CEO of Connect Consulting</span><span class="s3" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;">, described Balfour's legacy, "... that denied the existence of a nation, of the Palestinian people."</span></span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Odeh said, "We were the anonymous, the others living here, the tribes, the scattered people. As if we did not have an identity, when we did. We had a thriving society, cultural, economic, a life that we know about and that the world ignored or denied later out of political, convenience." </span></span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"The world does not see our beautiful society with its colors and nuances; we are not just 'Arabs.'" Odeh said. Public discussion about our situation "is all about Israel and fulfilling Israel's aspirations," she said. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"We want a conversation between equals, a reality set by equals on the ground of justice," Odeh said. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Odeh pointed to "a connection among those who are united on the principle of our shared humanity... principles of respect and dignity and freedom and justice." She urged participants to avoid fragmenting Christians and Muslims, Gazans and Jerusalemites. These are all Palestinians, she said, "Don't play into fragmentation."</span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="line-height: 13.199999809265137px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Rev. Naim Ateek, founder of Sabeel, opened the conference with worship at the Roman Catholic Church of St. Catherine at the nativity site in Bethlehem. "You, our friends... have come anxiously to search for peace and wellbeing for the children of God who live in this land."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He said, "you have come to stand with us, your sisters and brothers in Palestine. We are here together to witness to peace that must be based on truth and justice."</span></div>
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Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419233595252822620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330798253360977890.post-79079472250812463882015-10-09T08:31:00.003-07:002015-10-09T08:31:26.249-07:00Despair and resilience<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Friends, the news from the West Bank and especially Jerusalem is very grim right now. I hope a few of these resources will provide a glimpse of both the despair and the resilience among the people there. </span><br />
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<b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4th92-J32Q" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's the Occupation</span></a></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A 90-second video is circulating that is pretty helpful for folks who tell you that the situation in Palestine and Israel is just too complicated and hopeless. It's called "Violence in Israel and the Palestinian Territories: It's the Occupation." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The video looks at the question: "When you think of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, you probably think of clashes, rockets, checkpoints and Gaza – but what's really at the heart of the violence in Israel and Palestine?" Check it out and share it with your family, friends and church members. You'll find it at this link: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4th92-J32Q" target="_blank">It's the Occupation</a>.</span><br />
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<b><a href="http://fmep.org/blog/2015/10/jerusalem-the-price-of-despair/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jerusalem: the Cost of Despair</span></a></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Foundation for Middle East Peace has published important analysis from Mitchell Plitnick and Matthew Duss. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"When you think of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, you probably think of clashes, rockets, checkpoints and Gaza – but what's really at the heart of the violence in Israel and Palestine?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"In recent weeks, an upsurge in violence in Jerusalem has brought the embattled city back into the headlines. According to Danny Seidemann, founder of Terrestrial Jerusalem and one of the leading experts on the city, this violence, boiling at a level unseen in Jerusalem since 1967, actually began over a year ago, and it is not just another spoke in the `cycle of violence.'</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"`Usually there’s a tendency to overstate the instability of Jerusalem,' Seidemann said at a meeting of journalists and analysts in Washington this week. `But Jerusalem is normally a far more stable city than its reputation. What we are seeing now are significant developments that go well beyond tomorrow’s headlines.'</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Seidemann described a dangerous confluence of factors, with the political stalemate creating an atmosphere of despair in which the conflict, which has always been political, will finally become the religious conflict that many have believed, until now incorrectly, that it is. The current conflict centered on the Temple Mount is only the tip of the iceberg. According to Seidemann, 'The entire fabric of this conflict has changed.'”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is more. Please give this piece your attention. Find the link here to <a href="http://fmep.org/blog/2015/10/jerusalem-the-price-of-despair/" target="_blank">Jerusalem: the Cost of Despair.</a> Mitchell Plitnick is Program Director at the Foundation for Middle East Peace. Previously, he was Director of the US Office of B’Tselem: The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories. Matt Duss is the president of the Foundation for Middle East Peace. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Palestinians Are Fighting for Their Lives; Israel Is Fighting for the Occupation</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't like to send you to the <i>Ha'aretz </i>website because it's so cluttered with ads and difficult to read. However, this week's op ed by Amira Hass is very clear and important. I oppose violence yet Hass provides excellent insight into violence occurring in Jerusalem and other parts of the West Bank.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hass writes, for starters, "That we notice there’s a war on only when Jews are murdered does not cancel out the fact that Palestinians are being killed all the time."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And, "The war did not start last Thursday, it does not start with the Jewish victims and does not end when no Jews are murdered. The Palestinians are fighting for their life, in the full sense of the word. We Israeli Jews are fighting for our privilege as a nation of masters, in the full ugliness of the term."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And, "Young Palestinians do not go out to murder Jews because they are Jews, but because we are their occupiers, their torturers, their jailers, the thieves of their land and water, their exilers, the demolishers of their homes, the blockers of their horizon. Young Palestinians, vengeful and desperate, are willing to lose their lives and cause their families great pain because the enemy they face proves every day that its malice has no limits." Please read the entire piece at this link: <a href="http://www.haaretz.com/opinion/.premium-1.679129" target="_blank">Palestinians Are Fighting for Their Lives.</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Now for some resilience and hope.</b> A number of short videos are available from the <a href="http://www.elcjhl.org/" target="_blank">Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land</a>. In one Bishop Munib Younan explains the importance of ministry with children and youth through the schools and congregations of the church: "We believe the priority is to give our children education...education that molds their identity, that helps them understand the other, and to help them live with the other who is different - by religion, by thought, by ideology, by race, by color. Or to learn how to use the muscles of the brain and not the muscle of the arm in dealing with conflict resolution." Find it at this link: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lldViy0uRGo" target="_blank">The ELCJHL's Work With Youth and Children</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>If You Could Tell People About Palestinians</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the second wonderful video teenage students of the Lutheran schools tell us what they want people to know about their lives as Palestinians. They are so articulate and winsome. Show this in your congregation as a good discussion starter. It's at this link: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bekfnuKsmSw&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">If You Could Tell People About Palestinians...</a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Bright Stars Blog</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finally, three young <a href="http://brightstarsbethlehem.org/" target="_blank">Bright Stars of Bethlehem</a> interns, Julianna, Hannah and Eva, enjoyed working side-by-side with people in Palestine this summer. A delightful blog that chronicles some of their experiences is at this link: <a href="https://bubblesandblondiegotobethlehem.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Bubbles and Blondie go to Bethlehem</a>. For more about Bright Stars, see the website.</span><br />
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<br />Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419233595252822620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330798253360977890.post-67038250685374604612015-09-25T16:17:00.000-07:002015-09-25T16:17:47.474-07:00World Week for Peace and ELCA bishop's statement<b><a href="https://pief.oikoumene.org/en/world-week-for-peace" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel</span></a></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The 2015 World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel is underway (Sept. 20-26) with the theme "God has broken down the dividing walls." The special week is organized by the Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum (PIEF) of the World Council of Churches. Member churches, faith-based communities, and civil society organizations around the world have been encouraged to join together this year for a week of advocacy and action in support of an end to the illegal occupation of Palestine and a just peace for all in Palestine and Israel. Congregations and individuals around the globe who share the hope of justice have been uniting during this week to take peaceful actions - together - to create a common international public witness.<a href="https://pief.oikoumene.org/en/world-week-for-peace" target="_blank"> Click this link for information and resources. It's not too late to join this effort. </a><br /></span><br />
<b><a href="http://elca.org/News-and-Events/blogs/NewsBlog/93" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">ELCA presiding bishop calls for end to incursions onto Palestinian land, demolition of Palestinian property</span></a></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), has urged chairs and ranking members U.S. Senate Foreign Relations and House Foreign Affairs Committees to call upon the Israeli government to halt the ongoing incursions onto Palestinian land and demolition of Palestinian property. <br /><br />In a Sept. 10 letter to U.S. officials, Eaton wrote to express her distress about actions of the Israeli government that make prospects for peace between Israelis and Palestinians "more difficult in the short- and medium-term and threaten further the realization of a just two-state solution which so many of us seek." <br /><br />As ELCA presiding bishop, Eaton said that she follows closely the situation in Israel and Palestine, "because the events there directly affect the situation and ministries of our companion church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, and the lives, livelihoods and security of Israelis and Palestinians."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"We join our sisters and brothers of the Roman Catholic tradition in expressing in the strongest possible terms our outrage over the resumption of construction of the separation wall in the Cremisan Valley in the West Bank," wrote Eaton, who visited the Cremisan Valley this year. "I could see the existing and then-potential threats that the planned path of the wall would have on the Palestinian communities there," she wrote. The Most Rev. Oscar Cantu, chair of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on International Justice and Peace, sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, urging the Israeli authorities to stop work on the separation wall in the Cremisan Valley. Lutherans and Catholics in the United States have been in dialogue for the past 50 years.<br /><a href="http://elca.org/News-and-Events/blogs/NewsBlog/93" target="_blank">Read the full news release at this link.</a><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-illegal-separation-barrier-wallwillfall#petition-letter" target="_blank">A petition seeking to `Stop the illegal Separation Barrier!'</a></b><br />Recently the shocking situation in the Cremisan valley and Bir Ouna has come to the attention of the world. Israeli forces have been uprooting hundreds of olive trees in order to clear space for a new section of the Separation Barrier. This new effort to annex occupied Palestinian territory directly affects Palestinian wellbeing. These developments have been distressing for the entire Palestinian community. It has a direct impact especially on Palestinian Christians, who are made more vulnerable by these actions from the Government of Israel. This is a clear violation of international law.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The construction of the wall on occupied land is a breach of international law – the Cremisan Valley is only the latest victim. Local Palestinian Christian communities urge you to put pressure on Israel to:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">- immediately stop the illegal construction of the Separation Barrier on occupied land,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> - dismantle the sections already constructed on all occupied territory, and</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> - replant the uprooted olive trees and compensate farmers who have lost their trees.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-illegal-separation-barrier-wallwillfall#petition-letter" target="_blank">Sign the petition at this link</a> and please share it with others.<br /><br /><b>ELCJHL provides resources for worship <br /></b>The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land now provides a web page featuring worship resources to share with US congregation. All resources, liturgies, prayers and hymns, are in transliterated English unless otherwise noted. Hymns are available for listening! This page will be updated periodically. Check back frequently for new resources.<br /><a href="http://www.elcjhl.org/worship-resources/" target="_blank">Link to worship resources here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /><b>Uh oh Jerusalem </b><br />Here's a <a href="http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/uh-oh-jerusalem/?utm_source=The+Times+of+Israel+Daily+Edition&utm_campaign=c915957cae-2015_09_15&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_adb46cec92-c915957cae-54535309" target="_blank">blog post by Emanuel Shahaf.</a> His analysis of the injustice and turmoil in Jerusalem is an Israeli's perspective: "...the Palestinian parts of Jerusalem have been systematically neglected over many years, their infrastructure has deteriorated (or not been built), the supply of basic utilities is not assured at all times of the day and thousands of students remain without adequate space, being taught in poorly equipped school buildings.<br /><br />"In addition, the construction of the security wall to separate the West Bank from Jerusalem, a Jerusalem united in words only, has severely affected the life of Palestinian Jerusalemites who have been separated from easy and direct access to the eastern suburbs of the city. They need to travel an inordinate amount of time to travel even short distances since the security wall has only a few passages placed for security considerations, not convenience of the local inhabitants.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"At the same time, the rightwing coalition forming Israel’s government is under considerable pressure to change the rules on the Temple Mount to permit Jews to pray there, in contravention of the status quo. Indeed it’s not easy to explain why Jews should not be allowed to pray on the mount while Muslims are, but as long as the conflict with the Palestinians is not settled, this issue is unlikely to be resolved. The Palestinians are scared that permission to pray is only the first step on the path to change the rules on the Mount in favor of the Jews even further, a fear that cannot easily be discounted when listening to the voices in the government."<br /><br />I don't agree with everything Shahaf says in this column, but I think it's worth a look. <a href="http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/uh-oh-jerusalem/?utm_source=The+Times+of+Israel+Daily+Edition&utm_campaign=c915957cae-2015_09_15&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_adb46cec92-c915957cae-54535309" target="_blank">Read the Shahaf blog post at this link. </a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /><b>Folks Art Mavens products on sale now</b><br />My friend Jan Hayden runs <a href="http://www.folkartmavens.com/" target="_blank">Folk Art Mavens</a>, and she's having a sale right now. Jan writes, "Get your glass and ceramics now. First for the bad news: Folk Art Mavens decided that it was not feasible to reorder glass and ceramics this year. We hate to disappoint our customers, so we're letting you know to encourage you to order the glass and ceramics that remain before the pre-Christmas rush. It's going fast!<br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now for the good news: We have been busy replenishing our embroidery, cards, and olive wood, have added beautiful wheat and olive branch baskets to our line-up, and now offer three traditional Palestinian foods.<br /><br />Check out<a href="http://www.folkartmavens.com/" target="_blank"> Folk Art Mavens at the website. Here's a link.</a> </span><br /><br />-- --<br /><br />
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Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419233595252822620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330798253360977890.post-69000313627749720342015-09-10T07:54:00.000-07:002015-09-10T07:54:26.610-07:00Advocate for U.S. funding for Augusta Victoria Hospital<a href="https://secure2.convio.net/elca/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=408" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ask Congress to meet an urgent humanitarian need</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> of the Palestinian people for Augusta Victoria Hospital (AVH). Encourage the U.S. government to support Augusta Victoria Hospital by helping to cover the cancer treatment costs of Palestinian patients from the West Bank and Gaza treated at AVH. And, ask your U.S. Representative to visit Augusta Victoria Hospital in East Jerusalem. <br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Earlier this spring, the message from congressional staffs to the ELCA was clear: The voices of ELCA members are being heard on this issue and are making a difference!<br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nonetheless, the costs for patients referred to Augusta Victoria Hospital continue to mount at the rate of between $2 million and $2.5 million per month and another U.S. Agency for International Development payment is needed in 2015. Toward the end of 2015, it is hoped that USAID will make a large payment to the Palestinian Authority benefiting the hospital, at least $12 million to cover nearly the first six months of 2015. </span><br />
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<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Therefore, advocacy in Congress is needed now just as much as before, maybe more, to ensure that the U.S. government through USAID releases that large payment. The funding is crucial to avoid any interruption of treatment for West Bank and Gaza cancer patients and other patients served at AVH and other East Jerusalem hospitals. </span><br />
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<a href="https://secure2.convio.net/elca/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=408" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Click this link for more details</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and advocacy how-tos. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel, Sept. 20-26</strong> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is still time to get involved in </span><a href="https://pief.oikoumene.org/en/world-week-for-peace/world-week-for-peace-in-palestine-israel" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Sept. 20-26.<br /><br />We will join together for a week of advocacy and action in support of an end to the illegal occupation of Palestine and a just peace for all in Palestine and Israel. <br /><br />Congregations and individuals around the globe who share the hope of justice shall unite during the week to take peaceful actions, together, to create a common international public witness. World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel is sponsored by the Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum (PIEF) of the World Council of Churches. <br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The theme for World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel is: "God has broken down the dividing walls." Congregations and individuals around the globe who share the hope of justice will unite during the week to take peaceful actions to create a common international public witness. </span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lots of information is at this link: </span><a href="https://pief.oikoumene.org/en/world-week-for-peace/world-week-for-peace-in-palestine-israel" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel.</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Israel’s Civil Administration steps up efforts to expel Area C Palestinian communities</strong> <br /></span><br />
<a href="http://www.btselem.org/planning_and_building/20150903_demolition_wave" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">B'Tselem reports that in August Israel demolished the homes of 228 people</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, 124 of them minors, leaving them with no shelter. </span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Civil Administration and the military went on a demolition rampage in 29 villages and communities throughout Area C. Israeli authorities demolished 101 structures in these communities, including 50 residential structures which were home to 228 people, 124 of them minors. Many of these demolitions were carried out in small shepherding and farming communities where residents are constantly subject to threats and ongoing Israeli attempts to drive them out of their homes and also remove them from Area C, as part of the Israeli policy aimed at minimizing Palestinian presence in Area C. <br /><br />B'Tselem is the premiere Israeli human rights organization. </span><br />
<a href="http://www.btselem.org/planning_and_building/20150903_demolition_wave" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Click this link for an important report</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Hope for Peace?</strong><br />Rabbi Amy Eilberg, Rabbi, Peacebuilder, Writer</span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A Review of: Ronald Kronish (ed.), <em>Coexistence and Reconciliation in Israel: Voices for Interreligious Dialogue</em> (NY: Paulist Press, 2015)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In my work as a religious peace activist, I am often asked how I can possibly continue to hope for peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Over the years, I have often returned to the answer that my colleague Rabbi Ron Kronish gives to this question. On the level of diplomatic efforts, things seem quite hopeless. However, hope -- and a vision for the future -- is to be found in the work of grassroots peacebuilders who labor every day on the ground in Israel and in Palestine to build more peaceful, just and democratic societies, and especially, to build a web of relationship between religious and political "others." </span><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rabbi-amy-eilberg/hope-for-peace_b_8033830.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Read the entire review at the Huffington Post</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-family: "Perpetua","serif"; font-size: 16pt;">To
receive regular bulletins from Ann Hafften, sign up at my blog - A Texas
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<br />Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419233595252822620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330798253360977890.post-89269856622451671862015-08-31T13:58:00.003-07:002015-08-31T13:58:57.503-07:00World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel, Sept. 20-26<a href="https://pief.oikoumene.org/en/world-week-for-peace/world-week-for-peace-in-palestine-israel" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel Sept. 20-26</span></a><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Everyone is invited to join together for a week of advocacy and action in 2015 in support of an end to the illegal occupation of Palestine and a just peace for all in Palestine and Israel. Congregations and individuals around the globe who share the hope of justice shall unite during the week to take peaceful actions, together, to create a common international public witness. World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel is sponsored by the Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum (PIEF) of the World Council of Churches. <br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The theme for World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel is: "God has broken down the dividing walls." Congregations and individuals around the globe who share the hope of justice will unite during the week to take peaceful actions to create a common international public witness. <br /><br />Lots of information is at this link: </span><a href="https://pief.oikoumene.org/en/world-week-for-peace/world-week-for-peace-in-palestine-israel" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. <br /><br />--- --- --- <br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+972 GIVES YOU THE STORY</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Two recent articles in <em>+972</em> magazine prompt me to share this important resource with you. </span><a href="http://972mag.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Find <em>+972</em> at this link</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.<br /></span><a href="http://972mag.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The devastating effects of night raids on Palestinian families</span></a><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"IDF night raids, an everyday occurrence in the occupied territories, ensure that Palestinians cannot feels safe in the one place where safety should be assured.<br /><br />"In a sample of 100 instances of night raids conducted since 2014, the one common thread mentioned by the women who provided testimonies ... was a sense of terror. The raids usually begin at around 2.00 a.m. with aggressive banging at the door or simply an explosion to blow it in. Masked soldiers storm the house as the family tries to comprehend what is happening. Sometimes a family member will be arrested, other times not. Sometimes there is violence, sometimes not. The house will be searched with reports of damaged furniture; wardrobes emptied with contents thrown to the floor, while soldiers leave muddy boot marks throughout the house.<br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Perhaps the most devastating impact these raids have is on the children. Mothers report that their children have problems sleeping after experiencing a night raid. Some children become aggressive, others wet their beds. No one feels safe in the one place where safety should be assured." Please read more at this link: </span><a href="http://972mag.com/the-devastating-effects-of-night-raids-on-palestinian-families/111259/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The devastating effects of night raids on Palestinian families</span></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-- -- -- <br /></span><br />
<a href="http://972mag.com/settlers-take-over-east-jerusalem-home-in-the-dead-of-night/111098/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Settlers take over East Jerusalem home in the dead of night</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> accompanied by armed soldiers<br />"In the latest of a number of home takeovers in Palestinian neighborhoods of East Jerusalem, settlers took up residence in a home they said belonged to Jews before the establishment of the state of Israel. <br /><br />"The group of at least 20 belongs to the Ateret Cohanim settler organization, which purchases properties in neighborhoods of East Jerusalem and has taken legal action in order to evict the Palestinian owners of those buildings. (...)<br /><br />"Silwan is currently home to several hundred Jewish settlers and some 50,000 Palestinians. It is an impoverished area just on the outskirts of the Old City of Jerusalem, and it has been the target of the Ateret Cohanim organization in recent months.</span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Palestinians have frequently resisted the eviction orders in court, where they say the Jewish Israelis are almost always given preference.</span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Many of the takeovers of Palestinian homes have taken place in the dead of night, in the efforts to “avoid unnecessary friction with some of the local Arabs during the day,” according to a statement released by Ateret Cohanim.</span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"The settlers, holding just as many bags as they could carry, as they quietly made their way through the alleys, were accompanied by armed soldiers–a move that critics say only further exacerbates the tensions."<br /><br />--- --- --- <br /><br />A gift from the Church of the Brethren: </span><a href="http://onearthpeace.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On Earth Peace</span></a><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was doing some exploring and reading about On Earth Peace, A Community of Practice for Justice & Peace. It's a peace mission with roots in the Church of the Brethren. <br /><br />These folks can be outstanding partners for us. </span><a href="http://onearthpeace.org/about/history" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Read about their history here</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and explore their website for information about active nonviolence, reconciliation, workshops and resources.</span> <br /><br />--- --- --- <br /><br />
<span style="font-family: "Perpetua","serif"; font-size: 16pt;">To
receive regular bulletins from Ann Hafften, sign up at my blog - A Texas
Lutheran's Voice for Peace: <a href="http://www.voicesforpeace.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.voicesforpeace.blogspot.com/</span></a></span><br />
<br /><br />Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419233595252822620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330798253360977890.post-86142453566052634162015-01-24T12:14:00.002-08:002015-01-24T12:14:20.630-08:00Action Alert, Palestine for Tourists, and Prayer Vigil<strong>Peace Not Walls </strong><a href="http://www.capwiz.com/elca/issues/alert/?alertid=64038811" target="_blank"><strong>Action Alert</strong></a> <br />
<br />Use <a href="http://www.capwiz.com/elca/issues/alert/?alertid=64038811" target="_blank">this link</a> to tell your elected officials: Don't punish the Palestinians for signing international treaties and conventions, including the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. <br /><br />
Following the defeat of a U.N. Security Council resolution that would have set parameters and a timeline for addressing the Israeli-Palestinian impasse, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas signed a number of international treaties and conventions, including the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), paving the way for Palestine to join the ICC. Palestine’s membership in the ICC is scheduled to take effect on April 1, 2015.<br />
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Israel responded by freezing $127.6 million in tax revenues it collects on behalf of the Palestinians in accordance with the (Paris) Protocol on Economic Relations of 1994. The U.S. State Department expressed their opposition to freezing the funds, calling it an action that raised tensions. At the same time, the State Department spokesperson called the Palestinian move to join the ICC “counterproductive,” saying, “We’re deeply troubled by the Palestinian action regarding the ICC.”<br />
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Some in Congress are already calling for immediate punitive measures. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., introduced a bill that would stop U.S. aid to the Palestinian Authority until the Palestinians withdraw their ICC bid. Rather than punish the Palestinians for moves to sign treaties and conventions, including those leading to Palestinian membership in the ICC, the United States should support such non-violent means of pursuing justice in accordance with international law. It also should be recognized that in joining the ICC, the door will be open to investigations of both Israeli and Palestinian actions. <br />
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<a href="http://www.capwiz.com/elca/issues/alert/?alertid=64038811" target="_blank">Call on Congress and the president</a> to:<br />
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•Refrain from punishing the Palestinians for joining international treaties and conventions and placing themselves and the conflict under the scrutiny of international law.<br />
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•Urge Israel to release tax revenues belonging to the Palestinians. <br />
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<strong>Palestine for Tourists</strong><br />
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Dee Poujade writes: "I recently found myself engaged in an e-mail conversation with the editor of a travel magazine (which, for the present, shall remain nameless!) about whether Palestine is a “travel destination” worthy of listing in his magazine. Without going into the historical and political background that he and I have been discussing, I thought it might be interesting to share some of the reasons that I gave him as to why Palestine should be included in the “list of destinations” that his publication lists on its website and, more importantly, to address reasons that one should consider Palestine as a tourist destination." <a href="http://deeswalkthroughthevalley.blogspot.com/2015/01/palestine-for-tourists.html?spref=fb" target="_blank">See her wonderful blog post here</a>, and I urge you to explore Dee's other good posts at her blog: <a href="http://deeswalkthroughthevalley.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Walk Through the Valley</a>. Dee served as an ecumenical accompanier in Tulkarm in the occupied West Bank. <br />
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<strong>Prayer Vigil</strong><br />
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On this day, we will pray again with and for our sisters and brothers in Palestine and Israel who have called for an ecumenical prayer vigil across the globe on the 24th of every month. Let's find ways that we can use these prayers in our own congregations and organizations in the month to come.<br />
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ACT Palestine Forum<br /><a href="http://actpalestineforum.org/vigil/" target="_blank">Prayer Vigil for Peace in the Middle East</a><br />
24th of every month<br />
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Prayer Petitions for Justice in Accordance with International Law<br />
Saturday, 24 January 2015<br />
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On this day, we will pray again with and for our sisters and brothers in Palestine and Israel who have called for an ecumenical prayer vigil across the globe on the 24th of every month. <br />
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Our prayers this month focus on the promotion and protection of human rights and the importance of non-violent means of pursuing justice in accordance with international law. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Presbyterian Church (USA), among others in the U.S. and elsewhere are encouraging their governments not to punish the Palestinian move to join the International Criminal Court (ICC) by withholding financial support. <br />
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During the month of February 2015, the ACT Palestine Forum will focus its awareness-building and advocacy efforts on seeking justice in accordance with international law. As we move into a new year, we will continue to pray for Israelis and Palestinians and advocate for non-violent means of pursuing justice. We invite you to prepare and send prayer petitions, which will be shared during the APF prayer vigil for the 24th of February. <br />
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APF encourages its friends and partners to <a href="http://actpalestineforum.org/" target="_blank">visit the APF website</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/ACT-Palestine-Forum-APF/305006269609500?fref=nf" target="_blank">APF Facebook page</a> often to find and also contribute updates, photos, stories, advocacy ideas and special prayers.<br />
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PRAYERS<br />
For peace in the church, among nations, in our homes, and in our hearts, let us pray to the Lord. <em>Lord, have mercy</em>.<br />
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For those whose lives have been torn apart by conflict in Palestine and Israel, we remember those who have died, those who are grieving, and those who have been injured. We remember this day especially those with limited access to food, shelter, electricity, heating fuel, and medical supplies in Gaza. Let us pray to the Lord. <em>Lord, have mercy.</em><br />
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For those who work for peace, justice, healing, and protection under the law, and for those who promote respect for the rule of law and for one another as created equally in God’s image, let us pray to the Lord. <em>Lord, have mercy</em>. <br />
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For Palestinians and Israelis, let their eyes and the eyes of the world be opened to see that the security and freedom of one people is dependent on the security and freedom of the other. Let us pray to the Lord. <em>Lord, have mercy</em>.<br />
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For leaders, politicians and elected officials, may they realize that the security and peace we all long for will not come through violence and the force of arms. Strengthen those who tirelessly seek truth and reconciliation and empower those who embrace non-violent means of pursuing justice in accordance with international law. Let us pray to the Lord. <em>Lord, have mercy</em>. <br />
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For judges, juries, human rights workers and lawyers, guard them from retribution and from corruption. Give them the spirit of wisdom so that they may perceive the truth and administer the law impartially as instruments of your divine will. Let us pray to the Lord. <em>Lord, have mercy</em>.<br />
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May your holy and life-giving Spirit move every human heart, may the barriers that divide us crumble, suspicions disappear, and all oppression cease. Let us pray to the Lord. <em>Lord, have mercy</em>. <br />
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For freedom from hatred, bitterness, and the denial of fundamental rights, fill us with love, truth, and justice, so that we can recognize and respect the dignity and the rights of all people. Let us pray to the Lord. <em>Lord, have mercy</em>.<br />
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God of all, with wonderful diversity of languages and cultures you created all people in your image. Free us from prejudice and fear, that we may see your face in the faces of people next door and around the world. Let us pray to the Lord. <em>Lord, have mercy</em>. <br />
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O God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, and through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. <em>Amen</em>.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Perpetua","serif"; font-size: 16pt;">To
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<br />Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419233595252822620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330798253360977890.post-37577941830973685762014-09-09T09:10:00.000-07:002014-09-09T09:10:16.132-07:00World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel 2014<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This message from the John Calhoun and Ranjan Solomon of the Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum (PIEF) of the World Council of Churches.</span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Greetings and peace to you all. During 21-27 September 2014, congregations, community groups, and individuals committed to justice and human rights are invited to participate in World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel (WWPPI).</span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This year, the theme of the World Week is “Let my people go” (Exodus 9:1). In response to the request of church leaders and laity in Palestine, the World Week international working group has chosen to focus attention in 2014 on the critical issue of political prisoners incarcerated in Israeli jails: Palestinians imprisoned in Israel, the occupied Palestinian territories, and annexed East Jerusalem; administrative detainees; child prisoners; prisoners suffering harsh conditions; and Israeli conscientious objectors. <br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Over the last months, the World Week working group, along with partners worldwide, have been preparing resources for use in worship services, educational forums, and other events during the Week. These resources include:<br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">•The <a href="http://pief.oikoumene.org/en/world-week-for-peace/the-jerusalem-prayer" target="_blank">Jerusalem Prayer</a> from Palestinian Christian church leaders in Jerusalem</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">•The worship liturgy <a href="http://pief.oikoumene.org/en/world-week-for-peace/invitation-to-participate/Liturgy2014.pdf" target="_blank">"Let My People Go,"</a> written by Palestinian Christian laity and clergy for Sunday 21 September<br />•A <a href="http://pief.oikoumene.org/en/world-week-for-peace/invitation-to-participate/finalE_Book1.pdf" target="_blank">booklet guide for observing WWPPI 2014</a>, created by our international working group and Palestinian partners, with information, theological reflections, and advocacy suggestions for each day of the Week</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">•A dossier entitled, <a href="https://pief.oikoumene.org/en/world-week-for-peace/PalestinianPrisoners_.pdf" target="_blank">"Palestinian Prisoners: A Question of Conscience,"</a> focusing on the issue of prisoners held by the Israeli occupation forces, authored by human rights' and prisoners' organizations in Palestine and Israel; the dossier is a remarkable collection of statistics, analysis, and personal stories that should serve as a valuable resource for advocacy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">•An online petition that will be circulated for signature in the days leading up to the World Week. <br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These and other resources can be found on the Resources page of the World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel website, at </span><a href="http://pief.oikoumene.org/en/world-week-for-peace/resources"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://pief.oikoumene.org/en/world-week-for-peace/resources</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />Please continue to refer to this site for additional updates through the end of the Week.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />Lastly, I invite you to email us a description of the WWPPI events that you may be planning, or in which you will participate. We are compiling a database of information regarding activities taking place during the Week, and would like to add your activities to our list.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />Many thanks for your participation in World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel 2014.</span><br />
<br /><a href="http://pief.oikoumene.org/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://pief.oikoumene.org</span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/335983429786866/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">www.facebook.com/groups/335983429786866/</span></a><br />
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<br />Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419233595252822620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330798253360977890.post-70228525802802730572014-08-05T12:17:00.000-07:002014-08-06T20:51:59.542-07:00Dina and Medical Staff in Gaza - Day Four<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dina Nasser is a Registered Nurse now working in Gaza with a medical team from </span><a href="http://lwfjerusalem.org/projects/avh/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Augusta Victoria Hospital</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> in Jerusalem (</span><a href="http://lwfjerusalem.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lutheran World Federation</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">). She is the daughter of my friend <a href="http://reflectionsfrompalestine.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Samia Khoury.</a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From Gaza</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dina Nasser</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">August 5, 2014</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today was day four in Gaza . The first two days were like limbo. We felt we were in Gaza but not yet feeling what was happening around. We live in the hospital compound: eat in the compound, work in the compound, sleep in the compound. We see the injured, hear the ambulances, see the bodies and people strewn around everywhere - still it does not sink in. Yesterday evening things started to get real when I saw a child sleeping with his father in the open air on a piece of cardboard. He was there in the morning, there in the evening, and again this morning and this evening. I wonder where is his mother, where is his family? The stories one hears about entire families being annihilated, completely erased from the national registers of citizenship makes your hair stand on end! But still, it does not sink in. Perhaps because I am in the operation room and used to seeing people injured. Then reality hits when the shelling in Jabalia starts. At ten in the evening we receive a lady in her sixties. She is full of dust, full of earth and full of holes throughout her body. Head lacerated, thighs lacerated, leg crushed. I think of where she could have been sitting, what were her thoughts when the shell hit… I thought of mom, I thought of all the older women I know.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When the bombing started this morning, it was children. Our first patient was a little boy around six years old. He had massive lacerations to his groin, abdomen, face and head. He had burns all over his body as well. We were able to manage him in the theatre. I wait to see how he is doing. Then comes Haneen. She is an eight year old; my colleague from the emergency room, Dr. Haytham informed me that a child is coming up with her hand hanging on her side. I went up to Haneen who was waiting calmly in the holding bay. Her eyes were closed. She had a bandage across her head; her eyes were closed because of the swelling from the oedema and the burns to her face. I approached her and held her, and greeted her, and informed her of my name. I held her little hand on the injured side. I told her that I will be with her - she held my fingers. She informed me that her hand hurts. I told her that it was injured and that we will try and fix it. She then asked me about her father and two sisters. I told her that her father was waiting for her. I could not tell her that her sister had died. I still could not tell her that later that evening, her other sister was brought in dead from under the rubble…they were both less than four years old.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I saw Haneen in the ICU later. She was awake and extubated. I greeted her and told her that I was Dina. One eye was now open. She asked me if I had a daughter, I said yes. She asked me what is her name. I said Haya. She said that is a pretty name.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was a tough day that ended with hopeful news. The plane up above, called <em>zanana</em> (drone) keeps buzzing all around. My colleagues from Augusta Victoria Hospital in Jerusalem arrived today with supplies. I felt proud to greet them. The Hospital had done an excellent job sending supplies and individual packs to each of us. They were greeted and their support appreciated. Being there is all that matters. On a personal level, I feel responsible for a big group now. It is very nice to have Dr. Haytham here; he is a wonderful professional colleague. My other colleagues are in Nasser Hospital in Rafah (South of Gaza), treating the injured and witnessing the toll of martyrs. One other colleague is at Al Aqsa Hospital working in surgery. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The smell of blood and death is around the young and the old. Each day we are greeted with the car coming to take the martyrs. Our room is close to the mortuary. You look at the faces of people here - they are all stunned. A nurse on duty looks deeply sad - her son comes with her to work. My friend Bassam from Gaza came to visit me and brought me a lot of goodies to eat. I distributed them among our team and colleagues. I was worried when I looked into his eyes and saw how red they were. The strain on his face was apparent. His son had a close call, and his nephew has ben injured. They are children. They were playing in the street and had just stepped into the house….</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The nursing director had to take a deep breath as he recalled all the children that he had seen. We will need time to heal she said, the pain will take time. The stories are overwhelming and the loss has not yet stopped.</span><br />
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<br />Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419233595252822620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330798253360977890.post-31547422848502628932014-06-03T11:08:00.000-07:002014-06-03T11:08:10.425-07:00Israeli occupation grinds on, but Palestinians find unity<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Abbas swears in Palestinian unity government</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday swore in a Palestinian unity government, taking a major step toward ending a crippling territorial and political split among the Palestinians but also setting the stage for new friction with Israel.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The brief ceremony at Abbas’ West Bank headquarters was preceded by last-minute haggling over the makeup of the 17-member Cabinet of technocrats, signaling the continued tensions between the long-time rivals. </span><a href="http://time.com/2808634/abbas-swears-in-palestinian-unity-government/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Read the full article here</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>ELCA Peace Not Walls blog: “Peace Process” or not, Israeli Occupation Grinds On</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">During the past two weeks, two events have caught the attention of the international community: the shooting deaths of two teenage protesters in Beitunia and the destruction of thousands of fruit trees on a farm south of Bethlehem. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Nasser family has endured years of harassment by Israeli authorities and set up a retreat center known as Tent of Nations. For Christians affiliated with Lutheran churches throughout the world, these two incidents were heaped on top of the financial crisis facing Augusta Victoria Hospital (AVH), an institution of the Lutheran World Federation on the Mt. of Olives providing Palestinians with regular cancer and dialysis care. </span><a href="http://blogs.elca.org/peacenotwalls/post/peace-process-or-not-israeli-occupation-grinds-on-28" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Read the full blog post here.</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong>Dancing in Bethlehem</strong><br />For many young girls, ballet class is just another in a long list of after-school activities. But for girls in the West Bank, learning ballet isn’t just about learning to dance. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Sarah Bolick had studied dance as an undergraduate before signing on as an ELCA young adult volunteer in the Holy Land. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Supported in part by the gifts of members and congregations to ELCA Vision for Mission, Sarah’s work included helping teach English to students in kindergarten through eighth grade at Dar Al-Kalima School in Bethlehem, one of four Lutheran schools run by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. While she loved interacting with the kids at the school, Sarah was also excited to be able to put her skills to use teaching dance in an after-school program -- something that is pretty rare in Palestine. <a href="http://www.elca.org/en/Living-Lutheran/Blogs/2012/12/~/link.aspx?_id=3AB8DEE436644D239174D4D93445C78C&_z=z#sthash.9EOw4FfP.dpuf" target="_blank">See more at Living Lutheran.</a> </span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Before Their Diaspora"</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Throughout the centuries of Arab and Muslim rule in Palestine, Jews had free access to the Wailing Wall. Access became an issue only after the 1948 War and the resultant Palestinian diaspora. </span><a href="http://btd.palestine-studies.org/content/praying-wailing-wall" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Jewish women praying at the Wailing Wall, Jerusalem"</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and other photos appear in <em>Before Their Diaspora, A photographic history of the Palestinians, 1876-1948, by Walid Khalidi.</em> See more photographs from <em><a href="http://btd.palestine-studies.org/" target="_blank">Before Their Diaspora</a></em>.</span><br />
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<br />Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419233595252822620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330798253360977890.post-21563154913805669592014-05-21T19:54:00.001-07:002014-05-21T19:54:48.344-07:00Israeli forces destroy 1,500 fruit trees at Tent of Nations near Bethlehem<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Word has reached me of the recent destruction of many, many fruit trees at the Tent of Nations, the Nassar family farm near Bethlehem. Our traveling group visited Daher Nassar at the Tent of Nations in February, and it was a highlight of our tour. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Friends of Tent of Nations North America has provided information and updates from the Nassar family and their legal team. They plan to post an update tonight with any actions requested. This is the published </span><a href="http://www.fotonna.org/newsletters/red-alert.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ALERT</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For background on the recent demolitions, see Ben White's article<br />"Israeli forces destroyed an estimated 1,500 fruit trees belonging to the Tent of Nations farm outside Nahalin village, in the Bethlehem region of the occupied West Bank yesterday morning.<br />"Owned by the Nassar family, the farm lies just below Neve Daniel, an Israeli settlement, located in “the Gush Etzion bloc”. The property has long been targeted by Israeli occupation authorities seeking to confiscate the land and remove an obstacle to settlement expansion.<br />"According to the family, soldiers arrived at their land early in the morning, and in a couple of hours uprooted some 1,500 apricot and apple trees, burying them under piles of soil." Read the full article at </span><a href="http://electronicintifada.net/blogs/ben-white/israeli-forces-destroy-1500-fruit-trees-near-bethlehem" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Electronic Intifada</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<a href="http://www.fotonna.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Friends of Tent of Nations</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> is preparing a comprehensive update which they will post on their website tonight. </span><a href="http://www.fotonna.org/articles.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Click here for that update</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.<br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/tentofnations" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tent of Nations Facebook</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> page has photos and timely updates. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The destruction at Tent of Nations comes in the context of Israeli policies of land confiscation and displacement in the West Bank, and the control of Palestinian agricultural production. For more information on the impact of these policies, IFPB recommends the following resources:<br />• <a href="http://www.ochaopt.org/reports.aspx?id=118" target="_blank">UN-OCHA Monthly Humanitarian Bulletins</a><br />• <a href="http://www.bdsmovement.net/2013/farming-injustice-briefing-10547" target="_blank">Farming Injustice briefing</a> from the BDS National Committee. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For more background, see this </span><a href="http://www.tentofnations.org/world-council-of-churches-report/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">World Council of Churches feature story</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. <br /><br /></span>--- --- --- <br /><br />T<span style="font-family: "Perpetua","serif"; font-size: 16pt;">o
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<br />Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419233595252822620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6330798253360977890.post-52978937144975191962014-04-24T06:52:00.000-07:002014-04-24T06:52:00.924-07:00A look back at Evangelicals' meeting at the checkpoint<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">People certainly got riled up over this year's Christ at the Checkpoint conference.</span></h4>
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<a href="http://www.christatthecheckpoint.com/index.php/blog/166-call-to-action-" target="_blank">Christ at the Checkpoint: Call to Action</a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Under the title "Your Kingdom Come" over six hundred followers of Christ representing more than twenty nationalities met at the third biennial "Christ at the Checkpoint" conference in Bethlehem from the 10th to the 14th of March 2014 to pray, worship, learn and discuss together the responsibility and role of the church in helping resolve the conflict and bringing peace, justice and equality to the Holy Land through following the teaching of Jesus on the Kingdom of God. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Participants were urged to sign on to the "</span><a href="http://www.christatthecheckpoint.com/index.php/about-us/manifesto" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Checkpoint Manifesto</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">." </span><br />
<a href="http://www.christatthecheckpoint.com/index.php/blog/166-call-to-action-" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Click to read the full Call to Action</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> The conference got the attention of Dale Coulter who wrote the article below for <em>First Things</em> magazine. <br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/firstthoughts/2014/04/evangelicals-judaism-and-israel" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why Evangelical Support for Israel is Waning</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> - and How it can Find a Firmer Foundation</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em> First Things</em> published this article this month. "The recent Christ at the Checkpoint Conference has a number of evangelical groups concerned about waning support for the nation of Israel among Evangelicals (see </span><a href="http://www.religionnews.com/2014/04/08/support-israel-waning-among-evangelicals/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Religion News Service</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and </span><a href="http://juicyecumenism.com/2014/04/09/in-bethlehem-the-wrong-kind-of-christian-festival/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Juicy Ecumenism</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">). David Brog of Christians United for Israel even wonders whether the end of evangelical support for Israel has come .</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> "While there is no doubt a push for greater recognition of Palestinian Christians among certain evangelical groups, a key issue that has yet to be addressed is the role of dispensationalism and its view of the End. When John Hagee, the founder of Christians United for Israel, is a prominent advocate of a rapture theology, one can be sure dispensationalism is in the background. There is a theological issue at stake in this debate, and Evangelicals who want greater support for Israel ignore it at their peril." </span><br />
<a href="http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/firstthoughts/2014/04/evangelicals-judaism-and-israel" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Read the full article here</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. <br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks to Kate Taber who wrote a very good piece on the same conference for <em>The Presbyterian Outlook:</em> </span><a href="http://pres-outlook.org/2014/03/evangelicals-ask-jesus-checkpoint/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Evangelicals ask, "What would Jesus do at the Checkpoint?"</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Kate writes: "Conference participants were also given a glimpse of what daily life is like for Palestinians under military occupation. They had the opportunity to visit the checkpoint between Bethlehem and Jerusalem, a fifteen-minute walk from the conference venue, where an estimated 2,500 Palestinian workers pass every day, many arriving in the middle of the night to take their place in line and await the 5 a.m. opening time in order to reach their jobs in Israel, often just a few miles away in Jerusalem. These workers are the coveted few who receive permits, and even they are not allowed to drive their cars to work, instead having to wait unpredictable lengths of time at the checkpoint while they risk losing their day jobs if they are late. Conference participants also toured East Jerusalem, annexed to Israel in 1967, and Hebron, occupied by Israel in 1967. In Jerusalem, participants learned how difficult it is to maintain Jerusalem residency as a Palestinian, as they face a severe lack of municipal services, the invasion of Israeli settlements in the middle of their neighborhoods, frequent child arrests, lack of building permits and ongoing home demolitions, the inability to be united with family members or spouses who do not have Jerusalem residency, and the continuous need to prove their center of life is in Jerusalem, from their taxes to school attendance to workplace. In Hebron, participants learned about the consequences local Palestinians face due to the Israeli settlement in the middle of the old city, restricting their travel, making their main business district a ghost town and subjecting both children and adults to harassment and physical attacks from ideological settlers. Participants were also invited to join in a Catholic mass that takes place weekly as a form of nonviolent protest against the threat posed by the Israeli separation barrier to divide the Cremisan monastery and its olive groves from the rest of West Bank town Beit Jala." Please read the </span><a href="http://pres-outlook.org/2014/03/evangelicals-ask-jesus-checkpoint/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">full article at this link</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. </span><br />
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<br />Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419233595252822620noreply@blogger.com0