Survival of Palestinian Christians in the Holy Land in Danger

Interesting video on the Palestinian Christians in the Holy Land-- how religious questions are becoming political. Between Israeli settlements and a growing Muslim majority, the numbers of Palestinian Christians in the Holy land are diminishing. This video caused some controversy-- some people taking this as a direct attack on Israel rather than focusing on the real issue. It seems like any time there is a disagreement, they like to throw out the word "anti-semitism" to try and discredit the source.

My trip to Jerusalem- The Holy Church of the Sepulchre 

"The West Bank is becoming more and more like a piece of Swiss cheese, where Israel gets the cheese, that is the land, the water sources, the arch sites, and the Palestinians are pushed in the holes behind the walls."

The residents describe Bethlehem as an open air prison. - Palestinian Christian, whose home is surrounded by three sides of the Wall. Read my post on Bethlehem here.

Getting to Jerusalem, 7 miles away, can take hours to get through the checkpoints, IF you have a permit to get through. (It's true, this is the case for most travel in the West Bank, what should take very little time to get from one place to another is dragged out by checkpoints that could take you from 10 minutes to 3 hours to get through).

A Palestinian Christian ensures that their population is NOT leaving because of Islamic duress or persecution, and anyone trying to say that is just trying to sell the American public (8:45).

There were calls for peaceful resistance to military occupation (Kairos document) that were ignored and referred to as so inflammatory, they didn't even bother responding to it.

"Israel is not persecuting Christians as Christians, Christians suffer as a result of the overall tragic situation, and of course, this has consequences for everyone." - in response to the question about how mistreating Christians could look bad to Americans, who are overwhelmingly Christian (10:30)

The Ambassador of the State of Israel comes in the end, in anger that CBS would put up such  'hatchet up' interview, before it even aired. His desire to suppress freedom of speech is off-putting.

To end with some comic relief:

"Bob, i'm the ambassador of the State of Israel ... it's an extraordinary move for me to complain about something."

olive trees don't take sides

Gnarly branches of olive trees extend their crooked hands out

to the world, 

bowing 

their leaves to the ground as if 

begging 

for another year to grow and to live and to bear their fruit 

so when pressed, 

are poured into empty Pepsi bottles and sold onto the streets,

to feed families, to feed a country hungry for freedom. 

Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem

(Dome of the Rock)

                                 My

                             forehead

                  touches the ground and I

           am lifted. Serene, the quiet energy

    smoothes out any worries. My prayers rise

  through the stained glass windows, reflecting

       a soft glow-- The sun flirts through the

       arches             warming deep red rugs

       stretching vastly        corner to corner,

       illuminating the        hopeful whispers

       of patient worshippers.  Allahu Akbar.

Israeli Apartheid Week: Call It As It Is

Uploaded by neverbeforecampaign on Feb 2, 2012:
Video explanation (by neverbeforecampaign):
"Calling the Israeli regime as one of apartheid is not rhetoric, nor is it an exaggeration or a propaganda tool. This is the reality in modern day Palestine, where the Israeli regime is based on discrimination, through laws, practices, education and most aspects of life. This apartheid regime is not only imposed on the people in Palestine, but also on millions of Palestinian refugees denied their right to return home because they are of the wrong religion.

As awareness across the world continues to increase regarding the Israeli Apartheid regime in Palestine, each effort in this aspect would help accelerate the conclusion of this shameful page in history. And as this awareness rises, campaigns to boycott, divest and sanction this regime provide a very effective and natural response. The world witnessed a similar response transpire and bear fruit in the case of South Africa, and there are very good reasons to believe that it will do the same in the case of Palestine."

Update: This informative article gives further understanding:

Barghouti to U.S. Jews: I know you don’t like the word apartheid, but what do you call a system that gives a settler 50 times more water than a Palestinian?

Christians Provide Free Labor to Jewish Settlements

I stumbled upon this article (Christians Provide Free Labor On Jewish Settlements) on NPR that brought up intense feelings and a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach, similar to the one that washes over me whenever I passed by a settlement in the West Bank. The beautiful land, the mountains, and the olive trees dotting the terrain that is marred by theft and large identical housing that doesn't quite belong.

This quote towards the bottom of the article doesn't represent everyone, but was ignorant nonetheless:

When asked why she doesn't hire Palestinians, who account for the vast majority of those living in the West Bank, she says: "We believe that a lot of them are our enemies and we don't want to give them work. We prefer to give work to our friends and our neighbors and that's what we are doing."- Ben Sadon, who helps run the winery. 

While I understand the issue is complex (and if there's anything to be reinforced, it's that not everyone is to be blamed), to have an already marginalized group be generalized as "enemies" only furthers the hatred that roots part of the conflict. And to disguise this all under the umbrella of religious prophecy is paradoxical to the love and generosity embraced and taught by none other than Jesus himself.

Article excerpts:

"The problem is that the world doesn't recognize this West Bank settlement or any other as part of Israel. The Palestinians and most of the international community view the Jewish settlements in the West Bank as illegal.

Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast War and has established settlements throughout the territory, which the Palestinians are seeking for part of a future state. The settlements are one of the most contentious issues between the Israelis and Palestinians, and have been a major obstacle in attempts to restart peace negotiations."

Most of the world don't recognize these settlements as legal, why don't these Americans? Small group or not, this highlights the unfairness of the issue causes great unease. Here is some more information and maps to show the magnitude of this issue:

links to old post/pics/videos
Example of Settler Violence towards Palestinians
Settlers/Settlements in Hebron

Click on this link to be able to zoom in and see the Key

project hope promo

Filmmaker Catarina Oliveira visited Project Hope in Nablus and gave us the gift of this documentary short about the organization and its work. Great way to learn about Project Hope and get a sneak peak of life in Nablus!

last week in palestine

When leaving a place, it's like seeing it with new eyes, though I still think every day I find something new to appreciate about Nablus and Palestine. The past few days especially, we've had a break in the cold weather and the sun has been shining on top of blue skies. When you've been holed up inside in warm clothes under blankets, it makes the warmth of the sun all that more special (and perhaps cliche). But It's such an incredible feeling to walk through the city, actually run into people I know, NOT get lost, and feel at home. There's a familiar place on every corner-- my favorite place to grab a cup of Arabic coffee, a falafal sandwich, buy fruits and veg, and of course, candy and sweets. I've learned to navigate the taxis-- as in, not get hit by them as they drive by, and the little trick of putting my hand out in a "wait one second as I cut in front of you, thank you" sign. 

I've learned that I can leave my comfort zone for three months, be away from my family and friends, and still find comfort (thanks to the amazing support I'm receiving). I can now bound up hills and nasty sets of stairs and... still pant heavily when I get to the top. Some things don't change. I am more appreciate of how lucky I've been in the lottery of life. Despite living with less as a volunteer, I am conscious that I am extremely blessed. Taking two minute cold showers every now and eating less meat then usual doesn't really qualify as roughing it. With that said, I find that living more simply is refreshing in many ways. You buy only what you need and what you can eat that week. You spend less on things, and spend more time with family, friends, or a visit to somewhere new.

I've learned that you: Must always stock up on coffee and tea, not just for yourself, but in case visitors pop in; Never say no to a conversation over tea (not that you have a choice anyway);Talk as much Arabic as possible, even if means saying awkward things or having them quickly identify you as a foreigner.; Forgive yourself when your lesson plan (or.. your lack of lesson plan) didn't go as well as you wished it would; and lastly, reflect on everything while you have the opportunity to do so from another vantage point. I've found these reflections to be everything from confusing and stressful to pleasantly surprising. It sometimes felt like going through another overhaul of self, just when I thought I had settled in comfortable to "who I was." I've been lucky to be surrounded by friends/volunteers who can relate and have been so supportive.

The relationships I have developed here with not just the volunteers, but with the locals makes it all that more difficult to leave. The people are so kind, generous, hospitable, while at the same time, tough. Tough because they've had to be, because what they have seen, heard, and experienced. Being let in to their lives is an honor. I am in constant disbelief at how they are treated so lowly, with so little respect by their "neighbors" and media. They have it all wrong and it is a downright shame. There is so much beauty in Palestine that is marred by the occupation. Despite this, some people still shine. They don't give up. You see the ones that do feel defeat, and even they continue to work and live to survive. And they would be the ones to give you the shirt off their back if they thought you weren't dressed warmly enough. 

When people ask me where I'm from, I usually say "I'm nos-nos (half-half)." But I'm not sure if that's an accurate label, or if I want a label at all. But I do have to say, I relish a lot of my "Arabness," especially when it comes to food :). But in all seriousness, there are several aspects of the culture here that I hope to keep with me proudly. And I know that my work here is not done, the second part is continuing to shed light on the occupation.

My journey from here will continue. I have officially decided to go to Jordon in the first week of January or so to take an Arabic Language course. While I feel I have improved, I don't yet feel fluent and want to take full advantage of the momentum I have. It is crazy to think that today was the day I was supposed to be flying home. It's a beautiful day in Nablus, I have the windows in the house flung open, and I feel overwhelmingly grateful for life, Alhamdulallah.

Thank you for being on this journey with me and all the support you have given. It means to me more than you will ever know. Inshallah, I will continue to blog as much as possible! X

I'll leave you with some pictures!

happy as a clam inside a beautiful tree. 

absolutely my favorite time of day-- just before the sunsets. here i had a nice view from the rooftop of an old castle.