Saturday 15 March 2014
Poorly today
I have a tummy upset today and am feeling poorly, so I have sat on the sofa all day. I wrote up some of my notes, but it was a struggle. Going to have an early night and hope to be recovered tomorrow.
Meeting a Settler
In the advocacy session yesterday morning, I gave some thought to any areas that I needed to research further. I have not spent much time hearing the Jewish perspective. I wondered how I might meet some Jews.
As I left the Bible College, I walked alongside a man, who I assumed was attending the hotel. In the course of our conversation, he revealed that he was a Jewish Settler, from Gush Etzion. He gave me his name and invited me to visit next week.
I related this to some of the Palestinians at the conference and they were concerned, as Jewish Israelis are not allowed to come into the West Bank. They questioned the motives of this person. I will try to arrange a visit next week and will try to understand more about him and hear his story.
As I left the Bible College, I walked alongside a man, who I assumed was attending the hotel. In the course of our conversation, he revealed that he was a Jewish Settler, from Gush Etzion. He gave me his name and invited me to visit next week.
I related this to some of the Palestinians at the conference and they were concerned, as Jewish Israelis are not allowed to come into the West Bank. They questioned the motives of this person. I will try to arrange a visit next week and will try to understand more about him and hear his story.
Friday 14 March 2014
Final day of the Conference
I bought this Bethlehem crib, with the Wise Men unable to come to the crib because of the Wall.
In the afternoon, everyone at the conference went to Cremisan to join the weekly Mass on the hillside. The farmers were grateful for the past three days of torrential rain, but it made the ground very muddy.
It has been a good experience, but I am glad that I have another two weeks to think about advocacy and prepare to come home.
Thursday 13 March 2014
From the Conference - South African viewpoint
Moss Ntlha is an Evangelical Christian pastor in South Africa. He understood the importance of the return of the Jews to Israel for the Jews and for Christian Zionists. From South Africa, he observed Israel and considered that it had been blessed by its military victories. He was pleased to support his Jewish friends by planting trees in the new Israel.
Then he saw a picture of a young person throwing a stone at a military vehicle. He identified with the young person, because he used to throw stones during the South African Apartheid.
Then he discovered that the areas where the trees had been planted was a Palestinian village, and the tree planting was part of a plan to remove all trace of the village. He visited the area and was told the full story of what happened - he realised that there was a blacker side of the story and he wanted to uproot the tree. He returned to South Africa and asked his Jewish friends whether they knew the real reason behind the tree planting. They said that they did not know about the village and he believes them.
He said that the conflict in Palestine seems to have something in common with the Apartheid in South Africa. His Jewish friends asked him if this was apartheid - he said to them "Who do you think has more credibility to judge whether this is apartheid - you or me?"
Governments were slow to stop apartheid in South Africa. It was ordinary people who started taking action and Governments finally came on board. So it is with Israel. It will be people of the world, and Christians bear a special responsibility, who will finally bring about change. It is not complicated. When something is wrong, you should speak out for change.
Then he saw a picture of a young person throwing a stone at a military vehicle. He identified with the young person, because he used to throw stones during the South African Apartheid.
Then he discovered that the areas where the trees had been planted was a Palestinian village, and the tree planting was part of a plan to remove all trace of the village. He visited the area and was told the full story of what happened - he realised that there was a blacker side of the story and he wanted to uproot the tree. He returned to South Africa and asked his Jewish friends whether they knew the real reason behind the tree planting. They said that they did not know about the village and he believes them.
He said that the conflict in Palestine seems to have something in common with the Apartheid in South Africa. His Jewish friends asked him if this was apartheid - he said to them "Who do you think has more credibility to judge whether this is apartheid - you or me?"
Governments were slow to stop apartheid in South Africa. It was ordinary people who started taking action and Governments finally came on board. So it is with Israel. It will be people of the world, and Christians bear a special responsibility, who will finally bring about change. It is not complicated. When something is wrong, you should speak out for change.
From the Conference - the Messianic Jew
This morning we heard from Oded Shoshani, a Messianic Jew. Oded reminded us about the text in Ezekiel 36.24-32:-
Oded gave us a Jewish perspective about the conflict. Palestinians were offered a 2-state solution and did not accept it. At the end of the Mandate, the Arabs joined together to attack Israel. Again in 1967, the Arabs attacked Israel. In the period 2000-2005, 1,200 Israelis were killed by Palestinian terrorists, following the construction of the wall, killings have been almost completely stopped. This is the justification for keeping the wall.
Other things we have heard this week help to explain the level of fear felt by the Jews. As described eloquently in David Cameron's speech to the Knesset yesterday, one legacy of the Holocaust is that every Jew is told and expected to remember the story, and remember that the world deserted them in their hour of need. They are taught that all Jews must defend the State against those who would destroy them. They believe that there are many thousands of missiles aimed at Israel, with a view to destroying it. If they opted for a single state, they fear that the Jews would soon be overwhelmed by the Arabs through demographics (especially with the possibility that over a million Palestinians would take up the right of return, if offered).
I will take you from the nations, and gather you from all the countries, and bring you into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my spirit within you, and make you follow my statutes and be careful to observe my ordinances. Then you shall live in the land that I gave to your ancestors; and you shall be my people, and I will be your God. I will save you from all your uncleannesses, and I will summon the grain and make it abundant and lay no famine upon you. I will make the fruit of the tree and the produce of the field abundant, so that you may never again suffer the disgrace of famine among the nations. Then you shall remember your evil ways, and your dealings that were not good; and you shall loathe yourselves for your iniquities and your abominable deeds. It is not for your sake that I will act, says the Lord God; let that be known to you. Be ashamed and dismayed for your ways, O house of Israel.This is the basis of the belief by the Jews that God has "brought them into their own land", not through their own merit, but with the aim that Israel would "remember its evil ways". For Messianic Jews, the purpose was for Jews to recognise the Messiah.
Oded gave us a Jewish perspective about the conflict. Palestinians were offered a 2-state solution and did not accept it. At the end of the Mandate, the Arabs joined together to attack Israel. Again in 1967, the Arabs attacked Israel. In the period 2000-2005, 1,200 Israelis were killed by Palestinian terrorists, following the construction of the wall, killings have been almost completely stopped. This is the justification for keeping the wall.
Other things we have heard this week help to explain the level of fear felt by the Jews. As described eloquently in David Cameron's speech to the Knesset yesterday, one legacy of the Holocaust is that every Jew is told and expected to remember the story, and remember that the world deserted them in their hour of need. They are taught that all Jews must defend the State against those who would destroy them. They believe that there are many thousands of missiles aimed at Israel, with a view to destroying it. If they opted for a single state, they fear that the Jews would soon be overwhelmed by the Arabs through demographics (especially with the possibility that over a million Palestinians would take up the right of return, if offered).
When we recently visited a synagogue at home, I was surprised that it was surrounded by steel fence and locked gates. I was told at the Conference yesterday that this is common in the UK. Then today I have read about a vicious attack on a synagogue in the UK. The reason for this is not known; some say it is a Muslim reaction to recent shootings of Palestinians by the IDF, while others say it was done by the extreme right. A spokesman for the UK Chief Rabbi said that this was the first event of its kind. However, these events all serve to heighten the Jewish fear that everyone hates them.
Initial thoughts on the "Christ at the Checkpoint"
We have been treated to some excellent speakers from a wide range of backgrounds, such as:-
- Christian zionists
- Palestinian Christians
- Israeli Christians
- Messianic Jews
- Coptic Church Bishop
- Theologians
- Perspectives from India and South Africa, Latin America and the Balkans
The organisers at the Bethlehem Bible College are to be congratulated on assembling such a range of speakers. I am pleased that they have been rewarded by seeing the Conference full to capacity.
As someone who has never been initiated into Zionist, or even Evangelical theology, I struggled to understand the issues at the beginning. But the wonderful Christian spirit which has pervaded the Conference has enabled me to listen to people discuss different views and I think I now understand the issues. For the most part, I hope that this greater understanding will enable me to appreciate (and even aspire to love) people who hold different views. I judge that this blog is not the appropriate place to go into more detail (at least that is what Tracy has told me!)
I have also enjoyed meeting some wonderful people during the Conference.
The torrential rain continues and I got soaked for the second time at lunchtime today. I decided not to go on the tour to East Jerusalem as it is cold and very wet.
The final set of presentations will be this evening and then we have a workshop on a chosen topic tomorrow. I have elected to go to "How to speak on behalf of the Palestinian Church" with Sami Awad and Anne Clayton (Friends of Sabeel UK). Looking forward to that.
Today I also purchased "The stones cry out", a dvd which tells the story of the Palestinian Christians.
- Christian zionists
- Palestinian Christians
- Israeli Christians
- Messianic Jews
- Coptic Church Bishop
- Theologians
- Perspectives from India and South Africa, Latin America and the Balkans
The organisers at the Bethlehem Bible College are to be congratulated on assembling such a range of speakers. I am pleased that they have been rewarded by seeing the Conference full to capacity.
As someone who has never been initiated into Zionist, or even Evangelical theology, I struggled to understand the issues at the beginning. But the wonderful Christian spirit which has pervaded the Conference has enabled me to listen to people discuss different views and I think I now understand the issues. For the most part, I hope that this greater understanding will enable me to appreciate (and even aspire to love) people who hold different views. I judge that this blog is not the appropriate place to go into more detail (at least that is what Tracy has told me!)
I have also enjoyed meeting some wonderful people during the Conference.
The torrential rain continues and I got soaked for the second time at lunchtime today. I decided not to go on the tour to East Jerusalem as it is cold and very wet.
The final set of presentations will be this evening and then we have a workshop on a chosen topic tomorrow. I have elected to go to "How to speak on behalf of the Palestinian Church" with Sami Awad and Anne Clayton (Friends of Sabeel UK). Looking forward to that.
Today I also purchased "The stones cry out", a dvd which tells the story of the Palestinian Christians.
Israel's claim to be a democratic state
The strong claim of Israel to be a democratic state, and David Cameron's endorsement of this yesterday - " a beacon of democracy to the region" does not sit comfortably with me.
Obviously not with Avigail Abarbanel in Mondoweiss on February 3rd either. Avigail was born and raised in Israel. She said:
"Many, if not most Israeli Jews still believe, incredibly, that their country is a democracy like any other Western democracy, with real freedom of opinion and expression.
All formal Israeli state institutions, and the education system in particular, have always been staunchly Zionist and have always taught and promoted one view of history. They all uniformly work for the state, whether they are public or independent... Schools carefully avoid exposing their students to views that challenge the official narrative, thus successfully averting any danger of real debate on the nature of the state and its history, the history and nature of Zionism and Israel’s settler-colonialist relationship with the Palestinian people. As a result, the vast majority of students do not even know when something might be controversial and might warrant questioning.
The idea that the Zionist movement had every right to colonise and settle historic Palestine to create a Jewish safe haven, while displacing and ethnically cleansing the indigenous population, is never questioned or debated. In fact, the word ‘colonise’ is not part of the narrative at all. The accepted consensus on all sides of mainstream Jewish Israeli politics is fundamentally that the Zionist movement, and later the state of Israel, have been doing what is necessary to ensure the survival of the Jewish people; indeed that the existential need for an exclusively Jewish state overrides all other considerations. Left or Right, Zionism itself is never questioned.
We learn to question a dominant narrative and think critically when we realise there are alternatives. Israeli schools might be teaching students to think critically in some areas, but they have no intention of teaching students to question the state narrative about Israel’s history. Alternative versions of history are just not offered for consideration.
Israel prides itself on its democracy and its freedom of opinion and expression. But this freedom exists only within a well-defined boundary. There is an invisible but clear line that everyone there instinctively knows not to cross. Beyond this line lies a taboo...
The Israeli education system has always been perfectly aligned with the goals and aims of the state... I attended high school at ORT Yad Singalovsky in Yad-Eliyahu near Tel Aviv from 1978 to 1982. It was a great school and I loved it, but we were taught the standard Zionist version of history. When you live in a bubble like I did, you have no idea that there is anything to question. As hard as it is for others to understand sometimes, the way I was raised in ‘downtown’ working-class Israel, I had no exposure to alternative viewpoints and had no idea they were even there. I am sure that the courageous minority of high school graduates who end up as conscientious objectors learn about alternative views mostly outside the school system, through informal channels and personal experience."
Maybe Cameron is justified to praise Israel when compared with the serious issues regarding democracy being faced in neighbouring states. As Netanyahu says, one of the obstacles to peace, is the refusal of the Palestinians to accept Israel as a Jewish State. But evidently, making everything dependent on accepting Israel as a Jewish State raises concerns among the Palestinians that discrimination can then be legitimately exercised on the grounds of being non-Jewish without the possibility of challenge.
The final part of the Balfour Declaration, i.e. 'it being clearly understood that nothing should be done which might prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine..." cannot be said to have been implemented, and this would not be any easier within a "Jewish" State. Of course, in any democracy, the majority sets rules which may affect groups of citizens in different ways. However, defining the ethnic or religious nature of the state seems to fly in the face of human rights and democracy.
Obviously not with Avigail Abarbanel in Mondoweiss on February 3rd either. Avigail was born and raised in Israel. She said:
"Many, if not most Israeli Jews still believe, incredibly, that their country is a democracy like any other Western democracy, with real freedom of opinion and expression.
All formal Israeli state institutions, and the education system in particular, have always been staunchly Zionist and have always taught and promoted one view of history. They all uniformly work for the state, whether they are public or independent... Schools carefully avoid exposing their students to views that challenge the official narrative, thus successfully averting any danger of real debate on the nature of the state and its history, the history and nature of Zionism and Israel’s settler-colonialist relationship with the Palestinian people. As a result, the vast majority of students do not even know when something might be controversial and might warrant questioning.
The idea that the Zionist movement had every right to colonise and settle historic Palestine to create a Jewish safe haven, while displacing and ethnically cleansing the indigenous population, is never questioned or debated. In fact, the word ‘colonise’ is not part of the narrative at all. The accepted consensus on all sides of mainstream Jewish Israeli politics is fundamentally that the Zionist movement, and later the state of Israel, have been doing what is necessary to ensure the survival of the Jewish people; indeed that the existential need for an exclusively Jewish state overrides all other considerations. Left or Right, Zionism itself is never questioned.
We learn to question a dominant narrative and think critically when we realise there are alternatives. Israeli schools might be teaching students to think critically in some areas, but they have no intention of teaching students to question the state narrative about Israel’s history. Alternative versions of history are just not offered for consideration.
Israel prides itself on its democracy and its freedom of opinion and expression. But this freedom exists only within a well-defined boundary. There is an invisible but clear line that everyone there instinctively knows not to cross. Beyond this line lies a taboo...
The Israeli education system has always been perfectly aligned with the goals and aims of the state... I attended high school at ORT Yad Singalovsky in Yad-Eliyahu near Tel Aviv from 1978 to 1982. It was a great school and I loved it, but we were taught the standard Zionist version of history. When you live in a bubble like I did, you have no idea that there is anything to question. As hard as it is for others to understand sometimes, the way I was raised in ‘downtown’ working-class Israel, I had no exposure to alternative viewpoints and had no idea they were even there. I am sure that the courageous minority of high school graduates who end up as conscientious objectors learn about alternative views mostly outside the school system, through informal channels and personal experience."
Maybe Cameron is justified to praise Israel when compared with the serious issues regarding democracy being faced in neighbouring states. As Netanyahu says, one of the obstacles to peace, is the refusal of the Palestinians to accept Israel as a Jewish State. But evidently, making everything dependent on accepting Israel as a Jewish State raises concerns among the Palestinians that discrimination can then be legitimately exercised on the grounds of being non-Jewish without the possibility of challenge.
The final part of the Balfour Declaration, i.e. 'it being clearly understood that nothing should be done which might prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine..." cannot be said to have been implemented, and this would not be any easier within a "Jewish" State. Of course, in any democracy, the majority sets rules which may affect groups of citizens in different ways. However, defining the ethnic or religious nature of the state seems to fly in the face of human rights and democracy.
David Cameron joins me
David Cameron called in to our hotel for a chat this morning, but I was busy, so he spoke to Mahmoud Abbas instead. Yesterday he addressed the Knesset and I have analysed his speech. He has made some useful statements on reaching peace.
Day 4 of the Conference
We have had several days of torrential rain - wonderful for the farmers and the land, as everything was getting very dry. However, this makes moving about more difficult. Last night there was four inches of rain flowing down my usual path through the camp. All the houses are close together and the water from the roofs drains straight into the street, so I had to navigate waterfalls from above and water gushing out of pipes in the wall.
This morning I went on a visit to the Checkpoint. The International Observers (EAPPI) have recorded 5777 people going through the checkpoint between 4am and 7am in the morning. Some people coming from the south have around 1.5 hours travelling to get to the Checkpoint. Wages in Israel are around 3 times those in Bethlehem, hence the reason why people put up with what seems to be intolerable treatment.
I overheard one person say this morning, "Before I came to this conference, I did not know what a Christian zionist was. I have discovered that I have two in my family!" For me also, this is a new experience and I have to think about the relevance for my role in advocacy. I hope to write about this next week when the conference has finished.
This morning I went on a visit to the Checkpoint. The International Observers (EAPPI) have recorded 5777 people going through the checkpoint between 4am and 7am in the morning. Some people coming from the south have around 1.5 hours travelling to get to the Checkpoint. Wages in Israel are around 3 times those in Bethlehem, hence the reason why people put up with what seems to be intolerable treatment.
I overheard one person say this morning, "Before I came to this conference, I did not know what a Christian zionist was. I have discovered that I have two in my family!" For me also, this is a new experience and I have to think about the relevance for my role in advocacy. I hope to write about this next week when the conference has finished.
Wednesday 12 March 2014
Day 3 of the Conference
I enjoyed listing to Alex Awad and Mitri Raheb. I have asked to Alex's presentation so that I can take more time studying it.
Today the afternoon was free, so I have had some time to try to make sense of all the ideas.
Today the afternoon was free, so I have had some time to try to make sense of all the ideas.
I have purchased a book written by Mitri Raheb about all the various "Empires" who have rules Palestine from the earliest times, including the British during the Mandate.
I am excited today because I have received a letter from our MP, Phillip Lee. He has gone to some trouble and I am grateful that he took the trouble to write. No news from William Hague or Barack Obama yet.
Tomorrow I have signed up to go to the checkpoint at 6am, to see what it is like, so really early start.
Day 2 of the conference
Apologies if you have opened the blog to catch up on my attendance at the conference and found nothing there yet. Tuesday was a very long day - it started at 8:40am and finished at 11pm. The subject matter is complex and I need to think quite hard before I write.
During the afternoon yesterday we went out on various trips. However, we were just about to leave and there was a huge commotion out in from of the hotel. To the left were the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) and to the right were Palestinians throwing stones. The soldiers fired tear gas - we were told to stay indoors and I did not see a lot.
This was apparently due to an escalation of shooting by the IDF. You may have heard about the Jordanian Doctor who was shot at the Allenby Bridge. The Mosque called people out on the streets to protest.
I was assigned to the bus in Hebron, which I have visited several times before, and reported on in a blog written in my first week here.
The conference has brought together (mainly US) evangelists and Palestinian Christians to discuss the Christian beliefs which are held by some evangelists and which are felt by the Palestinians to be damaging to their cause. The issues are theological and I cannot say that I have ever previously come across them. However, it is proving helpful for me to try to understand the issues. It is one think to try to understand and quite another to write down that understanding. I will do this probably next week when I have some space and time.
There are over 400 internationals here and I am enjoying meeting some of the UK delegates and those from other countries. As a result of the conference I have been invited to lunch next week at the home of a pastor in Beit Sahour.
During the afternoon yesterday we went out on various trips. However, we were just about to leave and there was a huge commotion out in from of the hotel. To the left were the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) and to the right were Palestinians throwing stones. The soldiers fired tear gas - we were told to stay indoors and I did not see a lot.
This was apparently due to an escalation of shooting by the IDF. You may have heard about the Jordanian Doctor who was shot at the Allenby Bridge. The Mosque called people out on the streets to protest.
I was assigned to the bus in Hebron, which I have visited several times before, and reported on in a blog written in my first week here.
The conference has brought together (mainly US) evangelists and Palestinian Christians to discuss the Christian beliefs which are held by some evangelists and which are felt by the Palestinians to be damaging to their cause. The issues are theological and I cannot say that I have ever previously come across them. However, it is proving helpful for me to try to understand the issues. It is one think to try to understand and quite another to write down that understanding. I will do this probably next week when I have some space and time.
There are over 400 internationals here and I am enjoying meeting some of the UK delegates and those from other countries. As a result of the conference I have been invited to lunch next week at the home of a pastor in Beit Sahour.
Monday 10 March 2014
Day 1 of the Conference
The Christ at the Checkpoint got off to a very good start today. It was a sell out and the ballroom at the Intercontinental was absolutely packed to capacity. Alex Awad gave an introductory talk and had to move to a larger venue to accommodate everyone who came. People introduced themselves briefly, so I was able to identify some of the UK delegates - I hope to make contact with them during the week.
The conference opened with a few keynotes speeches. For me the speeches of the Mayor of Bethlehem, Vera Barbour, was memorable - it got a standing ovation. Geoff Tunnicliffe, from the World Evangelical Alliance also spoke well. Mr Hanna Amira, spoke on behalf of the Palestinian Prime Minister, who sadly could not be present. The Rev Munir Kakish, President of the Evangelical Council in Palestine, made a plea that the Palestinian Authority should accept the Evangelical Churches.
The formal opening speeches were followed by an imaginative dance group who told the story of the meaning of the occupation for young people in song and dance.
Tomorrow the serious taking starts. The conference is shown live on the web if you would like to watch.
The conference opened with a few keynotes speeches. For me the speeches of the Mayor of Bethlehem, Vera Barbour, was memorable - it got a standing ovation. Geoff Tunnicliffe, from the World Evangelical Alliance also spoke well. Mr Hanna Amira, spoke on behalf of the Palestinian Prime Minister, who sadly could not be present. The Rev Munir Kakish, President of the Evangelical Council in Palestine, made a plea that the Palestinian Authority should accept the Evangelical Churches.
The formal opening speeches were followed by an imaginative dance group who told the story of the meaning of the occupation for young people in song and dance.
Tomorrow the serious taking starts. The conference is shown live on the web if you would like to watch.
Christ at the Checkpoint today
I will be attending the "Christ at the Checkpoint" conference this week, so my time will be quite constrained - it goes on until 11:30pm tomorrow, and the blog may be limited by that.
The conference has been very contentious in the local news and it will be interesting to see if this carries over into the content. I intend to use this week to validate my thoughts on how to approach advocacy when I return.
Listening to Ilan Pappe (Israeli historian and socialist activist currently at the University of Exeter) this week (on video) last October. He said that there is not a single British politician who will publicly stand up for Palestine. It seems there are not many Bishops in our Church who will do this either, so there is a long, long way to go.
The conference has been very contentious in the local news and it will be interesting to see if this carries over into the content. I intend to use this week to validate my thoughts on how to approach advocacy when I return.
Listening to Ilan Pappe (Israeli historian and socialist activist currently at the University of Exeter) this week (on video) last October. He said that there is not a single British politician who will publicly stand up for Palestine. It seems there are not many Bishops in our Church who will do this either, so there is a long, long way to go.
Sunday 9 March 2014
Ministry of Foreign Affairs says conference is a security threat
Israel Today has published the following:-
"Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has issued a last-minute statement suggesting Christians steer clear of the “Christ at the Checkpoint” (CatC) conference that opens tomorrow (Monday) in Palestinian-held Bethlehem. The statement, which came in response to an investigative inquiry by Israel Today, regards the CatC conference as a serious long-term threat to Israel’s security."
To consider a 5-day Christian Conference as a "long-term threat to Israel's security" is rather extreme - just proves my point over the past few weeks. Maybe the IDF will arrive tomorrow to shut it down?
PS The phrase "Palestinian-held" is interesting! I thought it was "Israeli-held"!
I was waiting to be picked up by the car yesterday and approached the vehicle checkpoint cheerfully yesterday on foot wearing a rucksack. I caused a great stir. The security guard shouted and started unslinging his rifle, but I waved and moved back to wait further away. Makes you realise how nervous they are.
I was waiting to be picked up by the car yesterday and approached the vehicle checkpoint cheerfully yesterday on foot wearing a rucksack. I caused a great stir. The security guard shouted and started unslinging his rifle, but I waved and moved back to wait further away. Makes you realise how nervous they are.
The day Ayed's 12 year old nephew was shot
This is a copy of a report published in Socialist Unit on 28th December 2006:
On the afternoon of December 8th 2006, Miras Al Azzeh, a 12 year old boy was shot whilst playing at home in Aida Camp, Bethlehem. [Ken's note: I am staying with his uncle, Ayed.]
The Israelis claim that “IDF (Israeli Defense force) troops identified several armed Palestinians in the Al Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem. The troops fired and hit one of the armed men after clearly identifying him as an armed adult Palestinian”
In contrast, a Western volunteer who has been working in the camp for the last two years reports:
What the IDF in fact saw was a group of children aged between 3 and 12 years old playing in a room. The children had been playing in that room for over two hours when the shooting occurred. It was morning so light and visibility was good. The assorted Al Azzeh children often play here so that was nothing unusual, it is after all their house. The watchtower from which Miras was shot is clearly visible from the house, probably about 70 metres away.
Anyone standing next to the Watchtower is clearly visible from the room with the naked eye, and the same is true in reverse. That said, soldiers do not look with the naked eye. Soldiers are equipped with high powered binoculars and have equally high powered sights on their weapons. Miras had been playing with a toy gun but was not holding it when he was shot. At around
midday, in good visibility, it is inconceivable that from this distance highly trained soldiers using high-tech viewing equipment mistook a group of children aged between 3 and 12 for “armed men”. Miras is the oldest child that was there. At 12 years old he is about 130cm tall and weighs around 45kg.
The IDF boldly lie and say: “It is important to note that in the past three months there has been a large increase of terror activities against IDF troops from Al Aida refugee camp area, including the hurling of dozens of explosives and the shooting onto the roads between the refugee camp and city of Bethlehem.”
Our British witness contradicts this: “Having been living in Aida Camp until two months ago I can personally testify that this just was not happening whilst I was there. In the first half of this year there were more IDF incursions into Aida Camp than there had been from August onwards. Sometimes during these incursions some children may throw stones at the IDF jeeps as they race around the camp or fires may be lit. The children believe they are trying to protect their camp and their families. There hasn’t been any armed resistance in the last couple of years whilst I have been there and people say it has been this way since 2002/3. People in the camp tell me that nothing has really changed in the camp recently and things have still been relatively quiet. There have been IDF incursions, mainly on a night time into the camp, but there haven’t
been the often daily incursions, shootings and tear gas that there was earlier this year. And there is still no armed resistance coming from the camp.”
In fact my own personal observation is that one of the most remarkable things about the West bank is how relaxed the IDF soldiers are, this is certinly a marked contrast to the nervy vigilance that we saw in Brit soldiers in the 6 counties while the war was going on in Ireland. There simply is hardly any armed resistance to the occupation, becasue the retaliations are too brutal, and the balance of military force too uneven.
Fortunately Miras is doing well. His uncle says: “He is amazingly recuperating very fast and his family is cooking a big meal on Sunday, they have invited many friends and family, and all the neighbours, and the doctors and staff at the hospital where Miras spent his time after the surgery. We all wish that you too, our friends, are present at this time of celebrating life and hope for the future of Miras and all children of Palestine and everywhere.”
On Tuesday this week there was another disgusting reminder of this continued
IOF policy of targeting children, it sounds all to familiar.
A 13 year old girl, Do’a Nasser Hamid, was playing with friends near the Apartheid Wall in the village of Far’un, near Tulkarm. She was shot by an IDF sniper from one of the Watchtowers in the Wall. Do’a was not as ‘lucky’ as Miras. Her funeral was on Wednesday…
For the sake of Miras and D’oa, for all other Palestinian children, and for all children of the world, please continue to spread these stories and work for justice.
The latest Israel recycling project
This is the venue for the Christ at the Checkpoint conference. It is a very smart hotel and lies about 100 yards from the Annexation Wall.
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| Palestinians stand outside the house of Palestinian Moataz Washaha, who died during an IDF operation to arrest him in the northern West Bank town of Bir Zeit, near Ramallah on February 27, 2014. (Photo credit: Abbas Momani/AFP) |
Two weeks ago, the Israeli military were chasing a Palestinian suspected of resistance. He took refuge in the family home in Ramallah. The Israeli military fired rockets into the house and brought a bulldozer to demolish it. The fire brigade were threatened when they arrived to put out the fire. The Palestinian was still alive and hiding under a pile of mattresses. The military went in and fired randomly until the Palestinian was hit and called out. Then they killed him. They dragged him out and the commander shot him four times in the face. The army say he was armed. Others say he was not. Either way, this is how suspects are treated here - there is no justice for Palestinians. No wonder they run away!
This story has been thoroughly researched by one of the internationals here. Click here to read his story of The Assassination of Mutaz Washaha.
Attending Church today
Today we welcomed Chris Ellis, the President of the Baptist Union in England and Wales. He preached on Jesus in the wilderness. He will be one of the delegates at the Christ at the Checkpoint Conference, which has been attracting some adverse publicity, being accused of being anti-semitic and worse. The conference starts tomorrow - looking forward to it.
A parable
Today I have been reading the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15.11-32). I thought of another story:
There was once a man who had two sons. and he said to the younger son, I am going to give your inheritance to a stranger, as he would like to live here. The younger son was forced to leave home to seek his fortune elsewhere. But the older son had to share the land with the stranger. And then the stranger said, “my share of the land is not sufficient for all my relatives, who wish to come and stay with me, so I will need some of your land.” The older son was not pleased, but he was a generous man, so he permitted the stranger to take more land. Then the stranger said, “My crops need more water so will have to take the water from your land.” Eventually the older brother did not have enough land or water left to make a living. He said to the stranger, I cannot make a living on this land. The stranger said “then why don’t you leave and join your brother”.
The Balfour Project
Last night I looked at the videos on the website "The Balfour Project" from the conference held in October 2013 in the UK.
The Project aims:
To mark the centenary of the Balfour Declaration in a manner that honours the deep feelings of all who have been impacted by it, the Balfour Project seeks:
The Project aims:
To mark the centenary of the Balfour Declaration in a manner that honours the deep feelings of all who have been impacted by it, the Balfour Project seeks:
- to acknowledge where British policy towards Palestine was marked by duplicity, denial and racism.
- pardon for our nation’s wrongdoing from Palestinians for having intentionally ignored their legitimate aspirations and from Jews for our part in the centuries of anti-Semitism.
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