The population of Israel/Palestine

On February 2nd, the day before I arrived (but probably not connected), the Palestinian Authority announced that religion was being removed from the Green ID card carried by all Palestinians. The decision has raised various reactions, some in favour as being non-discriminatory, others fearing that this is connected with the peace negotiations and the possibility of Jews living in Palestine legally.

One of the questions asked of Palestinian Christians at the Conference last week was "When did you become a Christian". They normally looked puzzled at the this question. Religion is still assigned at birth - mainly Muslim, Christian or Jew. 

Of course, the Christians have been here from the beginning of the Church. In 1922, there were just under 760,000 people living in Mandate Palestine (i.e. present Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territories combined). 78% were Muslim, 11% Jewish and 10% Christian. The UK Government completely ignored these people and gave away their land. Quoting from Sir Anthony Nutting on the  Balfour Project website:-

‘The weak point of our position’, Balfour wrote to Lloyd George in February 1919, ‘is of course that in the case of Palestine we deliberately and rightly decline to accept the principle of self-determination’.[14] If the existing population were consulted, he added, they would ‘unquestionably’ return an anti-Zionist verdict. And in reply to Curzon, Balfour stated quite categorically that

‘in Palestine we do not propose even to go through the form of consulting the wishes of the present inhabitants of the country …. The Four Great Powers are committed to Zionism. And Zionism, be it right or wrong, good or bad, is rooted in age-long traditions, in present needs, in future hopes, of far profounder import than the desires and prejudices of the 700,000 Arabs who now inhabit that ancient land’.

By 1945, this had risen to 1.76 million people (60% Muslim, 31% Jewish, 8% Christian). There were 34,000 Christians around Haifa (where I am now), comprising around 47% of the population. 24% of the people in Nazareth were Christians. 

And now there are 8 million people in the State of Israel, of which around 20% are arabs - those who were here gained citizenship in 1967. Those out of the country have never been allowed back. The population has grown enormously. Towards the end of the British Mandate, the Palestinians were offered the West Bank and refused to accept it. Looking back, this seems strange, as it now looks like a good offer. However, the arab perspective was that they were the majority and owned the majority of the land - why should they accept only 43% of the land. They were slow to realise or anticipate the huge immigration of Jews that would reverse the ethnic population shares, or the strength of international support for the Jews. 

Here in northern Israel, there are no walls, no checkpoints and life appears relatively normal, certainly compared with the tensions in the West Bank. Jews, Muslims and Christians all live here. The school here was 50% Christian 50% Muslim, but is now 75% Muslim, 25% Christian. This reflects the simple fact that Muslims tend to have many more children than the Christians. Of course, the story here is probably more complicated, as it always is. 

Thank you and goodbye!

I am hugely grateful to the people who have set aside time to read my blog and to grapple with the issues it raises, especially to those in my family, whose support means everything to me. 

If you are a regular reader, you will understand that I intend to take this blog off the air early next week. So do not be surprised if you find it has disappeared. I will reinstate it when I get home. I guess that you will understand the reason for this - if not have a word with Tracy about my preparations for coming home.

Still some exciting stuff to report and I am still happy to answer any questions by email, or via this blog. Also happy to meet up with anyone who would to talk through some of the issues with me when I am back. For me the trip is coming to an end, but the real work is just starting. 

Looking forward to seeing all my friends and family on my return. 

In the Galilee

Elias Chacour is well known in the UK for his book "Blood Brothers". I have travelled here to Ibillin to see the work of Chacour in creating educational facilities for Christians and Muslims. 

It took us 3.5 hours to drive from Bethlehem to Ibillin, which is near Haifa in the North of Israel. We are staying in the Pilgrims of Ibillin Guest house on the top floor of the building in the photo. 

I should not rave about personal comforts but I have a lovely quiet room with a heater, an en-suite bathroom, hot water, a shower, a desk, and wifi - heaven. We are here for two nights and will then visit some of the sights in Galilee before going into the Jordan Valley on Friday - more about that in due course.

Tomorrow we hope to here the story from Elias Chacour himself - looking forward to that. 

Link between Peace Talks and the Jordan Valley

The Palestinians have asked Israel to vacate the Jordan Valley, as part of the peace talks.

Netanyahu has refused, saying the the Jordan Valley is a key security area. It grows nice dates too! If it is so important for security, how come Israel populates the area with settlers who grow fruit and vegetables. The Jordan Valley serves to deny Israel's case for security.

The Israeli export income from the Jordan Valley fell by 14% ($29 million) in 2013, due to the International Boycott Campaign. The Co-op has joined this by boycotting all Israeli Goods produced in the Settlements. The head of the (Israeli) Jordan Valley Regional Council said that they are no longer, in effect, selling produce to Western Europe. It is having a significant effect. 

Kerry has threatened a harsher boycott if the peace talks fail.  

Another amazing event

I have spoken several times in this blog about times when I feel that God is close. Another such time occurred today. 

Yesterday I was thinking about possible new stories which I might tell when I return. I know something of the situation in the Jordan Valley and decided that this would be a good story to tell. However, I have only passed through on the coach (last year) and have taken no relevant photos. Then I realised that Lloyd and Marianne are going to Galilee over the next couple of days. I wondered whether I might ask them to stop and take some photos for me.

This is why the Jordan Valley is important to Israel and to Palestine

The Jordan Valley

The Jordan Valley is in the West Bank and thus part of the Occupied Palestinian Territories. It lies between the River Jordan to the East and the mountains to the West, and between Lake Galilee to the North and the Dead Sea to the south. Is is over 300 metres below sea level, is very fertile and has a warm climate. It has the best agricultural land in the West Bank. However... 

Quote from Jordan Valley Solidarity
"Benyamin Netanyahu, 2001: “Nobody said what defined military zones were. Defined military zones are security zones; as far as I am concerned, the entire Jordan Valley is a defined military zone.” (1)

In total, 95% of the land in the Jordan Valley is off-limits to Palestinians: 50% is controlled by Israel’s illegal settlements, and the other 45% is military bases, ‘closed military zones’ and ‘nature reserves’ (areas controlled by the occupation, that Palestinians are refused access to). This matrix of oppression suffocates Palestinian life in the Valley and stifles traditional forms of subsistence farming and grazing undertaken by the Bedouin throughout history.

Today, out of the blue, Lloyd and Marianne called in to the office for a chat, and told me that they plan to visit some of the Palestinian villages and Bedouins in the Jordan, and would I like to come! I was really emotional as it seems that God is guiding me every step along the way he has chosen for me. I have been so blessed to have found such good friends here. So I leave with them tomorrow for a 2-3 day trip.

After visiting I'Blin, we will visit the Galilee and then come back down through the Jordan Valley. We need some help with the visit, as the Palestinian villages are not easy to get too (with roadblocks and settlements) so we are trying to arrange for a guide to show us around. I am waiting to hear the details. Another opportunity for me to trust in God that he will sort this out for us.

Back to work today

I am delighted to say that I am much better today and so was able to go along to the Holy Land Trust as was my previous routine. 

Mahmoud Abbas with Barack Obama

I was expecting to visit a family who are threatened with demolition of their house. However, the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, is in America today for probably the most important meeting of his life. People here were out on the streets for a big rally to support him and to encourage him to stand firm under the huge pressure being exerted by the Israelis (and the Americans too). Please think of him carrying the burden of responsibility for the future of his people and pray for him, if you feel able.

Cali's parents arrived today to join her for a while. If you are a regular reader you will know that Cali has been a good companion to me on several trips, including the one to Tel Aviv. The family are from Canada and it was lovely to meet her parents, here for the first time. They know the story through Skype, but are now here to see it first hand. Super that they have come to support Cali.

I have arranged to visit the settler I met on Wed 26th. I will have to drive to the settlement, but will probably not be allowed in, so he will need to collect me. We have spoken this afternoon and he seems to be going to a lot of trouble for me, so am very grateful.

Elias Chacour

Lloyd and Marianne, from Seattle, who I have made friends with, today invited me to join them on a trip to Galilee for a few days. As this was not in the specification, I had to consult the management, and am pleased to announce that I am allowed to go. We will be visiting I'biln, the village of Elias Chacour - for those who have read his book Blood Brothers. If you haven't, it is in the Church Library (and Tracy has a copy) so you might like to read it before I come home and ask questions. Will write more about the story as I hear it. 

Quote from Aljazeera on marriage restrictions

By Tania de Ildefonso Ocampos

Tania de Ildefonso Ocampos is a Spanish journalist based in Tel Aviv who specialises in the Arab-Israeli conflict, along with Israeli history and politics.
Published: 6th May 2013

On April 29 [2013], the non-profit organisation Hiddush - Freedom of Religion for Israel, which advocates religious freedom and equality in Israel, released a comparative online world map that examines the current status of freedom of marriage in 194 countries. The study, which is the first-of-its-kind, revealed that "although Israel is a democratic and liberal state, it ranks among some of the most fundamentalist countries in the Islamic world on this issue". 

The countries examined are graded on a scale of 0-2, based on the degree to which freedom of marriage is guaranteed to the given country's citizens. The study shows that only in 93 (48 percent) of the countries in question there is complete or almost complete freedom of marriage (grade 2). There are partial restrictions on freedom of marriage (grade 1) in 56 (29 percent) of the countries and in 45 (23 percent) - including Israel - there are severe restrictions on freedom of marriage (grade 0). From those 45 countries where there are severe restrictions on freedom of marriage, 33 are Islamic countries.

According to the study, "Israel is the only Western democracy in the world that received the lowest grade. Its restrictions on marriage places Israel, in this regard, alongside its neighbouring Muslim countries: Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia (...)." North Korea, an officially atheist country in which inter-class marriage is forbidden, received the same grade as Israel: a zero.

Lovely video made by Holy Land Trust

Listen to Sami Awad talking about peace - it lifted my heart.

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.

Final day of the Conference

The Christ at the Checkpoint came to an end today. In the morning I attended a really usual workshop, led by Anne Clayton (Friends of Sabeel UK) and Alex Awad, on "How to Speak on Behalf of the Palestinian Church." This was ideal for me as I will be returning soon to do just that. There were lots of ideas and practical suggestions. 

I realised how fortunate I am to have a Church which is prepared to listen - many of the delegates are in Churches which support Israel as they consider it part of their own salvation. Quite difficult to deal with issues of justice and peace in such Churches.

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. 

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.  

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:-

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.