We also heard from a Palestinian Christian who after a number of years in the US returned with his family to his original home. Listening to him reminded me of how close and important family is to them. Many of the families we have seen live in the same location with their brothers, sisters and parents. As the family grows, additional buildings are added to house the expanding families. Since we built a house beside my parents, I could relate to this but I realize how uncommon this is in North America.
Hearing from him about the local Palestinian Christian community was inspiring as they struggle with ongoing discrimination. He identified himself as Palestinian because to say Israeli would say he is Jewish since Israel has defined itself as a Jewish state. Listening to him reminded me that these Christians have literally been here for 2,000 years since this was the area Jesus first preached his gospel.
As we listen to world events we realize that many of them are happening within a short drive from us. The killing of protesters in Syria was happening only 50 kms away from where we were on the Sea of Galilee. The air strikes on Gaza today are only an 90 minute drive from where we will be in Jerusalem.
The closeness became real when I received an email today that normally would have seemed a world away. Our local MCC Palestinian Christian worker shared this morning how has very frustrated at not being able to worship in Jerusalem during Holy Week because the Israel military essentially closes down access to the church except for a few and with all the checkpoints added you can't get to the church. You need to get a permit to attend and last year he had one and still wasn't allowed in. The crowd became angry and were pushing to get in and were attacked with batons. He and other men, women and children were beaten. How would I feel not being able to attend one of the most important yearly services that Christian's have for 100s of years even, though I live in the same city.
Later today I received the following email and suddenly I could put a face to the request. I would invite you to read through the following letter and consider how you would feel as a Palestinian Christian. As an international tourist I probably would have a much easier time attending these events than a local who has lived there his whole life.
Later today I received the following email and suddenly I could put a face to the request. I would invite you to read through the following letter and consider how you would feel as a Palestinian Christian. As an international tourist I probably would have a much easier time attending these events than a local who has lived there his whole life.
Position of the Local Palestinian Christian community on restrictions
on Religious Rights (especially during Holy Week)
For Christians, Holy Week in Jerusalem has a special spiritual
connection. The Old City, its gates and roads, the Mount of Olives,
Via Dolorosa and The Holy Sepulchre Church, where pilgrims from all
over the world journey to, are equally important to the Palestinian
Christians of Gaza and the West bank, who want to join their
Jerusalemite Christian brethren in the liturgical events leading to
the resurrection, the holiest celebration in Christianity.
In every country that respects and implements freedom of worship,
worshippers of different faiths live their faith and express their
prayers without restrictions from the governing authorities. In
Jerusalem, and for the past decade, this has not been the case. The
occupying power is denying free access to Holy places of worship to
both Christians and Muslims on several important occasions.
Last year, Israel restrictions prevented Palestinian Christians from
attending the Holy Fire Saturday in Jerusalem. Israel allows only 8000
pilgrims and few hundreds of locals to enter the city on Holy Fire
Saturday where the Holy Sepulchre Church and its surroundings become
off limits for Christians through a complex network of walls,
checkpoints, and security apparatuses.
A tradition dating long before the creation of the state of Israel is
observed by Palestinian Christians on that special day. Local
Christians wait for The Holy Light on the roof of the Patriarchate and
at the Church of Saint Jacob, adjoining the Holy Sepulchre. The local
faithful insist on preserving this right no matter what it takes. They
see that the restrictions made against them are violations of basic
human rights and religious freedom as well as a violation of the
Status Quo and centuries of religious traditions for the indigenous
Christians of this land.
On the occasion of the celebration of Easter the "The Moment of Truth
Document" that unites Christians in a word of Faith, Hope and Love in
a call for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land, would
like to emphasize the following:
· The right of entry to Jerusalem for West Bank and Gaza
Christians.
On the occasion of Easter, Palestinian Christians living outside of
Jerusalem in the West Bank and Gaza are required to apply for permits
to access their holy sites in occupied East Jerusalem. It is estimated
that of those, only 2000 -- 3000 Palestinian Christians receive
permits. Muslims have also difficulties in accessing their Holy sites.
However, Jews do not have to apply for permits!
· The permit system instated by Israel is in obvious violation
of the ICPRR, Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other
international covenants and treaties to which Israel is a signatory.
Regardless of the number of people from the local congregation allowed
to participate in the celebrations, we reject the imposition of a
permit/quota system to access our churches and shrines.
· During Jewish holidays, Palestinian areas are put under
military closure in the West bank and acquired permits are
automatically cancelled.
· The heavy presence of Israeli Police and Military forces
(around and in the Old City and surrounding the holy sites) preventing
Christians from accessing the Holy Sepulcher Church and the Old City
disturbs the spiritual atmosphere of Easter, especially when Israeli
commanders are around and inside the Tomb of Christ.
· Excuses being used by the Israeli police regarding our 'own
security' are not acceptable. In addition, our prayers and holding of
candles are signs of peace & should not threaten the might of the
Israeli Police. There is no need or justification for a fully charged
army & police force.
· Actions taken against Palestinian Christians, the first and
oldest Christian community in the world, attack not only the
Palestinian people and their rights in the occupied city of Jerusalem,
but in reality, the whole Christianity.
We call on all our leaders, friends, brothers and sisters around the
world to continue exerting pressure on Israel, to end its military
occupation on this land and to respect international law and human
rights.
Practical steps to take:
* Support local Church leaders not to submit and accept the conditions
that deprive indigenous and international worshippers of the joy of
celebrating Easter.
* Write to your political representatives to pressure Israel by
political means to end its restrictions in this field
* Write directly to the Israeli Ambassadors in your countries
complaining against such actions
Yusef Daher
Jerusalem , Bethlehem, 3 April 2011
Kairos Palestine
on Religious Rights (especially during Holy Week)
For Christians, Holy Week in Jerusalem has a special spiritual
connection. The Old City, its gates and roads, the Mount of Olives,
Via Dolorosa and The Holy Sepulchre Church, where pilgrims from all
over the world journey to, are equally important to the Palestinian
Christians of Gaza and the West bank, who want to join their
Jerusalemite Christian brethren in the liturgical events leading to
the resurrection, the holiest celebration in Christianity.
In every country that respects and implements freedom of worship,
worshippers of different faiths live their faith and express their
prayers without restrictions from the governing authorities. In
Jerusalem, and for the past decade, this has not been the case. The
occupying power is denying free access to Holy places of worship to
both Christians and Muslims on several important occasions.
Last year, Israel restrictions prevented Palestinian Christians from
attending the Holy Fire Saturday in Jerusalem. Israel allows only 8000
pilgrims and few hundreds of locals to enter the city on Holy Fire
Saturday where the Holy Sepulchre Church and its surroundings become
off limits for Christians through a complex network of walls,
checkpoints, and security apparatuses.
A tradition dating long before the creation of the state of Israel is
observed by Palestinian Christians on that special day. Local
Christians wait for The Holy Light on the roof of the Patriarchate and
at the Church of Saint Jacob, adjoining the Holy Sepulchre. The local
faithful insist on preserving this right no matter what it takes. They
see that the restrictions made against them are violations of basic
human rights and religious freedom as well as a violation of the
Status Quo and centuries of religious traditions for the indigenous
Christians of this land.
On the occasion of the celebration of Easter the "The Moment of Truth
Document" that unites Christians in a word of Faith, Hope and Love in
a call for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land, would
like to emphasize the following:
· The right of entry to Jerusalem for West Bank and Gaza
Christians.
On the occasion of Easter, Palestinian Christians living outside of
Jerusalem in the West Bank and Gaza are required to apply for permits
to access their holy sites in occupied East Jerusalem. It is estimated
that of those, only 2000 -- 3000 Palestinian Christians receive
permits. Muslims have also difficulties in accessing their Holy sites.
However, Jews do not have to apply for permits!
· The permit system instated by Israel is in obvious violation
of the ICPRR, Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other
international covenants and treaties to which Israel is a signatory.
Regardless of the number of people from the local congregation allowed
to participate in the celebrations, we reject the imposition of a
permit/quota system to access our churches and shrines.
· During Jewish holidays, Palestinian areas are put under
military closure in the West bank and acquired permits are
automatically cancelled.
· The heavy presence of Israeli Police and Military forces
(around and in the Old City and surrounding the holy sites) preventing
Christians from accessing the Holy Sepulcher Church and the Old City
disturbs the spiritual atmosphere of Easter, especially when Israeli
commanders are around and inside the Tomb of Christ.
· Excuses being used by the Israeli police regarding our 'own
security' are not acceptable. In addition, our prayers and holding of
candles are signs of peace & should not threaten the might of the
Israeli Police. There is no need or justification for a fully charged
army & police force.
· Actions taken against Palestinian Christians, the first and
oldest Christian community in the world, attack not only the
Palestinian people and their rights in the occupied city of Jerusalem,
but in reality, the whole Christianity.
We call on all our leaders, friends, brothers and sisters around the
world to continue exerting pressure on Israel, to end its military
occupation on this land and to respect international law and human
rights.
Practical steps to take:
* Support local Church leaders not to submit and accept the conditions
that deprive indigenous and international worshippers of the joy of
celebrating Easter.
* Write to your political representatives to pressure Israel by
political means to end its restrictions in this field
* Write directly to the Israeli Ambassadors in your countries
complaining against such actions
Yusef Daher
Jerusalem , Bethlehem, 3 April 2011
Kairos Palestine
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