A Holy Week note to Ontario churches

Dear Friends, Just one week ago today, we walked up the Mount of Olives through the Garden of Gethsemane – the area where Jesus prayed, wept and was arrested – and then back again to the Old City of Jerusalem, to the area where Jesus was crucified and buried. It was our last day in Palestine-Israel, and we were filled – even overwhelmed – with all we had heard and seen, felt and smelt.

Now it’s Passion Week. We’re back home and, with our congregations, are preparing to comemmorate Jesus’ walk of agony to the cross: the same geographical path we took last week – the steps of Jesus in his last days.

Yet, our Palestinian sisters and brothers (Christians and Muslims) are in agony daily, suffering under the illegal military occupation of their lands. A huge Separation Wall cuts through their land and neighbourhoods. Palestinian labours can’t get to work. Palestinians are cut off from family and friends. Shops are cut off from their customers, farmers from their lands. Palestinian olive groves are razed, their homes also.

They asked us to tell their stories to our churches.

As Christians we believe the agony of the cross is not the last word; Resurrection and New Life follow! As we commemorate Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday, can we pray and act for resurrection in Palestine-Israel? For justice in Jesus’ land? For peace between our Palestinian and Israeli sisters and brothers? MCC’s Palestinian Christian partners call us to prayer and action, to hope and resurrection. Let’s not disappoint them.

Wishing you all New Life in Christ's Resurrection!
Tim Schmucker, MCCO Justice and Peace Programs Coordinator.

An All Knowing, All Powerful God?

Our learning tour to Israel/Palistine was very intersting, but at times challenging. I found the Holy Land to be anything but Holy.

Our tour was set up well in that we received a weight of reality, then a time of refreshing.
I experienced the weight in trying to understand the situation from both sides of the barrier. I'm still in no position to claim that I now fully understand the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians, but I can now say that I'm more informed about their situation(s).

A challenging thought that kept coming back to me was: we know that God allowed the Holucost, the creation of the state of Israel, the seperation of the people with barriers and fences to happen, but why? I can't say I know why, but I do believe that our Holy Bible has many answers, so I want to continue to go back to it to learn, and try to understand.
Since I believe that God loves the souls of both the Israeli and the Palestinian people, I pray that
God will use us, through our tour, to bless the hurting Palestinian and Israeli people in such a way, so that He may be glorified.

Flagged as a security threat!

Israel’s international airport in Tel Aviv has the highest level of security in the world. Israel has been, of course, a target of terrorism due to her decades-long occupation and oppression of Palestinians. While travelers are thoroughly scrutinised upon arriving at the Tel Aviv airport, leaving is even more rigorous.

One of us was arbitrarily chosen for lengthy questioning. We weren’t worried, as we had nothing to hide. However, the first round of questioning led to extended interrogation by security supervisors. An hour later, his luggage was unpacked and examined inch by inch. Of added concern for Israeli security was a book given to him by an MCC partner organisation. He was a high level security threat. His and our “crime”? We had stayed two nights in the home of a Palestinian family. Never mind that the families were Christian; evidently all Palestinians are suspect, along with those who stay with them.

"I do not want to take any hatred home"

At our final debriefing last night, the elder statesman of our Team said, simply: "I do not want to take any hatred home." Like many on the Team, he has felt his share of anger on this journey, as well as deep sadness, sometimes confusion, and near-despair. What I take from the wisdom of our travelling mate is that what we have experienced could easily push us from sadness and anger to hate. And, also in his wisdom, he is reminding us we cannot go there. We have powerful invitations from many we have met here, to intercept our tendency to hate, with the opportunity to love. How often did we hear a story from a villager who had been subjected to violence, yet refused to return it in kind. Or a farmer who responded to threats of land confiscation by sowing again next years seeds of hope. Refusing to hate. Choosing to love. As people of the Jesus faith, all things are possible.

Of trees and stones

"The tree of peace...it needs watering every day. If you miss just one day, that tree of peace, it may turn into something else." This lesson in peace, preached by a Muslim villager, is heard by a group of 12 Mennonites who think they already know this lesson. A day later, in Nazareth another new friend: "I am an Arab, Palestinian Christian. You forget we Christians are here. But we have always been here. We are the Living Stones of the holy land." I am struck that both men are living under Occupation. Both live lives impoverished because they are Palestinians. It does not matter that one is Muslim, and the other Christian. Each is diminished in this hurting land because of his race.

From Shoah to Nakba: Reflections from Jerusalem

Shoah is the Hebrew word for the Holocaust, some 6,000,000 Jews – SIX MILLION HUMAN BEINGS - murdered by Nazi Germany and its collaborators, while the world wrung its hands in inaction, while the Church was essentially silent. Genocide. An indescribable horror.

Nakba is the Arabic word for the Catastrophe, the word Palestinians (both Muslim and Christian) use for the invasion and destruction of Palestinian lands and homes along with the murder of thousands and the displacement of 725,000 Palestinians by Jews setting up the State of Israel.

We visited Yad Vashem today, the Holocaust Memorial and Museum. Children under ten years old are not permitted to enter. It graphically documents the development of hatred toward the Jews in Christendom, and then the rise of Hitler and Nazism in post-World War One Germany. Anti-semitism was part of Hitler’s program, culminating in the horrific concentration camps of the 1940s. A model of one of the Auschwitz ovens with thousands of people in it was emotionally overwhelming. Genocide. Unspeakable horror.

Ali gave us a tour of the Old City of Jerusalem today. He said that the removal of Palestinians from their lands and homes continues to this day. He pointed out where Jewish settlers were taking over Palestinian homes, at times building an additional floor on top of a centuries old Palestinian home. He spoke clearly of the oppression and humiliation the Palestinians suffer daily at the hands of the Israeli occupation apparatus. We noticed that everyone knew Ali, people greeting him at every turn. At the end of the tour, he told us he had been political prisoner, jailed in 1968 until 1985 when Israel released him in a political prisoner exchange. Palestine: an occupied land and people.

The Shoah (the Jewish Holocaust) ended in 1945.

The Nakba (the Palestinian Catastrophe) started in 1948.

From Shoah to Nakba in three years.

Psalm 22: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning? 


O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer;

and by night, but find no rest.

When words aren't enough

Sometimes I think our written words fail us. When we met with the Jewish settler he talked about the written and the oral Torah that were given to Moses. As he said we can't really completely know God but some ideas and concepts can only be conveyed orally. I think there is a lot of truth in this. Can we convey in words on a blog what we are truly feeling and thinking? Perhaps as we share our stories in our communities upon our return people might better understand us. I've read once that in communicating only 10% is conveyed in the actual words. The rest is in the tone, the visuals, the emotions we convey.

Today we experienced a Lutheran service in the old city and I really appreciated the opportunity to worship in the holy land with people from all over the world, drawn to the birthplace of our faith.

From there we toured the old city with a tour guide who pointed out things we would have never noticed. He showed where aggressive settlers were moving into buildings in strategic locations trying to change the city creating new facts on the ground. Ariel Sharon the former prime minister whose visit to the Temple Mount triggered the second Intifada bought an apartment in the heart of Muslim quarter. This apartment seats right on the main street and he has never spent a night in it, although he visits it sometimes. We also looked down on the Temple Mount and the Wailing Wall. From there you could see how every building was strategic and all the energy and money was being spent not on achieving peace but on grabbing an extra meter or building. So much tension in such a small space, something that words can't possibly describe.

From there we went to visit the Yad Vashem (Holocaust) museum. Again words fail to convey such an experience. The images and words in the exhibit are shocking. I've done enough reading about the Holocaust to know much of the story, but still the staring into family pictures of happy people destined for the gas chambers is really tough. Some of the words and images reminded me to of things I've seen on this trip. A Jewish person's description of being forced into the Warsaw ghetto and comparing there life on one side of the wall with the freedom and prosperity on the other reminded me so much of the plight of the Palestinians we met this week. How is it that we humans create these systems designed to oppress and destroy our brothers and sisters. Surely God expects better than us.

Today we started to talk some more about how to share what we've experienced. But do you convey these experiences when words are not enough.

And who is my enemy?

Having been here 30 years ago has been a huge part of this journey for me.

In '81 I arrived fresh from reading Elie Wiesel's "Night", a 99 page, chilling account of the holocaust. I was convinced that this punished people needed a safe place, a safe home. I volunteered on a kibbutz just outside Jerusalem, within sight of Bethlehem and was awed by this collective, pioneering spirit...committed to "making the desert bloom".

I also visited refugee camps and met with Palestinian friends of my Canadian professor. And I remember the checkpoint between Bethlehem and Jerusalem, one which I remember whole busloads of us, including Palestinians, usually whisked through.

But this place today is hard. It is harsh. That same checkpoint today is a megacomplex of screening machines, overhead guard walkways, and steel gates that clang. Thirty years have not brought much healing.

Yesterday we read the Sermon on the Mount, on the mount. The Sea of Galilee was at our feet, Jesus' favourite synagogue was a few steps behind us.

"Love your enemies. Do good to those who persecute you", we read.

I have no enemies here. While I have been told the Palestinians are my enemies because of their endless terrorism, I have also been told the Israelis are my enemies for how they have brutally occupied the homeland of the Palestinians. But neither is my enemy.

I could re-read "Night" this afternoon and my whole being would ache again for my sisters and brothers in the Jewish community. But instead I am going back to Jerusalem from Galilee where I will see my Palestinian brothers and sisters, both Moslem and Christian, prevented by a wall from entering even "their" part of the holy city.

Maybe my enemy is that wall and its checkpoints.

But walls come down. They will not stand forever. Of that I am sure. I am fully convinced that our God is not a God of walls.

Suddenly these events seem so close

Today we toured Nazareth village and it was interesting to imagine what life was like for Jesus as he walked the hills around us. In some ways the simple houses and flowering terraced field were more moving than the grandiose church we later visited where according to tradition Mary received the news from the angel that she would be the giving birth to the Messiah.

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.

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

Contrasts and contradictions: two conversations

Two powerful conversations on Wednesday. One with a Zionist Jewish settler (settlements are illegal Jewish invasions of Palestinian land in the West Bank). The second with a Palestinian shepherd and community leader in Atuwani, a small Palestinian village near Ary’el’s illegal settlement.

Jewish settler:

“God calls all Jews back to the Promised Land. This is the Land of Israel. I want peace, but I don’t know what will bring peace. We have the obligation to protect ourselves, our children. When we know that someone is going to attack us, we need to kill first. This is from the oral Torah.”

“Only a very few Palestinians want peace, 5%. Arabs want all Jews to be killed. I carry a weapon. We have to protect ourselves. We have 2000 years of history of people wanting to kill us. Trust in God, yes, but we have to act.”

Atuwani resident:

“Since 1976, Israel has had a policy of evacuation, to drive us out of our land. We Palestinians in this area are simple peasants. Settlements started in 1980, on land taken from us. Settlements brought aggressive and violent settlers. They are Orthodox Jews who target all Palestinians with threats, injuries and even killings.”

“Two weeks ago, a settler attacked Palestinian on the road. He was riding his donkey, he was an old, sick man. Usually international observers [Christian Peacemaker Teams] watch the road. This settler was waiting until Mahmud was out of sight of CPT to attack him; they beat him, and stabbed him.”

“When a settler attacks a Palestinian, Israeli authorities say ‘he was masked, we don’t know who did it, there’s nothing we can do.’ But when a Palestinian attacks a settler, every man and boy in village is arrested.”

“We are in a new stage in our resistance. Before it was hidden. Now it’s more in view: legal and media focus on our non-violent direct action. Non-violent resistance is like a tree: it needs to be watered everyday. If you don’t, it will die. This is what we are doing. This for all who believe in peace and justice. You can make changes without violence.”

Why non-violence?, I ask. And he answers with this story.

“My biggest influence is my mother, she is 80. Eight years ago, when she was 72, she was attacked by settlers, they injured her badly. I was busy in a meeting; she was with the sheep. People came toward me screaming. I ran to where three settlers were beating up my mother on the ground. One armed settler yelled at me to go back. He pointed his gun at me and shot at me, at my feet…. For me as a human, seeing my mother being beaten, I couldn’t even think. I was crazy. In five minutes, the security forces came. We took my mom to hospital. I began to think: ‘I have to get revenge.’ Then she came back from hospital. She said to me ‘I know what you are thinking. Is it worth it? If you go in this way, you’ll destroy yourself and your family.’ So I thought a lot about this. She made me promise to not go in that way. I realized that the Jewish Occupation wants me to go for revenge, to give them an excuse.”

“Now the peaceful, not-violent resistance is effecting the armed resistance. Our successes are impacting the armed resistance and many of them are joining us. And the Israeli authorities are more worried about the non-violent resistance than the armed resistance. They are arresting us, and looking for excuses to take action against us, push us out."

"My mother’s way is the good way. When my mother talked to me, I realized I want to live in peace. The future is peace. And we have to start to make peace. Like the tree, non-violence is something we have to live [water] each day."

A whirlwind first day indeed

Our first day in Palestine – Bethlehem, to be exact, and Bethlehem, West Bank to be even more precise - has been incredible.

THE WALL: Looming above us and beside us everywhere we turn is that massive concrete separation barrier the Israeli government has erected over the past number of years to keep all Palestinians (Christian and Muslim) out of Jerusalem, out of Israel. It has separated parents from their children, farmers from their olive trees, and employees from their places of work. It is filled with graffiti and slogans. Here are a few close to our hotel:

May the Love of God fill your heart

To keep silent is sin

Free Palestine

Yo amo a Jacqui (that’s for my wife!)

The wall, in the words of a Palestinian Christian leader, isn’t about security for Israel; rather it’s an “apartheid wall.”

Whirlwind first day

The first 24 hours here in Palestine sure went fast. We had smooth flights and connections to Israel and nice drive to Bethlehem yesterday afternoon. After a great meal at the hotel some of us walked the streets of Bethlehem before getting some much needed sleep. This morning we woke to some desperately needed rain. We heard last night how Rachel was dreading the coming summer because the dry winter means they will probably run out of water again this summer. Taking a quick shower and experiencing some rain didn't feel like such a hardship after hearing how the people here suffer.

72 hours to go...

Just met a friend recently returned from Palestine / Israel...reminded me again that it is exactly 30 years to the week that I was there as a 21 year old. And now in three days, we will be back in this rich and storied region of the world with MCC. It is starting to feel real...