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CPWJ Gives Encouragement to
Organizations Promoting Peace
in Israel & Palestine
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It is indeed a privilege for the
peace-making work team of the Coalition for Peace with Justice to personally
deliver CPWJ’s financial support to Israeli and Palestinian organizations.
The checks, however, convey more than monetary assistance. They are tangible
evidence of our ongoing support to peacemakers in the region. The current
realities of everyday life belie the high
It is indeed a
privilege for the peace-making work team of the Coalition for Peace with
Justice to personally deliver CPWJ’s financial support to Israeli and
Palestinian organizations. The checks, however, convey more than monetary
assistance. They are tangible evidence of our ongoing support to peacemakers
in the region. The current realities of everyday life belie the high
expectations that pervade the
media and government “talk” today. Our partner peacemaking organizations
report that injustices are being piled on injustices for the Palestinians at
an alarming rate—paving the way for further oppression and violence. In this
climate, our solidarity means more than ever as we express our appreciation
for their steadfast, non-violent work for a just peace. |
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This July CPWJ members join ICAHD-USA supporters on a peacemaking endeavor in
Jerusalem and the West Bank. While there, we will have the opportunity to work
with each of the organizations that CPWJ supports. Central to the experience
is a rebuilding effort sponsored by the Israeli Committee Against House
Demolitions (ICAHD) in Jerusalem. Together with Israelis and Palestinians
we will rebuild a Palestinian home in the occupied West Bank that has been
demolished by Israeli authorities. International pressure can prevent the home
from being demolished again. By rebuilding the home together, we actively
resist the Israeli occupation and engage in activities that promote
understanding, acceptance, and reconciliation. |
Also
in Jerusalem we will meet with Sabeel, an ecumenical Palestinian
organization that seeks to bring relevance to the Christian faith while
reaching out to persons of Jewish and Muslim traditions. Sabeel’s Director,
Rev. Naim Ateek, gave the keynote address at CPWJ’s Bridging the Divide
Conference in November 2003. Another Palestinian Christian, Zoughbi Zoughbi
from the Wi’am Center in Bethlehem has also visited the Triangle area.
These Christian leaders are helping Palestinians find strength and meaning
through their Christian faith to meet the challenges of daily life in this
conflict-ridden land. |
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As we cross the Israeli military checkpoint and enter the Palestinian refugee
camp of Wi’am Center Shofat in East Jerusalem, we will
experience another world. Amidst the cramped, impoverished streets we will be
introduced to the empowering influence of the Community Health Center under
the direction of Dr. Salim Anati. There we will be able to observe
physical therapy facilities and stimulating programs for pre-schoolers,
handicapped persons, and women. Similarly, at the Wi’am Conflict
Transformation Center in Bethlehem, we will learn about their youth and
women’s empowerment programs as well as their trauma healing initiatives. |
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The Palestinian boarding school
near Bethlehem, Hope Secondary School, is another beacon of light in
the darkness. Not to be confused with the Hope Flowers School, this boarding
school provides an educational experience for youth away from the turmoil of
their West Bank villages.
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In Hebron, we will be hosted by the Christian Peacemaker Team as we explore the
tension and dynamics in this Palestinian city with extremist Israeli settlers.
CPT will facilitate our visit with the Abu Maria family, who have experienced
two demolitions over the past several years and endured many hardships.
They are often unable to leave their village for employment or school due to
the checkpoints and roadblocks of the Israeli occupation.
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Last but—of course—not least is
the opportunity to take part in “Peace Trees Bethlehem” at our “adopted”
Hope Flowers School in South Bethlehem. While learning about the ambitious
peacemaking curriculum of Hope Flowers School, we will join staff and students
in a cooperative summer program with an environmental emphasis. We will plant
trees to replace olive
trees and other vegetation which have been uprooted by the Israeli military.
The school’s water sources are currently threatened by the demolition order on
the unfinished school cafeteria—the result of the expansion of the Israeli
settlement of Efrat and the construction of the separation fence/wall. Hope
Flowers School is appreciative of all the support it receives from CPWJ.
Furthermore, Rep. David Price has been instrumental in efforts to resist the
demolition order as well as obtain funding from USAID. As reported in the
Durham Herald-Sun,
he recently visited the school on
May 30th with a Congressional delegation and has since been urging
the U.S. Ambassador to Israel to provide detailed information on the status of
the demolition order on the school and surrounding homes.
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Please contact me at 967-5181 or
by e-mail at
mloupwj@nc.rr.com for more information and ways that you can be involved in
this peace mission.
Peace-Salaam-Shalom,
Mary Lou
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