Final update from Ecumenical Accompanier Doug
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Andrea Whitmore
Mar 11, 2008, 3:50:22 PM3/11/08
to cj...@googlegroups.com
FEB 14
I met the Methodist delegation at 10:30 today, in time for their coffee break and a little sweet roll.
Then the 90 of them broke into 5 groups and my workshop was called Options for Advocacy. A woman who is part of their delegation has been in Christian Peacemakers Teams and she led with me. We had about 18 people of all ages and they seemed interested in what we had to say.
Then at noon the pastor of Christmas Lutheran Church spoke about having no optimism about the situation here yet having hope for the future. He thinks there may be a couple generations of apartheid before it falls. So he compares this situation with the death and resurrection. His name is Mitri Raheb and he is quite a good speaker.
Then we all went upstairs in the International Center for a lunch of salad, a rice dish and chicken. Afterward they broke into groups to talk about their commitment after returning to the U.S. for advocacy.
FEB 18
Jenny just accepted the job of national coordinator for Switzerland EA program when she returns home, and she is very happy about it. She is trained as a social worker and is a natural as an EA. Tzegha is looking for a job in Palestine, preferably with a German NGO. She speaks some Arabic and is well accepted by the people here.
You asked about the food: not eating much meat and dairy. Mainly fruit, veggies, bread (pita) and hummus with some eggs.
I went to Abu Azzam's house this morning to discuss the new EA group coming to Jayyous (one from South Africa and four Europeans). He and his wife invited all seven of us to come for dinner tomorrow evening.
The propane tank that fuels our heater ran out soon after our return to the house so I carried the empty to the gas dealer in the village center and he cordially sold me another. About once a week we need one and it's to get cold tonight and snow in some areas tomorrow.
FEB 20
Jenny had the new team out all day while Tzegha and I recovered from the "trial." Tonight everyone is on their computers or otherwise taking it easy. Tomorrow morning we go to a demonstration to attempt stopping the completion of a playground demolition. The swimming pool and wading pool were demolished two years ago, now Israel wants to destroy the rest. Israel always says it is about a building permit, which are simply not issued to Palestinians in Area B or C.
FEB 21
It's about 6:45pm Thurs. We've been busy taking the new team around, including a demonstration at the playground in Azzoun and at that village gate. The Israeli army closed the gate with earth and boulders a week ago so many of us internationals, Palestinian and Israeli peace folks, moved from the playground to stand on top of the mound and to cross it and talk to an Israeli army officer as a protest. Then we all seven went to Afaf's for lunch. She's the Christian lady who lives in Azzoun and likes to be in touch with the EA teams.
Now we are going to the mayor's for introduction of the new team. One of the new ladies is staying at the house to cook a nice vegetable soup. Will try to write more later.
FEB 23
Had an interesting day. We were up at 5:30 and went to Falamya gate, then on the way back stopped at the North gate for an hour. Ate breakfast with Tzegha and then we caught a serveece to Qalqilya, as she was on her way to Ramallah for a couple of interviews. She would like to work over here for a German NGO or similar.
I hopped off the van just before the town and walked up a road to Zufim settlement. Walked unchallenged past a couple of soldiers at the checkpoint leading into that area. Upon hiking over a hilltop I found myself in the same area where the American Jews and I planted olive seedlings a couple of weeks ago. I was there to locate some Bedouins who lately received demolition orders and lived on or near the land of Abu Azzam.
Then in the distance at the end of a long dirt road in a citrus grove I saw Abu Azzam on his tractor. He stopped to chat with some men picking lemons and I walked down the boulder-strewn hill to join them. He had me get on the fender of the tractor and took me up a track to a Bedouin area.
The structures are kind of tentlike but with semipermanent wood or pipe frames. Animal shelters were also there covered with galvanized metal and plastic tarps. A couple of children were there but no man, so we started back down the hill. Halfway down Abu received a cell call that Katherine from UNWRA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) was on her way to interview these Bedouin about their situation. Abu Azzam had to leave to help a married daughter but dropped me off to wait for UNWRA in case I could be of any help. So I spent a pleasant three quarter hours in the shade of a small tree over-
looking this large basin containing the 75% of Jayyous farmland now behind the barrier fence.
UNWRA arrived and I listened to the translation of the predicament. Basically the press was also there so we'll see if the Israeli authorities have second thoughts about receiving bad publicity from demolishing the poor Bedouins housing.
On the way out UNWRA dropped me off to walk back through the checkpoint because they have a rule against carrying passengers through. No problem. Then the road led past the Israeli army checkpoint that controls all vehicle traffic in and out of Qalqilya, a town of 40-50,000. I noticed a long line of taxis, cars and trucks backed up trying to get out so decided to monitor for a while.
Standing fifty feet away I attracted the attention of a couple of soldiers in a jeep who stopped to ask me what I was doing and where I was from. I said I was observing the checkpoint and that I was an American. One asked if I was a tourist (visa question) and I said yes, but being in my distinctive vest I was obviously not the average tourist. However they chose not to push it and wished me a nice day. After standing there another 45 minutes I saw the soldiers finally work the line down to a few cars and I took off down the road.
FEB 24
My last morning at Qalqilya North terminal saw a meltdown of the operation of that place. Many people came and the facility could not handle it and a mob scene occurred. Nobody was hurt but there were hundreds of people pushing toward the gate in a desperate effort to get through in time to be picked up for work. We can only try to tell the situation and hope someone in power wants to improve it.
Jenny came back last night and we are going to Qalqilya Open University at 1:30 for an English Club party of some kind. Tzegha may meet us there on her way back from Ramallah.
Only 2 days left in Jayyous after today. I feel like it was a good placement.
FEB 26
Our team just got tear gassed by the army. It's our last day here and the Israeli army came to the mosque so we went out of our house to head that way. When we were a block from the soldiers boys threw stones from behind us so we had to go down a side street. We were with people outside some shops when tear gas was shot into a nearby intersection. The wind blew it on us as three military vehicles passed by on their way to the village gate. I'm sure they noticed us. Now we've come back into the house.
Our eyes burned and watered for a few minutes then were ok I guess the military wanted to tell us goodbye.
Tonight we went around and said goodbye to three lovely families and have one more in the morning. Then at 10am we leave for Jerusalem and the handover ceremony.
MARCH 11
Greetings from Fairway, Kansas, Everyone,
On February 27th our Handover Service was held in the Old City at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. EAs from Group 25 had traveled into Jerusalem from the five placements that morning with all their luggage. Tzegha and Jenny and I had used Abed and his taxi, which had carried us to Qalqilya at 3:30 AM every Sunday morning for ten weeks. The last visit to Qalqilya North pedestrian terminal had been disheartening because the military's functioning had been inept. Slow processing between 4:00 AM and 5:30 led to a panic among the Palestinians trying to get across and catch their rides on time. Losing employment is a financial disaster leading to rapid poverty for a family.
So we went to the closing ceremony knowing we had not been able to fix anything in the West Bank. Thus humbled, we opened by singing "O Lord hear my prayer. When I call answer me. O Lord hear my prayer. Come and listen to me." The Scripture Reading was Luke 4:14-21 about Jesus reading from Isaiah "... bring good news to the poor...liberty to the captives...recovery of sight to the blind...set free the oppressed...announce that the time has come when the Lord will save his people."
Then the outgoing EAs passed on the cell phones with contacts' numbers and the keys to the houses and our prayers to the new EAs that they would "listen to the stories of the people in this land and accompany them in solidarity."
Then Pastor Mark Holman read verses from Psalm 27 which begins "The Lord is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear?" Then he led a candlelighting ceremony where the outgoing team passed to the new "the calling to walk in the Light with the people of Jayyous (or other placement). May you walk with kindness, hope, patience and love so that you are blessed and a blessing to all." Nearing the end, the Leader read "O God of many names, Lover of all nations, we pray for peace in our hearts, in our homes, in our nations, in our world. For the peace you will, we pray. Amen"
That reminded me of the hymn This Is My Song:
“O God of all the nations, a song of peace for lands afar and mine. This is my home, the country where my heart is; Here are my hopes, my dreams, my holy shrine; But other hearts in other lands are beating, with hope and dreams as true and high as mine....O hear my song, thou God of all the nations, a song of peace for their land and for mine."
Thanks be to God, I was healthy the whole time in the Holy Land. But on the flight back to the States came a cough which led to heavy chest and sinus congestion for a week. I'm now readjusting to my life and routine in Fairway, Kansas, with my supportive spouse Andrea and big dog Grace.
After eleven days the West Bank already seems a world away. Fortunately a few hundred photos will remind me of that reality and what I've committed myself to do about it. Every family of Palestinians was kind and hospitable to all of us in the Programme; and every family is seriously affected by the Israeli military occupation. People have lost access to important places like Jerusalem and its holy sites. People have had family members killed from 1948 to the present in encounters with the occupiers. Sons and brothers are in prison for lengthy terms for acts of resistance to the occupation. Boys are routinely shot, often in the legs, for being in the wrong place or throwing stones at fences or military vehicles. Friendly relationships have been lost between Israelis and Palestinians because of laws and regulations prohibiting visiting the others' towns and cities. Access to farmland has been restricted so illegal settlements can have huge "security zones" surround them. Olive and citrus trees have been uprooted for the construction of illegal settlements.
Unemployment has become the norm as I observed at least half of men and young men unable to find work of any kind. This means they are unable to support their families or be married (for the young men). The Israeli bureaucracy that controls permits for all kinds
of activities that Americans enjoy freely contributes to a sense of oppression and to economic strangulation. The permit system to go from one place to another means the Israeli army needs checkpoints to examine the permits and ID papers for Palestinians to travel to other Palestinian towns and villages and to their own farm lands. These often mean long waits no matter the urgency of the situation. The overall implementation of the occupation brings resentment and poverty, which in the long run will decrease the security of Israel in my opinion.
The Palestinians have an agricultural society of traditional values. If they are treated with fairness and respect they will treat the other even better. Israeli policy of condoning colonization in an occupied territory is a gross violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
In closing, I'll be organizing my photos into a Powerpoint presentation for the talks to church groups that have already been arranged, and I’ll invite everyone when public talks are set. If your church or group would like me to come tell about my experiences in the Holy Land, please email me or Andrea (whitm...@hotmail.com or whitmo...@hotmail.com).
Many thanks for your interest and prayers in sharing this experience and to Andrea for editing.
Peace. Doug
*Note from Andrea: If you are interested in becoming an Ecumenical Accompanier, Doug would love to talk to you about it. You can meanwhile get preliminary information at http://www.eappi.org
*If you cannot commit to three months away (and it is a big commitment), you may want to consider one of the many excellent ten-day to two-week trips available through various peace groups. Here is a listing from Friends of Sabeel North America:
http://www.fosna.org/conferences_and_trips/AlternativeTravelOpportunities.html
I met the Methodist delegation at 10:30 today, in time for their coffee break and a little sweet roll.
Then the 90 of them broke into 5 groups and my workshop was called Options for Advocacy. A woman who is part of their delegation has been in Christian Peacemakers Teams and she led with me. We had about 18 people of all ages and they seemed interested in what we had to say.
Then at noon the pastor of Christmas Lutheran Church spoke about having no optimism about the situation here yet having hope for the future. He thinks there may be a couple generations of apartheid before it falls. So he compares this situation with the death and resurrection. His name is Mitri Raheb and he is quite a good speaker.
Then we all went upstairs in the International Center for a lunch of salad, a rice dish and chicken. Afterward they broke into groups to talk about their commitment after returning to the U.S. for advocacy.
FEB 18
Jenny just accepted the job of national coordinator for Switzerland EA program when she returns home, and she is very happy about it. She is trained as a social worker and is a natural as an EA. Tzegha is looking for a job in Palestine, preferably with a German NGO. She speaks some Arabic and is well accepted by the people here.
You asked about the food: not eating much meat and dairy. Mainly fruit, veggies, bread (pita) and hummus with some eggs.
I went to Abu Azzam's house this morning to discuss the new EA group coming to Jayyous (one from South Africa and four Europeans). He and his wife invited all seven of us to come for dinner tomorrow evening.
The propane tank that fuels our heater ran out soon after our return to the house so I carried the empty to the gas dealer in the village center and he cordially sold me another. About once a week we need one and it's to get cold tonight and snow in some areas tomorrow.
FEB 20
Jenny had the new team out all day while Tzegha and I recovered from the "trial." Tonight everyone is on their computers or otherwise taking it easy. Tomorrow morning we go to a demonstration to attempt stopping the completion of a playground demolition. The swimming pool and wading pool were demolished two years ago, now Israel wants to destroy the rest. Israel always says it is about a building permit, which are simply not issued to Palestinians in Area B or C.
FEB 21
It's about 6:45pm Thurs. We've been busy taking the new team around, including a demonstration at the playground in Azzoun and at that village gate. The Israeli army closed the gate with earth and boulders a week ago so many of us internationals, Palestinian and Israeli peace folks, moved from the playground to stand on top of the mound and to cross it and talk to an Israeli army officer as a protest. Then we all seven went to Afaf's for lunch. She's the Christian lady who lives in Azzoun and likes to be in touch with the EA teams.
Now we are going to the mayor's for introduction of the new team. One of the new ladies is staying at the house to cook a nice vegetable soup. Will try to write more later.
FEB 23
Had an interesting day. We were up at 5:30 and went to Falamya gate, then on the way back stopped at the North gate for an hour. Ate breakfast with Tzegha and then we caught a serveece to Qalqilya, as she was on her way to Ramallah for a couple of interviews. She would like to work over here for a German NGO or similar.
I hopped off the van just before the town and walked up a road to Zufim settlement. Walked unchallenged past a couple of soldiers at the checkpoint leading into that area. Upon hiking over a hilltop I found myself in the same area where the American Jews and I planted olive seedlings a couple of weeks ago. I was there to locate some Bedouins who lately received demolition orders and lived on or near the land of Abu Azzam.
Then in the distance at the end of a long dirt road in a citrus grove I saw Abu Azzam on his tractor. He stopped to chat with some men picking lemons and I walked down the boulder-strewn hill to join them. He had me get on the fender of the tractor and took me up a track to a Bedouin area.
The structures are kind of tentlike but with semipermanent wood or pipe frames. Animal shelters were also there covered with galvanized metal and plastic tarps. A couple of children were there but no man, so we started back down the hill. Halfway down Abu received a cell call that Katherine from UNWRA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) was on her way to interview these Bedouin about their situation. Abu Azzam had to leave to help a married daughter but dropped me off to wait for UNWRA in case I could be of any help. So I spent a pleasant three quarter hours in the shade of a small tree over-
looking this large basin containing the 75% of Jayyous farmland now behind the barrier fence.
UNWRA arrived and I listened to the translation of the predicament. Basically the press was also there so we'll see if the Israeli authorities have second thoughts about receiving bad publicity from demolishing the poor Bedouins housing.
On the way out UNWRA dropped me off to walk back through the checkpoint because they have a rule against carrying passengers through. No problem. Then the road led past the Israeli army checkpoint that controls all vehicle traffic in and out of Qalqilya, a town of 40-50,000. I noticed a long line of taxis, cars and trucks backed up trying to get out so decided to monitor for a while.
Standing fifty feet away I attracted the attention of a couple of soldiers in a jeep who stopped to ask me what I was doing and where I was from. I said I was observing the checkpoint and that I was an American. One asked if I was a tourist (visa question) and I said yes, but being in my distinctive vest I was obviously not the average tourist. However they chose not to push it and wished me a nice day. After standing there another 45 minutes I saw the soldiers finally work the line down to a few cars and I took off down the road.
FEB 24
My last morning at Qalqilya North terminal saw a meltdown of the operation of that place. Many people came and the facility could not handle it and a mob scene occurred. Nobody was hurt but there were hundreds of people pushing toward the gate in a desperate effort to get through in time to be picked up for work. We can only try to tell the situation and hope someone in power wants to improve it.
Jenny came back last night and we are going to Qalqilya Open University at 1:30 for an English Club party of some kind. Tzegha may meet us there on her way back from Ramallah.
Only 2 days left in Jayyous after today. I feel like it was a good placement.
FEB 26
Our team just got tear gassed by the army. It's our last day here and the Israeli army came to the mosque so we went out of our house to head that way. When we were a block from the soldiers boys threw stones from behind us so we had to go down a side street. We were with people outside some shops when tear gas was shot into a nearby intersection. The wind blew it on us as three military vehicles passed by on their way to the village gate. I'm sure they noticed us. Now we've come back into the house.
Our eyes burned and watered for a few minutes then were ok I guess the military wanted to tell us goodbye.
Tonight we went around and said goodbye to three lovely families and have one more in the morning. Then at 10am we leave for Jerusalem and the handover ceremony.
MARCH 11
Greetings from Fairway, Kansas, Everyone,
On February 27th our Handover Service was held in the Old City at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. EAs from Group 25 had traveled into Jerusalem from the five placements that morning with all their luggage. Tzegha and Jenny and I had used Abed and his taxi, which had carried us to Qalqilya at 3:30 AM every Sunday morning for ten weeks. The last visit to Qalqilya North pedestrian terminal had been disheartening because the military's functioning had been inept. Slow processing between 4:00 AM and 5:30 led to a panic among the Palestinians trying to get across and catch their rides on time. Losing employment is a financial disaster leading to rapid poverty for a family.
So we went to the closing ceremony knowing we had not been able to fix anything in the West Bank. Thus humbled, we opened by singing "O Lord hear my prayer. When I call answer me. O Lord hear my prayer. Come and listen to me." The Scripture Reading was Luke 4:14-21 about Jesus reading from Isaiah "... bring good news to the poor...liberty to the captives...recovery of sight to the blind...set free the oppressed...announce that the time has come when the Lord will save his people."
Then the outgoing EAs passed on the cell phones with contacts' numbers and the keys to the houses and our prayers to the new EAs that they would "listen to the stories of the people in this land and accompany them in solidarity."
Then Pastor Mark Holman read verses from Psalm 27 which begins "The Lord is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear?" Then he led a candlelighting ceremony where the outgoing team passed to the new "the calling to walk in the Light with the people of Jayyous (or other placement). May you walk with kindness, hope, patience and love so that you are blessed and a blessing to all." Nearing the end, the Leader read "O God of many names, Lover of all nations, we pray for peace in our hearts, in our homes, in our nations, in our world. For the peace you will, we pray. Amen"
That reminded me of the hymn This Is My Song:
“O God of all the nations, a song of peace for lands afar and mine. This is my home, the country where my heart is; Here are my hopes, my dreams, my holy shrine; But other hearts in other lands are beating, with hope and dreams as true and high as mine....O hear my song, thou God of all the nations, a song of peace for their land and for mine."
Thanks be to God, I was healthy the whole time in the Holy Land. But on the flight back to the States came a cough which led to heavy chest and sinus congestion for a week. I'm now readjusting to my life and routine in Fairway, Kansas, with my supportive spouse Andrea and big dog Grace.
After eleven days the West Bank already seems a world away. Fortunately a few hundred photos will remind me of that reality and what I've committed myself to do about it. Every family of Palestinians was kind and hospitable to all of us in the Programme; and every family is seriously affected by the Israeli military occupation. People have lost access to important places like Jerusalem and its holy sites. People have had family members killed from 1948 to the present in encounters with the occupiers. Sons and brothers are in prison for lengthy terms for acts of resistance to the occupation. Boys are routinely shot, often in the legs, for being in the wrong place or throwing stones at fences or military vehicles. Friendly relationships have been lost between Israelis and Palestinians because of laws and regulations prohibiting visiting the others' towns and cities. Access to farmland has been restricted so illegal settlements can have huge "security zones" surround them. Olive and citrus trees have been uprooted for the construction of illegal settlements.
Unemployment has become the norm as I observed at least half of men and young men unable to find work of any kind. This means they are unable to support their families or be married (for the young men). The Israeli bureaucracy that controls permits for all kinds
of activities that Americans enjoy freely contributes to a sense of oppression and to economic strangulation. The permit system to go from one place to another means the Israeli army needs checkpoints to examine the permits and ID papers for Palestinians to travel to other Palestinian towns and villages and to their own farm lands. These often mean long waits no matter the urgency of the situation. The overall implementation of the occupation brings resentment and poverty, which in the long run will decrease the security of Israel in my opinion.
The Palestinians have an agricultural society of traditional values. If they are treated with fairness and respect they will treat the other even better. Israeli policy of condoning colonization in an occupied territory is a gross violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
In closing, I'll be organizing my photos into a Powerpoint presentation for the talks to church groups that have already been arranged, and I’ll invite everyone when public talks are set. If your church or group would like me to come tell about my experiences in the Holy Land, please email me or Andrea (whitm...@hotmail.com or whitmo...@hotmail.com).
Many thanks for your interest and prayers in sharing this experience and to Andrea for editing.
Peace. Doug
*Note from Andrea: If you are interested in becoming an Ecumenical Accompanier, Doug would love to talk to you about it. You can meanwhile get preliminary information at http://www.eappi.org
*If you cannot commit to three months away (and it is a big commitment), you may want to consider one of the many excellent ten-day to two-week trips available through various peace groups. Here is a listing from Friends of Sabeel North America:
http://www.fosna.org/conferences_and_trips/AlternativeTravelOpportunities.html
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