Work for peace and justice for Israel/Palestine

Could mark this ‘done’, but it will not truly be done until the Occupation ends.

I went to hear a young Jewish Israeli speaker this evening. He denied the construction of settlements in the West Bank (I’ve seen them my self). Insisted on calling the separation wall that snakes through the West Bank – not following the green line – a “fence” (unusual description for a 24’ concrete structure).

The world – especially Americans since we fund this to such a great degree – needs to dig deeper and learn the real facts “on the ground” from the Palestinian AND Israeli perspectives. This is a holy land for THREE Abrahamic faiths…Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

I’m excited that I’m still speaking on my Israel/Palestine experience. It’s been well over 6 months since my trip & I still am getting ‘gigs’ to show my pix & speak.

I do need to keep working on scheduling more!

I’m watching this now. Amazing that this man wish such grace, peace and actual power (in the best sense of the word) is now writing & speaking re: the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.

There are good & bad folks ‘on both sides’ but this almost 40 year Israeli occupation of the West Bank is just wrong!

My prayers are with Carter and ALL that speak out for peace and justice in such challenging times.

Suddenly now – although I’ve been trying to educate my self on this issue for 7-8 years I’m suddenly some “export”. Hardly.

However, it is nice to be asked for my opinion & be invited to speak to various groups on the issue.

Now, it is even more complex…

And more determined, outspoken than before (is that possible?). The life that Palestinian Muslims/Christians have to endure is incredible. Spent most of my time in Bethlehem. Travel restrictions, late night raids, the wall separating homes from farms/schools/family. It’s wrong. And most people believe the mis-information in the maistream US news.

I’m an American; I don’t want the world to hate me/us because we elected a crummy administration.

Palestinians, through desparation, elected Hamas because they were doing more for the people than Fatah was. Palestinians don’t deserve the hate of the world for this election either.

I don’t trust the mass media. I don’t trust most politicians. I certainly don’t trust the current U.S. administration. I do trust friends – Jewish, Muslim, secular folks & Christians – that have been to Israel/Palestine and testify that there is injustice being done.

That a separation wall has been built and continues to be built. And that Palestinians are suffering at checkpoints. And that Gaza is still a big, gated prison camp. And the physical and mental health is being adversely affected. And that homes are being bulldozed by American-made contruction equipment. And that ancient farmlands are being destroyed to build ‘settlements’. And that young people are so desparate – after 50+ years of injustice – that they see the on solution is strapping explosives to themselve and destroying the lives of Israeli citizens.

I have not been there but I believe. I have not seen but I know.

Isn’t it fair that the Israelis deserve security in Israel? And the Palestinians deserve justice and end to to the senseless occupation?

And the selfish, fearful and desperate people on both sides are destroying both. What didn’t we learn during the Holocaust, apartheid in South Africa and the U.S. treatment of Native Americans…that we can’t help but repeat yet again in this historic land?

Disgusting. Sinful. A testimonial to human failings.

Read. Find alternative media sources. Listen to Palestinian and Israeli peace activists. Invest in a manner which is morally responsible and does not fuel the ‘war machine’ on either side. Pray.

Don’t think we’ll find it by young Palestinians blowing themselves up Israelis & themselves. Don’t think we’ll find it by the giant separation wall snaking through Israel, separating people from farmland, family, jobs, schools. Neither side can gain the security they seek by making more enemies. We must seek a better way for all through peaceful alternatives. Wonderful Israelis, Palestinians, Muslims, Jews and Christians are doing this now. Read, ask questions, seek out alternative media, pray…