While living and working under occupation continues to create its own particular complications, the demonstration of commitment to travel through the gauntlet of checkpoints and detours to meetings, workshops and other activities still provides an inspiration to those of us blessed to work with this network.

- Michele and Terry Finseth

Forty Years of Occupation

June marks the fortieth anniversary of occupation, and while parts of the country are celebrating, many others are mourning not only loss of innumerable freedoms, but increasing instability, greater hunger, and fading hope for resolving the four-decade conflict.

Rana, one of our founding network-member representatives, who is the advocacy officer for the Young Women's Christian Organization (YWCA) expressed the chronic sense of sadness with which she lives, when she shared with us that her fondest dream has always been to be able to drive her car to work. For those of us who take for granted, the freedom of getting into our vehicle and driving wherever we choose, this might seem like a strange dream! But as a Palestinian with only West Bank plates on her car, she will never enjoy the privilege of driving through the checkpoint into Jerusalem, park her car in the carpark beneath the YWCA, and be able to return home at the time of her choosing, much less meet friends for a leisurely dinner or go shopping. And even if she did hold the obligatory permission papers and license, others would still dictate when she could cross, how long it would take, and what kind of process she would have to endure every time she passed through the checkpoint.

Instead, her life is a litany of taxis and buses, leaving home hours before her workday begins to wait in long lines at checkpoints, and producing permits, cards, and papers to justify her movements. She lives daily with the disintegration of hope for a future without oppression and restriction of movement.

She recounted her visit to the United States, and even today what still stands out in her mind the most, was the freedom with which she moved about; no guns, razor wire, barriers, interrogation, or multiple inspections of both her person as well as everything she carried.

An obvious question in many minds might be why, when blessed with the opportunity to leave, she would return to this life. Her answer comes without hesitation; today despite her painful acknowledgement that, if anything, the situation has further deteriorated, Rana remains faithful to the commitment of hope—not only for herself and the dreams she holds dear, but for her family, friends, and the children she one day hopes to bring into the world.

Launch of network activities

Springtime always seems to bring a flurry of new activity to Jerusalem and its environs and with recent funding approval, our network is taking part in the bustle as we move ahead with a number of core and strategic programs and activities.

Collaboration with Israel-Palestine Mission Network

Here in Jerusalem the network welcomed members of a visiting delegation from the Israel-Palestine Mission Network in the States, to discuss how we might work collectively and support one another with respect to our activities in tourism and handicrafts—two areas which hold a great deal of interest among U.S. presbyteries.

Production of 2007 Advent materials

Another exciting project Joining Hands for Justice, Palestine is working on, is the production of advent 2007 materials to be shared with churches both here and in the States, themed on life behind the wall as fellow Christians await the birth of Jesus.

Palestine-Poster

Finally, we’re addressing the issue of creating a poster that will represent the life of Palestinians and the work of the network. It will be exciting to discover what the young artists produce.

U. S. Partners Welcome International Center Director to Atlanta

by Sarah Humphrey, Director Presbyterian Answer to Hunger

The Presbytery of Greater Atlanta’s Joining Hands Committee welcomed Rev. Mitri Raheb, General Director of the International Center of Bethlehem and the founder of Dar al-Kalima School and Academy, during his visit to Atlanta in April. The Atlanta Committee hosted a presbytery wide dinner and event for him at Rock Spring Presbyterian Church. Mitri shared about Palestinians’ life under Occupation and about the activities of the Joining Hands network.

North Decatur Presbyterian Church, a Joining Hands network member, invited him to preach on the Sunday during his visit.

Mitri’s visit, as well as past visits from other network members, serve to connect U.S. Presbyterians in ways that will build and strengthen existing ties as well as encourage new ones.