February 21, 2001

The Conference began full-steam with such notables as Abuna Elias Chacour making welcoming statements. The group in attendance, in this "different" year, were 300-some die-hards - Americans, Canadians, Brits, South Africans, Westerners - coming to work together for justice and to show solidarity for the Palestinian Church. In the afternoon, we traveled to Ramallah, where we were held up at the ar-Ram checkpoint (see our last update) by the Israeli soldiers. After one and a half hours, we were granted permission to pass.

Because of the delays, we were not able to visit some of the hardest-hit areas of Ramallah and al-Bireh, or to meet with some victims' bereaved families. Dr. Mustafa Barghouti and Palestinian negotiator Yasser Abed Rabbo spoke at the Anglican Church. They discussed the current desperate situation for Palestinians living under the occupation and called for an independent Palestinian state with 1967 borders, Jerusalem as its capital, and the Right of Return for refugees.

We then headed down to central Ramallah for a solidarity rally, led by a Muslim sheikh, a Coptic bishop, and an Anglican priest. Down there, we stood in the rain and heard speeches.

After dinner, we returned for worship at the Notre Dame Conference center and a little Taizé chant.

Sabeel’s founder, Rev. Naim Ateek, negotiating our way across the checkpoint into Ramallah.

Dr. Mustafa Barghouti speaking at the Anglican Church in Ramallah.

Solidarity rally in downtown Ramallah.