April 6, 2002

We've continued our work of writing and staying on top of what's happening on the West Bank as much as we can. For news from Zababdeh, we spoke with a couple of folks at the University. Our friend returned today - she didn't have to ride a tractor after all, but passed right through the checkpoint. There are twenty-three students who have stayed on campus, and everyone is - thankfully - bored and safe. They've had cookouts and get-togethers to keep sane. We were able to talk to them because the University sits on a mountain top where they can get Israeli cellphone (rather than Palestinian) service.

The incursion into Tubas yesterday, as we learned, was into one building - there were six gunmen. The Israeli soldiers went in, killed the six, and left. The army is still in Qabatiya and Jenin - we talked with our friends there. They are out of water and perishables. There is no electricity and their radio batteries have almost died. That means that, though there's a maelstrom going on outside their door, they have no idea what the news is - how ironic. They are all exhausted, especially the children, since there is constant shooting around them - night and day. Their home is very close to the refugee camp.

In Nablus, the story is much the same - no electricity, and the attacks on the Old City are ferocious with constant tank fire. We also spoke with a friend in Bethlehem as we could hear tank noises through the telephone. In addition to everything else, their kids are extremely restless and want to go outside - they don't understand why they can't. The curfew was lifted for a few hours yesterday, and they briefly went outside - but not for long, because there was gunfire and four or five casualties were later reported. Meanwhile, those holed up in the Church of the Nativity haven't eaten since Thursday. For all the coverage that Bethlehem and Ramallah have been getting, everyone fears that the situation is even worse in the north - however, with no media coverage, no one knows.

An Arab-Israeli girl holds a Palestinian flag as part of a solidarity demonstration.

We headed out for a demonstration of Arab Israelis in Nazareth to show their outrage at the atrocities being committed in the West Bank. It was also prompted by the mistreatment of Arab MKs (members of the Knesset) who were physically and verbally assaulted as they tried to deliver relief aid to Ramallah yesterday. There were thousands in the peaceful demonstration that began at Mary's Well, continued past the Church of the Annunciation, and onto the Nazareth Municipality. It felt good - we've been spending the last five days constantly on-line and on the telephone, so the exercise alone was refreshing. But it also felt like we were doing something tangible. There were men, women, and children, Christian, and Muslim, together.

An Arab-Israeli solidarity demonstration through the streets of Nazareth.

Arab-Israeli religious and civic leaders lead the Palestinian solidarity demonstration through the streets of Nazareth.

Elizabeth being interviewed by Dutch radio during the Arab-Israeli solidarity demonstration in Nazareth.

Mass at the Latin Church in Migdal Ha-Emeq, Israel, formerly the Palestinian village of Mujeddel.

We spent most of the time marching near a group of women, who were enthusiastically chanting throughout the march. It was also quite incredible to walk together, Christian and Muslim, past the Church and the parking lot used by the Shehab id-Diin as a mosque. This piece of real estate has been a place of division and hostility in the community between Muslims and Christians. But here they were, coming together in a peaceful march.

We arrived at the Municipality, where the political speeches began. At that point, we were approached by VPro Dutch Radio for an interview on why we were there. Not exactly what we had in mind for getting the word out, but it'll do...

Bulletin image of Jesus’ appearance in the Upper Room to the disciples, showing them his pierced hands and side.

We then headed to the Latin Church in Migdal Ha-Emeq. A Jewish area, the town was built on the ruins of a Palestinian village called Mujeddel which was depopulated and destroyed in 1948. The former residents mostly live in nearby Nazareth and travel to the church - all that remains of the Arab town. Abuna Jack, an Arab Franciscan priest, has given a wonderful spirit to the community of faith, which is made up of former residents and other area Catholics. Abuna led the congregation with praise songs on his guitar while the lyrics were projected onto the stone wall. The Mass followed, insterspersed with guitar-led responses and hymns. Fr. Jack offered special prayers for the situation at the Church of the Nativity, saying that the Franciscans - who have been here for 800 years - hope to see themselves as a bridge between the Israelis and Palestinians.

The lectionary gospel passage was from John 20, one of Christ's post-resurrection appearances to the disciples. They were meeting in the house where the doors were locked "for fear of the Jews" (John 20:19). We have always considered it important for Christians to understand New Testament references that refer to Jews negatively with caution - not only because they have been used to justify anti-Semitic violence and hatred, but because they must be taken in context, that they were meant to offer lessons to early Christians about how we need to be aware of the hypocrisy and wrongheadedness within our own communities of faith. After all, Jesus was a Jew - as were the disciples and the early apostles. Nevertheless, we couldn't help but think of our friends in Bethlehem, Ramallah, Nablus, and Jenin who were hiding in the house where their doors are locked "for fear of the Jews".

But there is good news for those who would fear that the enemy is seeking their destruction - Christ appeared to the disciples. Christ is with those who fear, even in the face of death. This is the peace of the Christian message, that God knows our hopes as well as our fears, for God lived among us as human. May our besieged friends know this comfort.