On December 2nd I left Luton Airport to fly to Tel Aviv with a group of Methodists, representatives from the Jewish communities and a representative from Churches Together in Britain and Ireland. We were to meet with people from both Palestine and Israel and to reflect together on our conversations and experience. Our visit was facilitated by Jane Clements of FODIP (Forum for discussion of Israel and Palestine). We were to return to Britain on December 5th, so what followed was brief and intense. Here, I offer a brief factual account of the visit, with some personal reflections and some photographs. This is not, and does not attempt to be a full report, it is simply some glimpses from a rich, challenging and varied experience.
You can listen to me being interviewed about this visit at http://t.co/6vQiFH0Ruy
You can listen to me being interviewed about this visit at http://t.co/6vQiFH0Ruy
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| The group |
This is the group who visited the region. From left to right in the back row are: Joseph Moses (Board of Deputies of British Jews), Doug Swanney (Connexional Secretary, Methodist ), Christine Elliott (CTBI), Rabbi Leo Dee (Radlett United Synagogue), Matt Collins (Methodist), Jane Clements (FODIP). In the front row are: Rev Ruth Gee (President, Methodist Conference), Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner (Movement Rabbi for the Movement for Reform Judaism), Dr Elizabeth Harris (Associate Professor in Religious Studies at Liverpool Hope University, Methodist).
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| Arriving in Israel |
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| Evening in Jerusalem |
On the first evening, after introductions, we went out to find a coffee shop in the local area.
On Tuesday we went first to a meeting with Janet Lahr Lewis in the Methodist Liaison Office which is in the Tantur Ecumenical Centre. This is on the green line. Janet spoke about her work and the challenges for those living in both Palestine and Israel. Palestinian Christians are leaving the West Bank - Janet told us the reasons for this were all connected to occupation.
We went on, passing through the security checks at the wall, to Ramallah.
In Ramallah we went to the Office of the Foreign Relations Commission of FATAH. Here we met with Hussam Zomlut (Official Spokesperson for
Fatah/PA) and Nabil Shaath (Senior Palestinian Negotiator). We spent an hour in conversation here, I will not attempt to summarise but offer two quotations:
"Hallas - enough!" (Hussam Zomlut)
"Persecuted people develop a kind of immunity against pessimism" (Nabil Shaath)
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| Picture on the wall of the Office of the Foreign Relations Commission, FATAH in Ramallah |
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Street scene in Ramallah
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We ate lunch in Ramallah, this is the view from the window of the restaurant.
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| The Wall |
Leaving Ramallah took a long time as we had to queue to pass through the wall
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| Queuing at the wall on leaving Ramallah |
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| Water storage tanks on the roofs of houses in Ramallah |
The water storage tanks on the roofs of the houses were a reminder of the water shortage and reported interruptions to supply in Palestine.
Our final visit on Tuesday was to the Peres Centre for Peace in Jaffa. Here we met Yarden
Leal, the Director for External Relations. The Centre seeks to promote lasting peace in the Middle East. The focus is on relationships between Jews and Palestinians and between Jews and Arabs within Israel. There are 4 main areas of work: Business, economics and agriculture; peace education; medicine and health care; sports. In all these areas people are brought together across divisions as the centre aims to foster tolerance, economic and technological development, co-operation and well-being. We saw examples of humanitarian and capacity building work where sick Palestinian children are treated in Israeli hospitals and training is given to Palestinian paediatricians. In another project, Palestinian and Israeli schools are twinned in sporting activities building relationships between the children.
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| Evening in Jaffa where we visited the Peres Centre for Peace |
Wednesday morning began with two meetings in the hotel.
The first was with Rabbi David Rosen who is Director of the American Jewish Committee's Department of Interreligious Affairs and
an international expert on Jewish/Christian relations.
The second meeting was with Gershon Baskin, Founder of the Israel Palestine Center for Research and Information (IPCRI) and Mediator of
Israel-Hamas Gilad Shalit Deal.
Both conversations offered fascinating insights into a complex situation.
We left the hotel and travelled to St George's Cathedral (Jerusalem) where we were met by the Dean, the Very Revd Hosam Naoum. Here we were given much insight into the challenges of a pastoral ministry where 1/3 of the parishioners live behind the wall and their journey to the cathedral (and often to work) now takes a minimum of an hour where before it was just 10 minutes.
In 1922 there were over 30,000 Christians in Jerusalem (27% of the population), now Christians make up less than 1% of the population in Jerusalem and about 2% in the region. The Dean believes the reasons for Christians leaving are complex.
Building peace is the only guarantee for security.
These beautiful windows were in the hall where we met with the Dean
Next we left for Bethlehem, passing again through the check-points at the wall. Our first meeting in Bethlehem was at the Holy Land Trust where we were greeted by the Deputy Director, Antwan Saqa. He told us about the Trust's commitment to the principles of non-violence and to strengthening and empowering the peoples of the region and transforming communities.
We went next to the Wi'am Centre, situated on the outskirts of Bethlehem, directly under the wall.
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| The entrance to Wi'am Centre |
The Director, Zoughbi-Zoughbi, spoke of work for co-existence and against injustice. "There is no benign occupation" he said, "it demoralises me as a human being as well as Israelis" The aim is to end occupation by peaceful means, a struggle based on restorative justice and not punitive justice.
Zoughbi Zoughbi reminded us that those working for co-existence here are dealing with trauma; collective, intergenerational and personal trauma. We should never forget this.
From here we went to the Tent of Nations.
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| Road blocked |
We were unable to drive all the way to the farm as the road had been blocked.
The Tent of Nations is on land owned by the family of Daoud Nasssar. In 1981, the Israelis declared this to be state land and the family have been fighting their case through the legal system since then. The farm is surrounded by settlements and was subject to attacks from settlers between 1991 and 2002. There is no running water or electricity and no building is permitted so the family have built cisterns to collect water, installed solar panels and continue living in caves on the land.
The Tent of Nations is now an educational and environmental farm where people come together to build bridges of hope and trust.
As we talked with Daoud, drinking the delicious tea made for us by his brother, I found him to be inspirational and sincere.
Let me share a few of his words:
"We refuse to be victims; we refuse to hate; we want to live our faith; one day justice will prevail"
"We have to learn from our history, but not let our history block our way forward."
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| We refuse to be enemies |
Stones at the entrance to the Tent of Nations on which are carved words which declare the refusal to be enemies.
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| Matt with Daoud at the Tent of Nations |
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| Settlements around the Tent of Nations farm |
On our return to Jerusalem we went to Mount Zion to join in an Interfaith Chanukkah Candle lighting Ceremony. As a sign of commitment to reconciliation, members of faith communities gathered together around the symbol of light, reminded by one speaker that when the light of a candle is shared by lighting other candles it grows stronger.
Our final day began in the Centre for Jewish Christian Relations in Jerusalem. The Director, Sarah Bernstein told us about the work that is being done to increase understanding between Christians, Jews and Muslims. She told us that much of the dialogue in the region ignores and silences the Christian minority. The work of the centre includes education, encounter groups, research and advocacy. Sarah said, "We don't have the privilege of choosing sides."
Our second meeting was in the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Here we met with Amir Sagie, Director of Civil Society Affairs,
Akiva Tor and Rami Hatan (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and Yael
Ravia-Zadok, Head of Bureau for Middle East Economics. After a presentation from our hosts we had the opportunity to engage in dialogue with them and were able to raise issues of concern.
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| Art work by the students in the school, related to religious festivals |
Our final official visit was to Yad b' Yad School where we met with Rebecca Bardach, Director
of Resource Development and Strategy. This school educates Arab and Israeli children. They learn alongside one another and establish friendship, trust and understanding from an early age.
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| Plaque which celebrates a dream becoming a reality |
The official visit was over and we headed for the airport.
But there are a few things more that I want to share. Some special moments, some glimpses of glory.
In Bethlehem, I went into the Church of the Nativity. In the middle of this challenging visit and in the season of Advent I knelt at the spot where many thousands have remembered the birth of Jesus. I was reminded that God is with us in the midst of all this.
I left the church and spotted a sign on a wall in the square. A man spoke to me and showed me the best place to stand to take the photograph. We fell into a brief conversation. He lives in a village next to the wall. "How does that feel?" I asked. He shrugged and said it now takes him over an hour to get to work on the other side of the wall. "Do you hope the peace talks succeed?" I asked. "Yes", he said, "we need peace."
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| Inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre |
Early that morning (Wednesday) the Christians in our group had visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. We arrived there at 5.30am and all was very calm and quiet as early masses were being said. Here, I knelt at the foot of the cross and prayed for the peace of Jerusalem and of this land.
A little later we met to pray together in the church. We sang Jesu Tawa Pano (Jesus we are here), prayed together and then sang "O Thou who camest from above."
As we left the church I took this photograph of a man in prayer at the entrance.
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| Church of the Holy Sepulchre - early morning prayer |
I am grateful to all the members of the group who made this journey together, shared together, reflected together and learned together.
I offer you this brief account knowing that there is so much more that could and will be said in other places.
As you engage with these issues:
I ask you to listen well;
I ask you to respond from a place where you acknowledge the complexity, seek understanding, care for all the vulnerable and challenge injustice.
Most of all, I ask you to pray.
Joint Visit by Delegates from the Methodist Church and the Board of
Deputies of British Jews
2nd – 5th December 2013
Monday, December
2nd
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16.00
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Arrive on Easyjet Flight 2083 from London Luton
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17:30
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Depart for Jerusalem
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18:30
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Arrive and Check-In at Dan Boutique Hotel in Jerusalem
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19.30
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Dinner at Hotel
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20.30
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Dialogue Session facilitated by FODIP
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Tuesday, 3rd
December
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8:00
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Breakfast in hotel; depart for Tantur Ecumenical Centre
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8:30
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Meet with Janet Lahr Lewis (Methodist Liaison)
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10:00
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Depart for Ramallah
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11:00
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Meet with Hussam Zomlut (Official Spokesperson for
Fatah/PA) AND Nabil Shaath (Senior Palestinian Negotiator)
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13:00
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Lunch in Downtown Ramallah
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14:30
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Depart for Tel Aviv
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17:00
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Visit Peres Centre for Peace in Jaffa and Talk with Yarden
Leal (Director of External Relations)
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19.30
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Dinner at hotel
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20.30
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Discussion (facilitated by FODIP)
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Wednesday, 4th
December
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08.00
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Breakfast in hotel
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08.30
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Meet with Rabbi David Rosen (American Jewish Committee and
international expert on Jewish/Christian relations)
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9:30
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Meet with Gershon Baskin (Founder of IPCRI and Mediator of
Israel-Hamas Gilad Shalit Deal)
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11.30
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Meet with Very Revd Hosam Naoum (Dean, St.George’s
Cathedral, Jerusalem)
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12:30
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Depart for Bethlehem
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13:00
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Meet with Antwan Saqa (Deputy Director, Holy Land Trust)
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14.00
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Meet with Zoughbi-Zoughbi (Director, Wi’am Center)
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15:30
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Visit Tent of Nations and Talk with Daoud Nassar
(Director)
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18:00
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Interfaith Chanukkah Candle lighting Ceremony at Mount
Zion
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19:30
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Diner at Hotel
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20:00
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Final Discussion (Facilitated by FODIP)
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Thursday, 5th
December
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08.00
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Breakfast in hotel
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08.30
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Meet with Sarah Bernstein, Director and Hana Bendcowsky,
Programme Director, of Jerusalem Centre for Jewish Christian Relations
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10.00
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Meet with Amir Sagie, Director of Civil Society Affairs,
Akiva Tor and Rami Hatan, Shalom (Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and Yael
Ravia-Zadok, Head of Bureau for Middle East Economics
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12.00
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Visit Yad v’ Yad School and meet with Rebecca Bardach, Director
of Resource Development and Strategy
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14.00
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Depart for Ben Gurion Airport
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16:55
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