Art on the Wall

The Wall is three stories high.

Palestinians and internationals paint messages.

The art changes as others paint over previous pictures.

These pictures were taken in Bethlehem .

In June 2002 Israel announced its plan to build a wall 200 miles long and up to 25 feet high as a security barrier against terrorist’s attacks. Along its twisted route, surrounding illegal settlements in Occupied Palestine, this barrier is a combination of concrete slabs, barbed wire, razor wire, electrified fence, sniper towers, thermal imaging, video cameras, 2 meter deep trenches, roads for patrol vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles. http://www.ifamericansknew.org/cur_sit/court-illegal.html

July 9, 2004 The International Court of Justice at the Hague ruled that the building of the wall was illegal and was an infringement of the rights of Palestinians. http://www.ifamericansknew.org/cur_sit/court-illegal.html

In July 8,2010 an Israeli media center in Jerusalem regretted that only 64% of the wall has been completed after eight years. http://www.jmcc.org/news.aspx?id=1243 Although the separation/apartheid wall construction confiscates Palestinian land, demolishes Palestinian homes, and creates at least 57 check points in the illegally occupied land of Palestine, there is art on the wall. Weekly non violent demonstrations against the Wall by Palestinians, internationals and Israeli activists continue in many villages. And there is art on the wall. http://palsolidarity.org/2010/09/14612/ The art on the wall shows anger and sadness, but also signs of hope.

MPT leaves Jerusalem before lockdown

On Tuesday,September 21 this picture was taken from the balcony of Ecce Homo convent/guesthouse which has served Jews,Muslims,Catholics,Protestants and Orthodox since 1856 as an orphanage,school,dispensary and guest house. The hostel is on Via Dolorosa where Jesus carried the cross. The arch outside the hostel is where tradition says Pontius Pilate presented Jesus to the crowds saying 'ecce homo' Behold the man!

On Wednesday,September 22 a 32-year-old Palestinian man was shot and killed by an Israeli security guard in East Jerusalem. Palestinians continue to protest the demolition of their homes in East Jerusalem. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-1138796)

By Friday, September 24 East Jerusalem was in full military lock down. (http://english.pnn.ps/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8812&Itemid=71 ) There has never been any slowdown of Jews only housing (settlement) starts in illegally annexed East Jerusalem. ( http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10400282 )

The Israeli government's provocative actions and the violations of Palestinian human rights may lead to an escalation of violence on both sides; this gives Israel an excuse to stop peace talks and allow the 'never realized' moratorium of Jews only settlements in the West Bank to expire September 26.

MPT and other internationals are waiting for the olive harvest to begin; after the first heavy rain, October 5-15, the month long harvesting will start.

Fall Palestine Team Arrives Safely in Field Today

We are pleased to announce that the first members of the MPT Fall International Peace Team to Palestine/Israel have arrived in-country today.  They will proceed to their destination after a brief rest overnight.

Please watch for more from the team, blog posts coming soon; plus, another team member will join in coming weeks!

Thanks for reading,

Nicole Rohrkemper
International Teams Coordinator
MPT

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See the E-News this week for tons of Fall Events coming up at MPT -- September - December already on the schedule, Join Us!

MPT All-Teams Reunion Event, Sept 15, 2010

 

 

to a Michigan Peace Team

"DOMESTIC & INTERNATIONAL"

PEACE TEAM REUNION

& NETWORKING PARTY

September 15th, 2010 - 7pm to 9pm

@ Affirmations of Ferndale MI

 

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View this Event on Facebook to share the invite or RSVP Now!  Help us invite your fellow team members, and let them know you'll meet them there.

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MPT would like to invite everyone who has ever been on a Domestic or International Peace Team -- plus all those who have supported teams, and anyone interested in going on a future team-- to this very special event.

Who: Current & Former Team Members (all 16 years!)

and their Supporters, Friends, and Family

Plus! Open to those new to MPT or interested in a Future Team; Information will be available.

What: Join us for Dessert, Cocktails, Door Prizes, Networking, and more! 

 

Tickets are available at the door by donation (on a sliding scale, suggested donation $15); no one will be turned away for inability to pay.  All are welcome. 

 

 

When: September 15th, 2010

Open House, come anytime 7pm to 9pm

Where:

Community Room

Affirmations Community Center of Ferndale

290 W Nine Mile, Ferndale MI 48220 

(Detroit Area)

 

For more information, or to reserve tickets, contact Nicoler.MPT@gmail.com.