A Palestine refugee camp

Meet Handala. He is a Palestinian refugee who represents the sadness and hardships endured by the Palestinian who longs for a homeland with justice and human rights. Although created in the 1970’s by Naji Al-Ali, the Handala figure can be seen on t shirts and painted on walls throughout Palestine.

Balata Refugee Camp, one of the largest in the West Bank, is located in the southeastern section of Nablus, the largest city in the West Bank, directly across the street from the religious shrine known as the ancient Jacob’s Well. It exists in stark contrast to the elaborate cathedral and lush green gardens, well tended by a staff. In Balata camp there is almost no green to be seen, mostly just gray cement.

Approximately 800,000 Palestinians were kicked out of their homes in 1948, when Israel declared itself a nation, in possession of the native Palestinians’ land and homes. At first the Palestinians were determined and hopeful of return to their homelands but after a few years some accepted the United Nations (UN) offer of refugee camps. Balata is one of these UN camps.

Mustafa Farah, the tour guide and translator at Balata, explained some of the history to MPT members today. Originally, the one square kilometer was home to 4-5,000 refugees, living in tents, with 2-4 public bathrooms. Over the years the UN built very small cement block houses in place of the tents and the population has grown to 25-26,000 inhabitants. The houses are built with adjoining walls; the streets are very narrow passageways. A very large person is not able to pass through them. As the families have grown they have expanded their homes up, adding more stories, as they have nowhere to go horizontally. They must stay within the space of their original tent. Mustafa showed us one the “uninhabitable” houses originally built by the UN, and yes, there is a family living in it.

The great-grandchildren of the original residents are now growing up in the Balata camp. These generations of refugees have experienced all manner of horrors of the Occupation, e.g., killings, incarceration, closed schools, demolished houses, and curfews preventing people from getting to medical care, school, and work. Some of these conditions have improved since the end of the second Intifada, “We are able to breathe,” stated Mustafa. But these Palestinians are still plagued by serious issues of overcrowding, unemployment, lack of educational, medical and social resources.

Creative Play in Palestine

For the last 6 years the village of Bil’in has organized weekly nonviolent demonstrations protesting the Israeli separation wall which denies access to 60% of the village’s land.

MPT viewed these pictures before Friday’s scheduled protest. The play material pictured is spent ammunition that Israeli soldiers used against the demonstrators.

FREE Tix to MPT's Gala Signature Event! Plus, Trainings for 2011

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may see it online.

Share This:

Special Opportunity: New Technology and Branding Committee @MPT! Calling All: - Marketing folks - Graphic Designers - Web Designers - Creative thinkers - Tech Wizards - IT professionals - Social networking guru's, and more! Join our Tech & Branding Committee. Meets just once a month -or- consider consulting on one project.  Build your resume & get great references! Contact MaryHanna.MPT @gmail.com or 517-484-3178.   Tell her you saw it in the Teams Insider News! MPT Blogs MPTinJuarez MPTinPalestine MPT General   MPTenEspanol Vol. 16, Edition 10 IN THIS EDITION:     → Signature Event Update and Win Tickets! → Adv Training Dates for 2011 → Teams Now Forming → Coming Events → Resource Bar → Contact Information News for those interested in joining an MPT International Peace Team, Team Support Volunteers, and Peace Team Veterans. [Click 'Display Images' or 'See it Online' to display this email properly.] Dear Team Member or Supporter, Please scroll down for your regular news and updates--but before you do, please consider this brief note on  one way you can support the work of MPT: join us at our upcoming gala dinner! Want 2 FREE Tickets to the Signature Event ($100 value)? Click here to find out how! (Opens in a New Window) Want to purchase a ticket, but still not sure you can afford one?  In order to join us, and support MPT's critical conflict intervention work, this month consider giving up just one of the following: Two weeks of coffee at home, not coffee-shops 3 movies with popcorn two nights out to dinner Bike don't Drive - Do it yourself, and ask two loved ones to skip a trip in the car each week; donate the money saved toward a ticket.  Or: Ask your workplace, organization, place of worship to sponsor a ticket! We at Michigan Peace Team are counting the days until our Signature event, Living Justice: Celebrating the Life and Work of Edward Said and Rachel Corrie.  The event will be held at the elegant Greenfield Manor of Dearbon, and will feature speakers Grace Said (sister of political and intellectual figure Edward Said) and Cindy Corrie (mother of Rachel.Corrie,  a young peace activitist killed working in the West Bank).  This is a not-to-be-missed event that will include a spectacular meal, an exquisite silent auction, great talks, and dabke dancing.  We know that these are very challenging economic times, and yet the work has never been more important.  We are asking you to seriously consider making the sacrifice to support  MPT's work for peace. To order your tickets, send your check made out to Michigan Peace Team to Sr. Mary Ann Ford at 24071 Oneida, Oak Park, MI 48237 or purchase online at mptsigevent.blogspot.com. You can also call  Liz Walters at 517-484-3178 or 517-231-7403 for more information.  We cannot guarantee seats after Nov. 3.  Tables are filling quickly . . . RESERVE YOUR SEAT TODAY. In Peace, Nicole Rohrkemper International Team Deployment Coordinator Michigan Peace Team (586) 419-1070 (direct line) NicoleR.mpt@gmail.com WIN 2 FREE TICKETS TO MPT'S SIGNATURE EVENT! *Applications are due this Sunday, October 31st, 2010* Why: You need a ticket; we can always use committed volunteers. How it works: Submit a half-page 'essay' (300 words or less), explaining why you should get the tickets.  You must include the following THREE THINGS: 1. Briefly state your Economic Need (i.e. limited or no income, recent unemployment, student, etc.) 2.  Make a signficant and meaningful commitment to volunteering with MPT between now and March 1st, 2011, and tell us HOW you will participate. Choose one or more projects below (or suggest your own): Create a Wiki Page for MPT Advanced Trainings (must have tech know-how) Become an assistant Trainer for MPT (hands-on, on-site learning required-- mostly weekends) Volunteer for Team Training Roleplays 3x (usually in Lansing, MI on Saturdays) Interview new MPT Team Members (domestic or international team veterans only, 1-2 hours per interview) Serve on an International Teams Policy Committee, early 2011 (great for returned team members or anyone who is familiar with conflict intervention work) Volunteer in the MPT office in Lansing (assist staff, data entry, phone calls, and more) Virtual Volunteer located anywhere, to work with International Teams Coordinator (via email and phone) on team deployment projects, must be tech-savvy and have reliable internet access Volunteer to cook for 2011 Advanced Trainin weekends Detroit Metro Area Volunteer to work with International Teams Coordinator on team deployment projects Stuff Evelopes for upcoming campaigns  Commit to being an Anchor for an International Team for 1-3 months (International Team Veterans only, tell us what quarter of 2011: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall) Or, suggest your own project to benefit MPT! 3.  List WHEN you are available to volunteer (Examples: weeknights? weekends? Fridays? Every other Thursday from 3-5? One Saturday a month?). For more information about these volunteer opportunities, contact NicoleR.mpt@gmail.com by Friday. When: Due by Sunday, October 31st at Midnight EST.  Send your answers in an email or a .doc attachment to: NicoleR.mpt@gmail.com.  If you want to apply with a hard copy, or can't use email to apply, contact Nicole at 586-419-1070 by Friday. Winner will recieve two tickets to the MPT Signature Event, taking place in Dearborn, MI on November 5th, 2010.  Tickets have been donated by the generous Sponsors of the event. Winner will be notified by Monday, November 1st, 2010. Thank you and Good Luck! Consider one of the Volunteer Projects listed to the left. Regardless of who wins tickets, we need volunteers like YOU to continue the work you're reading about in this newsletter. Even if you don't want the tickets, or don't win, we need folks to take on these projects.  Can you help? Contact NicoleR.mpt @gmail.com for more information or to volunteer for many of the projects listed to the left. Or, to volunteer at the MPT office in Lansing, contact ElizabethWalters. MPT@gmail.com. Thank you to all of our committed volunteers! Get ready to pack your bags and deploy as soon as this January! Questions?   FAQ's Here.   TEAMS NOW FORMING   Palestine/Israel Winter 2011 (Jan- March) URGENT: TEAM VETERANS NEEDED FOR JANUARY/FEBRUARY TEAM ANCHOR What is an Anchor?   Accepting Tenative Applications Only for Winter 2011  This team is currently on hold due to lack of an Anchor/veteran team member to lead the team.  Without an anchor, a Winter team will not deploy, and prospectice Winter team membrs will be asked to consider joining the Spring Team in April (below). For general program info, see FAQs.  Training begins late Fall.  Contact  Nicoler.MPT@gmail.com.  Palestine/Israel Spring 2011 (April - June)   Apply Now; suggested application deadline is January 1, 2011.  See FAQs.  You are invited to begin training this fall, including out October Retreat (see info above).  Contact  Nicoler.MPT@gmail.com.  Palestine/Israel Summer and Fall 2011    Now Taking Applications.  See FAQs. Apply early to begin training and preparation in plenty of time.  Join us to start your advanced training as soon as October 2010; contact  Nicoler.MPT@gmail.com for details.    Juarez, Mexico Winter/Spring 2011 NOW ACCEPTING PROVISIONAL APPLICATIONS We are currently evaluating our 2011 program for Juarez.  We are taking provisional applications in the meantime; we invite you to apply early, so we can guage the size of a potential team. Spanish Speakers Only (Intermediate OK).    Currently taking Applications. Need more Information? Contact Nicoler.MPT@gmail.com TRAINING NEWS Advanced Nonviolence Training Weekend Intensives Scheduled for 2011! Register or More Information on Idealist.org (scroll down to Events List at bottom of Idealist link). This training intensive is a great step toward being a key member of International or Domestic Peace Teams with MPT!  It's also wonderful for practicing everyday skills you can use for communication, conflict transformation and more-- at home, work and in your community. Advanced Training is Now Open to everyone, not just International Team members! Learn advanced nonviolence skills, including intervention, affinity team building, communication tools, roleplay practice, and more. Advanced registration required for this Friday-Sunday intensive workshop (you chose the date that works for you, one of four + options per year).  To register or for more information and upcoming dates: NicoleR.MPT@Gmail.com. More Info on Basic Trainings: Visit our basic training information page. Advanced Trainings Curriculum Topics Include: Role Plays Consensus decision making Affinity Teams Power, Privilege and Oppression Media and 'Telling the Story' Who is MPT? Self Care (co-counseling, trauma, compassion fatigue, ritual, first aid etc.) Getting to know oneself (hopes and fears, relationship to money, goals and expectations for trip, how do you deal w/ stress/conflict  etc.) Getting to know the team and team building activities  Listening and Communication tools (active listening, I messages, CLARA) What are Peace Teams? What is nonviolent conflict resolution/third party nonviolent intervention? What is our role? Nonviolence as a big picture, and What is nonviolence? Location Specific Training @ second On-Site Retreat (background of conflict/brief history, cultural sensitivity, etc.) -- for International Team Applicants Only Administrative Stuff, Forms, Tips and "nuts and bolts" info. (packing tips, MPT Forms, what we expect from you/what should you expect from us) -- for International Team Applicants Only. More information on upcoming trainings, plus NEW ONLINE REGISTRATION at Idealist.org! Handy Contact Information  International Team Info Nicole Rohrkemper, International Team Deployment Coordinator Phone: (586) 419-1070 Nicoler.MPT@gmail.com Click to Friend Nicole on Facebook! MPT Events and Basic Training Michigan Peace Team (Main Office) 808 W. Barnes Lansing, MI 48910 Phone: (517) 484-3178 Michiganpeaceteam@gmail.com Nov 5th, 2010 MPT Signature Event Gala Dinner, Auction, Awards and More! Advanced Tix ONLY, Deadline Now 5/3! Oct 30, 2010 Nonviolence Training 10am-5pm, Open to All! 540 E. Hackley, Muskegon, MI To register call Larry Shalda at 231-343-5559. Sliding scale $20-$40 to cover materials. Dec 4, 2010 Basic Training Metro Detroit Area Nonviolence Skills Training, Open to All! Details and Register @  Idealist.org. Advanced Trainings  (Weekend Retreat) This weekend is the next step after Basic, and the first step to going on a team! Details (follow the link and click on your preferred date) @ Idealist.org.   Feb 25-27, 2011 April 1-3, 2011 June 3-5, 2011 Aug 19-21 (Tentative) Oct 14-16, 2011  This is the Quick Reference Toolbar: Your 'Passport' to Tools and Information!    Click the links or images below for more information. NEW Frequently Asked Questions For those interested in MPT International Teams. MPT International Team Application   (Hint: Take a Peek, even if you're not ready to apply!)     Palestine Budget Juarez Budget (Remember, teams fund-raise to cover their costs.  It's very possible to go on a team without paying out of pocket.)   SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING FOR TEAM ANCHORS- ASK US HOW. Support Teams... JOIN THE SUSTAINER'S CIRCLE! Click the photo above to see the form to join.  Select a "montly contribution" to be added to the Circle. A monthly donation of: $10 - pays for a basic training manual for someone new to nonviolence. $30 - covers expenses for a DAY for an International Team Member. $150 - enables HUNDREDS of low-income members to recieve our quaterly print Newsletter. $3000 - pays for one international team member in the field for a month or more, including airfare! Any amount is welcome-- $10, $50, $100 or more (or less!!!). For more information about Sustainer's Circle or to join over the phone, contact Mary Hanna in our main office in Lansing at 517-484-3178 or maryhanna.mpt@gmail.com. 808 W. Barnes Ave. | Lansing, MI 48910 US

Israeli High Court ruling not enforced by soldiers

MPT encountered this same situation in the village of Kafr Qaddum two days after this video was taken. The farmer MPT was helping chose to leave his field because his identity papers show his history of Israeli prison and travel outside of Palestine forbidden. If the soldiers asked to see his papers he said he would be sent to prison again. His uncle was killed by settlers in 1988.

object width="480" height="385">

At the gates of an Israeli settlement

Palestinian olive trees in Kafr Qaddum are steps away from a back entrance to the illegal Israeli settlement of Qedumim. Today the Israeli army declared this area a closed military zone. MPT, Rabbis for Human Rights (RHR) and International Solidarity Movement (ISM) volunteers are told by the army that non-Palestinians must leave the area. While the orders to leave were being clarified, two 50 kilo bags of olives were harvested by the Palestinian farmers and loaded onto the pictured donkey.

A RHR representative talks with a Palestinian farmer. Each Israeli activist( RHR) and international volunteer was thanked personally by the farmer for the help that was given today.

MPT watches army and goats

A family from the small village of Kafr Qalil was picking very near the settlement of Har Brach. When angry yelling was heard from Israeli settlers, MPT talked on the cell phone with Rabbis for Human Rights (RHR) explaining the situation at the request of the Palestinian farmer. The District Commanding Officer of the Occupying Israeli army was contacted by RHR representative. The Palestinian farmer appeared increasingly anxious; there has been a history of harassment including violation and destruction of property. MPT saw evidence of illegal grazing and burned land. The farmer and RHR requested MPT to take pictures of any settler aggression. An Israeli military jeep with 4 soldiers drove to the settlers’ goat watering pond and talked to the settlers. From the valley below the picking area, the soldiers observed the Palestinian family and the 4 internationals with photo equipment. Although the soldiers remained with the settlers, the farmer decided to pick in a safer area.

A Glimpse in the life of a Palestinian farmer

Omar uses his donkey to transport tarps and bags to the picking site.

For the past three days MPT has accompanied Omar, a Palestinian farmer to his olive trees. A month ago he had 350 trees burned by the settlers. Today he heard that the Israel army would come to protect him from the settlers but the army didn’t come. Omar used his cell phone but was unable to learn why the army didn’t come. He chose to pick olives in a safer valley area further from the Israeli settlement of Har Bach.

During lunch he talked about the Intifada. “It didn’t help me.” Although a nonparticipant in the conflict, he talked of the Occupying Israeli army and the Palestine resisters battling right in front of his house. Due to a serious injury to his leg, during the Intifada, Omar has been unable to maintain his previous livelihood. In his limited English, Omar described the time before the Intafada as a time of "too much money, too much happy." As his family attempts to rebuild their homes, they have been ordered to stop mid-construction, due to denial of a building permit by the Israeli officials.

Education is very important to Palestinians. There are 11 universities, 5 university colleges and 25 community colleges in the West Bank and Gaza. Literacy among 15-24 yr olds is 98 %. Girls are equally represented in the school population. Israel’s occupation of Palestine has killed children and teachers, damaged 300 school buildings, intermittently closed schools and severely restricted travel of these highly educated people thus limiting their employment opportunities in the world economy.

In spite of the many hardships, Omar continues to experience, both he and his son could be heard singing Arabic songs while picking olives.

Omar picks up the newspaper that served as a ground cover

during our picnic lunch and begins to read.

Burned Olive Trees

As MPT leaves the taxi at a checkpoint on the way to picking olives, an Israeli soldier questions our team.

This morning MPT went to assist a Palestinian farmer with his olive harvest. A month ago, the Alqami family had 350 olive, fig, and almond trees burned by the illegal Israeli religious settlement of Har Brach which overlooks the family ‘s trees. The family has 650 trees remaining which the grandfather planted 60 years ago on their 750 durans of land (roughly 185 acres).

The District Coordinating Office (DCO) of Israel had issued at permit for Omar Alqami to harvest on October 11 when there could be military presence to insure protection from the settlers. Omar, however, was unable to harvest on the unrequested date so today was the start of his olive harvesting. Omar states it will take at least 10 more days to finish his harvest. With only himself, his wife and his son, Omar has no plans to harvest any trees close to the settlement “because it is just too dangerous.”

Yesterday, the DCO told the farmer just below Omer that his permit to pick olives was November 18 – a date when the olives would be past harvesting stage.

Such is the life of the farmer in the Occupied Territory of Palestine.

Illegal Israeli Settlers Steal Olive Harvest

Donkey in Awarta

MPT was asked to accompany a family that lives in Awarta to harvest olives in their grove near the three illegal Israeli settlements of Itamar, Yitzah and Bracha. The Palestinian farmers feared the harvest would be disrupted by the settlers. When MPT and the Palestinian family arrived at their trees, it was soon evident that all of the trees had already been picked. Since 2007, the Awwad family have had their olives stolen. Five Awwad families have 200 olive trees which normally yield 300 kilos of olives. This year they gave up after we helped them harvest only 5 kilos of olives. Five kilos of olives would fill a 2 ½ gallon bucket; 300 kilos would fill approximately 12 bushels.

The two brothers & another relative were resigned as they explained with a smattering of English, that this has happened several years in a row. They did not seem angry, they did not yell. They were gracious to MPT members, shared their breakfast with us & took us to help another family with their olive harvest. This family spoke almost no English and we speak only a few words of Arabic. From what we were able to understand this family was under no threat but we did see some Israeli military vehicles pass by as we worked. They were apparently in route to their base in the valley, there to protect the three settlements built up on the hilltops. From what? Perhaps from the Palestinian farmers harvesting their own crops before the settlers are able to steal them?!

As we waited in Awarta we observed several posters & paintings on the building of one young man. When we asked about them, we were told that he was killed by the Israeli military, a year ago, Oct 23, 2009. International Solidarity Movement published an article about the murder of this 29 year old father last year.

Last Fall Team Member Arrives Safely in Palestine

The third Fall Team Member has arrived safely in the field, and is well on her way to the team meeting point.  She will join her teammate and they will continue on to their home base very soon.  They will continue accompaniment work during the Olive Harvest, and more; watch for reports very soon.

Nicole Rohrkemper
International Peace Team Deployment Coordinator
Michigan Peace Team

Role of religion in the Israel/Palestinian peace process - a panel discussion

MPT went to a discussion among local experts on what impact religion can make towards peace.

Dr. Mohammed Dajani represented the Muslim faith. He is a Jerusalem born scholar and peace activist. Dr. Dajani said Palestinians are disappointed in both Fatah and Hamas political parties. He suggested that Old Jerusalem have a non-political status not related to a country but a shared spiritual area. Palestine's capitol could be East of the Old City and Israel's capitol could be west of the Old City. His vision for peace is articulated at www.wasatia.info

Rev,Fr. David Neuhaus is a Jewish convert to Catholocism at the age of 26. He leads the Hebrew speaking Catholic Vicariate in Israel. Fr. Neuhaus said since 2% of population in Israel /Palestine are Christians,they have little influence. His opening statement called for 1) being self-critical not self-righteous,2) to be humble in relating to Jews and Muslims 3) to remember that God is the one that knows and has the answers. He doubted that religion could have much of an impact on the current political situation. More detail of his opinions can be found at http://religiousstudies.bethlehem.edu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=43&Itemid=27

Rabbi Dr. Ron Kronish represented a Jewish perspective. He is founder and director of The Interreligious Coordinating Council in Israel. He has lived in Israel for 31 years. He commented that if Christians had sway that there would have been peace long ago. Rabbi Kronish says he is very much in the minority in Israel since he is not on the extreme Zionist right in politics. He has been working with programs that bring Israelis and Muslims together in dialogue. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joshua-stanton/hardnosed-dialogue-in-the_b_739625.html

There were areas of agreement among the three men. All agreed that religion as politics is a bad idea. All emphasized that each religion needs to teach how much in common the three have with each other. Dr Dajani regretted that extremists can take a passage of the Qur'an out of context and teach a narrow understanding as the Word of God. The panel agreed that each religion needs to teach their faithful the layers of meaning in their Holy books as a way of changing hearts and minds to be able to live in peace.

MPT International Peace Team Insider News - Fall 2010

Read this Edition in full!

Read the latest Teams Insider News in full Here.  
Or, Sign Up to get in your inbox about once a month.