Check-In From Palestine

Hello from Ramallah, Palestine.

We are a team of eight proponents of peace, six on the ground and two in the US supporting our outreach efforts. We have our individual unique stories, and a united goal of peace for Palestine.

witness4peacepalestine is our handle and can be found across numerous platforms.

After training for three months online, we finally met in person earlier this week for additional, on the ground training at Ecce Homo Convent in the Old City of Jerusalem. Our team believes in peace and wants to witness life in Palestine in this time of war. What is daily life like? What is the mood? How does one thrive in the midst of war? Can joy be found?

When we walked in Jerusalem, we saw quiet streets, and gaping spaces across the Temple Mount. There are very few visitors to the Dome of the Rock, the Wailing Wall, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

We enjoyed dinner at a restaurant that previous to October 7, 2023, had 28 employees. Today, only the owner prepares the food, cooks, serves, cleans, and welcomes guests. The owner told us, “Since my father opened this restaurant in 1979, my family has served many important people including you now.” As an aside, one of those important people is Jimmy Carter, American President, who turns 100 years old today.

This morning we traveled by bus from Jerusalem to Ramallah. We arrived at a guest house for volunteers and will be trained along with other internationals that have come to provide peaceful accompaniment. 

After two days of training, a decision will be made about where we serve. We only go where we are invited and we take the lead from our Palestinian hosts. Our team will blog regularly and provide a snapshot of the reality of daily living for people expressing their dignity in an apartheid society.

We have already served as a peaceful presence. We smile and look each person in the eye, greeting them with good morning or Allah Salam, the source of peace. We have compassionate and energetic encounters in the streets. People in Israel and Palestine are surprised to see American citizens traveling here during a time of orchestrated violence. Today, a Palestinian Professor of Political Science helped us select olive oil for the rooming house. He was delighted to interact with us and to discuss US politics.

Yesterday in Jerusalem, we were shopping at a Palestinian book shop. Again, the owner wanted to discuss US politics. Who would we vote for? Where is peace on the political agenda? What is our experience? It is humiliating to be a US citizen, knowing that we represent war and destruction.

Two people on our team are members of the organization, Veterans for Peace; these two men were drafted to fight in the Vietnam War. Thanks be to God that these men survived and are able to stand against war and for peace. The burden on the hearts and souls of soldiers creates a life-long smolder of regret.

Each of us is here for our own reasons, however, we are united in our desire to take personal action in support of peace. Follow us on our journey as we train, engage and witness.

We are Witness for Peace in Palestine 

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