Settlers attempt to desecrate mosque

The afternoon of October 4, 2010 MPT received a phone call for help with witness and documenting of settlers from the illegal settlement of Yitzar threatening to desecrate a mosque under construction in Burin. On October 3 settlers had published flyers across the occupied Palestinian area calling for other settlers to come to Burin to desecrate the mosque because they considered it unfair that Palestinians are allowed to build a new mosque, but settlers are not allowed to build a synagogue ‘on their land’.

As MPT traveled to Burin, 5 Israeli police military vehicles were noted parked facing the road. In Burin 40-50 Palestinians were gathered near the mosque. Several Palestinians from nearby villages also came to show support. Present were personnel from Reuters and the Associated Press as well as internationals from various peace organizations.

On the south hillside, four Israeli police military vehicles were blocking the road where a crowd of settlers were forming beside a large banner they had erected with a crane. A large bus drove back and forth along the upper road behind the military barrier as both sides of the road filled with cars and the settler group by the banner grew.

(picture above right: Palestinians watch the gathering settlers)

No confrontation between settlers and Palestinians occurred through the night.

(Israeli soldiers blockade the settlers from the Palestinians.)

MPT was active in the olive harvest in Burin in the fall of 2009. They viewed the aftermath of the destructive cutting of over 100 ripe olive trees.

[To read the blogs of MPT activity in Burin see: http://mptinpalestine.blogspot.com/2009/09/burin-construction-site-threatened-by.html Sept. 09

http://mptinpalestine.blogspot.com/2009/10/burin-tree-massacre.html October. 09

http://mptinpalestine.blogspot.com/2009/10/burin-olive-harvesting-under-occupation.html Oct. 09

http://mptinpalestine.blogspot.com/2009/11/more-burin-settler-violence.html November 09

http://mptinpalestine.blogspot.com/2009/11/tree-planting-protest-in-burin.html Nov.09

http://mptinpalestine.blogspot.com/2010/06/burin-continual-unchecked-settler.html May 10

Burin has been continuous violently threatened by the illegal Israeli settlements of Yitzar and Bracha. Accounts of this situation in various other media sources reinforces the fact that the settler violence go unchecked in this village.

http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/special-feature-the-land-of-unchecked-settler-harassment-1.251284 August 08

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/6762273/Israeli-settlers-threaten-to-make-Palestinians-pay-the-price-on-the-West-Bank.html December 09

http://stopthewall.org/latestnews/2172.shtml January 10 http://aljazeera.com/news/articles/34/IOF-Uses-Live-Ammunition-on-Burin-Demonstration.html Jan. 10

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnjqESWwDGY&feature=player_embedded#! Feb.10

http://www.palestinemonitor.org/spip/spip.php?article1548 Sept. 10

Early Olive Harvest in Jamma’in

The olive harvest for some farmers of the Jamma’in village near the illegal Israeli settlement of Ariel began early. Last week Palestinian farmers saw settlers’ goats and sheep chewing on the lower tree branches in their olive groves. The farmers, also fearing that settlers would steal the olives, decided to harvest their olives two weeks early, even though early harvesting results in lower olive oil production.

MPTers joined the farm families and 15-20 persons from Rabbis from Human Rights (RHR) on Friday in the olive harvesting. The RHR met Israeli soldiers who then left before MPTers arrived. The Palestinians, the RHR - Israelis and internationals (from Brazil, England, Australia and the United States, mainly Jewish )and MPTers were in a festive mood. An MPTer conversed with an elderly Israeli who had similar hopes for the peace talks, although both recognized tremendous obstacles. The Israeli commented on the changes in Israeli in the last few years with the influx of very conservative Russian Jews and very orthodox Jews from the USA, who have moved Israeli right wing even further right. His dreams included first a federation between Palestine and Israel, then one country and normal relations with Israel's neighbors, particularly Syria.

Last year well-armed Ariel settlers came down twice to harass the Palestinians during the olive harvest, but there were no incidents either on Friday or on Saturday when MPT picked with other internationals.

Ariel, the fourth largest settlement in the West Bank and a town of 17,000 with a university, was established in 1978. Ariel is the principal settlement in the Ariel bloc of 26 settlements. This bloc includes an industrial zone. Ariel is 14 miles inside the green line (the border of Palestine) and is connected to Israel and the other settlements by the Trans-Samarian Highway. These settlements reach into Palestine toward the Jordan Valley in an attempt to cut the northern part of Palestine in half. (See map link below)

Although there was a ten-month moratorium on settlement construction, there has been no appreciable decline in construction. Israeli peace activists, using aerial photographs and ground inspections have tracked settlement building.
http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/construction-of-israeli-settlements-has-barely-been-hampered-by-freeze/397960 (through Associated Press)

Big construction began again in the Ariel bloc a couple days before the end of the moratorium.

http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/afp/mideast-talks-face-collapse-as-settlement-freeze-ends/398141 [through Agence France-Presse (AFP)]

For more on the construction and the “Wild West” spirit in Ariel see: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-israel-settlement-mayor 20101003,0,4911782.story?page=2&utm_medium=feed&track=rss&utm_campaign=Feed%3A%20latimes%2Fmiddleeast%20%28L.A.%20Times%20-%20Middle%20East%29&utm_source=feedburner

For a map of the area see: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-israel-settlement-mayor.eps-20101003,0,5698136.graphic

October 22-24 Training for Future Team Members-- Or Anyone!

Join us this month for an Advanced Training Retreat (October 22-24, 2010; more information and online registration at Idealist.org).   Curious about the training? At the end of this posting is a list of some of the practice areas covered during the Retreat.

As you may know, in 2010 MPT worked with hundreds of local and national peace-minded folks to offer basic and advanced trainings, and to deploy Domestic and International Peace Teams.  We had peace team members and volunteers from all across the United States.  We also had international applicants, team members, and volunteers-- from Romania, France, Germany, and more.  Our program in Juarez continues, and we are evaluating options for that program in 2011; in the meantime we are taking applications for both Juarez and Palestine for next year.  We will continue our commitment to deploy teams quarterly to the West Bank. 

We are need to confirm peace team members to start training this month, for deployment to Palestine in January 2011; and as always, we need veteran team members to serve as team anchors.

Whether you're considering an 2011/12 International Team to Palestine or Juarez (even if you're not sure)-- or if you aren't interested in a team, but want to practice and improve your nonviolence skills, this is the training weekend for you.  If you want to continue your nonviolence training for your personal or professional development, this training is stand-alone.  It's an amazing chance to further your own grounding in nonviolence, and learn more about nonviolent action in a team retreat setting. 

For those who want the option of going on a team in January, February or March 2011, this training is required.  If you plan to deploy later (or if plans change), this weekend intensive meets the requirement for your one of your two training retreats in preparation for any team in 2011 or 2012!  If you are considering a team January through March 2011, you will also need to start the online/remote portion of your training, which starts as soon as possible this month.  Contact NicoleR.MPT@gmail.com for details. 

We encourage you to start on-site and remote training as soon as possible if you are considering an International Team in 2011/12; there is no obligation, and training is part of the process of mutual evaluation to decide if an MPT Team is the right fit for you!

Here are just some of the areas covered at our Advanced and International Trainings (in both retreats and remote/online training)...

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)
Role Plays
Consensus decision making
Affinity Teams
Self Care (co-counseling, trauma, compassion fatigue, ritual, first aid etc.)

Power, Privilege and Oppression

Media and 'Telling the Story'

Who is MPT?
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

We hope you can join us!  Please register online now or simply email or call me at the information below with any questions or concerns!

In Peace,

Nicole Rohrkemper
International Team Deployment Coordinator
Michigan Peace Team
(586) 419-1070 (direct line)

nicoleR.mpt@gmail.com

www.MichiganPeaceTeam.org

www.MPTinPalstine.blogspot.com
www.MPTinJuarez.blogspot.com
MPTenEspanol.blogspot.com

Learn How You can Join a Peace Team- FAQs at http://mptinpalestine.blogspot.com/p/faqs-for-potential-teamers.html.

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.  

MPT’ers met Mazin Qumsiyeh in Al Walaja

"Wall being constructed, after cutting down trees"

Michigan Peace Team met with Mazin Qumsiyeh, a university professor of genetics who teaches at Yale and University of Bethlehem. Attending one of his seminars, MPT’ers learned about the troubles of the Bethlehem District; of which only 20% is allowed for Palestinians. The lecture was held right next to the

Dheisheh Refugee Camp; one the largest areas of buildup for Palestinians. The camp having expanded since its creation in 1949 was set up primarily for 3,400 refuges of the 1948 Arab-Israeli war.
After the seminar, Professor Qumsiyeh then led MPT and Italian peace activists to Al Walaja a small village outside of Bethlehem that is currently being enclosed by the separation wall on all sides. During MPT’s visit we met with a village farmer who watches daily as the wall is being constructed in back of his home, within feet of his small farm. When MPT’ers arrived to see how close the wall was being built, almost immediately the construction was halted. Within five minutes the Israeli Police came onto the farmers land questioning who the internationals were and why they were there. Not wanting to escalate the situation, Professor Qumsiyeh, MPT and the Italian activists decided to retreat to the farmer’s house. One can quickly recognize after visiting the farmer in Al Walaja and witnessing the construction of the settlement wall, the Israeli police don’t want internationals taking pictures of the wall being built. If people are not allowed to simply watch a wall being built on a friend’s property, one must ask what Israel is so concerned about? Perhaps, it is because Israel is aware that international law is being broken.

The tale of two demonstrations: Bil’in and Iraq Burin-Palestine

MPT’ers had the chance to see two nonviolent demonstrations in the occupied West Bank territories of Bil’in and Iraq Burin.

Bil’in
MPT arrived in Bil’in the night before the weekly Friday demonstrations. All throughout the village, there was a presence of unity and strength from the internationals; including many Israeli activists. In Bil’in weekly protests continue for the loss of almost 60% of their land for Israeli settlements and the separation wall. The morning of the demonstration, all the Bil’in locals and internationals met at the home of a Palestinian man who has been imprisoned; and was still being held without a charge or a release date. This particular man is well recognized in Bil’in as a person who upholds non-violence behavior and attitudes, and therefore is a person that Israel would rather lock away than see at weekly demonstrations.
Before making the way towards the demonstration all internationals were given a briefing session about what to expect and how to take care of oneself during a demonstration. As the procession made its way towards the heavily guarded separation wall there was a sense of pride the among the Palestinians and they were grateful not to be alone in their fight for basic human rights; such as the right to peacefully protest against land that has been illegally acquired by Israeli forces
The fearless Palestinian leader of the procession, who happens to be wheelchair bound, was followed by internationals hailing from all over the world; the United States, France, Germany, Norway, Ireland and England. Before the demonstrators made their way toward the fence, heavily armed guards illegally entered the side where the demonstration was being held and proceeded to litter the sky with tear gas. Anytime the demonstrators were able to regain their breathing and marched back, more tear gas was used to retaliate. This series of events occurred for approximately two hours, until one of the Palestinian members stated “Ok, enough for today; we have a wedding to get ready for.” MPT observed how dedicated and planned out the Bil’in community was for the demonstrations. Even before a wedding, the community will not back down from a peaceful protest.





Iraq Burin
Iraq Burin a small village south of Nablus is home to nearly 1100 people. The village is under a closed military zone, primarily meant to keep away internationals and journalist from reporting the scenes and actual events that occur during the Saturday demonstrations. Because the village is closed and internationals have a more difficult time accessing the village, Iraq Burin tends to be more violent. It has been reported that many of the tear gas canisters are shot directly at the demonstrators. Three MPT’ers were invited to the demonstration in which there would be an alternate route taken to enter the village. Since the main entrance to Iraq Burin is a closed military zone, MPT hiked nearly a mile up the valley to avoid the army and to enter the village. There MPT was shown where to meet the demonstrators and begin the procession to the demonstration site. Geographically the protests take place behind the village on the slope of a rough and dangerous terrain. They army stands on the top of the hill and waits for the young shabob[1] to aggravate them before showering the protesters with tear gas. Two MPT members agreed to enter the demonstration site to gather more information and witness how the Israeli military acts more aggressively when the international presence is weakened by a blocked military entrance into the village. In the attached video, one MPT member documented how the soldiers do not waste any time administering tear gas directly towards the demonstrators, once the first stone had been cast. The materials used are quite different; a stone sent in the direction of fully protected and armed soldiers, or high velocity metal canisters sent in the direction of people armed with cameras and peace signs.


[1] Shabob: A group of young Palestinian boys