MPT Report on Palestine (Iowa 2012)

Security and Compassion in Palestine/Israel

By Kristie Guerrero-Taylor (MPT Member currently in the West Bank and Isreal)

As we got off the bus in Hebron we were swarmed by little street kids with their green, red and black Palestinian bracelets smiling and pushing their merchandise with polite yet assertive insistence.  They smiled and spoke through their dust covered faces and unkempt hair and looked curiously content given the circumstances they lived in.  We eventually reached our destination where we were greeted with a gray haired bearded man with a Glock strapped to his side, David Wilder.  He gave a subtle and somewhat cold greeting, a complete contrast to the neighborhood children, as he guided us into the building and then proceeded to describe the history of Hebron, the massacre of Jews in 1929, and the Jews’ return. 

I mourned as he relayed the story of how these 67 Jews were murdered by their Arab neighbors in 1929 and it was obvious that he felt his traditions were desecrated and forgotten.  He spoke of the betrayal of a people and a tradition of distrust and hate between the Arabs and the Jews.  I recognized that his suffering and pain were legitimate and I cried as I reflected on the potentially destructive nature of religion and politics.  I felt that there was a shared history, shared suffering and that maybe there could be some sort of bridge that would remedy this horrible conflict. This common thread of human suffering could be a starting point for trust.  That maybe by recognizing and validating each other’s pain, progress towards peace could be made. Then he stated, “I’m for human rights, but if I had a choice between human rights and security, I choose security.”

This is where the problem lies.  When we violate the rights of others and no longer see their humanity we begin to draw lines, create boundaries and follow narratives that feature each other as a threat rather than a co-habitors of the earth.   We begin to feel threatened, defensive, broken, afraid and worse, we become enemies. By putting security over compassion, understanding, cooperation we create a world where the “other” will feel shame, powerlessness and fear. We create a world where we need fences and walls to secure our borders, guards stand outside homes and Glocks are strapped to our side.  We, in our efforts to protect ourselves, create a world we need protecting from. 

We left David Wilder and eventually joined a local Arab community leader as he walked us through Hebron and many of the locations were the Israeli guards or settlers had violated their human rights. The children that greeted as at the beginning of our visit would occasionally pop up and again offer us goods or just try to talk to us.  We arrived at a site where Israeli settlers and the army had closed prospering local markets which now were a massive trash heap.  At this spot is where I saw a young boy about 5 or 6 with dirty round wired rimmed glasses.  He impressed me so much I had to take his picture and after he came up to me and asked my name.  I responded, “Kristie” and he repeated it back in his tiny munchkin voice, “Kristie”.  We had a momentary connection that I know I will never forget. 

I pray someday a child will approach David Wilder and ask his name.  Hopefully he will remember humanity.   Not policy, history, facts or his own fears, but that he is looking at another human being.  

Reports from MPT's member in the West Bank Now!

Read the reports from the IFPB delegation which MPT is participating in, in the West Bank and Israel right now: http://www.ifpb.org/del41/default.html.

We will also be posting further reports and excerpts to the blog so you can easily keep up with the news!

MPT

Jenin Freedom Theatre: MPT Saddened at Murder, Arrests

MPT teams have visited The Freedom Theater (a theatre and cultural centre in Jenin Refugee Camp) many times, and enjoyed meeting with Artistic Director Nabil Al-Raee, a respected artist and community member.

We are saddened to learn that today Mr. Al-Raee was taken from his home by Israeli military, and his family cannot find out his whereabouts.

To learn more about MPT's visits to the TFT, you can read previous team reports at:
http://mptinpalestine.blogspot.com/2009/08/jenin-from-armed-uprising-to-cultural.html
http://mptinpalestine.blogspot.com/2009/04/visits-to-refugee-camps.html

According to a release by the Theater today (June 6th 2012), Nabil Al-Raee's family is very concerned for his well being and whereabouts.  The TFT news release quotes Micaele Miranda, Nabil's wife:


The dog started barking so I went outside and saw soldiers jumping over the gate and come into the yard of the house. They asked for my husband and I asked what for, that it's my right to know and it's my house. The soldiers replied that they were not going to tell me. They then took Nabil, brought him to an army jeep and drove off. We are very worried because we don't know where they took him and why.


The release goes on to say:

More than half the employees of The Freedom Theatre were recently called to interrogations by the Israeli army, including Nabil Al-Raee. All came to the appointments as scheduled and answered to their best of their knowledge the given questions even though they were intimidated and even threatened. 

Jonatan Stanczak continues: "I don't understand why they do this after they know they could simply have made a phone call to Nabil and he would have come to answer any questions or concerns that they might have. Since this has happened so many times in the past, I can't interpret it as anything else than an ongoing harassment of the employees of The Freedom Theatre and their families by the Israeli army."

At this point it is unclear if any other members of The Freedom Theatre have been taken during the night. Several of them have not responded to phone calls. 

MPT is particularly saddened to hear that this strong community leadership program, education program, and children's center is facing so many challenges.  We know that 2011 was also an incredibly difficult year for The Freedom Theatre.  Juliano Mer Khamis, co-founder of The Freedom Theatre, was murdered in April 2011.  A statement on the organization's website today says, "We staff and members of The Freedom Theatre, will not forget and we will not cease to demand, unconditionally, that those responsible for Juliano's death be brought to justice.  [The Freedome Theater] will carry on his message to promote freedom--not only for the Palestinian people but for all human beings.  As Juliano would say: The Revolution must go on!"

Read more about the months following Juliano's death from the Palestinian Monitor.

You can read more on both events, and the programs available at TFT at: http://thefreedomtheatre.org/news.php?id=238.

Reports from IFPB & MPT Team in Training

While MPT works on always improving our programs, and readies the next team of our own to Palestine, we thought our readers would be interested to hear some first-hand stories of internationals in Palestine during the month of May 2012.

Here is an except:

In Sderot we listened to an Israeli woman, Nomika Zion, who has lived in Sderot for 25 years in the collective community of which she is an original member. She spoke of the "Safe Room" in her house that is a bomb shelter, and said the State requires all homes built in Israel to have one. Given the way the state has chosen to live with its neighbors, it probably makes sense. The idea of all Jewish Israelis having a "safe room", when Palestinians are the ones under rather constant bombardment is ironic beyond bearing. What privilege and what fear-mongering.

She seemed a good woman, and certainly is a brave woman, for she has always spoken out against Israel's attacks on Gaza. She spoke for a long time about what it is like there, how they had good Palestinian friends from Gaza for many years, and how people on both sides of the border crossed regularly to shop and visit in each other's towns.

She was honest about Israel breaking various cease fires, and of her conflict as Summer Rains 2006 and Cast Lead 2009/10 happened. She said she had to support her army even though she was against the attacks. She called them wars, but in fact, they were not - only one side had weapons.... 

For more of these reports, visit: http://www.ifpb.org/del40/report3.html.

To learn more about the amazing organization Interfaith Peace-Builders, who send regular delegations to Israel/Palestine, visit: www.ifpb.org.

MPT Panama Team in the Field

The MPT emergency response team to Panama is in the field and has been working to lay the groundwork for effective observation and monitoring this week.  Read more at www.mptinpanama.blogspot.com.

Watch for more news about the upcoming team to Palestine soon!

Peace Vigil in Lansing

Today I had the opportunity to participate in a vigil outside of the capital building in Lansing, MI.  Every Friday afternoon, a group of about twenty people gather together to hold signs in protest of the war in Iraq.  They have been engaging in this tradition since the start of the war in 2002.  The group members were very welcoming, and I simply picked up a sign that read, "No War on Iran," and became a part of the team.  There were a few passers by that honked their horns in support and one young man that asked a few questions, and that was it. What defined the experience for me, a first-time participator in a vigil, was the unity of the group. It was clear that they had a bond formed from their shared views, and it was very encouraging to see, especially in terms of their endurance and diligence in continuing to maintain their presence, week after week-even in freezing temperatures.  It was a valuable experience to include in my weekend of Nonviolence Skills Training.

Greetings from Lansing, Michigan!

My name is Sara, and I'm a recently returned Peace Corps volunteer from CA.  I served as an English teacher in Kazakhstan.  Since returning home, I have been excited to discover and apply to be a part of MPT's work as a presence in occupied Palestine.  I an now writing from their offices in Lansing, on day one  of the Nonviolence Skills Retreat.  I'm very excited to have the opportunity to be a part of a future team going to the West Bank, and the opportunities I will have to grow as a peace team member and individual there.  I'm looking forward to becoming a part of the growing international movement of nonviolence as a means of change between Israel and Palestine, and to live and work among the Palestinian people.  I hope to report soon from the field!

A Teamer's Experience (MPT's January 2012 Annual Letter)

Greeting MPT Veterans,

I am sitting in the MPT House in Huwwara (West Bank) during our the last Peace Team to the West Bank of 2011.    I just got an email from Nicole asking if I would write a note to MPT’s returned team members.   Today, the team rode with a farmer and got pulled over at a flying check point.  The Israeli commanding officer’s parting words to the farmer were, “Tell those two not to start any trouble today.”   I was a bit offended at first.  Then I thought: Spreading the truth about the occupation is trouble from his point of view.  If we’re “speaking truth to power,” his reply is a sign our work is successful!  Many of you have had similar experiences on MPT Teams.   I would like to share very briefly about my journey.  Perhaps you will feel led to reflect on your journey and decide how to best remain involved with this important work.

My first trip to Palestine was with the 2009 MPT Fall Team.  I was eager to do my bit.  I was a beginner at this kind of activism and really just beginning to really learn the history of the Israeli/Palestinian struggle.   Fortunately, my three teammates were experienced, knowledgeable and supportive as I slowly got up to speed.    I stayed six weeks and headed home very tired--but eager to learn more.   I wondered: What difference had I made?  I felt that my best role might be at home studying the issues and encouraging others to do the same.  After all impacting public opinion is a major goal for MPT.   A return trip seemed unlikely, and being the anchor was out of the question.

Back home I read a variety of books about Israel/Palestine, learned a lot, did some presentations, and then I began to “slide back into my same old used to be” – as the old song goes.  The end result for me was a need and a desire to return and renew my commitment.  So I contacted Nicole and said “I want to go again and my window of opportunity is Oct/Nov of 2011.”   Gradually five persons showed serious interest.  We were going to have a team.   But I was the only returnee and therefore the only one eligible to serve as the anchor.   This caused me a high level of internal conflict.  I really wanted to return, and I really did not want to be the anchor at first.   Long story short …. of the five applicants, only two of us were left at the end of the application, screening, and commitment process.   I sit here tonight as the anchor of a team of two.  In the end, we’re a strong and cohesive team team; perhaps being smaller is even an advantage sometimes.  Fortunately, my teammate speaks Arabic, and is a quick learn and an eager participant.  

My fears of being a Team Anchor were unfounded.  The anchor is not the leader.  The anchor is the experienced person charged with helping the team with the process and understanding MPT policies and procedures.  Decisions are still by consensus.  And the difficult work is shared equally or unequally if tapping into the strengths of certain team members is deemed appropriate.   

I have been married for 40 years and have no desire to find out if indeed love is “sweeter the second time around”.   But it is true of my second trip to Palestine.  I recognized the road to Qaryut (where MPT took part in actions to remove a road block) as our service pasted on the initial trip to Huwwara.  I had a calming sense of being home when reentering our Huwwara home.   We are really getting known in Huwwara.   “Our” little grocery store at the bottom of the hill refused payment on our first stop.  “You come to help us; first time free.”    Our first taxi cab driver did not charge us.  A man on a service heard me ask for Huwarra and said, “I had a friend named Martha ….” …connection made … He paid my fare.   I walk into the produce shop by the south mosque and the man always says “Michigan!”  A young man in Deir Istiya said something like “They steal our land; they steal our olives; we only have left the air we breathe. Thank you for coming; you give us hope.”    As of today we have been invited home for supper 11 times.   Our efforts are appreciated.   
Am I the only one who sort of wishes for the big stuff to happen so we can have a “better” story to tell, when the real story is the daily indignities and harassments?    Big events do happen, but the daily stuff can really wear a person down.   I have come to understand just how important our “you give us hope” role is.   
And speaking of hope, I find myself gaining hope also when I see so many young adults giving of their time and finances to be here as activists with the various organizations and/or volunteers with NGOs and such.   I am tired tonight; I am tired of being away from home; I am tired of the occupation; and I am tired of not knowing how to be most effective.  But I am so happy that I decided to come again.  It has revitalized me and given me that good feeling about myself that comes from standing up for your convictions and giving of yourself for a worthy cause.  
I hope this sharing will encourage you to rethink your involvement.  Maybe working stateside is the best role for you.   Maybe the revitalization that a return trip can give is just what you need.  And certainly your involvement with either of the above is part what MPT needs; we need vetearn teamers to volunteer to go back, if MPT is going to send Peace Teams to the West Bank to support our friends there in 2012.

A special shukran to Abby, Lois, and Martha for nurturing me into the process and to my fellow Team member Gaby for ‘having my back” in so many ways.     
longing for peace,   

Fred Elmore 
MPT Palestine Team Anchor  Fall 2011
MPT Palestine Team Member Fall 2009 

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Respond to Fred's Letter by contacting us!

How to get Involved:

 

• Sign Up or Get More Info about being an Anchor in 2011/12 and let MPT help cover the costs for another deployment (scholarships may be available, ask for details).

• Sign up for one of our upcoming Step Two retreat sessions to deepen nonviolence skills and learn more about what's going on with MPT right now!  See the right hand "Coming Events" bar for more information -- there's an event this weekend Feb 10-12th and registration is still open.

• Support International Teams from here at home: Join us Feb 4^th 2012 to find out how. Contact Nicole to register, and have fun with us at this support volunteer training event!

• Become an MPT Nonviolence Trainer (ask about the hands-on training program)

• Interview new team applicants (anyone can do this, we give you a guide!)—great for busy folks, this takes as little as one hour every few months over the phone or Skype.

Or, contact us to volunteer in the way that suits you.

To take advantage of any of these opportunities to stay involved and help with our critical mission, please contact Nicole Rohrkemper, International Teams Coordinator, at 586-419-1070 or NicoleR.MPT@gmail.com.

MPT Teams Newsletter January 2011, Upcoming Events and More!

A Letter from MPT Anchor Fred Elmore about his experiences in the West Bank on an MPT Team.  Plus an appeal to our returned teamers to join a future team as Anchor!  

http://app.e2ma.net/app2/campaigns/archived/32698/92b903632cf56af5d0afa334dbcf3981/