Notes & Letters

From Glenn Witmer in Jerusalem: 23 Apr 2002

This email highlights issues that are in the forefront just now, in the aftermath of the horrendous treatment of civilians in Jenin and elsewhere.

There is another point that I would suggest you include for discussion and prayer: it is that we as Christians be more sensitive to the reality of what is going on. It is NOT Israel against the Palestinians so much as it is "those who want war against those who want peace". Dr. Nurit Peled is a Bat Kol speaker and Jewish woman who lost her 9-year-old daughter [waiting at a bus stop to go to ballet class] to a suicide bomber's attack. She more than anyone else should hate the Palestinians, yet she refuses to do so. She hates the terror and hate she sees--on both sides--while praising and encouraging the voices of moderation, reconciliation, and love--also on both sides.

It is easy to pick a side in this conflict, and we find sincere Christians making opposing choices in the matter. Let us not succumb to generalized hatred in labeling one side against another. Hatred knows no nationality or religion. It is everywhere. And thank God so is LOVE.

With warm wishes, and sincere appreciation for your support.

Glenn

NABLUS: CPT Delegation Distributes Aid and Documents Stories

by Aaron Froehlich

On Saturday, April 20, CPT emergency delegates and members of the International Solidarity Movement greeted a World Council of Churches convoy of about 15 cars and two flatbed trucks, carrying much needed food and water to the curfew-confined residents of Nablus. People are in dire need after 17 days of Israeli re-occupation. Ambulances and internationals are the only ones allowed relative free movement. Although some Palestinians are gaining confidence and venturing outside for short periods, all shops remain closed.

Internationals spent the afternoon helping the Union of Palestinian Medical Relief Committees to unload rice, flour, sugar and oil to 1,500 families. More important than labor, however, was the simply international presence. Many Palestinians said they feel safer with us here, and some even attributed the pull-back of the tanks to the press coverage that international peace activists are bringing, such as the group of twenty-six who were harassed and beat-up by the Israeli Army on Tuesday. "You are a thorn in the side of the Army right now," said one Palestinian medic, who yesterday was threatened to have his ambulance blown up by a soldier in a tank after giving a ride to two female solidarity workers who had just made the long journey to Nablus by hiking through the mountains.

Our presence has also allowed many to express frustration over the lack of international interest in the situation. "We were shooting at them with guns, and they kill us with F16s and Apache helicopters from the United States," was a cry heard from many. "And still they call us terrorists. WE are the ones being terrorized!" Horrific stories of the last two and a half weeks abound: of soldiers using women and children as human shields, hospital clinics being bombed, newborns dying in their parents' arms after being coached on home birth over the phone, and civilians being shot in the back as they walked away from checkpoints.

The IDF has systematically used fear and humiliation as a weapon. Medics have been forced to strip naked while trying to reach needy patients. Tanks still move and fire through the streets at night to keep people awake. Homes were broken into by soldiers who slept in families' beds and, in at least two instances, stole money. More than a thousand cars and school buses throughout the city were targeted and demolished by tanks for no apparent reason. One of the worst of these stories, though, was witnessed earlier this week by many of the international activists still working here: a group of four Palestinian men were beaten up and forced onto their knees against the wall with their hands behind their backs, while soldiers repeatedly chambered their guns from behind.

In a world that seems almost entirely against them, many people said it was encouraging to see foreigners willing to risk dangers to stand in solidarity with them. "You risk your life; I thank you for that. It means much to me," said one man as he picked up a box of food for his family.

Note: Glenn is the North American Mennonite Church representative in Israel.