Wednesday, May 22
~ Joe Masterson

The overnight news in this troubled land included another military action in the West Bank resulting in arrests of two “terrorists” but injuries of two children — in other words, a typical day. So it was fitting that our morning focused on two kinds of international efforts to promote peace with justice: worldwide church efforts and UN humanitarian monitoring, reporting and relief.

St. George’s Cathedral in Jerusalem, an Anglican institution, has only one full time employee (Dean of the Cathedral, Hosam Haoum, who also met with us). Christians are less than 2% of Palestinians (down from 27% in 1922, due to emigration), and Anglicans are much fewer still. But the Cathedral’s mission of teaching and healing supports over 35 institutions (hospitals and schools) serving the whole community and discouraging extremism. Christians can be a bridge between Jews and Muslims, promoting mutual respect. Dean Naoum recommends that international people focus on four “P’s.”
~ Pray for Peace in Israel/Palestine
~ Pursue concrete Peace Initiatives
~ Pilgrimage to the area, to learn and encourage folks here
~ Provide pennies – financial support for transformation

One block away, the news was less encouraging. The UN OCHA (Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs of the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt) monitors all aspects of the situation in occupied Palestine (the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem). International law sometimes authorizes temporary occupation, but the duration is already excessive and signs are it will not end soon. Some 62% of the West Bank is under direct Israeli military rule. Jewish settlements and outposts are illegal under the Geneva Convention, but they are growing rapidly in number and size. About 150 settlements and 100 outposts are inhabited by 600,000 Jewish settlers (2016 figures). These realities make a “two state solution” (the official objective of the US and UN with no Plan B) almost impossible. A “one state solution” would require equal political and economic rights for everyone, contrary to Israel’s policies for non-Jews. News about the proposed Trump/Kushner” plan is sketchy but seems focused on economic rather than political matters. Hope comes from faith, not current trends.

Our afternoon visits to Qumran, the Dead Sea and neighboring desert wilderness, and the road and valleys between Jerusalem and Jericho made me mindful once more of the Hebrew and Christian scriptures that originated in this land. May God show us how to be agents for pace with justice so we all can visit these holy places for ages to come. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.