By Dana Jones

Tent of Nations farm owner, 28 October 2013, © Dana E. Jones

Daher Nassar’s grandfather — also named Daher Nassar — purchased the land that is home to the Tent of Nations in 1916. Since then, the family has worked the land by day and slept in caves on the property at night. In 1991, the Israeli government declared Daher Nassar’s property and the surrounding area as property of the Israeli state. Settlements — five today — began springing up all around the area, but Daher Nassar refuses to leave. He has been embroiled in constant court battles that continue today. Unlike many Palestinians, Daher Nassar has paperwork showing his family owns the land. He has established the land as the Tent of Nations, named in part for the fact he cannot get permission to build a permanent residence on the site. In recent years, his battle has come to the attention of justice workers from around the world, who offer many volunteer hours to help work the land and maintain the property as it has been for years. Standing on the highest portions of the land, you can see five Israeli settlements. Among many signs of hope at the Tent of Nations is the large number of olive trees that have been planted. There is solar power, composting toilets and a green house made of recycled plastic bottles. Participants of the Living Stones Pilgrimage arrived just after the olive harvest had been completed.

28 October 2013, © Dana E. Jones

Tent of Nations, 28 October 2013, © Dana E. Jones

By Yessra and Candice

After a long trip of little sleep, long flights, and airport security we had finally made it to our hotel. Never before had we experienced a welcoming from the whole staff, all eager to help unload and greet us. 9 plus hours of sitting, we needed some time to walk and experience this little town of Bethlehem.

While walking the streets, the air is fresh and filled with different smells of neighboring restaurants. Soon enough we heard loud music coming from the hills to the side of our path. We were bound and determined to find this secret “concert” and easily found an alley that led right to it.

We turned onto the alley and found a large group of guys dancing, singing, celebrating of some sort. We had stumbled upon a wedding celebration! In Palestine, wedding celebrations can last up to a few weeks. This was considered the “party before the party.” Some of the men were even participating in horse dancing, which consists of a rider guiding it’s horse into what appeared to be a “bucking” movement. About 20 minutes in, one of the men we were talking to explained that the women and children of the celebration were sharing the festivities in their home. They encouraged us to go and join them within their home.

So many welcoming arms brought us into the main room where all the dancing was occurring. We danced with the women for quite a bit until we decided it was probably time to leave — although we were more than welcomed to stay.

On our way out the main woman of the house came up to bid us goodbye. She told us that all the women in the home were Muslim and wanted us to share to our sisters back home our story of celebrating with them. It was the first, most important moment for us when she said, “please tell your sisters back home that not all Muslims are terrorists.”

After taking photos with the kids (and feeling like celebrities) we went on with our night. It was important for these Palestinians to invite us into their homes to share their true nature with us and more important for us to share the truth of our experiences with the people.

More adventures to come!