by Todd Morrow

Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause. (Isaiah 1:17)

Wall art in Aida refugee camp depicts facts on the ground.

Today we visited the Aida refugee camp established in 1948 when 24,000 Palestinians were kicked out of their south Jerusalem homes. This particular camp, in Bethlehem, is adjacent to the Wi’am Center. It is also hemmed in by the wall built by the Israeli authorities in 2003. Originally the camp was just tents. Now it has apartment buildings for the approximately 4500 Palestinian refugees who call it home. It is clear their zest for life and hope for a better future is strong, despite the apartheid that controls their lives.

As we returned to the Wi’am Center, we saw Palestinian youth throwing rocks at an Israeli Defense Force-manned wall tower. Tomorrow is Naqba Day, the day Palestinians commemorate their displacement from their lands.

Israeli Defense Force-manned wall tower, immediately next to Wi’am Center

The youth, some who wore masks, stopped throwing while we walked between them and the guard tower, their target. We exchanged hellos as we passed.

We later learned that one of them was hit by a rubber bullet shot by an Israeli Defense Force (IDF) sniper and taken away by the IDF while we were inside the Center.

The injustice that envelopes these Palestinians is unbelievable. It makes me angry.

What am I doing to seek justice and correct oppression in Palestine?

by Phyllis May

Riyad Gantous shows where Abuna Chacour’s house was in Biram

A group of 21 souls with great expectations,
wandering through Israel, looking and searching.
Where is Palestine. Hope?

Nowhere but spots of areas here and there – homes, schools, parks, and farms,
only foundations are seen. Hope?

Another village, 531 in all, gone.
So is the house of a sad elderly family man. Hope?

A young child sits alone, chin in his hands,
No one to play with, the house next door is gone. Hope?

The long line at one of many check points,
Men with guns and questions. Hope?

An olive grove on the other side of the wall, farmer unable to harvest.
No permission at all.
Seems whatever we do there is no hope at all.

Hills with rocks covered by planted trees and cactus hide more foundations.
Come and see, go and tell. Hope!!

Too many walls and fences, everyone is afraid.
Shots fired, fear, children running, falling. Hope is not here.

Warm sun, a breeze, singing, someone says God is near.
More challenges, great struggles and discourse, faith is in the air. Hope?

A church comes into view.

People will share.
Maybe Hope is here.

by Judy Morlan

Crossing the Green Line at the Jalameh Check Point from Palestine into the West Bank was cause for anxiety, but it turned out to be just 2 minutes of conversation by our leader with Israeli soldiers. I’ve been told that it will be quite different when we go from Palestine into Israel, when we will have to show our passports. It is much more difficult for Palestinians to do the same thing. In fact, if you are a male between the ages of 16 and 45, you can rarely get a permit at all, not even to go to Jerusalem!

Father Firas Khoury at the Church of Ten Lepers in Burqin

Father Firas Khoury met us at the Church of Ten Lepers in Burqin. The interior of this Greek Orthodox church was light-filled with fresh flowers and lovely icons. The acoustics were wonderful and when we sang the Doxology it brought tears to my eyes, as has a number of other experiences on this trip.

The visit to the Church of Jacob’s Well was an emotional experience as well… to think that this deep well of cool sweet water was the exact same well that was used by Jacob, and where Jesus met the Samaritan woman and offered her living water. All of us drank from the well and were moved by the experience. It almost seems unreal that I am actually here, where history happened.

Drawing water