Visandchris

27/09/2024

Everyone is in D.C. Countries have their embassies. Lobbyists have their headquarters. Politicians have their offices.

Yet, until a few months ago, there not a physical space in D.C. where Palestinians could gather to encourage each other in the work of freedom. No place where the Palestinian flag flew. No institution representing Palestinian interest. That has recently changed.

We were grateful to spend time with the Palestine House of Freedom's Director, Miko Peled, and Program Director, Jinan Deena. Their commitment and reliance were incredibly inspiring and hopeful.

26/09/2024

We met with aides for both of our Michigan Senators on Wednesday.

The traffic inside the Senate office buildings is constant. So many people and groups wanting meetings. Hoping to influence. Hoping to speak to the people that could make a change (we waited for less than 5 minutes for our meeting in Peter’s office and saw two groups: H&R Block lobbyists and a group lobbying for better rights for hotel workers).

Both of our meetings were encouraging and sobering. Encouraging in a few ways: we felt genuinely listened to, we were encouraged to keep speaking up, being told that hearing from constituents can make a difference, and we learned that in a number of ways, the Senators are working for specific policies that would lead to greater equality for Palestinians.

But it was sobering. Senator Stabenow, who is much more of an advocate for Palestinians than Senator Peters (as far as their policy positions are concerned) is retiring. And even she is far from where we would hope. Why? Because the massive political machinery is tuned to see this issue as one-sided. Will that change? Of course. Nothing stays the same forever. But how long will it take for change to come? Maybe we are on the cusp of change?

In both meetings we stressed what we have experienced a shift in the public’s view of the issue. More people are asking questions. More are concerned that U.S. policies don’t align with our values. They encouraged us to encourage any folks we know to contact their representatives. It can move the needle. It is what moves the needle. Yes, it can feel like too small of an action. But perhaps I’ve underestimated its potential.

26/09/2024

It was a joy to reconnect with these friends who we met on our trip to Palestine and Israel in February.

Each one is a courageous advocate, using their voice and privilege to speak truth and call for action. We were glad to be together again.

26/09/2024

Tuesday we marched to the Capitol, carrying pictures of Gazan children who have been killed in the conflict. Those leading our march spoke the names of Gazans who were killed before their first birthday.

When we reached the Capitol we read first person accounts of parents, doctors and journalists from Gaza who have experienced unimaginable loss. We read a declaration of our delegation and we offered prayers of lament.

As people walked by, some nodded. Others raised their arm in solidarity. And…a number of American Palestinians and American Jews who happened to be walking by (they were in DC to do their own lobbying work) stopped, smiled, took pictures , waved and even joined us.

What difference will our delegation make? It’s a question I (Chris) feel myself asking over and over. In a city full of lobbyists - so entrenched in powerful systems, what difference might we make? I doubt we’ll ever know the answer to that question. But one thing we could see today was that our presence, and the presence of others working for peace, was a mutual gift. And not a small one.

25/09/2024

We are in D.C. this week with a delegation of clergy and lay activists from around the country. Together, we are working to meet with our Senators and Representatives to ask for direct action and change in the U.S.'s policies. We're also getting updates from those in the region and participating in direct action to draw attention to the realities of the conflict. Follow us for updates.

03/03/2024

We had a surreal experience in Hebron. It’s a story we will certainly tell, but for now, here are photos from our time in the old city - a part of Hebron where radical settlers have violently taken over homes and shops with the military’s help.

03/03/2024

Some pictures of the separation wall in Bethlehem.

03/03/2024

With every person we have met with we have heard two words: thank you.

02/03/2024

I (Chris) had an experience today that shook something deep in me.

One of our stops today was the Tent of Nations. Dawoud and this family farm are a part of Josh’s film and a regular stop on our tours.

We had to take a new (and much longer and more difficult) route to the Tent of Nations (ToN) because the Israeli army had blocked the typical route. This is not the first time that the typical/best road has been blocked. But as we’ve seen over and over on this trip, the current reality in Palestine is different and worse than it has ever been.

While our delegation ate lunch on the farm, Josh and I went back to the access road to see if these new roadblocks would also force us to bring our groups the longer and more difficult way.

We didn’t get more than 100m down the road when we came to a new berm of earth, stone and trash. We were able to walk over it with some care.

The second berm was much larger - and clearly very new.

After we went around the second brim we saw two people walking toward us in the distance. They were a long ways off, but it looked like they might be armed so we turned around and headed back to the entrance to ToN.

As we did, they called out to us - “come here”. We kept walking. We went back into the farm, which is fenced off. They came to the gate and asked us to “come here.” We said no thank you and walked to where everyone was having lunch. Within a few minutes they came into the farm (which is private property). Dawoud and his siblings calmly engaged them - the men said they couldn’t speak English and walked on through the farm - going wherever they wanted to go. Eventually they left, but 30 minutes later when we walked back to the gate, the men were inspecting our bus and harassing our Palestinian driver. When they noticed us approaching (a group of Americans) they left.

Even though they had military uniforms, they were clearly settlers (ToN is surrounded by settlements). We knew Israel was arming settlers and giving them freedom to patrol, harass and harm Palestinians, but here we were experiencing it firsthand.

Armed settlers harassing Palestinians was happening before 10/7. But it has intensified significantly in the last 5 months resulting in great harm and death.

In 30 years of disputes over their land, ToN has never had soldiers on their property until last week. Armed settlers and soldiers entered the farm and harassed Dawoud and a Belgian volunteer for three hours.

This is just one example of the difficulties and harm that are purposefully placed on Palestinians to humiliate, discourage and ultimately push them off the land.

To be honest, I’m still a bit shaken.
I’m still processing the experience.
Including the fact that I will leave this place in a couple of days and not have to experience this again;
including the fact that I am incredibly privileged. What will I do with that privilege is an essential question.

02/03/2024

Take 2. We keep running into some difficulties getting all of the videos to load. So…let’s try again.

01/03/2024

We might not be sleeping well.

01/03/2024

This update is a bit longer, but there is a lot to say. Here are some larger reflections on our first few days here.

29/02/2024

Nelson Mandela Square | Ramallah

The relationship between South Africa and Palestine is significant. As early as the mid 1990s South African leaders such as Mandala and Tutu spoke out against Israel’s occupation - comparing it to the apartheid they had experienced in South Africa.

South Africa gave this stature as a gift. In the plaque are the words of Mandala: “But we know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinian.”

29/02/2024

This morning we are off to Ramallah to hear from some friends of our tours - Sam Bahour and Military Court Watch as well as a couple of other voices. We hope to be able to shoot an update at lunch (early morning EST) tech permitting.

28/02/2024

28/02/2024

Our first update from Bethlehem.

Our delegation came together last night night - 24 folks from across the US. This morning we are headed to Jerusalem.