Dear Friends,
Thank you for continuing to write us and encourage us through your support and prayers! As you know, we have been undergoing trying times during the last three and one half weeks. The College has been closed a large part of this time due to strikes, demonstrations, and closures. We were hopeful that the cease-fire negotiated at Sharm el-Sheik would be able to turn the tide in the cycle of violence that has permeated this land. Unfortunately, it appears that neither side was willing to implement fully the understanding that was reached at Sharm el-Sheik, each waiting on the other to move first. The Palestinian communities are in shock and grief over the drastic and disproportionate use of force against them, a force which has killed over 150 civilians and injured over 7000. All the Palestinians are seeking is independence and self-determination in areas over which Israel was never granted sovreignty.
Since the summit, there has been a determination on the part of many Palestinians to continue their resistance of the occupation by voicing their dissent in a variety of ways. These include: informing the outside world through information technologies, marches, stone throwing or light gun fire.
Living among Palestinians makes us all too aware of the siege under which Palestinians live. At this time, due to the shelling of outlying areas in Beit Sahour by the Israeli military, we were asked by GBGM to move to Jerusalem. We feel a sense of guilt at being thus "over privileged", knowing that we can leave the conflict and our Palestinian neighbors cannot. Right now we are staying at Tantur (ecumenical theological center) just outside of Bethlehem. The phone number is 972-2-676-0911. We are also carrying our cellular phone with us (972-2-52-723-545).
Several homes in Beit Sahour, the village where we live, have been hit. These homes are near the edge of Beit Sahour. It seems the Israeli military are determined to crush the Palestinian uprising, even if it includes attacks on civilians. Yesterday around 5:30 PM Beit Sahour was shelled again, and we heard this morning that it was one of the worst nights thus far. We can never tell when or how often the Israelis plan to do this, as they have been carrying out military actions off and on for the last 3 and one half weeks, especially after dark. Three nights ago, the helicopters were directly over our house, we assume en route to their target. The Israeli military have been calling on Beit Jala residents in outlying areas to evacuate their homes so they can shell them indiscriminately. Where are these people supposed to go? Last night, a lot of damage was inflicted in the Beit Jala area.
Ideally, and as Christians, we know that violence is not the answer to resolving conflicts, but it is hard to tell this to a refugee from a camp who has never been free to determine his or her own destiny due to a brutal and repressive occupation. Peace talks have not achieved for the Palestinians the hope of a better future. The Oslo Peace Accords have led from one false hope to another false hope. Palestinians have been treated like children who have been given pacifiers, while the Israelis and other powers dictate their future. They woke up to realize that what they aspired to was simply a mirage, and they have run out of hope that agreements will lead to anything other than a continuation of Israeli aggression against them. As we watch Palestinian mourners bear their dead on open coffins through their towns and villages, we realize just how deep is their anguish, anguish at losing a loved one and anguish at being victimized and delegitimized as a people.
We urge you to do whatever you can to stop this aggression. Israel must not be above international laws. US unconditional support of the State of Israel makes the US an accomplice in Israel's crimes against humanity. We call on all of our friends in the US to voice their rejection of a US policy that encourages aggression by not standing up against it.
Isaiah 59:14: So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets; honesty cannot enter. Isaiah 59: 15 (b). The Lord looked and was displeased that there was no justice.
Please continue to pray for good to triumph over evil!
In Christ's love & service,
Alex & Brenda