Tag: West Bank

Tomorrow I will be interviewed by the Christian Forum on Israel-Palestine

On Tuesday, September 3rd I will interviewed by my friends at the Christian Forum on Israel-Palestine. Watch it live at 1 pm Eastern, 10 am Pacific.

We will focus attention our on the ways in which Israel is expanding its war against Gaza into the West Bank. I will talk about my most recent visit to the West Bank this past June where I stayed again with my Palestinian family in the Aida refugee camp.

Check out the link below to either watch the show live or to catch it later at your own convenience. Once it’s recorded, it will remain available available on YouTube.

 

Another Instalment About My Visit to Masafer Yatta in the West Bank: Justice Ain’t on the Side of Zionist Land Theft

Last June I posted the story about my visit to the West Bank region known as Masafer Yatter.

Terry and I had helped to plant new trees and grape vines for a Palestinian farmer by the name of Hafez Hureini. Mr. Hureini’s hands had been broken by Jewish settlers who were in the process of stealing his land.

The young people from Aida Refugee camp (where we lived) were helping him to catch up on his backlogged farm maintenance. Unfortunately, but unsurprisingly, we were attacked by both Jewish settlers and Israeli soldiers as we worked.

That’s right. In Israel it’s apparently illegal to help a Palestinian farmer  work his own farmland.

A few days ago I happened across an Al Jazeera documenatary focusing on Mr. Hureini’s continuing struggle against Israeli land theft! Here you can meet this man and hear his story for yourselves.

Yes, the settlers are still stealing. The soldiers are still oppressing the innocent and defending the thieves. And Mr. Hureini continues to stand his ground peacefully.

All the while, our God sees it all and promises to one day restore justice to his world. And I’ll give you a hint: justice ain’t on the side of Zionist land theft.

 

Watch Our Upcoming Interview with Historian Ilan Pappe

I am happy to announce the next episode of the Christian Forum on Israel-Palestine. It will be broadcast on June 8th, 4 pm Eastern, 1 pm Pacific.

We will be speaking with Ilan Pappe, one of the world’s premier historians of modern Israel, but especially of the Israel/Palestine conflict.

When the time comes you can watch this conversation by clicking on the following link or paste it in your computer’s URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2Azgev9Rc8

Professor Pappe has written many important books. Perhaps his best known publication is The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine. His most recent work, Lobbying for Zionism on Both Sides of the Atlantic (available in September), deals with the power and influence of Israeli/pro-Zionist  lobbying efforts around the world.

Please join us for what I know will be a fascinating conversation with one of Israel’s foremost historians.

 

I am deeply disappointed to say that I will not be participating in this particular conversation.  I will be flying home from Israel on June 8. But trust me, I will NOT miss any more of our upcoming conversations.

Mark you calendars now, not only for Ilan Pappe, but for what I know will be another fascinating conversation with Ali Abunimah, the founder and chief editor of The Electronic Intifada, on June 18.

I will provide more information once I return from my trip to Israel-Palestine.

Israel Continues the Ethnic Cleansing of the West Bank

The objectives of the Israeli nation-state have always been clear: acquire as much Palestinian land as possible with as few Palestinians remaining as possible.

The ethnic cleansing of Palestinians may have begun in 1947 but it has never stopped. It continues viciously in the present day through home demolitions and blatant land theft, all salaciously “legalized” by Israeli politicians and bureaucrats.

Former Israeli Soldier Admits: You Can’t be a Moral Occupier

Breaking the Silence is an Israeli organization made up of former soldiers. They share similar stories. The majority did their tour of duty in the Occupied Territory (the West Bank). Upon reflecting on their behavior when they wore the uniform; after thinking about the ways they treated Palestinians, all develop a guilty conscience. In order to ‘atone’ for their sins, and to educate the Israeli public about the evils of occupation, they tell their stories

Below is one recent example dealing with Gaza:

“American Christians Need to Come Back to Jesus”

My good friend, Dr. Rob Dalrymple recently produced a fascinating interview with another friend, pastor Alex Awad.

Mr. Awad is a Palestinian Christian who spent much of his adult life pastoring a church in east Jerusalem.

He begins by telling the story of his father’s murder by an Israeli soldier in the early days of Israel’s war for Palestine. His widowed mother was an amazing, godly woman who raised her seven children to love Jesus. And the love of Jesus radiates from Alex.

Mr. Awad is also one of the founders of Bethlehem Bible College in the city of Bethlehem which is located in the West Bank. I have visited there many times.

Mr. Awad’s commitment to, and public promotion of, non-violence as the way of Jesus is another piece of evidence undermining the stream of Israeli propaganda insisting that all Palestinians hate Israel and only want to destroy it with violence.

Baloney.

Let me also promote Rob Dalrymple’s online ministry. After watching his interview with Alex Awad, please check out Rob’s website at Determinetruth Ministries and subscribe to his podcasts. He does excellent work and you may want to support his ministry.

Now enjoy a wonderful interview with a wonderful man:

 

My Friend, Munther Amira, Has Been Released from Prison

I know that my friend, Munther Amira, thanks you for your prayers on his behalf. He was finally released from an Israeli prison on Friday, having lost over 73 pounds in body weight.

Below I have included several pieces of information describing Munther’s abuse while in prison. The first is a news interview available on YouTube. The second is a statement issued by Munther himself where he again describes the torture, beatings and sexual abuse he endured at the hands of his Israeli jailers.

The video my only be viewed  on the YouTube webpage. To do this, copy the url that appears INBETWEEN the quotation marks below. Paste that address (minus the quotation marks) into your computer’s web browser and press enter. It will take you to the video of Munther’s interview which you can then watch for yourself.

“https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1dZhYTWDus&rco=1”

Below is Munther’s personal statement describing his prison experience. He was held for 2 1/2 months without charge. No trial. And no explanation as to why he was finally released.

His family and friends simply thank God that he is back home with family and friends.

From the Cemetery of the Living: A Plea for the Rights of Palestinian Detainees Statement by the
freed Palestinian detainee, Munther Amira
8 March 2024

With a heart heavy yet buoyant with gratitude, I reach out to you through these words, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit against oppression. Your steadfast commitment, vocal advocacy, and
unwavering support have been the lifeline for those of us who have endured the shadows of incarceration under the Israeli occupation. Today, I stand as a voice for the voiceless, a beacon for the countless souls still languishing in what can only be described as living tombs, to express our profound thanks and to bear witness to the atrocities that bespeak a grave humanitarian crisis.

The conditions under which Palestinian detainees live are a stark violation of every tenet of humanity and dignity. Subjected to extreme forms of torture, degrading treatment, and deliberate deprivation of basic
needs, including food and medical care, Palestinian detainees are living through what can only be described as a systemic campaign of dehumanization. The Israeli occupation, through its policy of mass
arbitrary detention, aims not just to suppress Palestinian voices but to erase their existence, their rights, and their struggle for freedom and self-determination.

In the broader context of the ongoing genocide against Gaza and the catastrophic impact on the Palestinian population, the situation of detainees becomes even more harrowing. This genocide against
the Palestinian people casts a long shadow over the fate of those behind bars. The link between the mass arbitrary detentions and the wider war against Palestine is unmistakable and intentional, designed to break
the will of the people and to quash any form of resistance against the occupation.

My personal ordeal, characterized by severe mistreatment, deprivation of medical care, and exposure to torture and sexual violence, mirrors the unfathomable suffering of many. These prisons, akin to graveyards for the living, stand as stark symbols of a settler colonial regime that seeks to erase our identity, our dignity, and our very existence. The draconian measures imposed upon us—ranging from the denial of familial and legal connections to the restriction of basic human necessities and freedoms—underscore a systematic campaign to dehumanize and demoralize.

This policy of widespread and systematic abuse is not merely an affront to Palestinian dignity but constitutes a blatant violation of international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions. The complicity of the Israeli judicial system, with its alarmingly high conviction rates for Palestinians and the virtual impunity granted to perpetrators of crimes against Palestinians, underscores a judicial apparatus that functions as an instrument of occupation.

I cannot express enough gratitude to the countless individuals, organizations, and the vast sea of humanity who have taken to the streets in solidarity, raising their voices high to demand justice for Palestine and
calling for a ceasefire. Your impassioned pressure and relentless pursuit of justice have not only contributed to my release but also continue to shine a light on the ongoing struggle for the freedom of all Palestinian detainees. Your unwavering support is a powerful testament to the strength of collective action and the indomitable spirit of global solidarity.

The international community must recognize that the plight of Palestinian detainees is not an isolated issue but a reflection of the systemic violence and oppression perpetrated by the Israeli occupation. The widespread and systematic violations of their rights, including through the use of torture, inhumane and degrading treatment, and the forcible transfer of detainees to jails within Israel, constitute grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions and amount to war crimes under international law.

The silence and inaction of the international community in the face of these atrocities only serve to embolden the perpetrators and perpetuate the violence and suffering. It is incumbent upon all states, in line with their legal obligations under international law, to take immediate and decisive action to protect the rights of Palestinian detainees. This includes holding the Israeli occupation accountable for its actions, demanding the immediate release of all arbitrarily detained Palestinians, and ensuring that those responsible for such egregious violations are brought to justice.

Moreover, the international community must work tirelessly to address the root causes of the settler colonial regime, advocating for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination. This includes acknowledging and addressing the illegal occupation of Palestinian territory.

As a freed detainee, I have witnessed firsthand the unimaginable horrors faced by my fellow Palestinians behind bars. The scars of torture, the pain of separation from loved ones, and the constant fear of death are experiences that no human being should ever have to endure. Yet, despite these atrocities, the spirit of the Palestinian people remains unbroken, their resolve unwavering.

In solidarity with those who continue to suffer in silence, I urge you to lend your voice to this cause, to stand up for justice, and to join us in the fight for the freedom and dignity of all Palestinian detainees.

Together, we can shed light on the darkness of their existence and pave the way for a future where human rights are not just a privilege for the few but a fundamental right for all.

Munther Amira
Aida Refugee Camp,
Beitlahem, Palestine

Now, I ask you to continue to pray for my friend Anas abu Srour who continues to be held in prison without charge. His family has heard nothing about his eventual release.

Anas has yet to see his newborn daughter.

The Gray Zone: Life in Jerusalem Under Israel’s Military Dictatorship

The video speaks for itself.

I have shopped and eaten at the Educational Bookshop many times. It is generally the first place I visit when in Jerusalem.

Listen to the Christmas Message that Every American Christian Should Hear

The Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac is the pastor of the Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Christmas church. He is also a professor at Bethlehem Bible College.

This Christmas Eve, he delivered a power prophetic, gospel-inspired message directed at the western Christian church.

As the Gaza Strip is demolished, its people massacred, and ethnic cleansing continues unabated throughout the West Bank, far too many US evangelicals approve of Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

As pastor Isaac says, “Silence is complicity.” Yes, too many remain silent, but even more damnable are the “Christian” voices raised in support of Israel’s war against Gaza because, some how or another, this slaughter is preparing the way for the return of Christ.

There are three things that I know with certainty about following Jesus. Walking with Christ never requires us to sanction, much less to embrace, ignorance, prejudice or bloodshed.

Those now approving of Israel’s genocide are committing all three of these inexcusable sins.

The following clip of Rev. Isaac’s message is 17 minutes long. Please take the time to listen to it in full. We all need to listen, lament, repent, and become activists for peace and justice in the name of Jesus Christ. We can begin by calling for a ceasefire in Gaza:

The following clip is a 12 minute interview with pastor Isaac broadcast by Democracy Now. Listen to him explain how the Palestinian people feel abandoned by the world, the Palestinian church abandoned by their western brothers and sisters. Remember — Gazan churches are being bombed; Gazan Christians are being murdered along with everyone else.

Have we no compassion for the Arabic-speaking family of God trambling in terror, huddled in the ruins of bombed out churches, desperately praying for God’s deliverance?