While serving with EAPPI last year in Bethlehem, our team had the the priviliedge and pleasure of offering accompaniment to the Nasser family who own a large family farm south of Bethlehem. Daoud and Daher and their family have owned their farm for generations and they have deeds dating back to the Ottoman Empire.
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| Daher with a pillar of portraits of his ancestors |
They have successfully held onto their land through Ottomans, the British, and the Jordanians. For the past 20 plus years they have been battling to keep hold of these coveted lands with the Israeli government and the military. At this moment the high court of Israel actually recognizes the family as rightful owners but not the military court.
Last spring, the military court wanted them to tear down their newly installed solar panels and animal shelters as they were built without permits. And in spite of these incursions onto their land and threats from both settlers and military, they boldly claim “We will not be enemies”; we will be a place of bridge building, a place of welcome, a Tent of Nations.
Last spring, the military court wanted them to tear down their newly installed solar panels and animal shelters as they were built without permits. And in spite of these incursions onto their land and threats from both settlers and military, they boldly claim “We will not be enemies”; we will be a place of bridge building, a place of welcome, a Tent of Nations.
Last spring during Lent I met weekly with the family and other internationals up on the farm for evening Bible study and worship. One evening I even led a short communion service with wine from the farm and freshly baked pita. When asked sometimes if I had time to visit any holy sites while in Israel and Palestine, I count my time and experiences up on the farm, for it was truly a place of worship and peace.
In addition, I led a guided meditation class for the women’s center in Nahalin as part of their health week. Jihan and I led them through an Arabic and English guided meditation to the “garden inside” where they could find peace and tranquility when they needed it. I brought my wall from my Bethlehem crèche and laid down a few of the slabs as a way to symbolize that for these few minutes they too could let their barriers down---as many or as few as they were comfortable. I wanted them to understand that I understood why they lived in a constant state of vigilance. Then I lit one small candle. This too was a time of communion for me.
In preparation for this session, I asked the women to bring in objects or images from their homes that helped them find beauty or peace. I supplemented with images from my friend Lindy’s beautiful pictures from New England. Before sinking down into the meditation, the women shared what they brought while others picked up some of the beautiful New England pictures of flowers and pumpkin patches. It was distressful then to get this action alert from Friends of Tent of Nations this week about this latest threat. Please hold the Nasser family in your prayers and join this international movement for peacebuilding.
Dear Friends,
Today, the 14th of February at 1.30 PM and as we were working on our land, specifically in the tree of life orchard, we found on three different places , papers with maps signed by the civil administration of Judea and Samaria which is the Israeli military government.
The papers say that we have to stop working on the land specified on the map, because they declared it as a state land. According to them, this land doesn’t belong to us but it is a state land and we are cultivating it. The papers also say that if we want to challenge this order, we can appeal against it within 45 days in front of the military representative office.
It is a shock to receive something like that after 21 years of legal battle defending our land and the right to it in front of Israeli courts.
We sent those papers to our attorney in Jerusalem and he is going to appeal against it within the next days.
This is just to inform you about what happened today, please be aware that the situation might get worse, please be prepared in case actions are needed. In the meanwhile, our attorney will appeal against it and we will see what kind of reaction we receive"
We will keep you updated and will inform you about our next steps and how you can help.
Thank you so much for your support and solidarity. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.
Blessings and Salaam.
Bill Plitt
Friends of Tent of Nations North America
Tent of Nations
-People Building Bridges-
P.O.Box 28, Bethlehem
Palestine
Tel: +972 (0)2 274 30 71
Fax: +972 (0)2 276 74 46
Mobile: +972 (0)522 975 985
E-mail: dnassar@tentofnations.org
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