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Dr. Thelma Chambers-Young, Chair; Progressive National Baptist Convention; Mrs. Sandra Ann Pyke Anthony, African Methodist Episcopal Church; Ms. Linda Ann Bales, director of the Population Project of the General Board of Church and Society, United Methodist Church; Rev. Dr. Rhashell Debra Hunter, director of the Racial, Ethnic and Women's Ministries Program, Presbyterian Church (USA); Rev. Elenora Giddings Ivory, director of the Washington Office, Presbyterian Church (USA); Ms. Shirley Ann Nichols, member of the Coordinating Cabinet of the Presbyterian Women, Presbyterian Church (USA); Rev. Lois Martha Powell, team leader of Justice and Witness Ministries for Human Rights, United Church of Christ; Rev. Susan Gwen Turley, Swedenborgian Church; Ms. Arlene Connie Tyler, president of the Women’s Department, Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc.; Dr. Iva Elaine Carruthers, Proctor Conference, United Church of Christ; Rev. Andrea Lucille Clark, assistant pastor, Antioch Baptist Church, Tulsa, Okla., (National Baptist Convention); Ms. Angelita Clifton, student, Drew Theological Seminary, American Baptist Churches USA; Rev. NaShieka Dawn Knight, associate minister, Greater St. John (Baptist) Church, Upper Marlboro, Md.; Rev. Jacqueline Y. Lynch, associate minister, Saint Matthew's Community AME Church, African Methodist Episcopal Church; Ms. Deborah Leah Stapleton, lay minister, Fountain Baptist Church (Summit, N.J.) and a student at Drew Seminary. National Council of Churches staff : Dr. Antonios Kireopoulos Rev. Brenda Girton-Mitchell |
Daily Report of the National Council of Churches' delegation of women church leaders to the Middle East The plight of
women and children suffering through hostilities in the
May 15, 2007 INTRODUCTION By Antonios Kireopoulos
Dr. Kireopoulos is associate
general secretary of the National Council of Churches for International
Affairs and Peace, and the facilitator of the delegation.  As
we entered Israel / Palestine from Jordan, our thoughts were on our
experience in Amman. Passing over the Jordan River via the King
Hussein Bridge, we were filled with the kind of joyful anticipation that
comes with knowing we will walk the land where Jesus walked, and with
the kind of sorrow that comes with knowing we will also be walking a
land that still is in the midst of conflict. Our experience in
Amman heightened both of these expectations, for we had been in a place
of both peace (wrought by years of stability) and uncertainty (wrought
by tensions in Iraq on one side and in Israel / Palestine on the
other). We saw the benefits of peace in, among other things, the economic growth, empowerment of women, and programs for refugees who make up a large percentage of Jordan's population. We celebrated this aspect of Jordanian society.
The
uncertainty was palpable, however, in the concerns that many expressed
that hopes for lasting peace throughout the region were dim. The lament
is, quite profoundly, that lack of vision
––
in the Middle East, and in the international community
––
leaves a vacuum to be filled with radicalism, violence, and
hopelessness.
On
Sunday morning, we were blessed to have the opportunity to worship at
the Syrian Orthodox church that, due to its living ties to ancient
Christian communities, ministers to refugees from the Iraq War. The
blessing was magnified in a meeting after liturgy with many Iraqi people
––
men, women, and children
––
who suffered, and continue to suffer, the consequences of the US war in
Iraq. Tears were shed
––
in compassion, and in repentance
––
as we shared stories with one another. Tears were also shed in
solidarity, as one of our delegation members, a Gold Star Mother, shared
the story of her son who was killed in Iraq.
These
thoughts were with us as we crossed the Jordan River on our way to
Jerusalem, the City of Peace.
Delegation Reflections: Linda Bales, United Methodist Church, General Board of Church & Society, Washington, DC Reflection 1
Reflection 2 Currently around the globe there are 20.8 million refugees who, for varied reasons, have had to leave their homeland in search of peace and security. While on our pilgrimage to the Middle East, we had the privilege of meeting several persons who have experienced this kind of upheaval in their life. We talked to a 22 year old woman who is a Palestinian refugee working in a Jordanian health clinic operated by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) in Amman. The young woman says she has a 12th grade education and hopes to become a nurse. Ten days ago, she had eye surgery to relieve intense pain. “I still feel pain”, she says, “but it’s better”. She is one of the fortunate Palestinian refugees in Jordan who has found work and health care at the MECC clinic located in one of the refugee camps in the region. She has lived her entire life in the camp – this is her home. Her work in the clinic with women and children brings her a sense of fulfillment and purpose as evidenced by her beautiful smile ... More Reflection 3 Rev. Jacqueline Lynch, a delegation member from the African Methodist Episcopal Church, compares her awakening about the situation in the Middle East to her deep abiding relationship with Christ. “My relationship with Jesus began when I was a child. People would tell me about Christ, but it wasn’t until I matured and had a personal encounter with Christ, did I fully understand,” said Jackie “I’ve found this to be true with this pilgrimage to the Middle East. To witness the strife between the Israelis and Palestinians with my own eyes makes such a difference in my comprehension of the issues facing people, particularly those in the West Bank. And, what I’ve also come to understand is how much I value my own freedom now knowing how many people in this area have little to no freedom.” Jackie’s understanding was broadened by a media presentation by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) based in Jerusalem. “We had been told about the obstacles faced by Palestinians in the West Bank due to erected physical barriers to one’s freedom of movement, but I didn’t fully comprehend the scope until it was visibly displayed on a series of maps in the UN OCHA’s presentation.” ... More Reflection 4 There is much despair in this land and, although there are signs of hope, the delegation heard far too many tales of woe. The Israeli settlements continue to expand in the West Bank. Checkpoints are proliferating as are other barriers to movement. Poverty rates are increasing in Palestinian areas. Both Palestinians and Israelis are fearful for their children due to violence and exclusion seems to be the ruling practice. Committed Christians, Muslims and Jews who have lived and worked in the West Bank for decades as relief or faith-based workers say they feel “more pessimistic than ever.” Leading spokespersons for both Palestinians and Israelis express despair. Hanan Ashrawi, an influential Christian member of the Palestinian Legislative Council living in Ramallah, said that the internal strife within the Palestinian Authority (the official government of the Palestinians), is hurting the overall effort for peace. She stated that Palestinians, however, are feeling very marginalized, and for her, personally, the last 7 years have led to feelings of despair and abandonment. “When people feel imprisoned, people behave in abnormal ways….What is needed is for a peace process to occur simultaneously with nation building. We can’t do one without the other.” ... More Elenora Giddings Ivory, Presbyterian Church USA (Director, Washington Office)
You are only a woman. What can you really do? ... More Loey Powell, United Church of Christ (Justice and Witness Ministries)
Susan Gwen Turley, Swedenborgian Church
NaShieka Dawn Knight, Associate Minister, Greater St. John (Baptist) Church, Upper Marlborough, Md.
Rev. Andrea Lucille Clark, assistant pastor, Antioch Baptist Church, Tulsa, Okla.
When I think of the
goodness of Jesus Ms. Angelita Clifton, student, Drew Theological Seminary, American Baptist Churches USA Reflection 1
Reflection 2 With silent laments and tethered tears, I buried my face deep in the crevices of the ha-kotel mourning the destruction. Many believe the wall is a sacred space, the shortest route to God’s ear. It was there I whispered spirit to Spirit, petitioning the true measure of love, which is justice, not just for some but for us all. Beaconing God’s promises, there I prayed! Just as the Shema is lifted at dusk and at dawn declaring faith in one God the giver of peace, my tears professed faith in the oneness of God’s people. As the wall fortifying the Temple remains, my lamentations drenched God’s ear, praying for the fortification of all His living stones. ... More Reflection 3 What a mighty God we serve! Like doves of peace the women’s delegation of the NCCCUSA swooped into the Holy Land like a mighty rushing wind. Empowered by the Holy Spirit the women of God raised questions that blazed like fire, burning away the politically correct rhetoric which continues to cloud the issues surrounding the Israeli - Palestinian conflict. While on this pilgrimage to the Holy Land we were afforded the opportunity to see, with our own eyes, the reality of daily life in this sacred space. With heavy hearts and prayerful spirits we journeyed through areas on both sides of the conflict, listening to all who would share their daily struggles. ... More A Dream of Peace
By the Rev. Dr. Thelma Chambers-Young When I reflect on the “listening and learning mission” of the seventeen-member NCCCUSA Women’s delegation, the words of the famous African American poet, the late Langston Hughes, come to mind. What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
Maybe it just sags Or does it explode?
Mr. David Seaman, a spokesperson for the prime minister’s office, when asked if he could think of an acceptable solution that might end the conflict in the foreseeable future, replied immediately with a resounding “no.” When queried further about the disproportionate number of deaths over the last year between Palestinians (678) and Israelis (25)[1], Mr. Seaman replied that this was a necessary evil that was needed to guarantee the safety and security of the Israeli people. He seemed to believe that the appearance of security was warranted by whatever means necessary.
When asked about extreme factions in Israeli society, as well as in Palestinian society, Mr. Seaman readily replied that every society has them. Yet, only “Arab” extremists were labeled terrorists. And it appeared that only Palestinians are to be held accountable for extremists’ acts committed within their community.
While on American soil, it was understandable how a nation would want to protect its citizens. It is right for a people to want to feel secure in their homes or going about their daily activities. One would think, how could this be wrong? But to see the situation up close and personal, to drive the nicely paved streets of Israel and those in disrepair in Palestinian villages, is to witness a very small piece of the puzzle. Connected to this giant incomprehensible puzzle of life for Palestinian people is the lack of access: lack of access to water, lack of access to schools (by students and teachers alike due to the many barriers), lack of access to decent housing and the crowded conditions of Palestinian refugee camps, lack of (or sorely inadequate) access to medical care, lack of access to proper garbage disposal, lack of access to employment, and lack of access even to other Palestinian communities and in some cases to family members.
We heard concerns from some Palestinians about the current ineffective PA government, made ineffective partially due to economic sanctions imposed by the international community, as well as to infighting between Hamas and Fatah (the two primary groups forming the PA government). It appeared that the PA is a government that lacks both the resources and the wherewithal to effect meaningful change. Although, a democratically elected government, due to its ties with terrorist factions, it is not recognized by Israel and other countries, including the United States, and heavily sanctioned. I am reminded that a desperate people seek desperate measures for relief. My fear is that the more desperate the situation becomes, and it grows more so each day, the more desperate will be the means used to seek relief. This is not a justification for violence; it is reality.
When queried about the tax revenues, by agreement collected by Israel and to be paid to the PA (but recently held back), which would be used to fund the necessary programs and keep schools open, Mr. Seaman replied, “It is untrue that Arabs have no money. There are Arab countries, Saudi Arabia for example, that have plenty of money. Let them take care of their people… In Gaza, if they are hungry, let them smuggle in food instead of guns.”
We saw the various transportation barriers in and around Jerusalem and in the West Bank, and it became obvious that some of these impediments were not exclusively for security. Roadblocks on Palestinian-only roads that blocked Palestinian access even to their own homes could not possibly be for Israeli security. Neither could cement walls that separated Palestinian villages from other Palestinian villages. Instead, in many cases, the barriers appeared to appropriate land (farmland and other types of property) that heretofore belonged to Palestinians, and to secure water access. In some cases, the blockades and barriers appeared to be solely for harassment or inconvenience.
For example, Bethlehem, with more than 20,000 residents, has one gate, controlled by Israeli soldiers, for Palestinian use. There is one way in and one way out if you are Palestinian. It is opened for a specified period each day. In order for workers, to get to work they must assemble hours before the gate opens. Reportedly there are days when it does not open. If an emergency happens and it’s not at the specified time, it’s unfortunate, and allegedly people suffer and even die. The unspoken intention of all this oppression seems to be: leave for good on your own or be forced out.
I have often heard that there are two sides to every story and that the truth lies somewhere in the middle. Therefore, I like to hear all sides before making up my mind. However after hearing from Israelis, Palestinians, human rights groups, mixed groups of Jews, Muslims and Christians, professors, members of Parliament, Christian leaders, and others, and after viewing the UN maps and presentation (http://ochaonline.un.org), it occurred to me that what I perceive to be true lies much closer to the Palestinian side of the story.
While I dream of peace, I cannot envision a just peace with the occupation of Palestinian land. I cannot envision peace when a sizeable percentage of the population is denied basic human rights, Yet I heard a Jewish mother who had lost her son to the conflict say, “We do not need walls, we need peace and reconciliation that can only come through dialogue.” She still dreams of peace.
We live in a global community; if we are to survive, we must learn to live together. No nation is forever superior in military might. And we know from the words of Robert Kennedy, “When one person’s rights are denied, the rights of all are endangered.” For these reasons, I believe that in the long run, it is counter to US interests to continue business as usual with Israel. We must seek the truth from all involved parties, and encourage diplomatic solutions, rather than one-sided military support and one-sided sanctions. While we as a nation are financially supportive of Israeli policy and silently complicit in the wrongs that are wrought, we should heed the words of the Apostle Paul: “Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow” (Galatians 6:7).
I still dream of peace. It is a dream renewed by the courage and resilience of the hurting people that I met. While I condemn violence in any form, whether committed by a government or by extremists, while I renounce suicide bombings or other forms of terrorism, I also understand that a dream too long deferred can explode.
Collectively, we can make a difference; as a nation we can through diplomacy curb the explosions of deferred dreams. As individuals, we must pray for the fulfillment of dreams. But as one frustrated and hurting Palestinian woman put it, “We want prayer, but we also need your prayerful action.” As American Christians, we must engage in prayerful action: we can demand equitable measures from our elected officials; we can educate the general public about what is going on; and we can take a stand for a just peace in the Middle East. Indeed, if we keep silent, the dream of many may forever be deferred. [1] United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). |
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How ironic it is to be in the Middle East, the birthplace of three major
religions: Christianity, Judaism and Islam. The irony is this is a
place where everyone greets one another with the word for peace, but
this land is anything but peaceful. Both Israelis and Palestinians
are finding themselves more and more isolated from one another, which is
resulting in further instability in the region. Violence is
increasing, and Palestinians lack adequate access to services such as
education and health care. The number of displaced persons in the
region is growing with Palestinians and Iraqis fleeing their respective
homelands in search for security. Many are settling in Jordan and
other Middle Eastern nations ...
You
are only a woman. What can you really do? 
One of
our first visits when we arrived in Jordan was to Mt. Nebo, the mountain
where Moses is said to have ended his long sojourn in the desert and
from which he viewed the Promised Land before dying. The day we
were there, windy conditions filled the air with sand and dust and we
couldn’t see anything from the top. One is supposed to be able to
view Jericho, the Dead Sea, and the hills of the West Bank on the other
side of the Jordan River. But we saw nothing. For me, this
became a metaphor for the entrenched political situation between Israel
and Palestine. Neither side has visionary leadership which could
provide a pathway to a true peaceful resolution. Most everyone we
talked with during our visit felt hopeless about current prospects for
peace and justice and, as we were told repeatedly, the United States
must play a pivotal role in negotiations between Israel and Palestine
but it is not doing so. ...
It was
just a typical morning when her brother smiled as he went to begin his
daily routine on the farm, the screen door gently closing behind him as
the air circled inside. He headed out to tend to the goats, chickens,
and rabbits, and to feed their pet dogs. He walked across the parched
earth, gathering dust on his worn jeans as his feet pressed down the dry
grass that sprang up slowly, hurting from lack of water. His
lips felt dry already as the sun began to warm this barren land where
hundreds of grape vines once thrived. Now only rows of stumps with
voiceless memories grieving vintage wines that blessed the tables of
friends and foreigners dotted the hillsides. The olive trees were gone,
too. The soldiers came in one day and dug up all two hundred fifty, took
them away to plant on their property. Gone is their precious olive oil,
made for generations by the loving hands of mothers and grandmothers.
Gone is their family tradition and livelihood, stripped from the land of
her father’s father. ...
Sitting on the plane in route to Amman, these are the thoughts with
which I grappled. Driven by a sense of divine urging, I agreed to
participate with this delegation, but felt inadequately prepared. What
could I offer to such a cadre of religious leaders and how would I
participate in the ensuing dialogue? Initially I thought to give myself
a crash course in Arab-Israeli politics, but decided that it was better
to go as a clean slate, rather than construct a socio-political lens
through which to view the happenings around me. So I went, ill-equipped,
insecure, but open, sure of only one thing…this was indeed my assignment
...
As the armed Israeli
soldiers opened the gate of the wall that surrounds the small city of
Bethlehem, I slowly exhaled and began to prepare myself for the journey
ahead. It was 4:00 am and we were on our way to the Tel Aviv airport to
return to the U.S. after a two week pilgrimage to the Middle East. Only
moments earlier, we sat anxiously at the gate awaiting the final decision
of the armed guard who ultimately determined whether we were permitted to
pass or if we would be detained for further questioning. So while we
waited, we paused to have our usual morning devotion that began with a
song and concluded with prayer. Our song choice for the morning was
When I Think of the Goodness of Jesus. Praising God for the many
blessings and revelations along the journey, we joined together to
sing: 
Standing on holy ground I heard God’s voice reverberating in the wind, “Love
thy neighbor.” Listening to suffering spirits I heard God’s voice
resonating deep within,
Perhaps
for both Israeli and Palestinian peoples alike, the dream of peace is
too long deferred. It appears that the dream of a two-state solution to
end the decades-old conflict between Palestinian and Israeli people is
turning into a nightmare for some, and the sliver of hope once
articulated seems to be fading fast. As settlements grow, and more and
more Palestinian land is confiscated, life for some appeared almost
unbearable. Most Palestinians that I encountered held tightly to the
flickering spark of hope, and spoke of peace with justice and mercy, yet
no mercy could be found in the words of one Israeli government
official.