Israeli Court rejects the Cremisan Valley West Bank Barrier

Source: BBC

During my two month stay in Bethlehem last year, I made several visits to the beautiful Cremisan Valley. There I learned about the plans to extend the 8 metre high concrete barrier through this valley, cutting Palestinians off from their land and dividing a monastery and convent. I joined the weekly open air service to pray for the valley the people that live here.

I went to two services, organised by the Catholic Church. I explained that I was not a catholic and was told "Everyone is welcome here. We are all together in opposing the separation wall. " 

 

Today Yolande Knell, the excellent BBC correspondent for this area, reports on the decision of the Israeli Court to reject the application from the Israeli Security Forces to build this wall "on security grounds". Never was there a more ridiculous claim to cover a blatant land grab. 

I am delighted with the decision and rejoice with the people of the Cremisan Valley today. 

Read the full story by clicking here.

Talk to the U3A

Ken gave a talk on "Experiences in the West Bank" to Bracknell U3A today. It was well attended and there were some very good questions afterwards. Thank you to the U3A for giving a voice to the situation in Israel and Palestine.

Trip to the Holy Land in 2016

St John the Baptist Parish Church in Crowthorne is organising a trip to the Holy Land in February 2016. This will be led by Su McClellan of Embrace the Middle East. We will stay in Bethlehem for 6 nights, followed by 3 nights in the Galilee. We will have the opportunity to see the Christian regions sites as well as time to engage with Jewish and Palestinian groups.

Becoming an active Kairos Community

St John the Baptist Parish Church has now become an "Active Kairos Community" Kairos Britain defines what this means.

Kairos Active:

Kairos Active Community are required to provide evidence that they have undertaken three activities that promote a just and lasting peace in Palestine and Israel and have educated and inspired their own (Kairos Committed) Community and beyond.

These activities may include (but are not confined to);

• Raising awareness through events that encourage people to take action for a just peace. There are a list of suggested events and key times of the year here

• Praying regularly for a just peace in Palestine and Israel.

• Participating in the boycott of, divestment from and economic sanctions against everything produced by the occupation, including identifying relevant actions the local community can take and enabling them to do so. More information can be found here

• Lobbying and actively engaging with political representatives by significant numbers of the group

• Organising a visit to Israel/Palestine that includes visiting organisations working towards just peace (these should include Jewish Israeli groups, as well as Palestinian organisations). Helpful links and suggestions can be found here.

• Fundraising for local, national or international organisations committed to a just peace in Palestine and Israel. More information on organisations to support can be found here or in the back of the Time for Action document.

• Committing to prayer and action when emergencies or crises happen in Israel/Palestine.

Lent Lecture at St James' Finchampstead

St James' Church, Finchampstead has arranged a series of Lent Lectures. These will be held in the St James’ Church Centre, RG40 4LU, starting at 8pm, with coffee from 7:45pm, and ending at 9:30pm. 

The First of these will be on Tuesday 24th February and be titled "Right and Wrong in the Occupied West Bank – a presentation by Ken Perrett".  Ken is a longstanding member and former churchwarden of St John the Baptist Crowthorne. Following an earlier pilgrimage trip to the Holy Land, he spent two months last year living with a Palestinian family in Bethlehem. His presentation will be based on his experiences.

More details of the Lent Lectures may be found by clicking here.

New Kairos Britain website

The new Kairos Britain website was launched yesterday. I have been helping Charlotte Marshall (Kairos Britain advocacy worker) by undertaking some of the editing for the site. It has been great fun and we hope that people will like the new site.

Keith Taylor - MEP for the SE

Introduction: The UK General Election will be on May 7th. We will all be considering who we should vote for. I have recently contacted Keith Taylor, a Green Party MEP representing the South East. I received this response and felt moved to republish it on this blog. 

Katy Cadwallader, Keith's constituency caseworker wrote:

"Thank you for your email to Keith Taylor MEP, which he has asked me to respond to on his behalf. 

Keith is a passionate campaigner for Palestinian human rights and works on the European Parliament's Delegation to the Palestinian Legislative Council (DPLC). He has been working hard to keep the Israel-Palestine conflict and the violent situation in Gaza over the summer at the top of the European agenda.

In September, the European Parliament adopted a Resolution on the role of the EU regarding the situation between Israel and Palestine now that a ceasefire is in place. The Resolution urged the EU to participate effectively in the urgent humanitarian aid effort and in the reconstruction of Gaza, and called on the EU to participate fully in the International Donors Conference on 12 October 2014 in Cairo.

Prior to the vote on this Resolution, MEPs in the European Parliament debated the potential role of the EU in working towards a two-state solution. Keith gave a speech during this debate which blasted the Parliament's weak stance on the issue and their failure to formally recognise the disproportionality of the violence. Keith and some of his colleagues in the Green group were able to demand that the EU take immediate steps to negotiate the lifting of the blockade on Gaza, the extending of fishing zones and to open the border crossing.

Keith's speech is available to view via the following link, from 20:15:00 onwards: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/ep-live/en/plenary/video?debate=1410975629570&streamingLanguage=en

Keith also wrote to the EU's previous High Representative for Foreign Affairs (HR/VP), Catherine Ashton, condemning the violence in Gaza and the use of densely populated civilian areas as targets. His full letter is available to read on his website: http://www.keithtaylormep.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Situation-in-Israel-Palestine_Catherine-Ashton_16.07.2014.pdf

You may already know that MEPs debated the recognition of Palestine as a state at the end of November. Keith and the Greens submitted a motion for a Resolution to this debate calling on EU Members to recognise the State of Palestine. The vote on this resolution took place last month, and Keith was thrilled that the Parliament voted in favour of recognising Palestinian statehood.

Keith is also calling on the EU to respond to the continued expansion of Israeli settlements by:

1. stepping up EU public diplomacy, 
2. reassessing cooperation assistance to Israel in line with the “less for less policy”, 
3. strictly excluding the application of EU-Israeli agreements to the occupied Palestinian territories,
4. strengthening advice to EU citizens and companies on settlements and settlement activities and taking action vis-à-vis EU companies complicit in violations in the settlements, 
5. taking concrete measures towards settlers, including the adoption of a non-contact policy and visa ban,
6. excluding settlement products from the EU internal market,
7. revisiting EU-Israeli relations in light of Article 2 of the Association Agreement

Keith has recently met with his Green colleagues on the Palestine Delegation, as well as the Green group's political advisors for foreign affairs, to discuss how pressure could be put on the EU to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement. Keith and his colleagues are planning a series of seminars in the Parliament addressing serious human rights breaches in Palestine and what steps the EU can take next.

He has also been in touch with the ECCP will soon be co-signing a letter to the new HR/VP Federica Mogherini to consider the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.

Thanks again for sharing your comments and taking the time to write to Keith. You can see more of the work Keith has done to protect human rights and build towards peace in the Middle East on his website: http://www.keithtaylormep.org.uk/category/peace-anti-nuke/

Be assured that, throughout his term as an MEP, Keith will continue to call on the EU to take a stronger stance and a more prominent role in securing a securing lasting peace between Palestine and Israel, to review the EU's trade agreement with Israel in light of their actions and to ensure Israel complies with international humanitarian law."

The Green Party have a full coherent policy on peace in Israel/Palestine. It is good to see a UK political party taking such a stand for peace and justice. 

Ken Perrett

Ken speaks at the Deanery Synod

Ken Perrett was invited to speak to the Sonning Deanery Synod on 24th November. He gave a 30 minute talk on his stay in a refugee camp in Bethlehem, within the West Bank. Following the talk, there was time for questions. If you would like to see the presentation, click here.

Su McClellan tells us about the work of Embrace the Middle East

Su McClellan from Embrace the Middle East came to St John's on Sunday to preach at both 8am and 10am services. She told us about the work of Embrace the Middle East. Embrace the Middle East has just been included as one of the missions supported by St John's. After the 10am service there was a display of the work of all seven of the Church Missions. You can read more about these on the Church website. This was part of the Missions Sunday.

After the service we had the opportunity to talk with Su about how to work for peace and justice in the Middle East - a really helpful day.

Support bedouin communities' access to water

Israeli occupation forces confiscate a portable water tank in Al Maleh 21 June 2012 

While I was in the West Bank, I visited the Bedouin communities in Al Hadidya and Samra. The situation is just as described here by Jordan Valley Solidarity. Please read the story and help if you can. 

Ken Perrett

The majority of Bedouin communities in the Jordan Valley have no access to running water and have to collect their water using trucks and portable water tanks. Until recently families in five communities in the northern Jordan Valley have been sharing a truck, but at the beginning of October it broke down. It has been repaired by a local garage, but the families are faced with a bill for 12 000 shekels (which means 2 500 euros), which they are unable to pay.

Please donate to support these families

Demolition in Humsa 1 April 2014

Al Hadidya, Samra, Mak-hull, Homsa, and Ein El Hilwe are small, but strong and steadfast communities, whose lives are lived on the principle of 'To Exist is to Resist'. They all live in tents, and have not electricity or running water. As with all Palestinians living in 'Area C' they are prohibited by the Israeli military occupation to have any permanent structures and in recent years they have all been invaded by occupation troops, which have demolished homes, animal shelters, latrines and other shelters. Their land has been designated as 'military land' and military training is frequently carried out in the area.

Whilst struggling to survive they are determined that they will not allow the occupation forces to drive them from their land. However, the cost of repairs to their truck is a major problem,  and we would like to appeal to our supporters to help pay the repair costs.

Access to water is a major problem for all these families. When they collect the water with the portable tanks they are already having to pay for the cost of the water, plus an additional fee to the water station, fuel costs and the time spent travelling. These exorbitant costs mean that most of these families use as little as 20 litres per person per day, one fifth of the World Health Organisation's recommended amount.

Israeli water tank on the hill above Ein El Hilwe

Historically, people in the area would have sourced water from:

• water wells (the occupation now controls who can dig wells and how deep they can be - by imposing apartheid restrictions on the depth of Palestinian wells they ensure that they rarely yield any significant quantity of clean water)
• the Jordan River (which they haven't had access to since 1967);
• local natural mountain springs (all of which have declared closed military zones by the occupation forces)
• run off from the mountains (which requires concrete water tanks, which are systematically destroyed by the occupation)

In February 2013 the people of Al Hadidiya started to renovate a historic well, which pre-dated the occupation of 1967, so they would be able to have affordable water, but they were stopped by the occupation.

The truck is essential to them, and if you are able to help them you support will be very much appreciated.

Programme of Action for 2015

On 21st October 2014, the PCC of St John the Baptist Parish Church, Crowthorne, approved the following Programme of Action for 2015:-

St John the Baptist Church, Crowthorne has heard the call for peace and justice coming from all the Christian Churches in Israel and Palestine. We pledge ourselves to work for peace and justice for all people living in this Holy Land – for Israelis and Palestinians, for Jews, Christians and Muslims. Every person is made in the image of God and every life is equally precious.

During 2015, we plan to:-

· Keep ourselves informed about the situation in Israel and Palestine through the weekly newsletter, St Johns News and the website as appropriate

· Continue to keep Israel and Palestine in our prayers

· Support the development of a network of UK Kairos Communities, with emphasis on the Churches within the Oxford Diocese.

· Undertake studies to understand more about the historical context and what the Bible has to say about Israel/Palestine.

· Look for, and advertise opportunities to hear more about the situation in Israel and Palestine

· Inform people of opportunities to take action for a just peace in Israel and Palestine

· Support initiatives by groups working for justice and peace in Israel/Palestine.

· Learn more about the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) programme and consider whether we might take action as a Church or as individuals

· Inform people about, and encourage them to take up, opportunities to visit or to volunteer to work in Israel/Palestine

· Maintain the “Kairos Crowthorne” blog[1] with links to St John’s website.

In order to support this programme, we propose that the Kairos Group should be opened up to others, possibly including people from other local Churches.

The Kairos Group will report to the PCC annually and consult beforehand on any proposed collective actions by the Church.

[1] To be used for sharing news of events and networking with other Kairos Communities

Su McClellan speaking at St John's

The speaker at the 8 and 10am services on Christ the King Sunday at St John the Baptist Parish Church, Crowthorne, will be Su McClellan from “Embrace the Middle East”, formerly “Biblelands”.

“Embrace the Middle East” works with projects in many of the countries in the Middle East; Israel /Palestine, Egypt, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan so do come to listen to what Su has to share with us.

There will also be a display of the Missions we support at St John's.

News from the Balfour Project

The Balfour Project's next event will be: Britain in Palestine 1917-1948: Understanding the Present Conflict will be held in St John’s, Oxford on October 30th at 7.45pm and is being organised jointly with OxPeace. The Discussion panel is confirmed as: Prof. Avi Shlaim FBA, Dr Andy Gosler, Dr Mary Embleton, Sir Vincent Fean KCVO, and Rabbi Danny Rich; chaired by Revd Dr Liz Carmichael MBE.

The Balfour project has added a number of posts to their website in recent months. The most recent is an extract from a new book soon to be published:Joseph Jeffries and the Palestine deception. The author William Mathew will be talking at SOAS on October 28th

Another recent post is by Professor Mary Grey who spoke in Northumberland recently on: Perfidious Albion: Britain's broken promises: the Balfour Declaration (1917) and its impact on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict: what are our responsibilities today?

The Balfour project has also started a new menu item of the most read articles which will be updated monthly.

UK Parliament vote on recognition of Palestine

On 13th October the UK Parliament passed the following motion by 274 votes to 12:

"That this House believes that the Government should recognise the state of Palestine alongside the state of Israel, as a contribution to securing a negotiated two state solution."

Although the current Government is not committed to change its policy, this is a significant moment in putting right the wrongs which Britain has done to the Palestinian people. The Labour Party, if elected to power, is committed to formally recognise Palestine as Government Policy. Other European Countries (e.g. Spain and France) are considering their position. May the many wise words said in the UK debate help in working towards justice and peace for all in Israel and Palestine. 

Embrace the Middle East
Annual Service 2014 (London)

Saturday, 4 October, 2014 - 10:30 to 15:30

St Michael's Church

Chester Square

London

SW1W 9HH

United Kingdom

Embrace the Middle east invite us to their Annual Service in London. Rima Canawati, Director of Programme Development at Bethlehem Arab Rehabilitation Society, will be the keynote speaker. Entitled Beyond barriers: inspiring a new generation in the Middle East, Rima's talk will be about her work and how the rehabilitation centre is making a difference to people’s lives. Read more about Rima and her work below.

Tickets are free but must be booked in advance. A delicious, optional Palestinian lunch is available for £8 per person (must be booked by Friday 26th September). 

- See more at: http://www.embraceme.org/events/annual-service-2014-london#sthash.6RwkMkL9.dpuf 

Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions

Gaza, the West Bank, Israel….. and the future?
A talk and discussion All welcome
Tuesday 30 September 2014, 2 – 4 pm

All Saints Church, Ascot Heath
London Road, Ascot, Berks SL5 8DQ (near Heatherwood hospital) 

Ofer Neiman, a board member of the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions, and one of the courageous founders of Boycott from Within, will speak about Israel’s clampdown on internal dissent amidst the Gaza bombing, the changing political situation and what activists can do to achieve peace with justice using effective boycotts and international lobbying. This is a unique opportunity to hear an alternative Israeli perspective and ask questions. Suggested minimum donation £5, in aid of Gaza reconstruction Visit promoted by ASCENT (Ascot and the Sunnings Community Environment Network) as part of the Grassroots Festival Contact: Anne Yarwood, yarwodav@gmail.com

Prayer for peace for the Middle East

Pax Christi Interfaith Prayer for Peace

O God, you are the source of life and peace.
Praised be your name forever.
We know it is you who turn our minds to thoughts of peace. Hear our prayer in this time of crisis.
Your power changes hearts
Muslims, Christians and Jews remember, and profoundly affirm, that they are followers of the one God,
children of Abraham, brothers and sisters;
Enemies begin to speak to one another;
those who were estranged join hands in friendship;
nations seek the way of peace together.
Strengthen our resolve to give witness to these
truths by the way we live.

Give to us:
Understanding that puts an end to strife; Mercy that quenches hatred, and Forgiveness that overcomes vengeance.

Empower all people to live in your law of love. Amen

PAX CHRIST International Catholic Movement for Peace

We are now a Kairos Community

Yesterday (9th July 2014), the PCC of St John the Baptist Parish Church , Crowthorne, voted unanimously to become a Kairos Community. The PCC has asked our Kairos Group to prepare a Kairos Programme of Action of consideration at their next meeting.

This is just a small step, but hopefully many others in the UK will join Kairos Britain to respond to the call of all the Churches in Jerusalem.

Need for prayer

The abduction and killing of three young Jewish men in the West Bank has resulted in a massive increase in the Israeli Defence Force activities. Many Palestinians have been arrested and life has been made even more difficult. Feelings are running high among both Jews and Palestinians. Several Palestinians have been killed by the IDF. One young Palestinian has been killed by Jews in retaliation.

Gideon Levy writes today in Harretz, a liberal Jewish newspaper based in Jerusalem:-
The youths of the Jewish state are attacking Palestinians in the streets of Jerusalem, just like gentile youths used to attack Jews in the streets of Europe. The Israelis of the Jewish state are rampaging on social networks, displaying hatred and a lust for revenge, unprecedented in its diabolic scope. Some unknown people from the Jewish state, purely based on his ethnicity. These are the children of the nationalistic and racist generation – Netanyahu’s offspring.

For five years now, they have been hearing nothing but incitement, scaremongering and supremacy over Arabs from this generation’s true instructor, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Not one humane word, no commiseration or equal treatment.

They grew up with the provocative demand for recognition of Israel as a “Jewish state,” and they drew the inevitable conclusions. Even before any delineation of what a “Jewish state” means – will it be a state that dons tefillin (phylacteries), kisses mezuzot (doorpost fixtures with prayer scrolls), sanctifies charms, closes down on the Sabbath and keeps strict kashrut laws? – the penny has dropped for the masses.

The mob was the first to internalize its true significance: a Jewish state is one in which there is room only for Jews. The fate of Africans is to be sent to the Holot detention center in the Negev, while that of Palestinians is to suffer from pogroms. That’s how it works in a Jewish state: only this way can it be Jewish.

Today's old testament reading in Order for Anglican Morning prayer comes from Deuteronomy Chapter 24 and includes:-

You shall not deprive a resident alien or an orphan of justice; you shall not take a widow’s garment in pledge. Remember that you were a slave in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you from there; therefore I command you to do this.

When you reap your harvest in your field and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it; it shall be left for the alien, the orphan, and the widow, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all your undertakings. When you beat your olive trees, do not strip what is left; it shall be for the alien, the orphan, and the widow.

This is the Jewish Law - how sad it no longer applies. 

Please pray for the situation in Israel and Palestine, that the current inhumanity and injustice may be replace by justice and peace for all.  

Wonderful News

There is so much bad news that it is wonderful to hear good news.

One of the places I visited in the West Bank was Battir, an amazing village where the people have farmed for 2,000 years on ancient terraces irrigated by roman pipes. It was in Battir that the house of Wafaa and Abed was destroyed by the IDF and rebuilt by the Holy Land Trust and the Amos Trust. The Israeli Government has issued another demolition order on the house, and has plans to extend the Separation Wall through the village.

Today I heard that Battir has been named as a World Heritage Site in Danger by UNESCO. It is so wonderful that the world is gradually becoming more willing to take action for justice in Israel and Palestine.

Ken Perrett