Salaam

Just checking in quickly in response to the many e-mails and comments I have gotten recently. First, thank you so much for reading this blog, I am always composing new posts in my head, I just don't ever find enough time to get them all in. As for the safety concerns, I am completely fine. Bethlehem remains a sleepy little town, despite the atrocious violence committed elsewhere in the region. Some here celebrate Hezbollah, most just wait, and mourn, and pray for peace. Everyone I meet sits me down to tell me his or her story, from the coffee man to our bus driver. I will continue to use my very best judgment but for now I see no reason to worry.
I'm on my way to the 10 day non-violence training camp that I am attending just down the street at the YMCA so I may not be posting regularly (do I ever?). So quickly, some parting thoughts I've had recently.
As a witness to this land and this conflict, I am sad, angry and often feel powerless. I have no doubts whatsoever that the Israeli government is waging a lopsided, unjust and illegal war against a people who do not deserve this treatment. The Wall is a wall of apartheid. The security measures taken by Israel to restrict movement within Palestine are not security measures at all, they are acts of psychological warfare designed to break the spirits of the people. Families are unable to visit each other, farmers are separated from their crops. On any road, Palestinians are pulled over and harassed at floating checkpoints. The movement of goods into the West Bank, including food and goods to support local businesses is under a strangle hold. The Israelis are simply not allowing the transfer of goods whatsoever. Arab-Palestinians living in Jerusalem are not allowed into the West Bank, a recent decision made by Israel, and blatantly racist. I hope that you can understand that the "security measures" taken by Israel are acts of warfare, a massive operation undertaken to persecute people based on their ethnicity. The Wall surrounding the West Bank is but one example of the human rights violations that take place every single day and target an innocent civilian population. The Palestinians with whom I speak are adamant in their anger towards the Israeli government and leaders, but always quick to add that the Israeli citizens are people, just like the rest of us, and don't deserve to be targeted for the actions of their government. No one deserves to be treated in such an inhumane manner. The Palestinians are strong-willed, but the mental anguish that they wake up with every morning and take to bed every night is enough to make me cry, and should enough to make anyone sit up and take notice, take action even. The situation here is terrible, and the United States shoulders much of the blame, for funding the Israeli government and for turning a blind eye to the human rights violations, not to mention the violations of international laws and treaties. The most liberal of Western media is only barely grasping the immensity of the injustice here. As a witness to this land, this life, and these people, I pass their words along to you. Peace & Love from the Holy Land.