Issue 54 - Fall 2009 Issue 54 • Fall1 2009 CORNERSTONE A Quarterly Publication by Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center THOSE WHO REMAINED

In This Issue Some Are More Equal 01 Nazareth, view from Mt. Precipice, taken by Mike Shehadeh by Naim Ateek Sabeel Nazareth Activities 05 Aliens in Their Own land 06 Some Are More Equal by Ms. Haneen Zoabi by Naim Ateek

The Name Game 09 When [Jesus] came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, as was his custom. by Jonathan Cook He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given The Nazareth Village 12 to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was by Gosayna Karam written: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to Political, Legal, Socio-Economic Status of the bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to Palestinian Citizens of Israel 14 the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed by Jafar Farah go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’ 2 Issue 54 - Fall 2009

And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back Jesus was brought up in Nazareth to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes where he spent his formative years, and of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. “increased in wisdom and in years, and Then he began to say to them, ‘Today this in divine and human favor” (Luke 2:52). scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’ The Gospel of Luke mentions a visit to All spoke well of him and were amazed Jerusalem for Joseph, Mary, and Jesus at the gracious words that came from his when he was twelve years old. The next mouth. They said, ‘Is not this Joseph’s son?’ event that is recorded in the life of Jesus He said to them, ‘Doubtless you will quote was his baptism in the Jordan River at to me this proverb, “Doctor, cure yourself!” the age of 30 by John the Baptist. And you will say, “Do here also in your In chapter 4, Luke records Jesus’ visit home town the things that we have heard to the Nazareth synagogue on the you did at Capernaum.” ’ And he said, The message of Sabbath. He read a passage from the ‘Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted book of Isaiah and commented on Jesus acquires in the prophet’s home town. But the truth it. The people were impressed by his renewed is, there were many widows in Israel in words and knowledge. Luke does not relevance. His message the time of Elijah, when the heaven was give us details, but the implication is of justice and liberation shut up for three years and six months, clear. Jesus detected a sense of bigotry and there was a severe famine over all the helps us focus on and chauvinism among the people. In land; yet Elijah was sent to none of them the inequalities and order to address it, he gave them two except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. discriminations that examples from their own faith tradition There were also many lepers in Israel in where two popular prophets, Elijah and are apparent within the the time of the prophet Elisha, and none Elisha, showed openness towards and society. At the same time of them was cleansed except Naaman the acceptance of non-Israelites. we need to consider the Syrian.’ When they heard this, all in the obstacles that stand in synagogue were filled with rage. Elijah, during a period of famine, was the way of achieving a (Luke 4:16-28) hosted by a non-Israelite woman who had compassion on him and took care of just peace in the political Nazareth today is the largest Arab him. She was a Phoenician from the north realm. Israeli city in Israel. It has over 70,000 (today’s Lebanon). In the case of Elisha, inhabitants. At the time of Jesus, although there were Israelite lepers in the Nazareth was a small village, built ancient Samaria region, the only person around a spring of water, situated in the reported to have been healed by the middle of a basin surrounded by hills. prophet was Naaman, the commander This spring still flows and is known to of the Syrian army who was an ardent this day as “Mary’s Well.” enemy of the ancient Israelites. The Gospel of Matthew (chapter 2) Jesus’ message was unambiguous: God tells us that after their return from loves and cares for all people. God does Egypt, Joseph and Mary decided to not show bias or distinction regarding live in Galilee. They chose Nazareth race or ethnic background. There is as a home probably because Joseph no bigotry or chauvinism in God; it is heard about the possibility of finding all contrived by humans. God’s people employment in the nearby Sephoris include even “our” enemies. Jesus was (Arabic: Saffuria) that was being stretching people’s narrow theology rebuilt, expanded, and beautified by of God. His words were in line with Herod Antipas in the first part of the the theology expressed by the writer first century A.D. Issue 54 - Fall 2009 3

Israeli state, the message of Jesus acquires renewed relevance. His message of justice and liberation helps us focus on the inequalities and discriminations that are apparent within the society. At the same time we need to consider the obstacles that stand in the way of achieving a just peace in the political realm. In 1948, approximately 150,000 Palestinians remained in that part of Palestine that became the state of Israel. Today they number 1.3 million, making up one fifth of the population of the country and in a few years they will comprise one fourth. From 1948 to Traditional site of synagogue in Nazareth 1967 the Israeli Arabs were completely cut off from the Arab world, and so of Jonah a few hundred years before. Jesus’ message continues to be as peace between Israel, the Palestinians Jonah also critiqued the chauvinism of revolutionary today as it was then. It and the Arab world is vital for them. his day and their narrow theology of is a message to all those who are poor But what is more important is that this God (See Ateek, 2008 pp. 67-77). and oppressed, the prisoners and sizable minority has not been able to captives as well as the sick and the shape its future in its own home within In addition to this, Jesus gave a personal blind. By mentioning “the year of the the state of Israel in such a way that will and inclusive meaning to the Isaiah text. Lord’s favor,” Jesus was referring to the give hope to its future generations. He explained that the words of Isaiah were jubilee year when justice was done and being fulfilled in his own coming. Such the land was restored to all those who, There are serious endemic economic a commentary on an obviously messianic for economic or political reasons, had uncertainties within the Israeli text that was awaiting fulfillment with forfeited it to the rich and powerful state. Economically the Israeli Arab the advent of the messiah seemed landlords. Jesus was presenting God’s municipalities, including the Druze, unpalatable to the ears of the synagogue vision for society where poverty is are facing hard times. Their municipal worshippers. Jesus was claiming to be satisfactorily addressed through just allotments from the government do the one anointed by the Spirit of God economic structures, where captives not match what their counterparts and in him Isaiah’s words have found and prisoners are released so that they on the Jewish side receive. The same fulfillment. For Jewish listeners, what can enjoy the love and care of their applies to the Arab schools and other Jesus was implying seemed blasphemous, families. He was, in effect, speaking services. The rate of unemployment especially since it was coming from the about the dawning of a new messianic among the Israeli Arabs is also high lips of a local boy whose unpretentious age where the blind will receive sight compared to that of the Jewish and ordinary family had long been and the sick will find well-being and community. The Israeli Arabs have a residents in the village. healing (which Jesus himself practiced). high percentage of people living under Furthermore, Jesus’ inclusive message Jesus was talking about the restoration the poverty line. left out the specialness of the Jewish of justice and liberation for all the Moreover, since the beginning of people. In effect, Jesus was articulating oppressed people in the land. This was the peace process in 1993, the Israeli a new theology of God and God’s people the inclusive and revolutionary message government’s focus has been on the that shocked the Nazareth religious of Jesus in the Nazareth synagogue. peace negotiations with the Palestinians. elders, unsettled them and questioned As we look today at the Israeli Arab These negotiations did not touch in their long-held beliefs. situation in the Galilee and, indeed, in the any way the Israeli Arabs (Palestinians 4 Issue 54 - Fall 2009 inside the state of Israel) nor did it Instead of charting a future where they The message of peace that was first involve them. They continued their life can live with the Arabs as peaceful heard in Nazareth still rings true in our and struggle for equal citizenship with neighbors within one Palestinian state, time. It specifically means: Addressing their Israeli Jewish counterparts and the Zionists were charting a future that the issue of poverty, releasing all political against government discrimination. negated them and conspired against prisoners and captives, offering health them. Even before the beginning of the care to all those who desperately need The 2009 election of the new Israeli first World War, some people feared the it, and giving justice and liberation to government with Netanyahu as Prime consequences of the Zionist agenda. It all those who are oppressed. Minister exposed disturbing trends was like “sleeping on volcanoes” (Amy within the Israeli society. In fact, these Dockser, “Jerusalem 1913,” p. 86). The 21st century can bring peace to our are more dangerous and fundamental region, but only when the government Indeed, there were voices within the than the economic and financial of Israel perceives its Arab Palestinian Palestinian Jewish population that were ailments the Israeli Arabs are facing. Israeli citizens not as a threat that must emphasizing a cultural Zionism and not The Israeli government perceives the be removed, but as a great asset that can a political one – a Zionism that could very existence and presence of the help it achieve the desired peace with coexist with the indigenous Palestinians Israeli Arab community as a threat to the Palestinians. Instead of considering and share the land with them. One of the state. The Netanyahu government them a liability, they can be the bridge these was Martin Buber who immigrated is attempting to remove any distinction for peace. In its xenophobic blindness, to Palestine from Germany in 1938. For between Israeli Arabs and their greed for land, and disdain for the Arabs Buber, “Jewish settlement must oust Palestinian brothers and sisters in and Palestinians, the government of Israel no Arab peasant, Jewish immigration the occupied territories. All of them has missed many golden opportunities must not cause the political status of combined seem to pose a threat to Israel for a genuine peace with its own the present inhabitants to deteriorate, and all must be encouraged to go. In citizens as well as with its neighbors. and must continue to ameliorate their fact, the Israeli Arabs who possess Israeli What we need today is partnership economic condition.” (Quoted by Ellis, citizenship are perceived as a greater and not alienation, cooperation and 1987, p.104) Buber’s dream for the threat to Israel and its government not separation, liberation and not Jewish community in Palestine was to live than those Palestinians inside the West domination. This is our only future. in peace with the Palestinians and work Bank, Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip with them to develop the land. Zionist A postscript: It appears, however, that that Israel had literally placed behind leaders, however, were not interested in we are, indeed, “sleeping on volcanoes.” the separation wall in order to forget such coexistence. They wanted the land We must find a permanent solution about them. It is now these “Israeli without its indigenous inhabitants. to this conflict. I do not believe that citizens” who constitute the problem the present Israeli and Palestinian and, therefore, must be removed. The same basic Zionist policy is being leadership are capable of finding implemented today by the Israeli the needed solution or concluding Racism is waiting at the door and Israel government. Israeli leaders still live the needed peace. Help must come faces hard and difficult choices ahead. in the illusion that if they can strip the from outside – from an empowered Either it extends to all of its citizens equal Palestinians of as much land as they can United Nations where America and rights or it runs the risk of having its and get rid of as many of them as possible, the European Union have to play an democracy (“the only democracy in the including Israeli Arabs, they can achieve effective major role. This must be done Middle East”) considered a farce. If the the peace and tranquility they long for. It before the sleeping volcanoes erupt and government of Israel continues with its is noteworthy to remember the words of bury us all with their ashes. present policies of discrimination against Chaim Weizmann, the first president of its own citizens and the suppression the state of Israel (1949-1952). He said: of the Palestinians in the occupied “I am certain the world will judge the territories, sooner rather than later, more Jewish state by how it will treat the Arabs The Rev. Naim Ateek is the Director of people in the world will see Israel as it is, (Palestinians).” (Carter, “Palestine: Peace Sabeel, Jerusalem. an apartheid and pariah state. Not Apartheid” 2006, p. 34) Issue 54Issue - Autumn 54 - Fall 2009 2009 5 Sabeel Nazareth Activities

,Children’s Programs Monthly meetings، Ascension Day, Youth and Young Adult Programs Weekly meetings May 23, 2009، Handicrafts by the children bible studies, volunteer work, tours and trips

Community Building Sabeel organizes a variety of Part of the audience at the performance, “Lord of Light – programs for the local community: holiday programs, Jubran K. Jubran”, performed by Nabil Azaar, Nibal Malshe performances, worship services, etc. Married Couples and Yosef Makhoul meeting about Christian Education for Children

Family Programs Jaffa Tour on May 24th Women’s Monthly Meetings Tours and visits Visit to the old city, mass with the community, meeting with to different communities in the north. Joint trip with Sabeel Mr. Fakhry Jedai Jerusalem to Akka (Acre) on July 17th. 6 Issue 54 - Fall 2009

Aliens in Their Own Land

by Ms. Haneen Zoabi The Israeli Knesset concluded its accommodate and embrace Lieberman’s summer term with the current hostility towards Arabs and opposition government. At the internal level, two to an Arab presence in this country. major trends characterized this term: The current government has offered first, the Knesset adopted policies more support to pass Lieberman’s legislation hostile towards Arabs; and second, in record time. However, the danger these policies were transformed into of this government is not limited to basic laws that will not change even its policies only; the real danger lies when governments change. With in the ability to transform the special regards to the Arab-Israeli conflict, the policies of this government into laws past five months have demonstrated that govern the political legitimacy of that Netanyahu’s government believes future governments. The policy of the in imposing new facts on the ground present government can be understood much more than previous governments through the speed with which these which, to a certain extent, tried to reach laws were passed, a record four month agreements and understandings with period, when considering the gravity the Palestinian people. of these laws and their impact on Arab citizens of the state. Therefore, one can say that the current Israeli government has taken on two These new policies create a political approaches toward Palestinians: In the climate in which racism against Arabs West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem, shifts from a “security necessity” that Israel is breaking pre-existing agreements is imposed when needed, to a normal with Palestinians. Within Israel, the component of Israeli law. By backing state is creating new laws that transform such extreme policies so early in the unofficial, hostile policies toward Arab life of the administration, Netanyahu citizens of Israel into official laws that has proclaimed an identity for his infringe on Arab citizens’ access to government as well as the Israeli judicial democratic processes and rights. system. This is an ideological identity and not mere laws and policies that are Lieberman’s (Israel’s extreme right-wing enacted under “necessity” claims as in Minister of Foreign Affairs) danger goes the case with every law that violates the far beyond his party. The Netanyahu values of democracy and that restricts administration is showing readiness to the political freedom margin. Issue 54 - Fall 2009 7

Fourth, the racist statements of Israeli indigenous people as part of a process Housing and Construction Minister to achieve relative justice. Seizing the land is a war Ariel Atias indicate Israel’s intentions The law will also lead to transfer on the Arab presence and future policies. Atias recently made of ownership of lands which were several statements that Arabs should confiscated from the Arab residents and Land is the core of the conflict between live in their own cantons and must be which have not been used over the past Israel and its Arab population. By separated from Jews. The statements years for their confiscation purposes, controlling land, Israel can disrupt point to the real Israeli intentions and which the authorities might now cohesiveness amongst communities, behind the plan to build Hareesh use for other purposes. stifle economic development, and limit Settlement on the lands of the Wadi municipal expansion. Currently, there Arah Triangle and the construction of Ideological laws: the Nakba are four signs that clearly indicate the a city for religious Jews on the lands of commemoration and very effective tactics employed by Israel Galilee near the city of Nazareth. loyalty to Zionist values for seizing Arab land. The amendments to the land law Besides the land law, the bills that have First, amendments to the so-called law are the most dangerous legislation been presented to the Knesset since of the “Israel Land Administration” since the establishment of the state of the current government took office are will allow the transfer of state owned Israel. Enacting them is like a burglar considered ideological bills whose aim is land to individuals. This includes the selling stolen items. The danger lies in not to protect the citizen or the security lands that are now under the control of abolishing the legal grounds for any of the state, but to protect Zionist the Custodian for Absentee Property, current or future claims to regain the ideology along with attempts to impose which is the property of Palestinian lands of the Palestinian people and the it on the Palestinians inside the 1948 refugees. return of refugees to their lands. Thus, borders and punish any Palestinian it can be seen as an attempt to liquidate who does not adopt this ideology. The Second, the Israel Land Administration the properties of the Palestinian people Zionist convictions which make up the has, for the last two years, been selling in clear violation of the international core of this ideology justify the seizure properties belonging to refugees to the humanitarian laws and laws pertaining of the land and the eradication of any Development Authority, a clear violation to times of war. International law states signs that might prove that these lands of international law that prohibits the very clearly that the transfer of refugees’ make up the natural homeland of the transfer or sale of properties belonging properties to the state or a third party Palestinians. Therefore, these bills do to refugees. is illegitimate because the lands came not protect freedoms of individuals but, under the control of the state as a instead, suppress political convictions Third, there is a large land exchange result of a war. Furthermore, such an in an attempt to protect the Zionist process underway between Israel’s action would be a violation of Israel’s ideology. Land Administration (ILA) and Israel’s explicit promises to not touch the lands National Fund (INF, the Zionist of refugees until a political settlement Several other bills were presented to the organization which owns 13% of is reached with the Palestinians in ministerial committee: the Arab-owned lands that the state accordance with international law. - The so-called Nakba Law which bans confiscated and whose constitution commemorating the Nakba as a day of stipulates that land under its control must Changes of the land law also go against mourning. not serve the interests of Arabs but be the political “spirit” of the time which - The Penalties Bill which requires used for public interest, i.e., Jews, only). prevails between colonialist countries everyone to recognize Israel as a Jewish In this exchange the ILA will transfer and the indigenous people where and democratic state. lands owned by Arabs in the Negev and countries like Australia and New - The Population Register Bill which Galilee (around 70,000 dunums) to the Zealand are making constitutional stipulates declaring loyalty to the INF as compensation for lands that the and legal changes to redistribute land state, flag and national anthem, which INF intends to sell elsewhere. between the white population and the really means declaring loyalty to the 8 Issue 54 - Fall 2009 Statistics • In 1948, 156,000 Arabs [remained] in Israel. By values of Zionism as a condition to enjoy Israeli 2001 the number had increased to 1.2 million, 19% citizenship! of the population. Researchers predict that by 2020 the number will increase to 2 million people and In addition to the above mentioned bills, several will comprise somewhere between 21% and 24% of political decisions were posed in line with the logic Israel`s population. and motives of the previous laws: • The proportion of Moslems will increase to 85% and - The decision of the Israeli Minister of Christians will decrease to 7%. Transportation Yisrael Katz to remove the Arabic • The Arab community in Israel is very young; more names of Arab cities and villages which date than 50% are under 19 years of age. back hundreds and thousands of years and keep the Jewish names that were introduced after the (Above statistics provided by the Central Bureau of establishment of the state of Israel. Statistics in Israel) - The decision of the Minister of Culture Gideon • According to Wikipedia: in September 2009 the total Sa’ar to remove the term “Nakba” from the school population of Israel is 7,465,000 people of whom textbooks (the term “Nakba” was only mentioned 1,513,200 are Arabs. Israel’s total population is in two school textbooks). comprised of 75.5% Jews and 20.3% Arabs. - The refusal by the Minister of Infrastructure • Among the Arabs today: 83% are Moslems (16% Minister Uzi Landau to meet with MK Talab al- of the entire population), 9% are Christians (2.5% Sane’ because his political views are not appreciated of the entire population) and 8% are Druze (1.5% of by Minister Landau. the population).

Moreover, Palestinians are aware of the existing contradiction between the Jewishness of the state and its democratic nature. Therefore, Palestinian citizens in Israel will continue to struggle using all Contemporary Way of the Cross democratic means not only for the sake of their A Ministry of Sabeel rights but also for the benefit of the “state for its citizens” which is the sole democratic political If you are planning a group visit to Jerusalem, contact formula that can challenge the racist constitutional us at Sabeel to take your group on the Contemporary structure of “the Jewish state”. Way of the Cross, one of Sabeel’s ministries to pilgrims seeking to know not just the history but also the The Jewish state, in practice, is a state based on contemporary reality of the Palestinian experience. racist Zionist ideology which considers allegiance Build in to the final days of your visit two or three to its core principles as a condition for citizenship and goal of its legal structure. hours which will tie together the faith, politics and spirituality of your pilgrimage. Ms. Haneen Zoabi is a Member of the Knesset (the Israeli Parliament). She graduated with an M.A. in The Contemporary Way of the Cross is a journey, but Mass Communication and Journalism and a B.A. in it is also an act of worship. It is our hope that you will Psychology and Philosophy. A feminist and political take advantage of this opportunity to listen, to walk activist, Ms. Zoabi is cofounder of the Progressive and to pray with us as we look to a just, comprehensive Women’s Union, an established women’s grassroots and enduring peace. organization dealing with the political empowerment of Arab women inside Israel.

Contact us: [email protected] Issue 54 - Fall 2009 9

“The “Hebraisation of road signs will mean that “Jerusalem” will eventually be replaced in both Arabic and English with the Hebrew transliteration, “Yerushalayim” The Name Game

by Jonathan Cook Since the Israeli elections earlier in the position of the 1.3 million Palestinian year, the cabinet ministers in Benjamin citizens. Netanyahu’s rightwing government have been busy upstaging each other, The party’s most controversial proposal apparently keen to be seen as taking has been a bill that sought to enshrine the hardest line possible against the what Israeli historian Ilan Pappe has country’s Palestinian minority. termed “memoricide”, by threatening with jail anyone who commemorates Leading the way by some margin has the Nakba (or Catastrophe), the word been Avigdor Lieberman and the used to describe the dispossession of legislators in his openly racist Yisrael the Palestinians in the 1948 war. Beiteinu party, the third biggest faction in the Knesset. In keeping with their The bill was subsequently passed in a campaign platform – “No citizenship modified form and will mean that any without loyalty” – they have proposed institutions marking the Nakba will a raft of measures undermining the lose government funds, posing not 10 Issue 54 - Fall 2009

least a major threat to the future of the to the Wadi Ara region to prevent what country’s four binational schools, which he called an “Arab takeover” of northern uniquely make a point of exposing their Israel. Jewish and Arab pupils to the other’s narrative. Not to be outdone, the education minister, Gideon Saar, of Mr Two other Yisrael Beiteinu bills, both Netanyahu’s Likud party, made two of which were eventually rejected by announcements in the same month. a ministerial oversight commitee, The first is that the term “Nakba” will would have required all schools to be expunged from a new textbook that teach Zionism studies and conditioned was recently issued to Arab school citizenship on declaring an oath of children under the more liberal regime Although signs loyalty to Israel as a Jewish state. Both of Saar’s predecessor, Yuli Tamir. The measures are expected to resurface second is a requirement that all pupils on major roads during this Knesset sessions as private study the national anthem, Ha-Tikva. in Israel, East members’ bills. The ministry has issued special kits Jerusalem and possibly to schools to assist them with the parts of the West Bank Last month (August) Lieberman programme. will continue to include opened another front against the place-names in all three Palestinian minority by issuing a decree In most countries, the latter demand languages, the English that, as foreign minister, he would might not be considered unusual. But prevent anyone who had not performed in Israel the anthem’s lyrics are based and Arabic names will be national service from joining the on a Zionist poem and have been a straight transliterations of ministry’s course for trainee diplomats. running sore with Palestinian citizens the Hebrew name. The move was clearly directed at for decades. The lyrics speak of how the Palestinian citizens, who are currently “soul of a Jew yearns” to return to Zion, exempted from such service. and refer to “the hope of two thousand years, to be a free nation in our land”, The foreign ministry currently employs sentiments that entirely exclude the only 11 non-Jews, a tiny fraction of its Palestinian minority. total employees and is obligated by law to increase the proportion of Palestinian The Higher Follow-Up Committee, citizens among its staff. Lieberman’s a national political body representing measure would ensure even greater Israel’s Palestinian citizens, has staunchly Palestinian under-representation in opposed the use of the kits. It wrote to the ministry. But Lieberman is far Saar, warning that the initiative would from alone in devising new measures “only deepen the alienation of Arab to increase the marginalisation of the students and teachers”. Palestinian minority. Figures released by the education In July the housing minister, Ariel Atias, of ministry in July showed that only 32 the Shas party, called for strict segregation per cent of Arab students passed their between Jewish and Arab citizens as he matriculation exam last year, compared announced new plans to Judaise – or make to 60 per cent of Jewish students. The more Jewish – traditionally Arab areas of pass rate was a dramatic drop from Israel. He unveiled a settlement drive to the 50.7 per cent of Arab pupils who bring thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews matriculated in 2006. Issue 54 - Fall 2009 11

Yet another minister, Ian Katz, in charge of turn Jewish Jerusalem into Palestinian announcement, Katz said Palestinian- transport and also a member of the Likud al-Quds.” controlled areas of the territory would party, jostled for his position as the prime still be free to use proper Arabic place minister’s chauvinist-in-chief by ordering Other Israeli officials have played down names. But he hinted that signs in the 60 that all road signs be “standardised” to the political significance of the decision. per cent of the West Bank under Israeli include place-names only in their Hebrew A transport department spokesman, military rule would be Hebraised, too. form, in what appeared to be a transparent Yeshaayahu Ronen, said: “The lack That could mean Palestinians driving attempt to erase Arabic heritage from the of uniform spelling on signs has been across parts of the West Bank to the Holy Land. a problem for those speaking foreign Palestinian city of Nablus, for example, languages, citizens and tourists alike.” will have to look for the Hebrew name Although signs on major roads in Israel, “That’s ridiculous,” responded Tareq “Shechem” spelt out in Arabic. East Jerusalem and possibly parts of Shehadeh, head of the Nazareth the West Bank will continue to include Cultural and Tourism Association. Israel’s Palestinian minority, one-fifth place-names in all three languages, the “Does the ministry really think it’s of the population, have had to battle in English and Arabic names will be straight helping tourists by renaming Nazareth, the courts for the inclusion of Arabic transliterations of the Hebrew name. one of the most famous places in the on road signs, despite Arabic being world, ‘Natzrat’, a Hebrew name only an official language. Many signs on Under the scheme, the Arab identity Israeli Jews recognise?” national highways were provided only of important Palestinian communities in Hebrew and English until the courts will be obscured: Jerusalem, or “al- Meron Benvenisti, a former deputy in 1999 insisted Arabic be included. Quds” in Arabic, will be Hebraised to mayor of Jerusalem, said Israel had Three years later the courts ruled that “Yerushalayim”; Nazareth, or “al-Nasra” begun interfering with the Arabic on Arabic must also be included on signs in Arabic, the city of Jesus’ childhood, the signs for East Jerusalem as soon in cities where a significant number of will become “Natzrat”; and Jaffa, the as it occupied the city in 1967. It Arabs live. port city after which Palestine’s oranges coined a new word, “Urshalim”, that were named, will be “Yafo”. was supposed to be the Arabic form However, as the political climate of the Hebrew word for Jerusalem, has shifted rightward in Israel, there Palestinians in Israel and Jerusalem “Yerushalayim”. has been a backlash, including an responded with alarm to a policy they unsuccessful bid by legislators to end argue is designed to make them ever “I was among those who intervened Arabic’s status as an official language less visible. Ahmed Tibi, a Palestinian at the time to get the word ‘al-Quds’ last year. legislator in the Israeli parliament, said: placed on signs, too, after ‘Urshalim’ “Minister Katz is mistaken if he thinks and separated by a hyphen. But over The right’s current domination of the that changing a few words can erase the the years ‘al-Quds’ was demoted to Knesset and policymaking appears to existence of the Arab people or their brackets and nowadays it’s not included reflect popular opinion among Israeli connection to Israel.” on new signs at all.” Jews. The largest annual survey of Israeli opinion, the Democracy Index, The transport ministry has made little He said Katz’s scheme would push revealed in this year’s poll that 53 per effort to conceal the political motivation this process even further by requiring cent of the Jewish population supported behind its policy of Hebraising road not only the Arabic equivalent of the encouraging Palestinian citizens to signs. In announcing the move, Katz Hebrew word for Jerusalem, but the emigrate from Israel. said he objected to Palestinians using replication of the Hebrew spelling as the names of communities that existed well. “It’s completely chauvinistic and Jonathan Cook is a journalist based in before Israel’s establishment in 1948. an insult,” he said. Nazareth. His latest book is “Disappearing “I will not allow that on our signs,” he Palestine: Israel’s Experiments in Human said. “This government, and certainly The transport ministry’s plans for Despair” (Zed, 2008). His website is www. this minister, will not allow anyone to the West Bank are less clear. In his jkcook.net 12 Issue 54 - Fall 2009

THE Nazareth Village

by Gosayna Karam The Nazareth Village began as the dream of Dr. Nakhle Bishara, a current treasurer of the Executive board of the organization. After many years, with the support of staff and volunteers, the Village came alive.

Based on solid New Testament scholarship and the most up-to-date archaeology, Nazareth Village brings to life a farm and Galilean village, recreating Nazareth as it was 2,000 years ago. As an ecumenical organization, visitors from all over the world experience first- century hospitality. Stepping through a stone doorway into the dim interior, they smell the smoke from the oil lamps as it was years ago. and re-construction of the Village were The focus of the guided tours (which are done utilizing first-century building offered in nine languages) is to present techniques and methods. Surrounding the parables and teachings of Jesus in terraces dating back to the Early the context in which they were given. Roman Period bloom with crops grown The tour begins in the Visitors’ Center in ancient Galilee: olives, almonds, figs, which features four rooms providing carob, grapes, wheat and barley. historical and informational displays about bygone eras in Nazareth. The Visitors to Nazareth Village encounter Nazareth Village site is an authentic, it like a resident of that time as they full-scale recreation of first-century follow the rocky path up the hillside. Nazareth based on research, and Villagers dressed in first-century includes houses, an olive press, a wine costume recreate the culture and press, and a synagogue. It is set on the commerce of village life. The villagers, Gosayna Karam is the manager of the last remaining field that was farmed by assuming an actual character from Nazareth Village. She and her husband, Nazareth villagers at the time of Jesus. that time, such as a farmer, weaver or Habib, are active members in the Sabeel Sheep, goats, and donkeys meander on carpenter, greet visitors on a tour of Young Couples program in Nazareth. the land. Restoration of the farm site the village and surrounding farm site. Issue 54 - Fall 2009 13

Nazareth…

a place that is neither a village nor a city. It does not have the intimacy of a village, nor the scope of a city. A place, just a place, which has lost its connection to the fields, the graves, and the smell of earth, and which has also lost its connection to the clubs, the cinema, and the city square…

For Nazareth, in a strange way, it seems that years of neglect and lack of investment have done more to kill the spirit of the capital of Galilee, than years of bloodshed and soldiers Village guides bring to life the teachings the guided tour, the visitors gain a have achieved in Nablus and and activities of Jesus that they have greater understanding of 1st century Ramallah. It is an odd type witnessed firsthand. Palestine. of depression that seizes hold of you. Visiting Bethlehem Biblical meals are provided upon The Nazareth Village offers 6 request. Foods that would have been different programs for local school under curfew, Nablus under grown on a first-century Galilean farm children of various ages with their siege by settlements or Qalqilya are served with fresh herbs and savory teachers. Additionally, we welcome surrounded by the wall, you feel flat bread to groups of 10 or more in a and encourage school children to that people at least know what volunteer during their holidays to beautiful stone dining area with arched they are fighting for, a vision for spans that provide a special ambiance dress up as villagers and become part for a unique Middle East dining of the experience at the Nazareth a future however far away that experience. Village. may be. Sometimes it feels like Nazareth Nazareth Village aims “to create a To find out more about the Nazareth has forgotten how to dream. living presentation of the life, times Village, please visit our website: and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth www.nazarethvillage.com Isabelle Humphries, Catastrophe Remembered for all peoples of the world.” With (ed. Nur Masalha), 2005, p. 156. 14 Issue 54 - Fall 2009

Arab village of Jish in the Upper Galilee The Political, Legal, Socio-Economic Status of the Palestinian Citizens of Israel 2009

by Jafar Farah While the international community affect one another. Internal tension turns its eye towards two levels of the and instability inside Israel has the Middle East conflict - the external potential to derail the peace process conflict between Israel and Arab and regional stability. Peace must states, and the quasi-external conflict therefore be cemented at the grassroots between Israel and the Palestinians level, between the Arab and Jewish under occupation in the West Bank, communities inside Israel in order Gaza and East Jerusalem - a third level to support any foundation for wider, exists that has the potential to greatly sustainable peace. As citizens of Israel complicate the Middle East conflict. and part of the wider Palestinian The Arab minority, Palestinians that nation, the Arab citizens of Israel are remained within the state borders after uniquely positioned to contribute to 1948, constitutes 1.4 million citizens of a just, sustainable human rights based Israel. Internal confrontation between resolution to the conflict between the Jewish majority and the Palestinian Israel, the Palestinians and the wider Arab minority, as seen in the Acre Arab world. violence in October 2008, reflects a new phase of these internal tensions. However, internal tension and instability between the two communities at a Each of these levels of conflict in grassroots level inside the borders of the Middle East region can directly Israel sets a dangerous precedent for Issue 54 - Fall 2009 15 relations between Israel and Palestinians Israeli support for laws, which directly Arab institutions and organizations that in the occupied Palestinian territories and indirectly target Palestinian are already subject to discrimination with negative ramifications for the citizens of Israel, has grown since an by governmental ministries and wider peace process, which will in turn extreme right-wing government was will now be further undermined. affect regional stability. Coexistence and formed following the February 2009 Moreover, the implementation of horizontal peace within the country is election. The following are issues of this law will, in effect, destabilize the essential to lay the foundation for wider concern for the Arab citizens and already weak ability of Arab NGO’s to peace both vertically, between Israel require immediate action from the challenge the nature of the state and and the Palestinians in the occupied international community. its discriminatory behavior towards Palestinian territories, and diagonally, the Arab minority. By denying Arab between Israel and neighboring states. Law to outlaw institutions their cultural and historic Nakba mourning rights to commemorate an event that Socioeconomic, legal and political in many ways defines the existence discrimination against the Arab The Nakba day is observed by of the Arab minority, the Nakba law community has been well documented Palestinian citizens of Israel who mourn reinforces the delegitimization of the by civil society and the Israeli the dispersal of hundreds of thousands Arab minority in Israel and denies them government itself. The Or Commission of Arabs who were forced to leave their their freedom of expression and right to Report, released in 2003, is a review of homes during Israel’s 1948 War of human dignity. the events of October 2000 in which Independence, a war which is known 13 Arab citizens were killed during to Arabs as the Nakba. Bill to criminalize publicly demonstrations, and comprehensively denying Israel’s right to exist as outlines socioeconomic and legal A private member›s bill, initiated a Jewish state discrimination against the Arab by Yisrael Beitenu MK Alex Miller, community. The definition of Israel as a proposed a prohibition on marking Additionally, a bill had been proposed Jewish state has profound implications Israel’s Independence Day as a day of which would criminalize any public for the political and legal status of the mourning, which would effectively denial of Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish Arab minority as truly equal citizens outlaw the commemoration of the state by outlawing the publication of of the state. For example, law and Nakba. Nakba demonstrations are an any material that could be interpreted policy on the right to return and land integral part of the Palestinian Arab as negating the existence of Israel as a distribution is based on ethnically minority’s national identity and history, Jewish and democratic state. The bill preferential treatment towards Jews. In which should be protected as a minority envisioned a sentence of up to a year 2007 it was recorded that 53 percent right in accordance with international in prison for any breach. Forty-seven of the impoverished families in Israel law. In June, the proposed legislation MKs have voted in favor of the bill and are Arabs and of the 40 towns in Israel for a ban on Nakba demonstrations 34 have voted against. This bill would with the highest unemployment rates, passed the first reading in the Knesset. inhibit Arab citizens from continuing 36 are Arab towns. The proposed bill entailed a jail term of their struggle for equal rights and up to three years for violators. against discrimination, as well as further Over the years there has been much eroding their freedom of expression. inequality in the allocation of public However, given several ministerial funding for Jewish and Arab needs which objections to the bill, it was later Bill to discriminate in has created huge economic development amended so that it does not punish allocation of child allowances hurdles for Arab citizens of Israel. The individuals for commemorating the Arab community is allocated just 7.6% Nakba but prohibits the allocation of The Prime Minister’s Office intends of the state development budget, which money to any state-funded institution to reduce or end child allowances grossly under-represents the needs and that is in any way involved with the to families in which the father has requirements of the community. commemoration of the Nakba. This law children from more than one wife. will have a particularly severe impact on Currently, this law conditioning child 16 Issue 54 - Fall 2009

allowances on school registration and Currently, the Attorney General must immunization for certain diseases approve such a move. The bill is being adversely affects Bedouin children introduced officially by Shas MK and families living in unrecognized David Azoulai with the provision that villages because of the lack of access revoking one’s citizenship will not leave to basic services in the Negev and of a person without any citizenship. That unrecognized villages, to schools and means the bill takes into consideration health care. Such a move, regardless of a person who does not possess any its aim to combat polygamy, would be other citizenship. The bill is intended detrimental to large Jewish and Arab to curtail the complex revocation of families, and the bill in effect victimizes citizenship process that exists today, the children of these families. primarily intended to permit the The Israeli basic minister to revoke the citizenship of Loyalty Oath bill those who are accused of betraying the laws already state. Yishai has already announced violate Arab The ministerial legislative committee that if the bill passes, he will revoke the citizen’s rights by defining rejected on June 7th a bill stating citizenship of former MK Azmi Bishara, the character of the State. that those who wish to retain Israeli and 34 other Arab citizens. These calls While Israel regards citizenship would have to declare their fail to include Jews connected with itself as a democratic loyalty to Israel as a Jewish state. The terrorist activity, such as Rabin’s killer, state, as well as a Jewish proposed bill was central to Yisrael Yigal Amir. Beiteinu’s election campaign last State, it continues to give February, and as such, it is expected Citizenship and Entry preference to its Jewish that the bill will be presented again into Israel Law citizenry on all levels while in the near future in a different form. discriminating against Yisrael Beiteinu MK David Rotem, The ‘temporary’ Citizenship and Entry the already disadvantaged stated that the oath would include a into Israel Law has been consistently Arab citizen pledge of loyalty to Israel as a ‘Jewish, renewed since its inception in 2003. Zionist, and democratic state’, to its This law denies citizenship and Israeli emblems and values, and to serving residence to Palestinians who reside in Israel either through military service the West Bank or Gaza Strip and who or through any equivalent alternatives, marry citizens of Israel. In 2005, the before they could be issued a national Israeli ministerial committee for issues identity card. The proposed oath was to of legislation once again amended the apply to all citizens, although it would Citizenship and Entry into Israel Law, indirectly discriminate against Arab to restrict citizenship and residence in citizens of Israel and is a reaction to the Israel to Palestinian men over the age Arab community’s dissent during the of 35 only, and Palestinian women War in Gaza earlier this year. over the age of 25. Although this law theoretically applies to all Israelis, it Bill to revoke citizenship has disproportionately affected Arab citizens of Israel; Arabs are far more Interior Minister Eli Yishai, of Shas, likely to have Palestinian spouses than has introduced a bill that would give other Israelis. Thus the law has been authority to the minister to revoke widely considered discriminatory and the citizenship of a citizen without the the United Nations Committee on the involvement of the Attorney General. Elimination of Racial Discrimination Issue 54 - Fall 2009 17

An Arab village in northern Israel has unanimously approved a resolution receive only 3% of the funds. The Arab health and in government. The Arab saying that the Israeli law violates citizens’ share from the governmental community, comprising 20% of Israel’s international human rights law. development budget for the year 2008 population is represented by just 11 was 944 million NIS; just 7.6% of the Arab MKs out of 120 (a shortfall of 11 Socio-Economic Discrimination 12.4 billion NIS total development MKs proportionally). Out of more than against Arab Citizens budget. Arab citizens are also 50,000 employees in governmental underrepresented in the government offices, just 4,000 are Arab. The Israeli government continues offices with only 6% representation to implement policies that directly despite the Law for Arabs and Women. According to the last official discriminate against its Arab Palestinian Finally, and quite significantly, only governmental targets, by 2007 there citizens. From 1999 to the present, 3.5% of land in Israel remains in Arab- should be 11% Arab workers in the regular governmental budget has Palestinian citizens’ ownership. the economy. For example, of more disproportionately allocated funds to its than 70,000 employees in the high Jewish population. Despite representing The socioeconomic gaps between the tech companies, only 300 Arabs are 20% of the total population of Israel, Jewish majority and Arab minority working in this field. Also only 1.5% of Arab localities are discriminated against in Israel are huge. There is extensive researchers in Israel are Arab researchers in the development budget and in the inequality in human resources, and less than 1% of the technical regular government budget where they employment, higher education, teams of the research and development 18 Issue 54 - Fall 2009 institutions are Arab employees. Gaps Peace, conflict transformation Palestinian community must be at the in investment in education created and solidarity core of efforts of peace building. differences in skills between Jews and Arabs in Israel. While the Israeli Considering the lack of consolidated In 2009 the Mossawa Center produced economy needs highly skilled, qualified leadership on the Israeli side, which a ‘Watch List’ of 14 points for the and trained human resources, lack of has control of both nuclear weapons international community that includes accessibility to higher education and and the lives of millions of Palestinians, developments in domestic legislation, proper educational training creates it is important for the international further home demolitions and high percentages of unskilled Arab community to demonstrate solidarity racial incitement. The aim is for the labor that work for short periods in the and share responsibility to end the international community to be better low infrastructure industry in Israel. regional conflict and act to protect able to monitor developments from The average per capita income among human rights. Nationalist and Israel’s new Netanyahu - Lieberman the Arab population is approximately extreme right efforts to impose their government and relations between $7,700 a year, while the national worldview, with disregard to the majority and minority inside Israel over average per capita income in Israel is rights of Palestinians and minority the next 2-3 years. $19,000. Additionally, Arab women groups, greatly complicates the constitute half of the total number of Middle East conflict with resulting The Israeli basic laws already violate Arab students at universities in Israel, tensions and confrontations between Arab citizen’s rights by defining the yet only 18 % of these women are Jewish and Arab citizens of the State. character of the State. While Israel integrated into the Israeli workforce. The extreme right-wing leadership in regards itself as a democratic state, as the current Israeli government is in well as a Jewish State, it continues to Israel’s ‘unrecognized’ villages fact moving to increase and continue give preference to its Jewish citizenry discrimination and incitement on all levels while discriminating Approximately half of the Bedouin against the Arab minority. In the against the already disadvantaged citizens of Israel live in 45 ‘unrecognized’ Israeli legal and political reality there Arab citizens. It is important that the villages. The unrecognized villages are is no constitutional or entrenched international community prevent ineligible for municipal services such protection for minority rights and any further deterioration of the legal as connections to the electrical grid, even basic civil rights are not secured, and political status of Arabs in Israel, water mains or waste disposal services. in contravention to international declare a public and clear message Education and health standards in human rights norms. The right to be against racial incitement and prevent these villages are poor with little or no ‘equal,’ for example, is not guaranteed the participation of discriminatory access to any of these services. There in the basic Israeli laws and this has leaders from attaining international are no municipal authorities in these led to a legal vacuum which permits recognition. unrecognized villages who can approve violations of human rights such construction permits. The building as in the case of the Citizenship For further information about the of houses in the villages is therefore Law 2003, where even family life is Mossawa Center or research and unlicensed and subject to demolition undermined. position papers on the issues raised by the Israeli authorities. Unrecognized above, visit www.mossawacenter.org villages are not marked on commercial Civil society and civilians all over the maps, which further isolates them from world share responsibility to support economic development. According to regional efforts to end the conflict data published by the Regional Council with peace and justice, such as the Jafar Farah is the Director of the for Unrecognized Villages, in the year Arab League Peace Initiative 2002. Mossawa Center, the Advocacy Center for 2009 alone, over 51 Bedouin homes Regional reconciliation is needed Arab Citizens of Israel, based in Haifa. have been demolished. to protect the lives and rights of all Previously Farah spent 7 years working as people living in this region; the Arab a journalist in both Hebrew and Arabic. Issue 54 - Fall 2009 19

Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center P.O.B. 49084 Jerusalem 91491 Tel: 972.2.532.7136 Fax: 972.2.532.7137 E-mail: [email protected]

Sabeel-Nazareth PO Box 50278 Nazareth 16120 Israel Tel: 972(4)6020790 Visit our website at: E-mail: [email protected] www.sabeel.org

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Friends of Sabeel North America (FOS-NA) Friends of Sabeel Scandinavia (FOSS) (U.S. and Canada) Reverend Marianne Kronberg Canon Richard Toll Centralvägen 21 A PO Box 9186, Portland, OR 97207 S - 135 51 Tyresö USA Sweden Tel: (1)-503-653-6625 Tel: +46 70 609 5010 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] www.fosna.org www.sabeelskandinavien.org

Friends of Sabeel Canadian (CFOS) Friends of Sabeel (Les amis de Sabîl) France 3 Sandstone Court Gilbert Charbonnier Nepean, Ontario, K2G 6N5 [email protected] Canada E-mail: [email protected] Friends of Sabeel The Netherlands Website: www.sabeel.ca [email protected] www.vriendenvansabeelnederland.nl Friends of Sabeel United Kingdom (FOS-UK) Jennifer Oldershaw Friends of Sabeel Oceania 8 Silver Street, Dursley Greg Marsh (Secretary) Gloucestershire, GL11 4ND E-mail: [email protected] U.K. Website: www.sabeel.org.au Tel: 01453 544655 E-mail: [email protected] Friends of Sabeel Germany www.friendsofsabeel.org.uk Canon Ulrich Kadelbach Tel: +49 711 857 841 Friends of Sabeel Ireland (FOS-IR) E-mail: [email protected] 9 Sycamore Road, Dublin 16 Ireland Tel: 00-353-1-295-2643 E-mail: [email protected] 20 Issue 54 - Fall 2009 [email protected] | 02-2343420 [email protected]

Purpose Statement Sabeel

Sabeel is an ecumenical grassroots liberation theologyof Sabeel also works to promote a more accurate international movement among Palestinian Christians. Inspired by the awareness regarding the identity, presence, and witness of life and teaching of Jesus Christ, this liberation theology Palestinian Christians as well as their contemporary concerns. seeks to deepen the faith of Palestinian Christians, promote It encourages individuals and groups from around the world unity among them, and lead them to act for justice and love. to work for a just, comprehensive, and enduring peace Sabeel strives to develop a spirituality based on justice, peace, informed by truth and empowered by prayer and action. non-violence, liberation, and reconciliation for the different national and faith communities. The word ‘Sabeel’ is Arabic For more information on Friends of Sabeel groups in your for ‘the way’ and also a ‘channel’ or ‘spring’ of life-giving area please contact our international representatives or the water. Sabeel Center in Jerusalem. Issue 54 - Fall 2009 21