Who Are They? Issue 40- Spring 2006 by Naim Ateek 1 p. 1 From the Wilderness by Maria C. Khoury p. 4 The Indigenous Community of the Faithful by Munir Fasheh p. 6

n This Issue n This No Christian Spirit...

I by George Sahhar p. 9 Christian of the Holy Land by Fuad Farah p. 10 Issue 40 - Spring 2006 In Defense of Enlightenment by Hossein Shahidi and Sari Hanafi p. 11 “Church Action for Peace” Pilgrimmage T H E by Robert and Maurine Tobin p. 12 Electoral Transition by Bernard Sabella p 14 ‘Aboud: A Peaceful and Tranquil FORGOTTEN Village in the by Ibrahim Nairouz p 16 Mailya: A Christian Village in Galilee FAITHFUL by Shukry Arraf p 17 In Person... WHO ARE THEY? Archbishop Elias Chacour p. 18 by Naim Ateek them were Jewish, others were not. They estimated that approximately fifty percent were a mixture of many ethnic and racial (50%) of the people of were not abeel’s Sixth International Conference groups that were members of the first small Jewish. It was always a melting pot of S(November 2-9, 2006) will focus on the Christian communities of faith, the many racial, ethnic, and religious theme of . Why did Church. By its very nature, the Church backgrounds. From its beginnings, the we choose this theme that seems to be knew no ethnic or racial boundaries. church became a multi-ethnic and multi- provincial and parochial? As we anticipate racial community in spite of much our November gathering, I would like to Jesus started his ministry in Palestine resistance from some of Jesus’ disciples who offer the following points in order to raise within a Jewish nationalist and ethnic wanted to keep it bound within a Jewish our readers’ awareness, stimulate their context. Yet he came in contact with many context. The Book of Acts depicts the expectation, and attract their participation. who were not Jewish. In fact, Palestine struggle between those who insisted on the was never a monolithic country. Its “Jewishness” of the Jesus Movement and FIRST: One of the most frequent geographic location made it a corridor for those who affirmed its universal scope. statements that we hear: I did not know This was one of the most difficult struggles that there are Palestinian Christians! Who that faced and threatened the nascent faith. are the Palestinian Christians then, where Thank God, the “universalists” won. did they originate, and where are they today? Palestinian Christians are the From the beginning, the church in offspring of those first disciples and Palestine included people who comprised apostles whom Jesus called and who the population of the land of Palestine, followed him. They are the offspring of namely, Jews, Romans, Greeks, and those who, on the Day of Pentecost 2000 Samaritans as well as Arabs, Phoenicians, years ago, experienced the empowerment and others. After the coming of Islam in of the Holy Spirit and responded to the the 7th century, Palestinian Christians as Gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ. well as other Christians in the Middle East traders and armies who moved from north gradually became Arabized. It is important Palestinian Christians are our ancestors to south and vice versa. At the time of to note that some of the Arab tribes had who lived in Palestine even before it was Jesus, Palestine was not populated become Christian several hundred years officially known by that name. Many of exclusively by Jews. Some historians have before the coming of Islam, but all of them 2 Issue 40- Spring 2006 became Arabized in culture and language citizens experience discrimination, there is Some Western Christians think that later on. Today, there are approximately still enough political stability to allow the Palestinian Christians were originally fourteen million Arab Christians in the Christian community to remain in its Muslim and then, by the wonderful Middle East. Palestinian Christians are homeland. evangelizing zeal of British, American, living in Palestine (the occupied French, or German missionaries, they were Palestinian areas) and Israel, and many of The situation in the Gaza Strip, West Bank converted to Christianity. Some them are living in , and in practically and East is different. Here the propagandists have claimed that Christians every country in the Middle East, in desire to emigrate is due to the injustice, and are recent comers into Palestine addition, they are scattered and dispersed ,, in the last few hundred years. These are throughout the world. They are found in myths born out of ignorance or out of every continent of the globe. intentional policy to weaken and undermine Palestinian claim to the land. The coming SECOND: The presence of Palestinian The truth of the conference will dispel many such myths. Christians is threatened because of the situation is that the continuing political conflict. The number FOURTH: Another myth that requires of Christians in the land has been occupation of special attention is one that presents the decreasing at an alarming rate. The Palestine was not political conflict over Palestine as one propagandists say that Christians are between Muslims and Jews. In other leaving the land due to Muslim about religion nor was words, the Christians in Palestine are persecution. The facts, however, are it a conflict between totally marginalized and negated as if they different. They are leaving because of the have nothing to do with the conflict. unstable political situation. They are religions. It was and Moreover, it presents Israel as more leaving because of the illegal Israeli is, in essence, a benevolent towards the Christians, because occupation of their country. Moreover, the real enemy is the Muslims. Such a political instability carries with it economic political conflict. presentation has a great advantage for Israel and social ramifications. People emigrate in the West. For if the conflict is perceived to look for employment so that they can ,, as one strictly between “Jews and care for the welfare of their families and Muslims,” then most Christians in the the education of their children. the oppression, and the humiliation of West would stand on the side of Israel. Palestinians living under occupation. It is This is a very clever approach. Due to the The largest number of Christians was clear to many that the presence of common biblical heritage between Jews displaced during and in the aftermath of checkpoints, the building of the wall, and and Christians and the growing the 1948 and 1967 wars. Thousands were all the suppressive measures which the “demonization” of Islam, it is conceivable forced out of their homes or fled in terror Israeli government practices against the that many Western Christians find greater from the Zionists. Their emigration has Palestinians are part of a policy that aims affinity with Israel and Jews than with continued wherever and whenever political at forcing people to emigrate. This has Muslims. In fact, this attitude goes beyond instability was greatest. Today, as an been the Zionist policy from the the boundaries of Western Christians. I example, very few Christians are beginning, and it has become even more recall an experience a number of years ago emigrating from within the boundaries of conspicuous these days. when I was speaking in an international the state of Israel, i.e. the 1967 borders, conference in Europe, a few Pakistani while it is still alarming within the Sabeel is conducting a survey of the Christians came up to me and confessed occupied territories. The main reasons Christians of the land which will be that their natural inclination as Christians due to the oppressive occupation of the presented at the November conference. was to stand with Israel. Palestinians – both Christian and Muslim There will be a number of scholars who – and the humiliation to which they are will analyze the various aspects of the The truth of the situation is that the subjected. survey and help us discover possible trends occupation of Palestine was not about and projections for the future of the religion nor was it a conflict between Statistics have shown that the number of Palestinian Christian community in the religions. It was and is, in essence, a Christians inside the state of Israel is land. political conflict. The Zionist Jews wanted growing rather than decreasing. Although to wrest the land of Palestine even if that Israel is not a state for all of its citizens, THIRD: We need to dispel myths about meant the expulsion of its indigenous and its form of democracy is only the Palestinian Christian community. Due population. They wanted to create a experienced and enjoyed fully by its Jewish to the political conflict over the land of Jewish state. The indigenous people of the citizens, while its Arab (Palestinian) Israeli Palestine, many myths have been invented. land were targeted as Palestinians and not Issue 40- Spring 2006 3

as Muslims and Christians. Christians There is no substitute to a first-hand resilience. We would like to re-introduce were forced out from their villages and experience. I have heard many people say ourselves, through this conference, to our towns with their Muslim neighbors at the after a personal visit, “We didn’t know. brothers and sisters in Christ in other areas same time. Both lost all of their Why didn’t people tell us?” of the world. Christians everywhere need possessions. The ethnic cleansing was ,, to be aware of the predicament of this small carried out regardless of religious and hurting member of Christ’s Body that affiliation. Since the war of 1967, however, seeks justice and liberation. We hope and the religious dimension started to play a pray that the bond between Palestinian very sinister role. Both Jewish Zionist and Christians everywhere Christians and Christians abroad would Western Christian Zionists have been be strengthened as the various aspects of using the Bible to support exclusive Israeli need to be aware of Palestinian life will be addressed through claims to the land of Palestine and have, the predicament of the lectures, panels, as well as the therefore, become an obstacle to peace. experience of being with and meeting the this small and hurting living stones of the land. FIFTH: Palestinian Christians have member of Christ’s played a significant role in resisting the Bible studies will be a very important Zionist project from the early 19th Body that seeks feature of our November conference. They century and have been involved in the justice and liberation. would be given by the Rev. Dr. Kenneth pursuit of justice and peace. The coming Bailey who is world renowned for placing Sabeel conference will highlight the the parables of Jesus in their Palestinian contribution of some of them. Palestinian ,, cultural setting. It is our hope that the Christians are by and large Arabs. When participants would be spiritually uplifted one considers the role that they have played SEVENTH: Palestinian Christians are by the relevant message of the parables for in the political, historical, literary, social in a unique position. They are at one our lives today. and other fields, it becomes obvious how and the same time Palestinians that valuable and effective their contributions belong to the Middle East and Christians A FINAL WORD have been. Several months ago, a Muslim that can relate to other Christians in FOR REFLECTION: writer from Abu Dabi wrote a short article different countries of the world. Very few Every new day presents us with the which he entitled, “The Christians are the people in the West understand Islam and opportunity of inventing and establishing Salt of the Arabs.” It was published in Muslims. We have lived with Islam for peace. Sadly, however, we are experiencing several newspapers throughout the Arab 1400 years with ups and downs. We can the invention of more deadly technologies world including Al-Quds newspaper in help build relations with them and work that are used to further control, oppress, Jerusalem on January 23, 2006. together for peace. We have a dominate, and humiliate the Palestinians Muhammad Khaled mentions the names commitment to peacemaking and – both Christian and Muslim. The of a number of Arab Christians such as reconciliation that stems from the essence conference will issue an appeal to all people Edward Said, Henry Cattan, Emil Habibi, of our Christian faith. We can contribute of integrity and conscience to multiply Silvador Arnita, and others who have been to greater understanding and respect their endeavors for ending the occupation prominent in their contributions. The between Christianity and Islam. We can and inventing peace between Palestinians writer ends the article with the words, be a bridge between East and West. We and Israelis. “Our beloved Christians, you are our salt, have a role to play in bridging the gap and salt does not lose its flavor.” between peoples of different religions. We When opportunities for peace are real and have a rich experience of living together within reach, when there are millions on SIXTH: As Palestinian Christians, we with other religions, and this is an both sides that long for truth and would like to help our brothers and sisters important part of our calling. liberation, when many of us know what in various areas of the world to understand makes for a just peace and can actually our concerns as well as the challenges that EIGHTH: Last but not least, there is a imagine a life of security and prosperity face us today. In addition to the above- theological dimension to the conference. for Palestinians and Israelis, it is, indeed, mentioned concerns, the conferees will Palestinian Christians are an integral part insane to continue the occupation and the have a personal experience in meeting and of the Body of Christ. Throughout our oppression, and it is incredible and tragic spending time with fellow Christians in the long history over the last 2000 years, with that the international community lacks the towns and villages in Israel and Palestine. its joys and sorrows, tolerance and political will to implement and enforce In addition to the academic lectures, the intolerance, good times and bad times, by International Law. conference will provide the existential and the grace of God we have remained faithful experiential dimensions of everyday life. to Christ and maintained our witness and The Rev Naim Ateek is Director of Sabeel 4 Issue 40- Spring 2006

FROM THE WILDERNESS by Maria C. Khoury Territories in the second uprising when we extended family, we could establish in experienced the worst of the worst in our them a deeper sense of identity in their “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me daily lives. Thus, Abu Daoud passed on life, so they could grow up to achieve their forever? How long will you hide your face to the Lord spiritually hoping and fullest potential knowing they had deep from me? How long shall I take counsel in believing that peace and freedom could roots in Palestine as Christians for my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? come to Palestine. But the rest of us were thousands of years. In the last six years we How long will my enemy be exalted over me?” left behind feeling that it has been a long have seen nothing but the opposite, since (Psalm 13) time since l948 and seeking basic human investors cannot survive a collapsed rights for Palestinians. Psalm 13 reminds economy and children are traumatized As a mother living in the middle of the me of the great hope that many Palestinian going to school under Israeli guns. wilderness, raising my children in a small Christians hold on to as we are baptized Christian village, I often reflect if peace in Christ our Lord and are called to be Nevertheless, there is something and freedom for Palestine will come during witnesses in the very land where he fundamentally unexplainable about my lifetime. My father-in-law, Canaan revealed his plan for salvation to humanity. walking the footsteps of the Lord. We pray Daoud Khoury, who was so proud to be The daily struggles, however, sometimes it is the will of God that some people will the son of a priest, did not flee into the bring us thoughts of despair. Palestinian remain in the precious land of Christ’s refugee camps in 1948 when he lost his Christians cannot help but feel forgotten birth to worship Christ our Savior and to job at the post office and place of residence in our desperate need to create bridges witness to his love and peace to others. It in Jaffa. Instead he returned to the small between our communities in the holy land is thrilling living in , known as village of Taybeh, where his father was the and Christian communities across the biblical Ephraim in the Judean Mountains, Orthodox priest, to start life over. My globe. The connection with Christian knowing that before His crucifixion, father-in-law, Abu Daoud, was very communities can be our life-line not to Christ came into this area, the place of instrumental in influencing us to return be forgotten and to reinforce that we have which the gospel writer said, to Taybeh and helping invest in Palestine a sacred mission to keep our Christian after the Oslo Agreement, because he had presence in the holy land. “Jesus therefore walked no more openly great hope that Israelis and Palestinians can among the Jews; but went thence unto a live side by side and have a prosperous I held on to the false dream that if wealthy country near the wilderness, into a city called future together. Palestinians returned from abroad and Ephraim...”␣ (John 11:54) invested in their beloved homeland, truly These beautiful dreams of a two state a great economy could be developed for With 1300 residents living twenty minutes solution were shattered for so many of us better job creation. If my children learned outside Jerusalem, our village of Taybeh is during the reoccupation of the Palestinian and were raised close to a loving the only entirely Christian village that

Ruins of the Church of St. George in Taybeh Issue 40- Spring 2006 5 remains in Palestine. The village is located between Jerusalem and Jericho in the biblical land of Judea known as the West From Her Diaspora Bank of Jordan and unfortunately does not exist on any modern map. Following the l967 Israeli invasion of the West Bank, El Almuerzo de Tía Habiba thousands of people from Taybeh have emigrated to Australia, America, and by Nathalie Handal Europe due to the difficult political and economic situation, and the daily suffering faced under military occupation.␣ For me Half past six in the morning personally, Taybeh reflects the democracy the kitchen is wide awake, that should continue to exist in Palestine no time for many cups of coffees but hopefully with the end of the brutal for Tía Liliana, Tía Mercedes, military occupation. Pray with us that the Tía Rosette, Tía Esperanza, Lord will not forget the faithful. Tía Josefina, Tía Margarita, In Taybeh, the emperor Constantine built Tía Layla and Tío Wadie the first church in the Holy Land named Are coming for some of Tía Habiba’s after St. George, the patron saint of this tamalitos, lamb, hummos, laban, and grape leaves. village.␣ We have been blessed not to have “Dios mío niña, you are not dressed,” Juanita tells me. seen the destruction and bombings that Her Indian features recite poems her ancestors tell her have happened in nearby and the way Tía Habiba’s deep curved eyes other parts of Palestine during the Israeli reoccupation. For two thousand years this tell me about the holy land. tiny little village has had the blessing to “Por favor, it is not morning yet,” I respond. maintain a Christian presence in the Holy These are what my Friday mornings Land. We must transcend the bloodshed are like when I visit my relatives in Torreón, Coahuila, and terror and wait with faith in God. At a little ciudad in México. the end, our final destiny is the Kingdom of God, so we pray for God’s mercy as we live under Israeli guns.␣ In the meantime By noontime, everyone has arrived, we must walk with the cross that Christ voices crowd every room. offered us and preserve our Christian roots Before I go downstairs, I stand in the land of Christ’s holy resurrection. at the top of the staircase looking at those people below as if I were Dr. Maria C. Khoury is the author of Christina on the Mount of Olives looking Goes to the Holy Land and Witness in the Holy at the Old City, and I wonder Land. how these people got here, so far from the Mediterranean sea, the desert heat. How they are caught between Abdel Halim Hafez and Luís Miguel, jelabas and sombreros, lost in the smoke coming from the arguileh. I start going down the stairs, hear them say, Habibti, que tal? and know that all has changed.

From The Lives of Rain (Northampton, MA: Interlink, 2005).

Nathalie Handal, of Bethlehem, is a poet, writer, playwright, director and producer. 6 Issue 40- Spring 2006

the spirit of Jesus is embedded in our daily lives, and of what it means to be a Christian in the world today, building on THE INDIGENOUS contemplations about our lives and experiences, and sharing our meanings, COMMUNITY perceptions, and ways with others. One aspect to which I think Palestinian Christians can contribute is distinguishing OF THE FAITHFUL between faith and beliefs. Living both in Palestine and the United States, I believe by Munir Fasheh Palestinian Christians form a very special it is easier for a person like my mother to Christian community in the world. We are feel that she shares a common faith with Christians of Palestine form the only special not in the sense of having special others (especially Muslims and Jews) and indigenous Christian community in the privileges or a better understanding of to realize that that common faith is world. We are the only community that Christianity, but in the sense of having a manifested in different belief systems. She carried and manifested the faith, the special responsibility for contributing to embodied the subtle difference between spirit, and the tradition from generation an authentic dialogue concerning faith and beliefs through living and to generation–starting with the Christianity and its role in the world today, interacting with others. It was manifested generation that walked, talked, and and for freeing it from the monopoly of in her perceptions and in how she treated interacted with Jesus, face to face. dominant conceptions, perceptions, and others. I never heard her, for example, Although this is true about Palestinian practices. The fact that we are also a belittling beliefs of others, and I never felt Christians in general, it is particularly community that has been in daily in her attitude and behavior that she was true about illiterate Palestinian Christians interaction for many centuries with others, looking at others as if they belonged to a who carried the tradition and spirit, not especially Muslims and Jews, adds to our different faith. Never in my life have I through texts and words but in their ways status as a special group, crucial in heard her say a word of hatred towards of living, perceiving, relating to and contributing to an authentic dialogue others or degrading other beliefs and treating others. concerning Christianity in the world religions. This attitude, in my opinion, is today–a dialogue that takes pluralism, the basis of authentic dialogue. Dialogue I am talking about faith, spirit and wisdom, and the well-being of people, is lifeless if it is mainly verbal, if it is built tradition as aspects that I experienced communities, and nature as fundamental only on texts, words, and concepts. My while growing up within my family at values. One very important way of mother would not be fooled by differences home, with relatives, and in the exercising this responsibility is by looking in expressions, words, and beliefs, because community. At the same time, however, at ourselves as “co-authors” of the it seems she realized that the difference is I was exposed since I was a young boy to meanings of words that have been part of more in manifestations than in faith. Like formal institutional, professional forms Christian traditions. In other words, we many other Palestinian Christians, she of Christianity, mainly through are special as potential “co-authors” of how never discussed beliefs outside how people missionaries and churches. Although I always felt tension between the two “Christianities”, I was made to believe that they are the same because they use similar words and symbols. Gradually, however, I realized that they embody two worlds that have little in common: one that is convivial and communal (where people say what they mean and mean what they say) and another world that is “mechanical” and organized (where actions are governed by the values of control and winning). In 1992, I wrote a small booklet in Arabic with the title “Christianity of my mother vs. Christianity of the West” to explore the differences between these two types of “Christianities.”

Issue 40- Spring 2006 7 treat others. When Mohammad [the ,, worth learning) is usually accompanied by Prophet of Islam] was asked, “What is claims of help and assistance. Using religion?” he said: the way you treat others. adjectives to refer to people is one form of [Ad-deen howa al-mu’amalah]. This is a We are forgotten as a disrespect that is subtle and sounds good. beautiful way of perceiving religions for community that For example, the use of “marginalized our troubled times. people” is a subtle way (with connotations embodies a “world” that of good intensions) of ignoring what people One aspect that I believe is common to all no other Christian have, including a name, dignity, knowledge, religious faiths is that every person is community embodies. and ways of living. Fourth, the absence special and precious. Another aspect is that from European languages of the dual every person is a searcher for what fulfills (which is called al-muthanna in Arabic) has his/her life, a searcher for a way to reach ,, been crucial in how Europeans perceive and salvation. Thus, a good way of starting a are forgotten as a community that relate to others. The absence of the dual–I dialogue is by every person telling how s/ embodies a “world” that no other and you–from their languages led to its he lives faith including how s/he perceives Christian community embodies. We are absence in their consciousness, awareness, and treats others. There is a saying in forgotten in the sense that Western perceptions, and thinking. Al-muthanna Arabic (which probably has equivalents in Christians seem to be unable to see that embodies a logic that is different from other languages): “May God help everyone we are worth learning from and entering Aristotle’s and Hegel’s. In Aristotle’s logic, understand and live his/her own religion” into dialogue with. They look at us as you are either a “copy of I” or “not-I”. In (Kul wahed ‘ala deenoh, allah ye’eenoh). Christians of a “lesser quality” and thus Hegel’s logic, you and I can form a new Beliefs bind members of each group need to be “improved” or “developed” or synthesis (one expression of which is together. Faith makes dialogue possible “reformed” or converted. At best, they can referring to one’s spouse as “my other half”). between various groups. One aspect of learn about us–mainly for purposes of In contrast, within the logic of al- modern living is the fact that it is becoming control and conversion–but not from us. muthanna, you remain “you” and I remain easier to live by beliefs with no connection This is a handicap that the vast majority “I”, but there is a third party which is the to faith. of Westerners seem to have in relation to relationship. This third party becomes so other civilizations (think, for example, of important in one’s life, almost inseparable In spite of being special and crucial in the the British who stayed in India for over possibility of contributing to what from either you or I. The absence of al- 200 years and boasted that a British library muthanna is much more serious than what Christianity can do in today’s world, the has more to offer than the whole Indian Palestinian Christian community seems to Europeans can comprehend and, civilization). I never heard a missionary– unfortunately, more than what many Arabs be forgotten. I do not know of any Western not once–express that s/he learned some group that came to Palestine to learn from realize. Palestinian Christians–because of inspiring insight from Palestinian their history and the languages they spoke us. At best, some came to learn about us– Christians. Disvaluing our experiences and that is, to understand us through their –embody al-muthanna in their perceptions, our ways of living (by both religious actions, and relationships with others. concepts and categories. All came to missionaries and secular ones, such as convert us, each to his or her Those who believe that Aristotle and Hegel educators) is a loss for us, for them, and exhaust all kinds of logic are handicapped denomination. What makes things worse for the world. is that many Palestinian Christians do not in their ability to see, let alone understand, seem to realize that they form a Several factors, which I will mention here the logic embedded in al-muthanna. This community of special “co-authors” of what very briefly, led to the inability of at least partially explains why a person could Christianity means in the world today. In Westerners to understand and learn from not and will probably not be able to build this sense and within what is happening others, and to their difficulty in an authentic dialogue with others, and why in the world today, Palestinian Christians distinguishing between faith and beliefs. missionaries have been unable to see what in particular can help Western Christians First, anyone who thinks s/he is smarter Palestinian Christians have. see Islam as embodying the same faith but than others, in some absolute sense, is with a different belief system. This is handicapped to learn from others except Since the establishment of the state of Israel crucial to the sanity of today’s world and what helps in controlling the others. in 1948, the forgotten faithful have been to the survival of humanity on earth. Second, the belief in a single, uprooted from their land and are slowly undifferentiated path for progress, which disappearing. The forgotten will soon This special community of the faithful– is the path taken by Europe the past 500 become non-existent in Palestine. the Palestinian Christian community–is years, puts serious limits on the ability to made invisible and forgotten. We are learn from other civilizations. Third, Dr. Munir Fasheh is director of the Arab visible and remembered only as potential disrespecting others (which usually includes Education Forum at Harvard University in converts to this or that denomination. We believing that there is nothing in others Cambridge, Massachusetts. 8 Issue 40- Spring 2006

SABEEL’S 6TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE “THE FORGOTTEN FAITHFUL: A WINDOW INTO THE LIFE AND WITNESS OF CHRISTIANS IN THE HOLY LAND” November 2-9, 2006

Through lectures, workshops, worship, and excursions in the Registration Fees: $350 USD (or equivalent) Holy Land, Sabeel’s 6th International Conference will provide Make checks for registration payable to Sabeel. Registration a unique opportunity to encounter the realities of Christians begins May 1, 2006 in Palestine and Israel. See website for registration form: www.sabeel.org * History: Consider the 2000 year presence of Christians in the Holy Land Special Land Packages: * Present Realities: Critically examine the impact of the Israeli (includes accommodations, all land travel, lunches, entrance occupation on the political, social, economic, and religious fees, airport shuttle service,) conditions of Palestinian Christians For all land and air, make checks payable * Personal Stories: Hear from Christians about their challenges to Shepherd’s Tours and aspirations Option I (four and five stars) * Muslim-Christian Relations: Understand the relationships Single- $955 of Christians with their Muslim sisters and brothers Double- $797 * Israeli and International Solidarity: Discover the support Triple- $776 of the Israeli peace movement and the international (Includes: Notre Dame Hotel-Jerusalem, Intercontinental community in the struggle for a just peace Hotel-Jericho, Mary’s Well Hotel-Nazareth) * Partnership and Bridge Building: Develop practical tools and ideas to support and empower Christians in Palestine Option II (three star and four stars) and Israel. Single- $915 Traveling conference program will include lectures and Double- $762 workshops with local and international speakers in Jerusalem, Triple- $741 Bethlehem, Jericho, Ramallah and Nazareth, and visits with (Includes: Gloria Hotel-Jerusalem, Jericho Resort Inn -Jericho, Christian communities in Ramallah and Upper Galilee villages. Mary’s Well Hotel-Nazareth) Meet your Christian brothers and sisters, learn about their history and present struggle, champion their just cause and advocate for peace and reconciliation for all people of the land.

Book your travel now with Shepherds Tours and Travel Co., Ltd: PO Box 19560 Jerusalem Tel: (+972) 2 628 4121 Fax: (+972) 2 628 0251 Email: [email protected] (Book your departure for late evening Nov 9, or arrange an individual post-conference tour.) For more information contact [email protected] Issue 40- Spring 2006 9

NO CHRISTIAN SPIRIT IN THE THEME PARK IN GALILEE by George Sahhar

The Christian theme park in Galilee, planned by right-wing Christian groups, will create a world of fantasy and fairy tale that has little to do with the truth and reality in the holy land and much to do with their political agenda and biased view of the conflict. The theme park will cost approximately sixty million US dollars ($60,000,000). This astronomical figure should have been used in many places around the world to feed the poor and money were spent on projects that will The unprecedented theme park will create provide medicine to those who need it. bring back Christians that immigrated a Christian Disney Land. I question the Money will be spent so Christianity will because of the occupation, oppression, and motives behind it. Christians do not need become a tool to spread an image of the loss of hope. a world of fantasy. Today what Christians holy land, from the holy land itself, that need is not a place that creates further has nothing to do with the reality there. The theme park will market an image that divide and rift, but rather a place that sets has nothing to do with reality. It will not an example of tolerance, in the footsteps The declared aim is to create a theme park, show the segregation wall, the squalid of Jesus Christ; a place that will convey amphitheater, broadcast studios, and refugee camps, checkpoints, or the the truth about reality in the holy land. hiking trail in the area where Jesus walked. churches in the West Bank and Gaza. The message out of the Christian theme I am compelled to remind organizers to Voices that will be heard from the theme park should be one of equality for all consider not only where Jesus walked but park will tell the whole world that citizens of Israel and an end of the also what he said. The message of Jesus is everything is wonderful. How can one occupation of the , inclusive love and compassion, and it pray and reflect in such a place? I pray to so that Palestinians and Israelis can become extends to Palestinians as well. Inherently God to guide them, so they will tell the free. We have pressing issues where the theme park will serve Israeli interests, truth. I pray to God to lead Christians Christians can contribute around the since the 125 acre plot of prime land, on who visit there to see the refugee camps, world: combating HIV/AIDS, helping the the shore of the Sea of Galilee, is donated so they can help the poor people, and to hungry in Africa, and feeding the poor and by the government of Israel. talk to Palestinian Christians whose story providing shelter to the homeless in the is about to be further subdued. rich countries. That is the true message I wish the 60 million dollars were spent of Christianity. on a study center that will bring Under normal conditions, I have no Palestinians and Israelis to learn about each problem with Christians coming from Fortunately it is not too late. The Christian other’s culture. Christian organizers of the around the world to explore their own theme park is in the planning stage, so its theme park should become part of the heritage in the land where Christianity path can be corrected so that the message solution, not part of the problem, in the began. However, how can one claim to emanating from it is one that calls for peace Middle East. I wish the 60 million dollars be Christian while ignoring the story and and reconciliation between Palestinians were spent on development projects to experience of fellow Christians of and Israelis. A Christian theme park generate income for the long-forgotten Palestine? How can one exploit the should not become the new mechanism Palestinian Christians, to encourage them message of Jesus, to justify directly or against Palestinians. I hope the organizers to remain in the land where Christianity indirectly, the policies adopted by the state of the theme park will realize their mistake started. It is amazing that such a huge of Israel against Palestinians? The theme and change course before it is too late. I amount of money can be generated for a park, as it stands right now, carries no pray to God to show them the way. theme park, to drive attention away from Christian message. the truth in the holy land. I wish the George Sahhar is a board member of Sabeel. 10 Issue 40- Spring 2006 CHRISTIAN ARABS OF THE HOLY LAND by Fuad Farah preserving, Greco-Roman heritage in the claims over the whole of Palestine fields of philosophy, sciences and advocated by religiously fanatic Jewish The importance of Christian presence in humanities. Christians were also pioneers activists. Growing anti-Western feelings the holy land cannot be overlooked but and active partners in the creation of the within the Arab population, as a result of needs to be widely acknowledged. Arab National Movement, preceded by a continued American support for Israel, has Christians around the world who have literary awakening during the middle of changed the once tranquil Muslim- strong sentiments toward the land that the nineteenth century, when tribal and Christian relations into undeclared witnessed the birth, mission, crucifixion religious allegiances were replaced by a Muslim identification of Christians with and resurrection of our Lord, are no doubt, tolerant, secular and Western-minded Western imperialism. keen about the continuity of Christian ideologies within the dormant Arab communal presence here for the past two societies. Future prospects do not look bright for thousand years. Religious ceremonies and holy land Christians, and one cannot but celebrations carried out by the local On the whole, Muslim-Christian relations notice a deep sense of frustration and Christian communities are closely followed have been characterized by mutual hopelessness among them. Their rapidly and attended by devout worshipers. cooperation and a common destiny, decreasing population as well as their Pilgrimages to the holy places have been a despite few incidental events that have fragile economic, social and political long-time tradition bringing spiritual, been easily contained. The recession of statuses cause them deep concern moral, and material benefits for the whole the Pan-Arab National Movement as well regarding their ability to cope on their own population. Muslims and Jews as well as the socialist and liberal ideologies during with the difficult challenges confronting ought to have a special interest in a the latter part of the twentieth century gave them. Rather than being awarded flourishing Christian community in their rise to a new brand of Islamic recognition for their on-going struggle to midst, as they are keen to present to the fundamentalism among the Arab masses. uphold Christian witness and continuity world pluralistic tolerant societies of their The politically influential Christian in its cradle, they feel that the international own, where the freedom of worship is Zionists and New Conservatives further community and world Christianity has observed and guaranteed. With their aggravated these tensions. With false neglected and failed to recognize them, strong ties to the churches around the biblical interpretations, these Western while caring more for Jewish and Muslim world and especially in the West, Christians Christians,, lend full support for Israeli issues. can serve as an important media role advocating for human rights issues and for Today there are not more than 170,000 self-determination. Alternatively, indigenous Christians or about 1.7 percent considering their moderate, nonviolent Middle East history is of the total population living between the attitudes, they can also play a reconciliatory witness to ethnic and river Jordan and the Mediterranean Sea, role in the Arab-Israeli conflict, if given the close to sixty percent (60%) of whom opportunity. Above all, the educational, religious minorities that reside in Galilee. In comparison Christians health and humanitarian services offered have ceased to exist. comprised around seven percent (7%) of by the churches to the Arab population are Remembering the population a little more than fifty years major contributions and an outstanding Constantinople, once ago. This decrease was mainly caused by monument of charity and benevolence for the exodus of nearly forty percent (40%) all. the centre of Christian of the Christian population from what has glory, let us all join become Israel during, and in the aftermath Despite the fact that Christians here have hands in support of what of, the 1948 war. Other reasons are their well kept their special identity, they is left of Christian low birth rate (in comparison to consider themselves Arabs in the widest indigenous Muslims) and the continuous sense of the word, and they were active presence in Jerusalem process of Christian emigration. partners in molding Arab culture, despite and Galilee before it its Islamic elements. Arab Christians were becomes too late. There are several reasons for Christian key figures in translating, and thus ,, emigration from the holy land. Political Issue 40- Spring 2006 11 unrest, which reflects more negatively on minorities, is a primary reason. Their better adaptability to Western-style IN DEFENSE OF living, religion and culture makes it easier for them to accommodate themselves to ENLIGHTENMENT their new environments. Furthermore their status as a minority spread across by Hossein Shahidi and Sari Hanafi expression, which is a basic human right, several cities and villages as small, weak can only increase understanding if it is and isolated communities curbs, to a The publication of a series of cartoons of exercised with intellectual rigor and social great extent, their electoral influence in the Prophet Mohammad in a number of responsibility. To present the Prophet public affairs and at decision-making European newspapers has led to official Mohammad as a symbol of terrorism, as levels. Job opportunities, once more protests by Islamic governments, boycotts is done in one of the cartoons, is no freely open to Christians due to their of European products, demonstrations, different from presenting Moses as the higher education, are becoming less and sometimes leading to loss of life, and symbol of right wing Israelis’ actions less available for them. Furthermore attacks on several Western embassies in the against Palestinians, an association that their status as a largely landless middle Middle East. Moreover, an Iranian would be rightly condemned as anti- class society affords them more mobility newspaper has launched a competition for Semitic and is prohibited by the laws of and at the same time presents them with cartoons on themes including the many European countries. severe housing problems compared to the Holocaust. mostly rural Muslim population and the We call for a serious treatment of Islamic more privileged, state-supported Jewish Appearing when memories are still fresh values by the West in line with the settlers. about reports, later denied, of the tradition of commitment to facts and desecration of the Qor’an by American rational analysis that have distinguished In view of this, many Christians are troops at the Guantanamo prison, the the best in Western thought since the seeking an easy way out: emigration. propagation of the drawings in Europe Enlightenment. Writings on Islam by Emigrants are usually the young, have strengthened the perception among secular authors such as the late educated, ambitious and socially many Muslims that not only are they being Montgomery Watt, and the late Maxime recognized elite, namely those who exploited economically and manipulated Rodinson - British and French would expectedly be the future leaders politically by the Western powers, but they biographers␣ of the Prophet␣ Mohammad, of our community, doubling the pain of are also insulted by the West culturally. respectively -␣ are regarded by many our loss. Yet despite the fateful direction Muslims and non-Muslims as models of of this phenomenon, no one has yet At the same time, troops from several scholarship. taken any serious action on this subject Western countries are deployed in matter, neither in planning nor in Afghanistan and Iraq; Israel continues its At a time when humanity is in dire need conducting research and studies. occupation of Palestinian Territories; the of understanding to ensure peaceful West has threatened to stop its financial coexistence, the propagation of a set of ill- Middle East history is witness to ethnic support for the Palestinian Authority now conceived drawings in several European and religious minorities that have ceased that parliamentary elections have been countries has reinforced ignorance and to exist. Remembering Constantinople, won by the Islamic Resistance Movement, hatred towards Muslims, and incited, once the centre of Christian glory, let us Hamas; and tension is rising over Iran’s albeit inadvertently, violence against all join hands in support of what is left nuclear program. In the West itself, many European citizens and interests in Arab and of Christian presence in Jerusalem and Muslims, and other minority Islamic countries. In defense of all those Galilee before it becomes too late. At communities, have for a long time been who have been aggrieved, we demand that the same time Palestinian Christians facing what they see as the erosion of the judicial authorities in all the countries should realize that their presence in this cultural diversity and increasing prejudice. concerned prosecute those who have land is God’s bestowed blessing and that In such a highly polarized world, the inflicted harm, either by abusing freedom they are therefore expected to set their continuation and escalation of this new of expression, or by seeking redress roots deep in this land as living conflict can have disastrous consequences. through violence rather than through the reminders of the life of Jesus Christ and Some have defended the propagation of rule of law. a continuity to our faith, heritage and the cartoons on the ground of freedom of mission. expression. However, freedom of Fuad Farah is an engineer, a member of the Sabeel-Nazareth Committee, and chairman of Hossein Shahidi is Assistant Professor of Communication and Sari Hanafi is Visiting Associate Professor the Orthodox Church Council in Israel. of Sociology, at American University of Beirut. 12 Issue 40- Spring 2006

,, CHURCH ACTION FOR PEACE,, PILGRIMAGE by Robert and Maurine Tobin Similar services were held around the world that day. The Sabeel Spring Witness Visit this year was transformed into a new opportunity The nine days were extremely busy as we to further the Sabeel commitment to sought to experience as much as possible ecumenical cooperation and advocacy. the new realities emerging from the With the Joint Advocacy Initiative of the elections and the wall. We heard from YMCA and in concert with the World religious and political leaders who will be Council of Churches International seeking to address the next phase of the Advocacy Week, Sabeel co-led a “Church conflict. We visited some of the people Action for Peace” pilgrimage. Rana most affected by the unilateral decisions Qumsiyeh from JAI and The Rev. Chris of the Israeli government. Those who have Ferguson from the WCC joined in the visited before felt a deep sense of dismay planning, which included an ecumenical that the wall has totally redefined the candlelight prayer vigil at the Qalandia possibilities for future negotiations. Those checkpoint. Forty six pilgrims from eight seeing the reality of the wall for the first nations worshiped and traveled together time felt a sense of outrage and disbelief. for nine days, blending the purposes and Among those we heard from were Hind agendas of the three sponsors. Our Khoury, Sabeel Board member, former Particularly poignant were our visits to At- pilgrims came from Japan, the Palestinian Authority cabinet member and Tuwani and Zababdeh, two small villages Netherlands, Korea, the Philippines, now ambassador in Paris; Victor Batarsieh, in the West Bank. At-Tuwani, a very small Canada, the UK, Ireland, and the US. mayor of Bethlehem; four members of ancient village south of Hebron inhabited Hamas, two of whom are newly elected by farmers and sheep herders, has been We began our journey by attending the members of the Palestinian Council; two under almost constant harassment from WCC launching event with the Patriarchs Christians and members of the new settlers who have moved in to take over and Bishops of the Churches in Jerusalem Council, Hanan Ashrawi, General their land. Last year the villagers invited on Sunday afternoon, March 12. Patriarch Secretary of MIFTAH, and Bernard members of the Christian Peacemakers Michael Sabbah delivered an excellent Sabella, Executive Secretary of Middle East Team, Ta’ayoush, an Israeli peace group, sermon in which he introduced the Council of Churches; and Jeff Halper and and Operation Dove, an Italian peace International Week of Action for Peace in Angela Godfrey-Goldstein, from the group, to live with them and help protect

Israel and Palestine. His sermon has been Israeli Committee Against House them from the settlers’ aggression. School distributed worldwide. His plea is for the Demolitions. children have been beaten, sheep poisoned, international community to step beyond ,, and olive trees cut down as the villagers the confusion of Israel’s deep concern for are ordered to leave their historic homes. security and the deep need of Palestinians Zababdeh, a small Christian village close for freedom, dignity as expressed by the to Jenin in the upper West Bank, is one of recent election. Both Israelis and Those seeing the reality of the few remaining Christian villages. As Palestinians deserve acceptance as human the wall for the first time guests of the Rev. Fadi Diab and the beings, he said. The world must address felt a sense of outrage and Christian clergy, we were treated to a and support both sides as valuable human wonderful luncheon and were greeted by beings who can trust and live side by side. disbelief. the mayor and other community The international community must play members. a key role if peace, justice and human ,, dignity are to be achieved and honored. Issue 40- Spring 2006 13

From Her Diaspora The Giant by Najwa Farah

In my ghorba* as the evening approaches I am overcome by sadness While shadows relentlessly crept The soul travels to a past world Where many years had passed A terrible giant moves in He snatches me to shaggy mountains, And there he roars with laughter Its echo is heard over the desolate peaks. Then he strutted with a swagger I wait, then I ask, “What is it you want?” “Yes I demand something.” “Name it,” I say. “Is it money; is it provisions?” “No, no, that is not my request, I am well fortified I want your memories.” Anxiety and anger seize me. “You will never possess such a treasure, This is me, my roots My love, my companion, Our plan was to visit the Jenin refugee camp after lunch. The glimpses of my motherland However, that was not to be. While in Zababdeh we learned of The scent of the orange blossoms the Israeli siege in Jericho during which a prison was destroyed, The fans of the palms two guards killed, and 33 other people injured. The tension The flowers that shine on the holy hills. was understandably high. Calls from the camp indicated that it was not wise to visit, so we rearranged our plans. In Bethlehem, There is a usurper, who stole my homeland we were able to visit the Aida refugee camp and meet the children And a young child confronts him and residents there. Since we were staying in Bethlehem, we experienced daily the new checkpoints and the difficult lives of Unarmed is that child but he loves Palestine the residents who are now completely shut off from the rest of Such memories are what is left Palestine and indeed the world. The memory of the motherland, The struggle of a child the treasure I guard, We took time in Nazareth and the Galilee for some rest, At my words he diminished his face was pale reflection and prayer at the holy sites as well as visitations with As he retired I heard the echo of his voice. the Sabeel staff in Nazareth. Our second Sunday in Bethlehem “The scent of the orange blossom, the confrontation of a child we were invited into the homes of Palestinian Christian families I can never acquire such memories.” after attending worship in their respective churches. Our final The shadows on the mountains had lengthened, worship service was quite moving as we prayed for peace and The mountains were yawning bored, old very old committed ourselves to action at home in the Cave of the Their peaks dazzled by the rays of the sinking sun Shepherds on the grounds of the YMCA. We left feeling a I traced my steps to the city which was flooded by its lights deeper commitment to the peace efforts in Israel and Palestine From my window I watched the bustle of life but my heart and solidarity with the Christian community. was in Palestine. *exile Rev. Robert and Maurine Tobin, Sabeel volunteers from Maine, Najwa Farah is a Palestinian author and poet active in women’s issues. coordinated the Sabeel/JAI/WCC “Church Action for Peace” pilgrimage. 14 Issue 40- Spring 2006 ELECTORAL TRANSITION by Bernard Sabella issues awaiting all of us on the social, and the National Authority on one side, economic and political agenda of our and Israel. Differing versions of how These are transitional times in Palestine people. Hamas can do this without compromising and Israel, with Palestinian elections just on its own platform have been advanced; behind us and Israeli elections just ahead I am hoping that in the future the the most prominent among these is for of us. The Palestinian platform, on which leadership of both Hamas and Fatah blocs Hamas to join the PLO and therefore the major lists of Hamas and Fatah, as well will find a way to make the PLC meetings automatically subscribe to the PLO as third parties and independents ran, more productive in terms of answering to platform and to all its agreements and clearly addresses the social, economic and the needs and ills of our people. I strongly accords with the nations of the world, institutional issues that have been feel that third party and independent including Israel. Whether Hamas will plaguing Palestinian society since Oslo was members,, present in the PLC can play a undertake such a step remains to be seen. signed in 1993. Thus reconstruction and Meanwhile, there are indications that the paying attention to the ills and needs of new Palestinian government will be the people is high on the agenda of the announced soon. Most likely it will be a new Palestinian Legislative Council Unless some dignified government dominated by Hamas (PLC). The political situation is a cause ministers and some independents, and of worry to all of us in the new council: form of “live and let possibly third party personalities. Israel is disengaging, unilaterizing, live” is found, we will concretizing, and drawing its borders all pay a heavy price. On March 14 the Israeli military took over without admitting to international legality by force the Jericho prison run by the and consensus. Worse, in the process, Palestinian police. The Israelis took Israel is expropriating Palestinian lands ,, prisoners both Ahmad Saadat, General and infracting the basic human rights of Secretary of the PFLP and Fouad Shobaki, thousands of Palestinians in terms of free very constructive and essential role in the a Fatah official who was accused by Israel access, employment, schooling, health process. Our obligation as members of the of attempted smuggling of weapons on the care and use of resources, such as PLC is to our people. While each of us ship Karine-A in 2002. Both were serving cultivating agricultural land or using water subscribes to her/his political party and its term, together with other Palestinian reserves. The situation is one of total platform, the platform of our people prisoners, in the Jericho prison as a result control and hegemony without any should be a unifying force that should of an agreement with Britain, the United serious challenge from the international guide our deliberations and decisions. As States, Israel and the Palestinian Authority. community or the Arab world, for that I have contacted some of my constituents The incident angered Palestinians, who matter. in the greater Arab Jerusalem area, I am saw it as yet another Israeli disregard for more aware of the pressing preoccupations signed international accords encouraged There was disagreement in the first session of municipal and local councils, of by British and American pre-takeover of the newly elected Palestinian Legislative charitable societies, of families and approval or advanced notification of Council between the majority bloc Hamas communities facing hardships, and of withdrawal of British and American and the opposition bloc Fatah on the schools and other service organizations in security personnel. These personnel were authority of the new PLC to annul need of a framework for reconstruction in place at the Jericho prison as part of the decisions taken by the exiting PLC in its and for moving ahead. This is the real work agreement in order to secure that Saadat, meeting of February 13. These decisions of the PLC, regardless of the hurdles and Shobaki and their colleagues would remain have constitutional implications, as they difficulties that will be placed by Israel on in prison. put the power to nominate judges to the our work, especially in Jerusalem. Palestinian Constitutional Court in the Whether the Jericho incident will lead hands of the President of the Palestinian International and Arab attention has been towards progress on talks of coalition Authority (PA). Continued disagreement directed, since the outcome of the government formation among Hamas and on this issue caused the Fatah members Palestinian elections, on convincing Fatah remains to be seen. This is doubtful. to walk out of the session. Unfortunately, Hamas to agree to international and But in any case, the formation of the new this beginning of the new PLC postponed mutual agreements signed between the Hamas-headed government will introduce the discussion of the vital and important Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) another round of Israeli threats and Issue 40- Spring 2006 15 possible military actions and other measures against the new government, its ministers, and its finances. The Israelis are not intending to make it easy for a Hamas SABEEL’S FIRST INTERNATIONAL government to rule for a long period of time without agreeing to Israeli conditions. YOUNG ADULT CONFERENCE There is doubt that Israel would see in Hamas’ formal joining of the PLO an acceptable transformation of its platform on the right to resist Israel as an occupying TOGETHER power, through armed struggle. In the meantime and regardless of the FACING CHALLENGES…FINDING HOPE membership of the incoming Palestinian government, Israel, Europe, the USA and other donors will not be as forthcoming July 26 – August 6, 2006 For ages 18-30 with their financial and other support to Palestinians as they have been in the past. • Palestinian and international young adults meeting, The Jericho incident, with its various sharing stories, and learning about one another‘s culture repercussions, at least in the very and denominations immediate future, will not help either. Cultural events and a music festival Even if all this paints a pessimistic outlook Bible studies and worship on electoral transition in Palestine, we all need to remember that over seventy • International young adults learning about the lives of percent (70%) of the Palestinian Palestinian young people and becoming more aware of population is under thirty years of age. current political realities These young people need hope. Given the prevalent conditions, the Israeli threats and Visits with families the Western pressures, loss of hope would Hikes to religious sites mean only one thing: predisposing more and more Palestinian young people • Christian young adults empowered to become more active towards radical solutions and actions. This for justice in their home communities will serve no purpose to anyone, least of Volunteer work all for these young people. Thus the challenge is for all of us local, regional and Workshops and group discussions international players and not simply for the PLC or the incoming Palestinian The International registration and program fee for the event is $600.␣ government. Unless some dignified form Pay when you arrive. of “live and let live” is found, we will all pay a heavy price. Electoral transition could have been a little less pressing, but Register NOW or before June 1, 2006. the realities look us in the face and inform Download a registration form at␣ www.sabeel.org. us that the agenda of our people, and its youth, cannot wait. This is a message not simply to us in the Palestinian Legislative For more information, contact [email protected]. Council but also to all those who wish to see the end to Israeli occupation of our lands and the creation of a viable Book your travel now with: Palestinian state with Arab East Jerusalem DAHER TRAVEL as its capital. Tel: +972 2 628 3235 or (+972) 050 554 5179 Email: [email protected] or [email protected]. Dr. Bernard Sabella is a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council. 16 Issue 40- Spring 2006

Anastasia, 7th century; the Church of St. Barbara, 5th century; the Church of Sha’ira, 6th century; the Church of the Messiah, 6th century; the Monastery of St. Elias, 11th century. These holy sites record the memory of some of the most famous figures in Christianity, especially the Virgin Mary and St. Barbara, who was born in ‘Aboud and who withstood many hardships. St. Elias the monk from ‘Aboud was driven out of his village and persecuted, but he returned and built the monastery with his own hands and with the help of the villagers. In the monastery, he established the first library in the region. It held many books and valuable manuscripts. These are but a few names of those who kept the faith alive in the hearts of the faithful from generation to generation.

‘ABOUD Today, the village of ‘Aboud is a target of fierce attacks from the Israeli army, which A PEACEFUL AND TRANQUIL VILLAGE from the beginning of the occupation, set out to confiscate its lands, uproot its olive IN THE WEST BANK trees, destroy its fields and orchards, as well as chase and kill many of its inhabitants. by Ibrahim Nairouz the sadness and anxiety lying underneath. In 2002 the occupation army blew up part This Christian village is being emptied of of the Church of St. Barbara while Studies have shown that at the beginning its people, especially the younger searching for “wanted” men. The of the 20th century there were towns and generation, as it moves towards its Palestinian Authority under Yasser ‘Arafat villages in Palestine that were totally or unknown future. One can almost hear its rebuilt the church but later discovered that predominantly Christian. Today, the fields, its homes, and its churches crying the Israeli authorities had plans for the number of those Christians has out to its sons and daughters to stay and separation wall to pass through the area significantly declined or totally preserve the place that holds the traces of where the church stood. Through the disappeared. Jesus’ footsteps and those of the saints who concerted efforts of the people of the walked its fields: Barbara, Theodoros, village, friends who supported the justice The village of ‘Aboud is one such place. Anastasia, Simon, Elias, Surur and many of the Palestinian cause, and the firm stand Located thirty kilometers (30 km) north others. of the church, it was possible to divert the of Ramallah, ‘Aboud is a peaceful and quiet route of the wall. village, known for the beauty of its Christianity reached ‘Aboud early on, landscape, its hospitality, and its warm making it one example of a village that has On November 2, 2005, the village council welcome to visitors. held onto its Christian faith for two of ‘Aboud was officially informed of the thousand years. Conditions have changed intent of the occupation authorities to ‘Aboud, with its charm and natural beauty, and faces and names have changed, but build the wall, which on the western side enfolds several layers of history, culture, ‘Aboud has stood steadfast, upholding the was 12.5 kilometers long and sixty meters religion and civilization. It holds a rich faith it has inherited from its ancestors. It wide, to include the buffer zones on either reservoir of memory handed down preserves the history of nine churches and side. This meant it would take 1449 through the ages through its many monasteries rooted in its soil. They are as dunams of land belonging to the village churches and monasteries that date back follows: the Church of our Lady Mary, 5th (4 dunams = 1 acre). It would also to the early Christian centuries. century; the Monastery of St. Simon, 6th consume 3887 dunams on the other side century; the Church of ‘Ovadia the of the wall, thereby confiscating this land Today, the gracious and warm welcome prophet, 7th century; the Church of St. and preventing its owners from reaching that ‘Aboud affords to visitors cannot hide Theodoros, 6th century; the Church of St. it. The total village land lost to the wall Issue 40- Spring 2006 17 would then amount to 5336 dunams, thereby depriving the villagers of the source of their MAILYA livelihood and driving more of them away from their village. A CHRISTIAN VILLAGE IN GALILEE

The population of ‘Aboud by Shukry Arraf reaches approximately 2660 During the excavation of Mailya, remains of people, fifty percent of whom The village of Mailya is an Arab Christian three convents were found around the are Christian and fifty percent, village in the northern part of Israel. All the Byzantine church with its colored mosaic Muslim. The Christian and villagers are Melkite (Greek) Catholics with floors. This provides proof that Mailya was Muslim communities harmon- European cultural influences. inhabited before the Crusaders who must have iously co-exist in ‘Aboud as in settled near Roman Byzantine remains. Their most mixed villages in Palestine. Mailya is situated twenty-eight kilometers churches are likely to have been built over northeast of the city of Acre and seventeen Christian churches of that period. The present The main problem facing kilometers east of the Israeli city of Nahariya. inhabitants also did the same, except that the ‘Aboud – this charming and It is not mentioned in any historical document present church is built to the east of the castle, tranquil village – is emigration. before the Crusader era, when the French built perhaps over the remains of a crusader church. Why are the young men and a citadel in that location. women deserting their village? During the years of the British Mandate over Many questions arise. Is it the In the year 1267, the Mamluk Sultan Beibers Palestine, security improved further and result of the Israeli occupation al-Bunduqdari drove out the Crusaders and people’s homes spread out even more especially and the political instability? Is brought in Muslim citizens to take their place. with the coming of the automobile to replace it the stumbling peace process, He also appointed a Muslim cleric to teach animal transportation. Slowly, life in the the ambiguous future, and the them Islam. The Muslim residents continued village became more city-like in style. lack of political horizon? Is it to live in Mailya – inside the compound of the tension between one’s the king’s castle – until the middle of the 18th The population of Mailya numbers 2800 national and Christian century, when the governor of Galilee, Dhaher people and has an average birthrate of two or identity? Is it the diminishing al-Omar al-Zeidani, brought in Christian three children per family. About ninety-five number of Christians and a Melkites (now known as Greek Catholics) percent (95%) of the women of the village are feeling of being lost? Is it the from Lebanon and . At the request of working women, some inside the village and neglect of Western Christians France, he did this after this group of others elsewhere. A large number of these and the realization that Eastern Christians separated from the mother women are university educated. Christians do not register in Orthodox Church. France provided him with the psyche of Western protection and modern weapons in return for It is noteworthy that about thirty-three percent Christians? Is it a fear that the his protection of this Christian group of (33%) of the people in Mailya are academics; Palestinian society may people. that is to say that one out of every three people become classified according to in Mailya hold a university degree, which religious affiliation? It could The first Greek Catholics to be brought to makes this village comparable in education to be any one of those factors or Mailya were two silk-worm growers – experts western Europe. This high rate of education a combination of some, but in the production of natural silk. Again, this affects the behavior patterns of its youth and the fact remains that was done at the request of France. He also its people in general. There are two schools in Palestinian Christians are imported cotton and started the first cotton Mailya. After attending the elementary school, leaving. People are seeking mills that marked the beginnings of the up to grade nine, students move to Notre- solutions through emigration European industrial revolution. Dame secondary school, built with the aid of rather than facing their Germany and France. Notre-Dame has problems at home. Later, Dhaher al-Omar negotiated an scientific and humanities sections as well as a agreement with the Muslims of Mailya to vocational school. leave the village and move to nearby Tarshiha Ibrahim Nairouz is a personal where the majority of the population was Mailya continues to be a lively and active Arab assistant of the Coadjutour Bishop Muslim and to bring back the people of Christian village. of the Episcopal Church of Mailya to their homes in the village. Remains Jerusalem, and the author of a book of a mosque south of the castle still stand. Dr. Shukry Arraf, of Mailya, is a historian and on ‘Aboud. author of several books. 18 Issue 40- Spring 2006

IN PERSON

the clergy to find unity among themselves. I am proud of my clergy; I’m very proud of them.

The second challenge is the finances of the diocese. We were considered to be one of the richest, the wealthiest diocese of the Melkite [Greek Catholic] Church in the world. But now I receive a diocese that has such a huge deficit simply because the previous bishops not only did not develop the church, but they used what was there and that’s it. They did not replace anything. We have to find a way to cover the deficit and then, goodness, to start considering the development of the ARCHBISHOP ELIAS CHACOUR diocese. We cannot remain a maintenance church, only baptizing, marrying and The new Metropolitan of the Melkite Catholic Diocese burying our people. We need to cross from of Akka, Haifa, Nazareth and all of Galilee, on the occasion maintenance to mission. of his consecration. With my priests and my clergy we already have a kind of vision where we will soon set a five-year plan of development of the An interview by Janet Lahr Lewis, What do you consider to be your biggest diocese, surely financial development, but Media Department challenge as the new archbishop? most of all human development. We will give lots of attention to the university Congratulations on your consecration as There are many, many challenges. On the students and to the young couples. We will the new Archbishop. level of the diocese, the biggest challenge not give as much attention to cemeteries is whether or not I will be able to create a as to young couples. It is a very heavy Thank you. new mentality among the priests, to unite burden and responsibility. That burden I our clergy first of all. For almost thirty will never carry alone. I will share What do you see as the biggest challenge years we were completely abandoned to everything with my clergy and many to the Christian community inside Israel ourselves, and each one did what he things with our community members who at this time? wanted, as he wanted, with no control and are concerned, committed. I will try to no direction from any authority. The build a church from human beings. I think we have never dealt with the fact priests became severely divided, and they that we are Palestinians, Arabs, Christians, formed camps, centers of influence and What do you consider to be the strengths and citizens of Israel. All these four factors power, around the strongest among them. of the Christian community at this time? are still a big confusion to our Christians I am happy to see that momentarily this in the holy land. Very often they developed melted when I was appointed archbishop. Well, its major strength is its [political] a “minority mentality,” which means that I called for meetings immediately upon my powerlessness. And no matter what is said, if you have to ask for any of your rights return from Lebanon [where he was what happened in Nazareth a few weeks you are begging for them, you are not officially appointed], and I was very ago showed an immense strength of the asking for them with any dignity. Our encouraged to see that all of them came Christian community. The Jewish man Jewish friends also developed a mentality together for the first meeting, all except who exploded some home-made explosives of majority, which means that whenever two who had reasons not to come. But inside the Basilica of the Annunciation was you give anything to the minority you are the second meeting I called for, all were not harmed but rather protected, together condescending, which can develop into a there without exception. So there is a with his wife and daughter, until the police mentality of paternalism. general attitude, a general readiness among came and took over. I think this instance Issue 40- Spring 2006 19 shows the amazing power, moral power, sorry for them and for me. But I’m sure we fundamentalists feel themselves with the of the Christians in the holy land. will give lots of attention to our same doctrine, with the same ideology, international friends because of what they with the same destructive exclusivist What effect do you think your new role deserve and because of our faith. I am ready values, and none of them is better than as archbishop will have on the ministry to receive everybody and to go to everybody the other. None of them is acceptable, of the gospel? Will it be compromised? to tell them, “We are your brothers and because it is destructive. We have been Will you be forced to be more sisters. What we want from you living with Islam for thirteen centuries. administrative rather than ministerial? internationals, more than your finances, is Even when Islam was the only power in your solidarity. We want your friendship. the Middle East, we were not killed Well, so far I did not have time to care for We want your courage to mention our because we were Christians. Why, now, do administration, for papers. The only thing humanity and our existence as Palestinian some especially motivated Christians or I have had time to care for so far is to lift Arab Christians in the holy land.” non-Christians want to portray the up the dignity and the self-esteem of my situation as Muslims against Christians? people. I know that as an archbishop I We have a special responsibility. To am considered in Israel to be more than a everybody we will tell the story of our Is there anything in particular that you man of religion. I am considered to be a Compatriot, the story of the empty tomb would like to say, to let people know? man who has authority in the society. You and of the Risen Lord. We need a lot of should have seen the thousands of solidarity with overseas Christians if they Yes, yes, yes. I think one of my major Muslims, of Druze, and now of Jewish care to have Christians stay in the holy land. concerns and responsibilities would be to people who come to congratulate me and Christians are leaving. Our major enemy remind the Jewish community in Israel to say, “We expect you to be our bishop, now is the emigration abroad. Let it be that no matter what they do against us, to represent us in the society, to speak with clear, it is not because of any special threat one thing they will never be able to do is our voice.” The Jews, on one side, are that we face from any Muslim group. The to turn us into being their enemies. That happy that I am a “blue and white emigration is because of the very scary means that we will always tell them the bishop,” that means the colors of Israel. I situation that is the outcome of the conflict truth. When we hurt, we will express our will be very happy to be that if Israelis between the Palestinians and the Israeli pain. When we are unhappy, we will say will understand that I can never Jews. The occupation is the major reason we are unhappy. We will never accept to compromise on any Christian value or any for Christians of the West Bank to be the enemies of anybody, and we will human value, and I consider justice and emigrate. In Israel, the major reason for never, never accept to be their friends if it righteousness to be necessary for peace Christians to emigrate is this kind of means being the enemy of others. and security. Everybody would love to uncomfortable situation of finding yourself have me compromising for his side. But between two majorities that have extremist Thank you, Bishop, for your time and I’m used to being a troublesome boy. I do groups. your challenging words, and our prayers not compromise on the gospels’ values or and best wishes go with you in your new on human values. Even if that makes I must say here that Muslim role. many angry, so what? fundamentalism does not frighten me in any special way. But fundamentalism in How will you respond to or build on general, whether it is Christian, Muslim or Archbishop Chacour is also Vice- international connections and relations Jewish, is of great concern for me, because President of the Board of Sabeel. with the Christian communities here? I know you’ve done that already with your connections through the school [Mar Elias Educational Institutions]. Now that you are the Archbishop in Israel, do you Sabeel congratulates think those relations will come naturally? ARCHBISHOP ELIAS CHACOUR When an Archbishop speaks, it is loaded with much more authority, meaning, and the new Metropolitan of the Melkite Catholic Diocese vision than when a simple priest speaks as his own person. Now I speak with lots of Akka, Haifa, Nazareth and all of Galilee. of authority. I’m sure that many people will be much more open to connect with Our prayers are with you as you continue us. I’m afraid some people will no longer serving the Lord in your new role! be open to connect with me. I’ll be very 20 IssueIssue 38 - 40-Fall Spring2005 2006 Purpose StatementÉy Sabeel Sabeel is an ecumenical grassroots liberation theology movement among Palestinian Sabeel Christians. Inspired by the life and teaching of Jesus Christ, this liberation theology seeks to deepen the faith of Palestinian Christians, promote unity among them, and lead them Ecumenical Liberation to act for justice and love. Sabeel strives to develop a spirituality based on justice, peace, Theology Center non-violence, liberation, and reconciliation for the different national and faith communities. The word ‘Sabeel’ is Arabic for ‘the way’ and also a ‘channel’ or ‘spring’ of life-giving water. P.O.B. 49084 Jerusalem 91491 Sabeel also works to promote a more accurate international awareness regarding the identity, presence, and witness of Palestinian Christians as well as their contemporary concerns. It Tel: 972.2.532.7136 encourages individuals and groups from around the world to work for a just, comprehensive, Fax: 972.2.532.7137 and enduring peace informed by truth and empowered by prayer and action. 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