Four Opportunities to Visit the Holy Land
an article by Elias S. Deis, Holy Land Trust

1. Fall Olive Harvest Pilgrimage, October 6 -20, 2007

Join us on a journey in the Holy Land from October 6 - 20, 2007 and take part in the olive harvest which is an integral part of the very fabric of life in Palestine and Israel. When the olive harvesting season begins, family members, to this day, make an effort to travel to one another from all over the country to help in the olive harvest. Olives are picked by hand as they have been for thousands of years. The olive tree is a powerful symbol of cooperation between peoples.

We will also discover the ancient church as we take an historical pilgrimage in the footsteps of Jesus, meeting with Jewish and Palestinian organizations that are working for peace and seeking ways of building bridges of peace through interfaith dialogue.

www.middleeastfellowship.org/travel/olive_harvest.

2. Palestine Summer Encounter 2007, starting May 24th, 2007

A two month Arabic-training and volunteer program to create a dialogue between Palestinians and members of the global community. During the program, participants will learn beginner or intermediate conversational Arabic through language immersion and class and partner with Palestinian non-profit organizations as a volunteer. See the links for more detailed information: www.middleeastfellowship.org/pse2007.

3. Northwest Churches Pilgrimage, October 20th-November 2nd

Join us on a journey to the Holy Land as we discover the ancient (and still living!) church by taking an historical pilgrimage in the footsteps of Jesus, learning to build relationships of encouragement and responding as He would to the needs of the people. This will be a rich cultural experience as we meet local families, stay in their homes, taste fabulous Middle Eastern delicacies and receive their incredible hospitality. Vital service opportunities will be incorporated throughout the schedule.

The deadline to register is July 1st, 2007. For information: www.middleeastfellowship.org/travel/northwest_churches.

4. 1st Annual Home Rebuilding Camp in Bethlehem, 1 July 2007 – 15 July 2007

* Dedicate two weeks this summer to help rebuild a demolished home...
* Give hope back to a family whose house has been destroyed...
* Work hand in hand with Palestinians, Israelis and Internationals for justice. For information, see http://www.middleeastfellowship.org/travel/rebuilding_homes.

Further information on all four campaigns is available from the author at eliasd81@yahoo.com or the website for the Holyland Trust.

DISCUSSION

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Jewish-Palestinian dialogue
How is dialogue diffeent from conversation, discussion or debate?

What are the advantages of working in the Holy Land?


How can a culture of peace be established in the Middle East?


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MIDEAST PEACE

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The following commentary was first published in Newsday magazine on July 1, 2007.  The original is available on the Internet at Newsday.

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Israelis, Palestinians must promote peace culture
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BY MOHAMMED ABU-NIMER

With shame, hopelessness and helplessness, many Palestinians see their dream for an independent state being dismantled by their own so-called national leaders.

This evolving reality is hard to comprehend, and it has caused the majority of Palestinians, according to a recent survey from the Ramallah-based Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, to blame both Hamas and Fatah leaders for what has happened to them under the Israeli occupation.

Hamas claims to have "liberated Gaza," and in response Fatah leaders declared they are "managers" of the West Bank. As a result, there is no discussion of two-state solution of Israel and Palestine. Instead, Hamas and Fatah seem to support a two-mini-cantons solution in which each leadership can continue to protect its narrow self-interest in cooperation with its patrons (Israel, the United States, Syria, Iran).

Again, the Palestinian leadership has failed its people. The competition between Hamas and Fatah, with each taking control of a portion of the bread crumbs that the Israeli government left when it pulled out of Gaza and agreed to elections in the West Bank, entails disastrous results for anyone interested in securing a free and democratic Middle East.

The Palestinians have been set back several decades, to the time when they were fighting over who should represent them.. . ...more.

This report was posted on April 14, 2007. The moderator is CPNN Administrator.

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