Categories: uncategorized
Date: 30 November 2005 14:28:01
Jon asked the question in response to my thoughts about Bethlehem. I have had a good think about it. Originally put this entry and the one above as a single post, but it was too long...! This post has particular reference to is/pal. In no particular order, here are things you can do.
1. Do your best to find out about the situation. On the internet - for home demolitions, browse around ICAHD at www.ichaduk.org, for loads about everything - including factsheets and maps as well as loads of up-to-date news and eyewitness accounts - try www.palestinemonitor.org and www.palestinecampaign.org (the latter the website of the 'palestinian solidarity campaign', a central uk action network worth keeping an eye on). www.btselem.org is brilliant (Like Icahd, an Israeli organisation), and http://www.cpt.org/hebron/hebron.php (Christian Peacemaker Team (CPT) page on Hebron) has great links. We met some Christian Peacemaker people when we were there and one of them was a retired lecturer in his 70s. They were just brilliant.
2. Consider finding out what your MP thinks of the issue; encourage them and be glad if they have a positive approach to peace and justice in the region, and get them to commit to signing Early Day Motions such as the recent one on 'Open Bethlehem'. EDMs basically exist to guage opinion - find out more on edmi.parliament.uk (no www) and search for number 983. you can google about open bethlehem, it's easy to find.
3. Go there*. Hearing from the people who live through it every day and being able to bear witness yourself is significant. All the people we met told us the same thing when we asked them the question you asked (what can we do) - they said, let people know what is happening for us, and bring people to see it themselves. If you are interested, definately ask me, i know of a few groups you can go with (I'm going again next year as part of an organised group).
4. Particular actions you can take are many and various. Boycotts, joining campaigns, going on demonstrations, supporting people or organisations who are committed to peacemaking... and so on. The list is probably endless.
That should be enough to be getting on with. Like with South Africa (although I feel this is worse, but maybe they're on a par), one of the biggest drivers to change was people knowing what was happening and making a fuss. So whatever way you can find (given all our constraints) to know what's happening and make a fuss, do that. That last sentence applies to whatever injustice you find yourself wanting to square up to.
In related news - Norman Kember, the british guy who's been kidnapped in Iraq was there with CPT as far as I understand it (check http://www.greenbelt.org.uk/index.php?p=540 and http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4483184.stm) - do pray for him and those he's with.
*Be aware that flying is bad and that we ought to think more about what it does to the environment. Go to www.climatecare.org and click 'for living' followed by 'air travel calculator'. It's better than nothing. I've yet to do it myself, so I'm not being smug... it seems like a good idea though.