Friends International Center in Ramallah
September 2008 Newsletter
(Vol. II No. 7)

From the Program Coordinator
Summer is a time for travel.  Internationals living and working here often go home to visit family and friends.  Many Palestinians also travel during the summer – some go abroad and some come from abroad to visit family and friends in the oPt (occupied Palestinian territory).  During the months of July and August, in particular, many cultural activities were organized in Ramallah – in the park, on the streets, and in the cultural centers. 

It is often said that culture (art, music, drama, etc.) is the soul of a liberation struggle and so it is here.  It is with deep sadness that I include the news of the untimely death of Mahmud Darwish in this newsletter.  He was 67.  He will be remembered as the greatest poet of Palestine – Palestine’s national poet.  Through his poetry, he has been the voice of the Palestinian people for decades, expressing their hopes, fears, frustrations, and disappointments of the tragedy – the Nakba – that befell them in 1948 and the ongoing dispossession they are facing to this day.  He will truly be remembered as one of the greatest poets, not only of Palestine, but in history.  

CLICK HERE if you would like to read what others said about Mahmud Darwish. 

From the Friends International Center in Ramallah
We were pleased to welcome a group of Canadian young people, representing various churches across Canada.  They spent two weeks in Egypt, Israel, and Palestine, after participating in the Sabeel Youth Conference.  Jean Zaru and I very much enjoyed our conversation with the group when they visited the Friends Center and shared supper with us.  Our conversation focused on the current situation as well as the work of the Friends Center within this situation from a faith perspective.      

Rev. Beth Grundy, an Anglican priest from Cambridge, MS, participated in a two week study course at the St. George’s College in Jerusalem.  She and four of her fellow students in the course visited the Friends Center in order to meet Jean Zaru and myself and learn more about the work of the Friends Center. 

Rev Beth Grundy and colleagues

About 90 friends and family celebrated the publication of Jean Zaru’s book, Occupied with Nonviolence: A Palestinian Woman Speaks.  The book reflected a life dedicated to working for peace with justice.  The Friends Center organized the book launch, which was co-sponsored by Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center.  We were finally able to hold the event on August 29, thanks to Rev. Bob Tobin, who brought copies of the book from the US and the Swedish Theological Institute, who facilitated the ordering and receiving of the book.  After Jean gave a brief introduction to the book, each of the four respondents gave a unique response to the book, each from his/her own life experience.  Rev. Dr. Naim Attek, spoke about the book from a faith perspective, calling it prophetic.  Cedar Duaybis, a founding member of the Sabeel board, spoke about the importance and integrity of the contents of the book, saying that she would like Jean to represent her in the negotiations with Israel.  Ron Kraybill, the Quaker International Affairs Representative, used his seven years of experience in South Africa to put the book into a global context.  Charmaine Seitz, a journalist living in Ramallah and member of Harrisburg Friends Meeting, spoke about the book as answering the question she is often asked:  Where is the Palestinian Ghandi?  Jean signed all the books people purchased.   

Click here if you want to know more about the book launch and how to get the book yourself .
And click here for "Announcment of Jean Zaru book launch - August 29, 2008".

A selection of pictures taken at the book launch. 

Jean Zaru introducing her book at the book launch

Rev. Dr. Naim Ateek responding to the book

Cedar Duaybis responding to Jean zaru‘s book.

Charmaine responding to the book.

Dr. Ron Kraybuill responding to the book.

Mai Zaru (Granddaughter of Jean),  Janet Mikhail (Mayor of Ramallah), Dr. Naim Ateek)

Jean Zaru‘s family

Suha doughter of Jean at the reception

Adla at the reception.

Rana surving drinks at the reception

Swedish Theological Institute Staff at the reception.

Ziad Khalaf & Joyce Ajlouny

From the Occupation: Monthly Action Focus:

Currently, the Right to Enter (RTE) Campaign is focusing its work on the responsibility of third states concerning the matter of Right to Enter/Re-Enter in enforcing human rights and international law in a situation of military occupation.

CLICK HERE to read the most recent Situation Update.

The RTE Campaign continues to collect the names of persons - Palestinians and internationals - who have been denied entry at one of the ports Israel controls (Ben Gurion airport or one of the bridges across the Jordan River from Amman).  If you are a person who has been denied entry or know of someone who has been denied entry, please contact Anita Abdullah at anita_abdullah@hotmail.com 

In January, Terry Rempel, a Canadian was refused entry to the oPt at the Allenby Bridge.  He returned to Canada and tried to enter again in August because he needed to continue his research for his PhD dissertation, which is due in December at the University of Exeter in the UK.  He was given one week.  After one week he left.  On September 3 he tried to enter again from Jordan via the Allenby Bridge.  He had all the appropriate documentation from the university.  He was again given a one-week visa and told that he would never be allowed to come back to Israel and Palestine.  Terry left after one week. 
Due to the fact that there is no clear policy for denial of entry, a person is allowed to enter via one of the ports controlled by Israel at the discretion of the Israeli immigration official.  The denial of entry is random.  Lately many have been given a one-week visa, a new trend and alternative to being denied entry completely. 
For more information on "Right to Enter/Re-enter" go to www.righttoenter.ps

NOTE:  Some of you have not been receiving the FICR Newsletter in your mailbox.  However, you can read all the back issues in the “Newsletter Archives”.

Kathy Bergen
Program Coordinator
www.ramallahquakers.org