Friends International Center in Ramallah
December 2008 Newsletter
(Vol. II No. 10)

From the Program Coordinator

As I write this newsletter, we are witnessing the fourth day of Israeli airstrikes on Gaza.  This war on Gaza has taken more than 360 Palestinian lives in Gaza and has seen more than 1,600 Palestinians wounded.  The hospitals in Gaza are unable to accommodate the large number of wounded.  Hospital beds are full and medical supplies are running out.  At the same time Israel has experienced the loss of four people as a result of rockets continuing to hit communities north of Gaza.  We express our heartfelt sympathy to all the families who have lost loved ones as a result of this most recent onslaught.  

It has been said that Saturday, December 27, the first day of the Israeli attack on Gaza, was the bloodiest day in Gaza since, the Israeli military occupation of Gaza in 1967.  It is a solemn reminder to the world at large that not only is the Israeli military occupation of Gaza continuing, but the Nakba that began in 1948, is continuing.  

The Israeli army withdrew from Gaza during the summer of 2005.  This included the evacuation of all Israeli settlers from Gaza, yet the people of Gaza have continued to be occupied by Israel.  They have never been given the freedom to develop their own society and live freely.  Israeli has continued its occupation of Gaza by controlling the borders, including access from the sea.  Gaza has become the largest open air prison on earth, hardly an atmosphere conducive to fostering independence.  In fact, not only have people in Gaza not been able to develop their society, the blockade took away all hopes and possibilities for development.
Many of you will have read articles that have been written the past days about the situation in Gaza.  However, I am including here some articles and statements you may not have seen.

Click here to read some eyewitness accounts of what is happening in Gaza.  (Aricles by Dr. Eyad Saraj and Fikr Shaltoot)

Click to read statements issued by various groups regarding the war on Gaza. (PCHR in Gaza, ICAHD, Palestinian NGOs, Palestinian Heads of Churches - Arabic - English, CMEP)

Click for analysis on the current situation in Gaza.  (Articles by Ali Abunimah, Jeff Halper, Neve Gordon)
Click here for analysis of the situation - Article by Chris Hedges

Click here to read some background information about Gaza (Article by Sara Roy and Richard Falk)

You can go to the following websites if you would like more information about the situation in Gaza:

www.electronicintifada.org
www.palestinechronicle.org
www.counterpunch.org

From the Friends International Center in Ramallah

The work of the Friends Center is directly related to the situation in the oPt (occupied Palestinian territory).  As movement of Palestinians is affected, so is our work affected.  Most Palestinians living in Ramallah cannot travel much beyond the borders of the city of Ramallah.  No Palestinian with a Hawiyye (an ID card issued by the Israeli authorities) can travel to Jerusalem unless he/she has permission from the Israeli authorities.  This permission is seldom granted.  Due to the more than 600 checkpoints in the West Bank, it is very difficult for anyone from outside of Ramallah – Palestinian or International – to come to Ramallah to attend any activities at the Friends Center.  (See www.ocha.org  for more information about the situation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip).  

In spite of the difficult situation, we continue to organize activities at the Friends Center and people – both Palestinians and Internationals – continue to attend these activities.  Israelis, as a rule, do not attend activities at the Friends Center because it is illegal for them to go to the oPt.  There are a few Israelis who do not adhere to this law, and enter at their own risk in order to participate in activities resisting the Israeli occupation.  

On November 5 we organized a book launch for Dr. Hatim Kanaaneh’s new book called A Doctor in Galilee: The Story and Struggle of a Palestinian in Israel.  The book is a personal account of Dr. Kanaaneh’s experiences as a Palestinian doctor, who carries and Israeli passport and is an activist, living and working in Israel.  Responding to Dr. Kanaaneh’s introduction to the book were:  Dr. Mustafa Barghouti, former Minister of Information and current member of the Palestinian Legislative Council; Dr. Khalil Nakhleh, writer, thinker, and academic from the Galilee now living in Ramallah, and Mr. Tony Laurence, acting Director of the WHO (World Health Organization) office for the oPt based in Jerusalem.  

Click here to read more about Dr. Kanaaneh’s book.

Dr. Hatim Kanaaneh signing the book.

Dr. Hatim Kanaaneh introducing his book.

Tony Laurence responding to the book

Dr. Khalil Nakhleh responding to the book.

Dr. Mustafa Barghouti responding to the book

On December 17 we organized a panel on the topic of “Right to Education”.  Coordinators of Right to Education Campaigns at University of Bethlehem, Al-Najah University in Nablus, and Birzeit University spoke about their work on campus.  Students from Al-Najah University and Birzeit University gave a presentation outlining the effects of the Israeli occupation on education.  

Click here to see the program of the evening.

On December 4, the CMEP (Churches for Middle East Peace) delegation, visited the Friends Center and heard about the work of the Center.  They heard Jean Zaru, the Presiding Clerk of the Ramallah Friends Meeting, speak about life under occupation.  They also heard Sam Bahour, a Palestinian businessperson and activist speak about the economic situation in the oPt.  

    
              
From the Ramallah Friends Meeting

Jim Fine, who is the clerk of the Friends International Center in Ramallah Steering Committee, was part of the CMEP delegation that visited Palestine and Israel in early December, remained in Ramallah for a few days to meet with Friends and former colleagues.  It was a pleasure to welcome Jim, who is a member of Ramallah Friends Meeting, to Meeting for Worship and fellowship in our midst.  Jim and his wife, Debbie, were the directors of the Friends Schools in Ramallah in 1997-98.  They lived in Jerusalem with their family in the 1970s and early 1980s, during which time they worked with the AFSC (American Friends Service Committee).  

On December 23, members and attenders of Ramallah Friends Meeting gathered in fellowship to celebrate the Christmas season over a meal.  Due to the ongoing political situation and the many difficulties associated with it, many of the 28 persons gathered together did not feel in a celebratory mood, but felt it was important to celebrate the meaning of Christmas with the 9 children in our midst.  It was also a way to uplift each others spirits.  

After a successful book launch of Jean Zaru’s book: Occupied with Nonviolence: A Palestinian Woman Speaks, we are still receiving many requests for the book.  The book is available for purchase from the Friends International Center in Ramallah, from Amazon, and from bookstores in the US and elsewhere. 

From the Occupation: Monthly Action Focus:

The Right to Enter (RTE) Campaign continues it’s focus 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.

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  

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.  People continue to be given a one-week visa, a new trend and alternative to being denied entry completely.  

Click here to read article from Richard Falk

Richard Falk, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in the Palestinian Territories was denied entry to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory in early December.  After being held at Ben Gurion airport for almost 24 hours, he was sent back to Geneva.  (see his article above)  

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.  I am working to rectify this, however, you can read all the back issues of the FICR Newsletter in the “Newsletter Archives” on the FICR website:
www.ramallahquakers.org


Kathy Bergen
Program Coordinator
www.ramallahquakers.org