Friends International Center in Ramallah
January 2010 Newsletter
(Vol. IV No. 1)

From the Program Coordinator

The year 2009 closes with many disappointments.  The blockade on Gaza has not been lifted.  Palestinians in the Gaza Strip continue to suffer.  Many still live in the rubble created at the end of 2008 and the beginning of 2009.  Others live beside their destroyed homes, without water, electricity, and much food of any kind to eat.  The international community has failed the people of Gaza by not having succeeded in forcing Israel to lift the blockade.  The Palestinians’ disappointment in the international community is not only that the internationals community has failed to force Israeli to lift the blockade of Gaza lifted, but that it has failed to force Israel to end the occupation of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem as well.  The Israeli authorities continue to destroy and confiscate Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem.  Palestinian families are living in tents next to their destroyed homes or living in tents next to their homes that have been confiscated by Israeli settlers, who have moved into their homes --- a very painful sight.  

Palestinian activists, accompanied and supported by Israeli and international activists continue to protest the building of the Wall in Bil’in and the confiscation and destruction of Palestinian homes using a variety of nonviolent methods.  Lately, the Israeli authorities have been clamping down on nonviolent activists.  Some have been arrested and imprisoned.  This has, however, not deterred demonstrators.  Bil’in continues to be the place where dedicated Palestinian, Israeli, and International activists continue their protest every Friday against the building of the Wall -- come rain or shine.  

(Click here to read about the protests in Bil’in)

(Click here to read what Mustafa Barghouti is saying about nonviolent resistance)
  
(Click here to read about three peace activists who have been imprisoned for their nonviolent activities to resist the continuing Israeli military occupation.)
  

At the end of December more than 1,400 activists gathered to protest the blockade of Gaza.  

(Click here to read about the Continuing Bloackade and the Freedom March.)

(Click here to read the Cairo Declaration released by the members of the Freedom March)
Attached is the document.

A group of Christian leaders met in Bethlehem in early December.  This meeting, facilitated by the World Council of Churches in Geneva, produced a document that is well worth sharing.  The document was welcomed by many groups in Palestine and around the world.  

(Click here to read the document)

  
  
From the Friends International Center in Ramallah

The evening of December 18, around 20 people gathered at the Friends Center for an evening of fellowship.  Some played table games, some visited.  All sang Christmas Carols in Arabic and English, accompanied by a Ilia, a flutist and flute teacher from the Barenboim-Said Foundation in Ramallah.  

From the Ramallah Friends Meeting

Once a year all members and attenders of the Ramallah Friends Meeting gather for an evening of fellowship.  This year 34 people enjoyed a Christmas dinner and an exchange of gifts.  Each brought a “White Elephant” gift to share – something he/she had at home and wanted to share with someone else.  By playing a game, everyone ended up with a gift to take home.  All 34 of the children—young and old—enjoyed the game.  

Jean Zaru and Nabeel Ajlouny

Mai Zaru and Ramsey Khalaf

Alison West and Joyce Aljlouny organizing the game for the White Elephant gifts with Yara Zaru and Mai Zaru

Waleed Zaru and Violet Sinora

The Centennial Committee continues to meet in order to plan the week of Centennial activities.    

Some events have already been scheduled for Centennial Week in 2010:  

Friday, March 5, 2:00-5:00pm – Architectural walking tour of Ramallah, including Ramallah Friends Meetinghouse, Friends Schools, and other old buildings in Ramallah Saturday, March 6 at 6:00 pm – Palestinian Cultural Evening at the Friends Boys School Sunday, March 7 at 10:30am – Meeting for Worship in the Meetinghouse Monday, March 7 at 6:00pm - Presentation & Discussion -- Quakers Speaking Truth to Power as a Response to the Quaker Peace Testimony (Max Carter and Jim Fine) Wednesday, March 10 at 6:00pm – Presentation – History of Quakers in Palestine and Quaker Work (Jean Zaru and others) Thursday, March 11 – Concert in the Ramallah Friends Meetinghouse

We have produced some items for people to purchase when they come to
visit us in Ramallah - a Centennial cup, prints of a painting of theRamallah Friends Meetinghouse, and note cards.  For now, you will have to visit us for a mug or picture.  We hope, however, to have the pictures and note cards available for mail order from the U.S. later in the year.

We will keep you informed of additional events that will be planned in 2010 in future FICR newsletters or you can e-mail Sonia for more information at ficradmin@palnet.com

From the Occupation: Monthly Action Focus:

The Right to Enter (RTE) Campaign continues its focus on the responsibility of third states concerning the matter of Right to Enter/Re-Enter the oPt (occupied Palestinian territory) via one of the entry ports Israel controls.  The Campaign continues to call on third states to assume their responsibility in enforcing human rights and international law in a situation of military occupation.  
The Campaign is collecting 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.  
For more information on "Right to Enter/Re-enter" go to www.righttoenter.ps

NOTE:  Please click on the FICR Newsletter Archive below to read previous newsletters that you may not have received and would like to read.  


Kathy Bergen
Program Coordinator
www.ramallahquakers.org