Friends International Center in Ramallah
May-June 2007 Newsletter
Vol. I No. 5

Background

We are combining our May and June newsletters in this issue and will also combine our July and August newsletters in the next issue that will come out at the end of August.   This abbreviated publication schedule is made necessary by the program coordinator’s medical leave for major surgery.

At the time I left Ramallah, the political context of our work had shifted dramatically.  The unity government that many had pinned their hopes on, was beginning to show some signs of deterioration.  The main reason was that without the support of the international community it could not survive.  The US and EU continued their non-support.  Instead, the US continued to support Abu Mazen only and the Fattah movement at the expense of the unity government.  The result was catastrophic.  The Palestinian people are divided like never before in history.  

From the Friends International Center in Ramallah
May was a busy month at the Friends Center.  Many came to visit the Friends Center.  We also had a number of activities happening there, including:  

1. a group of leaders from the United Church of Christ/Disciples, many whom were here for the first time. The group especially appreciated Jean Zaru speaking to them from a Palestinian, feminist, and theological perspective. Groups often do not hear speakers from a theological perspective.
2. a joint AFSC/Interfaith Peacebuilders delegation co-led by Tony Bing, a member of the FICR Committee and Ilise Cohen, on behalf of Interfaith Peacebuilders. The group joined Ramallah Friends in a Meeting for Worship and later for lunch and to hear Kathy talk about the work of FICR and Sam Bahour talk about the visa issue. AFSC staff spoke about their work with youth in Palestine. (www.afsc.org)
3. a delegation of women church leaders within the National Council of Churches (NCC) and organized by NCC. The delegation asked me to bring three women speakers to FICR – Jean Zaru to speak about “Women and Faith” in Palestine, Zahira Kamal to speak about “Women and Politics in Palestine”, and Hanan Ashrawi to give an overview of the political situation in the Palestinian community. I also asked Jeannette Michael, the Mayor of Ramallah to welcome the group of women.

Jean Zaru addressing a group

Zahira Kamal addressing the group of National Council of Churches women leaders group

Jean Zaru (right) addressing the group of National Council of Churches women‘s group and Janette Michael, the Mayor of Ramallah welcoming the group to Ramallah

Hanan Ashrawi with the National Council of Churches leaders group after addressing the group

The Jerusalem office of the World Council of Churches has recently appointed a new director- Kjell Jonason.  He and I talked about developing a more formal relationship between the WCC office in Jerusalem and FICR in Ramallah, where FICR would organize speakers for WCC delegations at FICR in Ramallah.
4.  Concert by Kamandjati
On Thursday, May 17 FICR hosted a concert  at the Ramallah Friends Meetinghouse.  The Meetinghouse provided an intimate and appropriate space for the concert.  

music concert at the Ramallah Meetinghouse by Kamandjati

From the Ramallah Friends Meeting
During the month of May we have had many visitors join Ramallah Friends in Meeting for Worship.  
Nabeel Ajlouni represented Ramallah Friends at the Netherlands Yearly Meeting which was held near Amsterdam.  While at the meeting, Nabeel led a workshop about the situation in Palestine.    

Jean Zaru has travelled to the US to attend the high school graduation of her grandson, Fuad Zaru, the son of Saleem and Carol, who are currently living in Mount Airy, MD.  She also attended the graduation of her son, Waleed Zaru, who received his MBA in Baltimore.  He and his wife, Rana, and their two daughters, Mai and Yara, are moving back to Ramallah.  This is a truly joyous occasion for many reasons – Jean and the rest of the family will be most pleased to have them back in Ramallah and it represents a reverse in the trend of Palestinians leaving Palestine.  The Meeting will also be happy to have them back.  

From the Occupation
Given the current deterioration of the political situation in Palestine, the issue of visas remains a large and relevant one.

Many in the US would like to help with this issue on the US side.  What we are in most need of right now, is for Palestinian families and individuals to come forward if they have been refused entry into Palestine via one of the ports Israel controls – the Ben Gurion airport or one of the bridges from Jordan.  Please contact us if you know of someone or if you have been refused entry by the Israeli authorities.  

NOTE:  The Program Coordinator, Kathy Bergen, will be back by the end of August.