Thursday, May 2nd, Jerusalem - Day Eight

We began our day with adjusted expectations. Our hope had been to enter Beit Jala and Bethlehem, but following some heavy fighting in Bethlehem we were told that entry was unlikely. We made our way to our first meeting of the day with Rabbi Arik Ascherman, of Rabbis for Human Rights, and while waiting I called Mitri Raheb, pastor at Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem. To our great surprise he indicated that the curfew was to be lifted in the afternoon in order for Christians to go to worship and prayers for the (Eastern calendar) Maundy Thursday worship services. And so our spirits were lifted as well.

Rabbi Arik Ascherman arrived late and was rushed for another meeting, so our impression was of a whirlwind of movement and information and a lack of time for meaningful conversation and questions. Still, we gathered that there are those who are critical of Israeli policy and who understand that the occupation and expansion of settlements are key stumbling blocks for peace and security, not to mention morally indefensible. In fact, Arik indicated that half of Israelis think that the military conduct of the Israeli Defense Forces in the West Bank has been morally wrong. He also expressed frustration that many Palestinians have appeared reticent to work with even progressive Israelis.

Our second conversation for the morning was with Rabbis Ron Kronish and Ophir Yarden. Ron was with us in New England for the interfaith dialogue held at Trinity, Worcester in February of this year, and Ophir was one of the persons I met during my November 2001 trip to Israel/Palestine. Both have a history as moderates engaged in inter-religious dialogue. They challenged us to redouble our efforts to be in dialogue with Jews and Israelis even as they admitted that those of the Jewish faith traveling on solidarity trips to Jerusalem have not made much of an effort to be engaged with Palestinians.

Our third meeting of the day was with Dr. Mustafa Abu Sway, professor at Al Quds University in Jerusalem. The conversation was a fascinating discussion of Islamic jurisprudence and the beginnings of talk about the land in relation to what scripture has to say, and doesn't say, about God's promises. We could have stayed much longer, but we were aware of the hour and the approaching window of opportunity to get into Bethlehem and Beit Jala.

We entered Beit Jala by parking and walking over an earthen berm, avoiding the checkpoint at Tantur. The closures, we're told, are not about security but rather harassment. Two taxis drove us to Lutheran Church of the Reformation in Beit Jala where we met Pastor Jadallah Shihadeh. We were one of the few folks from outside Beit Jala to actually visit during the last month. Only three of their usual fifty boys were still at the boys' home. Most were still with extended family since the last incursion took place over Easter weekend. Because of the limited curfew lift we couldn't stay long. We presented him with a stole and some other small gifts and were on our way.

On to Bethlehem we met Pastor Mitri Raheb, his wife and sister, Viola, at the church parsonage. It was an especially joyful reunion as Mitri and his family have been under constant threat and isolation. There was laughter as well as some tearful moments.

The areas all around the church suffered incredible damage, with buildings and autos wrecked indiscriminately. Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem was occupied twice in one day. The second group of soldiers proved the more fearsome, breaking and shooting more things throughout the building and even holding Mitri at gunpoint in his office for two hours. Mitri said to his captors, "The wise man knows how to make neighbors out of his enemies, not enemies out of his neighbors." That didn't endear him to the captain. Bishop Younan, who had been alerted by Mitri of the soldiers' presence, intervened through telephone calls. Bp. Younan is certain that in doing so Mitri's life was spared.

Thankfully, we have been able to visit each of the pastors of the ELCJ in Jerusalem and the West Bank, and we feel that we've been able to accomplish our main purpose of providing an important pastoral presence. We also have had imprinted on our minds the images of destruction and the many wrenching stories of loss.

Tomorrow we begin our trek with Bishop Younan and his family to Amman Jordan. We'll be with the members of Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd through Sunday.

Peace,

Hans Arnesen

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