The Nakba Explained- May 15th is the day commemorating the Nakba—a term used to denote Palestinians’ forced expulsion from their homeland by Zionist forces in 1948.

Easter Sunday: The Nazarene (الناصري), oil on canvas, 1993 painting by Sliman Mansour

The Nazarene (الناصري), oil on canvas, 1993 painting by Sliman Mansour

 sliman.mansour

As we commemorate Easter, reflecting on the profound sacrifice and persecution of Jesus Christ, parallels can be drawn to the ongoing situation in Palestine. Just as Jesus faced oppression and persecution at the hands of powerful forces of his time, Palestinians today endure similar struggles against injustices and occupation. Like Jesus, they are marginalized, their rights denied, and their voices silenced. 

The Easter story reminds us of the resilience and hope that emerge from suffering, offering a beacon of light amidst darkness. Just as Christians celebrate the triumph of life over death, there is a yearning for peace and justice to prevail in the land where Jesus himself once walked. Easter calls us to stand in solidarity with the oppressed, advocating for a world where all people can live free from persecution and injustice.

Israel Pushing for More Forced Displacement ("Voluntary Migration") for the Indigenous Non-Jewish First and Forever People of Historic Palestine

ISRAELI INTENTIONS ARE OBVIOUS:  

More from Smotrich about his settler colonial elimination plans: "We will live in the Gaza Strip. We will not allow a situation where 2 million people live there. If there are 100-200 thousand Palestinians in Gaza, all the talk about the day after will be different."

Smotrich agrees that Gaza is a ghetto: "If we act strategically they will emigrate and we will live there. We won't let 2 million stay. With 100-200K in Gaza, the 'day after' debate will be diff. They want to leave, they've been living in a ghetto for 75 years."

 "Israel should discuss the revival of civilian settlements within the Gaza Strip as part of its planning for the enclave once Hamas rule is toppled, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Saturday night, while denying that any of Gaza’s approximately 2 million residents were innocent and calling for Israel to “encourage voluntary emigration” from the territory.

Speaking to Channel 12 news, the leader of the hard-right Religious Zionism party also doubled down on his refusal to transfer tax payments to the Palestinian Authority over concerns that the  money will find its way to Gaza, sloughing off reported pressure from the United States on the matter and pushing back against insinuations that he and others had propped up Hamas as a convenient foil."  Times of Israel https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/smotrich-touts-revival-of-gaza-settlements-after-war-says-no-innocents-in-strip/ar-AA1mgkNg

Smotrich touts revival of Gaza settlements after war, says no innocents in Strip

&

Israel’s Netanyahu Pushing ‘Voluntary Migration’ for Palestinians

 "In November, Israeli far-right minister Bezalel Smotrich sparked outrage as he said that the ‘voluntary’ migration of Palestinians from Gaza is the “right humanitarian solution” for the besieged and war-torn territory. 

The Palestinian Authority’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described Smotrich’s comments as “part of Israel’s colonial, racist plan” for Palestinians.

According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, 20,915 Palestinians have been killed, and 54,918 wounded in Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza starting on October 7. Palestinian and international estimates say that the majority of those killed and wounded are women and children." https://www.palestinechronicle.com/israels-netanyahu-pushing-voluntary-migration-for-palestinians/

...

Israeli bombardment destroyed over 70% of Gaza homes: Media office

Experts say the besieged strip is unrecognisable and its bombing is the most destructive in modern history.

Smoke rises over Gaza, as seen from southern Israel, Dec. 27 [Amir Cohen/Reuters]

Media reports and rights groups say an overwhelming majority of PALESTINIANS killed are civilians – more than 70 percent of them children, women and elderly. More than 90 percent of the enclave’s population is now displaced, with aid groups warning of hunger and outbreaks of disease. Delivery of aid has been restricted by Israel worsening the crisis.  https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/12/31/israeli-bombardment-destroyed-over-70-of-gaza-homes-media-office

 

Meanwhile Intel Corp. is making a $25 billion investment in Israel & GenocideJoe Biden bypasses Congress to send racist Israel more weaponry to ensure continuing violence.

One the most iconic images of the Holy Land is the fish and loaves mosaic in the Church of the Multiplication at Tabgha on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.

One the most iconic images of the Holy Land is the fish and loaves mosaic in the Church of the Multiplication at Tabgha on the shore of the Sea of Galilee

St.George's College Jerusalem

Advent Calendar Day 12

 

One the most iconic images of the Holy Land is the fish and loaves mosaic in the Church of the Multiplication at Tabgha on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. 

 

It can serve as a reminder that Advent is the season of anticipating miracles. Miracles can come in many forms. This mosaic commemorates feeding thousands with very little and this Advent we may be praying for other miracles. Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus! 

 

“‘We only have five loaves and two fish’, the disciples said. ‘Bring them to me’, Jesus replied.’” Matthew 14:17-18

 

Christmas Carols & Lessons with Bethlehem, Praying for Peace in the Holy Land and celebrating hope - December 16th 2023 at 10am EST & 5pm Bethlehem time

 Join Bishop Gutiérrez  for the 17th annual Service of Christmas Lessons and Carols simulcast live between the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral in the United States and the Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, Palestine,  on Saturday, Dec. 16th at 10 am EST and 5 pm Bethlehem time.  Hear familiar carols and readings in Arabic and English, and a word of hope preached by by Bishop Sani Ibrahim Azar, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. Arabic.

 

For those that can't make it in person, please join us online.  

Vintage Historic Palestine Photos

Vintage #Palestine!

Palestinian fisherman from Tiberias, Palestine - circa 1940

Palestinian family...Circa early 1900's

Vintage #Palestine!

Take the time to look at these great historical photos of #Palestine

 

Mike Hanini Odetalla added 563 new photos to the album: Vintage #Palestine!

I'd rather be excluded for who I include than included for who I exclude... at the end of the day as well as the beginning and the middle ALL DAY LONG EVERY DAY 24/7 FOREVER

At the end of the day as well as the beginning and the middle ALL DAY LONG EVERY DAY 24/7 FOREVER

House of Palestine in Balboa Park, San Diego, California

My dear friend Amal Atieh Jubran at The Palestine House

Handala- the barefoot refugee whose face is always turned away from us, as he gazes out on the tragedy of the ongoing Nakba as the First and Forever People of Historic Palestine continue to be cruelly persecuted, impoverished and displaced by Zionist forces.  Handala's impact has grown in the decades after the Palestinian artist Naji al-Ali's 1987 assassination.  Today the character remains widely popular as a representative of the displaced Palestinian people.