Saturday, December 26, 2015
Monday, December 21, 2015
Global Message from Bethlehem: Bethlehem is a beacon for humanity
 |
| Symbols of peace, love, and honor were sent out after a Sunday mass held for victims of terrorism and occupation. |
Christmas Message
By Vera Baboun, Mayor of Bethlehem
In Palestine, the land which yearns for peace and justice, I live the realities of my Palestinian nation; realities of hegemonic occupation, systematic land confiscation, brutal wars, and an Apartheid Wall. This has been the national saga that my ancestors have lived, we are living, and our grandsons will seemingly have to live. In Bethlehem, the City of the Cradle and the Capitol of the Nativity, we live a life that unceasingly oscillates between reassurance and anxiety, tranquility and panic, gain and loss, and mostly between hope and despair – in fact, that is true for all of us in Palestine. However, and despite all, the hope that there will be better moments, better days, and a better future has always dominated my heart and mind. This hope stems from the intrinsic and holy message of my city, Bethlehem. Every year, since I became the mayor of Bethlehem in 2012, I have sent out Christmas messages that celebrate the birth of our Lord and thus the rebirth of hope, love, and peace. It is purely paradoxical: I send messages of peace from the city of peace that has to live without peace.
Bethlehem is besieged with ever-growing settlements and a horrendous Wall that not only walls in the city, but also its spirit, its faithful, and the message of peace itself. Our youth are leaving to seek better lives outside their walled city, our elders are still living the dream of peace and justice, and pilgrims come to the city to pray in its Holy Grotto – but we can only speculate whether they remember to pray for Bethlehem. In the midst of these realities, I wonder whether I should be hopeful, desperate, hopefully desperate, or desperately hopeful. As a faithful, I have to to remain hopeful and lead my life as a woman, a mother, or a mayor with adamant hope and resilience.
From my mayoral office that faces the Nativity Church and its Grotto, I look at Bethlehem from a steadfast angle. I look at the Bethlehem of yesterday, today, and tomorrow and aim at challenging all obstacles in order to achieve sustainable development for the city that is located in a governorate whose area includes eighty-two percent of what is called Area C, a zone that is fully under Israeli administrative and security jurisdiction and control. Bethlehem city and governorate are witnessing a natural demographic growth that adamantly needs infrastructure facilities such as water supply, waste water plants, and other services. Unfortunately, Area C stands like a concrete block in the face of natural growth, of development, and of dignified living.
In the last three years, my vision in leading the city has evolved around efficient use of land, better services, infrastructure projects, an urban master plan, a strategic seven-year plan for the city and the municipality, youth empowerment, touristic development, revitalization of our connection with our citizens who live in the Diaspora, Bethlehem as a World Heritage Site, and mostly Bethlehem as a global holy city. This global holy entity of Bethlehem is the nucleus of my vision: a city that is open for all, with all, to all. All who respect and appreciate Bethlehem and its message. When peace was brought into the world through the birth of our Lord in Bethlehem, it was not brought for Bethlehemites only, but for all of humanity. It is a grace that we need to cherish and preserve. True peace can never prevail in the world as long as the city of peace does not live in peace. However, the un-walling of Bethlehem and all that it represents need a serious reflection on the true meaning of Bethlehem and its global and human significance. We remain hopeful that the star of Bethlehem will be forever sparkling, Bethlehem’s bells ringing, and its faithful forever singing Glory to the Lord, Glory to justice, hope, love, and PEACE.
Issue: 212, Dec 2015
Bethlehem Follow the Star- Article: A Vision for Progress: | By: Mazen Karam
- Article: Bethlehem Conference for the Diaspora: Nation-building from abroad | By: Paola Handal-Michael
- Article: Bethlehem in Good Hands | By: Sani P. Meo
- Article: Bethlehem in the Nineteenth Century | By: Khalil Shokeh
- Article: Bethlehem’s Municipality Plans for a Successful Future
- Article: Bethlehem… Off the Beaten Track | By: Sami Khoury
- Article: Capital of Christmas Club | By: Courtesy of John Paul II Football Academy and Children Without Borders
- Article: Christmas Spirit in Bethlehem | By: Muna Nassar
- Article: Cremisan | By: Dalia Qumsieh
- Article: Cultivation, Culture, Tradition, and Heritage: Festivals in and around Bethlehem | By: Mays Yatim-Salsa and Tamara Hodali
- Artist of the Month: Dalal Troupe for Popular Arts
- Article: Editor Message | By: Bettina Ezbidi
- Article: Five Projects That Are Leading Bethlehem Into a Brighter Future | By: Natalie Morcos
- Article: Global Message from Bethlehem: Bethlehem is a beacon for humanity | By: Vera Baboun
- Article: In Spite of All, We Still Bring Christmas to the World | By: Juliana Hodali
- Personality of the Month: Mariam Baouardy and Marie Alphonsine Ghattas, Two Saints from Palestine
- Exhibition Review: Silent Screen: New paintings by Bashar Alhroub
- Article: Spatial Development of Bethlehem and East Jerusalem: A bleak future? | By: Ahmad El-Atrash
- Article: Star Street | By: Enas Shraideh Marzouqa
- Book of the Month: The Case for Humanity: An Extraordinary Session
- Article: The Northern Entrance of Bethlehem: The devastated area near Rachel’s tomb | By: Issam Juha
- Article: The Restoration of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem
- Where to Go?: The Visit Palestine Center
 |
Bethlehem… Off the Beaten Track
Photo courtesy of CCHP. |
 |
Christmas SpiritStar Street, Bethlehem. Photo courtesy of IMEU. |
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
My letter to the NYTimes RE Let Israel Fight ISIS by Shmuel Rosner
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/11/opinion/let-israel-fight-isis.html?ref=international&_r=0
Dear Editor,
ISIS/Daesh sees quite clearly how successful modern Israel has been as a Jews-preferred nation state that actively oppresses, impoverishes and displaces the native non-Jewish Palestinians.
Israel could indeed not only help fight, but actually help end ISIS/Daesh's reign of terror- but not by deploying more violence, bullets, bombs and escalating bigotry.
"The Jewish State" VS "The Islamic State" both armed with lethal weaponry and hate filled rhetoric (plus plenty of graphic videos depicting the very real plight and suffering of the Palestinians) would only make a very bad situation much much worse, everywhere.
Religion should be a personal private matter, not a state funded enterprise with freedom, jobs, housing, special privileges and positive PR reserved for those deemed to be the right religion. Respecting the spirit and the letter of international law and universal human rights, including but not limited to the refugees inalienable right to return to original homes and lands, would send a powerfully compelling message about real justice and peace.
Building peace and universal prosperity by establishing and sustaining the rule of fair and just laws will always an ongoing process, but it is the right road to be on, for everyone's sake. Israel needs to evacuate all of its illegal occupation of the West Bank and its crippling stranglehold on Gaza immediately OR give full Israeli citizenship with equal rights and freedoms to all Palestinians everywhere ASAP.
Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab
NOTES
UN: Despite Human Rights Day, 'Many Challenges Remain'
Weeks of violence dampen Christmas spirit at Bethlehem hotel
Crucifixion: Nathalie Handal on being Palestinian, writing and enduring love
What is the Israel/Palestine conflict? ...Imagine a SEGREGATED road system where the color of your license plate dictates which roads you can drive on.
Strangling Jerusalem: "In
reality, the roots of the violence in Jerusalem are deeper and
far more complex. For decades now, Israel has been strangling
East Jerusalem denying its Palestinian inhabitants freedom,
opportunity, dignity, and hope, with devastating impact.
Before Israel closed Jerusalem off from the rest of the West
Bank in 1994, the city had served as the hub of Palestinian
life. Not only was the city important for its religious role,
all of the major Palestinian economic, social, cultural,
educational, medical, and service institutions were located in
the city. " James Zogby, P "Israel's
unmistakable message is: "You are defeated and subjugated, now
accept your lot." Palestinian political leaders are all seen
as essentially saying: "We are your champions, but we have
absolutely no idea about how to advance your interests,
promote your cause or gain your independence." The West, and
the international community generally, seems to be saying:
"We'll get back to you as soon as Israel seems to be
interested in peace again, now in the meanwhile here are some
kind words and limited aid." " IBISH: The Tragedy of the
Palestinians
"What is so special about the Journal of Palestine Studies is our commitment to academically rigorous content that is also accessible to non-academics, to anyone interested in Palestine. I want to make sure Palestinian non-academics who crave this information and history can enjoy the Journal as much as a scholar in Middle East studies." Nehad Khader, managing editor of The Journal of Palestine Studies
Unclench your fist... Live by the Golden Rule...
***
"What is so special about the Journal of Palestine Studies is our commitment to academically rigorous content that is also accessible to non-academics, to anyone interested in Palestine. I want to make sure Palestinian non-academics who crave this information and history can enjoy the Journal as much as a scholar in Middle East studies." Nehad Khader, managing editor of The Journal of Palestine Studies
***
A Curious
Land: Stories from Home... "A superb collection and a perfect
selection for public libraries"
US State Department: "And as you know, we do not consider settlements to be part of Israel. We do not view labeling the origin of products as being from the settlements as a boycott of Israel."
US State Department: "And as you know, we do not consider settlements to be part of Israel. We do not view labeling the origin of products as being from the settlements as a boycott of Israel."
Unclench your fist... Live by the Golden Rule...
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Words to Honor: The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Article 1.- All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and
rights.They are endowed with reason and conscience and should
act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Friday, December 4, 2015
Crucifixion: Nathalie Handal on being Palestinian, writing and enduring love
 |
| ‘The girl on the bus comes back to me–she reminds me to wait for the adhan, the call to prayer. The sun to rise. The church bells to ring. I’m in Bethlehem.’ Photograph: Nathalie Handal |
Guardian Books Network
: In the latest in our series of essays on what life and work are like
for writers around the world, Nathalie Handal describes an existence
where hearts race so fast it’s hard to find time for grief
Crucifixion: Nathalie Handal on being Palestinian, writing and enduring love
I sit by the window and wait for her to finish her story. She has the posture of a ballerina. Her honey-colored eyes against her hot magenta headscarf offer a striking contrast. We are on a bus at the Bethlehem checkpoint en route to Jerusalem. The anthology of Arabic verse I’m carrying inspired the exchange. She tells me that each time she enters Damascus Gate she recreates the day that changed her forever. Then adds that she has eleven versions so far. I don’t know what she is speaking about and for a second the sky’s paleness distracts us. She explains... READ MORESaturday, November 14, 2015
What is the Israel/Palestine conflict? ...Imagine a SEGREGATED road system where the color of your license plate dictates which roads you can drive on.
Understand the Israeli – Palestinian Apartheid In 11 Images
US State Department: "And as you know, we do not consider settlements to be part of Israel. We do not view labeling the origin of products as being from the settlements as a boycott of Israel."
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration said Thursday it doesn't consider a new European Union rule outlawing "Made in Israel" tags on goods from the West Bank as a boycott of the Jewish state, only a technical guideline for consumers.
The long-awaited EU rule has triggered a fierce backlash from the Israeli government.
The U.S. clarified its position a day after the decision by the EU, which applies to goods produced in Israeli settlements on the West Bank. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blasted the 28-nation bloc as "hypocritical" and accused the EU of double standards. One of his Cabinet members called the rule "disguised anti-Semitism." Even Israeli opposition figures chimed in with criticism.
"We do not believe that labeling the origin of products is equivalent to a boycott," State Department spokesman Mark Toner said. "And as you know, we do not consider settlements to be part of Israel. We do not view labeling the origin of products as being from the settlements as a boycott of Israel."
http://www.statesman.com/ap/ap/political/us-ok-with-new-eu-labeling-rule-for-west-bank-expo/npL2L/
Friday, November 13, 2015
My letter to the NYTimes RE "Europe Mislabels Israel"
RE Europe Mislabels Israel
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/13/opinion/europe-mislabels-israel.html?ref=international
Dear Editor,
Claiming that Europe has mislabeled Israel by creating guidelines that conscientiously refuse to empower Israel's settlement projects in the illegally occupied territories, Kontorovich reaches for every excuse he can find to bully his audience into totally ignoring Israel's ongoing long term and flagrant violations of international law and the Palestinians' basic human rights.
The very real plight and suffering of the Palestinians, the native non-Jewish men, women and children of the Holy Land, is dire... "Pro-Israel" experts playing shell games with various cherry picked laws in order to further oppress, persecute, impoverish, and displace Palestinians are good at their game, but not so good at Golden Rule thinking, and not so good at shaping a just and lasting peace to once and for all end the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab
NOTES
#JeSuisBDS... "Anti-Israel" Activism Criminalized in the Land of Charlie Hebdo and “Free Speech”
Strangling Jerusalem: "In
reality, the roots of the violence in Jerusalem are deeper and
far more complex. For decades now, Israel has been strangling
East Jerusalem denying its Palestinian inhabitants freedom,
opportunity, dignity, and hope, with devastating impact.
Before Israel closed Jerusalem off from the rest of the West
Bank in 1994, the city had served as the hub of Palestinian
life. Not only was the city important for its religious role,
all of the major Palestinian economic, social, cultural,
educational, medical, and service institutions were located in
the city. " James Zogby, P "Israel's
unmistakable message is: "You are defeated and subjugated, now
accept your lot." Palestinian political leaders are all seen
as essentially saying: "We are your champions, but we have
absolutely no idea about how to advance your interests,
promote your cause or gain your independence." The West, and
the international community generally, seems to be saying:
"We'll get back to you as soon as Israel seems to be
interested in peace again, now in the meanwhile here are some
kind words and limited aid." " IBISH: The Tragedy of the
Palestinians
"What is so special about the Journal of Palestine Studies is our commitment to academically rigorous content that is also accessible to non-academics, to anyone interested in Palestine. I want to make sure Palestinian non-academics who crave this information and history can enjoy the Journal as much as a scholar in Middle East studies." Nehad Khader, managing editor of The Journal of Palestine Studies
***
"What is so special about the Journal of Palestine Studies is our commitment to academically rigorous content that is also accessible to non-academics, to anyone interested in Palestine. I want to make sure Palestinian non-academics who crave this information and history can enjoy the Journal as much as a scholar in Middle East studies." Nehad Khader, managing editor of The Journal of Palestine Studies
***
Unclench your fist... Live by the Golden Rule...
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Words to Honor: The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Article 1.- All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and
rights.They are endowed with reason and conscience and should
act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Thursday, November 12, 2015
Three radiant girls with infectious smiles, carrying earthenware jars of water on their heads, Mount of Olives, Jerusalem, 1938
 |
| Three radiant girls with infectious smiles, carrying earthenware jars of water on their heads, Mount of Olives, Jerusalem, 1938. Notice the girls' dresses and wooden clogs, and the Augusta Victoria in the background. |
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
My letter to the NYTimes RE "The Facebook Intifada" by Micah Lakin Avni
RE "The Facebook Intifada" by Micah Lakin Avni
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/03/opinion/the-facebook-intifada.html?ref=international
Dear Editor,
The NYTimes illustration for the badly named article "The Facebook Intifada" by Israeli Micah Lakin Avni looks quite similar to a cartoon by a french cartoonist, Zeon, where a Palestinian child is being stabbed by a state shape knife labeled Israel: The french cartoonist Zeon, was recently arrested in France: " A complaint appears to have been filed by the BNVCA (National Bureau of Vigilance against Anti-Semitism)... The judge has indicted the designer of incitement to racial, religious hatred, by speech, writing, picture or means of electronic communication." http://nonalignedmedia.com/2015/03/french-cartoonist-zeon-arrested-anti-zionist-work/
I think it is totally horrifying and tragic that Micah Lakin Avni's father, Richard Lakin, was murdered. I also don't like Zeon's ugly cartoons. But I think blaming Facebook/Twitter/social media (or cartoonists) for spreading venom and inciting violence is crazy and totally misleading.
People do not need social media to spread ideas- word of mouth and posters and pamphlets work too. If the point is to convince young Palestinians not to attack Israelis then please start seriously noticing and publicizing facts about all the many ways that the sovereign nation state Israel has been persecuting, impoverishing, disenfranchising and destroying Palestinian individuals and communities.
Israel obsessed with being "Jewish" is in long term and flagrant violation of international law and The Universal Declaration of Human Rights when it comes to the native non-Jewish Palestinians.
Israelis yearning to build global support for silencing criticism of the sovereign nation state called Israel are often able to curb the mainstream conversation, deflecting attention away from the very real plight and suffering of the Palestinians, but that most certainly does not stop the conflict and escalating hostilities.
Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab
NOTES
"What is so special about the Journal of Palestine Studies is our commitment to academically rigorous content that is also accessible to non-academics, to anyone interested in Palestine. I want to make sure Palestinian non-academics who crave this information and history can enjoy the Journal as much as a scholar in Middle East studies." Nehad Khader, managing editor of The Journal of Palestine Studies
Bright & beautiful Karmah Elmusa in Elle Magazine.... "I'm Longing for Palestine While Living the American Dream" Oct 30, 2015
BDS calls for culinary boycott of Israel: After cultural and academic boycotts, movement urges top international chefs to 'take apartheid off the menu' and cancel their participation in November's Round Tables event in Tel Aviv.
#JeSuisBDS... "Anti-Israel" Activism Criminalized in the Land of Charlie Hebdo and “Free Speech”
National Geographic: A Photographer Captures Joy in Gaza ... From days at the beach to party preparations, Tanya Habjouqa offers a different look into life during conflict.
Concrete tent embodies contradictions of Palestine refugee life 2015
Strangling Jerusalem: "In reality, the roots of the violence in Jerusalem are deeper and far more complex. For decades now, Israel has been strangling East Jerusalem denying its Palestinian inhabitants freedom, opportunity, dignity, and hope, with devastating impact. Before Israel closed Jerusalem off from the rest of the West Bank in 1994, the city had served as the hub of Palestinian life. Not only was the city important for its religious role, all of the major Palestinian economic, social, cultural, educational, medical, and service institutions were located in the city. " James Zogby, P IBISH: The Tragedy of the Palestinians
***
A Curious Land: Stories from Home..."A superb collection and a perfect selection
for public libraries"
Unclench your fist... Live by the Golden Rule...
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Words to Honor: The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Article 1.- All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and
rights.They are endowed with reason and conscience and should
act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Saturday, October 31, 2015
"What is so special about the Journal of Palestine Studies is our commitment to academically rigorous content that is also accessible to non-academics, to anyone interested in Palestine. I want to make sure Palestinian non-academics who crave this information and history can enjoy the Journal as much as a scholar in Middle East studies." Nehad Khader, managing editor of The Journal of Palestine Studies
 |
| "As managing editor of the Journal of Palestine Studies, I have a responsibility to other scholars and a responsibility to be true to the history of the Palestinian people." Nehad Khader |
I know you’re an integral member of the Journal team now, but when did you first learn of the Journal of Palestine Studies?
I first found out about the Journal of Palestine Studies when I was in high school exploring a used bookstore in Philadelphia. Even as a young person I was drawn to these bound archives documenting the latest conversations and shifting fate of my homeland. My family is originally from Haifa, so growing up in Philadelphia I was ecstatic to discover a window into my own history through the Journal.
I kept these first few issues that I found in high school and they have a special spot in my office in DC today. One of them is Issue 41, from 1989, the 10th anniversary issue of the Journal of Palestine Studies.
When I brought them home my parents recognized the names of renowned Palestinian academics and scholars inside the cover—at the time, such as Professor Walid Khalidi and Hisham Sharabi. We sat around the kitchen table exploring this treasure that I happened upon. I couldn’t have imagined then that one day I’d get to work side by side with these incredible scholars to make the Journal possible. ...READ MORE
Bright & beautiful Karmah Elmusa in Elle Magazine.... "I'm Longing for Palestine While Living the American Dream" Oct 30, 2015
 |
I'm Longing for Palestine While Living the American Dream
My
father was born in Palestine and raised in a refugee camp; I was born
and raised in our national's capital. Who does that make me, exactly?
by Karmah Elmusa
After living under occupation their whole lives, and with no prospect of political resolution on the horizon, Palestinian youth have taken to the streets this month in protest. As I sit and watch the polarizing coverage—now considered to be at near-"catastrophic" levels—
from afar, disparate emotions dart around inside me like pinballs,
striking chords and hitting nerves. There's the sadness, of course–the
sadness that I always feel when I think about Palestine—that is now
pulled to the surface and sharper than usual. Sadness that so many of
today's young people are lost to a struggle that is decades old. Sadness
that it feels like it may continue for decades more... READ MORE
BDS calls for culinary boycott of Israel: After cultural and academic boycotts, movement urges top international chefs to 'take apartheid off the menu' and cancel their participation in November's Round Tables event in Tel Aviv.
"While
the
Round
Tables
event
is
presented
as
a
“fruitful
dialogue
about
culture, economy,
and
social
issues,”
it
is
instead
an
appalling use
of
the
time honored
tradition
of
sharing
culinary
experiences
as
a
means
for
whitewashing
widespread
violation
of
Palestinian
fundamental
rights,
including
the
right
to food. "
" ...according to United Nations reports, only 35 per cent of Palestinians living under Israeli occupation are food secure [6] with Israel's illegal wall and settlements appropriating large swathes of land for Israelis whilst ghettoizing Palestinians and denying them livelihoods [7].
Palestinian citizens of Israel, which make up 20 per cent of the population, hardly fare any better. Palestinian communities are being forced off their land as part of Israel’s ongoing ethnic cleansing. Israel refuses to recognize 176 Palestinian towns and villages within its internationally recognized borders, many predating the creation of the state, denying them even the most basic of services such as water and electricity. Israeli bulldozers regularly demolish entire villages leaving families homeless.
And though you will have no problem traveling to Tel Aviv, roughly 7 million Palestinian refugees and internally displaced persons resulting from Israel’s ongoing ethnic cleansing are denied the right to return to their lands as guaranteed under International Law"
....READ MORE
https://www.stopthewall.org/sites/default/files/Letter%20-%20Take%20Apartheid%20Off%20The%20Menu.pdf
ACTION
ALERT: Tell these food chefs to cancel their Round Tables with
Apartheid! - See more at:
http://www.bdsmovement.net/2015/action-alert-tell-these-food-chefs-to-cancel-their-round-tables-with-apartheid-13492#sthash.3jbWcyvq.dpuf
ACTION
ALERT: Tell these food chefs to cancel their Round Tables with
Apartheid! - See more at:
http://www.bdsmovement.net/2015/action-alert-tell-these-food-chefs-to-cancel-their-round-tables-with-apartheid-13492#sthash.3jbWcyvq.dpuf
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)