Good and bad news: A Luta Continua (The struggle continues)

Notes from occupied Bethlehem by Mazin Qumsiyeh

Thousands of candles are being lit to challenge the darkness every day.
Examples are many. Over 90,000 Palestinians took the standardized high school test
in the Occupied State of Palestine and results are due next week. We had a first
meeting of volunteers on site at the Palestine Institute of Biodiversity Research and
Museum of Natural History (housed at Bethlehem University). Despite the horrors of
the current Israeli assault on Palestinian civilians both in the WB and Gaza (see
below), fasting in Ramadan (Ramadan Kareem to all), and short notice, 25 volunteers
attended and many others said they will help. Progress is rapid on the ground but this
is a massive project and we could use all the help we can get. The mission agreed to in
the meeting is to research, educate about, and conserve our natural world, culture
and heritage and use knowledge to promote responsible human interactions with our
environment. Let us know if you are not getting the museum newsletter via google
groups and we can add you to the list of volunteers and those interested to help.

Life does go on even under occupation: we celebrate weddings, births, mourn the
dead, treat the injured, build new facilities, deal with corrupt politicians, hold vigils
for the martyrs, demonstrate regularly, and much more. Gaza people humble us by
their persistence, resilience, and resistance. The video of a mother saying goodbye to
her dead son and just speaking to him in dignity and compassion gives us pause to
reflect on apathy and collusion by many of the supposed "leaders" (including
unfortunately some Palestinians). The meaning of dignity escapes us when we see
children burned alive both in Jerusalem and Gaza while some talking heads
(unfortunately even some Arab "journalists" and politicians) try to make excuses.
Others like Haneen Zoabi stand for truth and justice (see below). Demonstrations
were held around the world to demand Israel stop its insane assault on civilians
especially in this special month of Ramadan.
While many Western media outlets (influenced by the Zionist lobby) are trying
desperately to parrot Israeli propaganda and hide reality, the situation on the ground
and Israel's criminality are being exposed (thanks to personal communications
between hundreds of millions of people aided by alternative media including social
media).

The BDS movement is growing and is making a difference (notice for example
the rapid decline in Soda Stream stock price) and the Zionist fizzle after
the threats to the Presbyterian church. More people are taking actions -
lighting a candle instead of cursing the darkness. See also the good statement below
from the National Coalition of Christian Organizations in Palestine on the situation. It
gives us hope in humanity.
----------------------
Israel's Criminal Assault on the occupied State of Palestine: Gaza Under Fire

During the latest Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip, Israel has killed 86
Palestinians and injured more than 550. Just as during the Israeli bombardments of
Gaza in 2006, 2008/9 and 2012, the vast majority of the victims are civilians,
including children, elderly and women. This list includes the killing of several
Palestinian families (Haj, Halaby and Kaware in Khan Younis, Hamad in Beit Hanoun).
This Israeli criminal assault aims at targeting Palestinian national unity, weakening
Palestinian institutions and enforce disconnection between the Gaza Read the full
report at http://nad-
plo.org/userfiles/file/media%20brief/Updated%20Special%20Report%20on%20Isra
eli%20Aggression%20on%20the%20State%20of%20Palestine2.pdf

[[I actually think the main reasons for attacking Gaza every 2-3 years is because
Israeli firms wants to sell more weapons and Gaza provides the laboratory to test and
demonstrate new weapons for potential buyers. There is plenty of evidence for that
and also for the psychological need to "show who is boss" and keep Israelis afraid so
that they let the elites continue to profit from wars. ]]
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The amazing Haneen Zoabi, a Palestinian representative in the Israeli Knesset being
"grilled" by racist and crude reporter on Israeli TV. This is an example for dignity
and standing for principles. I wish Mahmoud Abbas would learn something from this
courageous and decent lady Thanks to Assaf Oron, Ronnie Barkan & Ofer Neiman for
translation & other technical assistance (via Richard Silverstein of Tikun Olam)

http://youtu.be/S8UqucganIk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8UqucganIk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statement from the National Coalition of Christian Organizations in Palestine on the
situation: Support Gazas Right to Life

Justice and security are two sides of the same coin. Israels security can never be an
excuse for denying justice to the Palestinian people.

In the spirit of the living God who sanctifies all life and in keeping with our faith and
its teachings we appeal to all people across the world to work with their fellow
citizens and governments to end Israels Operation Protective Edge and the brutal
military siege that has been going on for the past seven years which includes a naval
and economic blockade. Gaza has no port or airport thus no way to import or export
its products.

This not a war. This is only vengeance and collective punishment. A responsible
authority works to stop useless vengeance and violence. Instead, it fosters general
atmosphere of incitement, in order to please a Palestinian hating population, and not
knowing what to do, the irresponsible Israeli Authority, just kills Palestinians and
demolishes their houses, in order to please their people. We acknowledge the voice
and action of the few Israelis who expressed themselves against this policy of their
government.

This is not an escalation or a war. Gaza has no military or ability to protect itself
other than to fire some homemade rockets. The 1.7 million people, mostly children
(2/3 of the population) are also mostly refugees (1.1 million) from areas of 1948 and
1967. Furthermore under the 4
th
Geneva Convention Palestinians, as a militarily
occupied people, have the right to defend themselves.

Our justice loving God demands us to speak out on behalf of the security for all
people. In the name of the Advocate Spirit, we ask you to speak out now to call a halt
to this long term offensive operation which aims to wipe out a lonely, besieged and
unarmed people. Whether you think the new unity government is viable or not, or
if Hamas is a terrorist organization or not, or whether you think they might have
been behind the death of the three Israeli teens murdered near Hebron, (which is
not proven so far) it is against international law to collectively punish or target an
already besieged 1.7 million population. It is inhumane. It is a war crime.

As of July 10th, the date of this Appeal Israeli military struck 430 targets across
the Gaza Strip. 77 people have been reported dead and more than 500 wounded.. The
majority of the dead are civilians. 18 are children including a baby one month old.

We pray for the memory of those killed. Each of them has a name and a family who is
suffering great loss. We also pray for all those wounded or injured in body, mind, or
spirit. We pray for solace and comfort also for the families whose homes, businesses,
agricultural fields, or fishing boats that have also been destroyed. We pray for the
people of Gaza and ask that God be with them.

Support Palestinians right to life by joining with Christians throughout the world in
their call for a just peace in this land that all call holy. We have been down this road
one too many times and know what will happen if we fail to act. Please join us through
letters and petitions to your government officials to raise awareness about this
offensive military operation and Gazas ongoing siege. Ask them to pressure Israel to
stop its brutal assault or face sanctions from the international community.

Support Palestinians right to life, say with a loud voice: stop killing and demolishing
houses. Join with Christians throughout the world in their call for a just peace in this
land that all call holy.

Quote from article by Jeremy Corbynn,, Who Mourns for Palestine"

NCCOP

Jerusalem
Arab Catholic Scouts Group
Arab Orthodox Society Jerusalem
Caritas- Jerusalem
Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees- Middle East Council of
Churches
Greek Catholic Sayedat AlBishara Association
International Christian Committee
Laity Committee in the Holy Land
National Christian Association
Pontifical Mission Palestine
SABEEL Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center
Seeds of Better life
Union of Arab Orthodox Club - Jerusalem
Young Mens Christian Association YMCA
Young Womens Christian Association YWCA

Gaza
NECC office

Bethlehem (NCOB)
Network of Christian Organizations in Bethlehem
The East Jerusalem YMCA /Beit Sahour Branch
The Arab Educational Institute,
Holy Land Trust, Bethlehem
Wiam Center, Bethlehem
Saint Afram Assyrian Society,
Holy Land Christians Ecumenical Foundation, Bethlehem
Al-Ihsan Arab Orthodox Society, Beit Jala
Arab Orthodox Club, Beit Sahour
Arab Orthodox Club, Beit Jala
Arab Orthodox Club, Bethlehem
The Arab Orthodox Charitable Society, Beit Sahour
Bethlehem Bible College
Siraj Center for Holy Land Studies
Alternative Tourism Group, ATG, Beit Sahour
Senior Citizen Charitable Society
Environmental educational Center, Beit Jala
Saint Vincent Charitable Society, Beit Jala
Shepherds' Children Society, Beit Sahour
and KAIROS PALESTINE
----------------------------------
Mazin Qumsiyeh
Professor and Director of the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity Research
and Museum of Natural History
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