Holy Land Holy People Day 4

Holy Land Holy People Day Four:

Today was a day full of travel and unforgettable experiences that tapped into all of our emotions and helped shape our perspectives of the situation in the Holy Land. The day started with breakfast in the Grand Hotel of Bethlehem, where salami, bologna, peppers, pita bread (of course), goat cheese, yogurt, and other native Palestinian foods were served. We ate in a room with a panoramic view of the city before we set out for Hebron. An unusual destination for foreigners. Upon arrival we made our way through the city market. A place that stood out in my memory from our family trip in 2005. But there was something very different about the Hebron market this time around. As we made our way through the various venders, I found myself asking where everyone was. The market that I once found myself struggling to keep up with my parents only nine years ago, was now a street with half of the vendors I once knew and none of the buyers seemed to be never-ending in 2005. 

This question was quickly explained as our group met with a representative of the Christian Peacemaking Team, Carol. CPT is a peaceful faith based organization that uses non-violent intervention to help ease the lives of Palestinians. Wether it be taking pictures at checkpoints, or recording data while Palestinians pass through daily security outposts, CPT tries to ensure the human rights of Palestinians are respected by the occupiers of their land. During our sit down with Carol she provided an explanation for the absence of Palestinians in the market.  She said that the over reaching occupation by the Israeli Defense Force has led some Palestinians to break and give up their resistance. This seems to explain why the once bustling market place now felt like a ghost town. 

After our meeting with CPT, our group made it to the Tomb of the Patriarchs. The tombs of Abraham, Sarah, and Rebecca were all surrounded by a Mosque and a Synagogue. This area is of importance because it is the believed burial ground of the founding father of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism: Abraham.

Next we joined a member of Breaking the Silence for a tour of Hebron and listened to the stories he shared with us. Breaking the Silence is a group of former Israeli soldiers that have taken a stand against their past actions and the actions of their Jewish brothers. Our tour guide was a former sniper that fought in the second intafada and walked around Hebron sharing his stories with our group.

Lastly we shared a lunch with a Palestinian named Mohammed that shared his views on Israelis, Americans, the occupation, and graciously answered any other question we threw at him. He gave us a first hand view of the daily pains that come with being Palestinian. Mohammed has never thrown a rock at Israeli's, never joined in a protest, and has never been arrested. Mohammed is on the Black List of the Israeli secret service and is forbidden from visiting Jerusalem, only 15 miles away. 

Today was enlightening for all of our members because it was the first time that we were in a setting of high tension occupation. Although most Palestinian resistance is held at night, tension between the both sides is clear through the day, and there was a high military presence throughout the city. Each day our adventures take us to places that shape our views in different ways, and I can't wait to see what tomorrow holds for us. Thanks for your prayers.

Will Henderson