Letter 06 2006. Hope.
26th July 2006
Dear friends,
I started a letter in the end of June, but I never finished it. I had a thought of giving weekly updates this summer, but I never managed to start that. I must send one letter from Jerusalem, so now I have to finish it, and send it, whether it is good or not. I have not had the spirit to write. I wonder if I had nothing to tell. It seems strange. There are enough events in this part of the world these days. It should not be any problem to find something to write about. All that is happening might be what is bothering me, and which makes me doubt that I can write anything sensible about it.
I could write about Gaza. I have not been there. But I have heard a bit. I could write about Lebanon. I have not been there either. But that is where the ongoing news comes from. I might have had a wish to give some hope, and when I have found it difficult to see this hope, I did not have so much to tell after all. But it is not so that there is no hope. It is just a bit more demanding to believe in the hope, a bit more demanding than I was prepared for. But now I have found some signs of hope to share with you.
I have earlier been dissatisfied with my minimal contact with Israeli peace activists, and I still have too little contact. But now at least I have met some. An hour every week for more than 18 years Israeli women clothed in black have demonstrated against the Israeli occupation. They call themselves Women in Black. http://www.womeninblack.org/ Friday I was with them in a square in West Jerusalem. Clothed in black and with a poster challenging Israel to withdraw from Gaza, I was standing there ready for shouts from the drivers in the cars passing by. I did not understand much, as they mostly shouted in Hebrew, but I found it meaningful to stand there together with these patient women.
One of the Israeli black clothed told how she herself had developed from being an indifferent onlooker to an eager peace activist by getting to know Palestinian women. She discussed different solutions for the future, and was convinced that there will be a solution. The more wall I see, the more difficult I find it to imagine a Palestinian state. But this woman really had faith in a just solution. When she who knows the reality so well, can see hope, I should also do it.
Foreign visitors also give hope. It is sad to know that many groups cancel their travels to the Holy Land. But some come despite the news. One of the Christian pilgrims I have met this time commented after having seen the empty tomb of Jesus: “Christ is risen! There will be peace in this country.” It is inspiring to meet people with such a faith.
A group of peace activists from the US stay here at the guest house now. The group consists of both Jews and Christians. Empty tombs have not been their priority. But religion has certainly been important for their commitment to justice and peace. I have also met other representatives from churches in the US who have been here to find out what they can do to change the situation.
Israeli and International activists give hope. What is most important for me now is anyway Palestinians who go on. Those who are most affected do not give up. The garden is full of refugees from Haifa. I do not know how long they will stay. They have found the barbeque. They try to live a normal life.
Christians in Gaza continue to pray for their enemies, even when they see the enemy attacking every day. It gives me hope. When these who have experienced much more than I can imagine, do not cease to follow the words of Jesus, I should also be able to send a small prayer to God for those who bomb. It is not easy. But it is an important step, and it is a source of hope.
Peace thoughts from Hanne.
Dear friends,
I started a letter in the end of June, but I never finished it. I had a thought of giving weekly updates this summer, but I never managed to start that. I must send one letter from Jerusalem, so now I have to finish it, and send it, whether it is good or not. I have not had the spirit to write. I wonder if I had nothing to tell. It seems strange. There are enough events in this part of the world these days. It should not be any problem to find something to write about. All that is happening might be what is bothering me, and which makes me doubt that I can write anything sensible about it.
I could write about Gaza. I have not been there. But I have heard a bit. I could write about Lebanon. I have not been there either. But that is where the ongoing news comes from. I might have had a wish to give some hope, and when I have found it difficult to see this hope, I did not have so much to tell after all. But it is not so that there is no hope. It is just a bit more demanding to believe in the hope, a bit more demanding than I was prepared for. But now I have found some signs of hope to share with you.
I have earlier been dissatisfied with my minimal contact with Israeli peace activists, and I still have too little contact. But now at least I have met some. An hour every week for more than 18 years Israeli women clothed in black have demonstrated against the Israeli occupation. They call themselves Women in Black. http://www.womeninblack.org/ Friday I was with them in a square in West Jerusalem. Clothed in black and with a poster challenging Israel to withdraw from Gaza, I was standing there ready for shouts from the drivers in the cars passing by. I did not understand much, as they mostly shouted in Hebrew, but I found it meaningful to stand there together with these patient women.
One of the Israeli black clothed told how she herself had developed from being an indifferent onlooker to an eager peace activist by getting to know Palestinian women. She discussed different solutions for the future, and was convinced that there will be a solution. The more wall I see, the more difficult I find it to imagine a Palestinian state. But this woman really had faith in a just solution. When she who knows the reality so well, can see hope, I should also do it.
Foreign visitors also give hope. It is sad to know that many groups cancel their travels to the Holy Land. But some come despite the news. One of the Christian pilgrims I have met this time commented after having seen the empty tomb of Jesus: “Christ is risen! There will be peace in this country.” It is inspiring to meet people with such a faith.
A group of peace activists from the US stay here at the guest house now. The group consists of both Jews and Christians. Empty tombs have not been their priority. But religion has certainly been important for their commitment to justice and peace. I have also met other representatives from churches in the US who have been here to find out what they can do to change the situation.
Israeli and International activists give hope. What is most important for me now is anyway Palestinians who go on. Those who are most affected do not give up. The garden is full of refugees from Haifa. I do not know how long they will stay. They have found the barbeque. They try to live a normal life.
Christians in Gaza continue to pray for their enemies, even when they see the enemy attacking every day. It gives me hope. When these who have experienced much more than I can imagine, do not cease to follow the words of Jesus, I should also be able to send a small prayer to God for those who bomb. It is not easy. But it is an important step, and it is a source of hope.
Peace thoughts from Hanne.
posted by Hanne at 9:00 AM
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