Welcome to the Middle East Delegation Blog

Participants in the January 2010 Middle East Delegation will be writing in this blog during their January 5-18, 2010, trip to Israel and Palestine. We hope to share our experiences, learnings, and reflections as we travel and meet with Palestinians and Israelis.

Due to the nature of our itinerary, we will not be able to post messages every day, but we will try to update the blog as often as possible.

The purpose of the delegation's trip is to learn about the Israel-Palestine situation first-hand, particularly by talking with those on both sides who are working for a just, peaceful resolution. Then we will be returning home to share what we have seen, heard, and learned with people in our own communities.

Sarah and I are leading the delegation, and we invite all interested persons to follow the delegation's experiences and thoughts by reading this blog.

Bob Gross

LISTENING, ACTION, LEARNING, VIOLENCE REDUCTION

As we prepare for the 2010 Middle East Peace Delegation (January 5-18, 2010), our governments talk about a "Middle East Peace Process," and Israelis and Palestinians continue to suffer losses from violent incidents. Expanding Israeli settlements threaten Palestinian land and homes. Israeli military imposed road closures, checkpoints, and home invasions affect the daily lives of Palestinians living under Israeli military occupation. Israel's separation barrier (much of it built on confiscated Palestinian land) not only separates Palestinian communities from each other but also acts as a barrier between ordinary Israelis and Palestinians seeking to come together for peace.  In the photo above, Neal Musselman and Rachel Peterson replant olive trees near the village of At-Tuwani, south of Hebron. Photo: Bob Gross

Delegation members will gain a perspective on how these issues affect daily life. Delegates will meet with Palestinian and Israeli human rights representatives and peace workers in Jerusalem and Bethlehem. They will visit Palestinian families whose home and livelihoods are threatened by expanding Israeli settlements. They will travel to the city of Hebron and the village of At-Tuwani in the South Hebron Hills and experience firsthand the work of Christian Peacemaker Teams alongside Israeli and Palestinian partners. They will challenge the structural violence of the Occupation through nonviolent public witness.  In the photo above, the peace delegation gathers near the small house used by CPT volunteers living in At-Tuwani. Photo: Bob Gross