by Marla Schrader,
a UCC/Disciples mission partner
Some of you have written and asked me if Palestinians are engaged in non-violent resistance. The [recent occurrence of] suicide bombings seems to be making an effect on the way we think about violence. Surely, any violence against God's creation or created damages not only individuals, but our common humanity as well. Is it not out of turn, however, to lecture a victimized and tortured people about how and if they should resist? . . .
Might not the course of offering support to indigenous led campaigns and other grassroots people's movements be where we should center our energies? Getting out of bed every morning determined to go about daily life is perhaps the one of the most important acts of non-violent resistance for Palestinians these days. As the occupation system changes and tightens, it expects the occupied people to adapt. Palestinian determination not to adapt....to go to school anyway, to cross that checkpoint to the hospital anyway...is growing. How might I support this, so that it is the occupation army that has to change (and eventually dismantle)? How might we do something similar to stop the insane US policy/war with Iraq?
[Marla's questions have become the questions of millions of people around the world, as opposition to sustained war and domination of whole populations by the U.S. and its various client states continues. Marla offers the following examples and thoughts on non-violent activities. -- Editor]
" Let Our Children Go to School": One of many Palestinian led non-violent campaigns; this one in support of the right to education. Others have centered around rights of farmers to harvest their crops and the right to movement (lifting the curfew). Suggested action: send the organizers, Arab Educational Institute, a letter of support at AEI@p-ol.com.
The Forum Supporting Conscientious Objectors Petition: NO to America's war against Iraq! The number of Israelis who refuse to serve in the occupation army continues to grow. This petition is written by Israeli youth who oppose regimes of oppression, whether they be led by their own government or that of the United States. Suggested action: send the CO's a letter of support at matzpoon@yahoo.com.
Prevent mass expulsion of Palestinians under cover of war with Iraq: The American Friends Service Committee urges a public statement by the U.S. government. This is one of the most critical issues of the hour. "We call upon the international community to pay close attention to events that unfold within Israel and in the Occupied Territories, to make it absolutely clear that crimes against humanity will not be tolerated, and to take concrete measures to prevent such crimes from taking place." -- The American Friends Service Committee, www.afsc.org/ispal
Keep Hope Alive! This is a joint YWCA/YMCA campaign to purchase and replant 50,000 olive trees from areas where the occupation army has uprooted them. Suggested action: consider your own purchase and consider asking companies, institutions, religious communities to purchase in quantity. The amount of US$ 20 covers the cost of the young plant, distribution, planting, and information for farmers on the best techniques for olive tree care and production improvement. The cost also covers an official certificate, a sponsor label to be inscribed with the sponsor’s name, and miscellaneous implementation costs of the project. Make checks payable to: East Jerusalem YMCA, Olive Tree Campaign, POB 19023, East Jerusalem, via Israel.
Religious Action to Halt the Rush to War: This action alert from Churches for Middle East Peace is all suggested actions. Please take the time to read at
www.geocities.com/ ecumenicalnews/cmep110802.html. Churches for Middle East Peace (www.cmep.org) is a Washington based program of the American Friends Service Committee, Catholic Conference of Major Superiors of Men's Institutes, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Church of the Brethren, Church World Service, Episcopal Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Maryknoll Missioners, Mennonite Central Committee, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, Presbyterian Church (USA), Reformed Church in America, Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations, United Church of Christ, and the United Methodist Church.
