Abu Dis

This neighborhood in East Jerusalem has been divided by the wall that separates families and businesses from one another. More illegal settlements continue to be built in East Jerusalem despite this violation against Oslo and the "Road Map."

Hebron - a view inside the occupation

Hebron is the ancient city in Southern Judea where Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac are buried. It is also a place of contention, with extremist Israeli settlers attempting to take over the old city. We met a man whose home was being squatted by settlers, despite the Israeli Supreme Court decision to evict them. 2000 soldiers work here to protect 400 settlers that the government is considering removing because of their violence against Palestinian children on their way to school and civilians who live there.

Tel Megiddo

Tel Megiddo is one of the most ancient cities in the world, having first been inhabited nearly 9,000 years ago and being rebuilt 28 times after successive sieges and processes of rebuilding. Because of its strategic position on the trade routes between Assyria and Egypt, controlling this city meant controlling trade throughout the entire region.

Picking Olives in the West Bank

Keep Hope Alive is the Joint Action Initiative of the YMCA and YWCA in Palestine. They invite internationals to come plant trees and harvest trees each year. The Bay Area, CA Keep Hope Alive group sends two groups each year: a planting team in February and a harvest team in October. Harvesting on land most under threat from confiscation by settlers and the wall is an important part of this work of solidarity.

Elias Jabbour - House of Hope - Shefar Am, Israel

Elias Jabbour is a Christian elder in the Galilean village who helps teach and lead the process of Sulha - Arabic for reconciliation. In our time with him, he describes the process and his hope for peace in Israel-Palestine.

Day 15 and Beyond

Dear Friends,

Allan and Nancy said goodbye to Alvin, Bill and Will in Paris airport on Monday night to meet up with their daughter Karen for a week in France together. Late the next night, Alvin, Bill and Will arrived safely at SFO tired and still considering how we can best tell the fullness of what we experienced. Max went on to Spain (and caught some great waves!) and made it back on the 5th. Zelda remains to volunteer in various schools for the next few days. Do email Will at willymac4@comcast if you would like to schedule a presentation sometime after Thanksgiving.

Day 14 - More pictures while we wait for the taxi

The Olive Press Co-operative in the Bethlehem area. Farmers bring their olives in here in a big bag, and walk away with large plastic jugs of pure olive oil. Then the next farmer comes in to have his family's olives pressed. We saw one man standing on the street selling his oil as soon as he was finished. Tasty stuff!