Visandchris

Everyone is in D.C. Countries have their embassies. Lobbyists have their headquarters. Politicians have their offices.

Yet, until a few months ago, there not a physical space in D.C. where Palestinians could gather to encourage each other in the work of freedom. No place where the Palestinian flag flew. No institution representing Palestinian interest. That has recently changed.

We were grateful to spend time with the Palestine House of Freedom's Director, Miko Peled, and Program Director, Jinan Deena. Their commitment and reliance were incredibly inspiring and hopeful.

We met with aides for both of our Michigan Senators on Wednesday.

The traffic inside the Senate office buildings is constant. So many people and groups wanting meetings. Hoping to influence. Hoping to speak to the people that could make a change (we waited for less than 5 minutes for our meeting in Peter’s office and saw two groups: H&R Block lobbyists and a group lobbying for better rights for hotel workers).

Both of our meetings were encouraging and sobering. Encouraging in a few ways: we felt genuinely listened to, we were encouraged to keep speaking up, being told that hearing from constituents can make a difference, and we learned that in a number of ways, the Senators are working for specific policies that would lead to greater equality for Palestinians.

But it was sobering. Senator Stabenow, who is much more of an advocate for Palestinians than Senator Peters (as far as their policy positions are concerned) is retiring. And even she is far from where we would hope. Why? Because the massive political machinery is tuned to see this issue as one-sided. Will that change? Of course. Nothing stays the same forever. But how long will it take for change to come? Maybe we are on the cusp of change?

In both meetings we stressed what we have experienced a shift in the public’s view of the issue. More people are asking questions. More are concerned that U.S. policies don’t align with our values. They encouraged us to encourage any folks we know to contact their representatives. It can move the needle. It is what moves the needle. Yes, it can feel like too small of an action. But perhaps I’ve underestimated its potential.

It was a joy to reconnect with these friends who we met on our trip to Palestine and Israel in February.

Each one is a courageous advocate, using their voice and privilege to speak truth and call for action. We were glad to be together again.

We are in D.C. this week with a delegation of clergy and lay activists from around the country. Together, we are working to meet with our Senators and Representatives to ask for direct action and change in the U.S.'s policies. We're also getting updates from those in the region and participating in direct action to draw attention to the realities of the conflict. Follow us for updates.

We had a surreal experience in Hebron. It’s a story we will certainly tell, but for now, here are photos from our time in the old city - a part of Hebron where radical settlers have violently taken over homes and shops with the military’s help.

Some pictures of the separation wall in Bethlehem.

I (Chris) had an experience today that shook something deep in me.

One of our stops today was the Tent of Nations. Dawoud and this family farm are a part of Josh’s film and a regular stop on our tours.

We had to take a new (and much longer and more difficult) route to the Tent of Nations (ToN) because the Israeli army had blocked the typical route. This is not the first time that the typical/best road has been blocked. But as we’ve seen over and over on this trip, the current reality in Palestine is different and worse than it has ever been.

While our delegation ate lunch on the farm, Josh and I went back to the access road to see if these new roadblocks would also force us to bring our groups the longer and more difficult way.

We didn’t get more than 100m down the road when we came to a new berm of earth, stone and trash. We were able to walk over it with some care.

The second berm was much larger - and clearly very new.

After we went around the second brim we saw two people walking toward us in the distance. They were a long ways off, but it looked like they might be armed so we turned around and headed back to the entrance to ToN.

As we did, they called out to us - “come here”. We kept walking. We went back into the farm, which is fenced off. They came to the gate and asked us to “come here.” We said no thank you and walked to where everyone was having lunch. Within a few minutes they came into the farm (which is private property). Dawoud and his siblings calmly engaged them - the men said they couldn’t speak English and walked on through the farm - going wherever they wanted to go. Eventually they left, but 30 minutes later when we walked back to the gate, the men were inspecting our bus and harassing our Palestinian driver. When they noticed us approaching (a group of Americans) they left.

Even though they had military uniforms, they were clearly settlers (ToN is surrounded by settlements). We knew Israel was arming settlers and giving them freedom to patrol, harass and harm Palestinians, but here we were experiencing it firsthand.

Armed settlers harassing Palestinians was happening before 10/7. But it has intensified significantly in the last 5 months resulting in great harm and death.

In 30 years of disputes over their land, ToN has never had soldiers on their property until last week. Armed settlers and soldiers entered the farm and harassed Dawoud and a Belgian volunteer for three hours.

This is just one example of the difficulties and harm that are purposefully placed on Palestinians to humiliate, discourage and ultimately push them off the land.

To be honest, I’m still a bit shaken.
I’m still processing the experience.
Including the fact that I will leave this place in a couple of days and not have to experience this again;
including the fact that I am incredibly privileged. What will I do with that privilege is an essential question.

Nelson Mandela Square | Ramallah

The relationship between South Africa and Palestine is significant. As early as the mid 1990s South African leaders such as Mandala and Tutu spoke out against Israel’s occupation - comparing it to the apartheid they had experienced in South Africa.

South Africa gave this stature as a gift. In the plaque are the words of Mandala: “But we know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinian.”

Today marks two months since the attacks by Hamas and Israel's subsequent response. The last 71 days have brought unspeakable horror, pain and loss. And yet, the end to this conflict has no clear end in sight.

If you're trying to wrap your head around all of the different aspects of this war, or wondering how a conflict half way around the world impacts us, let me invite you to this 90 minute course on the conflict.

Details are here:

The Israel-Hamas War in Context Zoom courses, December 10 and December 17, 6:30-8pm

Last week we shared thoughts on the war in Gaza, including the dangerous ways we see vengeance fueling current actions (and the ease with which it fuels our own).

‎The Viscast: Vengeance and the Israel-Hamas War on Apple Podcasts ‎Show The Viscast, Ep Vengeance and the Israel-Hamas War - Nov 15, 2023

If you've grown up in the U.S. you likely have a partial understanding of the Palestinian/Israeli conflict (we know we did). The Law and the Prophets can help you understand the fuller story.

In this film you'll meet brave Israelis and Palestinians who are working for peace, and you'll learn about the modern systems that perpetuate injustice. It's an important documentary - especially given the current war in Gaza.

You can help us spread the reach of The Law and the Prophets by subscribing to our YouTube channel and liking the film.

The Law and the Prophets In Israel, East Jerusalem, and the West Bank, the law is whatever Israel deems to be in the best interest of Jewish Israelis and to the detriment of Palestin...

It has been over a month since the October 7th Hamas attacks and Israel's response, and to be honest, it is difficult to stay engaged. How do we not become overwhelmed, and what resources can we trust?

The latest article on Josh's substack offers a distilled list of posts, articles and stories - including a podcast from Josh and Chris. We hope that one or two of these resources can help you continue to cultivate compassion and pursue a more just world.

https://joshuavis.substack.com?utm_source=navbar&utm_medium=web&r=h06we

A month into the war in Gaza we share some of the things we have been wrestling with as we lament the ongoing loss and pain - including our wayward desire for vengeance.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vengeance-and-the-israel-hamas-war/id1299454794?i=1000634947528

A month into the war in Gaza we share some of the things we have been wrestling with as we lament the ongoing loss and pain - including our wayward desire for vengeance.

‎The Viscast on Apple Podcasts ‎Religion & Spirituality · 2023

I need your help. I’ve decided to upload my documentary, The Law and the Prophets, to YouTube. To help raise the profile of the documentary, generally and in the YouTube algorithm, I need likes of the film and subscriptions to my channel. The Law and the Prophets gives a basic overview of the history of Israel/Palestine and digs into the mechanisms of control and oppression that Israel uses to oppress and silence Palestinians.

Obviously, I want you to watch the film if you haven’t done so. But initially, I need as many of you as possible to go to the film on YouTube and simply like the film and subscribe to my channel.

Please also share the film with others, and ask them to like and subscribe. Thank you!

The Law and the Prophets In Israel, East Jerusalem, and the West Bank, the law is whatever Israel deems to be in the best interest of Jewish Israelis and to the detriment of Palestin...

We fully support the RCA's decision to join other faith organizations in a call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.

RCA Signs on to Israel and Palestine Ceasefire Letter | Reformed Church in America Friends, I have suffered the consequences of war in my own life and I know what it feels like to have no place to go to find refuge in the midst of devastating gunfire, air strikes, and bombings. It breaks my heart to see the loss of life and everything else that is going on in the Middle East right...

"An echo, two data points, and more resources."

Here's our latest set of resources and reflections on the conflict in Israel and Gaza that began one week ago today. Find them here:

https://substack.com/inbox/post/137930324