Thursday, July 1, 2010

1/7/10 - English

Palestinian high school students are in the midst of the very demanding and lengthy ‘tawjihi’ examinations. The results of these exams determine university placement and are also very culturally important. We pray for the thousands of young people who are experiencing this stressful time. May they use their education to better their communities and to strengthen the society in which they live.

Ten families in the Jordan Valley region of the West Bank have received notices giving them 24 hours to evacuate their homes. In spite of documents proving their ownership of the land, the Israeli military claims that the homes of the Daraghmah and Al-Makahmreh families now sit in a “fire zone” that puts the residents “at risk.” If evicted, the families would join 600 other Palestinians made homeless in the past year by house demolitions in the West Bank. Lord, have mercy.

Municipal officials have announced their intentions to approve a “master plan” for East and West Jerusalem. Through zoning, taxation, and other legal measures, the plan will further stifle Palestinian development and expand existing Israeli settlements in occupied East Jerusalem. We pray that this far-reaching action will be stopped and that Jerusalem will one day be a city that is accessible to all people.  


This week, the Presbyterian Church (USA) will begin its General Assembly in Minneapolis. The assembly will consider a report that calls for Israel to be held accountable for its military occupation and settlement expansion. The report also details American complicity in these injustices. We pray that the Presbyterian Church will act boldly for justice, in spite of the growing pressure from groups that wish to silence the church.


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