This week participants of the monthly
Open Forum, a project of the Sabeel Community Program, will discuss topics
brought up during the recent Sabeel Women’s Conference in Bethlehem in order to
give those who were not present at the conference the chance to reflect and
activate new ideas within the community. Let us pray for equality, respect, and
perseverance among all members of our society.
This Sunday, the Association for Civil
Rights in Israel published a report outlining the “direct impact of Jewish
settlement in Palestinian neighborhoods on the human rights of the original
local residents” in East Jerusalem. The report determines that Israeli
authorities including the police, the Housing Ministry, and the Jerusalem
Municipality have contributed to steady violations of basic human rights and a
serious disruption of the Palestinian way of life in the city. We pray that
this report will inspire new advocates to speak out for justice.
Recently
there has been an increase in cases of domestic violence in both Israel and the
West Bank. Tensions and conflict within the community and the family are
painful indicators of the state of our society today, and as we call on local
leaders to make peace in their communities, we pray for strength and love.
This week Israelis and Palestinians
will be observing two major religious holidays: the Muslim Eid al Fitr, marking
the end of Ramadan, and the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah. May this time of
feasting and celebration bring a measure of peace to the friends and families
of this land.
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