Tea time for Peace in Israel and Palestine 6th of November, 2013

Sunkyo, PARK

(The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea)

Shalom, As-salamu alakum, 평화!

“Love your neighbor as yourself.”(Matthew 22:39)

Reasons for becoming an EA

Wanted to witness a “real” situation of Israel and Palestine

Theological perspectives,

1. To examine a dichotomous thinking which Israelis are

always good and Palestine(s) are always bad

2. To look for a possibility which religions can play a role for

being a peacemaker

Bethlehem-The Holy Land?

The Separation Wall

In April 2002, Israeli government

planed to set the separation wall

which they believe it as “the security

wall”

The total length of the wall is 708

km. It has been completed 62%. 8%

is under construction. And the rest

of them is planned.

In 2004, the International Court of

Justice, ICJ) ruled the wall

unconstitutional.

UN report(2011)-522 check point

Problems of the wall-Monitoring CP 300

No freedom of residence and work

Surveillance societies by Israeli

soldiers

Human rights violation

EAs monitor a checkpoint 300

every day from 4:00 in the

morning

People living under the separation wall-throwing a stone

In Bethlehem, I encountered an

armed conflict between Israeli

soldiers and Palestine children.

Witnessed a child holding a stone,

which is the way of defending

himself against armed soldiers.

Why did he hold the stone?

People living under the separation wall-Village visit

In order to visit An Nu’man village, I

had to pass a checkpoint which

operates only for this village.

The story of this woman, her house

was demolished by Israeli soldiers.

But it is difficult to build a house

because she can’t bring building

supplies such as pipe, lumber and all

the other things.

The more serious problem is that her

child suffered from psychological

trauma.

People living under the separation wall-School Run

Right to Education!

EAPPI runs a school run programme with

the cooperation of UNICEF.

There are three different roads-only for

Israelite(s), especially (illegal) settlers,

only for Palestine(s), and for both of them

All most problems are occurred on the road

which Israelite and Palestine use. Palestine

students throw stones toward Israeli settlers.

In order to prevent the problem, Israeli

soldiers stand on the street and tighten

guard. There are many incidents between

soldiers and students.

Churches’ responsibilities for Peace in this region

Churches support a movement for

Palestine people, by the people, and

of the people.

Got a wisdom from Tent of Nations;

People Building Bridges

David, the owner of family farm,

has been trying to transform their

angers and sorrows into peace with a

peaceful manner.

Every year, many foreigners visit the

farm to support and promote the

peace.