City of Hebron: The Palestinian Struggle for Human Rights
Community Peacemaker Teams, will join the Tree of Life 2022 Fall Speaker series scheduled around various locations in the northeast United States.
The Tree of Life Educational Fund will be presenting a program exploring the severe impact of the Israeli occupation on the economic vitality of the city of Hebron and the challenges of daily life for Palestinians living there. While many use the more familiar name of “Hebron,” we should honour how Palestinians use the Arabic name, “Al-Khalil,” which means “The Friend.” The city of Hebron (Al-Khalil) has roughly 200,000 Palestinian inhabitants, the second largest Palestinian City in the West Bank after East Jerusalem. Approximately 40,000 Palestinians live in the Old City under direct Israeli control with a substantial military presence, surrounded by around 700 Jewish settlers. Another 8,000 settlers live in the settlements of Kiryat Arba and Giv’at Ha-Avot, on the outskirts of Hebron (Al-Khalil). For international visitors, including travellers on Tree of Life journeys, Hebron (Al-Khalil) represents some of the most oppressive manifestations of the occupation.
| Cape Cod October 16, Sunday St. Peter’s Lutheran Church 310 Rte. 137, Harwich, MA Doors open at 1:15 pm Program from 2:00 – 4:00 pm | Boston, MA October 17, Monday Community Church of Boston 565 Boylston St., Boston, MA Doors open at 6:00 pm Program from 7:00 – 9:00 pm |
| Berlin, CT October 19, Wednesday Islamic Association of Greater Hartford (Berlin Mosque) 1781 Berlin Turnpike, Berlin, CT Doors open at 4:30 pm Program from 5:30 – 7:30 pm | Farmington, CT October 20, Thursday Tunxis Community College 271 Scott Swamp Rd Farmington, CT Program at 12:00 pm |
| Farmington, CT October 21, Friday Farmington Valley Islamic Center 35 Harris Rd, Avon, CT Doors open at 4:00 pm Program from 5:00 – 7:00 pm | Old Lyme, CT October 23, Sunday AM First Congregational Church of Old Lyme 4 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT 10:00 am Service |
| Woodbridge, CT October 23, Sunday PM Palestine Museum US 1764 Litchfield Turnpike Woodbridge, CT Doors open at 2:30 pm Program from 3:00 – 5:00 pm |
Speakers
As residents of Hebron, Dalia and Sadeq will provide insight into Palestinian life today. They will describe the economic impacts of Israeli actions following the 1994 massacre at the Ibrahimi Mosque and the consequent description of the Old Town as the “Ghost Town.” They will also touch on efforts to revive the Old Town through assistance from various organizations. One of the most important local initiatives that Dalia and Sadeq are involved with and that Tree of Life helps support is the Hebron Soup Kitchen, which provides free food to the poor. They will reflect on the importance of this service to the community.
CPT will discuss the work of the team in Hebron, which provides a protective presence for school children often threatened by the settlers and Palestinians facing home demolitions or trying to get to the Ibrahimi Mosque for prayer. CPT is also engaged in work with youth to empower them to tell their stories, document the restriction of movement and lack of access to education for children in Hebron, and help to prevent the displacement of hundreds of people in the South Hebron Hills for an Israeli firing zone. She will also describe cultural and business initiatives providing employment and support for the people of Hebron.
Mella will describe her experience as an international living in Hebron for three months to witness the occupation firsthand. She participated in a Human Rights and Arabic program, then did her own journalistic research on the violence of settlers in the city of Hebron.
Palestinian olive oil, food products, and crafts will be on sale. Crafts will be provided by the Olive Branch Fair Trade shop on Martha’s Vineyard.
Is your community interested in learning about active peacemaking in Palestine? Invite a CPTer to present to your community, congregation, or classroom about our teams’ work of accompaniment, advocacy, and solidarity action with our partners. Fill out this form to let us know what you’re looking for.
