Israel-Palestine
Fast for Peace,
Time for Peace and Justice |
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Bozen/Bolzano,
22.3.2002
The
Fast for Peace will begin on March 25 in the olive terraces just south
of Tantur on the Hebron Road, to the west of the Bethlehem checkpoint.
We have gotten agreement from the army to use this area. They understand
that the location is important because it is accessible to both Israelis
and Palestinians from the Bethlehem area who cannot get permits to enter
Jerusalem; They also know that we will be holding an ongoing, non-violent
demonstration.
First of all, in case you
haven't seen it, our announcement is below; If you have seen it recently,
then just skip on to the specific information about the demonstration,
its events and a short list of organizers. Also, if you're REALLY interested,
attached are:
-
The text of a letter already
published in two newspapers here and in the USA, and recently sent to Ha'aretz
and Al-Quds newspapers.
-
A concise description of the
Mitchell Plan. Its speedy implementation is the goal of the Fast
for Peace.
We look forward to hearing from
you and seeing you at the Fast for Peace.
FAST FOR
PEACE
Tsom l'maan
Ha-Shalom - Siam min ajil Al-Salam
This is a call to those who
advocate peace in the Middle East Palestinians, Israelis, Christians,
Muslims and Jews, people all over the world to support a Fast for
Peace, which will begin on March 25 and continue until the goal is reached:
We call upon our governments
to implement the Mitchell Plan:
-
Take immediate steps to end
violence and restore security cooperation.
-
Rebuild confidence by easing
closures, controlling incitement, freezing settlements.
-
Return immediately and unconditionally
to meaningful negotiations.
We believe that until this conflict
is resolved none of us are free. The Fast for Peace is our method of demonstrating
our desire to change direction, to return to the promise of peace and bring
a speedy end to our suffering.
Together we will launch the
Fast for Peace at the Bethlehem checkpoint on March 25. We ask you to join
us because:
We must be the change
we wish to see. (M.K. Gandhi)
-
Visit us for an hour or an afternoon,
support us with your presence.
-
Join a Orelay' fast e for a
day, or a weekend or whenever you can.
-
The most dramatic manifestation
of non-violent protest and commitment to the goal is a prolonged fast;
For those willing to undertake such a fast, we have health information
to guide you.
Let our message be clear:
We are starving for peace.
Phone: 972-64486325
- Email: forpeace@netvision.net.il
- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FASTFORPEACE
General Information
The Fast for Peace is not
meant to compete with any existing peace efforts. We are happy to see the
recent proliferation of activities, as these are the voices of peace which
we hope will continue to grow until the melody echoes throughout the world.
We hope that we can amplify this melody with our:
-
Location: Between Bethlehem
and Jerusalem - evocative to people all over the world
-
Timing: It begins with the spring
holidays of Easter and Passover, and at a time when there is pressure from
the USA and the EU to resolve this conflict speedily and justly.
-
Demonstration of unity: It is
one of the few places where Palestinians and Israelis can meet to convey
our joint desire for a non-violent resolution to the conflict. The Fast
for peace is organized by a group of Jews, Muslims and Christians.
-
Duration: Since it will be ongoing,
if there are violent actions one day - we'll still be there for the media
another day.
-
Nature: It is a dramatic, non-violent
call for a change in direction. Kathleen Kern from the CPT-Hebron will
begin a one week fast; Linda Livni of Jerusalem will begin a prolonged
fast until the Mitchell Plan is implemented. Others will be joining in
solidarity or "relay" fasting for a day or a weekend.
If you know of people abroad
who are interested in demonstrating solidarity, Yael Martin of Promoting
Enduring Peace in Woodmont, Connecticut, is coordinating solidarity Fasts
for Peace in the USA. Thus far four are scheduled for March 25. Her
email is: yaelmichele@yahoo.com.
Some events:
-
Photographs by Andres Lacko
of Israeli and Palestinian newborn babies and their parents will be on
exhibit in our tent.
-
A group of women will come from
the Latin Patriarchate for prayers on Wednesday, March 27.
-
Rabbis for Human Rights will
have morning prayers on Friday March 29.
-
Muslim prayers will be held
at noontime on Friday, March 29.
-
Describe your hopes for a better
tomorrow in our Fast for Peace book.
If you have any ideas of other
events - music, art, discussion groups - please let us know.
If you can help with organization and support, we will be most grateful.
And please, pass this along tell others about Fast for Peace.
Access:
Israelis can arrive through
Tantur (entrance on the Gilo Road, just west of the intersection with the
Hebron Road). Palestinians access is from the path just west of the taxi
stand.
Organizers:
The Fast for Peace has been
shaped by Prof. Sami Adwan of Bethlehem University; Father Raed Abusahlia,
Chancellor of the Latin Patriarchate, Jerusalem and Linda Livni, a writer
from Jerusalem.
Other originators of the
movement are: Prof. Dan Bar-On, Ben-Gurion University; Dr. Philip Veerman,
Defense for Children Israel; Sami Taha, Palestinian Businessman,
and Prof. Avraham Sela of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Thank you very much for your
interest. I look forward to hearing from you and seeing you at the
Fast for Peace.
Linda Livni
See also:
Last Update:
22.3.2002
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