Update from Bethlehem Delegation

Update from Bethlehem Delegation

December 30, 2005

Two delegates of the Michigan Peace Team are finishing up the week at the historic "Celebrating Nonviolent Resistance" conference. Organized by Nonviolence International and the Holy Land Trust, it includes hundreds of peacemakers from around the globe.

U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, former U.S. president Jimmy Carter, and South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu have sent letters and representatives to the conference. President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian National Authority and Bethlehem mayor Dr. Batarseh are featured speakers. Prominent Israeli peace activists Gila Svirsky (Women in Black) and Jeff Halper (Israeli Committee Against Home Demolitions) are speakers as well.

Civil rights leader Bernard LaFayette, Jr. and peace historian Gene Sharp are two of many workshop leaders. Those living under occupation: Palestinians, Iraqis, Tibetans, and Western Saharan Africans, are given particular attention on nonviolent strategies.

Our team reports that because no peace organization since 2003 but MPT has been able to enter and work in Gaza, many people at the conference are asking us about Gaza. MPT might facilitate communication of groups with Gaza. It is clear that there are no Gaza voices at this conference. There are NGOs planning to do a training in Gaza and MPT could link up with them.

The Women's International Peace Service, stationed in Hares, West Bank, is
urging MPT to collaborate with the international peace team groups' monthly
Forum meeting. So is Kathy of Quaker Service in Jerusalem. We are excited about these possible collaborations.

Donations towards the cost of the Bethlehem conference are greatly appreciated. Checks can be made payable to: Michigan Peace Team (please note on memo line "Bethlehem conference") and mailed to: MPT, 1516 Jerome St, Lansing, MI 48912.

To read more abou the conference, go to: www.celebratingnv.org