Good News and Not So Good News

from: Clarence and Joan Musgrave

Saturday 23rd - morning

There is sadness, anger, bitterness - all sorts of emotions here, no matter with whom you speak.

Sadness at the suicide bomber during the week when so many were killed, and at the automatic response of the Israeli government to invade the Bethlehem area once again.

Anger at what people on both sides of the community call "the men of violence" whether they be Israeli or Palestinian, who seem to be working to their own agenda.

Bitterness at what is perceived by both sides to be the bias of the world's media in reporting what is happening here.

If you are Palestinian, you wonder why there is so much more coverage given to deaths if Israelis in a suicide bomb attack than there is to the deaths of Palestinians, young and old, as a result of Israeli army operations. Are the lives of Palestinians worth less than those of Israelis?

If you are an Israeli Jewish person, you wonder why any reporting of the action of a suicide bomber is combined with reporting of deaths of Palestinians on the West Bank.

On Friday morning I had to go across town to East Jerusalem. Friday is, as you will be aware, the day when the largest numbers of people go to the Mosque in Old Jerusalem to pray. So, it is always a day when the police are most jittery and the blimp often is sent up with its "spy-in-the-sky" cameras. As it is Ramadan, there are likely to be even larger crowds of people than usual. Nevertheless, I was surprised to find, on my way north on the main road, that every entrance into East Jerusalem was closed. I was even more surprised to find on my return that the main road south on which I wanted to travel, had been closed, and there was a monster traffic jam. I had to take a 4 - mile detour round the city centre in order to approach home from a different direction. One is not surprised that similar traffic restrictions are not put in place when there are large numbers of Jewish people going to the Western Wall for special prayers.

Good News

1. The Jerusalem International YMCA (JIY) occupies a huge building in the centre of West Jerusalem, opposite the King David Hotel. When it first became known that I was going to be involved with it, I was asked why I wanted to get involved with the "American" YMCA, with the "Jewish": YMCA. Let some people see it that way. However, the philosophy of the JIY is that it offers a place where people of all faiths and none can come and participate in its activities.

On Tuesday, we had a report at the Board Meeting from a young man who until a few months ago was working in the Accounts department of the Y. Then he became involved in the Youth Programme. He spoke of 150 youngsters - Jewish Muslim and Christian, Israeli and Palestinian, coming to share in a sort of Youth Club; of several groups being formed to grapple with the problems of co-existence; of young people (I liked this!!) over 40, asking for their programme too!; of young folk from Haifa asking for assistance to have a similar programme there. We all know that it is probably easier to get a programme started, than to continue with it over a long period of time. Nevertheless, the fact that youngsters of both main communities have found their way to the Y to share with each other, can be nothing but a source of encouragement. It is good to have the chance to be involved with such a programme.

2. In Letter No 103, I mentioned the name of Shokusan Sabatan, and of the need for $5,000 to help pay for materials for use in surgery for her. The good news is that this morning, when I did my sums, I have been able to send a letter to the person who is my contact saying that I can give a cheque for NIS 23,000 as soon as anyone is ready to receive it. This is just about $5,000. Some of it has come from an individual donation from Canada, some of it from a group of people in Prague, and a major part from a congregation in Scotland. Thank you all for your support. I have never met the family, but at some stage I hope to be able to do so, and I hope to be able to relay news of her treatment.

3. On Friday night, the Study Tour people from Scotland who are here at present were invited to attend the Friday evening prayers at the Yedidya Synagogue, which Joan and I had attended a few weeks' ago. After the service, they, and we, were invited to the homes of three families from the congregation. Certainly in our case, we were not overly surprised to find that our host and hostess are as distressed as we are about the current situation. There may well be different understandings of some of the causes, but we were able to agree that all was not well. Whether or not there can be any further involvement with them, we will have to wait to see. (The proposed visit to Bethlehem on Friday had to be cancelled due to the re-occupation of the city by the Israeli army).

4. I have been hoping to put together a short speaking tour in Aberdeen, Dunfermline and Edinburgh after Joan and I have attended a course in Crieff in January. Our idea is to try to have follow up meetings with our Partner congregations, and anyone from the wider community who wishes to come - at which a Palestinian woman and a Jewish woman will speak. This, I hope, will give us a chance to hear two voices, and will perhaps widen our appreciation and understanding of what is happening here. The first item of good news is that there is outline approval for this. The second item of good news is that provisional agreement has been reached about the participation of the Palestinian woman. The third item of good news is that I am meeting next Monday a Jewish woman who has been a leading member of the Checkpoint Watch, who has indicated that she could well be able to share in this project. If all goes well, and arrangements can be made, I hope it will be possible to have a series of meetings in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dunfermline, from 26th - 30th January. Partner Congregations - watch this space, and get ready for action!!

Not so good news

Sunbula, the organization that assists Palestinian groups to sell their handcrafts, has had some Bazaars. The receipts from the one in St Andrew's a couple of weeks ago were significantly down on last year. I mentioned before that sales in 2000 were about $280,000. In 2001, they were less than half of that, and this year they are down again. Quite apart from the effect on Sunbula, there is the effect on the village communities where the women live who make the items. Any support for them would be enormously appreciated and significant. I am sure that Carol Morton: e-mail address Palcrafts@fish.co.uk: in Edinburgh would be able to provide information for people in Scotland about where to get such goods.

For general information. A book that was recommended to me recently is called "The Other Israel. Voices of Refusal and Dissent - articles by a diverse group of Israelis" It is published by the New Press, 450 West 41st Street, New York, NY10036 www.thenewpress.com ISBN 1-56584-789-X I am sure that you would find it compelling - and sad - reading.

Bye for now. We have to go to meet the Study Group, and with them make our way along the Via Dolorosa.

Stay well. God bless.

Love, Joan and Clarence.