The Jerusalem Media and Communication Centre (JMCC) recently highlighted the report, "The Dangerous Road to Education," released by Christian Peacemaker Teams and Operation Dove in 2010. 
CPTer, Laura Ciaghi explained, 

In the early afternoon of 23 January 2011, an armed man killed two animals near the South Hebron Hills village of Maghayir Al-Abeed. CPTers, arriving after the shooting, took video testimony from the animals' owner, Hani Salaami Mukhamri. 

Upon returning to the U.S. from Israel-Palestine, I've thought a lot about fear. In a couple of weeks, the organization I work for is hosting a symposium on addressing fear in the church and broader society. Today on a planning call we talked about how fear is a tool used to exercise power over others and about how we can be instrument to address fear, too, by being aware of the narrative we tell when we choose not to be afraid in a scary situation.

In short, the Palestinians live under an occupation without a clear path toward statehood. Israel’s reluctance to stop building settlements, let alone dismantle those in the West Bank, makes the occupation seem unshakeable. This is especially true when one considers the United States’ reluctance or inability to significantly influence Israeli foreign policy.

1/25/2011

We have now been in Palestine eight days. We started in Jerusalem for a couple days, then spent roughly one day in Bethlehem, three days in Hebron, and one in At-Tuwani. During this time most of what we saw was disturbing (e.g., aggressive Jewish settlers and an assertive Israeli military implementing unjust laws). The occupation is pervasive.

1/21/2011

We have now been here six days and witnessed a lot of discouraging news. In this blog I am going to describe some of this bad news with the promise that I will spend the next blog highlighting more hopeful news.

Maghayir Al-Abeed, South Hebron Hills, West Bank – In the early afternoon of 23 January 2011, an armed man killed two animals near the South Hebron Hills village of Maghayir Al-Abeed. Two teenage shepherds reported that they were watering their family's flock at a well just above their village when a man running through the area, carrying an M-16, fired four or five shots at the dog which accompanies their flock. The shooter proceeded to chase the flock, kicking a ewe and throwing rocks at its head.

Maghayir Al-Abeed, South Hebron Hills, West Bank – In the early afternoon of 23 January 2011, an armed man killed two animals near the South Hebron Hills village of Maghayir Al-Abeed. Two teenage shepherds reported that they were watering their family's flock at a well just above their village when a man running through the area, carrying an M-16, fired four or five shots at the dog which accompanies their flock. The shooter proceeded to chase the flock, kicking a ewe and throwing rocks at its head.

At-Tuwani, South Hebron Hills, West Bank – On Saturday, 22nd of January, Palestinian farmers successfully plowed fields in Khoruba valley, despite heavy harassment by settlers from the nearby  settlement of Ma'on.

By taking part in this trip I hope to gain a more enlightened perspective on the Palestinian and Israeli people, as well as the ongoing conflict. The impact of my trip began in the JFK airport. While I was waiting for my flight airport I was struck by the diversity in the Jewish population. Their dress varied from religious garb to the latest fashions.