Palestine / Israel Delegation (Reformed Church/Christian Reformed Church)
Conflict in Palestine/Israel has taken center stage in recent months. Despite involvement of the Quartet on the Middle East overtures from the Obama administration and overtures of the Obama administration, the situation for many Palestinians living in the West Bank remains grave. Road closures, home invasions, checkpoints and the presence of militant Israeli settlers in Palestinian villages continue to threaten Palestinian human rights. Israel's separation barrier (much of it built on confiscated Palestinian land) not only separates Palestinian communities from each other, but also acts as a barrier between ordinary Israelis and Palestinians seeking to come together for peace. CPT delegation members will gain a perspective on how these issues affect daily life.
Delegates will meet with Palestinian and Israeli human rights representatives and
peace workers in Jerusalem and Bethlehem. They will visit Palestinian families whose home and livelihoods are threatened by expanding Israeli settlements. They will travel to the city of Al Khalil (Hebron) and the village of At-Tuwani in the South Hebron Hills and experience firsthand CPT's work alongside Israeli and Palestinian partners. They will challenge the structural violence of the Occupation through nonviolent public witness.
CPT has had a continuous presence in the West Bank since 1995.
FUNDRAISING EXPECTATION: $2750 US / $2950 Canadian, which includes round-trip airfare from a designated U.S. or Canadian city. Those planning to travel from other countries, contact the CPT office for more information.