Citizens for Justice in the Middle East

June 12 - BBC News story of West Bank attack

The BBC has obtained footage of Palestinians being attacked close to a Jewish settlement in the West Bank by a group of masked men wielding baseball bats. The footage was shot on a camera that was provided by an Israeli human rights group to enable Palestinians to get proof of attacks. [ Watch Video ]

Advocates for Middle East Peace Meet with Catholic Priest

Representing both Citizens for Peace and Justice in the Holy Land and Citizens for Justice in the Middle East (left to right): Gary Fuchs, Ann Hayles, Abbot Gregory Polan, Andrea Whitmore, Doug Whitmore, Audrey Bockelman

On Saturday, June 7, five advocates for peace with justice in Palestine and Israel drove to Conception Abbey in Maryville, Missouri, for an audience with Abbot Gregory. The abbot was attentive and congenial and seemed pleased with the various books and other media we presented for his own reading and for the Conception Abbey community. The abbot stressed how he values his friendships in the Jewish community (as do we all), while at the same time he is aware of Jesus' sayings regarding the poor and the oppressed, a category into which today's Palestinians certainly fall.

Doug's Journal from West Bank, Palestine - Updated March 11!

Teargas Treatment in Qalqilya

In the village of Azzoun situated in the Qalqilya region, one army jeep and one hummer, with 6-8 soldiers entered the village dispensing sound bombs and teargas. (photo: ISM)

FEBRUARY 26, 2008, Azzoun, West Bank, Palestine...Our team just got tear gassed by the army. It's our last day here and the Israeli army came to the mosque so we went out of our house to head that way. When we were a block from the soldiers boys threw stones from behind us so we had to go down a side street. We were with people outside some shops when tear gas was shot into a nearby intersection. The wind blew it on us as three military vehicles passed by on their way to the village gate. I'm sure they noticed us. Now we've come back into the house. Our eyes burned and watered for a few minutes then were ok I guess the military wanted to tell us goodbye. ... [ Read the full update on CJME's Google list ]

	Read other writing from Doug's Update #7, Update #6, Update #5, Update #4, Update #3, Update #2
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> March 4, 2008 - Take action by calling or writing public officials

Witness - Two Schools in Nablus (Al Jazeera news, Jan 2007) - Unpaid teachers, crowded classes and students at risk - a normal Palestinian school.

December 14-16 - "Tour de force" report on "Life in Palestine"

Human rights activist Anna Baltzer (center) with audience members after her talk at Broadway United Methodist Church in September 2007.

Anna delivered a "tour de force" presentation to forty people (yes!), who came out on a snowy Saturday morning to Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Lee's Summit, Missouri. The presentation detailed Israel's atrocities committed against Palestinians. Many in the audience heard for the first time about the inhumane treatment within the Palestinian territories and were quick to ask questions about our government's support and complicity. The founder of the Lee's Summit group, Citizens for Peace and Justice in the Holy Land, gave a heart-warming introduction that honored Anna's commitment to Middle East peace.

Anna gave her "Life in Occupied Palestine: Eyewitness Stories and Photos" presentation to four different groups besides Holy Spirit Catholic Church between December 14-16 -- Lawrence High School, Ecumenical Christian Ministries in Lawrence, Saint Andrew Christian Church in Olathe and on "Every Woman" program on KKFI-FM 90.1 radio.

For more info on Anna - http://www.annainthemiddleeast.com

$10,000 Fundraising Goal Met
for Hope Flowers School

Ibrahim Issa is continuing the work begun by his father (photo: BBC News)

The October 13 major fundraising event for Hope Flowers School in Bethlehem, Palestine held at Saint Andrew Christian Church in Olathe, Kansas and the November 4 Sacred Concert held at Village Presbyterian Church were both a huge success. The current fundraising amount raised after the October 13 and November 4 concert event is $10,000!

Our fundraising for Hope Flowers School in Bethlehem has made friends for the school at the same time as it's educated about the dire situation in Bethlehem--and in Palestine in general. The fundraising for Hope Flowers School has had support from New Song Church; Disciples Peace Fellowship; Peace and Justice Group; Grace Convenant Church; Saint Andrew Christian Church; Heartland Presbytery; and many of you.

Stay tuned for a full report soon!

Second Hope Flowers kickoff raises $1600 - August 12

Several of the 45 dinner participants at Holy Land Cafe on May 31

CJME along with New Song Church held a second fundraiser dinner for Hope Flowers School in Bethlehem. We raised $1600 at the event on August 12 at Jerusalem Bakery in Kansas City. There were 35 people attending, and we have now raised $2800 towards the $10,000 local campaign goal in 2007. Thank you each and everyone! If you were unable to attend the August 12 fundraiser dinner, you can support Hope Flowers by purchasing TSHIRTS ONLINE or signing up for the MAJOR FUNDRAISER EVENT.

"Israel wages a policy of deliberate destruction" - article in Kansas City Star by CJME President (2/20/07)

Jimmy Carter's best-selling book, "Palestine: Peace, Not Apartheid," is causing quite a stir. Those who've read the book know that Carter writes about Palestine (as the title says), not Israel. Palestine is the area designated by the international community as Arab and includes the West Bank and Gaza.

< Read full article | Read online Comments -- 33 so far! >

CJME Monthly Meetings:

Make your plans to attend the CJME monthly business meeting on the third Monday of every month. This meeting is open to the public and will focus on planning future events and activities. Come out to hear how you can work towards peace with justice! See calendar for details.