Tent of Nations: An Update
By Jonathan Kuttab
Those who follow FOSNA on social media may know that I am currently traveling throughout Palestine (#JourneyWithJonathan). Yesterday, I had an opportunity to visit the Tent of Nations farm. Today, I visited Daoud Nassar at his home in Bethlehem, where he has been recovering from the violent assault against him about which I wrote last week. He appears to be recovering well and was deeply grateful for the concern and prayers he has received from many friends all over the world. He is gratified by the fact that the Palestinian Authority seems to be taking some action, with even Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas calling to express concern. In addition, the Mayor and Town Council of Nahhalin, the village from which the attackers came, visited him to express concern and show solidarity.
But that was not all, for I was able to bring Daoud some good news from my law office. The day before, an Israeli judge issued a ruling to dismiss a specific action brought to the court by the Jewish settlers who were demanding that the Military Government and its Civil Administration speed up the process of evicting the Nassars. Apparently, the settlers were unhappy that the Nassars had yet to be evicted from what they considered “state land,” and they were eager to see the land confiscated from the family and turned over to them. The court held that the Civil Administration did in fact declare the land as state land, but it recognized that the Nassars had objected to this and presented their title documents before the court. The court said that the Nassars did seem to have proper title, which was still being investigated by the authorities, and therefore there was no room for the case brought by the settlers. So, the case was dismissed. This is a small victory in the continuing legal battle over the Tent of Nations, but it is certainly a cause for celebration.
Unfortunately, Daoud’s brother just received a newly posted Stop Work Order from the Civil Administration requiring him to tear down a 30-square-meter shed. They first started building it back in 2019 (but it has been partially destroyed since then anyway). The order stated that the structure was illegal, having been built without a license. The new Stop Work Order was issued February 8, 2022 and gave us one week to completely destroy the structure or file a new objection. So, the legal battle continues. My office will prepare yet another legal challenge, so we have very little time to enjoy our “victory.”
The story of the Tent of Nations is truly amazing. The Nassars must defend themselves on several fronts: from attacks by settlers, from attacks by Palestinian thugs, and from attacks in the court as they wage a legal battle to hang on to land coveted by the settlers. In each battle, the existence of concerned outsiders like you who are willing to intervene, both morally and bodily, to support their sumud (or “steadfastness”) is of the utmost importance.
I had the opportunity to strategize with the Nassars. While they are still working with the courts on the re-registration of their land, perhaps it is time for them to go on the offensive and DEMAND the license required to build significant structures on the land. The Nassars are dedicated to nonviolent, peaceful resistance and are committed to peace and reconciliation. Instead of continuing to play defense, however, perhaps they should fight for the right to fully utilize their land.
There is no reason they should be denied the licenses required to build on their own land when the settlers are free to build whatever structures they choose, once they have evicted the rightful owners and taken the land for themselves. This would be a real fight, legally and politically, but the Nassars should strive to build structures that serve the community, alongside the cause of working for a just peace. Rather than reacting to and fending off attacks from multiple sides, hanging on to their land and trying to just stay put, they should be proactive in demanding that justice be served. This is a worthy goal, and we should all join together in such a worthy campaign.
News & Announcements
#JouneyWithJonathan #KeepingUpWithKuttab #Beyond2States #KuttabInPalestine
Our Executive Director, Jonathan Kuttab, recently touched down and has some very exciting meetings coming up with grass-roots organizations in Palestine. In addition to connecting in person with the leaders of Sabeel Jerusalem, Jonathan will be promoting the new Arabic and Hebrew versions of his book, "Beyond the Two-State Solution," visiting Bethlehem Bible College, Holy Land Trust, Tent of Nations (as mentioned above), and numerous other persons and organizations active in the Holy Land. We hope that this trip can help change the conversation on Palestine/Israel, and that we can face the new reality: one where the two-state solution is unfortunately no longer on the table. We cannot wait to continue sharing about his trip. Daily updates are available on our various social media outlets.
FOSNA invites you to explore the following events and activities:
February 12: Beyond the Two-State Solution in Arabic & Hebrew. This week, our friends at Nonviolence International are launching the Arabic and Hebrew versions of Jonathan Kuttab's book, Beyond the Two-State Solution. NVI has made the book available for free in English, Arabic, or Hebrew. We all need to read the executive summary, if not the whole book. To help NVI organize in-person or online events for reaching Hebrew and Arabic speaking audiences, please complete this form.
Online: A Celebration of the Life and Witness of Desmond Mipilo Tutu: Patron of Sabeel International. Recently, Sabeel and Friends of Sabeel held a memorial service to celebrate the life and dedicated service of the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Click on the link above to view the recording.
Weekly
Kumi Now! Connecting activists around the world every Tuesday with the organizations working on the ground in Palestine and Israel to bring a just and lasting peace based on international law and nonviolence.
Week 6: Medical Rights. The blockade of Gaza is a noose around its neck. One of the worst impacts of that noose is the denial of patients’ rights to travel for treatment, which is not available in Gaza. As a result, many patients died awaiting permission to travel for medical treatment. Join the Kumi Now community and learn about the medical blockade of Gaza and what you can do so that together we can rise up.
Sabeel Prayer Service. Join Sabeel every Thursday (6pm Jerusalem) for online Bible Study, discussion, and prayer. Examine scripture in light of the ongoing realities confronting the Palestinian Church and the pursuit of Palestinian liberation.
Wave of Prayer. Subscribe to receive Sabeel's Wave of Prayer, enabling friends of Sabeel around the world to pray over issues of critical concern to the Holy Land on a weekly basis.