| People ask me all the time why I went to | | | | filled with American Jews and |
| occupied Palestine-not just once-but | | | | Palestinian Muslims. I was in awe of all |
| five times since 2005 and why do I care | | | | of them as I prayed, "Jesus Christ! Will |
| so much about such a small plot of real | | | | you look at all these Muslims and Jews |
| estate. | | | | doing exactly what you commanded your |
| I reply, that I went the first time to | | | | followers must do; forgive, love and |
| meet a little boy of Bethlehem who | | | | bless ones enemies. Imagine when all we |
| changed my life and to be the Christian | | | | Christians do it too!" |
| delegate amongst the Palestinian and | | | | It was that fateful day that led me to |
| Jewish co-founders of the Olive Trees | | | | travel two hours every Tuesday afternoon |
| foundation for Peace [ an interfaith | | | | for many months in order to listen and |
| non-profit dedicated to raising | | | | write down Dr. Diab's memoirs, with the |
| awareness and funds to purchase trees to | | | | intention that it would be for his |
| replace those that have been destroyed | | | | grandchildren. |
| by The Wall. | | | | But, being an Irish story teller, |
| But, my last four trips to occupied | | | | dissident and spiritual creative, I had |
| Palestine were driven by the fierce | | | | no control over the six fictional |
| urgency of now and a sense of calling; | | | | characters that welled up within me and |
| to go-bear witness-and report about the | | | | who began to converse with Dr. Diab |
| lives of regular people living under | | | | during the days that followed our |
| military occupation and to learn about | | | | Tuesday meetings. Not until I completed, |
| and support the grass root efforts of | | | | KEEP HOPE ALIVE did I even realize that |
| Israeli, Palestinian and International | | | | my 'imaginary friends' also represented |
| nonviolent activists against the | | | | six different ways to intuit, love and |
| occupation of Palestine. | | | | serve God. |
| I also left hearth and home for occupied | | | | KEEP HOPE ALIVE is also an historical |
| Palestine five times because injustice | | | | fiction based on the memoirs of a 1948 |
| anywhere reverberates all over the world | | | | Palestinian Muslim refugee who became an |
| and American taxpayers are culpable in | | | | American citizen with Top Secret |
| where their money is laid down. | | | | Clearance during the Cold War and |
| Annually, over 3.2 billion USA tax | | | | founded the non-profit interfaith Olive |
| dollars are sent to Israel to support | | | | Trees Foundation for Peace as a positive |
| the now 40 years of military occupation | | | | response to THAT DAY we call 9/11. |
| of the indigenous peoples of the Holy | | | | Because of my connection to the OTFFP, I |
| Land. | | | | journeyed the first time to occupied |
| It was at an Olive Trees Foundation for | | | | territory in June 2005. I wrote down |
| Peace meeting, that I met a Catholic | | | | everything I experienced, felt in my gut |
| woman who showed me a photo first | | | | and wondered about. I went places I had |
| published by the Florida Catholic in | | | | never imagined existed and I did things |
| 2000; a photo that irrevocably changed | | | | I never thought I would or could; such |
| my life. | | | | as leaving Ramallah for Jerusalem late |
| Photographer Debbie Hill, captured three | | | | at night with a driver I did not know |
| year old George [it is his photo that | | | | and who only spoke Arabic. |
| adorns the banner of my website] of Beit | | | | That morning, I rode along with Dr. Diab |
| Jala, a once peaceful Christian village | | | | and his driver to Ramallah from |
| a five minute car ride from downtown | | | | Jerusalem, and witnessed the Wall in |
| Bethlehem, the morning after the Israeli | | | | full frontal, brutal view. On my left |
| army destroyed his sanctuary. | | | | was a thirty foot high wall of concrete; |
| Israeli forces had retaliated against a | | | | on my right, only rows of bankrupt |
| few hopeless militants who had | | | | businesses. |
| infiltrated George's neighborhood to | | | | "Financed with U.S. aid at a cost of |
| snipe across the way into the illegal | | | | $1.5 million per mile, the Israeli wall |
| settlement/colony of Gilo, about a mile | | | | prevents residents from receiving health |
| from the top of the hill not far from | | | | care and emergency medical services. In |
| George's home. | | | | other areas, the barrier separates |
| The shrapnel that blew apart the wall of | | | | farmers from their olive groves which |
| George's bedroom read 'Made in USA ' and | | | | have been their families' sole |
| was delivered via American made Apache | | | | livelihood for generations." [Washington |
| helicopters. | | | | Report on Middle East Affairs, Page 43, |
| The second I saw George's eyes, in that | | | | Jan/Feb. 2007] |
| photo, my heart said "DO SOMETHING!" | | | | Dr. Diab and I had an appointment at the |
| What could I possibly do I wondered, but | | | | Palestinian Authority's compound, where |
| I did make a copy of the photo, put it | | | | Arafat is now buried. |
| in a frame and placed it upon the altar | | | | We met with Rafiq Husseini, chief of |
| [a bar high table] in the upper room of | | | | staff to President Abbas who informed |
| my home. Dozens of times a day, I stop | | | | us, "We have lost more than 1.1 million |
| and gaze into the eyes of that little | | | | fruit-bearing trees in Palestinian |
| boy of Bethlehem and wonder what it will | | | | territories. Trees are about food, the |
| take to end the insane cycle of violence | | | | environment, and life. Ancient trees |
| in the Holy Land; which is in | | | | have been demolished by tanks, and we |
| pieces-bantustans. | | | | thank the Olive Trees Foundation for |
| When I met George for the first time in | | | | Peace for addressing the need to replace |
| June 2005, I vowed to him that the rest | | | | them and rebuild the faith of our |
| of my life would be dedicated to doing | | | | people. Palestine has always been |
| all I could to help bring about the end | | | | tolerant to people of all religions. The |
| of the occupation of Palestine. | | | | Jews came here out of Spain along with |
| Of course I had no clue as to what I | | | | many Arabs - and then came Zionism. When |
| would or could possibly do, or how much | | | | one wants to take over another, war |
| of an 'impossible mission' I had | | | | happens. President Abbas is a very bad |
| promised a little child of Bethlehem. | | | | politician; he does not lie! He is ready |
| But, every morning I wake up and wonder | | | | to move on from the past. We have quit |
| what I can do today in the pursuit of | | | | crying over our losses; we must move on. |
| peace and justice; equal human rights | | | | Live and let live is the motto of this |
| for all, for that is the only way Israel | | | | administration. We can not carry on a |
| will ever be secure. | | | | battle; it must stop. Peace can only |
| A month after my first return home from | | | | happen with peace, not force. President |
| occupied territory, I put up my website | | | | Abbas has promised, 'We will do whatever |
| and became a civilian journalist; which | | | | it takes to show the world we want |
| is best understood as one who goes out | | | | peace.' We need America to help us. The |
| of their comfort zone to report for the | | | | best thing would be for Americans to |
| benefit of we the people, without orders | | | | come and see the truth of the situation |
| or censorship from editors or paychecks | | | | for themselves. I encourage Americans to |
| from conglomerates. | | | | come and see the Wall; it has nothing to |
| The first civilian journalist may well | | | | do with security, but everything to do |
| have been Rachel Corrie, the altruistic | | | | with grabbing water and more land. When |
| young American and volunteer with ISM | | | | Americans understand the real situation, |
| International Solidarity movement who | | | | things will change for the better. The |
| was run over and killed by the weight of | | | | humiliation at the checkpoints is beyond |
| a Caterpillar bulldozer in Gaza in 2003, | | | | belief. It can drive anyone to |
| four days before America bombed Baghdad. | | | | desperation. We condemn all terrorism, |
| Rachel and other NONVIOLENT activists | | | | but resisting occupation is necessary." |
| had spent hours protesting against the | | | | After that meeting, Dr. Diab set off for |
| demolition of the home of a pharmacist | | | | his home village in the Galilee and I |
| with five children in Gaza. The Corrie | | | | explored Ramallah with a friend who was |
| family has sought but has yet to receive | | | | born and lives there. Just before |
| justice; an open Congressional | | | | midnight, my friend walked me through |
| investigation and admission of | | | | the checkpoint to where the cabs waited. |
| accountability by the Caterpillar | | | | I cringed when I saw the watchtower's |
| Company which continues to reap profits | | | | small window lit up, and I considered |
| from manufacturing products that further | | | | how easy it would be to be shot at and |
| the military occupation of Palestine. | | | | never see it coming. The ground was |
| On February 7 2003, Rachel wrote: | | | | rocky, uneven, and littered with debris |
| "…no amount of reading, attendance at | | | | and the only light was from the moon. |
| conferences, documentary viewing and | | | | My friend bargained with a cabbie in |
| word of mouth could have prepared me for | | | | Arabic and I marveled that I, who hated |
| the reality of the situation here. You | | | | to fly before 9/11 and with absolutely |
| just can't imagine it unless you see it | | | | no sense of direction at all, who only |
| - and even then you are always well | | | | speaks and understands English, was |
| aware that your experience of it is not | | | | traveling alone through occupied |
| at all the reality…Nobody in my family | | | | territory without any fear at all. |
| has been shot, driving in their car, by | | | | After two weeks of traveling through |
| a rocket launcher from a tower at the | | | | Israel Palestine with ten other |
| end of a major street in my | | | | Americans connected with the OTFFP, I |
| hometown…When I leave for school or | | | | remained alone in Jerusalem for the |
| work I can be relatively certain that | | | | following three days and once again, my |
| there will not be a heavily armed | | | | life was irrevocably changed. |
| soldier waiting…at a checkpoint with | | | | On the third Tuesday in June of 2005- |
| the power to decide whether I can go | | | | six days before I returned to the USA- |
| about my business, and whether I can get | | | | after an excruciatingly painful day in |
| home again when I'm done…I am in | | | | Hebron, I crossed paths with Vanunu for |
| Rafah: a city of about 140,000 people, | | | | the first time. |
| approximately 60% of whom are refugees - | | | | In April 2005, two months before my |
| many of whom are twice or three times | | | | first trip to Jerusalem, I turned the TV |
| refugees. Today, as I walked on top of | | | | on that had last been tuned onto the |
| the rubble where homes once stood, | | | | History channel. They were broadcasting |
| Egyptian soldiers called to me from the | | | | a show called, "Sexpionage" all about |
| other side of the border, 'Go! Go!' | | | | Russian female spies and one from the |
| because a tank was coming. And then | | | | Mossad. |
| waving and [asking] 'What's your name?' | | | | The very first clip that ran before my |
| "Something disturbing about this | | | | eyes was of Vanunu being transported to |
| friendly curiosity. It reminded me of | | | | his closed door trial depicting his |
| how much, to some degree, we are all | | | | inspired move to write upon his palm: |
| kids curious about other kids. Egyptian | | | | "HIJACKED" and the Rome flight number he |
| kids shouting at strange women wandering | | | | had been on. That was followed by a clip |
| into the path of tanks. Palestinian kids | | | | of Shimon Perez in 1986 stating that |
| shot from the tanks when they peak out | | | | Israel would never be the first in the |
| from behind walls to see what's going | | | | Mid East to possess nuclear weapons. |
| on. International kids standing in front | | | | Then, a black and white photo of a |
| of tanks with banners. Israeli kids in | | | | bearded, unkempt and disheveled Vanunu |
| the tanks anonymously - occasionally | | | | filled the TV screen and I thought his |
| shouting and also occasionally waving - | | | | eyes looked just like George's of Beit |
| many forced to be here, many just | | | | Jala's, and again, I heard in my heart: |
| aggressive - shooting into the houses as | | | | "Do Something!" |
| we wander away…There is a great deal | | | | I did email Vanunu after that show to |
| of concern here about the "reoccupation | | | | thank him for what he had done in 1986 |
| of Gaza". Gaza is reoccupied every day | | | | and to let him know that I and nine |
| to various extents but I think the fear | | | | other Americans would be in his |
| is that the tanks will enter all the | | | | territory in two months and we would |
| streets and remain here instead of | | | | like to take him to dinner or lunch. |
| entering some of the streets and then | | | | But, just days before that trip, a |
| withdrawing after some hours or days to | | | | Palestinian American warned me not to |
| observe and shoot from the edges of the | | | | contact Vanunu as Israel had denied him |
| communities. If people aren't already | | | | the right to speak to not just foreign |
| thinking about the consequences of this | | | | media but also ordered him to not speak |
| war for the people of the entire region | | | | to any foreigners at all. |
| then I hope you will start."[1] | | | | Only because a friend from Ramallah |
| It was the events of THAT DAY we call 9 | | | | happened to be in Jerusalem on the third |
| 11 topped off by President Bush's advice | | | | Tuesday in June 2005, and invited me out |
| a few days later to we the people that | | | | to dinner, did I venture out again. I |
| we should all go shopping if we wanted | | | | had no hunger for food after my day in |
| to help, that drove my curiosity to | | | | Hebron but as we walked towards the Old |
| learn "about the consequences" of USA | | | | City and neared St. Georges Cathedral |
| foreign policy in the Middle East. | | | | where Vanunu had been living, I asked my |
| Being a Christian, I also was driven by | | | | friend if he knew about Vanunu. He |
| the need to forgive, love and do good to | | | | recalled hearing about Vanunu's release |
| my 'enemies' that led me to connect with | | | | from prison in 2004, but he did not know |
| the interfaith non-profit OTFFP/Olive | | | | Vanunu was a Christian who had grown up |
| Trees Foundation for Peace during the | | | | in an Orthodox Jewish home but rejected |
| summer of 2003. | | | | the faith at 14 years old. |
| I connected with the OTFFP after reading | | | | As we entered the courtyard, Vanunu was |
| two oped's published in the Orlando | | | | on his way out to a meeting and a few |
| Sentinel written by the Palestinian | | | | minutes difference and we would have |
| Muslim and American Jewish Co-Founders | | | | missed him completely. |
| of the OTFFP regarding the need for open | | | | Instead I was startled by his physical |
| dialogue that recognizes, respects and | | | | presence, for I had imagined Vanunu to |
| empathizes with the pain of the other; | | | | be dark eyed and much taller than I at |
| for when that happens, anyone of good | | | | 5'4". Vanunu is not much taller or |
| will, will be moved by compassion to do | | | | heavier than I, but what knocked me for |
| something to alleviate the pain of the | | | | a loop were his light green-blue eyes |
| other. | | | | that immediately reminded me of the eyes |
| The OTFFP organization united American | | | | of an old woman I met in 1998, who |
| and Israeli Jews, Christians and Muslims | | | | irrevocably changed my life. |
| after THAT DAY we call 9/11 to literally | | | | Her name was Bernice and I crossed paths |
| extend the olive branch of peace to all | | | | with her for the first time just a few |
| the cousins in Father Abraham's family | | | | weeks after I began visiting someone at |
| in Israel Palestine by providing the | | | | a local nursing home. As I walked down |
| funds to purchase fruit bearing trees on | | | | the hallway, Bernice called out, "Help |
| both sides of The Wall. So far, 30,000 | | | | me. Help me." |
| have been rooted. | | | | I had been a registered nurse for |
| After a few phone calls and emails to | | | | twenty-five years and when ever I hear |
| the OTFFP organization, I committed to | | | | someone ask for help, I am compelled to |
| attend a Sunday afternoon OTFFP meeting | | | | do something, or at least try. All |
| in south Orlando following the final | | | | Bernice wanted was for me to change her |
| third of my first year of weekend | | | | position, for she was completely |
| retreats for students in a two year | | | | paralyzed. From a distance I thought her |
| formation program for Spiritual | | | | eyes were dark, but as I approached her, |
| Director's. | | | | I was startled at how light green-blue |
| During 2002-2003, I participated in a | | | | they were. That day was the beginning of |
| central Florida, Episcopal-Methodist | | | | my now ten year nursing home ministry, |
| Formation Program for SD/Spiritual | | | | and although I have no clue what color |
| Director's/SD's. SD's are not counselors | | | | Jesus' eyes may have been, in that |
| or therapists, but are centered and | | | | moment, I sensed/experienced the |
| prayerful people who have learned to | | | | presence of The Other; that mystery we |
| listen with their hearts to any other | | | | call God, for lack of a better word. |
| speaking of their struggles with God. | | | | Crossing paths with Bernice was the |
| I knew going into the program that I | | | | first time I had known a visceral, |
| would NOT be hanging out a shingle as an | | | | intuitive experience of the presence of |
| SD, I was drawn to be there for the | | | | God within another. It happened for the |
| curriculum; studying the saints and | | | | second time in the courtyard of St. |
| various ways of prayer. That is also | | | | George's Cathedral in 2005, during the |
| when I began to write creative spiritual | | | | chance crossing of paths with Vanunu, |
| literature. | | | | who inspired me to do something I had |
| But on a Sunday afternoon in the summer | | | | not yet imagined I would or could. |
| of 2003, after concluding my final | | | | During our third meeting, while Vanunu |
| weekend retreat I attended my first | | | | was telling me about growing up in |
| OTFFP meeting and my life was | | | | Marrakech, Morocco he asked me if I had |
| irrevocably changed, and it began that | | | | ever seen the "Dorothy Day" movie, |
| morning during a guided meditation. | | | | "The Man who Knew Too Much" for the |
| The workshop leader instructed my class | | | | beginning scenes were shot where he grew |
| to close our eyes and breathe deep and | | | | up. |
| slow as she invited us to enter into a | | | | He meant to say Doris Day, but in that |
| long corridor with many closed doors; | | | | moment I realized my childhood dream of |
| and then, she went silent. Immediately, | | | | being Brenda Starr had matured, for |
| I imagined myself skipping, jumping, | | | | Vanunu's slip of the tongue was the |
| dancing and running past miles of closed | | | | catalyst for me to begin to imagine |
| doors as I headed to the end of that | | | | following in the footsteps of Dorothy |
| long corridor. I was aware of, but not | | | | Day, the 20th century socialist |
| interested in any of the closed doors on | | | | muckraker who became a Christian and a |
| my right and left. I headed straight | | | | voice for the voiceless in her newspaper |
| ahead although it was a while before I | | | | The Catholic Worker, which persists |
| saw the enormous cathedral sized double | | | | today. |
| doors at the very end of the hallway. As | | | | Dorothy Day understood that, "Love is |
| I approached the wooden doors they | | | | not the starving of whole populations. |
| slowly opened into the inner space and I | | | | Love is not the bombardment of open |
| could see trees and mountains. After | | | | cities. Love is not killing......Our |
| crossing the threshold, I realized I | | | | manifesto is the Sermon on the Mount, |
| stood upon a mountain top and I could | | | | which means that we will try to be |
| see for miles. There were people of | | | | peacemakers." |
| every color and creed, in diverse dress | | | | During my travels through occupied |
| and all were at rest and in peaceful | | | | Palestine and after listening with my |
| harmony under those trees. | | | | heart to the people who shared their |
| When the workshop leader interrupted my | | | | stories with me, I asked everyone, "How |
| reverie, I did not want to leave that | | | | can I help? What can I do to try to be a |
| mountain top. I also had no clue if I | | | | peacemaker?" |
| had a glimpse of heaven or a possibility | | | | Everyone responded, "Tell our stories." |
| for this world, but as I was on my way | | | | Dorothy Day and Rachel Corrie told the |
| to meet some of the Olive Trees for | | | | stories of the oppressed. They both are |
| Peace people I thought that had | | | | dead, but as long as I can do something |
| something to do with my imaginative | | | | and have breath, I too will tell the |
| meditation. | | | | stories as I try to be a peacemaker by |
| I was the first to arrive at Dr. Diab's | | | | seeking justice; equal human rights for |
| home for the meeting, and on that Sunday | | | | all, and persist to hope for the best. |
| I was the only Christian in a room | | | | Might you do something too. |