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Time for Churches to join protests against Israeli oppression

The killing of 15 Palestinians who were among thousands of demonstrators protesting against Israel’s government atrocities and discrimination is a reminder that more needs to be done. The stories are not being reported fully in the mainstream news media as Israel continues to abuse Palestinian rights. Israeli killings mar Easter celebrations

By Maria Khoury

Fifteen Palestinians killed in Gaza and 1,400 others wounded as Jews across the world began to celebrate Passover on Friday, but it was the the commemoration of Land Day in Palestine to protest against the expropriation of Palestinian owned land.

Israeli forces fired live ammunition at protesters and used tear gas to push them back. Palestinians in Gaza have planned 45 days of protests along the boarder with Israel leading up to the 70th anniversary of the Nakba (the catastrophe of Palestine when Israel was established). And it is expected that the United States will be transferring its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem around the same time, following President Donald Trump’s declaration of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in December 2017.

As I have been in Boston for many months, I never hear such news on mass media nor do I hear of the 10 million dollars per day from hard worked American taxpayer’s money that goes to Israel for military aid to continue the brutal occupation of Palestine. Nor do I hear of the continued demolishing of Palestinian homes as a form of collective punishment or the 6,000 Palestinians currently in Israeli jail with over 356 minors many on administrative detention.

Clashes in Gaza. Israeli soldiers constantly target Palestinian civilians killing them with no consequences. Copyright (C) 2015 Mohammed Asad. All Rights reserved. Photos may be reproduced with proper credit to Mohammed Asad and the Arab Daily News

Of course I never hear anything about illegal Israeli settlements totally out of control in the West Bank. May our Lord have mercy as we are about to complete our Holy Great Lenten journey. It seems we are all on different schedules but if only we can find the humanity in one another.

If only my own people can stop saying they don’t want politics in the church and find no problem staying silent against human right violations while their own money is used in this endless Israeli/Palestinian conflict. Forgive me for my politics. I am trying to bear witness to Christ’s love and peace. Just trying.

For those friends with the ancient faith schedule, I hope you will have a blessed Holy Palm Sunday celebration, blessed Holy Week and glorious Holy Pascha. For many friends celebrating Easter this Sunday, may it be a joyous Happy Easter!

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As I fight my own demons, I hope to find partners in working for peace, for justice and reconciliation. May the True Light of Christ transform your life this Holy Pascha. May you experience the new life in Christ offered to all. It is only in the land of Christ’s Holy Resurrection that we can say every single day of the year Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!

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Maria Khoury

Palestine Christian Writer, Blogger at St. George Greek Orthodox Church

Maria C. Khoury

Palestine Christian Writer, Blogger at St. George Greek Orthodox Church
Maria (Kouremenou) Khoury is the author of Orthodox Christian children's books including Christina Goes to the Holy Land, walking the footsteps of Christ. She is a graduate of Hellenic College (1982), Harvard University (1985) and Boston University (1992) with a doctor of education degree. Born in Tripoli, Greece, she was raised in Denver, Colorado. On Dec 31, 2009 she was included on the top 4 Human Rights Champions list by DC Human Rights Examiner including the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Hilary Clinton.

Maria is the author of Witness in the Holy Land (distributed by www.HolyCrossBookstore.com), a publication reflecting personal experiences living under military occupation with her husband the former Mayor of Taybeh, David Canaan Khoury and three children Elena, Canaan, and Constantine. Her articles have been published world-wide in numerous newspapers and magazines and have been translated to various languages bringing awareness of the Christian presence in the Holy Land.

Maria Khoury has been the Taybeh Oktoberfest organizer since 2005.She divides her time between her homes in Boston and Taybeh, travels throughout the world promoting the Christina Books and making presentations about the dwindling Christian community in Palestine.She encourages people to stay at the new Taybeh Golden Hotel and experience rural life in Palestine.