Musalaha News letter June, 2001

PROLOGUE
WHO HATES MORE? WHO IS MORE EVIL?
STUDENT DESERT ENCOUNTER
AFTER THE DESERT TRIP..
YOUTH DESERT ENCOUNTER, FROM END TO BEGINNING
MUNAYER FAMILY UPDATE
YOUTH ACTIVITIES
PRAYER REQUESTS:

PROLOGUE

It will soon be nine months since the violence erupted in our region. The air is thick with despair and hearts continue to harden. People of this region are placing a guarded hope in the current cease-fire.

Recently, in an encouraging visit with a foreign church leader, he told us of a meeting with his government officials where they discussed the situation in the Middle East. The officials expressed their surprise that Musalaha has continued functioning in times like these, when many peace efforts have suspended their programs. For many Israelis and Palestinians, motivation for reconciliation has been choked by the increasing mistrust and hate between them. When asked how Musalaha has been able to continue working, the church leader was able to share about the spiritual dimension and Biblical foundations of this ministry. For it is only through Him that we are able to continue building bridges, and work together to show our communities the love and peace our Messiah alone can bring. This has also been possible because of the support and encouragement that we receive from you and many others around the world. We are sincerely grateful for your prayers and to the Father for his guidance and provision.

This newsletter includes the following articles, as a testimony of God's sovereignty and as a continued request for your prayers for the ministry of Musalaha:

- In a recent e-mail prayer update, Musalaha sent the article 'Who hates more? Who is more evil?' written by the director. The article discusses the presence of blame, hatred, violence and revenge in our current conflict. We have included the article in this newsletter for those who do not receive our e-mails.

- Two Desert Encounters, which took place in April, and the follow-up activities that have taken place since.

Future Activities:

- Songbook

- Youth Follow-up

- Director Salim J. Munayer will visit Chicago in September, and the West Coast (U.S,) in November. Any who are interested in meeting with Salim at that time, please contact him at Musalaha.

WHO HATES MORE? WHO IS MORE EVIL?

By Salim J. Munayer, Ph.D.

Last week, in the space of 24 hours, both the Israeli and Palestinian people experienced the loss of children as a result of the ongoing conflict. The Israeli media had full-time coverage of the murder of two Israeli school boys. Israeli government representatives went on in length, describing the atrocities committed and blaming the Palestinian Authority for inciting and supporting such violent acts. The Palestinian media had full-time coverage of the death of a Palestinian baby, killed by tank fire. Palestinians accused Israelis of having no consideration for Palestinian life. Unfortunately, such accusations re-occur almost every day. Each side blames the other, saying that they have lost all moral and ethical standards. It is more than evident that hatred is a prevailing force on both sides.

Israelis accuse the Palestinians of calling for the death of Jews, bringing quotations from Muslim clergymen's speeches, video and sound clips to prove their point. Israelis charge that children are taught in schools to hate Israel. (The role of education in promoting prejudice and hatred will be discussed in a second article.) Palestinians counter with their own charges, quoting the words of the Orthodox Sephardic spiritual leader, who recently called on the army to kill Arabs. They point to the graffiti written on Israeli walls, "Death to Arabs," which is also used as a popular slogan at football games.

At times when an outsider looks at us and our societies, his description can alert us to the severity of our situation. In an interview with Ha'aretz newspaper on April 27, a senior photographer from National Geographic spoke of the 2 weeks he spent photographing his travels between Jerusalem and Hebron. In his five visits he perceived the situation growing worse. He noted that he could sense and feel the hatred between people. According to his experience photographing around the world for 20 years, being 100 countries and many war zones, the magnitude of hatred between Palestinians and Israelis was matched only in Rwanda when the Hutu massacred the Tutsi. However, there the hatred was not with the same intellectual or religious connotations.

Scholars engaged in studying and evaluating conflict between groups have observed certain phenomena that can help us to understand some aspects of hatred and prejudice. This article will highlight a few of these trends and look at the Bible's exhortations in the area of hatred.

Trends among groups in conflict

Division between us and them.

Individuals tend to evaluate one's own group with sensitivity and favor. We are able to understand our own group, recognize its good qualities, and become attached to it. We overlook our own shortcomings because it is important to distinguish between us (who are right and good and merciful) and them (who are evil and wrong); and thus we can blame them.

Failure to see plurality within other side.

It is more difficult to understand 'them.' Instead of recognizing their qualities, we generalize and stereotype the other, saying things like, 'They all hate and want to kill us,' or 'They are the animals, they are the evil ones.' We are unable to see them as individuals with unique feelings and thoughts.

Palestinians generally view all Israelis as being right-winged and wanting to take their land. They do not recognize that many Israelis are writing and speaking out for peace and compromise. On the other side, Israelis tend to feel that all Palestinians would like to kill them, and do not realize that many Palestinians simply want to live in peace. Jews feel that all Arabs are the same and cannot be trusted. Arabs feel that all Jews are the same and cannot be trusted.

Due to the language barrier, Israelis and Palestinians do not read each other's newspapers and watch their TV programs. Thus they are dependent on very selective information given to them about the other side. One example is when a Western group associated with Holocaust denial wanted to hold an international conference in Lebanon. The conference was cancelled due to the strong protests of Palestinian, other Arab and international scholars and leaders. However, Israeli media focused on the issue of the conference and its supporters, giving little attention to those who blocked the event.

On the other side, when the previously mentioned rabbi cried out for the destruction of Palestinian homes and their death, Palestinians attributed these sentiments to all Jews. They failed to hear the voice of many Israelis condemning the rabbi's words.

While we understand and perhaps accept the variety of feeling and opinion within our own group, we do not recognize the debates and disagreements within the other group. Rather, we see them as one group united together against us.

Moral Superiority.

Thus, we decide that we are more peace loving, trustworthy, and honest. Our values become a moral authority, and we view with contempt those who have different values. Often we will not mix with those who do not share our moral standards, as they might change or corrupt us. The feeling of moral superiority allows for separation and protection; and can justify hatred or legitimize mistreatment of them.

During the pope's visit to Syria, President Bishar Assad gave an example of this attitude of moral superiority, when he likened the actions of the state of Israel to those of the Nazis; declaring that they are violating all human, moral principles. On the other side, Israeli President Moshe Katsav recently gave a speech where he spoke of a huge gap between us and the enemy [Arabs] in the areas of morality, ethics and conscience, as the Arabs are coming from a "totally different galaxy."

Perceived threat/victimization.

Both Israelis and Palestinian Arabs strongly perceive themselves as victims, and therefore are unable to see themselves as a threat to the other. If we are the victims, then we cannot be the victimizers. The victims' mentality causes them to be blind to others' pain, aspirations and needs, and therefore justify their attitude towards the other. This perception of themselves as the threatened and injured party, also allows for fear and hostility towards the other. Therefore violent action is justified, and some politicians use these fears to promote their political agenda.

Biblical Principles and Response

As Israeli and Palestinian believers we feel and experience with our people the effect of the conflict. Awareness of the dynamics of hatred can help us not to allow hatred to overcome us. Biblical principles can help us in this difficult situation.

"So God created man in his own image," (Gen. 1:27). All people are created in God's likeness. Thus, as believers we are not permitted to dehumanize or demonize the other, as all are formed after the image of God. We are commanded to act in love and respect towards all of God's creation.

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23) All of humanity is fallen and in need of restoration, regardless of their ethnicity or religious background. The prophet Amos spoke to not one, but many nations on their responsibility for their own sin. Also as individuals it is clear that "At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another" (Titus 3:3). We are all in need redemption from the sin of hatred and restoration through the power of resurrection.

Hatred is a destructive sin. In Romans 3:10,14-17, Paul quotes: "There is no one righteous, not even one.. Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery make their ways, and the way of peace they do not know." As believers we should mindful that hatred and hostility leads to violence and murder of those created in God's image. We must be alert, for Jesus warns that in time of trial, "many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other" (Mt. 24:9-11).

We must deal with the sin of hatred within ourselves and our people before judging others. The blame that we assign to others, our bitterness at their offenses, falls second to the recognition of our own sinful natures. Jesus spoke to individuals, asking us to take a sincere look at ourselves before passing judgment on others. "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" (Mt. 7). We are called to introspection and self-examination before confrontation with others. Before we preach about the other's hatred we much check our own hearts.

How then are we to respond to our enemy? How do we react to hatred? Jesus' answer is clear: "But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Mt. 5)." In many conflicts around the world, even believers in Jesus find themselves on opposite sides of the fence. However, we cannot follow God and stay in the darkness of hatred, "Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness" I John 2:9. Jesus asks us to take more than a passive role. We are prompted to take a stand against evil, and to take action by loving one another and even those who hate us.

Paul instructs us on how to treat one another: "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse..Do not repay anyone evil for evil..Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath.Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Rom. 12: 9-21).

As humans, to love those who hurt and persecute us is difficult. Thus we rely on the Holy Spirit to help us fulfill God's calling on our lives. "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness" (Romans 8:26). Although we might be unable to resist the anger, bitterness and hatred that so quickly springs up, we remember that "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us" (Romans 8:37). In this world that preaches revenge, we must stand in radical opposition to the sin of hatred that separates us from God and from each other. "Above all, love each other deeply, for love covers over a multitude of sins" (1 Pet. 4:8).

Many thanks to all who proofread and made suggestions; also thanks to Brittany Browning for her help in writing the article.

Sources.

Brewer, M.B. (1999) The psychology of prejudice: ingroup love or outgroup hate?

Journal of Social Issues.

Ha'aretz Weekend Edition, April 27, 2001.

Stephan, W.G. & Stephan, C.W. (1996). Intergroup relations. Dubuque, IA: Brown

& Benchmark.

STUDENT DESERT ENCOUNTER

This April, in spite of the tense political situation, 25 Palestinian and Israeli university students and young adults went to Wadi Rum, Jordan, for the Student Desert Encounter.

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want; He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake." (Ps. 23:1-3)

'All we need is for people to get to know each other, overcome some barriers, build personal relationships and appreciate the opportunity to have learnt more about the importance of reconciliation and unity in the body of our Lord'. These were my thoughts as the group came together in the beautiful desert of Wadi-Rum, Jordan.

I had it figured out - 'this must be God's desire for us'.

It's amazing though how much God knows us better than we know ourselves. Surely He knows what's best for us, as individuals and as a group.

So what was his desire for us?

"The Lord is my shepherd. He makes me. He leads me."

We meditated on Psalm 23 most of the trip, and God spoke. He spoke through the beauty and the quiet serenity of the desert around us. He was speaking, teaching, moving. because we were a group of people who longed after Him and his good ways. We desired that our God be our shepherd and teacher. And then we just lived. trying to get to know each other, and enjoying it.
Leaving the intense situation behind us, we were glad for the fun, relaxation, and lots of laughter. We rode camels and jeeps, climbed and rolled down sand dunes, sang, prayed, studied the Bible, and broke bread together. In all this God was working. I know He was because we were obeying Him, and He is faithful. Good things were happening. He blessed us with his spirit of love from the outset. There was no other logical explanation for how close we were becoming.

The relationships weren't meant to end after saying our good-byes on the fifth day. We had only scratched the surface, and there is still a lot of depth that needs to be explored in each one of us. Issues regarding the situation we're in right now will not be ignored, nor will any other issues that are important to us. They have yet to be dealt with, and who knows, we might never agree on many things that relate to this land. However, one thing has changed. That is our understanding of the importance of 'loving our neighbor' by relating to him / her very practically, on a very personal level.

"Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness" (James 3:18).

Some other impressions:

Leader: ". It takes two hands to clap, and it takes two to reconcile. The highlight of the trip was the personal talks between people, which show how ignorant we are about each other and how much work needs to be done to educate each other. I learned to be more patient and respect the lack of knowledge that we have about each other. It proved that only through personal relationships we could better inform each other of our fears, worries and concerns."

Participant: "The nakedness of the surroundings, the silence so unlike the stressing atmosphere of Jerusalem; hunger and thirst after water, living water, running water; needs that couldn't be postponed or ignored. I heard - more clearly than ever before - the whisper of the wind, the Spirit, over the sand, between the rocks, the tents. He, the Risen One, encourages us to take another person's hand on a slanting rock, drink from the same water canteen or share a dry piece of bread with somebody I suddenly dare to call brother, and say: 'this is His body, given for you - and me'."

AFTER THE DESERT TRIP..

Follow-up to the Student Desert Encounter

An important aspect of the desert trip is when participants meet again for fellowship and various activities. Follow-up events include service projects, picnics, trips to places of hardship or trauma, and workshops.

Email Dialogue

The internet has become an unexpected medium of keeping up the interaction and relationships that began in the desert. The group was excited to get together because since the trip they had been in constant contact through email. The emails shared by most of the group have been encouraging, humorous, and touching. In recent weeks, some of the emails have dealt with more difficult issues regarding our current political situation. While the correspondence has not been easy, the following quote from one of the emails illustrates the spirit in which people have been communicating:

"I just wanted to say that I REALLY appreciated your honesty. I'm neither threatened nor offended. I probably disagree with a bunch of stuff you said, but other things made me want to learn more. And beyond a shadow of a doubt, your feelings of pain and suffering are all too real and undeniable. Yeshua come soon."

Service Project

We also discussed options and possibilities for participating in a service project together. This project is an opportunity for our group to demonstrate to our communities the unity that is possible between Jewish and Arab believers through Jesus Christ. While we do not always agree, and many of us still experience frustrations because of our differences, we are still one family. Together we share a higher calling: to reach out to the people around us and offer them the love and peace of Jesus.

The group finally decided that our follow-up project would include a visit to a Messianic home for the elderly in Haifa, followed by a visit to an Arab hospital in Nazareth. Our goal in visiting these places is to offer support and encouragement through songs and testimonies to the sick and elderly in both the Arab and Jewish communities. In addition to these visits, each person in the group will ask his or her congregation to give a donation for needy families in the West Bank and Israel. The donations will be collected during our next meeting, and handed over to Musalaha for distribution to non-profit organizations that help those in need on both sides of the border.

YOUTH DESERT ENCOUNTER, FROM END TO BEGINNING

On the bus, near Tel Aviv, Friday afternoon

'I learned that we are united by our faith in the Messiah.' 'I learned that I can eat any kind of food and be okay.' 'I learned that Moses had the life of a prince and then had to wander in the desert for 40 years.' 'I learned how to find North and South based on the sun.' On the trip home, we asked each of the youth to share something that they had learned during the past 2 days in the desert. 'I learned that we are all people, that there is no difference between us, Arabs and Jews.'

Lunch time, Friday

We ate under the sparse shade of an acacia tree. The kids had prepared much of the meal. It seemed that they had become comfortable with one another. While most stuck close to their old friends, some were mixing and enjoying new acquaintances. Together they cut vegetables for salad, mixed spices in the lentils and potatoes, peeled the skins off roasted eggplants; and we all watched in shock as our guide took bread dough, flattened it and laid it right down under the fire, then covered it over with coals. We were going to eat that?

Riding Camels, Friday morning

We rode, two persons to a camel, across a rocky desert plain. The leaders tried to mix up the groups, having the young people ride with a partner who came from a different youth group. This was a long walk under the blazing sun, and brought new meaning to our Bible studies, where we learned that Moses and the Israelites spent 40 years wandering around like this.

Around the campfire, Thursday night

The evening went well. We managed to play a game in the darkness. Each young person was given the name of a certain animal and had to find their fellow animal by making that animals' sound. We must have looked quite funny barking, buzzing, and mooing around the fire.

Worshipping together is always a challenge, yet we managed some simple songs in Arabic and Hebrew. After a Bible Study we asked if any of the youth wanted to share. They were still a bit shy, and so several leaders expressed how this trip was an unexpected blessing for themselves.

Most interesting was a long talk that ensued around the fire. Much of the group had gone to sleep, worn out from the day's events. One young girl started asking questions about the political situation; she wanted answers. Some of the others were giving their opinions, and the conversation began to heat up. One of the leaders interjected, "As Christians we are told to forgive and love, and this is what we must do, even if it is difficult." Another agreed that our real enemy is hatred, and emphasized that we must be different than the world that teaches us to hate. One of the young people shared, "When I feel angry at someone and feel hatred towards him, I try to remember to see God in him, to see that he is a creation of God." We all recognized that we are taught to love each other, but agreed that at times we don't know how to do so; amidst the daily realities and pressures it can be very difficult.

Rapelling off the side of Ramon Crator, Thursday afternoon

It was frightening to take the first steps off the cliff. Most of the youth tried it with enthusiasm.

In jeeps, Thursday

They all climbed out of the jeep, smiling; they called themselves the 'Scorpians'. Apparently their jeep driver was exceptionally fun, and made going up the steep inclines and over large boulders extra exciting. The riders of the other jeeps were a bit jealous. We had divided the young people onto 6 jeeps in the morning, and many of them grumbled a bit because they couldn't be with their friends. By the afternoon, in our jeeps we were singing, making up names for our group, and together holding on for dear life as we bumped and bounced through the desert hills.

At the Campsite, Early morning, Thursday

Some of us have been awake since 5 (some more willingly then others). For many of the young people, this was their first time in the desert on a trip like this. It's too exciting to sleep. Groggy and dust-covered we stumbled out of the beduin tent for morning devotions.

From Jerusalem to the Negev, Wednesday evening

After dinner and introductions, we boarded the bus wearing name tags with our names written in at least two or three languages. Each person was assigned a partner, or 'angel' as we called them, to get to know and look after them for the entire trip. In the bus they sat together, learning 10 facts about each other, and also teaching and learning basic words in Arabic, Hebrew, and English. The language barrier is always difficult on these trips, as it is not easy to befriend people with whom you cannot communicate. There are other barriers, of shyness, of culture, of fear or hurt, that need to be overcome. The bus dropped us off in the middle of the wilderness. We hiked to our camp under a million stars, tripping and giggling along as the yellow moon rose behind us.

MUNAYER FAMILY UPDATE

- The family very much appreciates many people's special prayers, support, and words of encouragement and blessing during this difficult time. Thank you for praying for our physical protection, and we also thank God for giving emotional strength.

- We especially appreciate prayers for Salim's safety as he travels in and out of Bethlehem. We are happy that the Bethlehem Bible College was able to finish the school year, with 14 students graduating.

- School has ended, and all the boys have had a good year. Jack, Daniel, and John have enjoyed their participation on the YMCA swim team. Some have even received medals for their achievements.

- Jack will be going to England by himself for the first time this summer. At 11, this is a big step of independence, and we pray that all will go smoothly.

- Sam finally started talking at the age of three! He is already testing his ability in English and Hebrew, and is showing significant understanding in Arabic as well. Now that he can make himself understood he is flourishing in leaps and bounds.

- Kay and the family enjoyed a visit from Kay's mother in May.

- The family is hoping to go on holiday to Germany for 2 weeks in July/August. Please pray for God's provision on this much needed vacation.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Youth Prayer Evening. On March 15, we are inviting youth groups to host an evening of prayer for the needs of youth. Several youth groups are going to join together to pray and worship, others will meet on their own. The idea is that this evening will be set aside so that people from all areas can be united in prayer.

• Youth Desert Encounter. On April 10-13, Palestinian and Israeli youth from several different communities will join us for a desert trip to the Negev desert. Most of the leaders of this trip have been involved in the youth leaders' training workshops that we have held with Youth for Christ. Please pray for these leaders, that they will have wisdom, good teamwork, and the Lord's anointing in their testimonies, Bible study and worship. Please also pray that this will be a life-changing experience for the youth, and for the safety of all involved.

• University Student Cross-cultural communication workshop. Musalaha was invited by the international student leadership to share in workshops on cross-cultural communication. The first session held in February and the next one will be in March. We pray that the workshops will be helpful to the students as they communicate across cultural barriers.

• Student Desert Encounter. This Desert Encounter will be the second one geared towards university and college-age young adults. They will go to the beautiful Wadi Rum desert in Jordan on April 9-13. Again we ask for prayer for the leaders and for the participants, that the Lord will use their time together to bring them closer to Him and to each other.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

- Youth project in August
- Student social-service project in August
- Student Conference / Panel in the fall - a gathering to learn each others' histories.
- Completion and printing of Arabic / Hebrew songbook
- Printing of the 2nd edition of the book: In the Footsteps of Our Father Abraham
- Saying goodbye to Yael (secretary) and receiving a new volunteer from Denmark
- Safe and restful holidays for Musalaha staff this summer