Rabbi Arik Ascherman, executive director of Rabbis for Human Rights, joined Christians and Muslims to protest the destruction of yet another house in East Jerusalem. House demolitions increased dramatically this past year.

An expatriate Christian who protested wrote: “The practice of house demolition is condemned by most people here, including many citizens of Israel, as having no moral justification. It is vigorously opposed by human rights groups; one of the most respected is the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions. ICAHD is a nonviolent, direct-action group originally established to oppose and resist Israeli demolition of Palestinian homes in the Occupied Territories. As part of its work, ICAHD planned to replace three hundred demolished Palestinian homes in 2007.”

Tens of thousands of people have been made homeless through house demolition. Mission co-workers Michele and Terry Finseth express deep concern that this system of house demolition makes some of the poorest families destitute and guarantees their suffering for years to come. They express special concern for the deep emotional scars this inflicts on children. The Israeli human rights group B’Tselem calls the demolition of houses in East Jerusalem and the West Bank a political act that is part of a declared policy of strengthening and expanding Israeli settlements.

On this day, because of interfaith efforts to stop injustice and take a stand for human rights, a family’s home was saved. What will happen tomorrow? The Christian community can help. The ICAHD Web site (www.icahd.org/eng) is full of information and suggestions. The Presbyterian Peacemaking Program also has reports and advocacy information about peacemaking efforts in the Middle East. www.pcusa.org/peacemaking/actnow/actnow.htm#mideast.

PC(USA) People in Mission
H. Douglas Dicks, regional liaison, Israel, Palestine, and Jordan, Catholic Relief Services [Israel] • Companionship Facilitators, Joining Hands Against Hunger, Palestine [Jerusalem]: Michele Finseth and Terry Finseth • International Center of Bethehem, Matthew Middleton, mission volunteer (MV), music teacher/organist, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jordan and the Holy Land [Palestine] • Shannon O'Donnell, MV, assistant to the director, Sabeel, Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center [Palestine]

Partners/Ministries
Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East: Bishop Suhail Dawani • Ahli Arab Hospital, Gaza: Mrs. Suhaila Tarazi, director • St. Luke’s Hospital, Nablus: Mr. Mazen Kawa, administrative director, Rev. Husam Naoum, vice chairman • The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jordan and the Holy Land: Bishop Dr. Munib Younan • The International Center of Bethlehem: Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, general director • The Middle East Council of Churches’ Refugee Vocational Training Programs and Health/Well-Baby Clinics, Gaza: Mr. Constantine Dabbagh, executive secretary • The Middle East Council of Churches’ Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees: Dr. Bernard Sabella, executive secretary • Presbytery Partnership [Israel]: Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East with the Presbytery of Philadelphia

PC(USA) General Assembly Staff
Terri L. Stephenson, OGA