Israel takes land from 58 Christian families, stops building of soccer field

Ancient terraces under threat

United Methodist Kairos Response (UMKR) condemns Israel's theft of land from 58 Christian families in the Cremisan Valley and the stop-work order for a soccer field in the Muslim village of Wadi Foquin. Both are in the Bethlehem district, and Bethlehem residents believe these actions are part of an effort to drive Christians and Muslims from the region. The United Methodist Church has close connections in the area, and sponsors several projects in Wadi Foquin, where the soccer field was being built in part with United Methodist donations. UMKR urges all Americans to contact government officials in the US and Israel, asking that the equal human rights of all people in the region be respected.

Bulldozers began demolishing Christian-owned lands in the beautiful Cremisan Valley in August to make way for a massive three-story wall that will separate a historic monastery and its monks from the convent, school, and Palestinian people they serve. The monastery and fertile convent fields will be annexed to Israel, which has already taken more than 70% of Bethlehem's farmland. Fifty-eight Christian families will lose their orchards, farms and livelihoods. In recent weeks, Christians have clashed with Israeli forces and held prayer services on the land as the destruction took place. The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem has said, "Our Christian faith demands that we cry out in protest." More information and a call to action may be found at the Kairos Palestine website.

The nearby village of Wadi Foquin is also seeing its land confiscated. According to Friends of Wadi Foquin Chairman Rev. Michael Yoshii, "Significant portions of land in Wadi Foquin have already been annexed through the development and expansion of the illegal settlement of Betar Illit on the east side of the village." In June Israeli bulldozers destroyed 1300 fruit trees belonging to the village. United Methodists had worked with Friends of Wadi Foquin to raise funds for a soccer field that would provide hope for village children. When the field was cleared and ready to plant, a stop-work order was issued by Israeli authorities. More information and an action call may be found at the Friends of Wadi Foquin website.

Similar land theft has been occurring all over the West Bank as illegal settlements expand. First there are trailers, then settlements, and finally the industrial parks that sustain them. Ahmad Sokar, mayor and head of the village council of Wadi Foquin, believes that the latest annexation by the Israeli authorities is intended for the creation of an industrial and commercial zone serving the settlement community. Israeli settlements on occupied land are a violation of international law and are strongly opposed by the United Methodist denomination.

United Methodist Kairos Response is a global grassroots movement in the United Methodist Church responding to the urgent call from Palestinian Christians for action that will help to end Israel's occupation.

For more information, visit www.kairosresponse.org