Palestinian Christians at Greenbelt: 'We refuse to be enemies'

Last night we prayed for peace in the Holy Land during our Catholic Mass with Fr Martin Poulson SDB, in the Shelter at the Greenbelt Festival. This morning thousands gathered for Greenbelt's ecumenical Act of Communion service. The service leaflet states: "We gather this year with hearts wrung out by the conflict in the Middle East."

Prayers were focussed on the millions of people round the world who have been displaced from their homes.

At one point we were all asked to moved a few yards from where we were sitting on the grass in front of the stage as a symbolic gesture of what it feels like to have to move.

We were joined on screen by Christian Palestinian Daoud Nasser and his family, who live on their farm in the West Bank: The Tent of Nations which they have owned for more than a hundred years. Daoud was down speak here, but because of developments he needed to stay home to protect his family.

The Nasser family have owned their family for more than a hundred years. They welcome foreign visitors and volunteers, and have hosted Christian events and courses there. But while all eyes focused on Gaza, Palestinian land in the West Bank is being taken on almost daily basis and the Tent of Nations itself is now facing threats. On March 13, 2024, the Israelis suddenly started building a road on the Nassar family's private property. On March 21, 2024, construction of a second road began that, if continued, would encroach on the family's land. While the courts keep postponing hearings, five groups of illegal settlers have now entered and work on the Nassar's land-as recently as August 15, 2024. Settlers are now building a structure on a portion of the Nassar's land: the likely beginning of another illegal outpost.

The Nassar family has always sought peace. In his message to Greenbelt today, Daoud said: "We refuse to be victims. we refuse to hate. we refuse to be enemies. We refuse to hate. We are trying to live out our Christian faith seeking peace and justice."

Find out more about Tent of Nations here: www.tentofnations.com

Contact them at tonfriendsuk@gmail.com

Note - Its a been a whirlwind few days here - with heavy rain and high winds battering tents and stages - but Greenbelt's huge programme has gone ahead regardless. Check ICN's social media pages for some basic notes. We'll be bringing you many more stories when I get back to London!