Tuesday, December 29, 2009

East Jerusalem


Last week, I learned that I would be in East Jerusalem for the duration of my work as an EA. I am very excited about this prospect and I am looking forward to discovering this city, on both sides. The team of EAs in Jerusalem has several tasks: 1) monitor house demolitions and evacuations in Palestinian neighborhoods, 2) visit Palestinian communities on the West Bank (in particular, several Bedouin villages, refugee camps, and the city of Ramallah), 3) participate in the life of various Christian Churches in East Jerusalem, many who are Arabic speaking, 4) support and collaborate with Israeli human rights and peace groups, and 5) accompany Palestinians as they go through the four checkpoints they are required to use between Jerusalem and the West Bank. Our team is composed of four members, coming form four different countries: me as a Swiss who lives in the U.S., a Swedish woman, an Irish man, and a Norwegian man. I will tell you more about them when I meet them. Taking off this coming Friday at 3pm MST!