Annapolis and beyond

Today was a heavy day with visits with two very articulate and scholarly gentlemen; one from Sabeel and the other from Musalaha, a group who believes that "as conflict in the Holy land persists, Israelis nd Palstininians find themselves in the midst of a violent and intractible struggle. Years of coflict between our peoples have allowed a process of dehumanization of the "other". Believers are also impacted by the cycle of fear, violence and hatred. Thus reconcilition has become one of the central issues with the body of the Messiah". Salime and leaders of messianic Israeli and Palestinian christian communities lead groups of Israeli and a Aalestinian men on desert trips together to learn about each other and discuss their common values. The gentleman from Sabeel suggested the Peace process now being discussed in practical way avoids the core values of the Christian faith: peace, non use of weapons, human rights and non discrimination because of race. He says unless the discussions are around these core values, nothing will be achieved. The rest of the after noon was spent on a tour by the ISRAELI committee against House demolitions which showed how the Israeli government is incrementally building settlements which will establish more 'facts on the ground" that prevent the Palestinians from living on the land. A closing on a positive note is that none of this need happen if we as Americans object. The work is ahead of us. BILL