Last month, Vernonites Susan Ghattas and Marilyn Erdmann joined a group of Canadians, from Ontario to Vancouver Island, on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
Their journey, sponsored by the World Council of Churches at the invitation of Palestinian Christians, who number some 37,000 in the West Bank, took them from Nazareth to Hebron, via Galilee, Bethlehem, Occupied East Jerusalem, Jericho and the Dead Sea.
Ghattas joined the pilgrimage to honour her late mother-in-law who was forced from Jerusalem in 1948, moving five times with eight children in tow, before she immigrated to Canada. She was never allowed to return to her homeland but Ghattas recalls her toast before every family meal, “Next year in Jerusalem!”
Erdmann was grateful to have the opportunity to visit Israel/Palestine under the banner of Justice-Tourism.
“We have eco-tourism, edu-tourism and agri-tourism,” she said. “Justice-tourism offers Westerners the chance to visit places like Bethlehem, Jerusalem and Galilee to observe what’s going on there.
“We encountered two peaceful demonstrations in support of the 2,000 Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike but no violence, and everyone was friendly and extremely hospitable. In fact, the only time I felt nervous was when we were leaving and our taxi was scanned for explosives and drugs by the IDF (Israeli Defence Force).”
The two women will share their experiences and impressions at a KAIROS hosted event at All Saints Anglican Church, entitled It’s Time for Palestine: It’s Time for Peace, Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., moderated by the Rev. Canon Chris Harwood-Jones.
Joining them will be the president of the Canada Palestine Association and host of the radio program The Voice of Palestine, Hanna Kawas, along with activist/writer Karen deVito who was jailed for her participation on the Canadian boat to Gaza. Several local residents who have experienced life in Israel/Palestine first hand will also lead discussions and workshops.
An introduction and film With God on Our Side will take place at The People Place tonight. The film explores the theology of Christian Zionism and asks if there is a Biblical alternative to current government policies that have led to the suffering of Muslim and Christian Palestinians, as well as many Jewish Israelis. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. for the screening at 7 p.m.
Both events are free, but an optional donation will be collected at the door for speaker costs only.
For further details, please call 250-558- 5830.
