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Despite a crack-down on internationals, Colin Stuart of Ottawa joined a Christian Peacemaker Team (CPT) delegation
to Israel and Palestine from 28 May to 8 June 2003.
For weeks, CPT( www.cpt.org
)and other peace workers have come under intense, sometimes violent,
pressure from the Israeli military and settlers to limit or cease
their human rights work.
CPT and organizations such as International
Solidarity Movement report that the response to the crack down
has been an increased public interest in going to Palestine/Israel.
In describing why he is going to Israel and Palestine
during such a high-risk period, Mr Stuart said, "A non-violent
international presence demonstrates to people who are suffering
daily from violence and intimidation that they are not alone. It
is a sign of hope and solidarity". Stuart added, "Simply
by their physical presence and their ability to report to the outside
world, "internationals" can reduce violence against ordinary
people. My decision to make this visit was taken before the most
recent harassment of peace workers, but these recent difficulties
have only reinforced my belief in the importance of such work."
The 12 members of the Stuart's delegation documented
the situation of Palestinian families in the Hebron and Bethlehem
areas who have been suffering under the escalation of violence in
the West Bank. The delegation met with Israeli and Palestinian peace
and human rights workers as well as CPT workers currently in Hebron,
engaged in nonviolent accompaniment work.
The group is organized by Christian Peacemaker
Teams (CPT), a project supported by Mennonites, Brethren, and Quakers
to reduce violence and promote the resolution of conflicts through
nonviolent means. CPT has maintained a full-time peace presence
in Hebron since June, 1995. In addition CPT has sent trained violence-reduction
teams to Haiti, Mexico, Chechnya, Bosnia, South Dakota, Washington,
DC, Richmond, VA, Nova Scotia and Ontario.
Members in Hebron include Sue Rhodes (Bath,
England), Germana Nijim (Cedar Falls, IA), Mary Lawrence
(Lunenburg, MA), Eric Schiller (Ottawa, ON), Harriet Taylor
(Germantown, MD), Chris Brown (San Francisco, CA), Greg
Rowlins (Surrey, BC), Kathie Uhler (New York, NY), Diane
Janzen (Calgary, AB)
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