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Asalaamalekum/Shalom:

I am well but almost overwhelmed by the tragedy of what can only be called Israeli apartheid. This is not exageration or hyperbole: it is an accurate description of what is going on here. We have visited settlements and talked with settlers, we have met with students and faculty at Al Quds U. We have met the family of a "shaheed" (suicide bomber). We have seen many demolished homes, and been witness to harrasment and life/hope destroying searches and checkpoints. The hatred, fear, and desire for revenge are palpable. Just the night before last, at Damascus Gate near where we are staying in the old city, one of our guides had his guide license torn up by the military, more or less on whimsy. This effectively removes his livlihood and right to work in Jerusalem. We talked with the guide shortly afterward and he said (to quote) "I feel like blowing up the Knesset."

I would like to describe much more, but first should ask you for your thoughts and prayers (for those of you so inclined) and actions for Creg Rollins. He has been in prison now for 15 or 16 days without charge and our government seems to be doing little about it. I think it is time to really start bothering DFAIT and the Mnister. Tonight in our discussions with the team, we three Canadians found ourselves asking the Americans on the team to find ways of intervening. Please call/write and at least ask whether Creg has been released and if not, why not given that no charges have been laid. What is Canada doing?

This note is being written from an Internet cafe in the Old City. The process is not reliable, and this is the third attempt. All the writing in the previous two attempts was lost and I am going to send this now before I lose it.

Tommorrw we head for Bethlehem and Hebron. There is still some doubt that we will be able to get into Hebron, but we feel we must try. There are ways around the checkpoints and we may try some of these. Things seem to have eased up a little in the last day or two so.... hopefully I will be able to write from Bethlehem or even Hebron.

Peace
Colin