American priest and nun join Palestinian non-violent resistance in Gaza - ISM

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This about the nicest priest and nun story I've heard since the US Civil Rights Movement or Central America in the 80s. (or maybe when this picture was taken). There is something in the air or rather something moving at the grassroots. Public opinion is a very strange animal and it has been hungering for the right international image of the Palestinian struggle. This might be it. A test of the effectiveness of this action will be the streams of insults and innuendo that will rain down on the heads of Father Peter and Sister Mary Ellen. DS

Abstract: November 22nd: Father Peter and Sister Mary Ellen have moved on to Beit Lahia, in the north of Gaza, where Palestinians have been gathered for the last three days to protect the home of Wael Rajab, a house that took 20 years to build. This is at least the second location in Gaza in the last four days where this particular nonviolent tactic has been employed to prevent home demolition. Fr. Peter said he has been sitting outside the house with many people from the town, including doctors, teachers, and a civil engineer. “It is clear that violence will only lead to more violence,” Fr. Peter said, “but perhaps this nonviolent form of resistance will help to end the vicious cycle.” Palestinians have explained that hundreds of villagers have decided to participate in this action because they feel that since the world community has chosen not to help them, they must help themselves. And they are dedicated. “Even if Israel destroys our homes, we will stay,” said one Palestinian man to Fr. Peter.(...) It is a contravention of the Geneva Convention for armies to fail to make a distinction between unarmed civilians and armed combatants. Israel practices the strategy of telephoning residents of targeted homes shortly before the homes are to be destroyed, giving them just enough time to quickly escape. This practice has been used in over 60 cases within Gaza, despite the fact that any act of collective punishment is a crime under international law.
Contacts in Jabalya: Father Peter - 0546259547, Sister Mary Ellen - 0547947159
Link to ISM webpage