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Volunteer Experience - Jemmina

Hi my name is Jemmina , I’m from New Zealand (a tiny island on the other side of the world), speak with a funny accent,  and I have been volunteering for Musalaha Youth Department from May to November, 2012.

In July I was able to go to all three of our summer camps (3 weeks of hanging out with kids? YES PLEASE!) in Hebron, Taybeh and Baptist Village. These 3 camps were definitely my favorite part of my time here, I got to play with kids, talk to leaders and children, and see Musalaha in action. I loved watching the kids play, and being able to join in. They reminded me of my siblings, they played tricks on me, danced with me tried to tickle me and chased me until I was out of breath. 

At the Baptist Village camp as well as forming close relationships with the girls in my cabin; I was able to make friends with some of the youth who had come along to be counselors. The friends I made at camp made the experience much better, as we had (very) competitive card games, told jokes and people tried to copy the way I talk. One of the funniest memories I have from these friendships is the nickname I was given, on the first day of camp I had 2 councilors calling me Benjamin. By the end of camp every councilor and most of the campers called me Benjamin!

I have attended local youth leader training and meet young people whose efforts to make real, significant change in their communities have left me awestruck and hopeful. 

Learning about how they get young people involved with community projects that show them that even as youth they have an important role to play in their communities and equipping youth leaders to reach out to teenagers impacted by the conflict.

Besides the camps, my other highlight was when I got to meet the 14 youth who were going to Holland. Although this was no big, exciting event, I left excited about what would happen on the Holland trip, and I wasn’t even going!

When we had a reunion last week, I couldn’t wait to see everyone again and find out how they enjoyed the trip.  I was inspired as I heard stories of how people had changed, what they learnt, and what they want to do now.  I loved hearing about how a young Jewish guy felt each night after listening and learning from his Palestinian friend, and watching the young Palestinian guy, who at first felt intimidated and fearful in the presence of Jews, laugh and make jokes with his new friends.

Sometimes, when I work in the office doing (very important) things like making name tags or writing budgets, it can be easy to forget why I’m here and what I’m really working for.  At the reunion, while I was listening to conversations go on around me I was reminded why I flew for 24 hours away from my family and everything that is familiar to me, because I love Musalaha. Because I am passionate about seeing young people, about seeing YOU change your worlds.

Over the last six months I feel very lucky to be able to participate as an outsider in several Musalaha events. At these events I have learnt so much and if I had to say one thing that I have learnt about reconciliation, is that it is possible. As I have had the chance to live here I can see how as a young person in this environment it would be easy to become cynical, discouraged and hopeless for the future, but I have been encouraged and incredibly inspired by everyone I have met through Musalaha and the hope you posses. To everyone that I have had the chance to meet here, thank you for all you’ve taught me.

 The friends that I have made here have become very special to me and I have loved getting to know you.

Living here has been such an adventure as I have experienced living in a completely different culture surrounded by people who speak other languages. One morning an old man said good morning to me and I complimented him on his roses. I was given roses every day that week and once I was even given a fig! This would never happen where I’m from. I am now preparing to go home, back to my family and back to my life. 

Thank you so much for welcoming me and letting me into this little part of your lives.

if you would like to read more about Jema's experiences, please visit her blog

Intergenerational Trauma

Reflections on Trauma and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Recently one of our women’s groups went through their second training on the subject of trauma. In our previous trauma conference we focused on family trauma, losses in our communities, and factors necessary for healing. In this follow-up conference, we discussed domestic and intergenerational aspects of trauma. Domestic trauma is a subject many of us are aware of due to media and public awareness initiatives, but intergenerational trauma is something that was new to many of us. Intergenerational trauma, otherwise known as complex, historical or ancestral trauma is a relatively new focus within psychology that deals with the experience of violence suffered by a group of people that is then passed on to successive generations.

At first, it was difficult for me to understand why we needed to address both these areas of trauma, as I failed to grasp the relevance of domestic trauma to reconciliation in an intergroup forum. Yet, as the conference went on, the more I understood as the similarities between domestic and intergenerational trauma were explained.

In the context of our conflict, there are two main causes of intergenerational trauma: first, the trauma that Israelis and Palestinians have suffered due to external perpetrators, respectively; and second, the trauma Israelis and Palestinians have caused each other. The external sources of Palestinian trauma were caused by Ottoman oppression and British Colonialism, particularly in the aftermath of the Arab Revolt of 1936. The Israelis, on the other hand, have suffered intergenerational trauma as a result of anti-Semitism, carried out through a history of discrimination, pogroms, and most notably, during the Holocaust. Domestically, Israelis suffer from trauma due to the cycles of terror attacks carried out by Palestinians. Palestinians suffer domestic trauma as a result of the Israeli occupation and military attacks by Israelis. Both sides cause and continue trauma against the other.

The patterns of violence are reflective of those of domestic abuse.[1]

Abuse is when the perpetrator commits an act of verbal or physical violence. On a collective or national level, violence ranges from intimidation to murder. The occupation, the separation wall, land confiscation, terror attacks and kidnapping soldiers are only a few examples of abuses in our context.

Guilt occurs when the perpetrator feels guilty, but not because of what they have done. They are generally more concerned with the possibility of being caught. On a collective level, the perpetrator tries to reinforce a sense of shame. Both the Israelis and the Palestinians claim that the other kills innocent children and women, and try to shame the other.

Excuses are when the perpetrator rationalizes what they have done. They may come up with a string of justifications for their behavior, or blame the other for their own abusive behavior – anything to avoid taking responsibility.  On a collective level, the idea of who to blame is utilized to excuse the use of violence. Israel takes certain military measures because it has the right to defend itself from Palestinian attacks. On the other hand, the Palestinian militia groups hold the same claim to justify retaliation to Israeli military attacks. Both point fingers at the other, and thus excuse their own use of violence.

“Normal” behavior is when the perpetrator may act as if nothing has happened, or may try to be charming. In domestic trauma, this is often the phase where the spouse hopes that the abusive partner has changed. At the intergenerational, collective level, there will always be denial and minimization of acts of violence, even when discussing atrocities such as genocide. The sporadic news about peace negotiations or slogans for peace taking place in between each cycle gives Palestinians and Israelis a sense of normalcy

Fantasy and planning are when the perpetrator spends a lot of time thinking about what the other has done wrong and how to make them pay. Then they make a plan for turning fantasy of abuse into reality. On a collective level, the perpetrator plans the type and level of attack based on a range of factors. Palestinians claim that the Israeli occupation has enforced a siege on Gaza since 2006 and the only way to fight is through rockets and missiles. The Israelis, on the other hand, claim that Hamas has been launching thousands of rockets threatening the safety of its residents and Israel has the right to defend itself.

Set-up is when the perpetrator may try to make the other look like they have done something wrong and then the perpetrator puts their plan into motion, creating a situation where they can justify re-abusing. On a collective level, the idea of who and what to blame will be planned even before violent acts take place. Both the Israelis and the Palestinians are quick to blame each other for the violent acts, thus leaving no other choice but to have another cycle of violence.

The violence, murder and suffering of innocent Palestinians and Israelis taking place as a result of the recent outbreak in Gaza and Israel is another cycle of abuse compounding the past cycles of violence. Each side tries to shift the blame on the other side. And each side attempts to claim moral superiority in order to bring shame to the other side's method of fighting. Both sides will claim that the timing and the force of the attacks have been planned ahead to serve many political or personal interests. All this causes and maintains a cycle of systematic trauma to both Palestinians and Israelis.

These same elements are reiterated on social media channels where individuals feel the need to express themselves, and their support, disapproval and/or opposition of each side. Pictures and information are passed on as evidence making it easier to take sides. People seem to get sucked into pointing fingers of blame at the other side, and a sense of division becomes more vocal.

At the same time, there are also voices that are calling for an alternative viewpoint. One Palestinian wrote:

Are we [Palestinian and Israelis] both doing the same mistake, watching and listening to the media that is making us look only at our people? I hope not. I have done that and making sure only my people are doing well and praying only for them. I am sorry I did that. I am sending the message over the walls with no rockets attached to tell you I pray for you and for the people in Israel and for your leaders as well as mine. Let us all speak out for the light that we have needs to shine in these dark moments.

An Israeli wrote:

In this time of trials and tribulations, let us not lose sight of what Jesus came to the earth to teach us and that is Love… Only God's love can teach us how to love and forgive our enemies, even if they trample you under their feet. We know that we abide in this love when the moment an act of hatred is thrown at you, you turn the other cheek… I pray that the Lord shows all of us what love really means through His eyes and that He brings comfort to those with shattered hearts. 

I have learned that there are many causes of trauma, and that trauma functions on its own cycle. Just as domestic violence carries with it a lot of abuse, so does the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Do we need to wait for our leaders to stop this cycle? Or can we be the voice in the wilderness – in the midst of the conflict – that calls our peoples to repentance, redemption, and reconciliation? We want to be agents of hope to our people, and we want to anchor those who are suffering and hurting. We remember the words of the Psalmist who wrote “Though you have made me see troubles many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once more” (Psalm 71:20-21). We believe that our present conflict and suffering is not the end, as it says in Proverbs, “Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord. There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off” (Proverbs 23:17-18). It is this future hope we strive for, and we ask for your continued prayers for peace and restoration during this troubled time.

-Shadia Qubti

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[1] Much of the following material comes from handouts distributed during the conference.  

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Dear friends, 

During these times, we are surrounded with voices of separation and violence*. Just because we hear them, it doesn't mean that we are not affected by them. And we are pushed into taking a stance. In one of our chapters in the Curriculum, we talk about conflict and we conclude that it is an inevitable part of life. Conflict can be at work, with friends, family and neighbours. Moreover, within our context, we are reminded that we, Palestinians and Israelis, are in a complicated and vicious conflict. Our peoples are suffering and hurting. Consequently, we put our relationships with the other side in question, and we doubt the possibility of peace. We feel rather small and insignificant to the larger voices around us. 

However, I don't believe we, Palestinians and Israelis, are destined to war. And as a result I ask myself, is my voice being heard? I don't want to throw slogans and political positions to my other. I think it is a time to challenge those around me. I think it is a time to challenge myself to see the way God sees me and my enemy . I think it is a time to challenge myself to see what opportunities lay in front of me, and how I can call you to join me.  

Shadia Qubti

*(Some of these voices have been used as a background for the picture above)

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Dear Friends,

As violence escalates, many Palestinians and Israelis are suffering in Gaza and southern Israel. We ask that you keep our leaders and people in prayer. Some people on both sides have died, and many are suffering physically, emotionally, and psychologically. Please pray for Israelis and Palestinians in harm’s way; wisdom for our leaders as their decisions impact hundreds and thousands of people; and for the local believers that our response to the conflict would be an encouragement and blessing to our neighbors. 
                                                                                                                           ~ The Musalaha Staff

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Goodbye Jema!

Today, the youth department has to say goodbye to our Volunteer of the Year, Jemmina Hingston. We will miss you and we pray you have a safe journey. Your presence will be missed here. Thank you for all your hard work. 

*Jemma at one of Musalaha's camps this summer. who seems to be having more fun?

COMING SOON: an article written by Jemmina on her time here.

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Youth view on Reconciliatioin

Join Musalaha Youth Department through the following: 

1. Send us a picture, video or something about yourself and we will publish it here.
2. Be on our database and receive notifications on our upcoming events.
3. Come visit our offices or invite us to speak in your Congregation/Church.
4. Sign up to this blog and be notified whenever we update it. 

Youth Trip Video

A group of Israeli and Palestinian Youth journeyed together to meet with a group of European for 10 days in Holland. This is a little glimpse of their time together. The video is using song by Sidewalk Prophets - Show me how to love.

Her is the link if you want to watch on youtude: Youth Trip to Holland Video

Intoduction

Dear Friends,

For a while now we have been trying to think of a way to make our department activities and all its relating issues into the public where our members can read, share and engage in. It is not as easy as one thinks. There are so many options out there and one can get lost just by browsing. So we decided to go for a blog post where we can share our articles, upcoming events, pictures, videos, etc.

It is our desire to enable a forum where young people can be exposed to reconciliation related subjects. We believe that this age is crucial for the process of reconciliation and the relationships established with the other side will last a lifetime. this blog serves as a bridge for young Israeli, Palestinian and International youth to maintain their relationships across the geographical divide.

We call upon our brothers and sisters to be one in spirit and build each other in Christ.

Blessing,
Shadia Qubti