Category: Human Rights

One Democratic State in Palestine/Israel – It’s Time: Jeff Halper

At the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD) UK annual conference held at Amnesty International in May, Jeff Halper gave a presentation entitled “One Democratic State in Palestine/Israel- It’s time”. With the “Two-State” solution increasingly regarded as dead, the case for one democratic state with equal rights for Israeli Jews and Palestinians is gaining traction. The slides below summarise Jeff Halper’s presentation and basis for resolving the conflict peacefully and based on international law.

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Compassion UK: Betty Sander’s visit to Columbia

When I had the opportunity to go on a mission trip with Compassion UK to Colombia in Feb 2019, I jumped at the chance.  This was the 1stvisit to Colombia by Compassion UK and we were joined by Compassion Netherlands (again a 1stfor Compassion UK to travel with another country).

I have been sponsoring her for 10 years.  I told Melanys that I didn’t choose her, because I didn’t know which child to choose.  Esther Wood had profiles from Compassion Sunday, and I knew I wanted a girl and preferably from South America.  Esther prayed over the profiles and chose Melanys for me.

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Reflections on Olive Tree planting in Palestine: Anne Martin

The olive tree is the symbol of peace, and of prosperity.  It is plain and frugal, surviving in poor soil, lasting for thousands of years and yielding precious fruit and oil.  The annual Olive Tree Planting in February is part of a programme called Keep Hope Alive.  The intention is to support Palestinian farmers by protecting their land from being taken over by settlers.  

The sites chosen for tree planting were strategic.  The farmers are prepared, their legal ownership of the land established;  the risk posed by neighbouring settlements or outposts assessed so that the most vulnerable land gains from planting; the hundreds of olive tree brought from the nursery and the group of internationals assembled to start the planting. 

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