[antiwar-van] FW: Eight Reasons to Go to Palestine this Summer

[hanna]

-----Original Message-----
From: George S. Rishmawi [mailto:abusalib at p-ol.com]
Sent: January 11, 2005 6:14 AM
To: George Rishmawi
Subject: Eight Reasons to Go to Palestine this Summer


Eight Reasons to Go to Palestine this Summer. As you look ahead to your
2005 plans, we encourage you to consider joining us for the 2005 Palestine
Summer Encounter.  www.hlttravel.org  www.holylandtrust.org
---------------------------------------------

EIGHT REASONS TO GO TO PALESTINE THIS SUMMER

The Palestine Summer Encounter is a one-to-two month Arabic-training and
volunteer program starting on June 12th, 2005. The purpose of the program
is to create a dialogue between members of the global community and
Palestinians. During these two months, participants will learn Arabic with
an intensive and competitive language-training program, partner with
Palestinian non-profit organizations as volunteers and have the
opportunity to participate in 8 separate weekend excursions to visit
Hebron, Nazareth, Jerusalem, Haifa and Jericho, the Dead Sea and other
important sites throughout the region. The program is open to all
interested participants.

More information is available at:  http://www.hlttravel.org

Still not convinced that you should join us in Palestine this summer? Here
are eight reasons why you should plan to participate:

#1 YOU’LL SEE THE SITUATION FIRSTHAND
There’s only so much you can learn by watching the 6 o’clock news or
reading history books on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This is why
fact-finding missions to the Middle East are so important. Frequently,
those who participate in Travel in Encounter programs describe their trips
as “life-changing experiences.” By visiting the region and seeing the
situation firsthand, you will learn a tremendous amount about the daily
life of Palestinians under Occupation. You’ll also have the opportunity
to meet with Palestinian and Israeli peacemakers—people who have devoted
their lives to bringing peace with justice to the Holy Land.

#2 YOU’LL SERVE AS A WITNESS FOR PEACE
Palestinians who have suffered through more than thirty years of
Occupation often feel that the world has abandoned them. As more and more
of their land is confiscated, more and more of their homes are demolished
and more and more of their citizens are killed they wonder: why is no one
standing up for us in the world community? This is why some Palestinians
are cheered by the presence of international witnesses for peace, who are
willing to live among Palestinians and learn from them. It reminds them
that there are still people in the international community who believe
that Palestinians should be able to live with freedom, peace, security and
independence. It helps bring a small amount of hope into a situation that
has caused an enormous amount of suffering.

#3 YOU’LL SUPPORT THE PALESTINIAN ECONOMY
According to a BBC report, the Palestinian economy lost 22,000 jobs in the
first half of 2004. Closures and checkpoints, both of which halt or slow
business and trade, have helped cripple the Palestinian economic sector.
Those Palestinians who rely on tourism—such as hotel owners, gift shop
owners, craft makers or artisans, and tour guides—have also been hard hit.
The Palestine Summer Encounter will not be a lavish or expensive trip, but
it will bring some much needed funds into Palestine.

#4 YOU’LL LEARN ARABIC IN AN ARABIC-SPEAKING COUNTRY
It’s very hard to learn a foreign language if you don’t have access to
native speakers. The best way to learn Arabic is to immerse yourself in
an Arabic-speaking culture. This way, you’re sure to be able to practice
the Arabic skills you learn outside of the classroom.

#5 YOU’LL GAIN CRUCIAL SKILLS AS A VOLUNTEER
As a volunteer in a foreign country, you’re certain to develop many
valuable skills. In addition to the types of skills you would develop by
working for any nonprofit or humanitarian group, you’ll develop important
skills in the area of cross-cultural communication. It’ll also make a
great addition to any resume.

#6 THE FOOD IS EXCELLENT
Seriously, if you’re not already familiar with Arabic cooking, you’re in
for a treat. The Arabic speaking world is famous for its great cuisine
and its unparalleled hospitality!

#7 YOU CAN GET COLLEGE CREDIT
The Arabic class is worth 2 units of college credit! Additionally, many
industrious students can find ways to earn additional units through
independent studies and student projects. (Note: the Palestine Summer
Encounter is open to all ages!)

#8 YOU’LL BE ABLE TO SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES WITH OTHERS
Most people, regardless of their cultural or political perspectives, are
interested in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Unfortunately, despite
their interest, most people are not receiving very good information about
what is actually happening on the ground in Palestine and Israel. By
sharing your experiences from the Palestine Summer Encounter with others,
you can help your friends and family learn more about the current
situation in the Middle East. Additionally, Middle East Fellowship and Holy
Land Trust are
eager to help prepare participants for interviews with local newspapers
and radio programs if they are interested in sharing their experiences
with a wider audience.

For more information:

www.hlttravel.org
www.holylandtrust.org

George Rishmawi
Coordinator,
Travel and Encounter Program
Holy Land Trust
Middle East Building
No. 205, Manger Street
Bethlehem, Palestine
Tel: + 972 2 276 5930
Fax: + 972 2 276 5931
Email: encounter at holylandtrust.org
Website: www.holylandtrust.org
Mobile: 059 674 995
http://profiles.yahoo.com/abusaliba
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