WCC event helps young adults learn about peace, faith in Middle East

NEW YORK (UMNS) -- As Palestinian and Israeli leaders headed to Camp David to resume peace negotiations, a group of 13 young adults from the United States arrived in Jerusalem to attend a conference on peace and faith in the Middle East.

Among them was Ana Toledo, 27, of Baltimore, who had received a scholarship from the United Methodist Church to attend the July 9-16 event, sponsored by the World Council of Churches (WCC).

"The negotiations made the trip very timely," Toledo told United Methodist News Service.  "We were fortunate to have people there discussing the issues at the heart of the Palestine - Israeli conflict as they played out in the international arena."

The goal of the WCC conference was to help young adults learn about the realities of Israel and Palestine, the status of peace negotiations, and particularly the status of Jerusalem, a holy city for Muslims, Jews, and Christians.

The trip began with a two-day session that familiarized participants with the history, culture, and conflict of the Middle East.  The orientation was organized by the Palestinian Academic Society for the Study on International Affairs.

That time was useful for Toledo, who did not have a background in Middle Eastern studies, though she recently graduated from Princeton Seminary, where she studied church and society.  Toledo’s previous travels had taken her to South Africa as a mission intern for the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.

Toledo said she had always enjoyed studying about the intersection of religion and politics.  "I was interested in visiting a context of conflict where Christians are a religious minority," she explained.  "I hoped to gain a deeper understanding of the history, society, political conflict, and the experience of the Christian churches in the region."

Following the orientation session, participants attended an exposure trip organized by Board of Global Ministries, Catholic Relief Services and the Presbyterian Church (USA).  The young adults engaged in lectures and discussions with members of human rights organizations, local religious clergy, politicians, professors, and other experts reflecting Palestinian, Israeli, Christian and Muslim perspectives.

One of the most significant experiences for Toledo was a tour of East Jerusalem and the West Bank, which were occupied by Israel in 1967.  In 1993, the Israeli government denied Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza Strip entrance to Israel and access to Jerusalem.

During the tour Toledo saw the construction and "by-pass" road signs that prevented Palestinians from entering certain zones.  She said the experience was very intense.  "It became clear to me how systematic the Israeli government efforts have been in ensuring control of the land and movement of people," Toledo said.

"It saddened me to hear that some Palestinian Christians and Muslims live so close to the holy sites but are prohibited from entering Jerusalem because they do not have the necessary pass ... as a foreigner I have more access."

Toledo also expressed concern that the international media had thwarted the representation of Palestinian people.  Having the opportunity to meet with officials and speak with citizens made her understand that Jerusalem is about more than a conflict.

"My knowledge of the Palestinian people’s struggle was limited and skewed before I went on this trip," she noted.  "It made me realize the importance for visitors to the Holy City to not only visit the holy sites, but also encounter the real people who live in the city."

Participants had a passionate discussion with Middle Eastern young adults about the future of their region. Besides learning about how those young adults learned to live amidst conflict, the groups also discussed the history of America, paralleling the situation in Jerusalem to the Native Americans struggle in the United States.  

"The experience has challenged me to be an advocate for human rights in Jerusalem, and to share the story of the reality of Jerusalem, especially within the Christian community," Toledo said.

Other young adult participants in the seminar included:  Ruth Allen, New York; Michelle Curtis, New Mexico; Wylin Dassie, Georgia; Lars Jepsen, California; Kawi Mailutha, Kenya and New York; Hannah Merriman, New York; Jodie Mueller, New York; Kathryn Olsen, Illinois; Nick Reith, Connecticut; Vance Robbins, Texas; Traci Scheuermann, Iowa; and Casey Thompson, Iowa.

Oshodi, a journalism student at Miami University of Ohio, is a short-term intern for United Methodist News Service in New York.