The following is the full text of a written interview with Palestinian peace activist Nidal published on October 10 by the Korean Protestant daily Kookmin Ilbo. You can find the Korean article on our links page.
Nidal's interview with Kookmin Ilbo(Kor)
https://www.themission.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=67494
“팔레스타인 기독교인을 위해 기도해주세요” - 더미션
팔레스타인의 기독교인들이 한국교회를 향해 기도와 도움의 손길을 요청했다. 팔레스타인 크리스천 국제평화운동 네트워크 카이로스의 위원인 니달 아부 줄루프(Nidal Abu Zuluf) Joint Advocacy Initiati
www.themission.co.kr
1. What do you see as the cause of armed conflict?
The cause of this is the Israel occupation and colonization of Palestine. It is the 16-year-old siege on Gaza where people live in an open-air prison with back of basic need and basic human rights. It is the Israeli systematic oppression of our people in all the areas and all aspects of life. Namely. It is the Israeli daily killing and detention of Palestinians and destruction of their properties; it is the Israel violation of the international Human rights law and the international humanitarian law. It is the way that Israel does all this and has never been hold into account. All these are the reasons why we always have waves of violence in our occupied territory.
2. What is the damage situation and impact of the Palestinian Gaza and West Bank?
So far, some 690 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli air strikes and shelling on Gaza. 140 of them are children. There are some 3800 injuries. Thousands of houses, public buildings and towers were erased. Add to this that the electric power network had seen destroyed and/or cut by Israel.
The Israel Minister of Defense declared a full closure on Gaza where no food, no fuel, no medicine and nothing will be allowed to enter Gaza. Gaza is now starving.
Most of the West Bank cities are disconnected and were closed by the Israeli army. There are clashes in some of the West Bank towns that resulted in the killing of some 20 Palestinians and wounding many others. Fuel is also limited. Movement is very much restricted and there are Israeli settlers’ attacks on the Palestinian villages and properties.
3. Is there a particular impact on the Palestinian Christian community?
Palestinian Christians are part of the Palestinian People. We also live under the same conditions and suffer as all our people do. We suffer the same. The Palestinian Christian community in Gaza is a bit small and as far as I learned from a friend there, his family suffered so much and needed to leave their home to a relatively safer place
4. I think the safety situation of the residents of Gaza is very dangerous, so what can be done by international organizations and Korean church?
The cycle of violence must be stopped. All the pressure should be exerted on Israel as the occupying power, to allow medicine, food and fuel reach Gaza and Humanitarian aid must be soon sent to the people there. The Korean churches know what it means to be under occupation. They know the meaning of freedom and peace. Therefore, in addition to praying for justice and peace, churches are expected to develop a clear position of standing by the oppressed and calling Israel to stop its violations of the international law and end its occupation of Palestine.
5. The Palestinian Christian community has been calling on Christians around the world to take peaceful action for the freedom and human rights of Palestinians, including an introduction to the Olive Tree campaign and the situation this year.
We ask you in Korea to support the Olive tree Campaign. This is a solidarity tool with the Palestinian farmers and the Palestinian people at large. By sponsoring olive trees, you show love and support to our people and their steadfastness and enhance their resilience and livelihood. Supporting the olive tree campaign is an act of peacebuilding that has always much contributed to keep people hope for a better and peaceful future alive
6. What message do you want to give about the Korean church.
Christian values push people to stand in solidarity with the poor, marginalized, displaced, oppressed and dispossessed. We as Christians must support the ones whose rights are being violated and work for justice and peace. We must be in solidarity with those in need, pray for them, act for them and on their behalf, talk truth to power and lobby and advocate for a better life for them.
We ask the Korean churches to exert more efforts to work for peace, especially when there is oppression and injustice, whether in their local and national context or worldwide. So, people can live life abundantly. The bible says in Psalm 34: 14 “Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it “and “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.) Mathew verses 5:9.
Palestine is where Christianity was originated. This land suffers much from oppression and violence. It deserves much attention and involvement to make sure that just peace will be realized, and people live their life in its fullness.
<The Photos are courtesy of Nidal>
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