The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America News Service reported today that the "NorthAmerican Lutheran bishops visited this [Beddo] small Palestinian village in theWest Bank, northwest of Jerusalem, an area where the Israeli separation barriercuts through Palestinian agricultural lands, making way for Israeli settlementsto be constructed. Many of the bishops helped plant olive trees near thebarrier as signs of peace.
"Some 500 trees are to be planted here eventually.Before they left, the bishops visited a local Palestinian man's home, now surrounded on three sides by a tallmetal barrier. Newly constructed Israeli settlements surround his home on theother side of the fence on land that was once his, he said. The bishops prayedat the barrier before leaving.
"In remarks here, Adnan Husseini, governor of Jerusalem, PalestinianAuthority, said life in the area was difficult for residents because of thebarrier. "We need permission to move in and out of the wall,"he said. "If we want to build a Palestinian state, we have to movein this state."
"The bishops visited this area to do two things, saidthe Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop. 'We will cry out songs oflament for all people, and we will plant olive trees here as a sign ofcommitment for the generations to come … to see olive trees, not walls.'
" Earlier in the day, the bishops visited theEvangelical Lutheran School of Hope in Ramallah, a coeducational school. The school is one of four schools and four educational programs operatedthrough the ELCJHL[Evangelical LutheranChurch in Jordanand the Holy Land]."
"Majdi Habash, an 11th grader, and Mohammad Omar, a10th grader, said they don't knowwhether they will leave the West Bank oncethey complete school. They said their parents worry that they won't return.
" Omar said he hopes 'the U.S. will look at us and Israelisas equals' under the new Obama administration. He said he wants theadministration to help Palestinians and not give more weapons to Israel.
"People in the United States do not have a clearpicture about Palestinians, said Deema Beides, an 11th grader. 'Please tell thetruth about us,' she told the bishops. 'We'renot fighting for something that is not ours (land). The conflict is not aboutreligion.'
"'Please let (others) know the truth,' said RanaBurqan, a 10th grader. 'Let them know that children in Gaza have a right to live. There's no difference between Muslims and Christians. We're all Palestinians.'"

Also on January 13, the news service reported, "With thevision 'that we might have life and have it abundantly,' a Lutherancongregation here[Bethelehem] has embarked on a ministry of preaching, teachingand healing, aimed at empowering the people who live in this conflicted area.
"The Rev. Mitri Raheb, pastor, Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church,presented his congregation's visionto 44 North American Lutheran bishops who met here Jan. 10.

"Christmas Lutheran Church formedDIYAR (meaning "homeland"), a consortium of Lutheran-basedecumenically oriented institutions serving the whole Palestinian community,Raheb said. DIYAR now has a staff of 100 people. He said the200-member congregation is reaching out through DIYAR to about 60,000 peopleeach year by means of its International Center of Bethlehem, a conference andmedia center, plus a health and wellness center. In 2006 the congregationstarted Dar al-KalimaCollege, the only Lutheran highereducation institution in the Middle East,Raheb said.
"Raheb said he and others needed to gain consensus inthe congregation before moving ahead with DIYAR. Some members wanted towait until times were better for Palestinians in the West Bank, who live under Israeli occupation. 'I told them: 'Stop waiting! The Messiah has already come!'Raheb said.
"DIYAR focuses its programs on peacemaking, care forthe city, investing in spirituality, empowering individuals and the community,building bridges for intercultural dialogue, creating room for hope, and the 'mysteriesof the risen Lord,' Raheb said.
"In a question and answer session with the bishops,Raheb said that he is concerned about the future for Palestinians, especiallybecause of the current conflict between Israeland Gaza.
"'I think we are heading with full power to afully developed apartheid system. This war on Gaza had many goals, but one important goalis to make the two-state solution not viable. A two-state solution made sense,but what is happening in Gazamakes this impossible,' he said. Raheb said he'salso concerned about the future safety and security of people living in theWest Bank because of the war in Gaza.
"In a separate presentation of how the ELCJHL and the North AmericanLutheran churches can work together, the Rev. Munib A. Younan thanked thebishops for traveling to the region. 'Your presence here is not a lip service.It's a statement. It's a statement that you stand with the local people,not in times of joy but in times of difficulties, in times of occupation and intimes of war,' the ELCJHL bishop said.
"Together with the ELCJHL, the North American Lutheranchurches are 'on the road to Emmaus, where Jesus will break the bread and tellus 'you are my children, and I askyou to continue to accompany each other for witnessing for the Lord,' Younansaid."

See interview in Oct. 13, 2009 Star Tribune with St. Paul Area Synod ELCA Bishop Peter Rogness for his perspective on the trip.