Jerusalem Day 1

Yesterday was my first day in Jerusalem and it was incredible. We took an overview tour of the Old City, the heart of Jerusalem, and were introduced to the city's beauty and complexity. Even though it was only the first day I would say that I had five amazing experiences: the tour and seeing the Holy sites (Western Wall, Dome of the Rock, and Al-Aqsa), meeting the owner of a 386 year old shop, talking with a solider, being sung to by a random old Jewish man, and eating ice cream at a shop playing Gangnam Style.  

(The military commissioning in front of the Western Wall and the Dome of the Rock)

In the evening a few of us went into the Old City to wander and hang out. When we made it to the Western Wall, or Wailing Wall, we found that there was a military commissioning ceremony happening right in front of the wall.  As we watched we began to talk to a female solider named Y'el (I think that is how it is spelled). In the least threatening way I could, and pretending to be totally ignorant of the situation, I asked her about the Palestinian situation.  Her response was incredible.  She began by saying that she does not want them in her country.  She does not want to give them money or to work with or for them. She is annoyed that they have other Arab Muslim countries to go to while the Jews only have the one country of Israel.  She believes that while the Jews have been divided, the Palestinians have been united on destroying Israel.  And since 1948 they have not been working on building their own country, but on destroying Israel.  She thinks that the Israeli army is simply doing what they need to do to protect their people. 

Much could be said in response to her claims (and I refrained during the conversations, maybe I'll push buttons later). It is clear that she has been exposed to the diversity of Jewish thought on the issue but not on the diversity of Palestinian thought, because Palestinians are far from being united in their attempts to destroy Israel. Also, the Palestinians have been unable to to build their own country because they are living under an apartheid occupation in which they cannot move freely due to checkpoints and walls, cannot drive around certain places because of Jewish only roads, cannot establish a real government because Israel has claimed its sovereignty through occupation, and cannot feel safe in their own houses due to frequent home demolitions.

This city is amazing and beautiful, but extraordinarily sad. So much oppression and violence has been birthed here because two people groups are living in fear of the other. This place desperately needs the reconciling work of Christ.  As I walk through this city and land I will be praying for peace. I will be praying that the presence of God will move people toward forgiveness and compassion.  I will pray that people will make friends across social boarders and learn that peace is possible.  Please join me and "pray for the peace of Jerusalem" (Ps 122:6).