On the Ground in the West Bank
Hear first account experience from one who lived with a Palestinian family in the West Bank. Watch video here.
What does it mean to truly stand on the side of justice when neutrality itself becomes complicity? This powerful testimony takes us into the heart of occupied Palestine, where we witness firsthand the daily reality of families clinging to their ancestral land despite systematic displacement, violence, and harassment. Through the lens of protective presence work, we're invited to understand that faith isn't just about what we believe—it's about where we stand when others are suffering. One family's unwavering commitment to their land, their resilience in the face of nightly attacks, and their radical hospitality toward strangers embodies a kind of courage that challenges our own comfort zones. We're reminded that Jesus himself was no stranger to occupation, oppression, and speaking truth to power. His ministry consistently placed him alongside the marginalized, the displaced, and those whose dignity was under assault. The concept of 'good trouble'—standing up for those who cannot stand up for themselves—isn't just activism; it's the very heartbeat of the Gospel. This testimony confronts us with uncomfortable questions: What injustices are happening in our own communities that we've chosen to ignore? How can we transform our grief and despair into compassionate action? The family's hopefulness despite unimaginable circumstances teaches us that resilience is rooted in community care and deep connection to what matters most. We're challenged to consider what we're willing to risk for justice and how our everyday choices—from what we purchase to how we use our voices—can either perpetuate oppression or contribute to liberation.
Stuff to think about…
How does our guest speaker’s experience of staying with the host family challenge or expand your understanding of what it means to 'love your neighbor' in the face of systemic injustice?
What does the host family's resilience and hopefulness in the face of daily violence teach us about faith and perseverance in our own struggles?
How can we reconcile the call to nonviolent resistance with the reality that such resistance often puts people at great personal risk, as our guest speaker experienced?
In what ways does the acknowledgment of living on unceded indigenous land connect to the Palestinian struggle for land and belonging, and what does this reveal about patterns of colonization?
What does it mean to be 'neutral in situations of injustice,' and how might our silence or inaction be interpreted as taking a side?
How does the concept of 'protective presence' embody Jesus's teaching to be peacemakers and stand with the marginalized, even when it's dangerous?
What role does community care play in sustaining resistance movements, and how can we cultivate similar networks of mutual support in our own contexts?
How does Joanna Macy's teaching about facing despair fully rather than numbing ourselves challenge contemporary Christian approaches to suffering and activism?
What barriers—fear, comfort, relationships, or lack of knowledge—prevent us from taking action on behalf of those experiencing injustice, and how can we overcome them?
How does our guest speaker’s willingness to risk his safety for strangers reflect the kind of 'good trouble' that Jesus modeled, and what small or large acts of courage is God calling you toward?