Keeping up pressure (From York Press)

Keeping up pressure

11:43am Tuesday 18th September 2012 in Letters By Reader's letter

YORK residents are among those who have received thanks from the inspirational Nassar family at Tent of Nations. near Bethlehem.

This year, they tell us that internationals, including Palestinians and Israelis, have shared agricultural work, run children’s camps and joined in local projects and international courses on peace.

What is this Palestinian Christian family’s reward for their efforts to wage peace?

They now have 15 separate costly legal battles with the Israeli authorities, who have been trying to appropriate their land since 1991. The Nassars have already proved their ownership.

There are appeals against demolition orders for the water cisterns and roof extensions to catch rain water (access to the water supply is denied), the tent used for international camps, animal shelters etc. Always there is the threat of bulldozers which could undo years of work in minutes.

Several times, we have enlisted the help of York area MPs. They have contacted the foreign office and UK representatives in Jerusalem for us. The replies always include words condemning the situation, but nothing changes.

Nevertheless, the family thank us for keeping up the pressure on the authorities and assure us that our solidarity is significant.

For information tentofnations.org

Carol Pearman, Windmill Lane, York.