Remembering Land Day

Planting a tree for Land Day

Every year on March 30 Palestinians observe Land Day, to recall that on that date in 1976 Israel expropriated a large amount of land for "security and settlement purposes." This triggered a general strike and confrontations in which six Palestinians were killed and about 100 wounded. Some years the anniversary has been marked with violently repressed demonstrations, and extra police were on call in Jerusalem against any eventuality. Fortunately, we did not see any clashes here.

Children admire their work

We watched a small group of Palestinians and Israeli peace activists commemorate Land Day by planting olive trees in Sheikh Jarrah,
in front of the home of Nabeel Al-Kurd, which is partially occupied by Israeli settlers (see blog of March 28). Sarah, an Israeli activist who has long helped people in Sheikh Jarrah fight eviction for settlement expansion, said last year they planted six trees but only one survived. She guesses that the others were destroyed by settlers. Children took part in the planting. Who knows what the future holds for them. Will they see peace and an end to land expropriation?

Bishop lighting candles

I prayed for peace at Holy Saturday services at the Greek Catholic Church and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Greek church had a blessing of the holy fire and the liturgy of St. Basil. The bishop lit a candle for each person in the congregation and we processed around the church.

Procession at Greek Church

At the Church of the Holy Sepulchre there were three solemn processions, first the Copts, then the Syrians, then a much larger group of Roman Catholics, led by the Franciscans.

Coptic priests leaving sepulchre

Priest behind sepulchre

Preparing for procession

Procession