YMCA-YWCA JAI Palestine

Newsletter - January 2012 | New Magazine | Shepherds' Nights Festival | Youth Training...

Joint Advocacy Initiative

Newsletter - 26 January 2012

New JAI magazine released

Palestine UN bid: it includes perspectives and articles on the bid, how Palestinian people perceived it, youth perspectives, PLO position, legal implications, Palestinian refugees' rights perspective. Palestinian National Rights, the global intifada (uprising) and popular resistance, grass root Initiatives - BDS Movement, farmers' steadfastness and fair-trade for justice, are also articles included with some relevancy.

Shepherds' Nights Festival 2011

From the 23^rd - 25^th, December 2011, the fourth Shepherd' Nights Festival was co-organized in Beit Sahour by the JAI. For three days, various local bands and groups performed and interacted with the audience.

The festival aimed at sending a message to the world that the Palestinian nation has the right of self determination and an independent state, and to encourage the culture of selecting the Palestinian products as the first choice and boycott the Israeli products.

Read more about the festival and performances, and see pictures.

The Bethlehem Call: Here we stand � Stand with us

Is the final statement of "KAIROS for Global Justice" conference that was held in Bethlehem on the second anniversary of the launch of KAIROS Palestine.
14^th December 2011,

It includes: description of current context, non-negotiable, vision, theology, positions and call for actions.

The JAI ends training for youth in: Human Rights and Int. Humanitarian Law

10^th, December 2011.

The JAI has organized training for youth in Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, where 15 young males and females, ages 18 � 25, from the Bethlehem area participated.

Read more details and see pictures.

Christmas at the Checkpoint

Personal reflection by Kathinka Aakenes, a GoCY internship program Norwegian volunteer at the JAI.

Read her personal story, reflection and experience at the Bethlehem - Jerusalem checkpoint during Christmas time.

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More readings - up to date:

Media reported Israeli attacks on lands and farmers
Media reported anti-Israeli-occupation worldwide actions

Please feel free to forward this newsletter.
If you got this newsletter forwarded and you want to subscribe,
you may do so at our JAI website

If you have any questions, please contact:

Ibrahim Hannouneh
ihannouneh@jai-pal.org

Christmas and New Year' Greetings 2011-2012


Joint Advocacy Initiative		16 December 2011
Warm Greetings From the heart of the Bethlehem Christmas Celebrations, JAI wishes you a blessed and Merry Xmas and a Happy New year. May the Baby Jesus Christ fills you hearts and mind with faith, hope, love and commitment to pray and act so the Lords peace and justice prevails in the Holy Land and on Earth. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

If you get this message forwarded and you want to subscribe,
you may do so at our JAI website

JAI Team
info@jai-pal.org

Shepherds' Nights Festival - 23 - 25 Dec 2011 - Beit Sahour - Invitation

Invitation

Shepherds' Nights Festival 2011

The YMCA-YWCA Joint Advocacy Initiative
The East Jerusalem YMCA - Beit Sahour branch
The Palestinian Center for Rapprochement between People and
Siraj Center for Holy Land Studies

are organizing the

Shepherds Nights Festival 2011
23^rd � 25^th December
at The Beit Sahour Catholic School playground

The program includes Sheibat band
El-Funoun Palestinian Popular Dance Troupe
Children Show and Christmas Carols
Candle Procession
In addition to other Palestinian Folklore Dancing and music

The festival aims at marketing Palestine as a touristic destination, supporting the cultural heritage and events in Palestine, and send a message to the world that the Palestinian nation has the right of self determination and an independent state. Through the festival, people are encouraged to support local Palestinian products, presented at the festival, as the first choice and boycott the Israeli products

The festival is under the theme of

"Light a Candle for Free Palestine"

Read the festival schedule
http://www.jai-pal.org/content.php?page=1127

Read about and see photos from last year festival
http://www.jai-pal.org/content.php?page=1034

Call - International Day of Solidarity with Palestinians - 29 Nov

Joint Advocacy Initiative

16 November 2011

Call for actions

International Day of Solidarity with Palestinians

29^th November 2011

Dear friends, partners and supporters,

We send you the warmest greetings from the JAI and Palestine. In light of your continuous support and solidarity with us, and the world community position on the Palestinian UN bid, we are approaching you with this call:

As you all know, the 29^th of every November marks the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. Each year, a number of events and activities take place worldwide commemorating this day and expressing solidarity with the Palestinians in their struggle for freedom and independence.

This year, 2011, we at the JAI call you all to join us in organizing and participating in a candle vigil in different countries in the world especially. We propose the theme:

"Light a candle for Palestine: Peace with justice in the Middle East"

The gathering is suggested to be held in front of Palestinian representative offices, Israeli embassies, and/or the UN Office in your respective countries.

With Peace and Love from Palestine,

JAI

You are encouraged to advertise & forward this call to your
movements, groups, networks, partners

If you get this call forwarded and you want to subscribe,
you may do so at our JAI website

If you have any questions, please contact:

Ibrahim Hannouneh
ihannouneh@jai-pal.org

Invitation - Olive Planting Program - February 2012


Joint Advocacy Initiative		4 November 2011
Invitation Olive Planting Program 2012 4^th - 13^th February - Palestine Participants will help Palestinian farmers, in area close to Israeli settlements, Wall and bypass roads, plant olives, to show solidarity with the Palestinians to "Keep Hope Alive" for a better future of peace with justice to the oppressed in this ongoing conflict. Besides olive planting, the program features introductory presentations about the current situation in Palestine and the effects of the Apartheid Wall, tours in the old city of Jerusalem, Hebron, Bethlehem, as well as Ramallah, in addition to cultural events and social gatherings. Accommodation can be arranged at hotels or with local families. Read about the program details, proposed schedule, last years' participants' experiences with pictures and videos. Registration available online! Ask for the form now! General information about the Olive Planting Program: (http://www.jai-pal.org/content.php?page=915) Reported attacks on lands and farmers: (http://www.jai-pal.org/content.php?page=953)

You are highly encouraged to advertise & forward this invitation to your
movements, groups, networks, friends, partners, relatives

If you get this invitation forwarded and you want to subscribe,
you may do so at our JAI website

If you have any questions, please contact:

Ibrahim Hannouneh
ihannouneh@jai-pal.org

Newsletter - October | Olive Picking Program | Delegations' visits | Youth Exchange

Joint Advocacy Initiative

Newsletter - 25 October 2011

JAI-ATG Olive Picking Program - Palestine

Between the 15^th and 24^th of October 2011, around 120 international participants went through the JAI-ATG Olive Picking Program, as part of the JAI ongoing Olive Tree Campaign-Keep Hope Alive. They helped farmers in various communities, got presented about various Palestinian issues and national campaigns, tour guided in Hebron, Jerusalem and Bethlehem.

Read reports, see various pictures and participants' reflections.

EJ YMCA and JAI receive and organize tours for Terry Waite

Between the 17^th and 22^nd of October 2011, the East Jerusalem YMCA and Joint Advocacy Initiative (JAI) have received and organized a program with tours and visits for Mr. Terry Waite, president of Y Care international, together with the Sue Wheat, the communications manager.

Read more about the visit and see some pictures.

DanChurch Aid delegations visit the JAI

On the 24^th and 25^th of October, the JAI received delegations from DanChurch Aid (DCA), and presented the JAI work, campaigns, and strategies. The JAI and delegations discussed future work, cooperation and proposed advocacy strategies in Denmark including the responses to the KAIROS Palestine call, Boycott-Divestment-Sanctions (BDS) campaign, and arranging visits of politicians and Church leaders� groups and delegations to Palestine through the JAI.

The JAI a visit for the delegation on the 25^th, to some fields of the Olive Tree Campaigns, to see the apartheid wall and settlements surrounding the Bethlehem area, and to have a clear idea about the impact of the wall and land confiscation on people' lives.

JAI organizes 3-day program for a YMCA-YWCA Demark official delegation

On the 14^th, 15^th and 17^th of October 2011, the JAI received and toured with a delegation of the president, board and international committee members and International Secretary of the YMCA-YWCA in Denmark. Their program included discussion with the JAI team on the development of ongoing partnership, guided tour to Hebron old city and visit to some campaign farmer' field, as well as participating for one day in the olive picking program.

JAI staff and youth at NNE after school in Denmark as part of youth exchange

As part of the ongoing partnership between the JAI and NNE afterschool in Denmark, a program to two JAI selected Palestinian students, plus a JAI staff, was organized at the school and in Denmark between the 4^th and 11^th of October 2011.

The visit including meeting the Global Teenagers students, sharing school life, and presentation on Palestine and daily life, as well as other presentations and meeting outside the school.

JAI organizes 2-day program for a delegation from the Palestinian Youth Network - Denmark

For the second year, the JAI organizes part of the program a 10-youth delegation from the Palestinian Youth Network in Denmark undergoes in the occupied Palestinian territories and Palestine 1948. Their program with the JAI, on the 15^th - 16^th October 2011, included guided tour to Hebron and joining olive picking day with the olive picking program.

Join us on Facebook and YouTube

More readings:

Media reported Israeli attacks on lands and farmers - 2011
Media reported anti-Israeli-occupation worldwide actions - 2011

Please feel free to forward this newsletter.
If you got this newsletter forwarded and you want to subscribe,
you may do so at our JAI website

If you have any questions, please contact:

Ibrahim Hannouneh
ihannouneh@jai-pal.org

Olive Tree Calendars 2012 - Order Now - Reminder


Joint Advocacy Initiative	29 September 2011
Olive Tree Calendar 2012 Reminder: Order Now Calendar can be placed on the desk, with texts, dates and events in both Arabic and English in the same copy. It includes: topics related to the Olive Trees, land, and the impacts of occupation on farmers with personal stories, Christian and Muslim feasts and holidays, Palestinian and international commemorations, and the JAI 2012 events and programs. Free Copies will be available very soon. Order Now, in various quantities to your YMCA or YWCA movements, Churches and other groups, for copies to be posted or shipped to you. People who have already ordered will have their calendars posted to them shortly.

Please feel free to forward this announcement.
If you got this announcement forwarded and you want to subscribe,
you may do so at our JAI website

If you have any questions, please contact:

Ibrahim Hannouneh
ihannouneh@jai-pal.org

Olive Tree Calendar 2012 - Order Now!


Joint Advocacy Initiative	24 September 2011
Olive Tree Calendar 2012 Order Now Calendar can be placed on the desk, with texts, dates and events in both Arabic and English in the same copy. It includes: topics related to the Olive Trees, land, and the impacts of occupation on farmers with personal stories, Christian and Muslim feasts and holidays, Palestinian and international commemorations, and the JAI 2012 events and programs. Free Copies will be available very soon. Order Now, in various quantities to your YMCA or YWCA movements, Churches and other groups, for copies to be posted or shipped to you.

Please feel free to forward this announcement.
If you got this announcement forwarded and you want to subscribe,
you may do so at our JAI website

If you have any questions, please contact:

Ibrahim Hannouneh
ihannouneh@jai-pal.org

Newsletter - September 2011 | Lobbying | Palestinian Youth Ecumenical Movement

Joint Advocacy Initiative

Newsletter - 19 September 2011

JAI advocate and tour with 33 youths from various countries

On the 17^th of September 2011, a group of 33 youth, 25 of which are internationals from various countries in the world, visited and were briefed about the JAI advocacy work and campaigns, followed by a guided tour to witness surrounding settlements and visit a farmer at his threatened field.

The Palestinian Youth Ecumenical Movement gains the membership of the WSCF/ME

In the last meeting of the Middle East Regional Committee of the World Student Christian Federation (WSCF) held in Cairo, Egypt in August 27-28 the Palestinian Youth Ecumenical Movement (PYEM) was accepted as a full member in the Committee.

The PYEM which works under the umbrella of the JAI has been in cooperation and coordination with the WSCF.

Members of the PYEM visit Norway � August 2011

Two members of the PYEM visited Oslo - Norway, 25^th - 31^st August 2011, to discuss cooperation projects with the Students Christian Movement in Norway.

The visit included presentations on the Olive Tree and BDS Campaigns, as well as the Norwegian movement' members' participation at the coming JAI Olive Picking program.

Members of the PYEM at the "Ayia Napa 26" conference in Egypt - August 2011

Two members of the PYEM participated actively at the "Ayia Napa 26" conference in Egypt, entitled "The Church and the revolutions of the Arab nations, building citizenship".

The conference was organized by the World Students Christian Federation - Middle East (WSCF/ME), between the 22 and 26 of August 2011.

Join us on Facebook and YouTube

More readings:

Media reported Israeli attacks on lands and farmers - 2011
Media reported anti-Israeli-occupation worldwide actions - 2011

Please feel free to forward this newsletter. If you got this newsletter forwarded and you want to subscribe, you may do so at our JAI website

If you have any questions, please contact:

Ibrahim Hannouneh
ihannouneh@jai-pal.org

Newsletter - August 2011 | Journey for Justice | OPGAI Youth Camp | Lobbying...

Joint Advocacy Initiative

Newsletter - 11 August 2011

Journey for Justice 2011 - Daily news reports | Reflections | Pictures

23^rd - 31^st July

Twenty-nine youth, the JAI volunteers and staff, and twenty-five Palestinian youth participated in another successful Journey for Justice organized by the JAI. The international group, representing twelve different countries from all over the world, visited different places within Palestine between 23 and 31 July 2011 to learn more about life under occupation.

Read Daily News Reports - various Participants' Reflections - Pictures.

JAI participated at the OPGAI Youth Work Camp 2011

90 youth from all over the West Bank, Jerusalem, and occupied '48 land participated in this year's OPGAI (Occupied Palestine and Golan Heights Advocacy Initiative) work camp, during the third week of July 2011.

The camp was to foster the desire and ability of youth to become community leaders and positive forces for change within their society, and to encourage initiative among youth to counteract the destructive forces of the Israeli economic, military, and political occupation of Palestine.

Read more about the camp and OPGAI activities.

JAI participates in Korsvei Festival in Norway

The JAI manager took part in the Korsvei festival, 19 - 24 July 2011, where he presented the KAIROS Palestine document: its history and impact both locally and internationally with a focus on the church related responses and reactions. He also promoted the Olive Tree Campaign and the "Come and See" as tools of solidarity with the Palestinians.

He took part in two mass activities in Oslo in remembrance of the victims of the attacks in Norway on the 22^nd of July 2011. He also discussed the GoCY Program and the mutual future plans with YGlobal (YMCA-YWCA Global).

JAI Youth share life stories & reflections with European youth

The JAI advocacy youth group met with a delegation of 30 youth from Special Task Force (STF) Europe / Middle East Partner Initiative (MEPI), on the 10^th of July 2011.

The session included guided touring inside the YMCA Beit Sahour premises, followed by an introduction to the YMCA-YWCA and JAI work and campaigns, then sub-groups chatting, where the JAI youth shared some of their life stories and reflections being under occupation.

Join the JAI-ATG Olive Picking Program - Help Palestinian Farmers

15^th - 24^th October 2011

People at any age, background, everywhere in the world are invited to join the program organized jointly by the JAI and Alternative Tourist Group. As part of our ongoing Olive Tree Campaign, to help Palestinian farmers harvest their olives which they might be unable to do without international support.

The program features introductory presentations about the current situation in
Palestine and various tours beside cultural evenings

Read more about the program details, draft schedule and registration procedures.

Join us on Facebook and YouTube

More readings:

Media reported Israeli attacks on lands and farmers - 2011
Media reported anti-Israeli-occupation worldwide actions - 2011

Please feel free to forward this newsletter. If you got this newsletter forwarded and you want to subscribe, you may do so at our JAI website

If you have any questions, please contact:

Ibrahim Hannouneh
ihannouneh@jai-pal.org

YMCA-YWCA Youth Journey for Justice 2011 - Daily news | Reflections | Pictures


Joint Advocacy Initiative		23 July 2011
YMCA-YWCA Youth Journey for Justice 2011 23^rd - 31^st July 2011 More than fifty five are joining this year' YMCA-YWCA youth Journey for Justice 2011. Participants came from: Sweden, Spain, Ethiopia, Denmark, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Norway, Korea, Ireland, Canada/USA, and Palestine. The journey aims at sharing local youth in their daily life, listen to their stories, experiences, and dreams, witnessing various EJ YMCA and YWCA of Palestine programs in action, meetings and discussions with Palestinian and Israeli specialists, representatives and organizations, as well as grass root people and groups. Remain updated with Daily news, pictures & participants' reflections (http://www.jai-pal.org/content.php?page=1087)

If you get this newsletter forwarded and you want to subscribe, you may do so at our JAI website

For more information or if you have any questions, please contact:

Ibrahim Hannouneh - Media officer & Exchange Programs coordinator
ihannouneh@jai-pal.org