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Questions at Christmas

We are again at the time of year when we hear “Bethlehem” tenderly referred to again and again in popular music. As close followers of the situation in Palestine, it’s easy to feel “triggered” at the mere mention of the city. How many people invoking the name of the city associated with peace know (or care) about the modern- day situation in Bethlehem? Are they even aware an apartheid wall divides the city? Do they know that Israeli policies are driving Christians out of the city of Christ’s birth (see p. 57)? Do they realize that Palestinians in Gaza rarely have a “silent night,” given the constant buzz of Israeli warplanes and drones and the haunting memories of war and suffering? Do Americans realize their tax dollars are facilitating suffering and division in the Holy Land? Hope... This fall saw an abundant olive harvest for farmers throughout the West Bank, and Palestinians watching the World Cup saw their brothers and sisters throughout the Arab world (and across the globe) fervently express their solidarity and condemn Israeli policies (see p. 8). ...And Despair Yet, the past few months have been devastating for many Palestinian families, especially those in and around Jenin. With the rise of the Lions’ Den (an armed group that formed in response to the hapless Palestinian leadership and Israel’s relentless targeting of non-violent activists), Israel has greatly increased the breadth of its military operations in the West Bank. As a result, countless Palestinian children have been brutally arrested or gunned down. Mahmoud alSaadi, a dynamic young man excelling in school and as a member the Jenin Freedom Theater, was murdered on his way to class (see p. 27). Jana Zakarneh, 16, was shot four times by Israeli forces in Jenin on Dec. 11, as she was making sure her cat was safe at home during another Israeli raid. More invaluable, innocent Palestine lives unceremoniously lost as the result of an “accident” carried out by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Before this magazine reaches your door, there will probably be other “accidents.” Abu Akleh Case to ICC As the funerals for children continued across Palestine, Al Jazeera in December submitted a case to the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the killing of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. As part of the case, the media company released a documentary that meticulously outlines the events of May 11, 2022, when Abu Akleh was killed by an IDF headshot while covering a story in Jenin. Besides proving that the soldier(s) who killed her knew exactly what they were doing, the documentary makes painfully clear the ongoing trauma experienced by those who witnessed the assassination. Journalist Ali Al Samoudi, who sustained a non-fatal gunshot wound in the incident, said, “Every day, all the time, Shireen’s voice is repeating in my ears.” Journalist Shatha Hanaysha, who hid from the bullets behind a tree feet away from Abu Akleh, said, “None of the things that died inside of me under that tree will come back.” The looks on their faces give tes-

timony to the living trauma that ruminates in the minds of far too many PHOTO BY ISSAM RIMAWI/ANADOLU AGENCY VIA GETTY IMAGES Palestinians. Impunity In the same documentary, Hagai El-Ad, executive director of B’Tselem, raises a vital point: Abu Akleh’s killing is a high profile case that reveals what happens nearly every day in Palestine—often with scant media attention. In such cases, the lack of outside interest and indeA view of the Christmas tree and fireworks near the Church of the Nativ‐pendent investigations ity, in Bethlehem, West Bank, on Dec. 3, 2022. mean Israel can simply construct any narrative it wants to legitimize the killing of a Palestinian. “You could just imagine how many other cases there are in which there wasn’t that much international attention, there wasn’t video footage, there weren’t witnesses,” El-Ad said. Israel, he added, is “very used to getting away with lying about killings of Palestinians.” Donation Appeal You’ve already received our second biannual donation appeal in the mail. We will count every donation you send, postmarked in 2022, as an end-of-theyear lifesaver! You can also donate online and charge your credit card right now. We’ll print our entire 2022 Choir of Angels list in the March/April 2023 magazine...and then start anew. We’re so thankful for every contribution, large and small, and delighted to welcome new subscribers and contributors with every new issue. As we said in that appeal, after years of sending our tax dollars to Israel, now is the time for us to challenge the morality of writing a blank check for weapons used in violation of U.S. and international laws. We can do this if we unite, like those World Cup fans, and speak with one loud, proud voice and.... Make a Difference Today!