Update February 13, 2003

Update on the Nassar Farm Land Case (from the Nassar Family)

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your continuing interest and concern in the Nassar land case. Over the past couple of weeks many people have taken action in an attempt to influence the outcome of this case including: widespread circulation of the facts, letters of support, prayers, letters of protest, contact with the media and human rights organizations, solidarity visits, and donations. These actions, in addition to having a possibly significant impact on the final decision, are also a profound source of encouragement and assurance to the family and we thank you for accompanying us in our struggle. The following is a summary of events regarding the Nassar land case for the period 5 February to 13 February 2003. We encourage you to remain involved and to continue to exert pressure locally, nationally, and internationally. We are convinced that it can make a
difference.

1. On 5 February 2003, the Israeli Supreme Court was scheduled to hand down a final decision regarding the legal ownership of the Nassar family farm. The military appeals committee requested, and was granted, an indefinite postponement of this date. On 13 February, the office of the Nassar's legal representative was informed that the new date for the decision has been set for 27 April 2003. It is extremely important that supporters continue to exert unrelenting pressure on the Israeli government (feedback@mfa.gov.il) and elsewhere for the duration of this period and that you can demonstrate that you have become neither tired nor defeated nor distracted during this interim period. This is what they are counting on.

2. Three journalists visited the land and spoke with the family during the past week: Gershom Gorenberg of the Jerusalem Report; Alexa Smith of the Presbyterian News Service; and Johannes Gerloff representing a German daily newspaper. A fourth journalist affiliated with a Swiss television channel has arranged to visit at the end of February. Johannes Kempin of Ta'Ayush also visited the land to evaluate the current situation and ways that Ta'Ayush can intervene and advocate (see www.taayush.org ).

3. The first of a series of tree-planting activities took place on Friday 7 February 2003 with the participation of twenty people including four Israelis. In particular we were thankful for the presence and support of Dror Etkes of Peace Now and Efrat Ben Ze'ev of Ta'Ayush. One hundred trees were planted and the next activity is scheduled for Friday 21 February. The family intends to conduct an intensive campaign to plant trees throughout the period preceding the scheduled date for the high court decision on 27 April. To donate a tree(s) on behalf of a specific person or in memory of a loved one, please write to tnations@p-ol.com.

4. On 12 February 2003, a representative with the American Consulate contacted the office of Jonathan Kuttab to investigate the facts of the case and confirm that American citizens are involved. Please send a fax to the American Consulate to encourage them to become involved and to defend the rights of American citizens in Palestine. The fax number is: 972-2-627-2233.

5. On 11 February, Dror Etkes of Peace Now contacted the family regarding information that he had received from the Yesha Settlers Council in Gush Etzion. According to Dror, the settlers intend to plant five caravans on the land within the coming weeks and have actually begun advertising for families to inhabit these caravans. In order to prevent this from happening, the family needs to maintain a constant presence on the land until 27 April. In addition to individual family members staying at the land in rotating one-week shifts, Bob May has offered to sleep there every Sunday night. A German citizen has also contacted the family about serving as a volunteer. Anyone interested in serving as a volunteer or helping the family to maintain a vigil over the next two months, please contact tnations@p-ol.com.

6. The Tent of Nations project is moving ahead with activities planned for the summer months. Specifically, a summer camp session is being planned for Palestinian youth from the Bethlehem area which will combine nature studies, discussions on peace and reconciliation strategies, and cultivation and development activities on the land. Interactive camping, biking, and hiking activities for international youth groups are also being organized and several interested groups have already been in contact. For more information on upcoming Tent of Nations activities, please contact tnations@p-ol.com.

7. Statement issued by the office of Jonathan Kuttab: The Nassar family of Bethlehem has been fighting since 1991 the military order declaring portions of their land to be "state land." After losing their appeal before the Objections Committee, our office is handling the High Court appeal of that decision and the court date was set for 5 February 2003 and which was postponed until 27 April 2003.

During the week prior to the High Court hearing, a new and major development has occurred whereby the settlers broke into the last remaining portion of the land and began building a road through it. This portion has been clearly designated in the original plans as private land, which is not being disputed or declared to be "state land." However, since this incursion took place new maps are being circulated by the military government including this land as part of the area under dispute.

Settlers have already informed the Nassar family that they plan to set up five caravans and begin a nucleus of a settlement on the disputed land.

This new development is going to require a separate and new case to be brought to try to defend the ownership of this section of land and this will require a new complaint to the police, new survey maps, a possible confrontation on the land itself, and new legal efforts separate and different from those that pertain to the original High Court case.

Your continued support can help to bring about victory, not just for the Nassar family, but for justice.

The Nassar Family
Bethlehem