Update March 14, 2003

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

Dear Friends,

The following is a summary of events regarding the Nassar land case for the last two weeks of February and the first two weeks of March. We thank you for your continuing support of and interest in this case. If you have any good ideas for giving wider exposure to this case or otherwise advocating for the Nassar family, we would be happy to hear from you at
tnations@p-ol.com !

1. On 21 February 2003, reporter John Anderson of the Washington Post visited the land at the encouragement of Peace Now's Dror Etkes and interviewed family member George Nassar. Richmond Times-Dispatch reporter Michael Martz interviewed several Virginians involved in the case including Alison Nassar, Dorothy Weaver, and Bob May and will be writing an article on the case. Two journalists from Germany interviewed Daoud Nassar at his home: Ms. Anja von Cysewski from DW "Deutsche Welle Radio" and Ms. Bettina Marx from ARD Radio, accompanied by Ms. Bettina Stelling, a physiotherapist from Caritas Baby Hospital.

2. The tree-planting activities planned for 21 and 28 February, and 7 and 14 March were postponed because of rain, snow, and mud. The next tree-planting activity is scheduled for Friday 21 March 2003, which is Mothers' Day in Palestine and also the First Day of Spring! So we hope for better weather. Holy Land Trust has expressed interest in bringing a group out to plant trees within the coming weeks. If you want to make a donation to the Tent of Nations tree-planting campaign, please consider doing so. For details on this campaign, please contact tnations@p-ol.com .

3. Thanks to everyone who sent faxes to the US Consulate the week of 17 February. Unfortunately, consulate representatives failed to follow up on the case or make contact with anyone in the family.

4. On Saturday 8 March a member of the Swiss association "Swiss Friends of Tent of Nations" visited the land, his first visit since October 2002. This time he slept in the cave where both Grandfather Daher and his son Nayeff lived. According to this visitor, it was a powerful spiritual experience and he encourages people seeking such experiences to consider sleeping in the cave.

5. Bob May has reaffirmed his commitment to sleep at the land every Sunday night and his first night was on Sunday 9 March. He slept in the house on the property (which Tent of Nations renovated for habitation) and it was also a good experience for him. An Australian national has also expressed interest in serving as a volunteer and residing on the property. We want to encourage people to come and spend some time on the land and learn more about this case and the Tent of Nations - People Building Bridges - Project.

6. On 28 February 2003 a small solidarity group from the YMCA Switzerland visited the land with two representatives of the Bet Sahour YMCA. The Swiss YMCA has identified support activities for Palestinian lands under threat of confiscation as a priority and it has been in previous contact with the Swiss Friends of Tent of Nations. Subsequently, the organization donated 250 olive trees to the Nassar family for the purpose of developing the land. We would like to express our thanks to the Swiss YMCA for its solidarity with our struggle.

7. Martin Rau visited the land on 7 March to interview the family and representatives of the Settler's Council for the purpose of generating interest in the case among Israel's Messianic Congregations.

8. Daoud Nassar received an invitation to do a presentation on the Tent of Nations Project in Germany for a number of German organizations during the week of 10 March. However, because of the tense situation in Palestine, the build-up to a US confrontation with Iraq, and tight restrictions on Palestinian travel, Daoud was unable to accept the invitation at this
time.

9. Swiss Friends of Tent of Nations and the Swiss YMCA expressed interest in the idea of bringing Swiss youth groups to participate in youth exchange camps during the summer months and this possibility was discussed with Tent of Nations director Daoud Nassar. Tent of Nations Project continues to develop the infrastructure of the property, with support from the Swiss Friends of Tent of Nations. The Tent of nations Project would not have been possible without the support and assistance of this association and we wish to acknowledge our deep gratitude for this partnership and look forward to more cooperation in the future. If you want to support the Tent of Nations project or learn more about it, please contact Daoud Nassar at tnations@p-ol.com or contact in Switzerland: Dr. Sophia Bietenhard the chief of the board of the Swiss friends of Tent of Nations at skbietenhard@bluewin.ch

10. Several guests have scheduled visits to the land at the end of March for the purpose of discussing facilitation of the Tent of Nations Project. We look forward to hosting these visitors and are thankful for their interest and solidarity.

11. A web site for the Tent of Nations Project is under construction and should be available soon.

Please continue to circulate the details of this case and be in contact with the family regarding ways you can help. We appreciate your efforts!

Sincerely,

The Nassar Family
Bethlehem