A Sabbatical in Jerusalem: Book 3

A Sabbatical in Jerusalem: Book 3

John Walker msc

A Sabbatical in Jerusalem: Book 3

John Walker msc

A Sabbatical in Jerusalem: Book 3

A Sabbatical in Jerusalem: Book 3

John Walker msc

A Sabbatical in Jerusalem: Book 3

John Walker msc

A Sabbatical in Jerusalem: Book 3

Compiling this last book, a set of three describing with images my sabbatical in Jerusalem, was cause for much needed reflection on the experience. I have said many times it has been a life-changing experience. It has been exactly that. In a conversation whilst in the Galilee with Ghada, our beautiful Palestinian guide, I commented that I personally found it disturbing to be caught up in the frenzy of a Holy Land pilgrimage. Ghadas response was, John, Im less interested in holy places and more interested in holy people. On reflection I met many holy people in this complex land; men and women on both sides of the conflict who view the current situation in moderation, and work and pray for justice. They are for me, beacons of hope. John Walker msc December 2012

Hebron and the tombs of the Patriachs and Matriachs: a Palestinian city subject to ongoing illegal settler violence

Sunset from the Tent of Nations and further examples of illegal settlements and settler violence

Peter Malone msc visits Tantur

Ori Goldberg is an IDF intelligence ocer and was scheduled to speak to the group this night on another subject, but the situation in the Gaza exploded during the day and thus the night was a discussion around the conict

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

The grave of Oskar Schindler in the old Catholic cemetery on Mt Zion

The city of David with Jared, our Jewish archeologist guide

The guided tour of the Southern Steps with Jared

The Israel National Museum

Shrine of the Book housing the Dead Sea Scrolls

Three dimensional models of the Temple, and old Jerusalem during the second Temple period

Entrance to the Israel National Museum (left), and the Knesset (right)

The South Hebron Hills are situated far away from the inquiring eyes of Israeli Society. They are almost completely ignored by the media and the public discourse. This large region and the many Palestinians who live there are forgotten in the conversations conducted about the future of the conflict. We, soldiers who served in the South Hebron Hills, have been witness to the consequences of this callous disregard. Members of Breaking the Silence uphold their civic duty to inform Israeli society about what happens in the Territories in its name, and hold up a mirror that reflects the price of our presence in the Territories. Tours of the South Hebron Hills are part of the effort. Breaking the Silence is an organization of Israeli military veterans who served since the start of the Second Intifada (September 2000), and who have taken upon themselves the imperative to expose the Israeli public to everyday life in the Occupied Territories, a reality which is rarely reflected in the media. Breaking the Silence was founded in June 2004, and has since acquired a special standing in the eyes of both the Israeli and international public and media for its unique role in making heard the voices of soldiers who have previously remained silent. www.breakingthesilence.org.il Avner Gvaryahu (left) is a 27 year old male religious Jew who lives in Tel Aviv with his young wife. He was one of the co-founders of Breaking the Silence and is currently its CEO. Avner, together with two female IDF personnel, exposed us to the violence and immorality of occupation in the West Bank. They spoke honestly and passionately of their experience; not a passion shared by their families.

Susya, a Palestinian village demolished by IDF ve times since 1985. It is classied within Area C (Oslo Agreement) of the West Bank and therefore lies under Israeli military occupation and control

Ein Karen is an ancient village of the Jerusalem District. According to Christian tradition this is where Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth, and John the Baptist was born

Last week and winding up with mixed emotions.

The presence of IDF can be seen and felt everywhere in the Old City

Sunset over Bethlehem

A nal visit to the West Wall

The Damascus Gate

A southern view of the Old City from the Haas Promenade (above), and Hassidm in the Kidron Valley (right)

Ancient Jewish tombs in the Kidron Valley

Ancient olive trees in the Garden of Gethsemane

Holyland hirise apartment complex in Jerusalem; a project that is the subject of a corruption scandal engulng former prime minister Ehud Olmert

King David Hotel (top centre)

The 2012 September Tantur Experience group on the steps of the Basilica of the Transguration, Mt Tabor

The farewells begin

Final farewell party and the hilarious tale of Tel Tantur

Sr Veronica, an Australian Good Samaritan, leads us in the Vegemite song; prizes, the much dreaded Vegemite sandwich!

Planting a Jacaranda to celebrate our groups participation at Tantur, and those last shots of our beloved home on a small hill. Tantur means small hill.