I write as Shabbat approaches and the afternoon sun is still high as we have coffee at the Bental Observation Point in the Golan Heights. While the current situation forced us to change plans, we have a group of supportive and excited Catholic educators seeing the realities of Israel up close. We began our first day in Tel Aviv hearing from a young and dynamic rabbi who shared the challenge of bearing the scars of the past and at the same time wanting to live a free democratic life in a Jewish state at peace with its neighbors. The current situation was immediately made real for them.

We then traveled to have lunch with Archbishop Elias Chachour — the head of the Catholic community in Israel— a Melkite, born before the State was founded, but from 48 on lived as an Israeli citizen. He created a high school and college for his Arab Christian community. His presentation was charming and warm but in subtle ways (which I explained afterwards) was part of an oft-heard point of view from the Palestinian community (“we are all Semites” and “we should all live together sharing this land” — our Bearing Witness participants having had a day of instruction on the Jewish covenantal relationship with the land while still in Baltimore understood the implications of the statements). Yet, it is clear that Chachour can and should be a partner in dialogue.

We then traveled to have lunch with Archbishop Elias Chachour — the head of the Catholic community in Israel— a Melkite, born before the State was founded, but from 48 on lived as an Israeli citizen. He created a high school and college for his Arab Christian community. His presentation was charming and warm but in subtle ways (which I explained afterwards) was part of an oft-heard point of view from the Palestinian community (“we are all Semites” and “we should all live together sharing this land” — our Bearing Witness participants having had a day of instruction on the Jewish covenantal relationship with the land while still in Baltimore understood the implications of the statements). Yet, it is clear that Chachour can and should be a partner in dialogue.

From there we traveled to Nazareth for a tour through the Church of the Annunciation (Mary’s church) and a walk through town. Nazareth was no different from any of the many times that I have been there before — life goes on.

At this moment our group is standing at the Bental bunkers learning about the miracles of the 1967 battles. Here it all becomes clear how Israel has been attacked over and over and how precious the attachment to the land is for Israel’s citizens, and indeed the Jewish world. We will go from here to the Galilee and I will lead a Shabbat service for them (originally we were to be in Sefat, which suffered rocket attacks, so we remained flexible and Phyllis and her staff made arrangements for us).

This is, indeed, a solidarity mission.

Gary