The Tent of Nations: Positive Action in Motion

Published on March, 31 2024
Tent of National Welcome Rock

Welcome message as you enter the 100-acre organic farm used for the Tent of Nations; Credit: Jan Corderman

By Odile Hugonot Haber
MEPJAC

April 2024

In these dark days of all of what is happening in Gaza, "The Tent of Nations" is an example of possible positive action. The Tent of Nations is an educational and environmental farm covering 400 dunams (about 100 acres) next to the village of Nahalin, on a hilltop southwest of Bethlehem in the West Bank. The farm has been in Daoud Nassar's family since 1916 when his grandfather purchased the land known as Dahers’ Vineyard.

The Tent of Nations farm is also an International Peace center. Organizers are requesting International volunteers to serve as witnesses and help them to continue to exist. They have a volunteer application and offer various workshops, such as:

A team from the Des Moines Branch and the Middle East Peace Education Coalition is working collaboratively with the Tent of Nations to support publication of a book, "From the Ground and Up", by and for Palestinian children. The project is designed (1) to empower the children through the creative process and sharing their work with others and (2) to tell the story and principles of Tent of Nations (non-violent resistance, positive action, hope, Sumud) which will be the themes the children address. Material for the book will be drawn from creative writing and art of Palestinian children who attend the annual summer camp at Tent of Nations. It will be published initially in the US, then translated into other languages such as Arabic, Dutch and German. The Team is thankful for a mini-grant from WILPF US to help fund their work. If your branch or members would like to contribute please make checks out to the TON of Hope Book Project and mail to Virginia Wadsley, Chair, 1640 Hull Ave #301, Des Moines IA 50313.  Contact Virginia for more info:  vwadsley@q.com. 

Illegal SettlementIf you are organizing a group to travel to the Holy Land, or will participate in a group, please see that Tent of Nations is part of the itinerary. If you wish to volunteer at the farm, visit the Tent of Nations website, review the information on volunteering and complete and submit the contact form.

Photo: Gathering site overlooking illegal settlements; Credit: Jan Corderman

If you are planning on traveling there as part of a delegation, please see that Tent of Nations is on your itinerary. If you, or someone you know, wishes to volunteer at the farm, visit Tent of Nations website, review the application  for volunteering, and complete and submit the contact form to Daoud.

Do you have questions for FOTONNA?  Feel free to contact FOTONNA’s Steering Committee Chair, Charlie Lewis (charlie@snopres.org), or reach out to Jan Corderman

In the meantime continue to advocate for a ceasefire and negotiations, and food, medications, and help for Gaza. 

 

 

Alert/Update Category: 
Updates