This week I have had the pleasure of meeting a dedicated group of walkers/ pilgrims who are making their steady way across Europe and the Middle East on foot. I have joined them as a support driver because they need a minibus to assist them with luggage, lunch and lifts when necessary. Today they are in Turkey and they have walked through England, France, Switzerland, Italy, Albania, Macedonia and Greece. They will move on to Jordan from Istanbul and from the capital Amman will walk to the Holy Land and ultimately Jerusalem.
The walkers view their journey as a pilgrimage as well as an act of solidarity and penance. They participate in a daily liturgy, or morning observance, where they together remind themselves that they are walking with those whose rights are undermined, for the oppressed and for peace.
The initiative was set in motion by a guy called Justin, a writer, actor, director, musician and producer who has several years association with Amos Trust, a small human rights organisation supporting educational and rights projects in Nicaragua, India, South Africa, Burundi, South Africa and Palestine. When Justin was in the Holy Land in 2014 he met a Palestinian family whose home had been demolished by the Israeli authorities for the fourth time. The head of the family offered hospitality and graciousness and Justin was moved to consider ways to respond to their predicament.
There are three main aims for the walk which are to a) in order to express solidarity with those who have no freedom of movement, b) to demonstrate a willingness to walk the path of peace together with Palestinian and Israeli peace activists and c) as an act of penance recognise the wrongs of Britain’s political failure in the Holy Land.
The walkers are a diverse group and amongst them is a mezzo soprano called Julia from an organisation called Music with Refugees. She can play the oud and sing Arabic songs beautifully.
The walkers view their journey as a pilgrimage as well as an act of solidarity and penance. They participate in a daily liturgy, or morning observance, where they together remind themselves that they are walking with those whose rights are undermined, for the oppressed and for peace.
The initiative was set in motion by a guy called Justin, a writer, actor, director, musician and producer who has several years association with Amos Trust, a small human rights organisation supporting educational and rights projects in Nicaragua, India, South Africa, Burundi, South Africa and Palestine. When Justin was in the Holy Land in 2014 he met a Palestinian family whose home had been demolished by the Israeli authorities for the fourth time. The head of the family offered hospitality and graciousness and Justin was moved to consider ways to respond to their predicament.
Since 1967 house demolitions have affected thousands of Palestinians and this destruction shows no sign of abating. Palestinian, Israeli and international activist campaigning against restriction of movement of Palestinians by Israel, the illegal separation wall built by Israel, the siege of Gaza imposed by Israel, discriminatory laws, illegal Israeli settlements feel powerlessness yet there is power in being able to put one foot in front of the other and to lead oneself along a path such as the Just Walk from UK to Jerusalem.
There are three main aims for the walk which are to a) in order to express solidarity with those who have no freedom of movement, b) to demonstrate a willingness to walk the path of peace together with Palestinian and Israeli peace activists and c) as an act of penance recognise the wrongs of Britain’s political failure in the Holy Land.
The walkers are a diverse group and amongst them is a mezzo soprano called Julia from an organisation called Music with Refugees. She can play the oud and sing Arabic songs beautifully.
