Deadline extended

As the clocked past midnight, Baghdad time, Al-Jazeera just aired new footage and a statement from the Swords of Righteousness Brigade extending the deadline for the execution of my friends and colleagues by 2 days. I have had a strange peace about the situation though I knew, rationally, that the original deadline might have been real. I pray that the new deadline is also flexible because 48 hours is not a long time.

CPT's guiding principle in conflict situations, a corollary of Jesus' Golden Rule, is never to dehumanise people. So perhaps it is not such a surprise that people demonised by society, such as Abu Qatada (referred to sometimes as "Bin Laden's Ambassador to Europe") should have spoken out in support of CPT. One might think it strange that an avowedly pacifist Christian organisation receives such heartfelt support from jihadist Muslims such as Hamas and the Al-Asqa Martyr's Brigade. Perhaps it is because they can see that CPTers like Tom Fox are among the few in the West who, while disagreeing with their actions, still treat them as precious human beings. My Iraqi friends tell me that people in Baghdad are beginning to refer to the CPT-four as the "mujahadeen" - of course that is a term that they would all reject because of its conitations of violence - but it is nonetheless a deep affirmation that Iraqis recognise them as being radically aligned with their struggle for freedom and justice.

Two articles out of the thousands published over the last week jump out. One is one of Jim Loney's final releases, describing one of our dear mutual Iraqi friends, a friend who has suffered unimaginably as a war-resistor and yet retains a soft heart. The other focuses on Tom Fox, who's steady radical faith has been a firm support to me much of this year in Baghdad and I'm sure will be sustaining the whole group through this trial. Inshallah when I will see Tom free in a few days I'm sure he we give me his shy half smile and ask in those gentle measured tones what all the fuss has been about during his little hiatus, given than dozens of Iraqis go through a similar experience each day.

CPT has issued a new press release:
Love Your Enemies. Free the Captives. End the War

We remain concerned about the well-being of our team-mates Harmeet, James, Norman, and Tom, and we ask for their release. We also remain concerned about the well-being of all Iraqis who are suffering under occupation.

Those who are with our team-mates have demanded the release from captivity of the Iraqi detainees held in United States’ and Iraqi prisons.

Christian Peacemaker Teams believes that no single person, no single nation can meet the demands of Justice.

No single person, no single nation can meet the demands of Peace.

But we believe that it is everyone’s responsibility to do their part to bring each combatant and each captive home to their families and to end the war and occupation.
December 10th is International Human Rights Day.

Christian Peacemaker Teams calls for all people of conscience around the world to initiate non-violent public actions for peace and for prayer on December 10
in support of international human rights and in support of ending war and occupation.

Massive support for the CPT Four

It has been an incredibly distressing week in many ways, but one thing which has kept many of us going has been the huge outpouring of support for our friends in Iraq. Not only have dozens of volunteers associated with CPT worked around the clock, but hundreds of others have organised vigils, written articles, attended prayer meetings and expressed their respect and concern for Tom, Jim, Harmeet and Norman. Independent initiatives have been launched including a visit to Iraq by a representative of the Muslim Assoication of Britain and the broader anti-war movement. Muslims held in detention in Canada for four years under anti-terrorism legislation have spoken out recipricoly for James Loney who has been involved in the campaign for their release. An new friend in Beirut is staying up late into the night translating press releases and statements.

There has been a groundswell of support from Palestine, where many appreciate the work of CPT over the last decade. There have been rallies in Tuwani, Khalil and Ramallah and statements from Sheikh Mehdi al-Karki and many of the political parties. Tomorrow my fiance (working with CPT in Palestine) will share a platform with the Mufti of Jerusalem who is holding a press conference calling for our friends release. Most importantly, the team in Iraq have recieved huge support from many Iraqi friends and neighbours, some who have even gone on TV, always a dangerous thing to do, to make personal appeals. Moreover there has been strong support from significant individuals and groups including Sheikh Abdullatif Humayem, the Association of Muslim Scholars and the Iraqi Islamic Party.

For more info see CPT and Indymedia Beirut

Second video

A second video was released by Jazeera last night showing my friends from CPT looking in worse condition and with a threat to kill them on Thursday unless all detainees are released. This is dreadfully ironic given that the primary work of CPT in Iraq has been helping detainees, both of the Occupation and of the Iraqi government.

In April I joined the Iraqi Islamic Party in a rally of hundreds of family members of detainees and many in the crowd recognised us for working on their cases. The first problem for Iraqis is that when relatives are detaineed in a raid or whatever, it can take months to find out where they are being held. The next stage is arranging family visits. In March I went all the way down to camp Bucca in Umm Qasr in March accopanying an Iraqi who had been twice turned away when trying to visit his brothers there, he got in on that occassion. The hardest step is encouraging the authorities to conduct a fair and quick judicial process or release them. Some of my close friends have been detained for really no reason for a year and then never even question or told the alleged charges against them. A number of people whose cases we've lobbied on (letter writing to authorities etc.) have been released and the families have credited us with the release (and invited us to joyful reunion parties) though to be honest its often hard for us to tell how big a role our intervention played in the release. Many others have not been release, but we continue to try and stand by their families. Also to document and report on the overall detainee situation to try and change policy.

I'm still in the cloths I was wearing last Sunday, which I've been sleeping in (for max 3hrs a night) as well. I'm in Jordan now but hopefully on my way to Baghdad soon. See www.cpt.org for arabic statements, petition, CPT's detainee reports etc. also see Tom Fox's blog.

Kidnapped but standing firm

It's now almost 24 hours since the video of my CPT friends appeared on al-Jazeera. Until that point I'd been rushing to try and return to Baghdad ASAP but since then I've been glued to the phone & net, not leaving my desk (and sleeping under it). I've been tangled up in some of Iraq's horrors before (Ghareeb, Enzo, Simonas, Marla, Khalid and my own death threat) but that's not really much of a preparation. Dozens of people across at least 7 countries have been working through the night and supporting each other through fear, exhaustion and frustration. In the intense flurry of activity (I've made more calls in the last day than maybe the last 3 months combined) its very easy to forget prayer but it is more valuable than anything else we (and you please!) can do. And not lose sight of the bigger picture. Wonderful and valuable though my friends are, they are no more valuable than the dozens of Iraqis who are murdered and kidnapped every day and may warrant no more than a nameless footnote in a newswire, if that.

CPT has now issued a full press statement in arabic and english. Also a Palestinian statement of support from Islamic forces in Khalil has been issued by people familiar with our work in the West Bank (english translation). Please circulate these. Many Iraqis friends are trying to get the word out on Arab TV. Here are some articles about CPT's work in Iraq over the last year.

In a published reflection a year ago, Tom Fox wrote: If I am not to fight or flee in the face of armed aggression, be it the overt aggression of the army or the subversive aggression of the terrorist, then what am I to do? "Stand firm against evil" (Matthew 5:39) seems to be the guidance of Jesus and Gandhi in order to stay connected with God. Here in Iraq I struggle with that second form of aggression. I have visual references and written models of CPTers standing firm against the overt aggression of an army, be it regular or paramilitary. But how do you stand firm against a car-bomber or a kidnapper? Clearly the soldier disconnected from God needs to have me fight. Just as clearly the terrorist disconnected from God needs to have me flee. Both are willing to kill me using different means to achieve he same end--that end being to increase the parasitic power of Satan within God's good creation. It seems easier somehow to confront anger within my heart than it is to confront fear. But if Jesus and Gandhi are right then I am not to give in to either. I am to stand firm against the kidnapper as I am to stand firm against the soldier. Does that mean I walk into a raging battle to confront the soldiers? Does that mean I walk the streets of Baghdad with a sign saying "American for the Taking?" No to both counts. But if Jesus and Gandhi are right, then I am asked to risk my life, and if I lose it to be as forgiving as they were.

Peacemakers kidnapped

On Saturday four people with Christian Peacemaker Teams, one a close friend I worked with in Iraq earlier this year and another an aquaintance, were kidnapped in Baghdad. CPT has issued this statement:

"International violence-reduction organization Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) confirmed today that the four humanitarian workers kidnapped in Baghdad on November 26 are associated with their organization. One of the hostages is Norman Kember, a member of the current CPT delegation to Iraq. The British Foreign office confirmed Mr. Kember’s name on Sunday. The names of the other hostages are being withheld in the interest of their security. Only two are members of the long-term Team.

CPT has been present in Iraq since October, 2002. The Team’s work has focused on documenting and focusing public attention on detainee abuses, connecting citizens of Iraq to local and international human rights organizations, and accompanying Iraqi civilians as they interact with multinational military personnel and Iraq’s government officials. Iraqi friends and human rights workers have welcomed the Team as a non-violent, independent presence and asked that the Team tell the stories of Iraqis.

In a “Statement of Conviction,” the long-term Team members stated that they “are aware of the many risks both Iraqis and internationals currently face,” and affirmed that the risks did not outweigh their purpose in remaining. They express the hope that “in loving both friends and enemies and by intervening non-violently to aid those who are systematically oppressed, we can contribute in some small way to transforming this volatile situation.”

CPT does not advocate the use of violent force to save our lives should we be kidnapped, held hostage, or caught in the middle of a conflict situation.

Christian Peacemaker Teams places teams of trained peacemakers in crisis situations and militarized areas around the world. These teams host regular delegations of committed peace and human rights activists to conflict zones, who join teams in working with civilians to document abuses and develop non-violent alternatives. The CPT Iraq Team has hosted a total of 120 people on 16 delegations over the last 3 years.

In addition to the Iraq Team, Teams of CPT workers are currently serving in Barrancabermeja, Colombia; Hebron and At-Tuwani, Palestine; Kenora, Ontario, Canada; and on the Mexico-United States border."

The CPT-Iraq team does not want media speculation at this moment in case this is harmful. They may issue further statements on their website. Any media should contact them on +1 416-423-5525 (Canada) +1 773-277-0253 (US), offices being staffed 24hrs a day.

If anyone may be able to help with their release contact CPT on the above, or you can reach me at justinalexander@gmail.com or by phone currently on +0039 0831 23 2042 (until about 10pm Kuwait time, 3pm EST) or at my hotel + 965 5710301 ext. 237 (or ask the switchboard to see if I'm at the lobby internet cafe). You may be able to SMS (but not call) me on +962 796497506. My numbers are likely to change in the next few days as I am traveling, and I will post the latest here.

Use Googlenews for the latest on this issue sorted by relevance and date.

In any case, I welcome all of your prayers for their safety and for the many brave Iraqis suffering ongoing kidnapping, detention and violence, and struggling to make ends meet.

Remember Fallujah

Today marks an ignoble aniversary. On 8 November 2004 the US military, with approval and support from Britain, began the systematic destruction of a city of 200,000 people in an operation originally and appropriately codenamed "Thanksgiving Massacre". When I visited 5 months later the 1000+ bodies had been buried and the blood had been washed away, but the devastation remained.

Reading that 60% of the buildings had been seriously damaged is one thing, looking around a once populous neighbourhood and seeing only rubble in all directions is something else entirely. The people of Fallujah were promised large amounts of compensation and reconstruction but my friends at Christian Peacemaker Teams who visited a few days ago testify that a year on the situation remain dire.

http://www.rememberfallujah.org/... and Ramadi, Hit, Mosul, Qaim, Tal Afar, Haditha...

The first rains in Baghdad

There is a distant rumble and it is not a bomb
the rhythmic beat is not small arms fire
it is thunder and the first rains
to wash away blood and dust
an Iftar for the earth after a six months fast
drink deep
this year we need
new life
urgently

Settler attack on Tuwani averted

So I've just 3 days of travel getting from Tuwani to Baghdad. On route I've bumped into various friends (including finally meeting the elusive Azzam, the "capitalist dad" and only non-blogging member of the Jarrar family) and I've been on tender hooks worrying about Jenny facing attacks from Israeli settlers.

In Iraq the controversy continues over Saddam's trial and the referendum results. The violence also continues. This morning I got a call from a very close friend in great distress as there had been an explosion at his younger sister's school in Mansour. The scale of violence in Iraq today is so vast that this incident, which in any other country might have been headline news for days, didn't warrent a single dedicated news article focusing on it, only a few lines reporting that a mortar killed two a child and wounded four others. Thankfully his sister was ok. Rumours at the scene were that it was an American missile. Either way the school was probably not the target but an unfortunate miss.

Last night, as I was in Baghdad airport, Jenny had just texted me that 6 busloads of settlers drove through their village and that the settler's security guard had threatened that they were coming to hurt them and the villagers. The Israeli army and police said the situation was too dangerous for them to intervene, and so they were going to abandoning CPT and the Palestinians to the mercy of the settlers. I spent most of the night praying for them in the military chapel in Camp Striker, Baghdad airpot (a very unusal habitat!) and, hamdulillah, I learnt this morning that the attack was averted, or at least delayed. Jenny and team did a phenomenal job putting pressure on the Israelis (with dozens of internationals and Israeli activists phoning army officers) and so they finally turned up. However the IDF has refused to continue escorting children from the neighouring village of Tuba who have to pass close by the settlement in order to get to school in Tuwani. This violates a system established by order of the Knesset last year after CPTers were severely beaten by settlers while escorting the children, highlighting the issue in the international media. The upside of these new threats of violence is that once again both the Israeli and international media are taking an interest, and this may force the Israeli government to curb the settlers and ease the restrictions on the villagers.

Two final things (a lots's been happening today)...

Firstly many mutual friends have been asking after Joe Carr. He is recovering in Ramallah hospital after suffering a ruptured spleen. I was with him on Friday at the demonstration against the Apertheid Wall in Bil'in. Here is his report of trying to protect Palestinian childrenfrom rubber bullets and subsequently being grabbed and used as a human shield by an Israeli soldier and hence being hit in the ribs by a rock. I travelled to Ramallah hospital with him in a Red Cresent ambulance and as he lay there it was clear that for Joe, who saw his friends Rachel and Tom killed by the IDF in Gaza in 2003, to suffer this injury in the struggle for Palestinian rights was a very minor thing. We differ significantly in our politics and ethics, but Joe's courage and committment continuously inspire me.

Secondly it turns out that Kirsten Dunst will be playing Marla in the film about her life being produced by Marc Platt for MTV films. I wish that she was around to see it.

3 Funerals and an Engagement

So my life continues to be surreal. Lets start with the good (wonderful) news. Last night, as she sat shivering on a rock on a windy hillside shortly after sunset above the village of Tuwani in the southernmost part of the West Bank, I got down on one knee amidst the thorny shrubs and asked Jenny for her hand in marriage... remarkably she said YES immediately!

My cunning proposal plans had been slightly scuppered by the fact that I'd twisted my ankle the previous day and so had not been able to go on the hike into the wilderness that I'd planned to find the perfect romantic spot. Then she was exhausted, having been out walking the hills all day while I was recuperating, and so only very begrudingly agreed to wander with me just outside the village, and we missed sunset. Finally, in spite of all my subterfuge over the previous week as I got the ring designed in Jerusalem and asked her parents for their blessing, she'd somehow figured out my intentions from the most circumstantial evidence - huh, women's intuition! Anyway, although the proposal wasn't the grand cinematic gesture that I'd envisaged, it was certainly memorable in a quirky way and she seemed happy enough which is the important thing.

Typically for us, our personal moment of joy rapidly became tangled up with bigger and less happy events. About an hour after coming back down the hill, having used the last of our phone credits to inform our families, we heard the tragic news that 3 Israeli settlers had been shot earlier that day about 50 miles north of us. One of them, a 14yr old boy, came from Ma'on, the settlement just opposite our dear Tuwani, and the two women came from Carmel, the next settlement about two miles to the east. Our immediate reaction, along with sadness for the murders, was fear that there would be a very violent reaction from the settlers, perhaps even that night. The reason Jenny and others are living in Tuwani is because an international presence can sometimes deter, and at the very least document, settler attacks. In fact we'd been woken that morning by a hysterical shepherd from a nearby village who was attacked by 3 Ma'on settlers at about 6.30am, they stabbed one of his goats to death and seriously stoned a sheep (it later died).

Thankfully nothing happened last night. In the morning at 9am settlers from all across the West Bank gathered for the 3 funerals which took place at the Synagogue at Susiya, a settlement to the West (part of the chain of settlements and outposts, including Ma'on, on the hilltops across the South Hebron Hills, designed to control area and eventually annex it to Israel). The whole village watched in terror as perhaps a thousand settlers gathered on the settler bypass road near the entrance to Ma'on and drove slowly (we counted more than 150 cars, vans and buses) to Susiya, passing right below Tuwani. We gazed up into the thickly wooded hill towering above Tuwani in which an extremist outpost settlement is based and from which masked settlers often emerge (on 4 occasions in the last year they have seriously beaten up our international observers, not to mention the many occasions of violence against Palestinians). Thankfully the Israeli Army and Police had positioned themselves on the road at either entrance to the village and for once the villagers were pleased by their presence (which is often a harassment, as happened two nights ago when the army spent most of the evening surveiling the village with an infra-red camera). An attack, however, is unlikely to happen today, but perhaps tomorrow (on Succoth, a Jewish holiday, as settlers will not be working it is more likely that they will attack) or in a few days time when the army and police are not around.

I'm very worried for my fiance's safety, and was sorely tempted to stay with her, but she insisted that she could look after herself and that I must attend to my responsibilities in Iraq (I fly back on Wednesday) so I agreed eventually to entrust Jenny to her own good sense and to God's protection. I made my way back to Jerusalem after the funerals, a process which took 4 hours and required 6 changes of bus and clambering over numerous roadblocks because Israel has closed off most of the main roads in the southern West Bank - part of the collective punishment veiled as "security" in response to the 3 murders. Settlers leaving the funreal at about the same time as me would have been in Jerusalem after just 30mins on the US-funded settler bypass roads.

Refugees again - Palestinians flee Iraq

Before sunrise on Tuesday, 20 Palestinians (including 8 children, a 77 grandmother and two disabled men) piled into a delapitated bus in Baghdad and travelled the perilous Anbar road past Ramadi and Rutba (risking attack from Americans, terrorists, Iraqi security forces and criminal gangs) to the Syrian border town of Al-Waleed. They were accompanied by 3 friends from Christian Peacemaker Teams and an Iraqi peace activist from Najaf, part of the sister group Muslim Peacemaker Teams.

Everyone in Iraq is suffering these days, but the Palestinian community, most of whom have been born here (their families having fled Palestine in 1948), are among the lowest of the low. They do not have Iraqi citizenship and have to extend their residency permits (a complex process) every single month. Because Saddam exploited the Palestinian cause to try and gain prominence in the Arab world, Palestinians are often (incorrectly) viewed as having supported and benefited from his regime and as a result are persecuted. In fact Saddam did very little for the 23,000 Palestinians in Iraq. In addition, as a result of fears of foreign jihadists, any non-Iraqi Arabs are view with suspicion. There is no evidence that any of the Palestinian community in Iraq has been involved in terrorist activities, but none the less they are frequently harrassed and detained. Things have got so bad that Iraqi security forces have been turning up at the Palestinian ghetto in Baladiat (Baghdad) almost every evening. This is the reason that Palestinians are beginning to take the ultimate step of leaving their homes once again in search of a genuine place of refugee.

One of the Palestinians said: "By our action we want to make the UN aware of our situation and to be registered as refugees with UNRWA which provides assistance to Palestinian refugees in the West Bank, Gaza and other Arab nations but not in Iraq." I've been doing my best to alert people in the UN to the situation, and they are taking it seriously, however the decision on permitting them to enter Syria rest with the government.

For updates see the CPT_Iraq Yahoo Group. Their plight has been covered in the Canadian Globe and Mail (although this article exaggerates the support Palestinians recieved from the former regime).