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Bridges of Faith: Finding Peace and Persistence in the Holy Land

June 10, 2025 / By Merle Showers and Arlene Lundquest, UNY Task Force on Peace with Justice in Palestine/Israel / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

The following commentary was written by Merle Showers and Arlene Lundquest on behalf of the UNY Task Force on Peace with Justice in Palestine/Israel. The views expressed in this article are of the UNY Task Force on Peace with Justice in Palestine/Israel, and not of Bishop Burgos Núñez or any Upper New York staff member.  

As a member of the Upper New York (UNY) Task Force on Peace with Justice in Palestine/Israel, I want to highlight the invaluable work of one of our dedicated members, Arlene Lundquest. Each day, Arlene diligently searches the web for current news and developments related to Palestine and Israel, ensuring our task force remains informed and engaged. Her commitment is deeply appreciated, and today I’d like to share examples of the important resources she provides—particularly meaningful for members of UNY Conference churches. 

Faithful Responses to the Challenge of Peace in the Holy Land 

What follows are powerful stories of individuals and communities—Jewish, Christian, Palestinian, and others—who are actively working toward understanding, compassion, and justice in the Holy Land: 

• Don Peretz, a Jewish peace activist, assisted Palestinian families displaced during the 1947–48 war, working alongside Quakers in northern Israel in 1949. He later earned a Ph.D. in Middle East studies and taught at Binghamton University. His dissertation was the first to address the plight of Palestinians displaced in that period, reflecting his lifelong commitment to truth and compassion. 
   
• A Palestinian Lutheran pastor purchased nearly 100 acres of land near Bethlehem during the Ottoman era. He instilled in his family a deep commitment to peace and nonviolence. Today, that land is known as the Tent of Nations, a symbol of reconciliation and welcome. A sign at the entrance reads, “We refuse to be enemies.” Volunteers from around the world help sustain the farm. In the U.S., the project is supported by Friends of Tent of Nations, North America (FOTONNA). 
   
• Maoz Inon, whose Israeli peacebuilder parents were killed in the October 2023 Hamas attack, continues their legacy by working with both Jewish and Palestinian allies to rebuild and advance the peace movement within Israel. 
   
• Christian Palestinians, both lay and ordained, continue to uphold the hope of reconciliation. They seek the prayers and support of Christians worldwide. Notable voices in this movement include Mitri Raheb, Naim Ateek, Munther Isaac, Elias Chacour, Bishara Awad, and Alex Awad, all committed to steadfast nonviolence and faith-rooted action in the Holy Land. 
   
• Issa Amro, a Palestinian from Hebron, educates young people in the principles and power of nonviolence as they face oppression. He was co-nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize alongside Jeff Halper, an Israeli Jew and founder of the Israeli Committee Against Home Demolitions (ICAHD). Halper advocates for a unified state based on equality and peace for all who call the land home. 
   
• Cindy and Craig Corrie, Americans who lost their daughter Rachel Corrie in 2003 while she stood in front of a Palestinian home threatened by demolition, now lead the Rachel Corrie Foundation. Based in Olympia, WA, the foundation works globally to advocate for Palestinian dignity and human rights. 
   
• Miko Peled, son of Israeli General Matti Peled, has become a leading voice for peace and justice. Collaborating with Palestinian partners in the U.S., he travels widely to promote compassion and understanding.
   
• For over 30 years, the UNY Task Force on Peace with Justice in Palestine/Israel has worked to educate church members and the broader community on the ongoing struggle for justice in Palestine. The task force also offers support for those seeking to witness the realities of life in the Holy Land firsthand. Those interested in a solidarity trip can learn more and apply for the Gary Bergh Scholarship Fund here.

These stories remind us that even in the face of immense suffering, God's work continues—through the hands and hearts of those who refuse to give up on peace. Please keep our Palestinian and Israeli sisters and brothers in your prayers, and may we continue to walk faithfully in solidarity and hope.