Tag: israel and hamas war

The Spokane City Council will meet Monday to once again hear opinions on the Israel-Palestine conflict.

The Inland Northwest Coalition for the Liberation of Palestine will put on "Experience Palestine," a film festival aimed at educating the community about Palestine and their people.

Because of the war in Gaza, there was no Christmas in Bethlehem this year. Leaders from all the Palestinian churches cancelled public celebrations. There was no Christmas tree, no decorations in Manger Square, no Christmas parade and no Baba Noel delivering gifts to children.

In the West Bank and Gaza, Christians are searching for ways to celebrate a subdued Christmas, with festivities canceled for the first time since the First Intifada in 1988. 

PJALS will host a Candlelight Vigil on Dec. 14. They join other humanitarian and human rights organizations in calls for a permanent cease-fire, an end to Israel’s current blockade of Gaza and the 16-year siege and the return of all hostages and political prisoners by Hamas and Israel.

War shapes our lives, sometimes encouraging violence, verbal and physical. Outside war zones, ordinary citizens find ourselves drawn into taking sides. How can we create a better future for our children, ourselves, even for those we don’t know?

Hanukkah, a joyous Jewish holiday, which in the United States has often tried to rival Christmas in buoyancy if not glamour, will not be the same this year. With the Israeli military in the midst of a destructive showdown in its war with Hamas, few are in the mood to celebrate the holiday that begins at sundown Thursday.