Home Rebuilding 2019

In 2017, the family Khalid Abu Khyara of Al-Walaja in west Bethlehem district realized their lifelong dream when, after years of saving and help from extended family members, they were able to build a home for themselves. A few short months, on September 3, 2018, the Israeli authorities demolished their home, leaving Khalid Abu Khyara, his wife, and their three small girls homeless.

"As Palestinians, there is little room for us to build a life on our ancestral lands. Year after year, Israel passes new laws against us, they change the borders of our lands, they change land ownership deeds...they use every tool they can to displace us," said Khalid. "We are left with no options to build on our land. As Palestinians, most can't leave even if we wanted to. We don't meet the requirements for immigration to other countries. A lot of don't have the financial resources to move either. But for a lot of us, we won't leave our land because it is an issue of justice. This is about justice, not just for Palestinians, but all indigenous people and minority groups who are languishing under oppression and violence. So we have to rebuild for justice for all people. We have to resist."

Following the words of Khalid, Holy Land Trust and our UK partners Amos Trust collaborated again to help the family of Khalid Abu Khyara rebuild his home and help
create a new reality of peace and justice.

"What makes Holy Land Trust's approach to home demolitions unique, is that like many other organizations that offer only legal support, they bring material support," explained Khalid. "Yes, legal support is important. But when you're working in the Israeli legal system, all the laws go against the Palestinian people. In many ways, there is no chance of winning a case. So we are only left with the option to resist. Holy Land Trust gives Palestinians who want to resist the type of meaningful solidarity nonviolently to do so."

As a Palestinian Christian, I understand the life and message of Christ as working for justice on the side of the oppressed and marginalized.

I am asking you to pray for me while on this journey but also pray for my Muslim brothers and sisters who live in a perpetual state of fear, not knowing when their homes will be demolished.

I am also asking you to help Holy Land Trust rebuild a home for a Palestinian family in the coming year. You can donate through this link here. I am also encouraging you to join Holy Land Trust and Amos Trust on the ground through considering joining us in our next home rebuilding, and becoming part of the healing of not only a family, but the Holy Land itself.