Teach-in, candlelight vigil at Bethel addresses Middle East crises

By Adam Schrag

More than 100 Bethel College students, faculty, staff and members of the community gathered in the chapel Nov. 3 for a teach-in and candlelight prayer vigil in response to the recent outbreaks of violence between the Israeli and Palestinian peoples in the Middle East.

"This is a peace process that has left the West Bank in pieces," said presenter Patty Shelly, professor of Bible and Religion, who recently spent four years as the West Bank Director for Mennonite Central Committee. "They are a deeply frustrated people. Peace will only come after justice."

The teach-in was initiated by two concerned students, Aziza Hasan and Jake Reid. Hasan a sophomore from Halstead, is a Palestinian originally from Jordan. Frustrated with the media bias in the United States, she wanted a forum in which people could hear a more accurate version of the conflict. She approached Reid about taking action and they got the sponsorship of organizations like the Kansas Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution and the Bethel College Peace Club, as well as others.

"I was upset and Jake said, 'If your upset we should do something,' " Hasan said. "This teach-in is an effort to educate people. We have to reach understanding in order to reach an actual peace."

Reid, a senior history major from Austin, Texas said: "We wanted to educate and motivate."

The teach-in featured slides to illustrate the historical and political factors of the current conflict. Shelly told personal stories and gave reports of her experiences to educate the audience about the injustices occurring to the Palestinian people.

Shelly described the struggles Palestinians face trying to travel, build homes, and work. She spoke about the failure of the peace process to bring justice and noted that approximately 150 Palestinians and 12 Israelis have been killed since the violent outbreak over a month a go.

After a question and answer time, a candlelight prayer vigil took place. Members of the audience took turns lighting candles and praying for peace in this conflict while a few students offered prayers from the podium. It was a time of education as well as prayerful concern and reflection that offered an alternative perspective to the conflict, which is often warped by the media. A handout at the door was indicative of the mood of the teach-in - a hymn on one side and a list of informative websites on the other.

Many audience members left the teach-in well informed but frustrated.

"Patty's presentation helped me get an effective grasp on why this is happening," said Bekah Trolinger, a freshman from Bluffton, Ohio, "but I feel frustrated because here in Kansas it doesn't feel like there is anything I can do."

Walter Neufeld, an attendee from Moundridge, said: "It looks pretty hopeless sometimes but there is a little hope with groups like Rabbis for Peace. Maybe the Israeli public will come to their senses and try to put a stop to the persecution."

Shelly sees education on the conflict, like the teach-in, as an important method of responding to the injustice.

"I get hope when I see the steadfastness and perseverance of the Palestinian people. I resist the tendency to say they will always be fighting."