"Making Peace Inevitable"

By Larry Snider, opednews.com, September 24, 2010:
"President Obama and his team of Middle East specialists have forcibly opened the door to inculcate direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians even as pundits on all sides are busily projecting the failure of this new round of talks. However, there are many steps that can be taken and built together to generate a momentum making peace inevitable. . . ." [continued]

Philly interfaith gathering on September 11, 2010

We Cannot Remain Silent
A peaceful gathering of people representing different faiths who will come together and read from the Quran, Torah, and the Gospels; prayers, reflections, and a time for meditation will be included

Saturday, September 11, 2010, 12:30 p.m.
West Kensington Ministry at Norris Square
2136 North Hancock (corner of Hancock & Susquehanna)
Philadelphia, PA 19122
Rev. Adan A. Mairena
Interfaith Peace Walk
Faith and Secular Representatives

To promote unity and strength among people of different faiths as we listen to each others’ sacred texts and reflect on the messages of peace, tolerance, and compassion

Philly fundraiser for the next Gaza Freedom Flotilla

Help purchase and launch
The Audacity of Hope
a U.S. ship for the next
Gaza Freedom Flotilla
with
Ann Wright, a Gaza Freedom Flotilla survivor, also known for resigning from the State Department in protest of the 2003 invasion of Iraq; Colonel Wright has traveled to Gaza three times and spent time in jail as a result
Remi Kanazi, Palestinian-American poet and author, co-founder and primary writer for www.PoeticInjustice.net and the editor of Poets for Palestine
Chris Hedges, author of nine books, New York Times correspondent for 15 years and Mid-East Bureau Chief until he was reprimanded for denouncing the invasion of Iraq
plus buffet style dinner, other speakers and
musical accompaniment
Friday, September 10, 6:30-9:00 p.m.
Tabernacle Church
3700 Chestnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Tickets and more info at www.BreakSiegeofGaza.org

Local resident tries to enter Gaza

Local resident Susan Johnson is in Egypt, trying to return to Gaza to volunteer at a children's center. Follow her journey at http://seeingformyself.blogspot.com/. I met Susan when she gave a presentation in Doylestown in the summer of 2009 after her first trip to Gaza. Then she invited me to the Buckingham Friends' screening of Anna Baltzer's Life in Occupied Palestine: Eyewitness Stories & Photos. In November 2009 Anna Baltzer was among the speakers at a symposium on Mideast peace at Villanova. This blog is an outcome of these exposures to truths that are not readily apparent in this country.

Thank you, Susan, for helping to educate us. I hope you are able to complete your mission of good will and service in Gaza.