Western Methodist Justice Movement

View Original

State Department visits Palestinian Village of Wadi Foquin

On Friday, December 17th, State Department official John Robbins made a visit to the Palestinian village of Wadi Foquin in response to advocacy efforts led by Friends of Wadi Foquin.  The advocacy centers around impending land confiscation in Wadi Foquin that would lead to the construction of a road expanding the Israeli settlement transportation infrastructure. In addition, several farmers have been issued demolition orders for properties including homes, water cisterns, a compost facility, and agricultural storage space. 

Ata Manasra pointing out the illegal settlement of Betar Illit on the hillside over looking the village.

Friends of Wadi Foquin advocacy efforts first led to a letter issued on October 8th, by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) and Congressman David Price (NC-07) and 20 other congressional offices urging intervention by the State Department.  As the letter received significant media coverage in Palestine, aggressive actions by Israeli authorities seemed to take a temporary pause.  With the visit by State Department staff, we hope the temporary pause will lead to a permanent halt of land confiscation and human rights violations.

State Department officials meeting with Wadi Foquin leaders.

WMJM co-sponsored and hosted on online forum with the Friends of Wadi Foquin on October 27th featuring Ata Manasra along with staff of Congressional offices of Lee and Price.  The online forum explained the process of the Lee/Price letter and hoped for outcomes as we awaited State Department response. The online event can be viewed through this recording

Friends of Wadi Foquin continues advocacy efforts to congressional offices to build on the efforts thus far. If you are interested in engaging with us through your elected officials and/or organizational education please contact Rev. Michael Yoshii, Co-Chair Friends of Wadi Foquin at michaelyoshii1@gmail.com.