Commitment for Life, the world development programme of the United Reformed Church, is seeking to rally support for Salim and Arabiya Shawamreh, a Palestinian couple whose home is to be demolished, by order of the Israeli Supreme Court. The couple have already been through this experience four times and their home in Anata, north east of Jerusalem, has become a symbol of resistance to Israel’s house demolition policies.

Linda Mead, Commitment for Life programme co-ordinator, said: “I would urge Christians to support the family in prayer, and to contact their MP, if they feel uneasy about the Israeli demolition programme. It is tragic that this could happen, with all the work the family have done to promote peaceful resistance. Their children are suffering terribly as a result of all the upheaval and uncertainty. One of their daughters temporarily lost her sight because of the trauma.”

Linda Mead was among representatives of the United Reformed Church who met the Shamwamreh family during a fact-finding visit to Israel-Palestine in April this year. Salim told them of the struggle for a just peace and a future for his family and all Palestinians. He said: “I am 53 years old, I would like one good day in my life. The picture shows Linda Mead with Arabiya Shawamreh

The Israeli Committee for House demolition UK http://www.icahd.org/icahdukdev/eng/news.asp?menu=5&submenu=1&site=UK&item=534

Commitment for Life is the world development programme of the United Reformed Church

The fact-finding visit to Israel-Palestine was covered in the URC blog, including a day with a representative from the Israeli Committee Against House Demolition.