This week’s Kumi Now initiative focuses on the work of the Regional Council of the Palestinian Unrecognised Bedouin Villages (RCUV). Bedouin villages have no legal recognition in the Israeli state and no access to municipal services like water or electricity. They wish to continue to follow their traditional way of life, rearing livestock and farming. Bedouin villagers, like those in al-Araqib, live under constant threat of demolition. The Israeli government wants to relocate them to urban centres without regard for their rural way of life.

 

• Lord, we pray for the work of the RCUV as they seek to protect those who have no rights in their own land. We pray that the way of life of the Bedouin people would be respected and that they would be left to farm in their traditional ways. Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayers.

Dozens of Israeli ministers and political officials have signed a petition to settle two million Israeli settlers across occupied Palestine. The petition has been put forward by the Nahala Movement. They demand a rapid expansion of Jewish-only settlements, as well as an end to the two-state solution. There are already between 500,000 and 600,000 Israelis living in settlements in occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank, in violation of international law.

 

• Lord, we pray that international laws would be respected by the Israeli government. We pray that international organisations like the UN would bring pressure to bear on Israel to halt the illegal expansion of Jewish-only settlements in occupied Palestine. Lord, in your mercy…

In its monthly report, the United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, (OCHA), in occupied Palestine stated that 40 Palestinian-owned homes and other structures were demolished or seized by Israeli authorities during January. One of the demolitions took place on punitive grounds and the others happened due to the lack of permits. Building permits for Palestinians are almost impossible to obtain.

 

• Lord, it is so difficult to imagine how it feels to have your home, school or business broken up before your eyes. We pray for families who suffer this trauma, that they may have the strength to recover and start their lives again. We pray for those who carry out this demolition work that they may question this heartless policy and cease what they are doing. Lord, in your mercy …hear our prayers.

 

On Friday the 15th of February, two Palestinians were shot in Urif village, southern Nablus. Clashes took place when farmers tried to remove the dirt mounds dumped by Israeli forces to prevent them from reaching their land.

 

Lord, we pray for the Palestinians who are trying to earn their livelihoods on the land or at sea. We pray for an end to the violent treatment of the Palestinians by the Israeli authorities. Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayers.

When the Temporary International Presence in Hebron (TIPH) force was unilaterally expelled by Israel last week, a group of Palestinian activists set up their own group as a protective presence in the city. On their first day of escorting Palestinian children to school the group members were harassed by Israeli settlers.

 

• Lord we pray for all those who set out to protect the weak and to witness oppression. Lord, guard the paths of justice and watch over those who seek to walk the ways of righteousness and justice (Prov 2:6-9). Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayers.

For the 47th consecutive Friday the “Great March of Return” continued along the border between Gaza and Israel. At least sixty Palestinians were injured by Israeli soldiers using live ammunition.

 

• Lord, we pray for all those injured in the protest. Lord, we pray for a breakthrough in the peace talks so that there may be a just end to the blockade of Gaza. Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayers.

The Kumi Now initiative continues this week with the Mossawa Centre and their topic of discrimination against Arab citizens of Israel. Kumi Now encourages you to read the information and then act by writing to your foreign ministry with the message “I demand that Israel recognize the rights of Arab citizens and the rights of allpeople to be together with whom they choose.”

 

• Loving Lord we pray for Mossawa Centre and their work supporting Arab citizens of Israel. Bless those taking part in Kumi Now and encourage them in their support for the Palestinian people.

 

On Friday 15^th February, Sabeel will hold a meeting for local Bible Study facilitators in Jericho.

 

• Lord, we thank you for the gifts and commitment of the leaders within the community who continue to reach out to others through their faith. Send your spirit to watch over those attending this training day and help them to hear the message you would like them to hear.Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayers.

 

The Sabeel Wave of Prayer and a number of our publications are now translated into nine languages thanks to volunteers from around the world.

 

• Lord, we give you praise for all our friends around the world who support us in many varied capacities, including those who faithfully pray with us using this Wave of Prayer.  Please bless them and all their loved ones. We give thanks for their continuous commitment and warm friendship, asking you to strengthen our fellowship with them in the work for justice and peace. Lord, in your mercy…

 

The Canadian government has revoked the charity status of a Jewish organisation following a government audit that found it has funded Israeli military projects and settlements in the occupied West Bank.

 

• Lord, we pray that the example of the Canadian government becomes a beacon for all who stand for justice. May organisations who fund illegal military or civil actions be granted the grace to realise the wrong in their ways. Lord in your mercy…hear our prayers.