A Pause by Nora Carmi
	Nora Carmi is Coordinator of Women's Programs at Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center.

Throughout History, the Middle East has been the focal point of interest for conquerors, warmongers, and gold and oil diggers. It has also been the refuge and the source of inspiration for pilgrims of all faiths, the place where 'God and Humanity meet.'

The twenty-first century is no different! So far, the first three years have not heralded 'good news'. The continuous unresolved Palestine-Israel conflict still plays a crucial role in current and international affairs. The area central to our biblical heritage has become an arena of escalated suffering, an erupting volcano activated by violated human rights and perpetual injustice. The ongoing oppressive Israeli occupation has triggered a new form of violent resistance- all other peaceful means having failed-suicide bombing! In retaliation, Israel uses the latest powerful machinery in order silence those who dare to strive for justice. The Holy Land is plunged into a spiral abyss of hatred that has destroyed infrastructure and environment, renounced moral values and dehumanized humanity.

What is even more alarming is the new wave of colonialism, that, under the guise of a justified 'war against terrorism', gradually creeps into the region and attempts to reshape and remap the Middle East to satisfy the needs of modern conquerors, warmongers, gold and oil diggers.

It is no wonder that the METS program has come to a "pause" as termed by Max Miller. It is unfortunate that seminary students who, for over two decades, had sought the truth in the land of religions, had to give up this valuable, unique and in-depth experience on their journey of faith, in reliving the past through the eyes of the indigenous witnesses in Palestine/Israel, Jordan, Syria and Egypt. As a person connected with the program for over one and a half decades, I have surely missed the presence of METS leaders and participants for two consecutive years. It has been my privilege to be one of the Palestinian Christians to share our Palestinian narrative and to engage in challenging theological discussions, for as Jerry Mattingly would say "we came not to prove the Bible, but to illuminate it."

Let us pause together and ask: How will archaeologists describe our strata of civilization long after we are no more. Will we be equated with those who defiled the land and depleted its riches, when, as its stewards, we should have tended, developed and preserved it? How will historians define the superpowers that mocked democracy and moral values for the power of arms instead of the power of love?

Now more than ever, is the time to discover the contextual relevance of the "good news", to explore the contemporary ways of the cross and to find the truth, the beauty of inclusiveness amidst the suffering and joys of the two peoples and the three religions of His Land.

Now is the time to speak out the truth and to alert the " Rulers of the house of Jacob who abhor justice" that it is not by erecting walls of separation that their neighbors will vanish into thin air. The "fence" is actually an armored zone of ditches, fences, sensors, dirt-roads (for tracking footsteps) and a wall up to 28 feet tall in some places. It divides and steals Palestinians farmlands, destroys villages and livelihoods and whatever remains of Arab –Jewish community. In reality, like all other walls, it confirms the moral and institutional bankruptcy of the regime it is intended to protect. It cannot and will not guarantee security or life for all.

Now is the time to rediscover ourselves and our faith, to be liberated and to liberate others.

After this pause, let us come out of the silence and atone for our sins of indifference and neglect of our neighbors. Let us give up hypocrisy and double standards, and ensure a lasting peace for all the peoples of the Middle East. Let us together walk the road of love and care, the road that will lead to justice and peace for all. Let us adopt only one map of the Middle East, the one that will restore its reconciling and healing status. Let the Holy Land remain the point where 'God and humanity meet.'

Sabeel, Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center and its staff await impatiently the return of METS.

*Sabeel is an ecumenical center for Palestinian Liberation Theology which seeks to make the Gospel contextually relevant. In Arabic, Sabeel means 'The Way' and also a 'Spring of Water'. Sabeel strives to develop a spirituality based on justice, peace, nonviolence, liberation and reconciliation for the different national and faith communities. Sabeel also works to promote a more accurate international awareness regarding the identity, presence, and witness of Palestinian Christians.

Sabeel, founded in 1989, is headquartered in Jerusalem. METS travelers of many summers have been privileged to visit Sabeel and talk with members of the staff. For additional information, visit www.sabeel.org .