Advocate: Urge Secretary of State Kerry to press for peace and justice for all in the Holy Land, inc

From Catholics Confront Global Poverty (a joint initiative of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops and Catholic Relief Services):

The Israeli-Palestinian separation barrier has sealed off the city of Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, from Jerusalem and other neighboring areas. The rerouting of the barrier will divide communities in the nearby Cremisan Valley...

The Cremisan Valley, an agricultural area near the Palestinian city of Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, is best known for its olives, fruits and grapes used in local wine production as well as a recreational area for family outings.
This week we learned that the Israeli Special Appeals Committee ruled in favor of the proposed separation barrier route, rejecting the pleas from the Salesians and the surrounding farming community to keep the valley intact. Now, more than 50 Palestinian families and the Salesian monastery and convent will lose access to their lands and possibly their livelihoods. The Salesian Sisters Convent and School that provides education to more than 400 children in the adjacent villages will be surrounded by walls and a military presence on three sides, inhibiting many children from going to school. Families will lose access to important green space, and Palestinian youth will be cut off from friends, teachers, and mentors.
The Cremisan Valley situation is just a small glimpse of what has been happening throughout the West Bank, seriously impacting the possibility of lasting Israeli-Palestinian peace. This recent statement by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Holy Land reiterates this point. As the wall moves and constricts more and more Palestinian families from their lands and livelihoods, their resentment against the State of Israel will grow and could lead to more violence. Such policies ultimately put Israeli citizens at risk and weaken initiatives for reconciliation and peace as stated in a recent letter by Bishop Richard Pates, Bishop of Des Moines and Chair of the USCCB Committee on International Justice and Peace. The Catholic Bishops of the United States and Catholic Relief Services have long called for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that will build just and lasting peace for all people of the Holy Land.
Send your message to Secretary of State Kerry now to press for peace in this troubled region and for justice for all in the Holy Land, including the Cremisan Valley community!