We remembered the 20 children killed in Connecticut (where I last lived in
the USA). We remembered them and we also remembered the 33 children killed
last month by US funded Israeli war machine and the hundreds of Pakistani
and Afghani children killed this year by US drone attacks. We also
remembered the tens of thousands of children killed this year by hunger and
disease that could have been avoided if we had our priorities correct. I
just attended two conferences one indirectly dealt with children: one
indirectly because it discussed environmental issues - my abstract is
below) and one dedicated to serving Palestinian children (led by UNICEF).
So for this Christmas, I am making a pledge to focus on needs of children
in 2013 and urge you to do the same.

Action: Donate to a charity that deals with children; here are three I am
donating to this month among many: 1) http://www.unicef.org/ 2)
http://www.alrowwad-acts.ps (tax deductible donations in USA
http://alrowwadusa.org, France http://www.amis-alrowwad.org/ ) 3)
http://pcr.ps/read/donate-pcr

Action: Thursday December 20th 6 PM: Christmas behind the wall gathering
for families at Rachel's tomb area (Bilal's mosque) between Bethlehem and
Jerusalem where the apartheid wall stops us from entering our city
Jerusalem. Carols, prayers, and fellowship. All are welcome. Organized by
http://www.barakachurch.com

Below are articles and also media contacts dealing with Christmas in the
land of Jesus. Whether one is a Christian or not, the situation here calls
for examination.

Hope from Bethlehem (behind the walls) by Mazin Qumsiyeh
http://www.peacexpeace.org/2012/12/hope-from-bethlehem/

Christians in the Holy Land today http://imeu.net/news/article0023369.shtml

Colonizing Christmas: Facts on Israeli Occupation and Bethlehem (Including
Map)
http://www.nad-plo.org/userfiles/file/fact%20sheet/Colonizing%20Christmas%20Facts%20on%20Israeli%20Occupation%20and%20Bethlehem.pdf

List of Spokespeople for Christmas available at
http://www.nad-plo.org/etemplate.php?id=372

ABSTRACT to Environmental conference
Two recent reports published this year raise additional alarm on the status
of the environment in Palestine and lack of adequate human preparations to
meet the challenges ahead. The UN report on Gaza projections by 2020
highlight population increasing to 2.13 million, increasing population
density to 5835 person/km2, depletion of water aquifer, and increase in
water demand by 60%. 51% of Gaza population are children and there will
be a shortage of 440 schools by 2020. The study on Gaza did not take into
account the effect of global warming.For example a world bank study shows
that in the Arab world cumulative effect of global warming/climate change
will be the reduction in thousands of dollars of household income by 2030.
The projected change will vary by country in all categories including
especially water needs and availability. The effect on Palestine will be
severe (1948 and 1967 areas). It is far more severe in 1967 areas even if
Israel allows those areas to use the water resources due to geography and
population density (including existing refugees). For example in the WB
and Gaza between 2000-2009, water demand was 567 million cubic meters
while supply was 170 mcm. This differential is projected by the World Bank
report to become 1587 mcm demand and 96 mcm supply. There are other impacts
of climate change, population growth trends, and the misguided attempt to
isolate us under the guise of a two state solution on quality of air,
biodiversity, ecologic capacity, sustainability of agriculture, and more.
The data combined point to a catastrophic future unless dramatic political
restructuring is carried out combined with social re-engineering at a grass
root level. Our collective and individual responsibility is to act now and
urgently

Chinese writer: Palestinian issue source of global conflict
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/palestine/news/#deadsea

Have a happy, wonderful Christmas season. May your new year bring you hope
and empowerment to change
and …… stay human

Mazin Qumsiyeh, PhD
http://qumsiyeh.org