By Sharon Abercrombie
Staff writer

Ninety-two years ago, Daher Nassar, a Palestinian Christian, purchased 100 acres of land in the fertile hill country just south of Bethlehem. Daher’s descendants grew up there, earning their livelihoods and lavishing their love and care on flourishing vineyards, olive trees and almond groves.

Daoud Nassar, a farmer and peace activist, stands near the educational and cultural center he has developed on his property near Bethlehem in the West Bank. D.LAMOTTE PHOTO

But now, Daher’s 37-year old grandson Daoud Nassar, a farmer and peace activist, is in danger of losing his family property to the Israeli government. For the past 13 years, Nassar has been in and out of the courts, entangled in a legal struggle with the Israeli Military Administration that wants the land for roads into Jewish settlements and continuation of its security wall.

So far, he has prevailed. He has his grandfather’s original deed to the property. The government has had to defer the case due to its lack of evidence and no proof of land documentation on its part.

Nassar, whose first name means “David” in Arabic, spoke about his plight during a recent trip to the Bay Area. He was a guest of Gustav and Margaret Nystrom, who visited Nassar’s farm last summer during a trip to Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Palestinian refugee camps and Israeli settlements. Mrs. Nystrom is a staff member at St. Charles Parish in Livermore.

Rock art at the Tent of Nations. D. LAMOTTE PHOTO

In a Voice interview, Nassar said that despite the fact that he has all of his family’s land registration documents — the government is still threatening to confiscate 70 percent of his land. He has spent more than $130,000 in legal fees to hold on to his family’s legacy. “This land is our mother, and she is not for sale,” he said.

Israel continues to press the issue, saying the separation wall will make it more difficult for terrorists to get into the area and easier for Jewish settlers to move around. If the government succeeds, the Nassars will join the thousands of Palestinians whose property has been seized by the Israelis since 1948.

Nassar, however, is determined to stay, not only because of the olives, almonds and grapes on his land, but also for the cause of peace.

Five years ago, Nassar and his wife, Jihan, developed “The Tent of Nations,” an educational and cultural center which brings peace activists from Palestine, Israel and the international community together for art and drama sessions, planting trees, and restoring the family land.

“Meeting people face to face and working on the earth is the best way to reach peace,” Nassar recently told a group of parishioners in Livermore. “It is possible to resolve grievances in a nonviolent way.”

The Nassars have also established a Women’s Educational Center in the nearby town of Nahalin. It offers classes in computer literacy, English, and leadership training for Palestinian women.

Daoud Nassar, who speaks both Arabic and English, received an accounting degree from Bethlehem University (operated by the Christian Brothers) and a master’s degree in tourism management from Bielefeld University in Germany.

Last year more than 700 people from nine countries visited the Tent of Nations. Over 200 of them came from the United States, due to the efforts of Mark Braverman, a Bethesda, Maryland psychologist with Jewish family roots.

Braverman visited the Tent of Nations in the summer of 2006 and the following summer led a delegation from Interfaith Peace-Builders, a Washington nonprofit related to the Fellowship of Reconciliation.

A new organization, Friends of Tent of Nations North America (FOTONNA) has since evolved to support the work of the Nassar family. Tent of Nations also receives assistance from Bethlehem Bible College.

The work at Tent of Nations continues, despite grueling hardship, for visitors and family alike. “We aren’t allowed to have electricity or running water in my part of the West Bank,” explained Nassar.

Since Israeli officials only allow development permits for Jewish settlements, he said he has to collect rain water during the January to March rainy season. If there’s not enough, he buys water from the Israeli government and has it trucked in.

Visitors live mostly in tents on his property. A portable dance floor is brought out for special celebrations.

Nassar visited the U.S. this fall to speak to church groups about his situation. Tent of Nations wants to purchase a $10,000 cistern that will collect more rain water. He needs another $10,000 to buy a used trench digger for a new vegetable garden. One of his dreams is to establish a sustainable farming school for local residents. And he needs funds to continue his court challenge.

St. Charles parishioners contributed more than $1,000 after Nassar’s talk.
For further information about the Tent of Nations, go to www.tentofnations.org

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