Abstract

This article uses interviews conducted around the 2010 Centennial celebrations of the Ramallah Friends (Quaker) Meeting House to explore domestic and expatriate Quaker peace and justice efforts over the years. Although the general public often equates peace building with direct action aimed at reducing violence, such as facilitation of peace negotiations or activities bringing conflict parties together for dialogue, the history of the Quakers in Ramallah suggests the need for a broader understanding of peace and justice promotion that is rooted in an understanding of Quaker testimonies, traditional Quaker practices, and an appreciation for the political reality in which Palestinian Quakers live. After exploring the Quaker approach to peace, the article discusses specific efforts of the Quaker community in Ramallah, including the ministry of hospitality, a preschool in the Am’ari refugee camp, and the Friends International Center in Ramallah (FICR), which provides a space for hosting groups and conducting programming related to Quaker concerns.

Keywords

Quakers, Ramallah, hospitality, peace, FICR, social justice, Israeli–Palestinian conflict

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