tvc . dsj . org | October 10 , 2017 COMMENTARY 15 50 Years of Israeli Occupation – Enough is Enough !
By Tony Magliano
Internationally syndicated social justice and peace columnist
Fifty years is a long time to endure forced suffering .
Since the 1967 Arab-Israeli War , when Israel captured and occupied the Palestinian territories of East Jerusalem , the remaining part of the West Bank , and Gaza , the Palestinian people have lived under the heavy yoke of Israeli military occupation .
According to Human Rights Watch ’ s Middle East Director Sarah Leah Whitson , “ Whether it ’ s a child imprisoned by a military court or shot unjustifiably , or a house demolished for lack of an elusive permit , or checkpoints where only settlers are allowed to pass , few Palestinians have escaped serious rights abuses during this 50-year occupation ( see : http :// bit . ly / 2s9rc5n ).”
In an audio response to questions I emailed to the former Patriarchal Vicar for Jerusalem and Palestine Bishop William Shomali ( presently Patriarchal Vicar for Jordan ), he said one of the most pressing problems facing Palestinians are the Israeli-imposed restrictions on movement . For example , he noted that Palestinians living in Bethlehem or Ramallah need to obtain a permit to go just six miles to Jerusalem . And permits are only given during principal feasts .
He said the ongoing illegal building of Israeli settlements on Palestinian land in the Occupied Palestinian Territories is an extremely serious roadblock
to a peaceful solution .
According to Amnesty International , “ Swimming pools , well-watered lawns , and large irrigated farms in Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories stand in stark contrast next to Palestinian villages whose inhabitants struggle to meet their essential domestic water needs . … In many places , Palestinians receive water only one day per week or every few weeks , in some areas not for months at a time ( see : http :// bit . ly / 2vftctE ).”
“ We must regain the conviction that we need one another , that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world , and that being good and decent are worth it .”
Bishop Shomali told me that “ Gaza is the worst case . It ’ s an open-air prison .” With the blockade , Israel completely controls who and what comes and goes in Gaza .
Bishop Shomali said that Hamas ’ tunnel building in preparation for war against Israel and their numerous attacks against Israelis is also morally wrong . The many violent Israeli injustices against Palestinians , and Hamas ’ violent attacks upon Israelis , is a vicious cycle that can only be broken with peace , he said .
To correct these injustices , Bishop Shomali said Israel needs to participate in good-faith negotiations toward the two-state solution : the establishment of an independent , viable Palestinian nation coexisting peacefully with a fully recognized state of Israel .
He emphasized the two-state solution continues to be firmly supported by the Holy See ( see : ht t p :// bit . ly / 2yiABHl ).
Please call ( Capitol switchboard : 202-224-3121 ) your congressional delegation , asking them to urge President Trump to put full diplomatic pressure on Israel to enter into serious negotiations with the Palestinians with the stated goal of bringing to fruition the two-state solution within a committed timetable .
And to immediately help ease the suffering of the Palestinians , please give a generous donation to Catholic Near East Welfare Association ( see : ht t p :// bit . ly / 2h xXcZm ).
Churches for Middle East Peace Director for Communications Jessica Pollock-Kim said to me , “ Beyond all the tangible impacts of ongoing occupation that I ’ ve witnessed in person and from a distance over almost 20 years is something equally , if not more damaging : the eroding of hope ( see : www . cmep . org ).”
To help restore the priceless gift of hope for our Palestinian brothers and sisters let ’ s take to heart the words of Pope Francis , “ We must regain the conviction that we need one another , that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world , and that being good and decent are worth it .”
Tony Magliano can be reached at tmag @ zoominternet . net .
Is a Donor Advised Fund Right for You ?
Mary Quilici Aumack
Executive Director Catholic Community Foundation of Santa Clara County
When you grow up in , and are nourished by , a community of faith , you develop an intense gratitude that manifests in a desire to “ give back .” And in this valley , the “ give back ” is vast and important . Did you know that there is a way to give back that has both tax advantage and long-lasting impact ? That is the Donor Advised Fund .
At our Catholic Community Foundation , a Donor Advised Fund ( DAF ) offers donors flexibility and efficiency in philanthropy both today and well into the future . A DAF also can offer the opportunity for families to discuss and pass on the values and joy in giving back to our community . Lastly , a DAF can create the foundation for a lifetime of philanthropy and a permanent charitable legacy .
What is a Donor Advised Fund ? It is a fund that is created by a donation . Gifts of cash , securities , or other appreciated assets are gifted into a designated DAF . At the time of the donation , the donor gets a full tax deduction .
The donation creates a centralized , efficient , and online-accessible repository to manage charitable giving . The donor then recommends grants from the fund at any time , and can do so for a lifetime . Grants can be made to any 501 ( c )( 3 ) nonprofit , provided their mission does not conflict with Catholic teachings . However , we recommend that a minimum of 25 percent of all recommended grants be to Catholic ministries in Santa Clara County . Grant recommendations may be made online via a secure fund portal that also keeps an ongoing record of all gifts into the DAF , as well as all grants directed out of the fund . Think of it as your online philanthropy engine , separating time of tax deduction from time of granting to specific charities .
During the lifetime of the donor ( s ), a DAF offers a centralized way for parents to involve children in philanthropic decision-making . We call this “ Kitchen Table Philanthropy .” Donors can invite children to participate in discussions about grant recommendations from the fund , and even consider allowing each child to recommend a certain amount of giving on an annual basis . In this way , future generations share the joy of being philanthropic , as well as witness first-hand the parents ’ commitment to helping those in need .
Unlike a private family foundation , there are no minimum distribution requirements from a Donor Advised Fund . There is also no separate reporting required .
Many donors actively use a DAF during their lifetime while building resources - which grow taxfree - to create a permanent “ legacy ” endowment after they pass away . This endowment then provides a permanent source of support to the charitable causes closest to the donors ’ hearts . In this way , a Donor Advised Fund can be the first step in establishing a family tradition of philanthropy that can be carried on from one generation to the next , with a Family Endowment .
Why partner with the Catholic Community Foundation for your DAF ? Here we have one mission : to provide FOREVER VALUE to Catholic Ministry through Endowments , Donor Advised Funds , and Planned Giving . When partnering with us , you will learn of effective programs across the valley that may inspire you or your children .
Think of the Foundation as a conduit , that connects generous families with effective ministry .
If you have appreciated stock or other assets , a DAF could be an appropriate part of your philanthropic strategy .
To learn more please call ( 408 ) 995- 5219 or send an email to aumack @ cfoscc . org .