Rising Together This Easter!

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Resurrection to Resistance: Easter Hope in the Face of Injustice­ ”Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song.” Pope John Paul II ­ Happy Easter from all of us at Holy Land Trust. As we mark this sacred season of resurrection, renewal, and hope, we extend our warmest wishes to you and your loved ones.

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In the Holy Land, the message of Easter carries profound meaning. The joy of celebration exists alongside the sorrow of displacement, the weight of trauma, and the cry for justice. Jesus’ resurrection was not only a divine moment—it was a declaration that life conquers death, that love is stronger than hate, and that the oppressed are never forgotten.Today, as the war in Gaza continues to devastate lives, political instability persists, and tourism—once a lifeline for many—slows to a trickle, we hold fast to this same resurrection hope.At Holy Land Trust, we are seeing that hope come alive: children reclaiming joy through art and theatre, young women finding their voices through photography, and international partners walking alongside us in solidarity. These are more than activities—they are acts of creative resistance, rooted in our commitment to nonviolence, dignity, and shared humanity.Our Travel & Encounter Program continues with determination. For us, tourism is not simply travel—it is advocacy. When visitors come to Bethlehem, hear our stories, and witness daily life under occupation, they return transformed—not as tourists, but as peacemakers.

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We believe that transformation happens when stories are honored, when trauma is met with compassion, and when hope is nourished. This is the mission of Holy Land Trust. This is the power of Easter.Happy Easter. May this season bring light to darkness, strength to the weary, and lasting peace to the land we all call home.

Generation to Generation – From Inner Conflict to Empowered Voice*5th Training Session12.05.2025­ Spiritual Reflection and Personal Awareness with Bethlehem University Students As part of Holy Land Trust’s commitment to nurturing resilience and emotional transformation, the fifth session of the Generation to Generation program invited 20 female students from Bethlehem University to engage with their inner world through a spiritual questionnaire titled “وعي للصراع – Awareness of Inner Conflict.” The session was not only a space for self-reflection, but a courageous journey into personal and collective identity—how these students, as young Palestinian women, experience struggle, belonging, hope, and resilience in the shadow of political turmoil. The questionnaire guided the students through five central themes:
1. A defining moment in their life—a time that shifted their perspective or direction.
2. The meaning of belonging—to family, gender, nation, or faith—and whether that identity feels like a choice or a burden.
3. Fear of the future and the roots of hope—naming their deepest worries and the sources that keep them grounded.
4. How they face hardship—recalling a moment of spiritual, emotional, or physical struggle and how they endured.
5. A significant person in their life today—someone who provides emotional support, grounding, or inspiration.

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In small circles, participants shared stories and reflections, bravely expressing personal truths—often shaped by the ongoing conflict and the trauma of witnessing violence in Gaza and across Palestine. One of the most powerful moments came during the final reflection, where students were invited to return to their initial spiritual struggle and consider: Has my understanding of this conflict changed after everything I’ve shared?Many spoke of a shift—from feeling overwhelmed and isolated to feeling seen, supported, and strengthened. The act of putting pain into words, and sharing it in community, became an act of empowerment.This session exemplifies HLT’s mission: creating safe spaces where young people can process trauma, embrace their voice, and become agents of transformation. It is in this sacred process of listening, storytelling, and presence that hope is renewed—and healing begins.

Upcoming Events

RUN THE WALL – Running for PalestineGlobal Solidarity for Freedom and Justice

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](https://r.mail.holylandtrust.org/mk/cl/f/sh/1t6Af4OiGsE8LW0fta11bAlfuXexNa/mPaUQRKgdUUc) This year, we RUN THE WALL:
• As an act of solidarity
• To demand freedom of movement for Palestinians
• To call on governments to uphold international law and stop arming Israel
Join us. Run for justice. Run for peace. Run to remind the world that Palestine lives, dreams, and endures. ­ ­ Register here for RUN THE WALL BETHLEHEM ­ ­

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Bring Easter Hope to Families in Need­Support our Easter Food Parcel Campaign­ As we celebrate Easter, hundreds of families across Bethlehem are struggling to put food on the table due to ongoing economic hardship and loss of tourism-related income. Help us deliver Easter Food Parcels to those in need. A single donation can bring not only nourishment, but dignity and hope. Your support allows us to continue transforming trauma into strength—one family at a time. ­ Support Now ­”In the midst of darkness, the smallest light shines the brightest. It is through our support and collective strength that we can transform pain into hope and build a future of possibility for those in need. ­ Elias Deis, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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­ Holy Land Trust P.O. Box 737 Hosh HananiaStar Street, Bethlehem P1510352, Palestine (View Highlight)

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Rising Together This Easter!
Author: Holy Land Trust
Published: April 18, 2025

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