Nafez Assaily
Encyclopedia
Nafez Assaily born in 1956 in the West Bank
, in the Old City of Jerusalem grew up in Hebron
, and is a noted Palestinian peace activist.
, he received his early education at Christian schools in Jerusalem, and then began his tertiary studies at An-Najah National University
in Nablus
, where he majored in English and sociology. There he was impressed, if not wholly convinced, by writers on non-violence as varied as Mahatma Gandhi
, Martin Luther King and Martin Buber
. A significant moment in his awareness came when he heard a talk given by Mubarak Awad
, a Christian Arab, who subsequently founded the Palestinian Center for the Study of Nonviolence
in Jerusalem in 1981, which, after his expulsion from Israel in 1988 Awad now directs from abroad, a project on which Nafez collaborated.
It was this talk which convinced Nafez in 1981 that the idea of non-violence was not merely a pipe dream
. He has developed his own project of a mobile book-loan service called ‘Library on Wheels for Nonviolence and Peace' (LOWNP) in Hebron in order to encourage reading among the youth of the town, and in particular the study of non-violence. His peace-campaigning is ecumenical, in that it draws on the writings of Gandhi, the Qur'an
, the Torah
and the New Testament
. He often works to advise Palestinians demonstrating in Jerusalem on how to devise slogans that are less generic, and more in keeping with the realities of their everyday life. Jerry Levin, formerly CNN
’s Middle East
Bureau Chief before he was taken hostage by Lebanese
terrorists, and now member of the Christian Peacemaker Teams
in the West Bank, has singled him out as a 'creative Muslim exponent of non-violent activism'.
He lost the use of sight in his right eye, following his participation in a protest rally at Al Aqsa mosque in October 1990 to protest the deaths of Palestinians killed there the day before. During the protest he suffered from fumes when a gas canister was fired into the crowd by Israeli police. He developed a severe eye infection, and he attributes his loss of sight to the effects of that particular gas.
or Givat Harsina, one of the four neighbourhoods of Kiryat Arba
. Assaily claims that the expansion of Givat Harsina has been at some cost to his family, since much of his own family’s land has been subject to a confiscation order in order to extend the development of Givat Harsina which was established partially on his land. The original family property of some 8 acres (32,374.9 m²),was purchased by his father in 1959. According to a report by observers from the CPT
, the fencing of an expanding perimeter which now abuts his house, has separated Assaily from a grape vineyard
he owns, to which he was denied access. Nafez applied for an injunction from the Israeli authorities to stop this unauthorized expropriation of his agricultural land, so far to no avail.
He continues to expound the philosophy of non-violence, and makes frequent appearances abroad as a lecturer. He was one of the five people featured in Lynn Feinerman's film, If You Make It Possible.
West Bank
The West Bank ) of the Jordan River is the landlocked geographical eastern part of the Palestinian territories located in Western Asia. To the west, north, and south, the West Bank shares borders with the state of Israel. To the east, across the Jordan River, lies the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan...
, in the Old City of Jerusalem grew up in Hebron
Hebron
Hebron , is located in the southern West Bank, south of Jerusalem. Nestled in the Judean Mountains, it lies 930 meters above sea level. It is the largest city in the West Bank and home to around 165,000 Palestinians, and over 500 Jewish settlers concentrated in and around the old quarter...
, and is a noted Palestinian peace activist.
Life and activism
Though a Sufi MuslimMuslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
, he received his early education at Christian schools in Jerusalem, and then began his tertiary studies at An-Najah National University
An-Najah National University
An-Najah National University is a Palestinian non-governmental public university governed by a board of Trustees. It is located in Nablus, in the northern West Bank. The university has over 16,500 students and 300 professors in 19 faculties...
in Nablus
Nablus
Nablus is a Palestinian city in the northern West Bank, approximately north of Jerusalem, with a population of 126,132. Located in a strategic position between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, it is the capital of the Nablus Governorate and a Palestinian commercial and cultural center.Founded by the...
, where he majored in English and sociology. There he was impressed, if not wholly convinced, by writers on non-violence as varied as Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi , pronounced . 2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948) was the pre-eminent political and ideological leader of India during the Indian independence movement...
, Martin Luther King and Martin Buber
Martin Buber
Martin Buber was an Austrian-born Jewish philosopher best known for his philosophy of dialogue, a form of religious existentialism centered on the distinction between the I-Thou relationship and the I-It relationship....
. A significant moment in his awareness came when he heard a talk given by Mubarak Awad
Mubarak Awad
Mubarak Awad is a Palestinian-American psychologist and an advocate of nonviolent resistance.-Early life and move to the United States:Awad, a Palestinian Christian , was born in 1943 in Jerusalem when it was under the British Mandate...
, a Christian Arab, who subsequently founded the Palestinian Center for the Study of Nonviolence
Nonviolence
Nonviolence has two meanings. It can refer, first, to a general philosophy of abstention from violence because of moral or religious principle It can refer to the behaviour of people using nonviolent action Nonviolence has two (closely related) meanings. (1) It can refer, first, to a general...
in Jerusalem in 1981, which, after his expulsion from Israel in 1988 Awad now directs from abroad, a project on which Nafez collaborated.
It was this talk which convinced Nafez in 1981 that the idea of non-violence was not merely a pipe dream
Pipe dream
- Music :* Pipe Dreams , 2009* Pipedream , the first solo album from Lindisfarne front man Alan Hull* Pipe Dreams , 1995* "Pipe Dream", a song by Project 86 from the album Project 86...
. He has developed his own project of a mobile book-loan service called ‘Library on Wheels for Nonviolence and Peace' (LOWNP) in Hebron in order to encourage reading among the youth of the town, and in particular the study of non-violence. His peace-campaigning is ecumenical, in that it draws on the writings of Gandhi, the Qur'an
Qur'an
The Quran , also transliterated Qur'an, Koran, Alcoran, Qur’ān, Coran, Kuran, and al-Qur’ān, is the central religious text of Islam, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God . It is regarded widely as the finest piece of literature in the Arabic language...
, the Torah
Torah
Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five books of the bible—Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers and Deuteronomy Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five...
and the New Testament
New Testament
The New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
. He often works to advise Palestinians demonstrating in Jerusalem on how to devise slogans that are less generic, and more in keeping with the realities of their everyday life. Jerry Levin, formerly CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
’s Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
Bureau Chief before he was taken hostage by Lebanese
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
terrorists, and now member of the Christian Peacemaker Teams
Christian Peacemaker Teams
Christian Peacemaker Teams is an international organization set up to support teams of peace workers in conflict areas around the world. These teams believe that they can lower the levels of violence through nonviolent direct action, human rights documentation, and nonviolence training. CPT sums...
in the West Bank, has singled him out as a 'creative Muslim exponent of non-violent activism'.
He lost the use of sight in his right eye, following his participation in a protest rally at Al Aqsa mosque in October 1990 to protest the deaths of Palestinians killed there the day before. During the protest he suffered from fumes when a gas canister was fired into the crowd by Israeli police. He developed a severe eye infection, and he attributes his loss of sight to the effects of that particular gas.
Peaceful resistance to the confiscation of his property
Nafez lives on the northern outskirts of Hebron, close to the Jewish settlement of Ramat MamreMamre
Mamre , full Hebrew name Elonei Mamre , refers to a Canaanite cultic shrine dedicated to the supreme, sky god of the Canaanite pantheon, El. Talmudic sources refer to the site as Beth Ilanim or Botnah. it was one of the three most important "fairs", market place or caravanserai, in Palestine...
or Givat Harsina, one of the four neighbourhoods of Kiryat Arba
Kiryat Arba
Kiryat Arba or Qiryat Arba , lit. "Town of the Four," is an Israeli settlement in the Judean Mountains region of the West Bank on the edge of Hebron. Its settlers consist of a mix of Russian immigrants, American immigrants, and native-born Israelis numbering close to 10,000...
. Assaily claims that the expansion of Givat Harsina has been at some cost to his family, since much of his own family’s land has been subject to a confiscation order in order to extend the development of Givat Harsina which was established partially on his land. The original family property of some 8 acres (32,374.9 m²),was purchased by his father in 1959. According to a report by observers from the CPT
Christian Peacemaker Teams
Christian Peacemaker Teams is an international organization set up to support teams of peace workers in conflict areas around the world. These teams believe that they can lower the levels of violence through nonviolent direct action, human rights documentation, and nonviolence training. CPT sums...
, the fencing of an expanding perimeter which now abuts his house, has separated Assaily from a grape vineyard
Vineyard
A vineyard is a plantation of grape-bearing vines, grown mainly for winemaking, but also raisins, table grapes and non-alcoholic grape juice...
he owns, to which he was denied access. Nafez applied for an injunction from the Israeli authorities to stop this unauthorized expropriation of his agricultural land, so far to no avail.
Non-violence is the key to peace
In Assaily's view, since 1948 both Israel and the Palestinians have been unsuccessful in pursuit of their respective goals. Israel in trying to achieve peace and security through the exercise of force, the Palestinians by recourse to armed struggle, therefore, he argues, the time has come for non-violent pursuit of their respective goals.'Only the Palestinians can give them peace. The US can give them money and weapons but not peace. And the only people who can give us peace are the Israelis. The Arabs can give us money and weapons, but they can not give us peace. We must act on these two facts. More nonviolence, more effectiveness.’
He continues to expound the philosophy of non-violence, and makes frequent appearances abroad as a lecturer. He was one of the five people featured in Lynn Feinerman's film, If You Make It Possible.