FOTONNA Newsletter June 2026
Update from Daoud Nassar
Dear Friends,
At the Tent of Nations, we continue to walk on this long and challenging journey for justice. We want to thank you all for walking alongside us and for all your prayers and support. Your solidarity reminds us that we are not alone and strengthens us to continue without losing hope.
Our legal struggle for the re-registration of our land continues. So far, we have not received any response from the re-registration committee, but at the same time more facts are being created on the ground around the farm.
We are facing a new challenge — the military issued a declaration designating the road that was built in 2024 on our property, for military use. This decision affects not only us, but also many of our Palestinian neighbors who own land in the area. Our attorney has appealed this declaration, based on previous rulings by the Israeli Civil court and Supreme court, which recognized that the road was built illegally on private land and should have been removed. With this new declaration, it appears that what was once considered illegal is now being made legal. Such developments further restrict access to our land and make daily life increasingly difficult.
The reality on the ground remains very challenging. The new outpost beside our fence continues to expand, preventing us from farming large parts of our land. These measures affect our ability to cultivate the soil, care for our trees, and maintain our presence on the land of our ancestors.
In the middle of these difficulties, the presence of international volunteers is more important than ever. Their protective presence brings encouragement and hope, and working the land with us strengthens our determination to remain steadfast. We are deeply grateful for the eight volunteers currently serving at the Tent of Nations. Their energy, commitment, and belief in our just cause are truly inspiring. They are a great blessing to us, and through them we experience God’s love and faithfulness in a tangible way.
As the political situation becomes increasingly difficult, with growing restrictions on movements, closed gates, and the constant uncertainty of flying checkpoints, becoming more self-sufficient is no longer simply a dream, but a necessity. We are currently upgrading our solar energy system by installing new efficient solar panels, new inverters, and additional batteries to become fully energy independent. We continue to invest in sustainable projects and seek new ways to strengthen our resilience so that we can carry on our mission despite the many challenges we face.
We continue to seek justice through legal means; however, international solidarity remains essential in protecting the future of Tent of Nations. We ask you to strengthen your political advocacy and continue raising your voices and speaking truth to power. Your witness and your efforts can help ensure that justice, human dignity, and hope will one day prevail.
With all the difficulties we are facing, we remain committed to continuing our journey. Through our positive and peaceful resistance, we choose the path of creative and active nonviolence.
We refuse to give up, and we refuse to allow hatred to find a place in our hearts. We believe that God calls us to be peacemakers and faithful stewards of the land. Even in the darkest moments, we trust that the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Thank you for standing with us, for keeping us in your prayers, and for being part of this journey. Your support and solidarity give us strength and remind us that together we can make a difference. We will continue planting seeds of hope for justice and peace.
Blessings and Salaam,
Daoud Nassar
Director, Tent of Nations
-People Building Bridges-
https://tentofnations.com/
www.fotonna.org
https://www.facebook.com/tentofnations
Archbishop of Canterbury visits TON
FOTONNA is grateful for the June visit to Tent of Nations by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, and for her call for the end to the Israeli occupation of Palestine. She planted an olive tree with the Nassars as a symbol of their roots in the land and lauded their example of “Christian resistance to injustice.”
A Message from the FOTONNA Board of Directors
As Daoud’s report reflects, the situation on the ground grows increasingly precarious for the Tent of Nations, making support and care from friends all the more important. Thank you, thank you, for your ongoing expressions of care–-for your prayers, financial gifts, your advocacy with Members of Congress, and for some of you, your willingness to travel to visit and volunteer. It is clear that ensuring a constant presence of international friends at Tent of Nations is increasingly important. Read below for a moving account from a recent volunteer.
My own visits to the Tent of Nations attest to the grace one experiences in being part of the Tent of Nations community even for a short stay, together with new friends from across the globe. I spent three weeks on the farm in April with volunteers from the US, the Netherlands, Germany, and the UK. Last fall I shared in the TON olive harvest with about 30 others from at least ten countries. I’m humbled and inspired by the sense that in FOTONNA we are but one part of an intricate international expression of care and support–each enriched and made stronger by the whole.
Let me encourage you to consider traveling to Israel/Palestine–yes, especially in this challenging time! Our visits mean more than we can fully know–communicating that friends there are not forgotten, and filling us with stories and gratitude to bring home and share. If you have visited Tent of Nations in the past, your return visit can mean even more. Several of us on the Board would love to talk with anyone interested in visiting or volunteering, so please reach out at info@fotonna.org!
An update on FOTONNA’s leadership/governance: In our December newsletter, we announced that founding members Bill Plitt and Bill Mims and longtime board member Mike Phillips have moved into a newly-created status as emeritus board members. They continue to meet with the board, without votes but with valuable perspective. We’re happy now to share that this spring we welcomed 3 new members to the board: Molly Batchelder, Nicole Simpson, and CatiAdele Slater. They have each spent time at Tent of Nations and bring a wealth of talent to our shared work. They have hit the ground running.
Heartfelt thanks for your continuing care! Your gifts, prayers, advocacy, and presence mean so much. As our chairperson, Charlie Lewis, always ends his communications–grateful for you!
Joan Deming, on behalf of the Board
Current FOTONNA Board Members: Charlie Lewis, Daoud Nassar, Molly Batchelder, Mark Braverman, Kyle Cristofalo, Joan Deming, Beth Moore, Nadia McGeough, Heidi Saikaly, Nicole Simpson, and CatiAdele Slater
Reflections of a recent Volunteer:
What Tent of Nations taught me about Sumud
When I was at Tent of Nations Farm in 2024, we planted baby olive trees along the far hillside while a new apartment complex in the Neve Daniel settlement on the opposite hilltop was being constructed. The sound of the bulldozers breaking into earth was a near-constant reminder of the existential threat that the surrounding settlements—illegal under Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention—pose to Palestinians who hope to remain on their land. (Today, the apartment complex is complete.)
Every tree we planted and watered was an act of resistance. But more than that, it was an act of hope.
After all, olive trees typically take 3-5 years to bear fruit. Reality for Palestinians in the West Bank worsens with each passing day. Violence and land theft have escalated dramatically since October 7, 2023. Against this backdrop, to plant baby olive trees is to hope for justice in spite of the ever-present injustice of occupation, apartheid, ethnic cleansing, and genocide.
When I returned this summer, some of those same baby olive trees had grown stronger, their leaves darker and their stems thicker. We watered them, lugging heavy jerrycans up and down the hillsides in the harsh sun, careful not to spill any water—a precious resource since the Farm is not allowed access to running water and must rely entirely on collected rainwater.
On one particularly hot afternoon, I grew weary of carrying the water up and down, up and down. I began to think about how much easier watering would be if the family was allowed to install running water and an irrigation system—tools that the settlers encroaching on Palestinian land have access to and seem to take for granted.
It didn’t have to be this hard. And it didn’t have to take this much labor or time. I could not help but think of all the other work we could get done if we didn’t have to manually water the plants. Worse, I thought of all the plants that may die because there are not always enough volunteers to do the watering or because the water must be conserved.
As I carried a jerrycan up the mountain and sweat dripped down the side of my face, I became frustrated at the injustice of it all. But then, I watched as Daoud moved quickly with two jerrycans, one in each hand. He was determined to water as many plants as possible before the day ended. It reminded me of something he said during our orientation–anger at injustice is not wrong, but the land heals because it provides an outlet for us to put all of our energy into. By caring for the Farm, we can transform our pain into positive action.
This is not just a nice sentiment; it is a critical element of the Nassar family’s theology that inspires everyone who comes to the Farm.
This experience helped me to better understand the relationship between hope and sumud, a word Palestinians use that is often translated as resilience or steadfastness. For many Palestinians, the olive tree is a symbol of sumud because it can withstand harsh conditions, bear fruit even in drought conditions, and live for generations—despite the constant threat of erasure.
In her work on Palestinian Women’s resistance, Sophie Richter-Devroe defines sumud as “a proactive survival strategy resisting the material effects of Israeli settler colonialism through continuous daily ‘amal (work/action), and an ideational strategy of maintaining amal (hope), thus resisting the colonization of the mind. “The words for work and hope sound incredibly similar, especially to the untrained ear. Richter-Devroe’s definition identifies the relationship between these two words through the lens of sumud: work and hope are intrinsically linked.
I cannot think of a better example of sumud than Tent of Nations, where planting and watering baby olive trees is a form of ‘amal (work) and also an act of amal (hope).
August Advocacy Opportunities
Every August, Capitol Hill gets eerily quiet. The long lines of advocacy groups and Capitol tour groups are gone. Members of Congress leave town and venture back to their home states and districts, providing a critical chance for constituents to advocate directly with their elected officials. As we approach the midterm elections, members will likely host a variety of events–from town halls to forums and festive ceremonies-that can provide a great opportunity for you as a constituent to raise awareness on issues that are of important to you and your community. Additionally, members are open to hosting in-district meetings providing a chance to meet in a smaller group setting with your elected officials.
We are grateful for your ongoing support of the Nassar family and the Tent of Nations. If you are looking for a way to expand your engagement, consider using the August Congressional recess as an opportunity to directly advocate for the Nassar family.
Right now, it’s critical that members of Congress ask the State Department to use diplomatic pressure to encourage a successful completion to the Nassar family’s land re-registration. Without a resolution to the re-registration process, the Tent of Nations remains in limbo. August is a perfect opportunity to raise your voice in support of Daoud and the Nassar family.
These are steps you might take:
- Research events/town halls and then attend one! Some members have begun to reduce the number of public town halls instead opting for more tightly controlled public events. Consult local advocacy groups, social media pages, newspapers and event announcements to see if you can find information regarding a town hall or public event. You can also reach out to the local office of your elected official to see if they can provide any information regarding planned events for August.
- Assemble a group–-our advocacy is stronger when we work together. Try to get a group of folks from your church, community, or friends/family to commit to joining you in attending in person events. Meet together to plan how you will raise the Tent of Nations and the Nassar family’s case at the events. You may only have a few moments in passing to greet your elected officials, so you will need to use the time wisely.
- Schedule an in person meeting-–your elected officials will receive many requests for meetings while they are back at home. Begin the process now by identifying the best way to schedule the meeting. Visit the official website of your House member and Senators to see if they have instructions on how to request a meeting with the member. You can also call the local office directly to ask about their preferred method.
- Prepare your group-–if you do get a meeting, you will need to prepare your group (ideally 3-5 people) for the meeting. Divide up the roles–a leader to ensure the meeting progresses smoothly, a note taker to jot down important questions or commitments from the meeting, and a couple of people to tell their stories about why this issue is important to them and how it connects back to the State/District (why should the member of Congress take action?). You will also want to ensure that the ”ask”-–in this case for the member to ask the State Department to raise the need for successful completion of the Nassar family’s land re-registration process—is raised a few times throughout the meeting.
- Calling/emailing the office–-regardless of whether you are able to get an in-person meeting, is also important to ensure your elected officials regularly hear from their constituents. Consider gathering a group of folks from your community to all commit to calling and/or emailing your elected officials to ask them to advocate on behalf of the Nassar family and a successful land re-registration process.
We hope you will consider using your voice this August in support of the Nassar family and Tent of Nations. FOTONNA is happy to provide additional information or suggestions as you consider how to engage this August. Visit our website, for more background information that will help you in your advocacy efforts https://fotonna.org/.
We look forward to hearing from you at info@fotonna.org.
Kyle Cristofalo and Beth Moore, FOTONNA Board Members/Advocacy Team
Accompany the Nassar Family at Tent of Nations
You are i
nvited to participate in life at Tent of Nations. The family continues to live its mission: cultivating the land, creating community, and standing true to their commitment of refusing to be enemies. Your presence is sorely needed and will be an encouragement to the Nassars.
Spending time at TON is a unique opportunity to experience life on a Palestinian farm, enjoy the hospitality, participate in caring for the land, and engage with people from all over the world who are committed to a just peace in the Holy Land. Learn more here.
For more information about how you can spend time on the farm you can also contact FOTONNA by emailing info@fotonna.org.
2026 Tree Planting Funding Appeal
Please consider a generous donation to provide new trees as well as the labor, farm equipment, and resources (think water) needed for tree planting in 2026 on the Tent of Nations Farm.
New young trees are purchased locally and international volunteers provide the labor to help Daoud and Daher plant the trees. Over the coming 2 years those trees will need TLC to be hand-watered, cultivated and fertilized, until their roots are deep enough to thrive on their own. Every step of this process carries a cost.
- $30 provides one young tree: olives, grapes, lemons, almonds, and carob trees will all be planted. Consider providing a few, or even a row of trees!
- $50 makes sure water and fuel are available when needed
- $100 supports the labor needed to care for young trees
- $400 or more provides tools and equipment maintenance, and other help as needed.
Donations can be made by secure online options using credit cards, PayPal, or Venmo, or you’re welcome to give by check. See giving information below.
Questions? Contact: Beth Moore, FOTONNA’s Finance Co-Director, ebmoore1@live.com.
Your Gifts Sustain TON’s Work – Thank You!
Our FOTONNA “Make a Donation” website page tells how to donate directly to FOTONNA by credit card, Venmo, PayPal, or by check (not tax deductible under US law):
- To Donate securely online, scroll to the bottom of the Donation page and click on the “Make a Donation” button.
- To give by check, download the donation form here, fill in the form, and mail with your check (made out to FOTONNA) to 3436 East Ave S, La Crosse, WI 54601.
Interested in tax deductibility for your gift? Your contribution of $250 or more can be made through our fiscal sponsor, Tree of Life Educational Fund.
From the right side of FOTONNA’s donation page (2nd option), find and click on the link to open our page on the Tree of Life Educational Fund website where you will find:
- A secure Online option for credit card donations.
- A downloadable Tax-deductible Contribution Form to print, fill in, and mail with your check to TOLEF at the address on the form.
- Instructions for having a check sent directly from your financial institution to Tree of Life Educational Fund from your IRA, a Donor Advised Fund, or other financial vehicle.
We are Grateful to be on the FOTONNA road with you!
Thank you for all the ways that you are leaning into the wind, walking with the Nassars on their “journey for justice with faith, love, and hope in action.” Your prayers, advocacy work, financial gifts, and presence on the farm as visitors and volunteers are deeply appreciated by Daoud and his family.
Heidi Saikaly and Joan Deming
FOTONNA Board of Directors Communications Team
