FOTONNA Newsletter Sept 2026

Update from Daoud Nassar

Dear Friends of Tent of Nations,

I want to thank you all for standing with us during these challenging times and for keeping us in your prayers. Your solidarity, friendship, and support remind us that we are not alone on this difficult and long journey for justice. Your encouragement gives us strength and courage to continue.

The situation in the West Bank continues to escalate, with increasing settler attacks on Palestinian villagers and farmers. Many families are losing access to their land and facing growing pressure to leave the places they have called home for generations. What is perhaps most frustrating is the lack of meaningful action from the international community to stop these injustices. Too often, the suffering of people is acknowledged, but not enough is done to protect them or to hold those responsible accountable.

Around our farm, we continue to witness the expansion of settlements and the creation of new facts on the ground. The new outpost established a few months ago, directly beside our fence, continues to expand, bringing more pressure, uncertainty, isolation, and fear to the Tent of Nations. Today, there are four gates between the farm and Bethlehem, making movement increasingly difficult and limiting our connection with surrounding communities.

For decades, we have sought to protect our land through legal and peaceful means. For thirty-five years, we have been engaged in a legal struggle, believing that justice should be available to everyone. I would say that we have exhausted every possible legal avenue. It is painful to admit that, after all these years, justice still seems far from us.

We have not yet received any response from the military authorities regarding the re-registration of our farm. Concerning the roads that were built illegally on our private land, a court session is scheduled for November 11 in the military court.

At the Tent of Nations, we continue to work with our hearts and our hands. We believe that working the land is an act of hope and resistance. We continue to water and care for the newly-planted trees, nurturing life even in the most difficult circumstances. We continue to develop the infrastructure of the farm and work towards self-sufficiency. Every field we cultivate, every stone we place, and every tree we plant is a declaration that we refuse to give up.

We are blessed by the presence of international volunteers who come to the Tent of Nations to offer both practical help and a protective presence. During the month of August alone, we welcomed 41 international volunteers from six different countries, including the United States. Their willingness to stand with us sends a powerful message that solidarity is not just a word, it is something we live and practice together.

We ask the churches and faith communities around the world not only to pray for justice and peace, but to act for justice. Prayers must lead us to accept responsibility and to take actions. The story of the Good Samaritan reminds us that faith cannot be expressed fully by words or prayers. The Samaritan did not simply see the wounded man, offer a prayer, and continue on his way. He allowed compassion to move him to action. He responded to the suffering and became a neighbor to someone in need.

This is the kind of faith that gives us the courage to speak when others are silent. We call churches to raise their prophetic voices, to stand with those who are suffering, and to challenge the structures and policies that allow injustice to continue.

As our journey for justice becomes increasingly difficult, our call is to remain committed to our path of nonviolent resistance. This is not always an easy choice, we need prayers, encouragement, active and costly solidarity from our friends.

You can help protect the Tent of Nations by writing to your elected representatives, asking them to take meaningful action. You can share our story of steadfastness and hope with your communities and churches. And, if you are able, you can come and volunteer at the farm.

Your presence, your voice, and every step you take can make a difference, and a step toward change. Thank you for your friendship, solidarity, and support. Together, we can make a difference.

With faith, love, and hope,

Daoud Nassar
Director, Tent of Nations
-People Building Bridges-
https://tentofnations.com/
www.fotonna.org
https://www.facebook.com/tentofnations

---