PA 06 - PEACEFUL THREADS

The Comboni Sisters have been present in Bethany since 1966, serving communities on both sides of the 708-kilometer wall separating Israel and Palestine. Our mission focuses on sowing peace and nurturing hope through education and service in the Bedouin villages of the West Bank. In 2011, after the Second Intifada and the construction of the Wall, we expanded to Al Azareyah and the Judean Desert, addressing the needs of the Jahalin Bedouins displaced from the Negev Desert in 1948 and now living in precarious conditions.

The expansion of Israeli settlements in the surrounding areas threatens the very existence of these communities, as the lands they have traditionally inhabited are being expropriated for new settlements and infrastructure projects. The region faces political tensions, economic struggles, and social marginalization, particularly for women. Bedouin women often experience cultural exclusion and economic dependence.

Since October 2023, embroidery initiatives by the Comboni Sisters have become vital, offering women a source of income while preserving cultural traditions. Products like embroidered cards, shawls, table runners, keyholders, and cushions, crafted by women from various Bedouin villages embody resilience amid adversity.

The Bedouin communities of the Judean Desert are custodians of an ancient tradition that endures despite modern pressures and the challenges imposed by the region’s geopolitical realities. Their life in the desert, though marked by suffering and daily struggles, also serves as a testament to hope, resilience, and a profound attachment to their roots. Protecting these communities means preserving a vital part of Palestinian history and culture, offering them a future that blends tradition with progress while safeguarding their identity.