An Etsy shop named “Peace Parcels” is selling earrings made from marbles (hat tip: Craig).
Marbles thrown at Israeli soldiers.
Because peace parcels!
These illustrious little earrings are made from marbles thrown at Israeli soldiers in Bethlehem. They were tenderly gathered off the streets and masterfully crafted into fashionable items. Now you can help carry the weight of military oppression wherever you go.
We do not support violence in any shape or form but neither do we want the struggle here to be forgotten. This is a nonviolent way to take something off the floor and continue to remind ourselves of the unheard voice of Palestinians.
We have already sold over 30 pairs to Palestinians and international visitors in Bethlehem at Christmas markets. Join the many women who have chosen to merge their fashion choices and political persuasions into one elegant decorative piece.
These are in very limited supply. Please send a custom order and ask if we have the pair you want in stock. Other colors might also be available.
PROCEEDS GO TO WI’AM (alaslah.org), a conflict resolution/transformation center that “provides individual families, groups and neighborhoods with peaceful alternatives to conflict.”
The owners of this store describe their mission.
Restoring Justice Between Nations
The inspiration for this shop began in the summer of 2014 when code-named “William Stephenson” decided to visit the Holy Land on a 2 month volunteering trip. He became enamored with the Palestinian Christians and felt a personal calling to help develop empathy within the hearts of North American Christians for the oppressed people of this land.In September 2015 he moved to Bethlehem where he now resides, and he began to find creative ways to share the stories of the people via the internet. He noticed that hundreds of Tear Gas Canisters were lying around and decided to start an initiative to turn them into Christmas Tree ornaments and sell them to the world.
One of William’s Palestinian friends, code-named “Emmanuel,” a recent convert from Islam, was looking for work to finance his studies. Both of them began working together and have now created this nifty store.
“William Stephenson” describes himself as:
An Evangelical Christian from North America visiting the West Bank and working on initiatives to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and to restore justice in the land. Online entrepreneurship is a means of developing intercultural empathy.
So if these shop owners are to be believed, selling projectiles thrown at Israeli soldiers is a way to develop empathy for the palestinians, but also raise money for an organization promoting non-violent, peaceful alternatives to conflict and develop intercultural empathy. Got it?
So I guess this image, which also appears in their Etsy store, is missing their intended caption “Don’t try this, kids. We are against violence!”
Their other “product” is Tear Gas Ornaments from Bethlehem.
This tear-jerkingly beautiful Christmas tree ornament is made from an expended tear gas canister collected off the streets of Bethlehem.
Once the birthplace of the Prince of Peace this ancient Christian town has become a wonderful example of military oppression and social unrest. Protests against the Israeli Military Occupation have been happening on a daily basis since tensions flared up in early October. Now during this holiday season you can share in the Palestinian Christian experience by adding this little bit of apartheid flare to your festive living room decor.
Following the long-held tradition in this region of forcibly confiscating Palestinian property, these items were taken without any locals’ consent. They were gathered off the streets, opened, emptied of their contents, thoroughly scrubbed, and re-dressed with a cheery Christmas appearance.
The best part is, with every purchase you are supporting American jobs! Each canister was made in the USA.
In other words, not only is it clear they actually glorify violence, but their goal is to demonize Israel.
But what about that conflict resolution/transformation center that “provides individual families, groups and neighborhoods with peaceful alternatives to conflict” to which they claim to be donating proceeds? Does that not indicate peaceful intentions?
Not quite. Do not think the conflict they speak of is the conflict with Israel.
Wi’am the Palestinian Conflict Resolution Center began in March of 1995. The center focuses on helping to resolve disputes within the Palestinian community by complementing the traditional Arab form of mediation, called Sulha, with Western models of conflict resolution within the occupied and oppressed state of Palestine. We provide services for women and children and seek to educate the local community on human equality and basic rights.
In fact, they blame these conflicts on Israel!
Since opening its doors, Wi’am mediators have intervened in thousands of individual and community conflicts. These conflicts have all stemmed from the same root causes: Israeli occupation, the deterioration of both economic and political prospects, and the innumerable human rights violations against the Palestinian people. All of these stimuli and more influence the types of conflicts we encounter and the approaches we employ to mediate the conflicts. The only certainty in our context is uncertainty.
A closer look at the organization’s site reveals although their use of incendiary language, laced with Christian symbolism, which will easily lead to increased hatred of Israel.
For instance:
Christmas Smile Appeal, we will not allow the Grinch to steal Christmas!
No prizes for guessing who the grinch is.
And there’s this:
Shoot Shoot!!!
The figure of Virgin Mary is a symbol target of terrorism.
Virgin Mary in Bethlehem Holy Family Hospital was exposed to assassination on Thursday 14.3.2002 by the Israeli
occupation forces. It received a lot of shelling. It shows blind hatred, racism and terrorism. The damages of the shelling to the French Hospital from Israeli tanks and sniper fire are estimated 25,000$. In all, seven hospitals were shot at.As we struggle to gain basic rights, freedom, and recognition, we liken ourselves to the 14 Stations of the Cross. Via Dolorsa in the Old City of Jerusalem represents our daily week of suffering; pain and torture.
1. The Palestinians are condemned!
We are labeled as fundamentalist and terrorist. These prefixes are used to condemn and distort our image.2. We are taking the heaviest Cross.
The Palestinians are called to walk in the footsteps of the humble cross- bearing Christ. Each and every one of us has his / her daily cross to bear to be worthy to share our saviour’s glory!!3. The first attack.
1948 was the first catastrophe. Automatically we have become the victims of the victims of the Holocaust.
So, yes, I am calling BS on their claims. They are promoting violence towards, and hatred of, Israel.
By the way, once has to wonder why the shop owners are anonymous. Could it be they do not feel safe as Christians living in Bethlehem?
Update: This is from Peace Parcels’ twitter account. Non-violence! Peace!
Update: “William Stephenson”‘s real name is Walter Brynjolfson (hat tip: Bob).
https://www.facebook.com/ajplusenglish/videos/659493597525484/
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