Wayne Hilsden at Christ at the Checkpoint 2012

Jerusalem pastor Wayne Hilsden wrote recently:

Many have written and have asked about my decision to accept an invitation to speak at the CHRIST AT THE CHECKPOINT conference in Bethlehem in March.

If you were wondering, I have not changed my understanding from the Scriptures concerning God’s ongoing and unique plan for Israel. In fact, the organizers, knowing my position, actually gave me the topic, “The Role of the Jewish People in God’s Plan.”

I shared with the several key messianic leaders/pastors in Jerusalem regarding this invitation. They all voiced their support for my participation at the conference.

Two years ago I felt the Lord impressing me to not only ‘preach to the choir,’ but go also where people hold a different view than my own. In response, I asked Him to open such doors.

Hilsden will indeed speak on the topic of ”The Role of the Jewish People in God’s Plan.”  He recently tweeted:

Criticism of Israel is not antisemitism. Holding Israel to a different standard than the rest of the world is. Gary L Bauer

We totally agree.

We know Wayne Hilsden is sympathetic to Israel, and we pray he has wisdom in what he says, even though we do not think his attendance at CATC is wise.

Christ at the Checkpoint media organiser supports Islamic Jihad terror leader

Christ at the Checkpoint is implacably hostile to the Messianic world.

First we had Stephen Sizer saying that Messianic Jews in Israel expressing any support for Israel were an “abomination“, and then apologising for it when caught on camera – whilst still blaming the Messianic Jews who called him out on it.

Then we had Stephen Sizer boasting of Richard Harvey’s attending Christ at the Checkpoint, even though Sizer has openly implied that Richard Harvey is a heretic, for his Zionism.

We have also had Ben White smearing Messianic Jews who oppose Christ at the Checkpoint as an “extreme minority“, and also smearing Messianic Jewish pastor Tim Gutmann for expressing theological support for Israel.

Recently, Christ at the Checkpoint  2012 has claimed that concerned Messianic Jews are “undermining” reconciliation efforts.

Let’s meet the man spreading this message.

This is Porter Speakman:

This man is responsible for all the media for Christ at the Checkpoint 2012 – Facebook, Twitter, Vimeo, and so forth.  He insists that Christ at the Checkpoint has nothing to do with antisemitism, and respects the Messianic Jewish believers.

He tweeted in support of a known antisemitic terrorist this week:

Hashtagging Khader Adnan: A Global Protest on Twitter by @JalalAK_jojo - http://tinyurl.com/6s38w78#KhaderAdnan

@NoahPollak @DidiRemez Israel is the one turning#KhaderAdnan into a hero by it’s administrative detentions. @CIFWatch #whatsthecharge
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Who is Khader Adnan? He is a leader of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a terrorist group which attacks Jews. Via CIF Watch, here is a video of Adnan encouraging more Palestinians to become suicide bombers:

Here is a photo of some of Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s victims:

Tali Hatuel was just 34, when she was killed by members of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, whose terrorists shot her and her family. She was 8 months pregnant. Her four daughters, Hila (11), Hadar (9), Roni (7) and Merav (2), also died in the attack.

PIJ victims:

Ayelet Shahar Levy, 28, and Hanan Levy, 33, Gad Marasha, 30, of Kiryat Arba; Yonatan Vermullen, 29, of Ben-Shemen, Ayelet Shahar Levy, 28, and Hanan Levy, 33, Ayelet Shahar Levy, 28, and Hanan Levy, 33, yala Levy, 39, of Elyachin; Smadar Levy, 23, of Hadera; Lydia Marko, 63, of Givat Ada; and Sima Menahem, 30, of Zichron Yaakov, Inbal Weiss, 22, of Zichron Ya’akov; Yehiav Elshad, 28, of Tel-Aviv; and Samuel Milshevsky, 45, of Kfar Sava Steven Kenigsberg, 19, of Hod Hasharon, Maharatu Tagana, 85, of Upper Nazareth; Michael Altfiro, 19, of Pardes Hanna; Shimon Edri, 20, of Pardes Hanna; Meir Fahima, 40, of Hadera; Aharon Revivo, 19, of Afula; Alon Goldenberg, 28, of Tel Aviv; Mogus Mahento, 75, of Holon; and Bella Schneider, 53,  Nisan Avraham, 26, David Smirnoff, 22, of Ashdod; Liron Avitan, 19, of Hadera; Avraham Barzilai, 19, of Netanya; Dennis Blumin, 20, of Hadera; Eliran Buskila, 21, of Hadera; Zvi Gelberd, 20 of Hadera; Violetta Hizgayev, 20, of Hadera; Ganadi Issakov, 21, of Hadera; Sariel Katz, 21, of Netanya; Vladimir Morari, 19, of Hadera; Yigal Nedipur, 21, of Netanya; Dotan Reisel, 22, of Hadera; David Stanislavksy, 23, of Netanya; Sivan Wiener, 19, of Holon; Zion Agmon, 50, of Hadera; Adi Dahan, 17, of Afula; Shimon Timsit, 35, of Tel-Aviv, Eliyahu Timsit, 32, of Sderot, Adrian Andres, 30, of Romania; Boris Shamis, 25, of Tel-Aviv; and Xu Hengyong, 39, of China, Moshe Hezkiyah, 21, Ari Weiss, 21, of Ra’anana, Osnat Abramov, 16, of Holon; Indelou Ashati, 54, of Hadera; Liat Ben-Ami, 20, of Haifa; Ofra Burger, 56, of Hod Hasharon; Ilona Hanukayev, 20, of Hadera; Suad Jaber, 23, of Taibe; Iris Lavi, 68, of Netanya; Eliezer Moskovitch, 40, of Petah Tikva; Nir Nahum, 20, of Carmiel; Esther Pesachov, 19, of Givat Olga; Aiman Sharuf, 20, of Ussfiyeh; Sergei Shavchuk, 35, of Afula; Anat Shimshon, 33, of Ra’anana; Sharon Tubol, 19, of Arad, Pedro Magram, 51, of Kfar Sava, and Gastón Perpiñal, 15, of Ra’anana; Madin Grifat, 23, of Beit Zarzir, Dror Weinberg, 38, of Jerusalem; Samih Sweidan, 31, of Arab al-Aramsha; Tomer Nov, 19, of Ashdod; Gad Rahamim, 19, of Kiryat Malachi; Netanel Machluf, 19, of Hadera; Yeshayahu Davidov, 20, of Netanya; Igor Drobitsky, 20, of Nahariya; David Marcus, 20, of Ma’aleh Adumim; and Dan Cohen, 22, of Jerusalem, Yitzhak Buanish, 46; Alexander Zwitman, 26; and Alexander Dohan, 33. Rabbi Yitzhak Arama, 40, Noam Apter, 23, of Shilo; Yehuda Bamberger, 20, of Karnei Shomron; Gavriel Hoter, 17, of Alonei Habashan; and Zvi Zieman, 18, of Reut,  Moshe (Maurice) Aharfi, 60, of Tel-Aviv; Mordechai Evioni, 52, of Holon; Andrei Friedman, 30, of Tel-Aviv; Meir Haim, 74, of Azor; Hannah Haimov, 53, of Tel Aviv; Avi Kotzer, 43, of Bat Yam; Ramin Nasibov, 25, of Tel-Aviv; Mazal Orkobi, 20, of Azor; Ilanit Peled, 32, of Azor; Viktor Shebayev, 62, of Holon; Boris Tepalshvili, 51, of Yehud; Sapira Shoshana Yulzari-Yaffe, 46, of Bat Yam; Lilya Zibstein, 33, of Haifa; Amiram Zmora, 55, of Holon; Igor Zobokov, 32, of Bat Yam. Foreign workers: Krassimir Mitkov Angelov, 32, of Bulgaria; Steven Arthur Cromwell, 43, of Ghana; Ivan Gaptoniak, 46, of Ukraine; Ion (Nelu) Nicolae, 34, of Romania; Guo Aiping, 47, of China; Li Peizhong, 41, of China; Mihai Sabau, 38, of Romania. Zhang Minmin, 53, of China died of her wounds on January 13. Eli Biton, 48, of Moshav Gadish; Shahar Shmul, 24, of Jerusalem Assaf Moshe Fuchs, 21, of Kibbutz Gvat, Kiryl Shremko, 22, of Afula; Hassan Ismail Tawatha, 41, of Jisr a-Zarqa; and Avi Zerihan, 36, of Beit Shean, Assaf Abergil, 23, of Eilat; Udi Eilat, 38, of Eilat; Boaz Emete, 24, of Beit She’an; and Chen Engel, 32, of Ramat Gan, Avner Mordechai, 58, of Moshav Sde Trumot, Mazal Afari, 65, of Moshav Kfar Yavetz Gabriel Uziel, 20, of Givat Ze’ev  Avihu Keinan, 22, of Shilo, Eyal Yeberbaum, 27, and seven-month-old Shaked Avraham, both of Negohot, south of Hebron; Ze’ev Almog, 71, of Haifa, and his wife Ruth Almog, 70; their son Moshe Almog, 43, and grandsons Tomer Almog, 9, and Assaf Staier, 11, all of Haifa; Zvi Bahat, 35, of Haifa; Mark Biano, 29, of Haifa, and his wife Naomi Biano, 25; Hana Francis, 39, of Fassouta; Mutanus Karkabi, 31, of Haifa; Sharbal Matar, 23, of Fassouta; Osama Najar, 28, of Haifa, cook; Nir Regev, 25, of Nahariya; Irena Sofrin, 38, of Kiryat Bialik; Bruria Zer-Aviv, 59, her son Bezalel Zer-Aviv, 30, and his wife Keren Zer-Aviv, 29, with their children Liran, 4, and Noya, 1, all of Kibbutz Yagur. Lydia Zilberstein, 56, George Matar, 59, of Haifa. Alon Avrahami, 21, of Or Yehuda, Adi Osman, 19, of Kfar Sava, and Sarit Schneor-Senior, 19, of Shoham Tali Hatuel, 34, and her daughters - Hila, 11, Hadar, 9, Roni, 7, and Merav, 2 – Adaron Amar, 20,  of Eilat; Aviad Deri, 21, of Maale Adumim; Ofer Jerbi, 21, of Moshav Ben-Zakai; Ya’akov (Zelco) Marviza, 25, of Kibbutz Hama’apil; Kobi Mizrahi, 20, of Moshav Mata; and Eitan Newman, 21, of Jerusalem. Elad Cohen, 20, of Jerusalem; Aiman Ghadir, 24, of Bir Makhsur; Aviv Hakani, 23, of Ashdod; Za’ur (Zohar) Smelev, 19, of Ofakim; and Lior Vishinski, 20, of Ramat Gan. Tal Bardugo, 21, of Jerusalem, Nir Sami, 21, of Jerusalem, and Israel Lutati, 20, Gideon Rivlin, 50, of Ganei Tal, itzhak Buzaglo, 40, of Mishmar Hayarden; Aryeh Nagar, 37, of Kfar Sava; Yael Orbach, 28, of Rehovot; Ronen Reuvenov, 30, of Tel Aviv. Odelia Hubara, 26, of Jerusalem,  Dan Talasnikov, 21, of Nir Galim, Bi Shude, 46, from Jilin province in northeastern China. The Palestinian workers: Salah Ayash Imran, 57, of Khan Yunis, and Muhammed Mahmoud Jaroun, of Khan Yunis. Avi Karouchi, 25, of Beersheba, Yevgeny Reider, 28 of Hermesh Avihai Levy, 17, of Beit Hagai Aviad Mansour, 16, of Otniel, Dana Galkowicz, 22, of Kibbutz Bror Hayil, Dov, 58, and Rachel Kol, 53, of Jerusalem Michael Kaufman, 68, of Hadera; Pirhiya Machlouf, 53, of Hadera; Sabiha Nissim, 66, of Moshav Ahituv; Jamil Qa’adan, 48, of Baka al-Gharbiya; and Ya’acov Rahmani, 68, of Hadera, Genia Poleis, 66, of Hadera Larissa Grishchenko, 38, of Hadera, Haim Amram, 26, of Netanya; Alexandra Garmitzky, 65, of Netanya; Daniel Golani, 45, of Nahariya; Elia Rosen, 38, of Bat Hefer; and Keinan Tsuami, 20, of Petah Tikva. Yosef (Yossi) Shok, 35, of Beit Hagai, Philip Balhasan, 45, of Ashdod; Rozalia Beseneyi, 48, and Piroşca Boda 50, of Romania; Marcel Cohen, 73, of Nice, France; Ariel Darhi, 31, of Bat Yam; Victor Erez, 60, of Givatayim; Binyamin Haputa, 47, of Lod; David Shaulov, 29, of Holon; Lily Yunes, 42, of Oranit. Lior Anidzar, 26, of Tel Aviv. Daniel Wultz, 16, of Weston, Florida (USA).  Eilat residents Emi Haim Elmaliah, 32, Michael Ben Sa’adon, 27, and Israel Zamalloa, 26.  Liran Banai, 20, of Ashkelon, Shimon Mizrahi, 53 of Bat Hefer and Eli Wasserman, 51, of Alfei Menashe Maj. Eliraz Peretz, 32, of Eli and Ilan Sviatkovsky, 21, of Rishon Lezion.

Who will still argue that Christ at the Checkpoint is truly about reconciliation?

Colin Chapman: Hezbollah leader has a “very genuine” spirituality

Meet antizionist theologian and Hassan Nasrallah fan Colin Chapman, who will speak at Christ at the Checkpoint 2012:

Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah is the leader of Hezbollah.

Nasrallah has called for death to Israel, death to America, the destruction of the West, considers Jews as the enemies of Allah, and glorifies and encourages Islamist martyrdom.

Here’s a compilation of some of his diatribes:

Nasrallah is the leader of Hezbollah, a jihadist group which murders Jews around the world.

Here’s Colin Chapman writing about Nasrallah’s “very genuine” spirituality:

Sheikh Nasrallah is an incredibly charismatic and gifted orator who can hold crowds spellbound for hours (I have often watched him on television) not only by talking politics, but by expounding the Qur’an and communicating a very genuine Shi’ite spirituality.

Chapman also attempts to place Nasrallah’s vile comments about Israel within the context of “Israeli occupation” – a somewhat shakey argument which seems to ignore Hezbollah’s name and charter, the fact that Israel withdrew from southern Lebanon in 2000, and Hezbollah’s suspected murder of Jews in Argentina in 1994.

Here Chapman has much in common with Ben White, who considers Hezbollah a nationalist rather than an Islamist movement, linking to an article in which Syrian Christian leader Elias Zahlawi encouraged his congregation to:

“Pray for the resistance, pray for Hassan Nasrallah. He is defending justice.”

Neither Colin Chapman or Ben White care to mention how Hezbollah was using Christian villages as shields in its war against Israel. Colin Chapman and Ben White frequently write for Fulcrum about the Middle East.

Chapman’s article on the Israel-Hezbollah war started off comparing Beirut with the Biblical account in Lamentations of the destruction of Jerusalem. Chapman’s is the father of modern UK Christian anti-Zionist movement, and his 1983 book Whose Promised Land? introduced Jewish power theories back into Christianity.

Ben White, meanwhile, has claimed that he understands why some peole are antisemites, and that Israel is to blame for two of the three causes of the rise of antisemitism in Europe.

It is unsurprising that both men will address Christ at the Checkpoint 2012, given that Stephen Sizer is conference organiser:

Christ at the Checkpoint 2010: Hamas and Hezbollah will soften themselves!

Colin Chapman on Hamas and Hezbollah at CATC 2010:

The Constitution of Hamas and the documents of Hizbollah are uncompromising in the way they state their objectives and the Islamic principles on which they are based. But from my reading of books about these organisations and recent press reports I am sure that there is a strong pragmatic streak in every Islamist leader. In the context of decades of violence in Northern Ireland, the breakthrough came when the British government stopped talking only with the moderates and started drawing the so-called extremists into the negotiations. It is desperately important that the outside world allows the space and time for Islamist ideology to be softened and modified by pragmatism.

Here are some excerpts from the Hamas charter that Chapman refers to:

“The Day of Judgement will not come about until Moslems fight the Jews (killing the Jews), when the Jew will hide behind stones and trees. The stones and trees will say O Moslems, O Abdulla, there is a Jew behind me, come and kill him. Only the Gharkad tree, (evidently a certain kind of tree) would not do that because it is one of the trees of the Jews.” (related by al-Bukhari and Moslem).

[...]

The day that enemies usurp part of Moslem land, Jihad becomes the individual duty of every Moslem. In face of the Jews’ usurpation of Palestine, it is compulsory that the banner of Jihad be raised. To do this requires the diffusion of Islamic consciousness among the masses, both on the regional, Arab and Islamic levels. It is necessary to instill the spirit of Jihad in the heart of the nation so that they would confront the enemies and join the ranks of the fighters.

[...]

Israel, Judaism and Jews challenge Islam and the Moslem people. “May the cowards never sleep.”

[...]

The Islamic Resistance Movement consider itself to be the spearhead of the circle of struggle with world Zionism and a step on the road. The Movement adds its efforts to the efforts of all those who are active in the Palestinian arena. Arab and Islamic Peoples should augment by further steps on their part; Islamic groupings all over the Arab world should also do the same, since all of these are the best-equipped for the future role in the fight with the warmongering Jews.

Here is a Hezbollah document on resistance:

When Hizbullah resists in Lebanon against the Zionist Jewish occupation lying heavily on its soil in the South and West Bekaa, it is exercising its legitimate and sacred right that was once exercised by the French and American peoples.

Considering Hizbullah’s resistance to the Zionist Jewish occupation as “terrorism” is a kind of injustice, discrimination besides being a renunciation of the Bill of Human rights and the Charter of the United Nations.

Therefore, we call on the peoples of the world to distinguish between aggression, which is none other than terrorism, and the honest resistance that is the only way to deter the aggression and confront the terrorism resulting from that aggression. Israel is an aggressive entity that practices terrorism; occupation is one of the forms of terrorism. Hizbullah of Lebanon is a popular resisting trend against occupation and terrorism.

What reason do we have to believe Colin Chapman here, over the words of Hamas and Hezbollah?

What evidence do we have of Islamist ideology being, or becoming, pragmatist?

Ynet News journalist plagiarises articles from Standpoint, the Jewish Chronicle and the Huffington Post

Giulio Meotti is an Italian journalist who writes for Ynet News, and plagiarises from other news sites.

I wrote in November for the Huffington Post, about Christ at the Checkpoint 2012:

Theologians based in Bethlehem and in Britain are organising a conference for Christian leaders and theologians, entitled Christ at the Checkpoint. [...]

Christians from various denominations will speak at the event. Samuel Rodriguez, the President of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, is speaking. Also attending are popular US preacher (and former “spiritual adviser” to Bill Clinton) Tony Campolo, and President of the World Evangelical Alliance, Sang-Bok David Kim.

The impressive range of Christian theologians adds a scholarly gravitas to Checkpoint 2012. Are they aware of whom and what they are backing?

The Checkpoint conference claims to oppose “all forms of violence and racism”. Yet many of the Checkpoint speakers have given us reason to question this.

Two of the conference organisers, Stephen Sizer and Sami Awad, appear to defend unequivocally the Gaza flotilla, sent in May 2010 by the Turkish Islamists IHH.

Italian journalist and author Giulio Meotti wrote recently in Arutz Sheva (Israel National News):

Next March,  the Bible College in Bethlehem will host dozens of US theologians, activists and ministries for the “Christ at the Checkpoint 2012 Conference”. [...]

The impressive range of Christian theologians and pastors from many churches located in the United States make the gravity of the upcoming conference clear.

Samuel Rodriguez, President of the US National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, is a speaker.

Also attending are popular US preacher and “spiritual adviser” to Bill Clinton, Tony Campolo, and President of the World Evangelical Alliance and Asia Evangelical Alliance, Sang-Bok David Kim.

Two of the conference organisers, Stephen Sizer and Sami Awad, adamantly defended the Gaza flotilla sent in May 2010 by the Turkish terror group IHH.

This article is plagiarised.

Now Giulio Meotti has plagiarised from me again in Ynet News:

Sizer is one of the major organizers of the “Christ at the Checkpoint 2012 Conference,” which the Bible College of Bethlehem will host in March. The impressive range of theologians and pastors from churches located in the United States make the gravity of the upcoming conference and Sizer’s important position much clearer. Samuel Rodriguez, President of the US National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, “spiritual adviser” to Bill Clinton Tony Campolo, and President of the World Evangelical Alliance and Asia Evangelical Alliance, Sang-Bok David Kim, will all attend the event.

Meotti has also plagiarised from others.

Marcus Dysch wrote in the London Jewish Chronicle last month:

A Church of England vicar has been backed by his diocesan bishop after promoting a website which supports Holocaust denial and warns of a Zionist conspiracy controlling the world.

Reverend Stephen Sizer received the support of the Bishop of Guildford, the Right Reverend Christopher Hill, a former chaplain to the Queen, following calls for him to be suspended for linking to the site.

Meotti in Ynet:

A few weeks ago a highly influential Church of England vicar, Stephen Sizer, promoted a website that supports Holocaust denial and warns of a Zionist conspiracy controlling the world. Reverend Sizer just received the support of the Bishop of Guildford Sizer, Reverend Christopher Hill, a former chaplain to the Queen, following calls for him to be suspended for linking to the site.

Nick Howard in the Jewish Chronicle and Standpoint:

 He’s described IDF members as “Herod’s soldiers operating in Bethlehem today” (King Herod ordered his troops to kill all the baby boys in and around Bethlehem, in the hope of murdering Christ). He’s promoted boycotts of McDonalds, Coca-Cola, L’Oréal and Nestlé on the basis that they “channel their profits to the Zionist agenda”.

Meotti:

He has described the IDF as “Herod’s soldiers operating in Bethlehem today” (King Herod ordered his troops to kill all the Jewish babies in and around Bethlehem.) Sizer promoted boycotts of companies on the basis that they “channel their profits to the Zionist agenda.”

How will Ynet respond?

Stephen Sizer and the Biblical record of Jerusalem

According to the Hebrew Bible/  Old Testament, King David makes Jerusalem the capital of the Jewish nation, Israel.

According to Stephen Sizer’s blog, this is not so.

Here he posts an uncritical interview with the Assistant General Secretary of the Arab League in Cairo, Mohammed Sobaih.

Watch from 6:07:

Sobieh says:

“70% of West Jerusalem, it was built by the Palestinians, [Sizer: mmhmm] my family is one of them. East Jerusalem, during ages, every stone of this, it was built by the Palestinians, from the Canaanites until now. Without any aid from outside, without contribution, without donors, without anything. People they work on the land, as any people from the world, from until now [Sizer: yes]. We have to tell bravely the Israeli leadership, religious war is not for your sake.”

According to Sobieh – and Sizer who loudly agrees with him – 70% of West Jerusalem and 100% of East Jerusalem built by Canaanites and Palestinians, but not by Jews.

Sizer’s view of the Hebrew Bible is such that he no longer trusts its account of Jerusalem’s history.

Have Samuel Rodriguez and Daniel Bourdanne pulled out of CATC 2012?

Rodriguez represents US Hispanic Christians, and Bourdanne represents the global body of evangelical students, IFES.

Neither man is listed on the Christ at the Checkpoint 2012 website, as they were originally.

Rodriguez has previously written of Hamas and Hezbollah that they are 21st century fascists. I can’t imagine Rodriguez has much in common then, with people who cosy up with Hezbollah leaders.

Influential British theologian praises Messianic statement on Christ at the Checkpoint

Calvin Smith writes:

Towards the end of last week four leading Messianic organisations in the US issued a joint statement in response to the forthcoming Christ at the Checkpoint 2 conference (hat tip RPP). The full statement is available here. This represents a significant statement for several reasons. First, it is measured and statesman-like, yet raises a number of valid concerns about CatC2. Secondly as a joint statement by several leading Messianic organisations, it represents an important expression of the views of Jewish believers in Jesus towards the conference. Third, the statement has been picked up by various major news outlets, as well as being supported by the wider Church.

One would hope and pray that the CatC organisers will at the very least engage seriously with and respond to such an important statement (as they have on their blog to other criticisms which they clearly do not take seriously). After all, this joint statement marks a significant expression of genuine Messianic concern about the CatC event, Neither can it simply be dismissed by  drawing attention to how several Messianic individuals will be attending the conference. Somehow much of the Messianic movement remains unconvinced of the aims and purpose of the conference, and if CatC indeed really is about seeking reconciliation, then surely the organisers must respond to the joint statement by the UMJC, MJAA, IMJA and IAMC.

Christ at the Checkpoint 2012 and Abdul Fattah Hamayel

Arabic news agency Abouna reported in 2010, that Bethlehem governor Abdul Fattah Hamayel was present at the original Christ at the Checkpoint conference.

What do we know about Hamayel? According to Passia.org:

Born in Kufr Malik in 1950; attended Military College in Baghdad; Fateh member and activist, for which he was imprisoned for 17 years in Israeli jails; released in a prisoner exchange in 1985 but re-imprisoned in 1990 and deported to Jordan in 1992; has published Lullabies Behind Bars, a collection of Arabic poetry written while in prison; was allowed to return to Palestine in 1994; served as Fateh Sec.-Gen. in the Ramallah district; was elected PLC member (Fateh) for the Ramallah constituency in the Jan. 1996 elections; member of the PLC Interior and the Budget and Financial Affairs Committees; became a Minister of State without portfolio in the cabinet of PM Mahmoud Abbas on 30 April 2003 (until Oct. 2003).

During this time, Fatah was responsible for multiple terror attacks in Israel.

Hamayel hit the headlines in the UK in 2003, when he admitted to the BBC that the PA funded the terror group, the Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades.

As govenor of Bethlehem, Hamayel has since put a man on trial for “slander and defamation”, just for criticising PA medical facilities.

Here is Hamayel praising the murderer of 3 Israelis, Amer Abu Sarhan:

Will Haayel be at Christ at the Checkpoint 2012?

If so, then I wonder if Wayne Hilsden or Evan Thomas will still consider this delightful conference to be about peace and reconciliation.