April 2002

Dear Family and Friends,

Since my arrival in Egypt last August, I have had many people ask for my opinion of the Israeli- Palestinian situation and how it has affected my safety. I have tried to keep up with the latest current written words on the subject. Before I went on a tour of Jordan, Israel, and Egypt in 1989, I also read extensively. Whatever I have read from America is definitely slanted in favor of Israel. Any local English newspaper here in Egypt is definitely slanted in favor of Palestine. I found the same thing in 1989. Both in 1989 and today, my
sympathies lean toward the Palestinians. It is not a black and white issue. It is not easily solvable. Tragically, I haven’t found anyone who believes it will be solved with the current leaders in power, and there doesn’t seem to be any leader waiting in the wings on either side who would do any better.

What we do know for certain is that the Palestinians are a much weaker country, with less per capita income, more unemployment, lower monthly wages, less education, and a higher infant mortality rate. They are suffering and humiliated and need aid. Their human rights are being denied, and they strike out in whatever ways they can to try to hang on to what they have. As of this writing, the other Arab countries feel they can only offer relief aid. Offering military aid would align the United States against them, and they know they
could not win.

Egypt as well can only plead with the Israeli and United States governments and continue aid to the Palestinians. Egyptians still care deeply about the United States and continue to assert their love for the people, whom they welcome in their country with open arms. President Mubarak has done all he can to guarantee foreign workers and visitors safety from terrorists. When we travel to an area of the country where there has been, or may be, some adverse activity, we are given a police escort while we are there. With the
Israeli aggression escalating, we don’t know whether we will continue to feel safe. The police and the people we meet go out of their way to let us know we are welcome. I feel as safe here as I would in the United States, which we all know can also be subject to terrorism by extremists.

My suggestion to those of you who would like to have a clearer understanding of the conflict, is to be certain you are getting information from both sides of the issue, and then come to your own conclusion. This means you will have to make a special effort to see the conflict from the Arab side, as that information is not as readily available to you. I’m sure some of this is available on the Internet or from local Arab groups in your area.

I feel I am blessed to be here at this time. My Christian witness and American presence can give the message that God cares for them through His people everywhere.

Please pray for a miracle,

Emily Schornstein

The 2002 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 128