Tales of a shocking trip to Middle East

Twelve people from the village, who were joined by others from Southam, Stockton, Warwick and the south of England, will talk about their journey to Israel and Palestine, which was organised by the charity Biblelands.

As well as enjoying a boat ride on Lake Galilee, the participants visited the Helen Keller Centre for the Visually Impaired and the Princess Basma Children’s Rehabilitation Centre, both of which are in Jerusalem, spent time in Bethlehem and Nazareth – and went to the home of a family whose house is surrounded on three sides by the separation barrier between Israel and Palestine.

Su McClellan, who lives in Harbury and is the charity’s Central England manager, said: “The woman who owns the house told us that one morning in 2004, she sent her children off to school and when they came home that afternoon, the house was surrounded by a big wall.”

The family used to run a car mechanic business, but because they have been cut off, they are now trying to encourage people to visit them to buy their homemade christening robes, which they would like to export and they also run a gift shop.

Ms McClellan said: “It’s the only house surrounded on three sides. It’s very dramatic.

”Participants of the trip found it quite shocking. I don’t think people realise what it’s like. You hear about the ongoing conflct on the news, but meeting the reality on the ground is quite different.

“Everybody told me afterwards that it was a life-changing experience.”

The charity, which supports educational, healthcare and community projects in Israel, Palestine, Egypt and Lebanon, organises two trips per year and pilgramages to the region.

Ms McClellan, who has worked for Biblelands for five years, said: “We have to do all we can to raise people’s awareness of the injustices faced by others.”

The talk takes place at the Tom Hauley Room in Harbury today (Thursday) at 7.30pm.