An Inspiring Presence Amidst Conflict: Brother Mark McKeon’s Journey in Bethlehem

As part of the Institute’s "1La Salle, our pilgrimage towards peace" campaign, we are privileged to share the experiences of Brother Mark McKeon, a dedicated member of the De La Salle Brothers who has been at the forefront of ministry in challenging times. Since joining the De La Salle Brothers in 1982, Brother Mark has been deeply involved in educational, pastoral, and formation ministry across the ANZPPNG District. His influential roles include Director of Vocations and Youth Ministry, Auxiliary Provincial, and Provincial, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the youth ministry model adopted across multiple regions. Br Mark is currently stationed at Bethlehem University in the West Bank. His extensive experience and current role provide valuable insights into the realities of life in a conflict zone.

The ongoing conflict in the West Bank and Gaza has profoundly impacted daily life and community dynamics in Bethlehem. As the Lasallian community globally unites to promote peace and solidarity, Brother Mark’s reflections offer a poignant perspective on the challenges and resilience of those affected by the conflict.

Recently, we sat down with Brother Mark to delve into his experiences and the ways in which he and his community have navigated these turbulent times. His responses shed light on the significant impact of the conflict, the adaptation of his role and responsibilities, and the inspiring stories of hope and solidarity that continue to emerge amidst adversity.

Interview with Brother Mark McKeon

Briefly describe the current situation in Bethlehem and its impact on daily life and the community.

It is hard to come to terms with the fact that the war in Gaza and the West Bank has been ongoing for almost a year now.  The day the war began is imbedded in my memory. I was stopped at a checkpoint just outside of Bethlehem when the shock waves of a nearby missile explosion rocked the car I was traveling in. At that stage we did not know that Hamas had initiated their attack on Israel. As we neared the airport we could see the dark plumes of smoke in the distance towards the coastline, and we knew something serious had happened. Almost immediately the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) sealed off the West Bank. For the next four weeks, we were confined to Bethlehem. Because the border was sealed off, day workers from the West Bank were not allowed to enter Israel to work in the construction industry and other areas. This meant there was no source of income for a good number of families. Because of the war the pilgrims have stopped coming and hotels have closed. As a result, people have lost their jobs in that sector as well.  And the souvenir shops no longer have a regular stream of visitors. Some are experiencing extreme poverty. Our students at the university are struggling to meet the tuition fees. Families find it difficult to put food on the table.

Outline your role and responsibilities, and how the conflict has influenced your work and interactions.

There are over 3500 students and 420 employees here at Bethlehem University. The university is in the West Bank and is just 7 kilometers from Jerusalem. Our campus aspires to be a safe haven for all who come onto the campus. My main role at the university is in the position of Coordinator of Institutional Values here at Bethlehem University.  It sounds a bit of a mouthful. Essentially it is a role where I exercise the ministry of pastoral presence to students, faculty and staff. When I am not in the classroom teaching in the intensive English program, I spend a lot of my time roving around the campus engaging in conversation with students and staff, just spending time with people.  It is my responsibility to facilitate orientation programs for new students, faculty and staff. These programs promote an awareness of the human values that as a Christian and Lasallian institution inform the Vision and Mission of Bethlehem University. In conjunction with a Jesuit priest, I oversee the outreach to Christian youth at Bethlehem University to provide faith formation activities.  The Christian students make of just 22% of the overall student cohort. I also collaborate with a group of university personnel to coordinate opportunities for prayer and conversation on Lasallian themes for interested faculty and staff. In addition to this, I organise and coordinate Catholic Masses and other liturgical events at the University. Currently we are in the process of developing and organising means to create opportunities for Christian-Muslim dialogue. I also teach in the intensive English program.  This can be a struggle for students as throughout high school they have been taught English using Arabic explanations. I am their first native English speaker.  As you might expect they learn how to speak Australian-English in my class.

I am become more aware of the stresses that the war has placed on people and so I do my best to be a compassionate presence to both students and staff alike. Most of the time this is providing a listening ear. I often reflect of the words from St Paul to the Colossians [3:12f].  Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Often the interactions that our staff and students have with the soldiers at the checkpoints is the opposite of this. Almost all of the previous semester was conducted through online-learning. It was a challenge to maintain engagement with the students. They missed out on the socialization as aspect of university life.

Discuss the specific challenges faced by individuals and communities due to the conflict.

Aside from the financial challenges there are other significant challenges faced by people. While most of the focus in the western media has been on Gaza the reality on the ground here is that the IDF is waging an ongoing war here in the West Bank. West Bank towns endure nightly incursions by the IDF. People are arrested, some are killed and local infrastructure is destroyed. The number of checkpoints throughout the West Bank has more than doubled since the war began. Travel is restricted and the time to travel between place to place has drastically increased. Unfortunately, the people in the West Bank also have to contend with aggressive settlers who attack villages destroying homes, vehicles and olive crops. The settlers are almost always accompanied by the IDF who allow these attacks to happen against Palestinians.  

Describe how you and the community have adapted your work or support mechanisms in response to these challenges.

When the war began we had to ensure that the processes we had in place ensured the safety of both students and staff. For the first couple of months it was just too dangerous for most of our community to travel to University. Classes were delivered online. Later in the semester the situation made it possible for more of our community to travel to the university safely. Classes transitioned to a hybrid system with some students attending class face to face and others online. Our efforts to source outside funding also became more urgent. Systems were put in place for students to delay payment of tuition fees.

Highlight any local peace-building or solidarity initiatives you are involved in or have observed.

I am aware of a number of groups in Palestine and Israel that collaborate to promote peace. Breaking the Silence is an organisation of veteran combatants who have served in the Israeli military since the start of the Second Intifada and have taken it upon themselves to expose the Israeli public to the reality of everyday life in the Occupied Territories. The Holy Land Trust coordinates programming, seasonal tours, and volunteer opportunities that will foster understanding, healing, transformation, and empowerment of communities in order to address through nonviolence the core challenges that are preventing the achievement of a just peace in the Holy Land. Finally, the Parents Circle is a joint Israeli-Palestinian organisation of families who have lost an immediate family member to the ongoing conflict and believe that the process of reconciliation between nations is a prerequisite to achieving a sustainable peace.

Reflect on any personal insights gained from working in this challenging environment.

In this challenging environment, a consistent prayer life is essential for me. I need the daily and regular dialogue with each person of the Trinity.  I have become more aware of the values of community and solidarity living and working here in Palestine. The Brothers’ community here at Bethlehem University has eight members.  We are from six different countries. Despite the cultural and language challenges that come with this we enjoy one another’s company. In the Rule of the Brothers there is a phrase. “to see in each person a sign and call of the spirt.”  One of the joys of my role is the freedom I have to move around the campus chatting to students and staff when I am not teaching. I have become more and more aware of the immense value of spending time with people giving them my undivided attention. It is important that each person I meet knows that they matter and that every moment I spend with them counts. In a situation where people can not move about freely hospitality is an important value which helps strengthen relationships and provide opportunities for celebrations. Here in Palestine, hospitality is inviting and inclusive. You feel welcome and a part of a family.

Include any particularly inspiring stories or moments of hope and resilience you have observed.

A story of hope for me is the commitment the university has made to service learning. The university aspires to engender in students and staff alike a passion for service. Bethlehem University has joined a consortium of Catholic Universities to encourage service-learning in Catholic Higher Education Institutions as a tool to fulfil their mission of an integral education. The program provides students with an opportunity to develop empathy, compassion and a sense of justice. It enables students to demonstrate competencies in critical thinking, problem solving, communication, self-reflection, community and environmental responsibility and cultural awareness. Our English department engaged the students in practical advocacy campaigns. The focus of the campaign was a local animal shelter.  The Nursing faculty engaged in a program to address the problem of diabetes within the local community.  Palestinians are very resilient. The daily efforts that students make to come to university in the face of humiliation they encounter at the hands of the IDF at checkpoints is inspiring. The lived faith of the students is moving.  Students make regular use of the prayer spaces provided.  They are unashamed at saying they are going to pray. I recall one day encountering a student on my daily walk and said to her that she looked tired.  Her response was that she was fasting that day.  She fasts two days a week and she told me that this helps deepen her prayer life.

Relate your experiences and insights to the core values and mission of the Lasallian community.

One of the core values of the Lasallian community for me is accompaniment. This is one of my key roles at the university. This accompaniment is enhanced and comes alive within a Lasallian community. In our local context here, people have the opportunity to grow in their Lasallian identity. I am fortunate to be able to collaborate with others to provide Lasallian formation experiences for staff and students.  This includes a variety of prayer and retreat experiences. I keep coming back to the phrase “entrusted to our care” when engaging with faculty and staff reminding and encouraging them to get to know more deeply the reality of our students. Lasallian education pays close attention to the reality of the students who are entrusted to our care.  Our university fosters values that flow from deep concern with advancing social justice and care for the environment, rooted in our mutual confidence and friendship. Embedded in the ethos of the University is a respect for one’s own dignity and that of each person. Bethlehem University encourages an environment of faith, hope and love which in turn fosters the enactment of justice. The university calendar illustrates the respect for both Christian and Muslim feasts. It is a way of expressing and sharing our lived sharing of faith. We are constantly reminded of the presence of God throughout the day in the sounding of church bells and the Muslim call to prayer.  People’s life of faith is not compartmentalised.

Brother Mark’s experiences in Bethlehem provide a moving insight into the resilience and enduring spirit of those living amidst conflict. His reflections highlight the profound challenges faced by individuals and the resourceful ways in which they adapt to sustain hope and solidarity. Through his role at Bethlehem University, Brother Mark exemplifies the essence of Lasallian values—commitment to faith, dedication to service, and fostering a strong sense of community.

As we continue our pilgrimage towards peace, the stories of Brother Mark and the Bethlehem community serve as a powerful reminder of the impact of our collective efforts in promoting understanding, solidarity, and humanitarian support. His dedication to serving with empathy and steadfastness amid adversity reinforces the importance of our shared action in fostering a just and peaceful world.

In embracing the spirit of the “1La Salle, our pilgrimage towards peace” campaign, let us draw inspiration from Brother Mark’s example and renew our commitment to creating spaces of hope and healing within our own communities. Through prayer, advocacy, and compassionate presence, we can each contribute to the shared vision of a more peaceful and just world.