Tent of Nations is an educational and environmental project devoted to justice and peace-building, education, and organic practices. It is located at the 100-acre Nassar family farm on a hilltop southwest of Bethlehem, Palestine. Thousands of international visitors and volunteers now witness and help with programs, planting, harvesting, and other farm activities annually. They return home to tell TON’s story and share the message of peace, empowerment, sustainability, and hope.
History of the Farm
Known as Daher’s Vineyard, the land was purchased by Daher Nasser in 1916. From that time on, his children, grandchildren, and now great-grandchild have continued to farm the land raising olives, fruit, nuts, grapes, and animals using organic practices. They have faced many obstacles related to the occupation of Palestine by the Ottomans and British over the years and, since 1948, by Israel. Israeli settlements now encircle the farm, which has been denied water, electricity, building permits, and access via their entry lane. In 2014, the Israeli military destroyed 1400 mature olive and fruit trees right before harvest, and in 2021 an additional 1000 fruit trees were destroyed by a fire which was intentionally set. In addition, over the past 3 years there has been significant destruction of infrastructure on the farm. The family has been in the Israeli courts for 32 years defending the ownership of their land. Yet the family and their supporters persist with replanting, rebuilding, and growing out of Faith, Love, Hope, and Sumud (steadfast perseverance).
Formation of Tent of Nations
TON came into being at the turn of the millennium when Daher’s grandchildren fulfilled their father Bishara’s dream of transforming the farm into a center for peace-building and non-violent resistance. Grandson Daoud Nassar now serves as Director of Operations. Two of their major empowerment programs are an annual children’s summer camp and the Women’s Education Center, Bent Al-Reef, led by Daoud’s wife, Jihan.
From the Ground and UP: Come to Camp with Us at Tent of Nations is the title of a children’s book now being created to empower children and convey the message of Tent of Nations. Drawing on the children’s experiences and creations at TON’s summer camps, it will tell through photos and words about obstacles the children face, how they can creatively overcome them (their dreams, getting up when they fall down, working together), and what they can take home with them from what they have learned. The interactive presentation invites readers to participate in the camp activities and thinking via questions and activity sections throughout the book. WILPF has been a major supporter of the project to date.
The project was initiated in late 2019 when Daoud Nassar dined with a group following his presentation about TON in Des Moines. At that time, the TON of Hope Children’s Book Team was formed and has worked with Daoud ever since to create the book. This experience has been instructive for the team as obstacles have required learning Sumud (steadfast perseverance), a lesson in the book. Major among these has been cancellation of the camps from 2020-2022 due to COVID, followed by attacks on TON causing safety concerns for the children.
Finally, camp was able to be held in July 2023 and the project has moved forward. Work is now underway to finalize the layout using photos gathered from the camp. Stay tuned to this page to get updates about progress with book production.
Guiding Principles of the Tent of Nations:
We refuse to be victims.We refuse to hate, and no one can force us to hate.
We act based on our Christian faith.
We believe in justice.
