Ahlan wa Sahlan.
Have now been in Palestine for 3 days. Did not have time before to come and start writing. So much to say. Before I start telling you about my daily adventures, I would just like to say one thing.
Palestinians are amazing people. The kindest people I have encountered in my life so far. I have never been offered so much coffee, Arabic tea, wine, baklava...before. Only 3 days and I already know that this trip will stay with me forever.
One more thing about this blog. As I have only little time, I apologize in advance for the lack of editing and the probable typos. Aasif.
Ok, let's start.
Left Heathrow at 10.30pm. Flight went really well. Got to Ben Gurion 30 mins before scheduled. Went through security without any problems at all.
"what's your father's name?", "how long are you here for", "What is your religion" were the only questions asked. I had prepared myself for a lot worse. A good start.
Fantastic weather.
BETHLEHEM
Our hotel is the only one which stayed open in Bethlehem throughout the last intifada.
Meeting with the group in our hotel. A few points were made. Save water as much as possible. Palestinians have pretty much ran out and need to buy theirs.
Meeting with L, CEO of Open Bethlehem.
Open Bethlehem was launched in 2005 in London and Washington just has Israel started building the Apartheid Wall. L has been invited to talk at the White House but has not been able to pay for a ticket yet.
L, takes us for a tour of Bethlehem. We go around and are amazed to see Jewish settlements being built closer and closer to Palestinian villages. Settlers come down to Palestinian villages and harass the villagers asking them for their licence. An Orwellian situation. The famous Cremisan wine, a Palestinian wine, is being sold throughout the world as an Israeli wine. The reason for Boycotting Israeli products is more and more clear.
We then go to the Wi'am offices a conflict resolution centre.
What people often forget is that people living under occupation face strong psychological problems. Stress brings high blood pressure, constant headaches, cancer, conflict between communities, unemployment...
Also, on the eve of the Anapolis conference the media leads us to believe that things are getting better in the West Bank. This is not true. 22 settlements are now surrounding Bethlehem, prices have doubled, unemployment is peaking, people are more and more fearful of another war in the region. (Israel-Iran, Israel-Syria)
Everyone is affected by the situation in Gaza, everyone is concerned and fears that this could transfer to the West Bank as well.
Wi'am sees Non violence as the only solution. You also have to realise that the Israeli government does not let Israelis come to the West Bank. As far as they are concerned, Palestine does not exist. Palestinians are called Arabs. Palestine is taboo. The Apartheid Wall is hidden from Israeli citizens, checkpoints are too.
S from Wi'am tells us: " We do not want you to be pro-Palestinian, we want you to be pro-justice"
Incredible message of peace from people suffering so much. People keep telling us that they have nothing against Jews, they use to leave together and had loads of Jewish friends. The Israeli government is responsible.
We then go back to the hotel where we meet with G from the Palestinian Centre for rapprochement between people. Muslim call to prayer starts around Bethlehem. Haunting and beautiful. We can hardly hear G, but.
Once more NON VIOLENCE is the message. Unfortunately, the media does not show anything else coming from the Palestinian. The first Intifada, mostly non violent, has been totally erased from history in the media. All the things accomplished, the non violence resistance (stone throwing is NOT violence), the creative ways to fight the occupation, all this did not happen. 1987-1996 (first suicide bomber) has not made it to the media.
Beit Sahour, started a boycott and loads of people refused to pay their taxes (you have to know that Palestinians pay has much, if not more, taxes as Israeli, but the municipality does not offer any services to Palestinians villages. You find litter everywhere, roads are in a poor state...). Beit Sahour had to face 42 days of house arrest (people not being able to leave their houses), curfew, cars, computers were confiscated. Shops were closed.
What security purposes does this serves?
Before returning to the hotel a few people and I decide to visit an orphanage in Bethlehem. We are received extremely well once more, even if it is 7pm and we arrive un annouced. Kids from 6 weeks old till 6 years old live here. They start jumping around, jump into our arms. Heartbreaking. My camcorder astound them, they see themselves in the LCD screen, they love it. I asked the nun about the numbers of children getting adopted. She cannot answer. Those numbers are kept secret. She will not tell me why. We then have to go, but the kids won't let us leave. Really tough. Why making babies when so many of them need a mum and a dad?
After diner at the hotel, a few of us leave with S our driver. He takes us to a really nice Palestinian cafe where we smoke the Nargilleh. After such a long day, it is the perfect remedy.
Time to go to bed. Truly exhausted but so happy. I AM IN PALESTINE!
Tisbaah al khair.
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