Monday August 18th – Nazareth and Surrounding. Internally Displaced and the Right of Return
Today we vistited the Arab Association for Human Rights. There we were greeted by the general director Mohammad Zeidan. He talked at length of about different types of discrimination faced by the Palestinian people; in the legal system, politically and culturally. One example of ‘hidden’ discrimination relates to military service. On the surface the law appears to be clear and equal, however, once the law is examined it is evident that laws have been cleverly constructed to discriminate the Palestinian people. For example, many privileges in all areas of Israeli society, from housing to education to job prospects, are granted from having served in the military. Whilst military service is compulsory for all 18 year olds in Israel, Palestinians are exempt, thus excluding them from the privileges afforded to all Jewish Israelis who do serve in the army.
After the Arab Assocation for Human Rights, we visited a destroyed Palestinian village El Ghabsiya. Daoud Bader explained about Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and the right of return. An IDP is defined as a refugee who has not crossed an international border. When the state of Israel was established in 1948 many Palestinians fled to neighboring countries, whilst others left their homes and thus became IDPs. These IDPs are not allowed to return to their land, many living within sight of their former homes yet not allowed to enter them. The Palestinians that left the country are also not allowed to return, in violation of countless UN resolutions affirming their right to do so.
Daoud led us to a cemetery of the village, now destroyed and where settlers had built their home. Walking through the overgrown grass it became apparent that there were graves. The relatives of the deceased were not allowed to return to the graves to tend to them. If they were spotted by the settlers they would summon the police. This is the reality of the Palestinians, treated like trespassers on their own land.
Tuesday August 19th – Jenin
We left Nazareth this morning to head into the West Bank. Having been informed we had been prohibited from passing through the checkpoint we had originally planned, we were concerned we might not be able to get into the West Bank at all. However, we passed through the alternative checkpoint unhindered and finally were in the West Bank. The difference – visually, and in the atmosphere – was immideate. We got on our bikes and began cycling, with Al Jazeera and Reuters following in pursuit. On our way to Jenin we had a fantastic welcome with people greeting us we cycled and children joining us in our peace cycle.
Firstly we visited the Service Committee of Jinin Refugee camp, where we heard more stories of destruction and of the difficulties faced by the Palestinians. Pictures definitely speak a thousand words as we viewed photos and watched some of the film ‘Jenin Jenin’. This film documents the atrocities created by the Israeli army, specifically when they bulldozed their way through the Jenin camp in 2002, killing and injuring many, destroying homes and damaging all structures of civil society. We heard of the psychological trauma many members of the camp suffer as a result of such events.
We then went to General Union of Palestinian Women who had prepared a fantastic meal, maklouba. Vegetables were layed at the bottom of the saucepan and then covered with rice and chicken, the whole thing then being turned upside down. We heard of the particular impact the Israeli occupation has on Palestinian women, and the work the Union does to empower women politically and socially.
Next was the Freedom Theatre, which organizes film and drama workshops for the young people of Jenin. This Theatre had been inspired by a previous theatre group operating in Jenin on which the film ‘Arna’s Children’ was based (the original theatre was destroyed in the 2002 invasion). It was clear the theatre provided some kind of release from life in the camp and was a forum for the youth to express their experiences and direct their energy into something positive. We watched some impressive short films produced by the young people themselves, including one of a particularly energetic hip hop performance!
Everywhere in the camp there was a sense of community spirit and despite their hardship and suffering, people’s determination to fight for their freedom was inspiring.
Then a beautiful 15km cycle through the most fertile part of Palestine, with olive groves and date palms lining the road, to Rummanah where we were to spend the night. Rummanah is within sight of the Wall, and we heard of the terrible impact of its construction. Around 70% of the village’s population has worked in Israel, so the Wall blocks them from employment. Many of the people in Rummanah have family in a village around 1km away, but the two villages are separated by the Wall and it thus takes a long journey via Jerusalem to reach it. Astonishingly, Rummanah was only connected to 24 hour electricity 4 months ago. We were hosted by the Rummanah Charitable Society, which works to provide education and welfare services for the population, and stayed in the homes of local families. The wonderfully warm and hospitable welcome we received, and the beauty of the village itself, contrasted sharply with the Wall visible less than a kilometer away and the posters of martyrs visible on every wall. However much we have all heard about the Occupation, witnessing its effects first hand is an entirely different experience and we will all have a lot to think about as we prepare for bed at midnight, to the sound of Israeli F16s from the nearby military base overhead.
Coordinator,
Siraj, Center For Holy Land Studies
Beit Sahour, Schoold Street
P.O.Box 48
Palestine
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