For a region marred in turmoil, where the perpetrators are portrayed as victims, this thin strip of land harvests more history than most continents. Palestine is the birth place of the monotheistic religions, the epicentre of the Arab-Israeli conflict but boasts a proud tradition of cultural and political resistance against a catalogue of occupiers. This week, we have been taken on a world wind tour of the Westbank, Occupied Palestine that has included visits to Human Rights organisations in Ramallah, textile factories in Hebron, sighing at the illegal settlements of Ma’ale Adumin, to the walls destruction in Al-Walaja, the landscape of Beit Sureik and the refugee camp in Jenin (which also involved staying in a former prison for the night). We have done in one week what it would take most of us a few months to accomplish. We have witnessed the unsettling nature of the occupation in which one can drive past houses, walls and army posts without realising that they are actually illegal Israeli-only settlements, an illegal separation wall and military outposts of a foreign army respectively.
"Hole in the Wall"- build for security? Hmm not sure about that one.
There are moments when the situation, so controlling and so undignified, can appear to have no resolution. I can only admire the patience and steadfastness of the people who live here, not to grow easily frustrated at their circumstance. In fact quiet the opposite; they smile, they continue to live and have dreams. There is a very proud tradition of cultural nationalism here, a strong sense of community which I have not seen in my country for sometime. It is a testament to the courage of the people, and can provide many lessons for us too.
The first week has provided us an opportunity to find our feet. It now feels as if we are not visiting Abu Dis but rather that we live here. And for this we can only thank the locals who have made us feel so welcome; indeed, it makes it difficult to miss home.
I have already met many characters whom I am sure will be friends for life, including our volunteer co-ordinator, to the owner of the gym I went to who is training young Palestinian men for the Olympics and also a young 16 year old musician who has taught himself to compose music. Indeed, walking down a street can sometime take hours due to the meet and greets with the locals.
It is difficult to surmise what this week has meant or involved but perhaps my quote of the week came from Yousaf Shalabi (related to hunger striker Hana Shalabi), the head of the ‘Creative Cultural Centre’ in Jenin whose words perhaps illustrate the pervasiveness of the occupation; ‘even getting a glass of water in Palestine is political.’
Oh yeah, and we have had some absolutely great banter!
Notes from Palestine 