Protesting one wall and raising others Thanks for your post about the Bil'in demonstration on July 14. I was there as well and remember it vividly, including the young couple dressed up in their wedding finest. Like you, I wasn't on the front line and came away physically unscathed, though my eyes certainly stung from the tear gas and I helped to bandage a large guy who took a "rubber" bullet to the back. A few days later I was working with ICAHD to re-build a demolished home in Anata, north of Jerusalem. All this while the war in Lebanon raged. And life grinds on for the Palestinians.
Thank you Thank you for letting us know the true situation in Palestine. Hopefully many people will read this and realize how the Wall is another tool used to further oppress Palestinians.
A very interesting insight and having met a few Israelis on our travels its good to get an alternative point of view....
I must say Jema, you shouldn't call yourself a chicken being at the back of a peace demo in the middle of Palestine. I'm glad to be in New Zealand where land isn't such a precious commodity, people have the space to breath and as long as you're into outdoor sports, it doesn't matter what religion you are!
PHEW! Well dudes (entirely non gendered title in my use) I am so glad to hear from you- big weight off our consciences! Have been spending this sumemr doing crappy temping jobs all summer and its boring, i've washed out the most minging ovens in the country, served sandwiches, made tea, editted websites, and now i am packeting up pet health products. ERRR. still off to Essex to see where we will be living next year! Hope stays well we will have to meet up for a drink and to toast freedom once you are back.
ta ra Wildo
'Mazing... fame at last! Hi guys, Another blog at last - I was beginning to think you'd forgotten about us! I had to read the first part several times in order to understand it Eliot, but comprehension dawned eventually - great! And the photo looks fantabulous. Shame I can't read Arabic... but, as you say, nothing except fulsome praise I'm sure. Take care, and enjoy being the wonderful people you are doing all these amazing things! Me xx
hi :) glad you are safe as i have been thinking bout u !!!!!!!!!!! glad you are doing so well - has been fascinating and thought provoking to read! xxxxx
Wow... jealous, jealous Hi guys!! Tee hee, I like the type-o on DB's last comment... doh! Anyway, it sounds like you're having a really amazing time - fantastic that you've been able to get to know people properly in Tulkarm. I guess that's the difficult thing about travelling sometimes... you can't always stay in one place long enough to make good friends. I can't wait to read the next blog. You're both amazing and inspiring and great and stuff. Keep safe. Liz xx
Don't know what to say really. It is all a bit scarey watching the news here and we are all thinking of you. PLease look after yourselves, your companions, hosts and fellow ISMers. With love and respect. Mary
Get some sleep Good to hear all that is going on and glad you have spent some time seeing things around. Keep going with the blog as it puts our minds at rest, but get some sleep, you'll need your wits around you.
CooEee Glad you're being so well looked after - was pretty petrified to hear about these little holidays people get for their 21sts, not good. Keep up the good work and look after youselves, love ya!
Hello smelliot Congratulations! You are both absolute legends, thank you so much for being there right now.
I'm not suyre what to say other than i'm reading your blog, (i couldn't subscribe due to some javascript nonsense) and please keep us informed.
I hope the split with ISM was not in any way acrimonious and just technical, good luck with whatever you do now.
Jemima you are in good hands for your first visit to the OPT; Smelliot was one of the biggest hearted people, able to make friends with anyone, that i met in Palestine - and in general. But you probably already knew that.
With all the deepest respect and warm wishes in the world,
Keep your heads up,
Junior
Glad to hear your not in a war zone... yet. Hi guys! You'll be pleased to know that I felt very reassured after reading your last entry - as you know all too well, the UK media aren't always totally accurate when covering Palestine / Middle East, so it was great to hear that you're both well. The blogs are excellent - although you might want to check puddle duck's particulars on I think it was the second entry. Looking forward to the next. Take good care of each other. Liz xx
Howdy Christ guys, I appreciate the reasons for what you're doing but please be careful out there. Since I know a little war in your area of the world won't stop you, I'll just wish you good luck and be thinking of you...
I've just got back from a nice stroll around Tiananmen Square. which is an impressive monument to Soviet architecture and the immense power that Mao Zedong still holds in China. We did wander onto the square itself but got herded off pronto by a little chinese man who probably had a big gun hidden in his uniform somewhere; it's closed at night and closely patrolled. Also seen an area of the city near the square which is being cleared of its slums and markets for the Olympic game, presumably kicking the residents out of town. I *would* protest about all this honestly, but I just don't fancy experiencing the inside of a Chinese prison...
Anyway, China's cool, seen some amazing stuff, and I hope I'll see you soon, Tim
S'mae Hiya
Glad to see events in Lebonan are threatening to cut things short for you. A lot of us have definatly been keeping a special eye on news about the situation in the West Bank.
The story about the Kindergarden was interesting - if only to highlight the degree to which Hamas is intergrated into everyday life. If nothing else it puts the demands of many who claim that Pallestinians must disown Hamas into perpective.
Anyway, my best wishes to both of you... keep in contact
DB
air of respectability Elliot, I think after the antics of the English class, an air of respectability is something we all need. I'm glad to hear you and Jemima are doing alright. Finish school next week and I'm looking forward to a summer at Aberystwyth Holiday Village working in the cafe! classy bird as I am! Anyways, speak soon and take care. Pete
Salam aleekom/hello.
This is our blog from Palestine. We're travelling from the UK in this the summer of 2006 to the West Bank for 5 weeks. We are travelling to hook up with the International Solidarity Movement (www.palsolidarity.org), which non-violently facilitates Palestinian resistance of the rigours of the Israeli Occupation. Part of the concept is that we will report back what we see of the occupation to "the world" our friends and family, the media... whoever'll listen to be frank (Kofi, Tony, George, Ehud)- so that's what the blog is for. Not to say that everything herein will ... full info
david watson
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the bagpipe angle
I'm really interested in the bagpipes in Middle East, Palestine especially. Do yuo have any more info? davidwatson@thing.net