Advertisement
Published: August 12th 2006
Edit Blog Post
Bil'in
The ISM report has been updated with more information and pictures from the Bil'in protest we participated in yesterday, so I'll post the link again. Fourteen injuries have been recorded from the violence of the army.
http://www.palsolidarity.org/main/2006/08/11/bilin-4/ Leaving Tulkarem
Elliot: Going back in time to before Bil'in, leaving Tulkarem was very sad for us. I think it is where we have the closest friends, and the place to which, when we say we will return to Palestine, we imagine. In many ways its a very ordinary corner of the West Bank, although the paraphernalia of the occupation makes everywhere seem more alien to us. But the examples of selflessness and human concern we saw there were really inspiring.
I've extolled the virtues of the Society of Social Works before; the medical care and education they provide, and so much more coordinated through their network of volunteers. While we were there they convinced a local dentist to provide free care for the needy, and coordinated a sponsorship programme for poor students (they really are poor here).
I think the story below best shows how determined they are in their work:
Last year, Shareef
organised a trip to Italy for 12 famillies so that children with Thallassaemia (a form of anaemia common in the mediterranean) could have transplant operations, including his own son Barra.
When they reached Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, most of the famillies were allowed to board the plane. However, Shareef, despite being the organise of the trip, was told he could not board the plane because of his terrorist connections.
What connections? His brother is in prison because he wa a Hamas leader. He is serving 29 life sentences + 20 years (just in case he lives for 29 lives.)
Think what you like about his brother, but this seems a pretty lame reason to punish Shareef, or indeed his son.
So what happened? All twelve famillies staged a strike, refusing to fly or leave the airport until Shareef's family was allowed to board them. And the Israeli authorities folded like a paper napkin, letting them fly. A nice example of people power.
Amnesty International Palestine
Through a serendipitous meeting in Tulkarem, we made contact with Amnesty International's Palestinian section. Those of you who know Jemima and me will know that Amnesty's human
rights work is very close to our hearts.
We were particularly interested to learn how they worked on the Stop Violence Against Women Campaign, which the section has taken on as a priority. Obviously in Palestine this has two dimensions: that of the military violence incurred from the occupation, and the domestic violence that pervades everywhere in the world. It is estimated that 1 in 3 women are abused during their lifetimes worldwide.
So, this morning we found ourselves in a meeting in the offices of the Palestinian Legislative Council, speaking with some of AI's activists in Palestine. Especially given the depessing events of yesterday, it was very inspiring to meet people who give their time to defending human rights, not just in their own occupied country, but all over the world.
Jemima: Picking up where Elliot left off.... the whole time we've been here has often seemed like one big emotional rollercoaster. One minute we're witnesses to horrendous happenings, the immense misery humans can inflict upon each other, and I despair of the entire human race (like after the demo), and then the next we're witnesses to the amazing people here who are dedicating their lives
Graffiti on the wall
Passing through Qalandiya terminal between Al Quds and Ramallah, we saw this graffiti a lot. A Gandi for Palestine will come. to alleviating the sufferings of others, and I'm filled with an immense hope that together we really can change the world (like after the amnesty meeting).
The person who left the biggest impression on me of all the Amnesty members present was a woman called Sena, a lawyer currently involved in providing legal advice to a committee working to improve legislation concerning domestic violence in Palestine. She was just amazing; her dedication to both women's rights specifically and human rights in general was immense, and even in a brief hour she left me completely re-inspired to carry on doing my bit on both counts.
Final Farewells
So, I suspect this is it, our final blog entry. Insh'Allah, and more to the point assuming flights to the Uk are operating as normal, we leave on tuesday. Our time until then will most likely be spent in relaxing and enjoying our last few hours in the sun.
As Elliot said, leaving Tulkarm was quite heart rending, and so in a way, having got past that, it feels like we're ready to come home. And it will be so good to see some of our faithful subscribers again, and
Gift
We were honored to receive this olive wood carving in gratitude for our work with the society. We were also given smaller gifts trhat we intend to distribute to those who helped us raise the money in the first place. eat toast (my craving) and fish and chips (Elliot's).
But, while we're on a sentimental goodbye type note, let me just record that this whole six weeks has been the most amazing experience I think either of us could have wished for, and those of you unlucky enough to see us in the next few weeks will undoubtedly be told all about it until you're sick of the whole subject.
When we were leaving Britain, I was assuming this would be (for me anyway) a one off trip. I was wrong - there's no way I can imagine not coming back to see the people I have been privileged enough to meet here.
So until the next time.....
Advertisement
Tot: 0.101s; Tpl: 0.013s; cc: 7; qc: 48; dbt: 0.0498s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb
Laura Ramsey
non-member comment
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!