Sunday, October 28, 2007
overwhelmed
I know you come to expect good time when you come to read this blog, so I apologize for the seriousness of the last entry... but these things tend to come up quite a bit around here. So I won't give you too much to digest today.. I'll just leave you with a bit of something to listen to as I tried to teach a bunch of eager kids how to record field sounds around Jalazone today.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Memorial to Adnan Khalil
I wrote this letter to the editor of The Miami Herald last night in response to the article headlined: Two clerks killed in Pompano Beach store.
Jaweed Kaleem’s article from October 25, “Two clerks killed in Pompano Beach store,” reports a truly horrific event. I cannot even bring myself to imagine that I, or anyone I am close to, could ever die such an unexpected and violent death, and yet I knew Adnan Khalil, one of the victims of this double homicide. Though I grew up in South Florida, and I am currently visiting his country of origin, I never met Mr. Khalil face to face. Less than two weeks ago I wrote a letter on his behalf to the Consulate General of Jerusalem and the U.S. State Department through my volunteer work with the Right to Enter Campaign, a grassroots campaign based in the Palestinian city of Ramallah. Mr. Khalil is an American citizen of Palestinian descent. He was born in Palestine and his wife and three children currently live in a village near the West Bank city of Tulkarem. Mr. Khalil’s wife, Manal, is not an American citizen and so when they married close to ten years ago, Mr. Khalil applied for a residency permit under a family unification program in order to live legally in the country of his birth. Since 1998, Mr. Khalil had been living intermittently in the West Bank on Israeli tourist visas. His residency application had been pending at the mercy of Israeli authorities, who are the ones who determine who can or cannot live in the West Bank. The West Bank, however, is not Israel. It is a small territory roughly the size of Delaware, which is becoming a series of enclaves where Palestinians live in between the spaces occupied by soldiers and settlers-masked-as-civilians who are living here in violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention with Israel’s military, legislative and financial support. I wrote the letter on behalf of Mr. Khalil requesting that the United States intervene with the Israeli authorities on humanitarian grounds to allow him to enter the West Bank to live with his wife and three children. Not only was he unable to exercise his rights that most of us take for granted – to live with one’s family in one’s birthplace – but during the past several years, Mr. Khalil’s life had become even more heartbreaking. He had been unable to fulfill his duty as husband to his wife who had been diagnosed with atrophy of the cerebellum and had become disabled to the point of full paralysis. Nor has he been able to be a present father to his three children who have been witnessing their mother’s health rapidly deteriorate over the past few years.
On October 21st, Mr. Khalil informed the Campaign that things were taking a turn for the better. The U.S. State Department contacted him and, without making any promises, they offered to intervene. We will never know whether Mr. Khalil would have ever been able to join his family in life, and now we are shifting our efforts to repatriate his remains so he may join them in death. Mr. Khalil never should have been in the Port Five Star Food Mart in Pompano Beach the morning of October 24th, he should have been at home with his family in Palestine. His death, and the death of Sabri Khaleq, whose story I don’t know, is unacceptable on so many levels. Unfortunately, I do not only feel like I know Mr. Khalil solely because of the letter I wrote for him. During the two short months that I have been living in Ramallah, I have met many people whose lives share the tragic traces of Mr. Khalil’s. I feel like I know him because I know many others like him. His story is the sad ending of one that Israeli authorities controlled from the beginning. I hope that we can understand the complexity of the lives of those who appear ever so briefly in the daily news, and take action when we see injustice occur.
Jaweed Kaleem’s article from October 25, “Two clerks killed in Pompano Beach store,” reports a truly horrific event. I cannot even bring myself to imagine that I, or anyone I am close to, could ever die such an unexpected and violent death, and yet I knew Adnan Khalil, one of the victims of this double homicide. Though I grew up in South Florida, and I am currently visiting his country of origin, I never met Mr. Khalil face to face. Less than two weeks ago I wrote a letter on his behalf to the Consulate General of Jerusalem and the U.S. State Department through my volunteer work with the Right to Enter Campaign, a grassroots campaign based in the Palestinian city of Ramallah. Mr. Khalil is an American citizen of Palestinian descent. He was born in Palestine and his wife and three children currently live in a village near the West Bank city of Tulkarem. Mr. Khalil’s wife, Manal, is not an American citizen and so when they married close to ten years ago, Mr. Khalil applied for a residency permit under a family unification program in order to live legally in the country of his birth. Since 1998, Mr. Khalil had been living intermittently in the West Bank on Israeli tourist visas. His residency application had been pending at the mercy of Israeli authorities, who are the ones who determine who can or cannot live in the West Bank. The West Bank, however, is not Israel. It is a small territory roughly the size of Delaware, which is becoming a series of enclaves where Palestinians live in between the spaces occupied by soldiers and settlers-masked-as-civilians who are living here in violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention with Israel’s military, legislative and financial support. I wrote the letter on behalf of Mr. Khalil requesting that the United States intervene with the Israeli authorities on humanitarian grounds to allow him to enter the West Bank to live with his wife and three children. Not only was he unable to exercise his rights that most of us take for granted – to live with one’s family in one’s birthplace – but during the past several years, Mr. Khalil’s life had become even more heartbreaking. He had been unable to fulfill his duty as husband to his wife who had been diagnosed with atrophy of the cerebellum and had become disabled to the point of full paralysis. Nor has he been able to be a present father to his three children who have been witnessing their mother’s health rapidly deteriorate over the past few years.
On October 21st, Mr. Khalil informed the Campaign that things were taking a turn for the better. The U.S. State Department contacted him and, without making any promises, they offered to intervene. We will never know whether Mr. Khalil would have ever been able to join his family in life, and now we are shifting our efforts to repatriate his remains so he may join them in death. Mr. Khalil never should have been in the Port Five Star Food Mart in Pompano Beach the morning of October 24th, he should have been at home with his family in Palestine. His death, and the death of Sabri Khaleq, whose story I don’t know, is unacceptable on so many levels. Unfortunately, I do not only feel like I know Mr. Khalil solely because of the letter I wrote for him. During the two short months that I have been living in Ramallah, I have met many people whose lives share the tragic traces of Mr. Khalil’s. I feel like I know him because I know many others like him. His story is the sad ending of one that Israeli authorities controlled from the beginning. I hope that we can understand the complexity of the lives of those who appear ever so briefly in the daily news, and take action when we see injustice occur.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
When A Man's Gotta Go, A Man's Gotta Go
For all you newcomers, I just want to make it clear from the beginning, that the "man" is question, is not me. If you already know me, I guess that would be a bit obvious, but for those who don't, you should really know that despite my boyish name, I'm a woman... always was and always will be unless these vitamins that I just purchased today do something that the FDA (if Palestine had one) really wouldn't approve. This "man" is also not anything resembling what is commonly refered to as "The Man" but that one -- the one in green -- is in this story nonetheless.
So to quickly set the scene... I've been tagging along (freeloading) with the Riwaq crew on their various excursions around the West Bank to see art and architecture and the unavoidable backdrop to it all. This backdrop is where the story gets good today. So this evening's itinerary consisted of an exhibition of On Kawara at the Dar Al Kalima kindergarten (very weird indeed... conceptural art hung neatly above a blackboard and macaroni-art in a room filled with teeny tiny chairs) a "tour" of Bethlehem's Old City (didn't quite happen, but we did walk though it) and a reception at Dar Annadwa where we met the Director and a Lutheran minister named Mitri Raheb who was so inspiring that he almost convinced me to switch to the other side.
On the way back, I sat with a group of students from the brand new International Art Academy of Palestine that just opened up in Ramallah. I tried to get them to teach me the lyrics to Wen A Ramallah and got Reema's cheeks hurting with my knowledge of street Arabic as I called her habibti and her friend/colleage Mamoun zalamti.
Fun was in the air as we approached the Container checkpoint (also known as Wadi Nar) but sure enough this one soldier had to ruin it all for us. He stood outside the bus shouting the same three questions at the driver (in Hebrew) while the driver answered them (wrongly.. on purpose or not I don't really know) mixing Hebrew and Arabic. Bad vibes all around as this little guy kept yelling at our elder driver who I think was tired of hauling us around.. it was after 11pm at this point. Meanwhile, one Brit makes his way to the front of the bus, holding his passport like a shield across his chest, and the next thing I knew he was in front of the bus pissing two feet away from three soldiers in the middle of the checkpoint. Yes.. you heard me... this guy just started pissing in the middle of the checkpoint. I was in the front seat of the bus so I got a better view than most if you catch my drift. The students whom I was sitting with on the bus were speechless, the soliders were stunned, and I was like... hu majnun! Both the little soldier and the tired driver were now able to direct their annoyances/aggressions elsewhere and so the relieved Brit was detained and the bus was told to keep going. Commotion ensued... do we leave the Brit at the mercy of the checkpoint and its masters or wait... ok..we wait (I think only the driver wanted to leave him, as bus drivers all over the world tend to want to do). I picked up a mix of frustration and disbelief all around... more waiting (frustration) .. checkpoint as hamam? (disbelief). To complicate matters, our driver had all the Palestinian hawwiyyes from the guys on the second bus which was in front of us. And anyone who knows Palestinians know that they don't budge without their IDs so the driver of the bus in front is now out asking what's up.... To sum it up, the Brit was released after about 10 minutes and by this time, word got around and he was greeted back on to the bus as a local celebrity. Cheers all over! Who would have guessed that public urination could be so welcomed by artists, academics, intellectuals and boys and girls of all ages? Turns out, his move was not intended to be read as a form of political expression at all, hence the title of today's post.
Container / Wadi Nar
And now for your listening pleasure the song that got us through the night.
Glossary
zalamti - my man
habibti-my beloved/my honey/my baby
hu majnun - he is crazy
hamam - bathroom
hawwiye - ID card
So to quickly set the scene... I've been tagging along (freeloading) with the Riwaq crew on their various excursions around the West Bank to see art and architecture and the unavoidable backdrop to it all. This backdrop is where the story gets good today. So this evening's itinerary consisted of an exhibition of On Kawara at the Dar Al Kalima kindergarten (very weird indeed... conceptural art hung neatly above a blackboard and macaroni-art in a room filled with teeny tiny chairs) a "tour" of Bethlehem's Old City (didn't quite happen, but we did walk though it) and a reception at Dar Annadwa where we met the Director and a Lutheran minister named Mitri Raheb who was so inspiring that he almost convinced me to switch to the other side.
On the way back, I sat with a group of students from the brand new International Art Academy of Palestine that just opened up in Ramallah. I tried to get them to teach me the lyrics to Wen A Ramallah and got Reema's cheeks hurting with my knowledge of street Arabic as I called her habibti and her friend/colleage Mamoun zalamti.
Fun was in the air as we approached the Container checkpoint (also known as Wadi Nar) but sure enough this one soldier had to ruin it all for us. He stood outside the bus shouting the same three questions at the driver (in Hebrew) while the driver answered them (wrongly.. on purpose or not I don't really know) mixing Hebrew and Arabic. Bad vibes all around as this little guy kept yelling at our elder driver who I think was tired of hauling us around.. it was after 11pm at this point. Meanwhile, one Brit makes his way to the front of the bus, holding his passport like a shield across his chest, and the next thing I knew he was in front of the bus pissing two feet away from three soldiers in the middle of the checkpoint. Yes.. you heard me... this guy just started pissing in the middle of the checkpoint. I was in the front seat of the bus so I got a better view than most if you catch my drift. The students whom I was sitting with on the bus were speechless, the soliders were stunned, and I was like... hu majnun! Both the little soldier and the tired driver were now able to direct their annoyances/aggressions elsewhere and so the relieved Brit was detained and the bus was told to keep going. Commotion ensued... do we leave the Brit at the mercy of the checkpoint and its masters or wait... ok..we wait (I think only the driver wanted to leave him, as bus drivers all over the world tend to want to do). I picked up a mix of frustration and disbelief all around... more waiting (frustration) .. checkpoint as hamam? (disbelief). To complicate matters, our driver had all the Palestinian hawwiyyes from the guys on the second bus which was in front of us. And anyone who knows Palestinians know that they don't budge without their IDs so the driver of the bus in front is now out asking what's up.... To sum it up, the Brit was released after about 10 minutes and by this time, word got around and he was greeted back on to the bus as a local celebrity. Cheers all over! Who would have guessed that public urination could be so welcomed by artists, academics, intellectuals and boys and girls of all ages? Turns out, his move was not intended to be read as a form of political expression at all, hence the title of today's post.
Container / Wadi Nar
And now for your listening pleasure the song that got us through the night.
Glossary
zalamti - my man
habibti-my beloved/my honey/my baby
hu majnun - he is crazy
hamam - bathroom
hawwiye - ID card
Monday, October 22, 2007
more than just one.. or two
I know that you think that I'm in another world over here, but in fact, I'm in quite a few other worlds, and I'm not talking about Areas A, B or C. Forget the other side of the green line (or the wall) for now. Yesterday, I had the uncomfortable pleasure of visiting two worlds just about 15 minutes apart from each other. I had an afternoon coffee and a sickly sweet "juice" at Jalazone refugee camp after interviewing a man about his two sons in Israeli prisons, followed by a big banquet dinner in Al-Tireh celebrating the inauguration of the Second Riwaq Biennale. I don't have any pics of the banquet, but think of white linen tablecloths and more knives, forks and glasses than you really truly need. I'd ask "how did this happen?" but well you know... and if you don't, it's more than I can really get into right now. I'll try to think about an intelligent way to explain how this fancy shmancy restaurant came about, till then, check out this nice piece of info from the United Nations archive. It may have been a whole 59 years since that good-for-nothing passage of UN Resolution 194, but those three numbers are on the tips of everyone's tongues at Jalazone. Check out #11 and you'll see what the fuss is about.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
don't let them win...
In all seriousness folks, there's some really great stuff going on here. Since I know that when people talk about all the great stuff going on in Palestine they are usually talking about non-violent resistance and olive oil, you may be suprised to learn that there's more than just unrecognized democracy and something to dip your khobs in. Oh... but when I say "you" I don't really know who I'm talking to.... so perhaps you wouldn't be surprised. Anyhow, yesterday, thanks to Riwaq, I saw stuff that was making me say anjad wallah all day long. While I'm not usually a fan of taking tours on air-conditioned buses (though this bus' a/c was broken), I'm willing to make exceptions for the right kind of people and we all know a good egg when we see one right? These guys are certainly good ones. They restore historic buildings all over the West Bank and not just for the sheesy museum go-ers either, since Palestine for some reason doesn't attract too many of those, but rather for the people! Yes, the people! Or as they say here... the balestinian beoble. Our guide and Riwaq co-director, Nazmi Al Ju'beh is the man at the microphone and architect Ruba Salim is to the left. Sorry.. I don't know who that is in the corner but he seemed to me "official" in some capacity.
side by side: old and new construcion in Bruqin (in village of Bruqin, Salfit District)
Bruqin Services Center
Salfit Community Center
Salfit Community Center
Thank you Riwaq for doing what you're doing. As I told Ruba during the tour, a job at Riwaq must be one of the few jobs in Palestine where you can actually see something getting better instead of getting worse.
Glossary:
khobs = pita bread
Anjad wallah! = really by god!
side by side: old and new construcion in Bruqin (in village of Bruqin, Salfit District)
Bruqin Services Center
Salfit Community Center
Salfit Community Center
Thank you Riwaq for doing what you're doing. As I told Ruba during the tour, a job at Riwaq must be one of the few jobs in Palestine where you can actually see something getting better instead of getting worse.
Glossary:
khobs = pita bread
Anjad wallah! = really by god!
Friday, October 19, 2007
don't let the doctor get you down
The past is finally catching up to me. Thanks to this, I can do a little catch up while giving you the details of today (well.. last night to be more accurate). Remember when I asked you to remind me of that revoked invitiation to an Ifar (see below for Arabic-English glossary)? Well I don't need your reminder, I was reminded of this myself at 8:03pm when I saw that I had 5 missed calls and a new text message from Mr. Un-Inviter Himself or rather, Dr. Un-Inviter. To protect the guilty, let's change his name and call him Dr. Wasim. So backing up a few weeks... it was Week 1 of Ramadan and I finally decided to embark upon one of my many (mis)adventures which was to retrieve my transcript from the course I took last summer at Al Quds University a mere 16km from Ramallah... the trip takes about an hour but that's another story. I'll let the soldiers at Wadi Nar and the settlers at Ma'ale Adumim pipe-in with their comments below. Of course I don't believe in the concept of transcripts from Arabic classes, but I think that the Fulbright committee who requests that sort of thing does, so against all my priciples, I decided that passing two checkpoints in each direction is totally worth it to get the piece of probably-not-even-acid-free paper. Attempt Number One fails: the university closed eariler than I expected due to Ramadan. Attempt Number Two is where the story begins. The registrar's office is jam packed with people, wall-to-wall students crowded around 5 or so bank-teller style windows. I find out from another janib that this week is the last week of registration and it might be better to come back next week. Ok... I was on a mission and while it was not of the overdone militaristic kind, I was still determined. So I knock on an unmarked door and give an earful to the random unfortunate soul who answered it. I soon get paired with a student "volunteer" who takes me around to various offices and windows, settling the supposed 500+ Jordanian Dinar debt that one nice lady behind window number one said I would need to pay in order to get this piece of paper. Thanks but no thanks... two hours later, I get a piece of paper... not THE piece of paper... but one that will supposedly lead me to that golden waraq. I feel like I'm one step closer to victory but then I hear that I still need to return the next day. To make a long story shortish, I call the (ex) director of the Language and Literature Program and politely and pathetically insist that he send me some help to get this transcript. Thank you thank you... he sends me two (not one, but two) professors to help me navigate this maze that probably accompanies most universities that operate under the shadow of an inoperational government. Success! An hour later I have my official-ish document with that nice 70% mark (I know..I shouldn't brag about that, it was a suprise to me too. However yes, my Arabic sucked even worse last year than it does now if you can believe it) in addition to something I didn't come for: an invitation to attend an Iftar on Thursday with one those nice professors and a group of his students. Ok, so Thursday comes around and no invitation, no problem. A few days later, I get a text message, "Hi Toby, my wife is cooking Mansaf 4 ftoor, u r welcome at 5pm if u r interested, i am inviting some friends from my village and u can spend time with her, Dr. Wasim." Cool! I give him a call... count me in, excitement! At 4:06 I get another text, "Dear Toby, we'll make it on Thursday when I get my dad and mom, i am so sorry, u may not feel good with my ten guys my wife says, best Wasim." Ok, no problem I say. Thursday comes and goes. Ramandan is khallas, I (kinda) forget the whole ordeal. Now what does all this have to do with last night's five missed calls and one text message? All of you who know me well know that I don't get a whole lotta phone calls (hint hint) and so I try to answer every one in the event that fun and adventure is on the line. At the same time, the actual moment at hand always takes precedence over what might be lurking on the wire, so since I happened to be in the middle of a super-cool yet out-of-character Dabka lesson, I let the phone ring. What's the text message say you wonder? Well.. it's from the long lost ustaz. "Dear Toby, it is Dr. Wasim, please if my wife calls u say that i was sitting with u today at a cafe downtown, do me this favor please dear."
Sorry Dr. Wasim incase you're reading this... in general, I'd love to help. And don't get me wrong, I am ever so grateful for your help in getting me that transcript. Also, if you knew me well enough, you'd know that I have a soft spot for Palestinians and I'm always trying to help in my sloppy and usually ineffective way. If you want me to provide you with an alibi for the Israeli border police, army, navy, air force or shopping mall security.. Ahlan WaSahlan... but wives, that's outside my field of expertise (or interest). Kul Am W'Anta B'Kheir... and if there's a nice Arabic saying for "good luck with that wife-thing" I'd say that too. Banaat Ajnabiye.. beware! More on freaky men in future posts. I'll throw in a few posts on the nice ones too..... apologies to all you nice guys out there.. I've met you but the nice guys don't get the blog (as they say).
Glossary:
janib: foreigner
bannat ajnabiye: foreign girls
waraq: paper
khallas: finished
Iftar: the dinner-time meal that breaks the daytime fast during the month of Ramadan
ustaz: professor
eid: holiday
Dabka: Palestinian folklore dance
Kul Am W'Anta B'Kheir: something you say after Eid Ramadan, I think it's something like "I hope you and everyone will be well in this coming year" ...maybe
Ahlan WaSahlan : welcome
Sorry Dr. Wasim incase you're reading this... in general, I'd love to help. And don't get me wrong, I am ever so grateful for your help in getting me that transcript. Also, if you knew me well enough, you'd know that I have a soft spot for Palestinians and I'm always trying to help in my sloppy and usually ineffective way. If you want me to provide you with an alibi for the Israeli border police, army, navy, air force or shopping mall security.. Ahlan WaSahlan... but wives, that's outside my field of expertise (or interest). Kul Am W'Anta B'Kheir... and if there's a nice Arabic saying for "good luck with that wife-thing" I'd say that too. Banaat Ajnabiye.. beware! More on freaky men in future posts. I'll throw in a few posts on the nice ones too..... apologies to all you nice guys out there.. I've met you but the nice guys don't get the blog (as they say).
Glossary:
janib: foreigner
bannat ajnabiye: foreign girls
waraq: paper
khallas: finished
Iftar: the dinner-time meal that breaks the daytime fast during the month of Ramadan
ustaz: professor
eid: holiday
Dabka: Palestinian folklore dance
Kul Am W'Anta B'Kheir: something you say after Eid Ramadan, I think it's something like "I hope you and everyone will be well in this coming year" ...maybe
Ahlan WaSahlan : welcome
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
It could definitely be worse
Bear with me folks, I'm thinking to spend the next few posts chronicling the mundane day-to day... all the stuff you won't hear about in the daily, weekly or bi-weekly news regarding these parts of the world. However, at the same time, I feel obliged to add a little bit of catch-up, after all I've been here way too long to ignore the embarrassing fact that I've been in Palestine and have totally ignored my personal mission as a storyteller. So let's start with today, that's really the easiest. I woke up early, planning to add an hour to the beginning of my day so I can pay our overdue electric bill to the Jerusalem District Electricity Company, Ltd. Whether it actually takes an hour to pay an electricity bill is beyond my scope of knowledge, but I do know that the last time I tried to pay it, I took number 243 and sat down at the Bank of Palestine and waited about 10 minutes for the numbers to progress from 208 to 210. Apparently, though it's possible to pay bills at the bank, it's faster to pay them at the company office but that would mean getting a taxi to Birzeit (easy), getting off in front of the office (also easy) and waiting for another Birzeit taxi along the side of the road so I can get to class on time (hmmm). I've done that kind of waiting in the past, the kind where you just point to the road whenever you see a yellow minibus and hope it stops, but it's still a mystery to me how one goes about a routine in this manner. Taxis don't leave the taxi stand until they're full so unless someone gets off early (like someone headed to the electric company instead of the final destination) it's a crap shoot... as they say in my country. Anyhow, to put an end to this compelling story, I should just be straight and tell you that I convinced myself that today was an inauspicious day to pay the bill and I put it off. Instead, I decided to spend the extra time drinking my morning coffee (instant.. bleh) and then I headed off to school (Birzeit University) in the usual manner. Aside from the one time I got in the taxi with plenty of money, but got off mid-route when I couldn't find my wallet, only to discover along the side of the road that indeed, I was loaded, the almost daily commute has gone just fine. So moving on, my Arabic class is really taking a downward turn, I'm not sure how this happened because I was so optimistic at the beginning, but at some point several students in the class seemed less concerned with learning grammar basics or conversational techniques and kept requesting that the teacher translate words and phrases like "prostitute," "prostitution" and "I'm intoxicated." The teacher didn't seem to see this as a diversion of any sort and so the conversation went along and I accepted the fact that today wasn't meant for paying electric bills or learning Arabic. After class, I ate a cheese sandwich that made me feel queasy and headed to an office where (I thought) someone I knew worked. Turns out he's "khalas" with that job, and so no visit for me. So I headed to Jalazone, where I'm trying to begin (wow.. am I still just trying to begin?) an audio project there with some kiddies, and wallah, today I pointed to the side of the road and in less than 5 minutes, I got the taxi of my dreams, not one that took me straight into the camp, but close enough. I showed up all optimistic with my recorder and notebook, but turns out, today is not the best day for that either. I'm still not exactly sure why today wasn't a good day, but well.. so it goes. Inshallah Thursday we'll start to draft our questions and Sunday we'll interview a man who has two of his sons in an Israeli prison. The end-goal is to make an audio portrait of the camp, one person at a time. More updates on that as days progress. Meanwhile, I spent the afternoon at the Child Center trying to translate the functions of Mustafa's cellphone from English to Arabic, attempting to console Said, whose family situation really truly sucks, and battling for Mushira's attention as I pitch my next day's project plan.
As for catch-up, to be honest I feel a little worn out at this point, so let's revisit the past in the future ok? I'll just say this, it could be worse. Perhaps I'll give you some ideas as to how much worse it could be in future posts. Till then, I'll leave you with this photo I took at Huwwara.. a checkpoint that serves as the "entrance" to Nablus.
As for catch-up, to be honest I feel a little worn out at this point, so let's revisit the past in the future ok? I'll just say this, it could be worse. Perhaps I'll give you some ideas as to how much worse it could be in future posts. Till then, I'll leave you with this photo I took at Huwwara.. a checkpoint that serves as the "entrance" to Nablus.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Returning to Ramallah
I really have no excuse. I had the purest of intentions to return to this blog as soon as I landed in Ramallah (don't misread this, Ramallah has no airport and the nearby one in Qalandia is "off limits" to put it gently), but somehow when I sat myself down at the computer, blogging took a back burner to other things like reading the news, fighting with Final Cut Studio, and general "googling". So since it's been about 6 weeks or so, it might be a little difficult to resume quite where I left off, but I'll give it a shot. Speaking of shots... today is the last day of Eid and so every boy and girl around these parts (well.. maybe not girls) seems to be playing, in a funny-yet-sad way, with ultra realistic Chinese-made gifts of choice. The fact that I know that the hundreds of automatic and semi-automatic weapons in the hands of so many walad and shabab are just plastic still makes me feel uncomfortable. But really, I hate to start off on a note like this so let me just remind everyone that it's the Israelis who have the real ones.
So just a briefing... I've started an Arabic class at Birzeit University, which is going shway shway as I should have expected. I've also been fumbling around in that recently-graduated kind of way, trying to figure out how to make the best of the fact that I'm back. And when I say "make the best of" that's where things get tricky. Whose best are we looking out for? Is this the question that all bloody liberals grapple with when they're out of their element? And don't even get me started for what good art or art-making is for... three years of grad school didn't really help me figure out the answer to that question. So rather than getting into deep thoughts, I'll just continue with the day-to-day. Aside from the class, I've also been going to the Jalazone refugee camp a few times a week where I volunteer at the "Nadi A-Tifl" or rather, the Child's Club. I'm trying to figure out how to start an audio recording project there but I've hit a few roadblocks (no, not those) which are a combination of me not knowing what I'm doing mixed with a language barrier and technical difficulties. But I'm optimistic, I think, and just last week I thought up a counter-plan for those days when recording doesn't seem possible. I wish I could say it was at least related to recording, but I don't think it is... more on that as the days move on. But if this project hasn't worked out so well for the kids just yet, in some ways, it's worked out great for me. I've befriended some good eggs at Jalazone, some of the staff at the Nadi, and I've been the recipient of food-aid that's way better than anything UNRWA has ever provided. During Ramandan, I've had four out of five Iftars at the camp (the fifth being in a restaurant so I don't think that counts) and after the first one, I learned a word that has been of great use at the other three (Sha'bana) which means "I'm full" combined with satisfied and maybe some more positive implications (I hope). I won't get into how awesome the food is, but remind me later to talk about the people I met sitting around the dinner table. Just some quick highlights... the plural of "curriculum" is "curriculua," as a high schooler informed me of this after misunderstanding the word "colloquial" which I used to translate the word "Amiyye," Said kicking me under the table after I said something I shouldn't have, and a man who has two kids in Israeli jails. I know none of this makes much sense now, but I'll try to flesh it out in a little while.
And just some notes for later:
My roommate's friend smoking a joint by our kitchen windown explaning to me the significance of the name (and his name) Khoury (priest)
Getting my transcript from Al Quds University at Abu Dis and a revoked Iftar invitation.
An odd walk I took with.. let's just call him Z.. and learning just a little bit more of many of those folks I met last year in Farkha.
I hope this is enough to keep you coming back for more, so tafadalu.. ok? More later.
So just a briefing... I've started an Arabic class at Birzeit University, which is going shway shway as I should have expected. I've also been fumbling around in that recently-graduated kind of way, trying to figure out how to make the best of the fact that I'm back. And when I say "make the best of" that's where things get tricky. Whose best are we looking out for? Is this the question that all bloody liberals grapple with when they're out of their element? And don't even get me started for what good art or art-making is for... three years of grad school didn't really help me figure out the answer to that question. So rather than getting into deep thoughts, I'll just continue with the day-to-day. Aside from the class, I've also been going to the Jalazone refugee camp a few times a week where I volunteer at the "Nadi A-Tifl" or rather, the Child's Club. I'm trying to figure out how to start an audio recording project there but I've hit a few roadblocks (no, not those) which are a combination of me not knowing what I'm doing mixed with a language barrier and technical difficulties. But I'm optimistic, I think, and just last week I thought up a counter-plan for those days when recording doesn't seem possible. I wish I could say it was at least related to recording, but I don't think it is... more on that as the days move on. But if this project hasn't worked out so well for the kids just yet, in some ways, it's worked out great for me. I've befriended some good eggs at Jalazone, some of the staff at the Nadi, and I've been the recipient of food-aid that's way better than anything UNRWA has ever provided. During Ramandan, I've had four out of five Iftars at the camp (the fifth being in a restaurant so I don't think that counts) and after the first one, I learned a word that has been of great use at the other three (Sha'bana) which means "I'm full" combined with satisfied and maybe some more positive implications (I hope). I won't get into how awesome the food is, but remind me later to talk about the people I met sitting around the dinner table. Just some quick highlights... the plural of "curriculum" is "curriculua," as a high schooler informed me of this after misunderstanding the word "colloquial" which I used to translate the word "Amiyye," Said kicking me under the table after I said something I shouldn't have, and a man who has two kids in Israeli jails. I know none of this makes much sense now, but I'll try to flesh it out in a little while.
And just some notes for later:
My roommate's friend smoking a joint by our kitchen windown explaning to me the significance of the name (and his name) Khoury (priest)
Getting my transcript from Al Quds University at Abu Dis and a revoked Iftar invitation.
An odd walk I took with.. let's just call him Z.. and learning just a little bit more of many of those folks I met last year in Farkha.
I hope this is enough to keep you coming back for more, so tafadalu.. ok? More later.
Monday, August 20, 2007
I forgot to mention... I'm back
Incase anyone has noticed the year-long gap between the last two posts, my final year of grad school is to blame there. Rather than run the rat race to the tenure track job that many of my beloved classmates ran (and won... mabrouk!) I went the non-traditional route and decided on a bit of a career shift and skills gathering endeavor. Not sure exactly where that shift is going, somewhere between human rights work and cultural programming... but the first move took me back to Palestine to take another look at the options here and to get my Arabic up to speed. Since this place is the subject of my MFA thesis, which is sitting in boxes and rolled up in tubes in 4 locations across 2 states and another country, I'm also hoping to find it a well-lit home in the cultural center of Ramallah in the near future. So I'm in a bit of a prediciment here, sitting right now in.. ahem.. Tel Aviv.. couldn't be further than the right starting point. I'll be moving to either Ramallah or Birzeit pretty soon and starting the Arabic class. This one will do it, I can feel it. All those others got me started but this one, coupled with three months in Ramallah, is going to seal the deal.
Sunday, August 05, 2007
borderline schizophrenia
I don't want to downplay the seriousness of mental illness, so I should be upfront here and say that aside from the medium-to-low level depression that everyone seems to suffer from these days, I have a clean bill of health upstairs. Nonetheless, if I may take some reckless liberties some medical terms that I honestly don't know much about, I'm on my way to being a full fledged victim of multiple personality disorder - two to be specific. But don't be mistaken, they are not symmetrical and I'm doing the best I can to embrace one and forget the other. When I visited a nice acquantaince, hopefully soon-to-be friend, at Birzeit University last week, I was dreading the question that I have already heard several times over the past few weeks. Where are you staying? A benign question to most, but not when the answer involves crossing an internationally contested border that only a select few venture over and through. In the morning I'm waking up in Tel Aviv in a nicely chilled apartment (24C to be specific) and by the afternoon I'm struggling for cellphone reception on Birzeit University's campus in the village of Birzeit and sweating through my modest clothing. I'm not a liar, so I try to evade the question... I say I'll probably be staying in Birzeit once my Arabic class begins. But no, the question is NOW. So I preface my answer with the word, "actually." I'm staying in Tel Aviv. I cannot think a CIA Factbook eqivalent for this dichotomy. It certainly doesn't exist in the USA. Maybe, perhaps somewhere along the Mexico/US border, times one milion, but I doubt it. So the reaction I get, the best one I could possibly receive.. It's far. Psychologically, he's right on, geographically, not really. Depending on the checkpoint situation, which at Qalandia, seems to be fairly consistent, it's about a 2 1/2 hour trip. From Birzeit: a service taxi to Ramallah - a bus to Jerusalem - a ten minute walk - a serivce taxi to Tel Aviv - another one to my temporary place of residence. That ten minute walk is where my transformation takes place, and if you have any question to which direction I enjoy more, on the way to the Ramallah bound bus, it's downhill, but to Tel Aviv, uphill. Anyhow, back to borders and mental instability... having 2 lives is really draining. I'm looking forward to picking just one. I'll send another post from Ramallah in a few weeks.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
"How are you enjoying our Occupied Country?"
The title comes from a conversation we had with the father of one of the friends we made in Farkha. My response, "Except for the Occupation it's a wonderful place". Our friend's name is Hussein (though everyone calls him Sein) and we visited him and his family in Beit Anan last week. He was born in Brazil and holds Brazilian citizenship along with his brother and mother, though he speaks only Arabic (and shway - a little - Hebrew). He met us in Ramallah with his cousin Muhammad (Karlos) and they showed as a good time around the city and an awesome time in his sister's village of Beit Duku. We spent the afternoon picking grapes and walking up hills though Roman ruins (until about 8 Israeli soldiers politely told us there was "no problem" and we "could stay as long as we like"). Sein's father works in the Ministry of Education in Ramallah and is a member of Fatah. He also knows how to make you feel really guilty when it's time to go home.
Some more notes:
On the service taxi from Beit Duku to Beit Anan, I met a 16 year old kid who looked 12. He was with (I think) his grandmother. He was born in the US and an American citizen. His grandmother flashed his passport at the checkpoints. She isn't an American, though she told me that some.. I think 2 or 4.. of her children still live in the US. At least one lived in New Orleans and was displaced after Hurricane Katrina, now they live in Mississippi. My vagueness with the details comes from the time delay and the fact that all conversations recorded (exceptions noted) are in my lousy Arabic.
I saw that kid the next day in Beit Anan when I returned for a wedding.
Even in the villages, the girls are saucy once the headscarves come off. They congratulated me for being unmarried at the ripe age of 31.
When you're invited for dinner, be prepared to eat.
There's a fine line between a warm welcome and a kidnapping. Our visits have always ended with a nonviolent struggle, an insistent invitation to return again, and heavy feelings of guilt.
Some more notes:
On the service taxi from Beit Duku to Beit Anan, I met a 16 year old kid who looked 12. He was with (I think) his grandmother. He was born in the US and an American citizen. His grandmother flashed his passport at the checkpoints. She isn't an American, though she told me that some.. I think 2 or 4.. of her children still live in the US. At least one lived in New Orleans and was displaced after Hurricane Katrina, now they live in Mississippi. My vagueness with the details comes from the time delay and the fact that all conversations recorded (exceptions noted) are in my lousy Arabic.
I saw that kid the next day in Beit Anan when I returned for a wedding.
Even in the villages, the girls are saucy once the headscarves come off. They congratulated me for being unmarried at the ripe age of 31.
When you're invited for dinner, be prepared to eat.
There's a fine line between a warm welcome and a kidnapping. Our visits have always ended with a nonviolent struggle, an insistent invitation to return again, and heavy feelings of guilt.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Farkha (Salfit District)
It's been awhile since my last post, and again, I don't know where to begin. I'm hoping that the photos I've taken will jog my memory once I get back and need to put down words on paper for the sake of the degree known as the MFA and.. well also... so that I can horrify everyone back home with the atrocities going on in Palestine. Maybe little ol me can start a revolution in the US that will spread over to this part of the world and maybe keep a few kiddies from getting shot in the head, or at least get them from one place to another in a reasonable amount of time.
This past week my international buddies and I (Karin the Italian and Salim the Spaniard) went to a teeny tiny village in the Salfit District of the West Bank called Farkha (translation: Little Chicken). We were there to work and play at a work camp -slash- youth festival that consisted of moving stones and sand from one place to another, clearing out brush from a cemetery, painting a school and singing, dancing, flirting, and flag waving. We spend about 24 hours there, then returned to class in AL Quds, then back for another 4 days. To keep it short, I'll give you the highlights:
Most were somewhere between 14 and 30. Then there were some adults, mostly organizers and locals from the PPP (Palestinian People's Party aka Communist Party.. bet you thought it was all Hamas or Fatah right?) and of course, the requsite number of 7 to 10 year olds who floated around at all times of day and night.
People came from all over the West Bank, the familiar ones-Nablus, Jenin, Ramallah, Bethlehem - and the unfamiliar ones - Sebastiyya, Tubas, al Ram, Beit Hanna.
We were 3 out of maybe 8 foreigners (most of whom didn't work much except from the Korean-American). Workers and lazy communists alike, were all exotic. I think there are about 500-plus pics of me floating around cyberspace about now. I don't feel so bad about taking pictures of others any more, I paid my dues.
I learned more Arabic in 3 days than in the entire $500 course at Al Quds University (not recommended, it's usefulness is only in the eyes of the Palestinians we meet, in the fact that it's NOT an Israeli University).
Most of the people over 18 had some sort of scar, either along their face, head or body. I only heard one story though. Mahmoud from Tubas (who I'm in love with even though he doesn't speak a word of English), told me he was shot in the head during the second intifada.
The other (unrequited) love of mine is Fadi from Al Ram who is 14 years old and I named him the mutarjim (translator) he spoke great English and I learned later that he went to a "special school".
Palestinians really know how to do it up. Lots of music, lots of laughing. I learned how to dance Palestinian style. I also smoked a lot of Nargileh.
Many also all have bluetooth technology, even if they don't have finished walls or floors in their homes.
One guy named Ali left early because he got a phone call that his house in Jenin was bombed by the Israeli army. It turns out, it was someone elses, but he already left.
When the girls take their headscarves off they're just as naughty as us. The guys moreso (I think).
At this point, checkpoints have become less of an exotic adventure and more like a major hassle, just think if I actually lived here, the word "prison" comes up in daily conversation.
Little by little, my buddies found out I was Jewish. My evesdropping in Arabic is still shway shway but I figured out they found out my secret (actually, I wasn't keeping it secret, it was don't ask - don't tell, but one person did ask, and so I told).
One of the Hamas posters in the town had a picture of a young boy, I later found out he was an ex-classmate of another favorite, killed by you-know-who.
This past week my international buddies and I (Karin the Italian and Salim the Spaniard) went to a teeny tiny village in the Salfit District of the West Bank called Farkha (translation: Little Chicken). We were there to work and play at a work camp -slash- youth festival that consisted of moving stones and sand from one place to another, clearing out brush from a cemetery, painting a school and singing, dancing, flirting, and flag waving. We spend about 24 hours there, then returned to class in AL Quds, then back for another 4 days. To keep it short, I'll give you the highlights:
Most were somewhere between 14 and 30. Then there were some adults, mostly organizers and locals from the PPP (Palestinian People's Party aka Communist Party.. bet you thought it was all Hamas or Fatah right?) and of course, the requsite number of 7 to 10 year olds who floated around at all times of day and night.
People came from all over the West Bank, the familiar ones-Nablus, Jenin, Ramallah, Bethlehem - and the unfamiliar ones - Sebastiyya, Tubas, al Ram, Beit Hanna.
We were 3 out of maybe 8 foreigners (most of whom didn't work much except from the Korean-American). Workers and lazy communists alike, were all exotic. I think there are about 500-plus pics of me floating around cyberspace about now. I don't feel so bad about taking pictures of others any more, I paid my dues.
I learned more Arabic in 3 days than in the entire $500 course at Al Quds University (not recommended, it's usefulness is only in the eyes of the Palestinians we meet, in the fact that it's NOT an Israeli University).
Most of the people over 18 had some sort of scar, either along their face, head or body. I only heard one story though. Mahmoud from Tubas (who I'm in love with even though he doesn't speak a word of English), told me he was shot in the head during the second intifada.
The other (unrequited) love of mine is Fadi from Al Ram who is 14 years old and I named him the mutarjim (translator) he spoke great English and I learned later that he went to a "special school".
Palestinians really know how to do it up. Lots of music, lots of laughing. I learned how to dance Palestinian style. I also smoked a lot of Nargileh.
Many also all have bluetooth technology, even if they don't have finished walls or floors in their homes.
One guy named Ali left early because he got a phone call that his house in Jenin was bombed by the Israeli army. It turns out, it was someone elses, but he already left.
When the girls take their headscarves off they're just as naughty as us. The guys moreso (I think).
At this point, checkpoints have become less of an exotic adventure and more like a major hassle, just think if I actually lived here, the word "prison" comes up in daily conversation.
Little by little, my buddies found out I was Jewish. My evesdropping in Arabic is still shway shway but I figured out they found out my secret (actually, I wasn't keeping it secret, it was don't ask - don't tell, but one person did ask, and so I told).
One of the Hamas posters in the town had a picture of a young boy, I later found out he was an ex-classmate of another favorite, killed by you-know-who.
Friday, July 28, 2006
Ramallah, Anata, Jericho
It's been so long since my last post I don't know where to begin. I think this is the time for a list:
Lost in Ramallah (July 24 was my first time in Ramallah and we were greeted by the Qalandia Checkpoint on the way in and re-greeted on the way out).
I used my D-plus level Arabic to ask a woman on out bus whether there was a bigger road to Ramallah from Jerusalem than the one we were on (one that wound around parking lots and private homes and not paved in many areas). A logical question in most places, after all, Ramallah and Al Quds are only about 1/2 hour away from each other and they are two major cities. But no way, not here. Anyhow, you know the answer but my question opened a door and soon enough quite a few people on the bus were educating us about the Occupation (al Ikhtilal) and the Wall.
Then we arrived, and since we were 7 people we divided up, my buddies were Karin (my Italian roommate) and Salim (my Spanish historical opposite.. if you want to look at it that way). We got lost but we found Arafat's Tomb.
Earlier in the week, I follwed another Italian to observe a meeting between Israelis and Palestinians in Anata. We got lost and came home.
Yesterday, our teachers planned a trip to the Dead Sea and Jericho. But after Jericho, they tried to convince us to go swimming in a chlorinated swimming pool instead. A mini-uprising broke out and in the end, we lost and the teachers won. I guess the Palestinians are allowed to win a few battles. At least we didn't get lost.
Lost in Ramallah (July 24 was my first time in Ramallah and we were greeted by the Qalandia Checkpoint on the way in and re-greeted on the way out).
I used my D-plus level Arabic to ask a woman on out bus whether there was a bigger road to Ramallah from Jerusalem than the one we were on (one that wound around parking lots and private homes and not paved in many areas). A logical question in most places, after all, Ramallah and Al Quds are only about 1/2 hour away from each other and they are two major cities. But no way, not here. Anyhow, you know the answer but my question opened a door and soon enough quite a few people on the bus were educating us about the Occupation (al Ikhtilal) and the Wall.
Then we arrived, and since we were 7 people we divided up, my buddies were Karin (my Italian roommate) and Salim (my Spanish historical opposite.. if you want to look at it that way). We got lost but we found Arafat's Tomb.
Earlier in the week, I follwed another Italian to observe a meeting between Israelis and Palestinians in Anata. We got lost and came home.
Yesterday, our teachers planned a trip to the Dead Sea and Jericho. But after Jericho, they tried to convince us to go swimming in a chlorinated swimming pool instead. A mini-uprising broke out and in the end, we lost and the teachers won. I guess the Palestinians are allowed to win a few battles. At least we didn't get lost.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
I think I'm in love (kinda)
I know all of you were expecting this, I go to Palestine, find myself a cute middle class Palestinian intellectual, abandon all I know in the U.S., settle down, bear a coupla a kids and give them mixed Palestinian Israel names. Well I'm not quite there yet since I haven't yet met him, and I have no idea what he looks like, but he's staying right around the corner from the convent I'm in. He's the muezzin of the mosque on Nablus Road and I hear his voice every time I go home for an afternoon siesta. At first, he sounded like a recording, but now I realize that he blows into the microphone before he begins and he has varying long pauses between certain verses. He's kinda like the artist that I hope to be: he can conjure up passion on schedule, and despite the honking traffic, he keeps going, his voice still clear and I can tell that he really digs his job. I bet he has a good outlook on life too. Anyhow, he has a young sounding voice and if I meet him on the street I'm sure I'll recognize it, so I guess I have to just keep wandering the streets saying Sabah Al-Kheir to every pious looking guy, hoping that the Sabah An-nour comes from him.
Also, more soldiers today. I gotta picture but I got so nervous that I didn't get a good one. How do you say, I'm chicken" in Arabic?
Also, more soldiers today. I gotta picture but I got so nervous that I didn't get a good one. How do you say, I'm chicken" in Arabic?
Saturday, July 22, 2006
A short sum up
I realized that maybe at this point, being the halfway point in my trip and in the midst of a real war I should insert a brief synopsis. I really can't report much on the war since the only news I'm getting is from the same source you're probably getting it from. In keeping the the usual themes, these are only updates on my own experiences. I'm afraid I won't be able to add photos until I can figure out an easy way to do it.
Re: The war in the north, I've already met a few Haifa evacuees who are staying around the corner from me, one of them is the son of Kamal Sliman. I think they're enjoying their vacation in Jerusalem unlike anyone in Beirut, I've heard of a few friends-of-friends who just got out, it's much worse there and that's puting it sweetly. In Jerusalem (East) it seems to be Occupation as usual, no change since the war started, except for a one day strike in protest of the Israeli bombings. The city is a wonderful and terrifying place. I've had a tiny taste of the occupation when I got mildly lost in Abu Dis and wound up at a massive checkpoint in the wall. I see ID checks at Bab Al Amoud all the time, every day (a few of my classmates have been checked themselves), and soldiers in the hundreds surrounded and barracaded the old city yesterday. One of the students in my class is the son of someone expelled from Safad in 48 (now with Spanish citizenship) and he was detaied at Ben Gurion Airport for 10 hours on his way in. He's asked me to accompany him to West Jerusalem while I'm asking him to accompany me to Ramallah. So everyone wins I guess.
Aside from the terror, I've been eating a lot of sweets and practicing my Arabic with 5 and 85 year olds, and getting ripped off on felafel. I've also been talking to a lot of total strangers from all over and learning a lot. So that's the good news.
Incidentally, this report is coming from the 8th station of the cross on the Via Dolorosa, so it's possible that Jesus would have checked his e-mail here if he were alive today. The place seems to be doing well so it may very well still be in business when he returns.
Re: The war in the north, I've already met a few Haifa evacuees who are staying around the corner from me, one of them is the son of Kamal Sliman. I think they're enjoying their vacation in Jerusalem unlike anyone in Beirut, I've heard of a few friends-of-friends who just got out, it's much worse there and that's puting it sweetly. In Jerusalem (East) it seems to be Occupation as usual, no change since the war started, except for a one day strike in protest of the Israeli bombings. The city is a wonderful and terrifying place. I've had a tiny taste of the occupation when I got mildly lost in Abu Dis and wound up at a massive checkpoint in the wall. I see ID checks at Bab Al Amoud all the time, every day (a few of my classmates have been checked themselves), and soldiers in the hundreds surrounded and barracaded the old city yesterday. One of the students in my class is the son of someone expelled from Safad in 48 (now with Spanish citizenship) and he was detaied at Ben Gurion Airport for 10 hours on his way in. He's asked me to accompany him to West Jerusalem while I'm asking him to accompany me to Ramallah. So everyone wins I guess.
Aside from the terror, I've been eating a lot of sweets and practicing my Arabic with 5 and 85 year olds, and getting ripped off on felafel. I've also been talking to a lot of total strangers from all over and learning a lot. So that's the good news.
Incidentally, this report is coming from the 8th station of the cross on the Via Dolorosa, so it's possible that Jesus would have checked his e-mail here if he were alive today. The place seems to be doing well so it may very well still be in business when he returns.
Friday, July 21, 2006
Please relax! I actually like it here!
After reading my last few posts, I realize that my tidbits combined with CNN or BBC or NPR might be a little too scary. So you all should know that the war zone is a few hours north of me. I, on the other hand, am super safe and surprisingly, very happy. I've been eating ma'amul and figs, smoking nargiles, using my lousy Arabic to chit chat with cute kiddies, and getting ripped off from your average old city market vendor. I took a tour with some of my classmates of the old city of Jerusalem yesterday, the first time I got to see some history. I realize that the Israelis are the current conquerers, and it's only a matter of time before this mess cleans itself up and another one takes its place. I also saw a film, attended an artist's lecture, and hung out again for the guy from Haifa (Riyadh). Riyadh is your poster child for co-existence, totally open minded, full of hope for the future and loving life. It's been so refreshing to meet him and to get in between so many layers of this place. He's only one example too. More later.
A 14 year old boy tried to hit on me yesterday, it was very cute. If you guys are still truly worried and want to give me a call. Skype can call real phones, real cheap. You'd have to read up on all the details on your own, but once you do, I have a cell here 972-50-7832471. Ok? ok.
A 14 year old boy tried to hit on me yesterday, it was very cute. If you guys are still truly worried and want to give me a call. Skype can call real phones, real cheap. You'd have to read up on all the details on your own, but once you do, I have a cell here 972-50-7832471. Ok? ok.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Al Quds can be your home away from home (or Haifa)
Yes, it's not the best time of year (historically speaking) to be here. It's looking like a real war up North and then, there's Gaza too. Yesterday, after class, I walked down Salah a-Din craving e-mail and news but something was off, everything was closed or in the process of closing. I'm racking my brain... Are there 'normally' curfews in E. Jerusalem? Could this be the first? Is there going to be a raid? Is it a holiday? Should I be scared? I ask a pre-teenager (usually a good source of information) but God Bless America... he doesn't understand English and my lousy Fusha is of no help. Hebrew would have worked but after weighing the options between ignorance and 'out-ing' myself, I chose ignorance. I eventually found out through a Palestinian waiter and a few Italians that there was a general strike in E. Jerusalem in protest of the recent deaths in Lebanon and Gaza. For the first time, I really felt it, or at least, I began to, in the upper part of my throat, back of my mouth. I picked up some bread with zaatar and grapes for lunch and booked back to the hostel, cancelled my plans for the afternoon, and headed to the bubble known as the Jerusalem Hotel . There we (Karin, my roommate from Italy, and I) sat and worked on our homework while others (foreigners and high society locals) ate, drank and smoked (nargiles).
The whole day was spent in there. We met a family of 3 (one woman and her two sons) who hired a taxi to get them out of Haifa. They almost stayed with us in the convent but the 9:30 curfew (of the chaste type, not the political) was too much to bear for them. One of our teachers (Sausa) came to meet us too and she made chit chat with the woman (who was incidentally, an actress in Circus Palestina) while giving us a private lesson. We also learned from the post-higherschooler Haifan that his father was the singer Kamal Sleiman. I watched the younger of the two kids play football (soccer) on his gameboy as he sat in front of a giant piece of chocolate cake. We learned some colloquial Arabic (shu, adesh, meen...). We talked politics. And all the while, I knew that there were bombs falling on all sides of the border(s). But don't worry about me, if the cultured evacuees are coming my way, that means I'm in the good spot.
And now... a quick report from Arabic class:
Back when I was learning Hebrew, I remember from week one, khefetz khashud (suspicious object). As we wrap up week one of Arabic I've learned the words ikhtihaf (kidnapped), infijar (explosion) and kanun (violin). See... and people wonder why we can't all get along.
The whole day was spent in there. We met a family of 3 (one woman and her two sons) who hired a taxi to get them out of Haifa. They almost stayed with us in the convent but the 9:30 curfew (of the chaste type, not the political) was too much to bear for them. One of our teachers (Sausa) came to meet us too and she made chit chat with the woman (who was incidentally, an actress in Circus Palestina) while giving us a private lesson. We also learned from the post-higherschooler Haifan that his father was the singer Kamal Sleiman. I watched the younger of the two kids play football (soccer) on his gameboy as he sat in front of a giant piece of chocolate cake. We learned some colloquial Arabic (shu, adesh, meen...). We talked politics. And all the while, I knew that there were bombs falling on all sides of the border(s). But don't worry about me, if the cultured evacuees are coming my way, that means I'm in the good spot.
And now... a quick report from Arabic class:
Back when I was learning Hebrew, I remember from week one, khefetz khashud (suspicious object). As we wrap up week one of Arabic I've learned the words ikhtihaf (kidnapped), infijar (explosion) and kanun (violin). See... and people wonder why we can't all get along.
Sunday, July 16, 2006
A little more catch up
This post is coming to you all from Salah a-Din Road in Jerusalem so since I'm on the clock now I'm going to have to make it quick. Past few days.. here goes.
Friday
Territory Tears Twice
Another demo in Bil'in for me. This time, the demo coincided with a wedding, though I believe it was staged. Lots of yousyous and a beatiful bride (aris). Unfortunately, the Israeli soldiers weren't invited and so I guess they felt sad about that, but like your average machismo, they didn't want to sit and talk about it so instead they just threw a bunch of sound grenades and tear gas canisters. This time I got a whiff a bit to close and bolted, I left the demonstration along with about 20 others before it was called off. And rubber bullets too, a guy near me was shot and for your info, he said it felt like a really hard punch that turned into a sting. Afterwards, headed to Al Quds, checked into the St. Thomas Home (aka the Melkite Convent) and fell asleep.
Saturday
First day of class. Went to Abu Dis to pay the fees. Saw the WALL, big and scary like you'd expect. Didn't take my camera so maybe you get look a bit later. Lots and lots of bureaucratic waiting. Left the group and tried to get back on my own. A servees/sherut, bus, checkpoint (my first ever crossing of this sort) and taxi later (total one and 1/2 hours, for approx 5 kilomoters) I'm back on Nablus Road, not quite in time for the Jerusalem film festival (which is the reason why I left "early"). I missed 3 out of the 4 short films. So it goes.
P.S. The guy at the internet place said it should be a 5 minute drive from here to Abu Dis. So it goes again.
Friday
Territory Tears Twice
Another demo in Bil'in for me. This time, the demo coincided with a wedding, though I believe it was staged. Lots of yousyous and a beatiful bride (aris). Unfortunately, the Israeli soldiers weren't invited and so I guess they felt sad about that, but like your average machismo, they didn't want to sit and talk about it so instead they just threw a bunch of sound grenades and tear gas canisters. This time I got a whiff a bit to close and bolted, I left the demonstration along with about 20 others before it was called off. And rubber bullets too, a guy near me was shot and for your info, he said it felt like a really hard punch that turned into a sting. Afterwards, headed to Al Quds, checked into the St. Thomas Home (aka the Melkite Convent) and fell asleep.
Saturday
First day of class. Went to Abu Dis to pay the fees. Saw the WALL, big and scary like you'd expect. Didn't take my camera so maybe you get look a bit later. Lots and lots of bureaucratic waiting. Left the group and tried to get back on my own. A servees/sherut, bus, checkpoint (my first ever crossing of this sort) and taxi later (total one and 1/2 hours, for approx 5 kilomoters) I'm back on Nablus Road, not quite in time for the Jerusalem film festival (which is the reason why I left "early"). I missed 3 out of the 4 short films. So it goes.
P.S. The guy at the internet place said it should be a 5 minute drive from here to Abu Dis. So it goes again.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
It's not that funny really.
As I re-read my last post, I re-realized that I'm losing my sense of humor over this whole "Israel-Palestine Thing", so I apologize if my postings are losing their luster. Still, the "situation" goes on and so I'm not going to resign myself to the polluted beaches of Tel Aviv just yet. And so, howabout some more tidbits from the "situation" with Jerusalem as its capital.
Last night I attended a screening of "Bil'in Habibti" by an activist named Shai Pollack at the Jerusalem Film Festival. Yes, it's about the same Bil'in that you've been reading about all along. But this guy (Shai) has been there more than once, in fact, by the looks of his film, he's probably been there just as many times as, if not more than, the army commander in charge of putting down the local resistance. He also seems a lot more welcome there. Without going into detail, I'll just say that I thought the film was amazing. And of course, probelmatic, as all films in this region tend to me. But I should admit that I cried a few times during the 80-something minutes. At the end, the film got a standing ovation, a bunch of applause and a whole lotta good vibe. (I feel like I should mention that the majority of the crowd was on 'our side' though I did spot a few kippot in the audience.) Ok, nothing new here I suppose. But then comes the hobnobbing with fellow leftists and the few Bil'in residents who were able to obtain the permit to attend the screening (about 20 or 30).
As Tal and I gathered round the hors d'oeuvres, I recognized one of the bus drivers from the other day's field trip to the courthouse. So what did he think of the film? There's no point.. it's not going to make any difference, people already know this situation and nothing's going to change. Incidentally, those guys who squeezed under the fence on Sunday had a permit to cross. The driver said he's always the one to take the Bil'iners here and there and he refuses to drive anyone without a permit to be in Israel. He's already served time in jail for doing so. The other driver (the brother of Sunday's driver #2) shared the same sentiment. Moving on... I asked one of the Bil'in guys (Imad), the one who always has a camera going, what he thought of the film. Turns out I asked a professional, Imad works for Reuters and he's making a film of his own. One that's "yoter khazak" (stronger). Seems like the 3 out of 3 Arabs think that Shai's optimism was a bit misleading and/or a bit too easy-on-the-eyes. Once again, the applause of the leftists drowns out Palestinian skepticism. Maybe that's too harsh, and I should mention that this is my own observation and I take full reponsibilty for my uninformed rants. (For the record, Imad thought the film was good).
So, I think I'll return to Bil'in tomorrow, make some more chit chat, and perhaps, see a bit of Imad's footage. I hear it's hard to watch.
Last night I attended a screening of "Bil'in Habibti" by an activist named Shai Pollack at the Jerusalem Film Festival. Yes, it's about the same Bil'in that you've been reading about all along. But this guy (Shai) has been there more than once, in fact, by the looks of his film, he's probably been there just as many times as, if not more than, the army commander in charge of putting down the local resistance. He also seems a lot more welcome there. Without going into detail, I'll just say that I thought the film was amazing. And of course, probelmatic, as all films in this region tend to me. But I should admit that I cried a few times during the 80-something minutes. At the end, the film got a standing ovation, a bunch of applause and a whole lotta good vibe. (I feel like I should mention that the majority of the crowd was on 'our side' though I did spot a few kippot in the audience.) Ok, nothing new here I suppose. But then comes the hobnobbing with fellow leftists and the few Bil'in residents who were able to obtain the permit to attend the screening (about 20 or 30).
As Tal and I gathered round the hors d'oeuvres, I recognized one of the bus drivers from the other day's field trip to the courthouse. So what did he think of the film? There's no point.. it's not going to make any difference, people already know this situation and nothing's going to change. Incidentally, those guys who squeezed under the fence on Sunday had a permit to cross. The driver said he's always the one to take the Bil'iners here and there and he refuses to drive anyone without a permit to be in Israel. He's already served time in jail for doing so. The other driver (the brother of Sunday's driver #2) shared the same sentiment. Moving on... I asked one of the Bil'in guys (Imad), the one who always has a camera going, what he thought of the film. Turns out I asked a professional, Imad works for Reuters and he's making a film of his own. One that's "yoter khazak" (stronger). Seems like the 3 out of 3 Arabs think that Shai's optimism was a bit misleading and/or a bit too easy-on-the-eyes. Once again, the applause of the leftists drowns out Palestinian skepticism. Maybe that's too harsh, and I should mention that this is my own observation and I take full reponsibilty for my uninformed rants. (For the record, Imad thought the film was good).
So, I think I'll return to Bil'in tomorrow, make some more chit chat, and perhaps, see a bit of Imad's footage. I hear it's hard to watch.
Monday, July 10, 2006
Bil'in goes to High Court in Jerusalem
Yesterday I went to the High Court in Jerusalem (West). There were about 50 or so people from Bil'in and about 6 from Tel Aviv. Maybe another 10 Israelis met up with us in Jeruslaem. I'm afraid I couldn't understand the details (Yes.. what kind of activist and I going to be if I can't understand what's going on) but the general idea is that the village of Bil'in and the settlement of Modi'in Illit are claiming the same parcel of land to be their own. Keeping in the style of settlement practice, Modi'in Illit built some structures on the land before the issue was resolved. On top of that, some residents moved into that structure (in violation of a court order) but eventually, they left (I think). Anyhow, it's a big mess (as usual) involving land and buildings and the fact that the wall is dividing this village of Bil'in, enabling the Modi'in Illit to do whatever... while the Bil'iners get to watch from afar (though a few Bil'in families did occupy the building-in-dispute as a form of protest, that is, before being kicked out by the Israeli army. So on Sunday, and for not the first time, Bil'in and Upper Modi'in battled it out (in court).
Since I couldn't understand the procedings, I'll add a link as soon as it makes the newspapers. Till then, I'll added an article at the very bottom of this post from Ha'aretz from July 6th.
Here's what I could understand...
I met my internet-contact person (Adar) at the Tel Aviv Central Bus Station. There were 6 of us in total, and as I got on the private bus for 60 I was confused. But halfway there, we pulled into a gas station and about 40 or 50 of the Bil'in contingent got on. This included about 10 or 15 kids, 5 or 6 women, a bunch of men, and an Israeli girl (late teens). Incidentally, the separation wall (in the form of a fence) ran alongside the road and when we pulled over, about 10 of our contigent were stuck on the other side, there was a gate that opened up into the gas station but it was locked. Eventually, the stuck ones crawled underneath to the slight concern of the (Arab-Israeli) bus drivers but all went well and we headed out.
No checkpoints to cross but a few "Barriers Ahead: Slow for Inspection" which we rolled right through. I guess the fancy tour bus has its benefits. One of the know-it-all leftists (who I recognized from the Sufa excursion) took a front seat during those roll-throughs.
As we disembarked in Jerusalem, about 200 meters from the Courthouse, a kid unrolls his regulation size Palestinian flag and leads the group. Oh yeah, I could tell this wasn't going to fly. Sure enough at security Station 1 (out of about 4) the guard tells him to roll up the flag. At Station 2, the kid is told to get rid of it and the goup asked whether there are any more. The kid throws the flag behind a bush and the waiting begins. After about 20 minutes, we are allowed past Station 2 but only five at time. Meanwhile small smatterings of others pass on through, many of whom didn't even need to interrupt their cellphone call to go on by.
Some of the leftists (also waiting).I am one of the last to pass, and as we make our way to the courtroom, everyone else is already settled in. The procedings begin and one of the Israelis offers to translate the highlights for me. One lawyer (Michael Sfarad) represents Bil'in - 5 or 6 lawyers represent various groups within Modi'in Illit.
During the procedings, tour groups came in and sat down, the Bil'in kids got up and left, many of the women also left. I joined them outside and realized that I wasn't the only one who didn't understand what was going on. Most of the Bil'iners also didn't speak Hebrew. So we sat and stared at each other until I decided to make better use of the time and pace back and forth. There were also a few teenage leftists outside the courtroom playing cards while the group of Bil'in kids looked on (and one 5-year-old threw rubber balls at passer bys, he had a good arm).
After the procedings, the group gathered outside the courtroom and discussed. The lawyer was politely accosted.
Once we boarded the bus, a heated discussion broke out. All I could make out was that the Bil'in guys wanted to stop at Al Aqsa, which they did. All but 3. A few Israelis had already left the group at the courthouse. Then the long ride back. Two of the Bil'in guys got off in the middle of the highway, about 50m from one of those "Barrier Ahead" signs, the last one (one of the main organizers), got off near Jaffa with one of the Israelis to go to the beach, I got off at the Central Bus Station, ahead of the remaining four, and headed home.
Ha'aretz article from July 6, 2006 By Akiva Eldar
Circular transactions
During recent High Court of Justice discussion on the petition of Peace Now and the residents of Bili'in regarding a new illegal neighborhood of Modi'in Illit, the construction companies claimed that the entrepreneurs purchased the land years ago from the residents of the village of Bili'in, and that the State Prosecutor's Office had acceded to their request to turn the private lands into "government property," and eventually returned the deposit to them.
Supreme Court President Aharon Barak and Justice Dorit Beinisch were skeptical. The entrepeneurs have recently placed on their desks an expert opinion that confirms and explains the method of circular transactions. A copy was submitted to the proxy of the petitioners, attorney Michael Sfard.
The opinion is signed by attorney Daniel Kramer, who says that he served for 25 years as an adviser and proxy for the person responsible for government property, and is very familiar with the law that applies to the region and with the policy of the Justice Ministry. Kramer agrees that the proper way to prove that A has purchased B's land is to publicize the transaction in order to invite possible opposition, "as is done in Israel." However, when it comes to the territories, publicizing the sale of land to Jews means, he says, "an immediate death sentence for the sellers."
He claims that no fewer that 30 sellers and mukhtars, most of them from the Modi'in area, have paid for it with their lives. For that reason, Himnuta, a subsidiary of the Jewish National Fund, waited until the seller died or left the country before opening the first registration file. Is it self-evident that nobody voiced opposition. The attorney emphasizes that the Justice Ministry was involved in determining this policy.
Later in the opinion Kramer writes that after examining the purchase documents, Plia Albeck, who for years headed the Civil Department in the Justice Ministry, declared these lands "government property." He sees fit to say that Albeck, who has since passed away, "was the one exclusively empowered by the attorney general and on his behalf to express her opinion regarding the legal status of state lands and government property, and to instruct the Civil Administration." Among her superiors was former attorney general Aharon Barak. Among her neighbors in the ministry was state prosecutor Dorit Beinisch.
It is possible that already in the proceedings that will take place this coming Sunday they will have to decide whether to approve the dubious circular transactions carried out under their noses, or to order the demolition of 40 buildings constructed without a permit.
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