Noura - More Notes from Palestine
The Walls are Closing in
The situation is relatively quiet here in Palestine. Yet it is a
strange kind of quiet and calm that surrounds us. While there are no
daily incursions, and rarely do we see the Israeli military presence
during the day - other than while crossing checkpoints - we know the
building of the wall continues at a frighteningly rapid pace.
Simultaneously, at least hundreds of men have disappeared in the
night in the run up to Palestinian elections, jailed indefinitely
because of their political affiliations in conditions some of which
were recently described as "unfit for cattle" by previous justice
minister Yossi Beilin (about Damoun prison which was recently re-
opened after he ordered it closed).
With few visible signs of the occupation, we discuss and debate:
weather the "pull-out" was valuable or not, who was responsible for
seven more viscous days of shelling in Gaza which is still
recovering from "a state of panic. Children are restless, crying,
frightened and many are wetting their beds. Some children are afraid
to leave home and refuse to go to school. Many are dazed, pale,
insomniac and have a poor appetite. Some pregnant women reported
colics and some were admitted to hospital with precipitated labour.
Many people complain of ear pressure. All are stunned. Israel's new
method of creating intentional sonic booms in our skies was never
used before the disengagement, so as not to alarm or hurt the
Israeli settlers and their children says Dr. Eyad El-Sarraj, the
founder and director of the Gaza Community Mental Health Program. It
seems our biggest nightmare in Gaza is coming true, awakening us
from any dreams of liberation.
While we ponder the Palestinian elections and who has won what
seats, what we are essentially questioning is who will be the
warden's of the prison that has become Palestine. Who will
administer the key, to whom the locks will not even be held - as 57
years of isolation, imprisonment and occupation continue to grow.
Meanwhile most Palestinians we meet are beating their heads with
frustration wondering when the next time (or if) they will ever see
the ocean again, much less leave their villiges. Before 2000
Palestinians were able to travel to Israel with ease. Collectively
they are ALL paying the heavy price of resisting the occupation of
their homeland, with growing pain and resentment. This is the root
of the injustice, for collective punishment is sure to enrage the
entire society, while turning against it's agressors. We [those
seeking human rights] are left longing for a lasting and just
solution to end the generations of suffering.
Cementing the Occupation
Every time I go through the Kalandia checkpoint, there is new
infrastructure built. Every day, it looks more like an
administrative building complete with a paved parking lot! It is the
strangest sight - amidst the detroyed land, rubble, trash and dirt is the seemingly innocent office center that will no doubt be used to facilitate and administer the occupation. For any of you who were hopeful that 'Gaza first' would not be 'Gaza last', this may be act as an indication. This "center" is where the paperwork will be done to ensure the daily doses of detentions, control of movement, economy, water and society can continue with more beauracratic order and organization.
"It's kind of hard to be optimistic when your homey's lying on the
pavement twisted." Tupac. The lyrics to Tupac's songs regularly go
through my mind. A Palestinian friend we met was so happy to see
that we were here because it expanded her shrinking square of hope
which she said sometimes gets smaller by the day. I can not stress
how hopeless most people are, which I believe is why many don't even
want to talk about the situation any more. Another friend I met was
talking to me about ISM and non-violence, he made a point of telling
me how he recently counted over 200 friends of his that have died
since 2002! What could have done differently? Occupation surely did not enter their lives peacefully...and fifty seven years of struggle to simply live their lives in peace, can not be easily forgetten or ignored.
Critical Self Analysis
I think it is important to talk not only about the political situation - but also the society, when possible. It is also vital to have an open and healthy analysis, debate and discussion about the culture. This does happen regularly *behind closed doors* but because of the encouragement and support by some Palestinian friends here, I think it is also important to get it out into the open. In the future I will begin to share the frustrations and the internal difficulties that come from Palestinian Authority and the culture which has been dramatically effected by 57 years of military occupation and growing isolation.
Please feel free to share any observations, thoughts or comments.
love and solidarity,
noura
The situation is relatively quiet here in Palestine. Yet it is a
strange kind of quiet and calm that surrounds us. While there are no
daily incursions, and rarely do we see the Israeli military presence
during the day - other than while crossing checkpoints - we know the
building of the wall continues at a frighteningly rapid pace.
Simultaneously, at least hundreds of men have disappeared in the
night in the run up to Palestinian elections, jailed indefinitely
because of their political affiliations in conditions some of which
were recently described as "unfit for cattle" by previous justice
minister Yossi Beilin (about Damoun prison which was recently re-
opened after he ordered it closed).
With few visible signs of the occupation, we discuss and debate:
weather the "pull-out" was valuable or not, who was responsible for
seven more viscous days of shelling in Gaza which is still
recovering from "a state of panic. Children are restless, crying,
frightened and many are wetting their beds. Some children are afraid
to leave home and refuse to go to school. Many are dazed, pale,
insomniac and have a poor appetite. Some pregnant women reported
colics and some were admitted to hospital with precipitated labour.
Many people complain of ear pressure. All are stunned. Israel's new
method of creating intentional sonic booms in our skies was never
used before the disengagement, so as not to alarm or hurt the
Israeli settlers and their children says Dr. Eyad El-Sarraj, the
founder and director of the Gaza Community Mental Health Program. It
seems our biggest nightmare in Gaza is coming true, awakening us
from any dreams of liberation.
While we ponder the Palestinian elections and who has won what
seats, what we are essentially questioning is who will be the
warden's of the prison that has become Palestine. Who will
administer the key, to whom the locks will not even be held - as 57
years of isolation, imprisonment and occupation continue to grow.
Meanwhile most Palestinians we meet are beating their heads with
frustration wondering when the next time (or if) they will ever see
the ocean again, much less leave their villiges. Before 2000
Palestinians were able to travel to Israel with ease. Collectively
they are ALL paying the heavy price of resisting the occupation of
their homeland, with growing pain and resentment. This is the root
of the injustice, for collective punishment is sure to enrage the
entire society, while turning against it's agressors. We [those
seeking human rights] are left longing for a lasting and just
solution to end the generations of suffering.
Cementing the Occupation
Every time I go through the Kalandia checkpoint, there is new
infrastructure built. Every day, it looks more like an
administrative building complete with a paved parking lot! It is the
strangest sight - amidst the detroyed land, rubble, trash and dirt is the seemingly innocent office center that will no doubt be used to facilitate and administer the occupation. For any of you who were hopeful that 'Gaza first' would not be 'Gaza last', this may be act as an indication. This "center" is where the paperwork will be done to ensure the daily doses of detentions, control of movement, economy, water and society can continue with more beauracratic order and organization.
"It's kind of hard to be optimistic when your homey's lying on the
pavement twisted." Tupac. The lyrics to Tupac's songs regularly go
through my mind. A Palestinian friend we met was so happy to see
that we were here because it expanded her shrinking square of hope
which she said sometimes gets smaller by the day. I can not stress
how hopeless most people are, which I believe is why many don't even
want to talk about the situation any more. Another friend I met was
talking to me about ISM and non-violence, he made a point of telling
me how he recently counted over 200 friends of his that have died
since 2002! What could have done differently? Occupation surely did not enter their lives peacefully...and fifty seven years of struggle to simply live their lives in peace, can not be easily forgetten or ignored.
Critical Self Analysis
I think it is important to talk not only about the political situation - but also the society, when possible. It is also vital to have an open and healthy analysis, debate and discussion about the culture. This does happen regularly *behind closed doors* but because of the encouragement and support by some Palestinian friends here, I think it is also important to get it out into the open. In the future I will begin to share the frustrations and the internal difficulties that come from Palestinian Authority and the culture which has been dramatically effected by 57 years of military occupation and growing isolation.
Please feel free to share any observations, thoughts or comments.
love and solidarity,
noura
posted by smokey spice at 1:15 AM
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