The November Visit- Part 5 (The Wall)

Abu Dis- Continued

After the prisoner museum, you get a feeling of a larger prison for the Palestinian people, one also ever present and foreboding in everyday life. I am of course referring to the separation wall within the West Bank. The part of the wall that we saw was situated right next to the Al-Quds University. One account from a Palestinian friend spoke of the arduous journey just to attend classes, and the effort and determination needed just to get an education, a liberty many take for granted in our home countries. Unfortunately for the other students there, they are also subjected to harassment, violence and detention from the Israeli side of the wall. Abu Dis is an area with a lot of Israeli military camps. It is common for students to be arrested during exam time, and every week, it has become routine to have accommodation raided by Israeli soldiers, seemingly hoping to disrupt and intimidate by any means possible. From a student's perspective, this is awful, and one can only admire the courage and positive attitude of students in Palestine, in the face of what appears to be an attempt to stop them succeeding in life. As the majority of Palestine's population is now under 30, keeping this spirit is a necessity. The stakes are high though, as within our time there, we were told of an incident where 39 students were allegedly shot and injured by IDF soldiers within university grounds.

The Wall Winds It's Way Into All Aspects of Life: Abu Dis, Palestine.
(Photo Courtesy of Emerson Photography)

The sphere of influence in causing harm the wall has is not just limited to education. The infrastructural issues the wall has caused, and the ongoing land grab by the Israeli government, has created innumerable problems. Over capacity schools, families split apart, death from electric fences and forced migration are just the tip of the iceberg. It is a logical question to ask why build it then? Especially when every secure kilometre costs £5m. The answer of course is related to Israeli security, but also seems to be that the Israeli government wishes to keep the cycle of division and hatred going, as when the security issue dies, so does the justification for getting Palestinians to leave their homes.

Reminiscent of Berlin. Abu Dis, Palestine.
(Photo Courtesy of Emerson Photography)

What I found in Palestine, was that the majority wish to live in peace. Away from war, away from harassment, building a happy life for themselves and their loved ones. Politics should be sidelined for now, until the basic maintenance of human rights is upheld. Until our governments take action on this, I fear that the problems will only continue and worsen.

Will the Era of Walls Continue? Abu Dis, Palestine.
(Photo Courtesy of Flora Murphy)

The November Visit- Part 4

Abu Dis- The Museum

The prisoner museum in Abu Dis paints a vivid picture of the Israeli military internment system, and what life is like inside it. Imagine Guantanamo Bay. Instead of only being one facility though, where foreign nationals are abused, imagine a multitude of facilities, where citizens of their own country are thrown into jail, often without any formal charges or legal representation. Now, imagine the scenes of torture and abuse at Abu Gharib, and apply that to more people, on a larger scale, with more government backing. By doing this, you will have a similar picture of what the Israeli government does to many Palestinians within its prisons. It is sadly said by many in the Occupied Territories, that every Palestinian has some experience of this process, either directly or indirectly.

Tear gas thrown into cells, brutal interrogations, beatings, threats against families, use of the USA's EIT (Enhanced Interrogation Techniques), and even shootings to the head are said to occur within these shadowy complexes. Visits from family are also reportedly either routinely denied or heavily monitored, as well being made deliberately dangerous; as the Israeli guards sometimes use visits as an excuse to arrest more suspects. Guards even force prisoners to rush during their trips to the toilet, in another attempt at making them more uncomfortable. Needless to say, facilities are poor in the prisons, and to get even basic items to pass the time, Palestinians go on hunger strike, which carries a real risk of death either by beating from the Israeli guards or medically unsafe forced feedings.

When females are interned, Israeli prison authorities allegedly often deliberately put them in with Israeli women, convicted of crimes such as drug dealing or prostitution. This policy reportedly results in the widespread abuse of Palestinian women imprisoned in state jails, in a similar way to the men interned elsewhere. The worrying thing is, according to our guide, 50 people, both men and women, are interned in these varied facilities every month, a figure which is noted to be on the rise.

The November Visit- Part 3

Jerusalem

As a history student, it would be improper for me not to begin this by saying that even a 10 minute stroll through the winding cobbled streets of Jerusalem's Old City, is to follow in the footsteps of some of modern, medieval and ancient histories' most famous figures. It's also difficult not feel a sense of wonder in having being shown the most famous sites of monotheistic religion in the world. History is not confined to the past though, new chapters are written in every passing moment, and nowhere is this more true than in Jerusalem. On the same streets where Jesus was said to have walked to his crucifixion, the Wailing Wall is situated, where Saladin rode and Ariel Sharon resided, Israeli soldiers continue their policy of trying to make some Palestinians a broken minority. Religious humiliation is the weapon of choice in this city. Solders routinely stop any Muslim or Arab looking person en route to holy sites. A practical way from Israel's point of view in maintaining security yes, but also perhaps a symbolic gesture from them, that it will always be a struggle to achieve a comfortable home in Jerusalem for some Palestinians.

Entry is Not as Open as it Looks: The Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem.
(Photo Courtesy of Emerson Photography)

The road leading to Jerusalem was also interesting, as it is littered with heavily fortified Israeli settlements and checkpoints. One can only describe these settlements as luxurious looking compounds guarded by both the IDF and armed settlers. We were told that taxes are made so low that even those with no religious inclinations are encouraged to move here to enjoy the climate and luxury. For those who have seen coverage or documentaries on the problem, you know of the reported violence and racism committed by a vocal minority of those living in similar places, in the name of preserving their right to the land. For those who haven't, it's well worth researching.

Settlements Can Only Make the Road to Peace Longer: Jerusalem, Palestine.
(Photo Courtesy of Emerson Photography)

Seen as many Palestinians will never want to leave their legitimate homes, it is up to foreign governments to pressurise the Israeli Goverment into steadily winding back its abuses of human rights, without compromising its State's security. This is not just a matter of ethics, but global stability, as the abuses appear to fuel a seamlessly never ending cycle of violence, that we sadly see in the news.

 Under Occupation, But Still Welcoming: Jerusalem, Palestine.
(Photo Courtesy of Emerson Photography)

The November Visit- Part 2

Ramallah

Our first excursion today was a visit to the grave of Yasser Arafat, housed within the rear of the Palestinian Presidential Palace in the city of Ramallah. For a figure perceived to be consigned to the history books by someone of my background, Arafat is ever present within Palestinian politics but also continues to be divisive, even in death. This division was most poignantly illustrated by the grandeur and ceremony of his resting place, contrasting the former PLO leader's face having been cut out of propaganda posters, during our meander through the refugee inhabited area of Ramallah. From accounts by Palestinians that I heard, it is caused by a clash of the great admiration of Arafat, and a feeling of anger in relation to the Oslo agreement. This is but one indication of the multi faceted nature of the Palestinian question, which at a first glance can appear to be a conflict based solely upon the idea of a defensive occupier fighting against many oppressed occupants. Nothing is black and white.

Ever Present in Palestine: The Grave of Yasser Arafat, Ramallah, Palestine.
(Photo Courtesy of Emerson Photography)

However, this must not detract from the contrastingly clear cut battle for the maintenance of human rights in Palestine. The Palestinians are even denied the right to bury their dead. Every concealable way to humiliate the Palestinians is allegedly employed by the increasingly right wing Israeli government. In response to resistance against the IDF, collective punishment is seen as a perfect way to send a message of who is in charge by the government. Soldiers think nothing of using explosives to destroy the houses of suspected militants, and we have been told that the more collateral damage to others who happen to live nearby, the better it is for the Israeli Army. The worrying thought is, that this is only the face of the occupation we have been shown, a mere look glimpse into a plethora of multi-faceted abuse and violence.

A Campaign for a Basic Right: Ramallah, Palestine.

 Already, only two days into my experience in Palestine, the sheer reports of inhumanity, degradation and callousness practices by the Israeli state leaves a cold feeling.

A Forgotten Cause?: Ramallah, Palestine.
(Photo Courtesy of Emerson Photography)

The November Visit- Part 1.

First Impressions...

Upon flying into Tel Aviv, you are greeted by a sprawling metropolis, a Manchester or Liverpool in the Middle East. Unlike flying to a UK city though, the post flight welcome into Israel involved a lengthy wait for certain members of our travel group when the 3 hour hold up at passport control occurred. Frankly, when using the phrase 'certain members', I refer to the members of our group who had an appearance which could be vaguely attributed to an Arab or Muslim background. This crude security profiling, perhaps a thinly veiled attempt to dissuade perceived sympathisers visiting Palestine, or maybe just some light relief for the Israeli border guards, is just one indication of the questionable attitude employed by the Israelis in response to the Palestinian question. 

Airports are Dark Places at Times: Tel Aviv, Israel.
(Photo Courtesy of Emerson Photography) 

A stark contrast is noticed when arriving in the Palestinian territories en route from Ben Guirion Airport. The well developed city of Tel Aviv clashes vividly with the Palestinian city of Jericho. The lack of investment in the infrastructure of Jericho and the surrounding area is evident. Even without reading road signs or noticing checkpoints, one's entry into the Palestinian territories is noticeable by a lack of street lights and markedly poorer waste disposal. Basic amenities such as running water are also routinely denied to the Palestinians, as witnessed by the lack of sanitation within the girl's accommodation of where we were staying. Although not surprising, evidence such as this further illustrates the pursuit of an intentionally poor stance on basic human rights from both governments. However, even with poor infrastructure, the charm of the Occupied Territories cannot be denied. A hospitable people and naturally beautiful landscape makes for a hard to resist combination. This was a welcome counter balance to the ever present political situation in Palestine; perhaps providing a metaphor for the continuing resilience of the Palestinian people in the face of thier persecution.

Beauty in the Face of Adversity: Jericho, Palestine.
(Photo Courtesy of Emerson Photography)

Privilege and duty

Really good to see some of the people again who came in this trip... This was the CADFA event in Kentish Town  on Human Rights Day. Several of the group spoke and several came and helped... Clearly this visit to Palestine and seeing something of what's happening there has created a determination to do something to see the situation there better.

One of the people who came to listen wrote this account of the evening and called it "Privilege and Duty"  (thank you Sam A.):

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

CADFA’s UN Human Rights Day Event, Kentish Town, Saturday 10th December 2016.

On UN Human Rights Day, 10th December, I was reminded again of the importance of the work that CAFDA does. The date commemorates the day, in 1948, when the UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, passing resolution 423 (V).

Article 1 of the Declaration states: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.”

Every CADFA event brings together people who care about protecting human rights in occupied Palestine. Often, you will hear from people who have visited Palestine on cultural exchange or other projects. Sometimes, too, you can hear from Palestinians who share their personal experience of living under occupation.  

The stories of Gaza, under occupation and blockade, remain marginalised in the media, aside from coverage of peaks in attacks. However, at Kentish Town Community Centre, at CADFA’s UN Human Rights Day event, we had the opportunity to hear from a young woman from Gaza who now lives in the UK.

The people of Palestine are, she said, fully aware of the abnormality of living under occupation and blockade – but continue to live, to go to school and work, as an act of resistance. 

She told us of the recent experiences of her mother who desired to visit Europe to see and hold her children, as is the right of every mother. It took her mother two months of travelling from one end to the other of the Gaza Strip to finally get permission from Egyptian authorities to exit the Gaza Strip into Egypt through the Rafah Crossing. 

Having made it into Europe and seen her children (though she did not make it to the UK to see her daughter there) – and seen the ease with which people can move between states – her mother had to return to the Gaza Strip. 

However, in Greece she was told by Egyptian officials that she could not travel into Egypt, for the Rafah Crossing into Gaza was closed. With no option, she travelled to Jordan to try to cross into Palestine. However, once in Jordan she was denied travel further and had the uncertainty of many weeks and fruitless efforts to seek help before finally being allowed to return to her family within Palestine. 

We were told by the Gazan that the blockade of Gaza by Israel, with Egyptian complicity, results in deaths of Palestinians seeking medical treatment that is unavailable in Gaza due to the ongoing blockade. She told us that two of her cousins, both in their 30s, had died in preventable circumstances because they were not allowed out of the Gaza Strip. 

She, who has not been able to see her mother or father for around three years, urged us to learn about the suppressed stories of Gaza and the West Bank and spread information and take advantage of our privilege in the UK.

In addition, the audience at CADFA’s UN Human Rights Day event had the opportunity to hear from several young people who had recently returned from a youth camp held in the West Bank. We heard of the restrictions that exist preventing Palestinians without the approved pass from entering Jerusalem and how painful this was for the British visitors to go to such a spiritual location without their new friends.

A visitor from the UK found that the segregated entrances of the Al Aqsa Mosque, in Jerusalem, were heavily guarded and, when she tried to enter, was challenged to recite a sura from Quran to prove that she was a Muslim, which she did reluctantly and, then, insisted that she finish when the soldier had had enough. She found that the soldiers in Jerusalem avoided speaking to her, as a tourist, but interacted with her Palestinian friends, asking them about her background.

We heard of the racial profiling that the visitors experienced on arriving in Israel, with those with Muslim sounding names being held back and questioned for a number of hours. These difficulties, however, have not, they were all in agreement, discouraged them from plans to return to Palestine.

One of the visitors told us about what she had learnt at the Prisoners’ Museum at Al Quds University, Abu Dis. She told us about the experiences of families who visit detained loved ones. They are only permitted to communicate with the prisoner from behind wire meshes and patrolling guards. 

Finally, we were told that despite their guides, their visit was still a sheltered one. The harsh experiences faced by Palestinians were only heard through stories. A close encounter we heard about was of a stop at a checkpoint where the bus of visitors was turned back by Israeli soldiers. Later that day, the British visitors discovered, via a Palestinian friend, that sometime after their bus was turned away, a Palestinian schoolgirl was shot at the checkpoint.

The experience of children in the West Bank was provided to us through a video made by a Camden schoolteacher who had recently visited Palestine. We witnessed some of the apparent ‘normality’ of the children in their play and jokes, as well as their fears and hopes. 

The sharing of these experiences and interactions between Brits and Palestinians renewed my sense of urgency about the human rights situation in Palestine – reminding me of how important it is, especially, to hear directly from Palestinians. It reminded me, also, of how important CADFA’s work is and how vital it is to support CADFA in these trying financial times.