On Sunday 14 May, Palestinians will commemorate their catastrophe, Al Nakba. This is the day they remember the homes they had to leave in 1948, their family members who were killed during the creation of Israel or their friends who are now refugees in other countries.
For a people still under Israeli occupation, this day is always significant and perhaps more so this year as organised commemoration within Israel’s borders was recently banned. In addition, this year there have been calls for a non-violent third intifada (uprising) to begin on this day.
I noticed a strange and uncertain feeling within Israel and Palestine today. With the Palestinian Authority going to the UN in September to demand statehood, the only party to benefit from a violent, chaotic weekend is Israel. Western leaders who have recently expressed support for the PA’s plan, require little excuse to change their minds and agree with Israel that ‘Palestine is not ready for statehood’.
It is an interesting time politically to see the reaction to the ban in Israel, and I know there will be plenty of demonstrations around the borders. But I have decided to spend the weekend in the West Bank as suspect that the Palestinians here will pay the heaviest price (military response) for any activity. My presence here is therefore most helpful.
I walked through Jerusalem to Damascus Gate this morning. I stopped in the city centre to print some photos of a family in Deir Istiya. The studio staff were very friendly until they saw that the photos were of Palestinian villagers; and then I was practically kicked out of the shop.
Men prayer on street after being denied entry to mosque
Riot police guard Eastern wall of Old City
When I got to East Jerusalem, there were rows of riot police and soldiers guarding the old city. Palestinian men under the age of 45 had been banned from entering Al Aqsa mosque today and so were praying in the streets.
I took the number 18 bus from the Arab bus station to pass through Qalandia checkpoint to Ramallah. There were hundreds of Israeli soldiers at the checkpoint, loading up their weapons and jumping into trucks. An Israeli told me earlier that two thirds of Israel’s army have been deployed in the West Bank this weekend. This frightens me – this incredible quantity of soldiers will only act as a provocation.
Small demonstration in Ramallah
I arrived in Ramallah where there seemed to be a higher than usual Palestinian police presence. There was a small demonstration at Al Manara Square which I watched for ten minutes on the way to my favourite café. The café was closed when I arrived but they let me sit in their garden to use their wifi and made me a coffee anyway. Delicious Arabic coffee.
When I arrived at the service (minibus) station there were no vehicles going to Deir Istiya. I waited calmly, safe in the knowledge that I am always looked after here. Within ten minutes the men at the station had arranged for the only bus leaving that hour to detour via the village and drop me off. I insisted that this wasn’t fair to the other passengers but the women laughed at me, encouraging me to board with them and sharing sweets and giggles throughout the journey.
We passed through Zatara checkpoint and again I saw about one hundred soldiers instead of the usual five. The women on the service became nervous as they saw the guns pointing at the traffic.
The turning into Deir Istiya
I have really missed Deir Istiya over the last six weeks. I made the long walk through the village exchanging greetings with groups of old men walking back from mosque, little boys riding donkeys and men peering out of closed shops where they smoked argila and played cards. The goats have grown bigger, there are even more cats jumping out of the bins and the fruits are swelling on the trees.
I went straight to Sameh’s house for a late lunch and catch up with his family. Sameh is a teacher so has not been paid for two weeks. Israel has been with holding Palestinian tax which is used to pay PA workers. A cruel, bizarre and illegal response to the unification of Palestine’s two biggest political parties.
It is good to now be back in the house with the IWPS women. We are all hoping that this weekend will not bring the violence we expect. But with the additional checkpoints already set up in the area, the increased number of International and Palestinian injuries at demonstrations in the West Bank and Jerusalem today and this huge influx of Israeli military, it is impossible not to be afraid for the people here.
Tomorrow all five of us will travel to Iraq Burin for a demonstration against settler land theft and violence. This stunning little village lost two of its young boys at a non-violent demonstration last March. They were shot and killed by Israeli soldiers. A 19 year old was shot and killed by a settler whilst farming his land this January. And a few days ago a 24 year old was shot in the side by a tear gas canister fired at close range. I wish these weren’t isolated incidents.
The demonstrations over the weekend are calling for an end to the brutal occupation of Palestine. They will be happening outside Israeli embassies all over the world. Please consider standing in solidarity this weekend. Israel may moderate the force of its military if it feels that the world is watching.
