Did you read the news on Wednesday? If so, than you'll know the reason behind what happened in Aida Camp Wednesday night. Shouting, cheering, and a mass of shabab (young dudes) chanting, marching and weaving through the narrow streets of Aida.
That's right: Barcelona beat Real 2-0.
Ah, sorry, did you think it was about the epic unity deal made between Fatah and Hamas? Silly.
The reconciliation: its incredible to see it happen after months of unity demonstrations and sad, seemingly abandoned Unity Tents in downtown Bethlehem and Ramallah. It's also incredible, and not remotely surprising to see that before one could even ask, "Hmm....I wonder what Israel thinks?" Netanyahu issued an ultimatum: Peace with Israel vs. Peace with Hamas.
Assuming this is another step towards a Palestinian state in September, questions arise as to what such a state would look like. (I suppose they don't ''arise'' persay, as many have been around since 1948 or so). It would almost certainly be an end to the Right of Return for Palestinian refugees. It would mean further border disputes--will Israel let Palestine control its own borders with neighboring Arab countries? And what about those pesky 500,000 settlers? But okay, I'm saying nothing new or exciting now. We all know about these problems. They've been brought up so many times they just seem to roll off the tongue...If you're looking for a nice, concise article about what this means (or what this maybecouldpossiblypotentially mean) here is a suggestion from +972.
Daily life: The past few weeks have been entirely exhausting and great. A little while back I went with a friend to Jenin and
was invited to return and stay with a family we met there for their neice's wedding. Two weekends ago I took them up on that invitation and spent two nights with Jamal, Hiba, Khaled, Raya, Aya, Ahmed, Yara, and their entire extended family. Aside from the fact that my head almost exploded from Arabic overload, the weekend was fantastic. Jenin is so different from Bethlehem: the family was rather conservative and I saw no other foreigners while there (though that could also be because I spent the entire time in homes, not in the town). I learned a lot about Arabic dancing (like the fact that I can't do it), got Henna-fied, and was heavily educated on Islam. I also had time to discuss Juliano Mer Khamis with Jamal, the father of the family, which was very interesting. Jamal was very upset by Juliano's death but was also very relieved I hadn't been to the Freedom Theater which he thought was a terrible place. When asked why he felt that way he didn't elaborate much, saying just that the plays were inappropriate for Jenin.
Last weekend I went for two nights and three days to Jordan. About 24 hours of that time was spent getting to or through border crossings. But it was worth it to visit friends and bask in nostalgia for a simpler study abroad time filled with Jordanian babies and camel spiders.
Easter came and went in the little town of Bethlehem with holy fire driving through its streets. After visiting the Nativity Church, I spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying our recently purchased Argileh. (One of the co-owners will soon be screening a documentary that will definitely interest those of you who have or are considering volunteering abroad, and it can be watched online HERE.)
I've also moved to a different apartment. The spacious guesthouse I was previously living in with only two other people became home to nine Frenchies overnight and I said...non. I am approximately 65 seconds from my old place, still in Aida Camp, and now with a new and improved view of the wall. I can show you said view by shamelessly taking a photo from my more photo-capable friend's blog (who happened to also live in this flat until his recent departure for Montana).
I've recently received The Yacoubian Building from the family back home, and the rooftop calls to me so that's all for now!
That's right: Barcelona beat Real 2-0.
Ah, sorry, did you think it was about the epic unity deal made between Fatah and Hamas? Silly.
The reconciliation: its incredible to see it happen after months of unity demonstrations and sad, seemingly abandoned Unity Tents in downtown Bethlehem and Ramallah. It's also incredible, and not remotely surprising to see that before one could even ask, "Hmm....I wonder what Israel thinks?" Netanyahu issued an ultimatum: Peace with Israel vs. Peace with Hamas.
Assuming this is another step towards a Palestinian state in September, questions arise as to what such a state would look like. (I suppose they don't ''arise'' persay, as many have been around since 1948 or so). It would almost certainly be an end to the Right of Return for Palestinian refugees. It would mean further border disputes--will Israel let Palestine control its own borders with neighboring Arab countries? And what about those pesky 500,000 settlers? But okay, I'm saying nothing new or exciting now. We all know about these problems. They've been brought up so many times they just seem to roll off the tongue...If you're looking for a nice, concise article about what this means (or what this maybecouldpossiblypotentially mean) here is a suggestion from +972.
Daily life: The past few weeks have been entirely exhausting and great. A little while back I went with a friend to Jenin andwas invited to return and stay with a family we met there for their neice's wedding. Two weekends ago I took them up on that invitation and spent two nights with Jamal, Hiba, Khaled, Raya, Aya, Ahmed, Yara, and their entire extended family. Aside from the fact that my head almost exploded from Arabic overload, the weekend was fantastic. Jenin is so different from Bethlehem: the family was rather conservative and I saw no other foreigners while there (though that could also be because I spent the entire time in homes, not in the town). I learned a lot about Arabic dancing (like the fact that I can't do it), got Henna-fied, and was heavily educated on Islam. I also had time to discuss Juliano Mer Khamis with Jamal, the father of the family, which was very interesting. Jamal was very upset by Juliano's death but was also very relieved I hadn't been to the Freedom Theater which he thought was a terrible place. When asked why he felt that way he didn't elaborate much, saying just that the plays were inappropriate for Jenin.
Last weekend I went for two nights and three days to Jordan. About 24 hours of that time was spent getting to or through border crossings. But it was worth it to visit friends and bask in nostalgia for a simpler study abroad time filled with Jordanian babies and camel spiders.
Easter came and went in the little town of Bethlehem with holy fire driving through its streets. After visiting the Nativity Church, I spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying our recently purchased Argileh. (One of the co-owners will soon be screening a documentary that will definitely interest those of you who have or are considering volunteering abroad, and it can be watched online HERE.)
I've also moved to a different apartment. The spacious guesthouse I was previously living in with only two other people became home to nine Frenchies overnight and I said...non. I am approximately 65 seconds from my old place, still in Aida Camp, and now with a new and improved view of the wall. I can show you said view by shamelessly taking a photo from my more photo-capable friend's blog (who happened to also live in this flat until his recent departure for Montana).
I've recently received The Yacoubian Building from the family back home, and the rooftop calls to me so that's all for now!
You are quite right that the unilateral proclamation of a Palestinian state could mean the end of the so-called "right of the return" of the refugees. That is why I am convinced they WON'T proclaim a state in the end, in spite of all the speculation about it. The "right of return" is the ultimate weapon the Palestinians have in their arsenal in their long-term war of attrition against Israel, which , as they see it, will culminate NOT in the creation of "an independent Palestinian state living side-by-side with Israel:, but with the complete eradication of Israel which is their real goal. The simple cration of a truncated Palestinian state while Israel still exists wouldn't even begin to solve the Palestinian problems nor to undo waht they view as the injustice of the creation of Israel-something Abu Mazen called "the greatest crime in the history of mankind".
ReplyDeleteToo bad you let your friend Jamal off the hook when he said Juliano's "Freedom Theater" was a terrible place without elaborating. If you really want to understand the Palestinians, you have to press them to say what they REALLY think , which you may find shocking.
the book or the movie?! either way, both are good! enjoy!
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