Bethlehem

Most Christians may not realize that Bethlehem is a small town in Palestine. In order to visit the village where the virgin Mary gave birth to her son, Jesus Christ, one must pass through a checkpoint. If Israel has it's way, on the road to Bethlehem one will encounter a wall, enclosing the entire West Bank, meant to keep Palestinians in. This wall is already under construction and cuts off Palestinians from the north and is being built around the west and south.

To some Jesus is a saviour, for those who give the bible a closer read, Jesus was also a rebel. Apparently Jesus was not the last rebel born in Bethlehem. Last Friday, we were invited to support Palestinian resistance to the Apartheid Wall construction near Bethlehem.



After Jum'aa Prayers at a local mosque near Al-Khader, shebab, parents, community members, and Israeli & International allies decended on the highway that carries passengers from Jerusalem to points south. The goal, under the best conditions, was to stop traffic on this highway, under the worst, to display placards so tourists and residents alike could learn of the injustice affecting this holy land.



On this particular Friday, police and soldiers were prepared for the protest. As the group of non-violent demonstrators descended on the highway, we were met with a wall of jeeps and fully-armored soldiers unwilling to allow people near the road. But this did not put a damper on the people's resistance.



A fiery group of community members insisted on having their voices heard. Palestinian flags waved in the air as children challenged soldiers directly, planting their flags on the land and reaffirming Palestine. Soldiers stood their ground a bit bewildered by the ferocity and determination of the community.



There was one particular boy who caught my attention. He carried his chin high and fought back tears, and defiant laughter, as he stood up to authority and challenged soldiers to look at him, to listen to him. His name is Mohamed. His house was demolished by soldiers, recently. It must have stood in the way of the wall. He was determined to stand in place of his home. He carried a Palestinian flag like a torch, meant to illuminate the truth to the soldiers -Palestinians are here to stay.

This action near Bethlehem was another Palestinian lesson in dignity.