Last Friday, the Beit Ummar Popular Resistance Committee and ISM'ers headed to Al-Khader to support the weekly community protest against the Apartheid Wall. Shebab led the way, adults backed them up and International allies were on hand to confront Jeish along with the lot.
The Jeish cut us off at ever pass and although the youth and community members were fierce, this direct action ended in a stand off on a ridge near a main road through the West Bank. Some folks appreciate the truly decentralized approach of these actions, a few of us were left frustrated. I wish more adults were present at these protests. I wish the youth would coordinate a clear plan with some definite goals.
As the action came to a halt, a few Palestinian members of the Beit Ummar crew had their ID's seized by Jeish for a few minutes before being freed to go. We were concerned but glad that noone was taken in. We made our way back to the Beit. On the road, some Internationals in another car notice they are being tailed by a white car. When we arrive at the Machsom, or military checkpoint, to get into Beit Ummar we notice the presence of Jeish. A minute later the white car pulls up, parks, and the two men inside wave at all of us.
Our suspicionsseem correct, they are probably Shabak -Israel's answer to the FBI.
Some of the Palestinians we roll with have a long history of being targetted by this nefarious group. As we try to enter our village the Jeish pull the ID's of our Palestinian comrades and hold them while doing absolutelt nothing for about an hour. We try and negotiate their release but are met with condescending remarks and a feigned inability to understand English. Although they understand U.S. made assault rifles, they do not understand American English -when it is convenient.
Finally, our comrades ID's are returned but only under the condition that the Internationals do not enter the village. We agree because our ultimate concern is the safety of the Palestinian community organizers, but the Jeish have no right. Once the Palestinians were freed we started heading north on the highway with two shebab as our guides. Our plan was to cut in through the fields and make our way back to the house.
A few meters down the road we notice we are being followed, no longer by thw white car, now by a few Humvees. We slide into a shop to buy time and some soft drinks. We call the ISM media office and friends to explain pour situation and as we exit we are met by the commanding officer who proceeds to misinform us that Beit Ummar is a Closed Military Zone. Fortunately, experience runs deep with some of the International volunteers and we videotape the soliders as they pull out a map that clearly shows that the road and Machsom are temporary Closed Military Zones but that the village itself is not.
We proceeded to state very clearly that we will enter the village through another route and that we understood our rights. We also forced the Jeish to acknowledge the narrow perimeters of their legal document. This ruffled their feathers but their hands were tied. Jeish proceeded to blame Internationals for their problems with Palestinians and said that if any problems occured while were in the village, we would be rounded up and arrested for our meddling in affairs. We left them with their words on their lips and proceeded to follow our young shebab guides through the orchards back into the village.
We are starting to learn Summoud ourselves, as long as we are guests and allies of Palestinians, we are not going anywhere.
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6 comments:
It sounds as if the Palestinian youth are frustrated. Perhaps you can organize a discussion group so that they can discuss their frustrations and then come up with some clear goals that minimize conflict and promote a sense of confidence in the youth despite the very clear inferior feelings that they have lived with for much of their formative years. They might not see change in their lifetime. They have to learn to cope so that they will not end up miserable or dead by their 20s. I know this is easier said than done. Do what you can and be at peace with that.
Be safe and wise. I'm proud of you but worry about your safety. I hope you can use your writing pieces posted on your blog to further a career in journalism. You have a gift my friend. Is this something you've given consideration?
Your friend,
Melissa G.
It isn't our place. We cannot simply facilitate a discussion. When I express my frustration with the shebab's lack of organization, clear goals and tactics to meet those goals, I am highlighting a real problem that Palestinian youth will need to examine and develop solutions to themselves.
This will reinforce their summoud.
I beg to differ. Adult facilitation and grounding is needed in times of crisis. I agree that the solutions will have to come from themselves but young people in crisis benefit from focus groups that help them reach the solutions that will come about through discussion. Maybe I'm an idealist.
Some would argue that youth will facilitate themselves, others will argue that an adult is needed. My argument is that the suggestion is not at all appropriate for me as an international to engage in on a short solidarity stay. Thats all...
There are amazing Palestinian Orgs doing work with youth, just check out:
http://www.lajee.org/
http://www.breakthesilencearts.org/
I see your point. Your stay is not for this purpose. Thanks for the links. I'll take a look at them in my free time.
Fernando-
I met you when you came to speak at Eugene Lang, New School about your expereinces as a teacher. You inspired me then... I don't know how I got on your list, but I am so grateful to recieve your blog. I have forwarded it out to everyone(I know). I am in Boston now, and have been attending demonstrations against Israli and US brutality in Palestine and Lebanon. Please continue to write because information gets so turned around by the time it gets here, and sadly so many of our sisters and brothers still fail to realize the relevance of what's goin on in Palestine to their lives. Thank you thank you thank you. Stay up.
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