5 -Prevented from travel, prevented from life - Jenin August

Pictures made by the children at the Cultural Centre.
All pictures are available on a cd from the Centre , ready to be printed for art exhibitions.

Western life style, the hamburger consists of human bodies,

blood instead of coke.

Today Yousef was supposed to go to Poverty Requiem in Holland, a international conference he had been invited to where he and a Palestinian woman would have been the only ones to represent the arab countries. But the occupation prevented him. He was supposed to receive his visa on Friday but they called from Holland and said that he couldn't collect it before 9am Monday -today, in Tel Aviv! The person on the phone sounded really suprised then Yousef explained that he can't go to Tel Aviv. The majority of the people can't even go to Jerusalem, and not without special permissions.

We decided that I would go to Tel Aviv and meet up with Yousef in Ramallah, a city just outside

Jerusalem, and from where he could go to Amman, in Jordan. But the gates at the Jordanian border close at 2 pm, and in Palestine you can nver know how long time a trip will take, under normal circumstances it takes 1 and a half hour. As you can't book your ticket in advance as you're not sure you'll get the visa you can't plan your travel. Yousef would have taken a flight leaving at 3am, taking 10 hours since there were no direct connections left. Oxfam Nova in Amsterdam who organize the conference would have paid the expenses, but if he would have been stopped somewhere and prevented from going he would have had to pay all himself. So in the end he decided not to go.

It's sad beacuse the conference theme was music and it would have been a great oppurtunity to make connections for the Cultural Centre.

Recently Yousef received a letter from hte Israeli authorities that his children have to move to Israel, otherwise they'll lose their Israeli citizenships. Yousef's wife is from the village in Israel and that's why their children have Israeli citizenships. The authorities had come to her relatives house and asked for her to see where she lives. They'll do this beacuse they don't want arabs to have Israeli citizenships. If she and the children goes to live in the village it will be very hard for them to go and see Yousef, beacuse of the wall, and Yousef of course can't go and see them. The children will grow up without their father. All people in the village are Arab/Palestinian Israelis but The Israeli society in general is extremely racist and discriminating against non-Jewish citizens. But they would have things like access to modern hospitals, insurances, better schools and Universities, and not to forget, it would be easier for them to travel. All things that I (almost) take for granted in my life, so I really understand that it's a tough decision they'll have to make. How cruel of the authorities. You'll have to split the family in order to keep the citizenship you were born with!

I taught my last lessons today and I'm heading for Jerusalem tomorrow, and then for the ism training on Tuesday. I want to go to hebron there I spent quite alot of time my first time in Palestine. Some of the youth will have photography workshops this week and next Monday school starts. Today I had luck at my friend Zain's house, in Jenin. It feels sad to leave but it has been a bit lonely to stay at the centre on my own. I'll be back in a few weeks time though. Matt from Nottingham is still here, working at the Freedom Theatre, but I haven't been able to see him more than once.

Inshallah we'll visit Jenin hospital tomorrow to set up the connection with them.

The cultural Centre received some bad news today. They have to flats next to each other, and one they've rented for free until today as the flat was empty anyway. Now the landlord want to let the flat to someone if the centre doesn't pay rent for that as well. He didn't mention how much but it;s likelt to be about $200 per month which is a lot fro the centre, they're already paying $350 for the other flat. The flat is used for the woen's project to make jam, honey and other things so it would be very bad if they'll loose it.

I'll finish with Yousef's words before he left today: "Maybe we can go and live on March or somewhere else in the space."

C u another day, don't now if I'll have computer access in the next coming days.

4- everyday life - Jenin August

Posters at the Centre


Picking cucumbers with
Sirah, Lama and Rosa

First the latest news from Jenin: Early this morning (Sat 25th) a military operation was launched in the city. Two men from the Al-quds brigade (Freedom Fighters, and just to remind you that according to UN resolutions an occupied country/area have their right to defend themselves (this does not include suicide bombers). were killed, 3 of there comrades were injured, and so was a citizen who was passing by on the street, by the so called Israeli death squad Forces.

During the last 12 hours here eight Palestinians have lost their life in the West Bank and Gaza.

Among them Humam Ahmad Nasir, 18, and Mustafa Adnan Nasir, 17, both from Jabalia in the north of the Gaza Strip, and 11 year old Mahmoud Qarnawi, killed during an Israeli attack in Seida, north of Tulkarem in the West Bank.

My last week here...

Last Sunday I started to teach English at the centre. I was told it would be for beginners but it's not! I teach one group of children who speaks a lot, and a group of students where some have studied English at college. I knew it since before but it's even more clear now that it's one thing to know a language and another to teach it. The lack of books and material makes it even harder so tomorrow will be last lesson. The students seems supriseingly pleased though. It feels strange that they appreciate a foreigner as a teacher so much. I think they would achieve more with a local teacher who can explain the grammar in Arabic. It feels a bit "colonialistic" that I as a white European should teach, especially since English is my second language. But it shows one of the big problems here. A lot of the teachers haven't been paid for months, sometimes more than a year due to the ecomomic crises here. The centre for example would never be able to pay a teacher, and people here doesn't have time to teach for free.

This week I have soent a lot of time in Al-faddah, which is a suburb to Jenin where my friends Sirah, Lama and Rosa live. I met them at the centre where Sirah and Lama are studing Hebrew. Rosa is Sirah's sister. They're really nice and clever gilrs who has taken me to a lot of places, and they teach me Arabic. Tonight we were at birthday party to a friend of them, but Lama didn't go beacuse her brother was killed by the Israeli army 2 months ago and it's still the grieving period. The family of Sirah and Rosa are originally from Haifa, their grandparents came as refugees in 1948. (according to the UN resolution 194 all Palestinian refugees from 1948 and 1967 has the right to return, a right which they're being denied by Israel). They used to live in Jenin refugge camp but after the invasion in 2002 when the majority of the camp were demolished, and many people were killed, they didn't feel safe anymore.

Right now we're trying to set up more twinning contacts between Nottingham and Jenin but it takes time to arrange meetings and to find a day when everyone involved can attend.

Among other things the groups here would like to come in contact with places who can sell their fairtrade goods and organize art exhibitions with pictures made by the children at the centre.

Also we'll visit the Jenin hospital who suffer a lot from the economical situation. They are the govermental hospital, and the biggest in Jenin.

Yesterday I spent the day in Birquin south of Jenin where Yousef lives. It's a really nice village which has the third oldest church. Life there is quite quiet now but Yousef showed the hills from where soldiers started to shoot one night, hitting the the wall of his house just where two of his children were sleeping. Many houses were hit and one boy died. The children had sleeping problems for months afterwards. Everyone here has their story, and sadly their stories has not been listened to enough.

3 -Zahbaabdiy village & End of summer camp

Zahabaadi vaillage at night
At Refai's house
Al-badan park
Yousef in Al-badan Park
The children making masks at the summer camp

Two days ago the Spanish girls and I were invited buy a guy called Refai to his house in the village Zahbaadi there he lives with his family. Refai is active in many very interesting projects. You can see a summary in the end of the blog. He is working a lot with international volunteers in the different projects and he is always looking for new people.
Zahbaadi village, south of Jenin, has about 7000 citizens and the christian population is very big. There are two mosques and four churches. (one catholic, one greek ortodox, one russian ortodox and one protestant). Before there was a settlement nearby but the settlers left in the disengagement 2005 when the settlers in Gaza and in four settlements in the north West Bank had to leave. (according to a cecision made by the Israeli government).

The 18th of April this year the army entered the family's house and Refai's youngest brother, 16 year old, was arrested. They still don't know why and they don't know where he was taken. Not even the Red Cross has been able to found out which jail he is in (without a trial).
Since then it has been impossible for all in the family, including their relatives, to get permission to travel over the borders. This collective punishment is always used by the israeli government.
Yesterday Refais father was supposed to go and visit the hospital in Amman, Jordan but in the evening when we were there he got a phone call that he wasn't given the permission to go.
They siad he had "problems with the Israeli intelligence". He has internal bleedings and serius problems with the lever and the hospital in Jenin does not have the resources to treat him. The doctors there said that he will die if he doesn't get the right treatment soon. If he will be allowed to go he will have to go by ambulance all the way to Jordan.
Tomorrow Refai will go to the military court and try to change the decision. He is working with the Human Right Watch and has studied Law which will be an advantage. Normally it is very hard to change a decision. It was hard to be there and not be able to do anything, I get really angry when writing about it!
Refai himself has received a scholarship from the Geneva University to study Law there but know he doesn't know if it will be possible. One of his histers lives in Saudi Arabia and she hasn't been able to visit the family since the arrest. These are the situation that make you realize that there are no option then to continue the struggle for justice and human rights for the Palestinians.

The day before yesterday was the last day at the summer camp and we went on a trip to Al-badab which is a park with a cafe with the tables in a small canal so you can have your feet in the water, and something such unusual, in Palestine, as a swimming pool! (The water resouces are very limited here, and mot of the water are used by the illegal settlements). It was a very nice day and the children really enjoyed it as it's not very often they get the chance to swim. It was
the first day I felt really clean and wasn't sweating all the time!
One our way home there was one so called flying check point ( a mobile check point) but luckily they decided to leave before it was our turn to pass. So much for the Israeli "security". Now all the terrorist children could go to Jenin without any problem. The children at the summer camp in Zahbaadi (who Refai also is working with) went on a trip to Qalkilya a cuople of days ago and they were delayed for more than two hours in a check point on there they home. Imagine the parents who were waiting for them.

Yesterday the Palestinian National Tv came to the centre to film. The children did different performances singing, dancing, playing sketches and we were making hand craft with them. I'm not sure about my plans now when the summer camp is over. They want me to teach English (beginner level of course!)) at the centre as there are not enough teachers beacuse they can't pay them anhy money, so I'll probably do that. My plan was to join Ism but I'll see how things goes. They just set up a group here in Jenin but I'm not sure what they are doing here. I've heard different opinions about ISM and how they function at the moment. It's hard to know. I think it's important to always question what you are doing and if you can do it in another way. It seems like the groups in Nablus and Hebron are going well so maybe I'll go there.
Today we are going to the Freedom Theatre. I finally met Jonathan yesterday, who says hello to everyone in Ism Malmo, and he invited us to film show with films made by the children there. Hopefully I will also meet Matt from Nottingham who arrived this week and will stay for six weeks doing different circus projects.

C u another day, Love M.


The projects Refai is involved in:

First Summer Camp of the Palestinian-Israeli Student Coalition
In the end of August there will be summer camp at the Arab American University in Jenin there 40 Palestinian students, 40 Israeli students from the Tel Aviv University and 20 Internatinal students will meet. This is a very unique project, especially for Jenin. During one week the students will have lectures and discussions and workshops on Conflict Resolution, Internatinal Humanitarian Law and other subjects and they wil be doing volunteer work in Al-Fara'a refugee camp among other things.

Windows http://www.win-peace.org/
Windows is a non-profit organization established in 1991. Windows members are Israeli and Palestinian citizens of Israel and Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza. The members work together with media and art programs to promote mutual acceptance, undertsanding and recognition between each other. They are currently running three different projects. For many young people this is there only chance to meet and get to know people from "the other side".
The magazine Windows, a Hebrew-Arabic magazine written by and for young people age 12-14 from both peoples. I t deals with both both every day lives of youth but also more difficult topics like identity, natinality and the occupation.
Video Magazine for Youth - a video magazine filmed by Palestinian and Israeli youth age 15-17 showing their lifes and opinions.
Reaching Out to Schools - Many schools don't encourage discussion on the conflict and the occupation. Windows are offering a school program with discussions and workshops. The printed magazine and the video magazine are offered to all schools in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Terrtories. This project is supported by the European Union.

Voice without borders
A radio station set up by Refai and other Palestinians and internationals in Zahbaadi, there they send programs both in English and Arabic about life in the Jenin area and about the occupation. This project is looking for volunteers. I will edit the contact information soon.

Faculty for Israeli-Palestinian Peace Internship (from their website)
http://www.ffipp.org/

FFIPP, the Faculty For Israeli-Palestinian Peace, is a network of Palestinian, Israeli, and International faculty, with an affiliated international student network, working in solidarity for a complete end of the occupation and just peace.

To build an effective faculty network that educates the academic community about the situation in Israel/Palestine and the region and advocates policies conducive to reaching a just peace;To educate policy and opinion makers around the world to help stop the violations of human rights and international law and their cause, the occupation;To cooperate with those who work for a just peace and assist conscientious Palestinian and Israeli faculty and students.

Peaceful coexistence between Israel and Palestine is the resolution to the conflict supported by virtually all interested parties. We strongly believe that no justice and no peace can be achieved without Israeli withdrawal from all occupied territories, and that anybody truly and honestly favoring peaceful coexistence must support such withdrawal.

The FFIPP Summer Internship program supports not-for-profit organizations in Palestine/Israel, such as human rights, peace and justice organizations as well as centers for art, culture and research. This program will also provide invaluable skills and knowledge for the volunteers as they engage in learning, teaching, and research in local communities and organizations.

Human Right Watch www.hrw.org (from their website)

Human Rights Watch is dedicated to protecting the human rights of people around the world.
We stand with victims and activists to prevent discrimination, to uphold political freedom, to protect people from inhumane conduct in wartime, and to bring offenders to justice.
We investigate and expose human rights violations and hold abusers accountable.
We challenge governments and those who hold power to end abusive practices and respect international human rights law.
We enlist the public and the international community to support the cause of human rights for all.
Human Rights Watch is an independent, nongovernmental organization, supported by contributions from private individuals and foundations worldwide. It accepts no government funds, directly or indirectly.

2 -summer camp & Al-Amal Hospital, Jenin

Today 2 spanish volunteers and I were at the summer camp for the children. It goes on between 9am-1pam. The older children wrote a story together about their every day life and then draw picture to it. Many of the pictures show how deep they are affected by the occupation. The younger children were in another grouop and we painted their faces. After that some of learned some dubka dancing played different games.

The Cultural Centre are looking for places and people who would like to make an art exhibition with the pictures that the children have made. The pictures have been shown in Scotland before.
They are also looking for places, preferable Fair Trade shops, who would like to sell hand made things (wallets, bags, clothes, scarfs, pottery etc.) which the women are making.
So please contact me if you have any ideas of places who can be interested in anything of this.

In the afternoon Yousef took us to the Al-Amal Hospital, which is run by a NGO called Patient's Friend Society(PFS). They are a part of the twinning link with Tower Hamlet, London, but are also intersted in twinning with Nottingham.
PFS was estblished in 1972and it was the first NGO to start health activities in the Jenin area. It is the 2nd biggest hospital in Jenin with different specialized clinics and a mobile clinic which cover villages around the city.
PSF also run different programs connected to the hospital like Al-Amal School for mentally handicapped children, Al-Amal polyclinic, Integration of disbled children in the national eduscation system, Al-Amal Maternity Hospital, gynecology and obsterics, Health education and promotion program, and Community based rehabilitation.
Jenin is considered to be one of the most underserved areas in Palestine with a high poverty level. The disability rate is 2%, which is one of the highest in the West Bank. The hospital bed ratio is 0,5bed/1000n inhabitant. The average ratio in Palestine is 1,3bed/1000 habitant. The health related infrastructure is undeveloped, especially in the rural areas that have been badly affected by the apartheid isolation wall surrounding them from three sides.

The hospital's economic situation is (not suprisingly) in a very bad state, and they were really affected when the European countries and Us withdraw their financial support one and a half year ago. (after Hamas won the democratic election as you probably know).

For the twinning group in notts:
I discussed with some of the doctors about how a twinning link could be helpful for them. This is what they said:
They are looking for financial support to be able to get more equipment, repair the old equipment, to do renovations, repair the ambulances and to buy medecine. Also they would be interested in having volunteers with the required education and knowledge. Especially to the school for the handicapped children but also to the hospital. Maybe there can be an exchange of medical students in Jenin and Uk. I said that as far as I know there are no health sector involved in the twinning project yet, but that I would report it to the group so you can discuss it.

C u another day.

1 -Arrival -Jenin

I arrived yesterday morning to tel Aviv (by flight to my big disappointment, if you also trying to avoid flying, there are people who has managed to enter Israel by ferry from Cyprus and through Syria this summer!). The customs searched me and my bags but hardly asked any questions so I didn't have any problems at all to enter.

After one night in Al-quads/Jerusalem I'm now in Jenin, the city which is twinning with Nottingham, Uk. I only passed one checkpoint, Kalandiya between Jerusalem and Ramallah. They checked people's id but we didn't have to get out of the bus.

I'm staying at the Jenin Creative Cultural Centre, founded in 2005, where Yousef (who works here) met me.
A summer camp for the children has been going on for one week and will continue at least one more. It is open for both the children in the refugee camp and the rest of Jenin. Between 10 to
120 children come every day depending on the programme.

During the summer a food production project for women has been set up. It has been going on for one month and if they get more money from the Olof Palme Centre in Sweden who sponsor it, it will continue after the summer camp is finsihed
About 25 women have been involved making jam from fruits and vegetables from the local farmers. Some women come from villages behind the wall (on the "Israeli side"), and many of them have difficult economic situation. Some of them have lost their houspants and they have to support their families on their own.
The aim of the project is that the women will become economic independent, which is the first step to make it impossible to improve life in other ways. At the same time it makes the Jenin City less independent from Israel as they produce food from their local farmers and sell in their locla shops.
The unemployment in Jenin is estimated to be 65-70% so projects like these are really important.

It seems to be fairly calm here even though the military enter the city regularly. Most times they just drive around and shoot in the air, to create a feeling of unsecurity.
Yousef send his greetings to all people in Malmo and Nottingham, and thanks for all support.
Hisham says hello to the people in Malmo, especially the ones who were here in July.
C u another day.