Welcome to Palestine

First Impressions

We have now been in Ramallah, the de facto capital of Palestine, for two weeks and have begun to settle into our daily routines. Ramallah was described to us as a bubble, because of the wealth that is in the city and after spending just a week here that is definitely evident. Land cruisers and BMW’s are everywhere, and people are often seen lounging around drinking iced coffee while working on their MacBooks.

However, once out of Ramallah, it is evident that not everyone is living comfortably and poverty is widespread. Visit our website (www.votypalestine.com) to read a report on agriculture in the West Bank and the problems the separation barrier has caused for farmers and agricultural workers!

We also went to Bil’in last week for the 8th annual conference on Peaceful and Non-Violent Resistance. Bil’in is the town that features in the Oscar-nominated film Five Broken Cameras, a film that highlights the struggles of living next to the separation barrier. Residents from Bil’in as well as international activists protest every Friday against the wall that envelopes their village. In 2005, Bil’in hired an Israeli human rights lawyer to represent the town in the High Court of Justice, with the aim of getting the wall moved away from Bil’in. Israel claimed 60% of Bil’in’s land as their own, however the ruling by the High Court of Israel gave Bil’in 30% of their land back and in 2011 dismantling of the wall began in order to re-route the wall.

A memorial in Bil'in has a creative use for all the
 tear gas canisters on the floor

The people of Bil’in have to spend everyday living in view of the wall, being constantly watched by IDF soldiers and settlers. The boys play with empty gas canisters and ride their bikes up and down the wall whilst the IDF look on. At a memorial to a member of the community who died they have found an inventive use for all the tear gas canisters that litter the floor near the wall.

Despite the conflict and the resulting poverty that exists throughout the West Bank, the hospitality has been positively overwhelming. One of the first nights we were here we heard music coming from down the hill, so a few of us went to go check it out and found a wedding street party with booming music, lasers and a live band. The boys were dragged into the middle of the dance floor, while we were invited to sit down by the sister of the bride and then loaded with cups of tea, cans of coke and bags of sweets. It was overwhelming how welcoming and inviting they were, especially considering we crashed their party on the night before the wedding!

First days at Sharek Youth Forum

I have only been working at Sharek Youth Forum for a few days, but already feel confident that the work they do really contributes to youth empowerment. We’ve split our team of ICS volunteers into those teaching English and those recording Podcasts. I’m working with another volunteer to produce up to three podcasts throughout our three months working at Sharek, and currently we are researching for our next podcast on ‘Life next to the wall’ – you can check it out on iTunes or our website! 

The outside of our offices at Sharek, Ramallah.

We are also working to improve our outreach in an attempt to inform as many people as possible about the Palestinian cause. I have had the chance to speak to a number of people working at Sharek, some of who are focusing on advocacy projects and others who are working with youth empowerment. One of the big projects is ‘Step forward together’, which enables youth between the ages of 18 and 24 who have a creative idea to put it into practice. Past projects have included helping the elderly or planting a garden – almost anything is possible, as long as it is creative in some way and contributing to the community. This project operates all over the West Bank and each year more than 700 projects are granted funds.

First Reflections

Being in Palestine has already changed the way I look at things and it’s hard not to get angry or feel frustrated by the situation. The west portrays the conflict as a two-sided, complicated conflict, but coming here it is harder to remain impartial. I hope that I continue to learn about the conflict, and being in Palestine has already inspired me to continue contributing to the plight of the Palestinian people in some way once I leave.