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Experience in Palestine
By: Rebeca Vargas
I had the opportunity to participate in this year’s gathering organized by the YMCA and YWCA Palestine under the name of ¨Journey for Justice¨, which enjoyed the participation of young people coming from Japan, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Belarus, Lesotho, Spain, Holland and Guatemala. The aim of this gathering is for young people from other YWCAs around the world to get to know about a country that is currently living under Israeli occupation, and the suffering imposed on its youth, children, and adults for years as consequence of the latter.
Starting on June 28th, we started a 10-day trip throughout Palestinian territory in the West Bank in order to get a closer insight into one of the most virulent conflicts in the Middle East. We further learned about the work being undertaken by the YMCA and YWCA. Crucial activities are being pursued within Palestinian society, greatly needed in the context of the occupation they are living in.
One of my first strong impressions took place upon entering Bethlehem: a wall. A tall and grey wall that separates Israel from Palestine, the apartheid wall as it has grown to be known, a wall that separates Jews from Arabs, and blocks the way for Palestinians in their own country, which they have inhabited for generations.
During the gathering, we also had several experiences of what it means to live in an occupied country: the check points. Surely enough, when only foreigners were present, the Israeli military turned out to be very kind. We were, however, mostly accompanied by the youth of the YMCA, all of whom were Arabs,… they were not so nice to us then. As a result of having to cross the check points, a trip that would normally take half an hour is prolonged to over an hour. They stopped us, checked our passports, and they took the identity cards of the Palestinians travelling along with us several times, only to verify that they were not terrorists. There was not one of these young soldiers, considering that they are all around the age of 18, who did not make sure they showed us their weapon as a sign of the powerful in charge.
Despite the hostility of the military, and the difficulties encountered when moving around, we managed to get to know several cities, organizations, and political leaders, which provided us with their views on the conflict. We came across Fateh leaders, Al Jazeera social communicators, refugee camps, Palestinian villages enjoying a peaceful form of resistance, international observers, religious leaders, and farmers cultivating their land with olive trees, among others. In every single place we visited, we could confirm the fact that the Palestinian people are an oppressed people, as shown by the military occupation in their own territory, and very small details that make their lives very difficult. As an example, Palestinians cannot even obtain permits to construct within their own houses, and should they dare doing so without a permit, their homes will be demolished. Another example is how Palestinian children are being thrown stones by Jews when walking to school. As stated by the State of Israel itself, there are also measures that can be taken to ensure that Palestinians abandon their land ¨voluntarily¨.
While in Palestine, we were also witnesses, though not present, of the Israeli occupation of Gaza. Hence, we were not able meet with further Palestinian authorities since they were considered to be part of a ¨terrorist¨ government. We were, however, present in another one of Israel’s offensives against civilian children and women, who constitute the most common victims.
It is very hard to understand how a people that have suffered as much as the Jews can now inflict so much suffering on innocent persons. All of us who were there could witness the latter. We all felt a sentiment of powerlessness and indignation for not being able to do anything about it. We came to understand, as well, that the problem is not only religious in nature, but also economic and political.
Peace in the Middle East is necessary. However, in order to achieve it, something beyond the establishment of a dialogue and certain will is needed. First of all, the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory needs to end. As young committed people, we most demand for the military occupation to come to a halt. We cannot adopt a neutral stance. Our place must be next to the oppressed. That is where I stand, as someone who has lived this experience first-hand. That is where many of us Guatemalans stand, some of whom lost their homes, relatives, and friends in the hands of the military during the war. That is why we can empathize with the just struggle of the Palestinian people. A people that despite their suffering has continued to be warm and welcoming. A people that did not make me feel a foreigner, but rather a citizen of a world in urgent need of justice.
If we are looking for justice and peace in the world, it is time to demand an end to the war and the occupation of Palestine.
Let us fight for a Free Palestine!
Starting on June 28th, we started a 10-day trip throughout Palestinian territory in the West Bank in order to get a closer insight into one of the most virulent conflicts in the Middle East. We further learned about the work being undertaken by the YMCA and YWCA. Crucial activities are being pursued within Palestinian society, greatly needed in the context of the occupation they are living in.
One of my first strong impressions took place upon entering Bethlehem: a wall. A tall and grey wall that separates Israel from Palestine, the apartheid wall as it has grown to be known, a wall that separates Jews from Arabs, and blocks the way for Palestinians in their own country, which they have inhabited for generations.
During the gathering, we also had several experiences of what it means to live in an occupied country: the check points. Surely enough, when only foreigners were present, the Israeli military turned out to be very kind. We were, however, mostly accompanied by the youth of the YMCA, all of whom were Arabs,… they were not so nice to us then. As a result of having to cross the check points, a trip that would normally take half an hour is prolonged to over an hour. They stopped us, checked our passports, and they took the identity cards of the Palestinians travelling along with us several times, only to verify that they were not terrorists. There was not one of these young soldiers, considering that they are all around the age of 18, who did not make sure they showed us their weapon as a sign of the powerful in charge.
Despite the hostility of the military, and the difficulties encountered when moving around, we managed to get to know several cities, organizations, and political leaders, which provided us with their views on the conflict. We came across Fateh leaders, Al Jazeera social communicators, refugee camps, Palestinian villages enjoying a peaceful form of resistance, international observers, religious leaders, and farmers cultivating their land with olive trees, among others. In every single place we visited, we could confirm the fact that the Palestinian people are an oppressed people, as shown by the military occupation in their own territory, and very small details that make their lives very difficult. As an example, Palestinians cannot even obtain permits to construct within their own houses, and should they dare doing so without a permit, their homes will be demolished. Another example is how Palestinian children are being thrown stones by Jews when walking to school. As stated by the State of Israel itself, there are also measures that can be taken to ensure that Palestinians abandon their land ¨voluntarily¨.
While in Palestine, we were also witnesses, though not present, of the Israeli occupation of Gaza. Hence, we were not able meet with further Palestinian authorities since they were considered to be part of a ¨terrorist¨ government. We were, however, present in another one of Israel’s offensives against civilian children and women, who constitute the most common victims.
It is very hard to understand how a people that have suffered as much as the Jews can now inflict so much suffering on innocent persons. All of us who were there could witness the latter. We all felt a sentiment of powerlessness and indignation for not being able to do anything about it. We came to understand, as well, that the problem is not only religious in nature, but also economic and political.
Peace in the Middle East is necessary. However, in order to achieve it, something beyond the establishment of a dialogue and certain will is needed. First of all, the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory needs to end. As young committed people, we most demand for the military occupation to come to a halt. We cannot adopt a neutral stance. Our place must be next to the oppressed. That is where I stand, as someone who has lived this experience first-hand. That is where many of us Guatemalans stand, some of whom lost their homes, relatives, and friends in the hands of the military during the war. That is why we can empathize with the just struggle of the Palestinian people. A people that despite their suffering has continued to be warm and welcoming. A people that did not make me feel a foreigner, but rather a citizen of a world in urgent need of justice.
If we are looking for justice and peace in the world, it is time to demand an end to the war and the occupation of Palestine.
Let us fight for a Free Palestine!
