9th, February 2008
Ramallah Day:
In the morning we traveled from Bethlehem to Ramallah, crossing a distance of 9 miles through the Wadi Nar (Valley of Fire). On an average day this journey takes 75 minutes, and involves circumventing the largest East Jerusalem settlement in the West Bank – Ma’leh Adumin and crossing two checkpoints.
DCI - children issue:
The first meeting of the day was with the DCI (Defence of Children, International), who deal with the issue of violations of the basic rights of Palestinian children. The presentation lasted for one hour and finished with a question and answer session. The lecturer told many different stories about kids that were detained in Israeli jails, and how the Israeli system legalizes the process of the occupation.
Addameer - prisoners issue:
The second meeting was with Eddamer, who deal with the issue of Palestinian political prisoners during the different periods of investigation, detention and arrest. The presentation concentrated on different procedures that the Israeli security forces follow to violate the dignity of Palestinian prisoners, and the different ways of detaining Palestinian political prisoners; in particular, administrative detention.
Al-Mubadara - political issue:
In the afternoon the delegation met with Mustafa Barghouti: the secretary of Al Mubadara, who gave a presentation about the political situation in the area, and the oppression that the Israeli government uses against Palestinians. He referred to the Apartheid Wall and different Israeli procedures and systematic policies that reflect the racism of the Israeli regime.
Al-Haq - law issue:
Finally, the delegation visited Al-Haq, who are Palestinian legal experts on International Law. They gave a presentation about different policies that Israel uses which at the same time break different international conventions and human rights agreements. They also gave an overview of their work during the last 29 years.
Palestinian immigrants:
Before moving to Bethlehem, the delegation was happy to meet with one American Palestinian businessman: Sam Bahour. He gave his perspective as a Palestinian who holds American citizenship, and his point of view about struggling against Occupation through economic development.
After a very full day the team returned to Bethlehem to reflect on all that they had learnt.
