Internationals for Justice in Palestine
Delergation Report Backs - Emily03
Hi!
Today is a rest day allowing more time to use the internet and to explore the city.
It is hard to believe that there is only a week left of the delegation. I have asked myself over and over whether I am ready to return to America. I have never experienced life as I have here.
My travels in the past had only reached as far as Western Europe leaving not much contrast from the material capitalist nature of American society. Here, apart from the revolutionary struggle - family, Palestinian culture and heritage are emphasized.
In previous e-mails, I have described the hospitality and generosity of the people, but I have failed to mention the affection they show to one another. I am in awe at the way families remain together and both the mother and father work together as equals in raising the children. Simple things like this, rare in America, are what has made this trip so special for me. It is amazing to see such close-knit loving family and friends together considering the daily reality of Israeli occupation. In fact, I would argue it is the family that is at the core of the resistance movement. It is in the family where experiences are lived and shared. Children are treated as equals and are present in political discussions. At first, I had a problem with the fact that the children were present in the room when issues like torture, armed struggle, and assassinations were discussed. I worried for their mental health and general cognizance. However, I have learned that it is imperative for the children to be included in such discussion, for they must know what they are going through and to never forget. In fact, the one thing the parents stress the most is that the children cannot forget. They must know and understand the state in which they live so that they can use their power to make change.
In the U.S., children are protected in the sense that they are sheltered from everything. Children grow up completely censored from all matters- politics, social struggle, and even history. For instance, I had never even heard about Palestine or knew what it was until I was a freshman in college!
So much work needs to be done here. Areas of general sanitation, environmental protection, and mental and physical rehabilitation are greatly in need. A Kovler Center would do so much good here. In fact, in many of the homes I have visited of ex-political prisoners, all who have been tortured, expressed the need of a center that could help rehabilitate them both physically and psychologically. I am luckily coming back with information from Adameer (an organization focused on Israeli torture as a means of political repression) on descriptions of Israeli institutionalized torture in the prisons. I am also visiting their office tomorrow to learn more about the situation. Incredibly, I learned that there is not one torture treatment center in all of Palestine. When visiting with people I personally asked them if such a center would be of help. I received unanimous replies of yes. Physical therapy and psychotherapy are two crucial services that do not yet exist here. I look forward to speaking more about this issue when I return. I am hoping that in the future I will be able to do work around this issue with the ultimate goal of establishing a center(s) here.
I have been impressed with the amount of political and social organization among the people. The Palestinian Authority is not an effective institution representing the people. Palestinians themselves, therefore, have taken it upon themselves to create progressive forms of leadership. Art and cultural centers are prevalent, with many focusing on women’s rights and childhood development. I had great fortune to sit in on a Palestinian Debka dance troupe’s practice. I loved how they integrate Palestinian heritage into the form of dance. Also art murals and art therapy are common here, allowing children to express their feelings of trauma through art. As a result, Palestinian society is extremely artistic and expressive. Such institutions create a rich environment.
Tomorrow will be my last full day in Ramallah. We will be visiting a few more social institutions, with Adameer being one. Later in the day, we will be joining in a mass demonstration focusing on targeted assassinations. It is expected to be a huge event both in its anticipated size and emotional significance. The presence of Israeli troops is guaranteed so I will make sure to e-mail again soon to update all of you on the outcome.
Sunday we will be heading south to Jerusalem (which I am so excited for) and then to Bethlehem and Hebron. We will be meeting with women’s associations and touring children centers, as well as touring the cities.
I am off for now. I am just so in love with all that is Palestine. It has been a very emotional trip henceforth causing my heart to feel warm and my eyes to fill with tears in times of good and then to feel so frustrated, angry, and ashamed in times of bad. I am thankful for the times of good, which are many.
-Glad to have called you Mom from the mountains of Nablus. And yes, the sunset was gorgeous.
Can’t wait to see all of you soon. Thank you too for those who have written me. I really appreciate getting word from you too.
Salaam,
Emily