The Best and Worst Photos of Palestine 2003

[Bethlehem, West Bank] Here are 30 of my favorites from 2003.

My neighbor, Abu Nasser, in Bethlehem.

This Israeli soldier fired a round immediately after I took this photo from my Bethlehem bedroom balcony.
Scared me a little. I thought he was shooting at me.

Palestinian schoolchildren cross a roadblock in Bethlehem.

Palestinian shepherd resting near Bethlehem checkpoint. Israeli settlement of Har Homa in background.

On their way home from Bethlehem to villages south.

Outdoor backgammon is popular in Beit Sahour.

Beautiful girls, Fida and Afnan.

In a Palestinian Bedouin village.

One of my favorite photos of Bethlehem.

Priests visiting Nativity Church. The guy on the right looks like he's not so happy to have his photo taken.

Bethlehem girl.

Brothers are the same all over the world.

Bethlehem lady cleans debris. Home next door was demolished. The explosion shattered her windows.

Cross at Mar Saba.

Walking down a blocked road in El Hader. Carry what you can. No transportation is available.

Traditional dance in front of Bethlehem's Mosque of Omar.

Israeli soldier at Bethlehem's main checkpoint. He talked to me for nearly an hour.
Depending on the time and place, some soldiers are willing to talk.

Damascus Gate in Jerusalem. Israeli soldier sits in the window.

Mosque in Bethlehem

Bethlehem boy in my neighborhood. He's a nice guy.

Abu Shaddy prays at Mar Saba.

Rana's eyes are the eyes of all Palestinians.

Resting in the sun at Bethlehem.

Blowing off some steam in Bethlehem.

A soldier stops a Palestinian farmer trying to bypass the Bethlehem checkpoint. Look at the body language.

Outside St. Catherine's at Nativity Church.

Big boys and a little girl. More traditional dance in Bethlehem.

Shumoua enjoying her sister's wedding in Beit Sahour.

Hardworking Palestinian lady.

Iyad leading Christmas candle procession.