September 25, 2002

News for my Israeli Readers

[Bethlehem, West Bank] New Israeli readership, welcome! Until a few weeks ago, my website was virtually unnoticed by Israeli readers. I seldom had a visitor from there. However, now Israelis view my site more than readers from any other country (except the United States). I wonder which group has suddenly gained interest? Police? Immigration? Regardless, I hope this is because they are concerned about everyday events in the West Bank. I hope they are interested in the lives of the Palestinians. I hope they have a genuine desire to get to know their neighbors better. Because once you really get to know your neighbors, you understand them and you realize your commonality.

So for my new Israeli viewers, what's going on here? Hmmm....let's see. Well, if you live in the West Bank, there's a pretty good chance that you are living under curfew now. Almost all of the largest towns are under curfew. Bethlehem is not. Yasser Arafat is. Curfew is not the be-home-by-9pm-type curfew. Curfew here means that you never leave your house. You sit inside all day. And maybe watch Israeli tanks and soldiers through your windows. That means everyone -- mothers, children, fathers, and bomb-makers. This is called "collective punishment." Everyone gets punished for the crimes of a few. My father was good at doling out collective punishment when I was a kid. He gave my brother and me both a good whipping -- to make sure he got the right boy. I guess that dad didn't realize that collective punishment is illegal by international law. Evidently Ariel Sharon doesn't realize it either. (Note to new Israeli readers: if you know Mr. Sharon personally, please inform him.) It is illegal, of course, because people get punished who have done nothing wrong. My brother and I made the mistake of fighting. Palestinians made the mistake of being born Palestinian.

What else is going on? I've been enjoying the freedom of Bethlehem. We are allowed to walk through the town unhindered. I have heard a few reports of Israeli tanks making brief visits. Haven't seen any myself. And there has been some sporadic shooting at night. But for the most part, the folks in Bethlehem can enjoy almost all of Bethlehem. You might not think that's so great. What's the big deal about walking around in your neighborhood? Well, it's a very big deal compared with other Palestinians still held indoors all day. We can go to work. We can go to school. We can go to our church or our mosque. We can visit our neighbors, or just go outside to feel the warm sun on our faces.

Since curfew is lifted, I've been enjoying going to friend's homes. Hanging out. Eating kabobs. Drinking mint tea...

...and taking photos of friendly kids.