Policing the Imagination - A Palestinian Story
Historical Palestine includes the Gaza Strip and the West Bank (known as the State of Palestine) along with Israel
The indigenous Palestinians have a rich cultural heritage rooted in their historic homeland. This Arab community's unique identity has stood the test of time
Geographically nestled in the heart of the Middle East, the West Bank serves as a bridge connecting the nations of Israel and Jordan. It is a land of stunning landscapes, where the echoes of history intertwine with the aspirations of a diverse population
Palestinians residing in the West Bank are recognized for their firm sense of unity and endurance in the midst of political and economic hardships. They take pride in their diverse cultural background, which encompasses rich traditions, music, and cuisine.
Despite numerous hurdles, such as Israeli settlement expansion and military occupation, they remain steadfast and unwavering in their pursuit of freedom and autonomy in their ancestral homeland.
انتفاضة
Intifada انتفاضة is an Arabic word meaning "uprising" or "shaking off." This word carries immense weight, encompassing the collective will of the Palestinian people to assert their rights and fight against the enduring Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Within the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it refers to two major periods of sustained resistance against the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. These Intifadas have become pivotal moments, where the oppressed rise up against forces that seek to diminish their identity, rights, and land.
From a Palestinian point of view, the intifada is viewed as a legitimate form of resistance against Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. Palestinians view the Intifadas as a grassroots movement that arose from years of frustration and oppression under Israeli occupation, and as a way to assert their right to self-determination and freedom. The Intifadas are seen as a way for Palestinians to challenge Israeli policies and practices, including settlement expansion, military violence, and restrictions on movement and access. Palestinians also see the Intifadas as a means of drawing attention to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and of seeking international support for their cause
Despite being in Area A, which is under full Palestinian control, the Israeli military still to this day routinely enters the camp and makes arrests
During the first intifada, which started in 1987 and lasted until 1993, the Israeli military enclosed the entirety of Dheisheh with a fence, which left only a small turnstile as the sole entry point, effectively cutting off the camp from the main road between Bethlehem and Hebron.
While the fence has since been removed, the turnstile remains visible at the camp entrance From 2000 to 2005, The Israeli military conducted incursions, house and arrest campaigns, and imposed prolonged curfews on the camp during the second intifada. Many older male residents were detained during both uprisings.
The people of Dheishiah have faced numerous challenges and opposition throughout their history, but amidst it all, there is a source of pride and hope in the form of "Ghorbet Lagee."
That beacon of hope for the community is the traditional dance known as Dabke, which is deeply rooted in Palestinian culture and history. The Dabke represents a symbol of resilience, hope, and unity for the Palestinian people.
Mahmoud, the founder of Ghorbet Lagee, says
“Our organization, the Society Development for Women, Youth, and Children, is a non-profit established in Deheisha Refugee Camp in Bethlehem City. We are Palestinian refugees fighting to end the injustice of our forced displacement. We strive to improve educational services for children and women, promote self-help, responsible leadership, and creativity among our participants and volunteers. We achieve this by teaching traditional dance called "Dabkah" to the Palestinian youth of the camp. We have groups for children, girls, and adult boys, who perform each month at festivals, events, and Palestinian weddings in Palestine and beyond. We also offer English lessons with conversation practice. Our mission is to build an artistic Palestinian community that represents our cultural and national concepts through shared efforts and ideas.”
The conflict between Israelis and Palestinians is a highly complex and longstanding issue that is influenced by various factors, such as historical, political, religious, and economic ones. There are differing views among Israelis and Palestinians regarding land ownership and resource rights that have further complicated the situation. Additionally, other factors like refugees, settlements, security concerns, and external involvement also contribute to the complexity of the issue
It is crucial to recognize that this is my opinion, and I acknowledge that there are many differing perspectives on this issue. However, it is imperative to address the ongoing mistreatment and erasure of Palestinians, which has been occurring for the last 75 years. It is essential to hold accountable those leaders who contribute to this problem and work towards finding a peaceful and sustainable resolution that ensures the well-being and safety of both Israelis and Palestinians
Recap
-
The modern Palestinian people living in the West Bank are primarily Arabs who trace their ancestry back to the indigenous inhabitants of historic Palestine. Today, they live in the West Bank, an area in the Middle East that is located between Israel and Jordan. The West Bank is considered a Palestinian territory, and the majority of the population is Palestinian.
Palestinian people in the West Bank are known for their strong sense of community and resilience in the face of political and economic challenges. They have a rich cultural heritage and are known for their traditions, music, and food. Despite facing many obstacles, they continue to strive for independence and self-determination in their own homeland.
-
During the first intifada, which started in 1987 and lasted until 1993, the Israeli military enclosed the entirety of Dheishah with a fence, which left only a small turnstile as the sole entry point, effectively cutting off the camp from the main road between Bethlehem and Hebron. While the fence has since been removed, the turnstile remains visible at the camp entrance. From 2000 to 2005, The Israeli military conducted incursions, house and arrest campaigns, and imposed prolonged curfews on the camp during the second intifada. Many older male residents were detained during both uprisings. Despite being in Area A, which is under full Palestinian control, the Israeli military still to this day routinely enters the camp and makes arrests
Despite all of this opposition, there stands a beacon of hope in Dheishiah called “Ghorbett Lagee”
Mahmoud, the founder of Ghorbett Lagee, says
“Our organization, the Society Development for Women, Youth, and Children, is a non-profit established in Deheisha Refugee Camp in Bethlehem City. We are Palestinian refugees fighting to end the injustice of our forced displacement. We strive to improve educational services for children and women, promote self-help, responsible leadership, and creativity among our participants and volunteers. We achieve this by teaching traditional dance called "Dabkah" to the Palestinian youth of the camp. We have groups for children, girls, and adult boys, who perform each month at festivals, events, and Palestinian weddings in Palestine and beyond. We also offer English lessons with conversation practice. Our mission is to build an artistic Palestinian community that represents our cultural and national concepts through shared efforts and ideas.”
-
In 1949, Dheisheh camp was established on Bethlehem's main street to accommodate 3,000 refugees. The camp boasts a vibrant civil society, with numerous community-based organizations
“Sixty families who fled from the first intifada came to live in Dheishah. They initially lived in tents at the start until the UN built houses for them. After that, the residents decided to rebuild their own houses according to their needs and designs. However, with over 16,000 people living here now, there is no space left, so we are forced to start building additional floors. You'll also notice things written on the walls that convey political, cultural, and critical messages. Palestinian’s express their feelings this way.
You can see the difference between the city and the camp. The houses are different in the city as they are built according to certain criteria and features, while in the camp, they are just built as people want so you will see many floors and new roofs. There's a school for boys and a school for girls, as well as a healthcare center. That's all there is to offer in this one-kilometer square area where all 16,000 people live. You can spot Jewish settlements on the mountains that once were empty ten years ago, but now they're growing closer every day.” Says Mahmoud
-
The conflict between Israelis and Palestinians has a long and complex history, and there is no one simple answer to this question. There are many factors that have contributed to the current situation, including historical, political, religious, and economic factors. Some Israelis believe that they have a right to the land that is currently occupied by Palestinians, while many Palestinians feel that their rights have been ignored and their land and resources have been taken away. The conflict is further complicated by issues such as refugees, settlements, security concerns, and the role of external actors. Ultimately, the reasons for the treatment of Palestinians by Israelis are multifaceted and cannot be reduced to a single explanation.
One thing that can’t be ignored is that for 75 years, Israeli’s unfair and illegal attempts at silencing and erasing an entire people group should not continue to be swept under the rug and the world leaders who are contributing to this should be taken out of office
Here is the full set of images I captured during my time in Israel/Palestine
