Mother Palestine

MOTHER PALESTINE

Issue 1 • June 2014

RELIGIOUS LIVING THE SYMBOL OF NABLUS

PLAYING THE RESISTANCE THE INFLUENCE OF MUSIC

HIPHOP IN ASKAR CAMP THE RAP VOICE OF ASKAR

THE OLD CITY OF NABLUS

A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME

A CELEBRATION OF THE PAST

STORIES FROM NABLUS, MADE BY INTERNATIONALL VOLUNTEERS AND THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

FEATURES 32 Facts and figures

Details about the occupation 04 Religious living

The symbol of Nablus

07 Taking care of autistic kids

Issues beside the occupation

22 Playing in Balata

Struggles in a refugee camp

CULTURE 12 Playing the resistance

Habib Al-Deek: “I play my fight“

14 The old city of Nablus

A celebration of the past

16 Savor Palestine

A comparison between two kitchens

24 Yo Yo Askar camp

The Rap voice of Askar

27 Palestinian Poetry

The quill keeps writing

EDUCATION 08 If not summer camp...

Educative alternative for hollydays

18 Olive Center Burin

The bridge between Ana and Intu

20 Technique for women

Inspiration at the Al-Rawdah College

AND...

10 Photo gallery

Daily life in the West Bank

26 Greetings from...

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Peru, The Netherlands and India

A letter to you This magazine was created with the purpose to open your eyes about how Palestine really is. We, the volunteers, came to Nablus as individuals from all over the world with different motiviations and perceptions about the daily life in Palestine. Our friends and family were worrying before we left, telling us to be careful, asking us if it’s really safe there, and warn to be aware of terrorists, but they changed their opinion after listening to our stories.

Contributing Writers

We all took the step and decided to volunteer for Project Hope, showing the Palestinian youth that not all foreigners have a bad intention. We shared time and knowledge with them, and made distractive activities with the soul purpose to have fun. To show them that people around the world are caring about their fate.

Palestine is a great region to visit. Even though we originate from different parts of the world such as Mexico, Singapore, Candada, India, Morocco, SouthAfrica, USA ,England, Switserland, Ireland, Peru, Brazil, The Netherlands, France and Turkey, we reinforced our deep commitment with the Palestinian struggle.

Most Palestinians are not able to leave their occupied land. Every day they get a humiliating attitude from the heavily armed teenage soldiers at the dozens of checkpoints limiting their movement. We spoke to a fifty year old man who never saw the sea. Children were telling us about the nightly incursions from the army bashing in their door, sowing fear. The farmers told us they cannot reach their lands anymore. Villagers informed us about attacks from the five hundred thousand settlers who took over their springs, land and acces roads,

Alisa (25), Canadian Cedric (29), Swiss Ihab (23), Palestinian Joeri (27), Dutch Miguel (26), Mexican Owen (30), Irish Pavel (33), Peruvian Sarah (18), US American Teus (26), Dutch

Contributing organisations Project Hope, Nablus, Palestine Pasa La Voz, Cusco, Peru Hoedje van Papier, The Netherlands Planet Hope, Bengalore, India

and how they attack children by throwing them stones while they are going to the school. Citizens who have lost brothers and fathers in the struggle - in the time we have been here 7 Palestinians were killed by the army - or who have family detained (500 Palestinians were detained in a period of 2 weeks) without receiving any information about their well-being.

Graphic Artist Joeri & Pavel

Our motivations vary; to experience another reality, the general interest in the region, the biblical sites found all over the Palestinian Territory, like the stairs in Jerusalem where Jesus carried his cross. Or the way how religion is practiced in this region, visiting the famous Al-Aqsa Mosque for the Friyday’s prayer. To find out why people are oppressed and why hatred exists. Or to learn how people are happy in these – for Westerners – difficult circumstances. But what we all

Poets Mahmoud Darwish, Galilee Farah Chamma, Palestine

have in common is the drive to fight for human rights and the consciousness that it’s wrong to be passive.

After our time in Palestine we can say that here there is a great sense of communal life, a relaxed place in which people are introduced, welcomed and invited for a warm meal. It’s a culture of solidarity, of sharing, giving and taking care of each other.

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RELIGIOUS LIVING

THE SYMBOL OF NABLUS

BY EHAB ZAWATI

T

he Nablus governorate lies in the northern West bank 49 kilometers from Jerusalem. It’s inhabited by 340 thousand Palestinians who believe in Samarian –the essence of Judaism- Christianity and Islam.

Nablus is characterized by its balanced atmosphere with the resident experiencing diversity from one neighborhood to another, the closeness of individuals within one circle of the neighborhood can be felt without feeling conspicuous variation.

In Nablus, no designation can take over the place and isolate its residents from the rest of the city, for example, the presence of churches along Rafidia Street doesn’t mean that the area is purely Christian, in fact, the closest neighbor to the church may be a member of one of the most notable Nabulsi Muslim Families.

Dr. Rebhi Sehweel is a Muslim who

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has been living next to the Catholic Church in Rafidia for 27 years, he denies the presence of any problems with the religious presence next to his house by saying: We have friendly, humane relationships, our religious difference doesn’t affect our old, long-lasting relationships.

Socially oriented life In Nablus, everyone lives in a common social frame, there is no apparent difference that separates the believers based on traditions or temperate,differences are only found in the subtle religious details that only appear seasonally.

And even for these religious differences, they have become part of the traditions and culture of Nabulsi people, they share each other holidays and festivals.

Social events make an important part of the formation of the societyof Nablus.

It’s normal to find a mosaic of religions in family and friends’ visits, as friendships are not limited by religious differences, these events include public

Catholic church

The mosque in the old city of Nablus

events such as national days and festivals, and private events such as weddings and funerals. The attendance is seen by many as a duty if not as an obligation! There, you can see a Christian setting next to a Muslim beside a Samaritan,these three are connected by avery strong friendship.

The head of Nablus Municipality for 2 terms for over than 12 years GhassanShak’aa, says that the relations between Nabulsi people are not limited by religious differences, in fact, they share rights and duties based on citizenship and affiliation, he says that “People in Nablus celebrate Christian and Samaritan holidays with the same passion as Islamic holidays, which gives the biggest proof of the high awareness of the citizens to the importance of their unique relations”

History testifies The Israeli army attempted to isolate Samaritans from the rest of Nablus Society by placing a military checkpoint at the entry of their neighborhood in a previous period.

However, the checkpoint was removed and the ability to freely enter the neighborhood

was restored as Samaritans used to interfere and allow other residents to enter the neighborhood by taking it on their own responsibility.

Cohen Khader As-Samiri, the head of the Centre of Samaritan Studies, thinks that the Israeli checkpoint has impaired the ability to communicate with the Nabulsi Society, but this has been overcome later, he says that “The Israeli checkpoint was actually placed to protect the military zone rather than protecting the Samaritans, the Israelis know well that the Samaritans are not threatened by the local citizens with whom they share their daily life without any fear”.

In Nablus, there is nothing to make a believer feel worry about his soul or his religion as both ancient and modern history proof that no religious conflicts have been recorded in the city, according to the history of the church in Nablus, no anti-Christian assaults have been recorded in Nablus since the establishment of Christianity in Palestine in 34 AC up A Samaritan man until now, the same goes for Samaritans who have lived here for 3640 years.

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Father Yusuf Saadeh, the patron of the Latin Church in Nablus, insisted on using the word “living together” rather than using “coexistence”, he thinks that living is something humans do naturally, while coexistence is a mannered situation practiced by humans to carry out their lives, he says “ Living facts between the people of Nablus represent the essence of their nature, we Christians used to set with Muslims in the court of Rafidia Mosque around its fountain, we also used to- and we still do- exchange food dishes and sweets with neighbors, these details shows the nobility of relationships among the citizens”.

Siege made people closer rather than dispersing them

An orthodox-christian priest

Cohen thinks that living is something humans do naturally, while coexistence is a mannered situation practiced by humans to carry out their lives

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The Israeli occupation enforced the relationships between the followers of different religions in Nablus, despite siege and closure, people found their way to communicate, rely the news, reassure each other safety and perform their patriotic duties.

Khader Assamiri, for example, helped transporting aids and supplies to city residents,he also helped in transporting some men from one place to another, as the Samaritans where the only ones allowed to move freely in the locked West Bank. In Addition, father Yusuf Saadeh used to gather his neighbors secretly in the court of the Church to spend their time discussing their daily issues during the Israeli invasion, he also allowed Muslims to perform Eid prayer in his house and in the court of the Church during the siege.

There are 650 Christians and 765 Samaritans in Nablus, they are able to join public schools and jobs without any restrictions, and participation is based on their qualifications while religion has no effect on this.

Jazer, Omar and Mohammed

TAKING CARE OF AUTISTIC KIDS ISSUES BESIDE THE OCCUPATION

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had the pleasure of working with the staff and children at the Autistic Centre at the Local Rehabilitation Committee in Al-Ain refugee* camp. The centre was established in 1999 with funding provided by UNICEF. There are currently thirteen children enrolled in the centre; eleven boys and two girls. They arrive at seven in the morning and stay until noon five days a week.

The children come from throughout the city of Nablus; they are picked up from their respective homes and dropped off at the centre. Each child is always picked up and dropped off by the same taxi driver to ensure that the children feel safe and comfortable as they are around a familiar face; this also assists in the building of their daily routines.

The staff at the Centre has done and continues to do an amazing job, they are extremely dedicated and hard working. There are a variety of structured and unstructured activities which are developed and implemented to assist the children in developing their gross and fine motor skills. However; it is not overbearing on the children as the activities are played by ear, how the children feel and what mood they are in which is imperative when working with children with special needs – one must of course be accommodating and thus the centre is not rigid in their programing. In addition the personal of the staff and volunteers is utterly amazing to witness as they shower affection upon the children.

Working with the children, staff members and other volunteers at the Local Rehabilitation Committee, was definetely amazing; it was an eye opening experience that I will cherish.

* Palestine refugees are defined as “persons whose normal place of residence was Palestine during the period 1 June 1946 to 15 May 1948, and who lost both home and means of livelihood as a result of the 1948 conflict.” (UNRWA- United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) Mother Palestine 7

Summer camp: More than a distraction

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Boys going to Summer Camp

IF NOT SUMMER

CAMP, WHAT ELSE?

A

t the end of May, the schools in Nablus are closing and the summer holidays start. In Europe we can easily go on holidays to other countries, but in Palestine that’s a bit more complicated. Due to the political and economic situation, children spend most of their holidays at home.

But for the three weeks leading up to Ramadan, they can enjoy the summer camps set up by the local organisation. For six days a week, the children in the age of six till twelve are busy with games, sports, art and music.

Local- and international volunteers work together in the mesmerising heat to give the children a chance to be busy.

As an international volunteer in Nablus, I’m helping at the summer camp to let the children play football.

When I arrive in the morning, the children are lining up in groups of about twenty children and do some movement exercises. After a while, the groups go to different rooms to paint, to play music or football. At the football pitch, the children separate in four or five teams, they play and

after five minutes the teams change.

But the nice thing is that the children, who are waiting for their turn to play, are at the same time practicing their English with me. ‘Where are you from?’ ‘Ana min Hollanda, I’m from Holland’. ‘Where do you live? What do you study? What are your hobbies?

How many brothers and sisters do you have?’ The nice thing about the summer camps is not only that it gives the children a nice time, exciting games and activities, but also that they come into contact with all kinds of people: local volunteers, who’re giving an tremendous effort in the organization of the summer camp and also internationals.

We as international volunteers are a bridge for this children to the outside world. We show them that they’re not totally lost in this difficult situation.

The biggest reason we’re here is to make them see that there are people around the world who care about their fate.

CHLDREN ENJOY TO PLAY GAMES, TO PAINT, TO PLAY MUSIC. BUT ALSO TO SPEAK WITH INTERNATIONALS

Going on holiday to an other country?

Impossible

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Description starting in upper left corner, rotating clockwise.

1. Children from Burin enjoying the swimmingpool in Al-Badan in the Jordan valley.

2. A young FC Barcelona fan in Jericho.

3. The sunset from Sama Nablus, a newly built promonade on the hills of Nablus.

4. The barrier wall in Calandia, seperating residents from Ramallah from the Arab citizens of Jerusalem.

5. The sunset from the hillside in Nablus, with the football stadium lighting up.

6. A sweetsore in the Old City of Nablus 10 • Mother Palestine

Description starting in upper left corner, rotating clockwise.

Little boy in Al-Ain refugee camp, Nablus A muslim lady smoking narguile while their feet enjoy the water, Al-Badan, Jordan Valley 15 of May, little boy holding the Palestinian flag in Sebastia during the commemoration of the Nakba, meaning “catastrophe�

A boy riding a donkey in the archeological center of Sebastia, Nablus district.

A boy waving the Palestinian flag on a truck which brought the first refugees into Nablus in 1941

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PLAYING THE RESISTANCE HABIB AL-DEEK INTERVIEW “I PLAY MY FIGHT.”

H

abib Ak Deek plays the oud, the violin, the kanun, the piano and the darbouka; but above all else he plays his own fight in trying to contribute to a Palestinian music identity. He uses music as a strong tool against the current political situation.

He was born in 1970 in a small village called Kufr Al-Deek, nearby Nablus, and later studied music at An-Najah National University. Afterward, he earned his Master’s Degree in Musicology at the National University of Barcelona. He later taught music at An-Najah for the past twenty years. Currently he works as a supervisor at Edward Said Music School in Nablus, West Bank, Palestine, but his story with music started a long time ago when he was just a little kid: “One of my father’s friends, during the first intifada, (uprising)

Habib Al-Deek in one of his music classes 12 • Mother Palestine

came one night to our place and played the oud. After listening to his music I decided immediately I wanted to learn how to play the instrument. The man himself had learned to play the oud by ear, so he taught me the basics and by the next month I was able to tune the oud myself. Although I didn’t have my own oud to practice, I still managed to practice a lot. I wanted to buy one so I went to Israel on vacation and worked on a farm to save money to buy an oud. Three months later I had one.”

In 1988, during the first Intifada ‘uprising,’ Habib was in jail and while there learned how to be a competent barber. After his release, he moved to Nablus and worked as a barber while he studied music. When we talked about Palestinian traditional music during our interview he said: “Palestine is located in a region called,

Arabic Instruments

We are under occupation. Music is a way to resist. A way to tell the world what is happening here. It’s a way to convey our feelings, our fears; our daily worries...

‘Music is our Fight’

A Kanun has 26 courses of strings, with three strings per course. It is played on the lap by plucking the strings with two tortoise-shell picks, one in each hand, or by the fingernails. Arabic kanuns use quartertones, yielding 72 equal divisions (or commas) of the octave.

in the past, Bilad Al-Sham; so we share the same heritage as Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.

We used to be one big country. We are Arabs, we have the same culture. Nowadays we are building the Palestinian music as an original, regional expression, but we need time for it.”

“I played my fight,” he said, literally referring to his composition “Lucha,” or “Fight,” which he composed in 2009 for the documentary film “Checkpoint Rock: Songs from Palestine.” He continues: ‘We are under occupation. Music is a way to resist. A way to tell the world what is happening here. It’s a way to convey our feelings, our fears; our daily worries...music is Fight’.

The oud is a pear-shaped stringed instrument. Its name derives from the Arabic word for ‘wood’, and this refers to the strips of wood used to make its rounded body. The most common string combination is five pairs of strings tuned in unison and a single bass string, although up to thirteen strings may be found.

When asked his thoughts on the power of music, he responded: “Music can connect people in different ways, that’s why I think people have to listen to world music. A good musician must be open to listen to both classical music and modern rhythms, and at the same time work on his own musical identity.”

Lastly, when asked on the future of Palestinian music, he concluded, “We, as musicians, work both with children in the city and in the countryside because we know if we work with children now, then in fifteen years we will have good Palestinian musicians.”

The origin of the term darabukka probably lies in the Arabic word “darba” (“to strike”). The Eastern goblet drums are played under the arm or resting on the player’s leg, with a much lighter touch and quite different strokes than hand drums such as the djembe, found in West Africa.

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The view of Nablus from the Mall

THE OLD CITY OF NABLUS A CELEBRATION OF THE PAST

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T

ake a stroll through the Old City of Nablus and be prepared to travel back in time. Your journey through this limestone maze of narrow streets will reveal scenes one can only dream about, the labyrinth which beckons is ripe for exploration by the intrepid adventurer, pass under the shadowy arches, roam through the narrow alley ways and climb hidden flights of stairs. What strikes you instantly is the interwoven architecture spanning thousands of years; the Roman, Byzantine , Islamic and Ottoman civilizations are all represented here. You pass the luxurious ancient Turkish baths. The minarets of the majestic mosques are the landmarks guide you along your journey.

Continuing forth, your senses are awoken by overpowering fragrances. Fresh and dried herbs and vegetables are being sold by friendly street sellers. ‘Welcome welcome,’ they shout. The warm smell of cooling Kunafah Nabulsiya wafts into the street. Diligent vegetable sellers appear as if from nowhere pushing large cartloads of produce

across your path. Butchers stand aside chickens squawking anxiously in their cages, stirred by a cat prostrating herself lazily in the shelter of the shade.

An entrepreneurial soap-seller ushers you off the street into his ancient factory, the cold interior offering some respite from the fierce heat of the midday sun. Demonstrating the massive cauldrons, vats, ladles and barrels of olive oil he proudly recounts the soap’s natural manufacturing process, completely unaffected by the passing of time.

Twenty thousand people inhabit this wonderful quarter. If you look closely as you pass, you will notice countless small curious faces peering down at you from the windows and balconies above.

You feel the incredible energy and wonder of life.

Sellers below, inhabitants above. The Old City is a veritable living and breathing monument celebrating the warm, welcoming citizens of Nablus. A celebration of the past, present and the future‌

The Old City is a veritable living and breathing monument celebrating the warm citizens of Nablus

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SAVOR PALESTINE THE SIMILARITIES OF MEXICAN AND PALESTINIAN FOOD

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raveling to many countries and making many international friends is a great experience. But I must say I have never been welcomed so warm as in Palestine. So far, I tried a lot of wonderful Palestinian dishes at the home of one of many friends I have established in Nablus. My friend’s mother, through her cooking, has introduced to me new smells and new flavors from the comfort of her lovely kitchen. I have been very fortunate to have been allowed into his home and to be welcomed as part of their family.

A man preparing falafel balls

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One thing I have done is comparing the Mexican food I am used too eat in Zaragoza, in the region Coahuila in Mexico, witch the Palestinian food in Nablus. We share the hot and dry climate, we also share the love for goat, lamb, and beef meat. In the Mexican cuisine there are four main ingredients in almost every meal (peppers - chili- , tomato, onion - cebollaand cilantro).

In Palestine they’re replaced with tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and parsley. The colors remain the same, but the flavors make an interesting combination. As a Mexican I love spicy and hot food, but in Palestine it is difficult to find. I adjusted my salsa addiction to the Palestinian way by replacing my hot salsa with “Laban” (yogurt), which they use in the same ammount as we do with Salsa sauce.

Kunafah is a Levantine cheese pastry soaked in sweet sugar-based syrup. The largest plate of kanafeh was made in Nablus for a Guinness World Record. It weighed 1,350 kilograms

Of course the Palestinians have many kinds of sauces but what I have encountered at my friend’s home is “Laban”. It is used as a sauce on rice or in soups.

We have the “Tortilla” back home, which we eat with every meal, but in Nablus they use pita bread for that purpose. We also have “Gorditas” in Mexico, which is corn dough bread stuffed with meats and vegetables. In Palestine they do the same but with pita bread.

Another similarity in food are the Shawarmas. They remind me of the Tacos de tortilla de harina, which are flour tortilla tacos stuffed with vegetables, chicken or lamb. The neat part of a Palestinian dish is that it can easily accompany a Mexican dish. The Palestinian spices blended with the Mexican flavors will definitely make a great combination. In my opinion, the mixture of both dishes will burst your mouth into an exotic flavor of two different cultures.

In Mexico we like to decorate our dishes with a bit of Cilantro but in Palestine Parsley decorates almost every dish. Both cuisines can learn a lot from each other. There are so many similarities and so many great things to talk about concerning Palestinian food, I recommend you make you way to Nablus, if only to experience their food.

If you like the taste of sugar, you will be in heaven in Nablus, since it’s the birthplace of the Kunafah and many other wonderful sweets. Words are not enough to explain the greatness of Palestinian food, so I recommend to visit Palestine. Trust me, the Palestinians will welcome you with open arms.

Viva Palestine!

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TT

Children making drums out of cardboard boxes

What is Burin?

Burin is a Palestinian village in the Nablus Governorate in northern West Bank, located 7 kilometers southwest of Nablus. The town has a population of around 3500 nowadays. After Israeli police demolished a trailer home in Adei Ad, a group of settlers from Yitzhar vandalized cars, smashed windows and cut electricity wires in Burin.

18 • Mother Palestine

The human rights group Yesh Din documented nine attacks on Palestinian families living in Burin allegedly carried out by settlers living in outposts near Yitzhar or Har Brakha. Disturbances of peace by Israeli citizens rose in 2008 with 429 incidents in the first half of 2008, compared with 587 incidents in the two predecesing years combined.

Olive harvest days are coordinated to prevent violence and vandalism. Nearly eight thousand Palestinian-owned trees were damaged during the first months of 2013. A spokesman for the Israeli governing body in the West Bank said that were also cases in which Palestinians have damaged trees owned by Israel but they were fewer.

THE BRIDGE BETWEEN ANA AND INTU

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he heat finally starts to wear away and the schoolyard grows quieter as children trickle out the gate, but I can still hear a strong chant of “Ana! Ana! Ana!” echoing against the walls outside. I peek out and see another Project Hope volunteer, with a paintbrush in his hand and a swarm of children surrounding him . Their heads bobble about in front of him, trying desperately to have their turn at getting their hand painted. The sound of their shouts has become familiar since I began teaching English at the Olive Center—the kids in Burin have always been eager to learn something new or to try something different—and they know the best way to volunteer is to simply yell: “Ana (me)!”

Burin is a small village just south of Nablus that approximately 3,000 people call home. The village spreads across two hillsides and stretches out into the valley below. Everywhere the landscape is dotted with almond and olive trees, which provide for the main source of income for the village. Within the village resonates its own natural hum of an eased routine of life. Which reflects in the intimacy of the community, the hard work of the people, the elated laughs of children, and the venerable dusty land itself. After a few weeks of teaching the kids at the Olive Center in Burin, this throbbing hum became vividly alive to me; and it came in the form of the generosity and hospitality of the people—a cup of tea, a warm meal, a piece of chocolate, a huge smile and a high five or a kind ‘You are welcome, you are welcome.’ When in Burin, this calm and welcoming rhythm of life makes it hard to believe that the village is essentially caged in by army outposts and Jewish settlements: the Yitzhar settlement from the south and Bracha from the north.

Both children and women from Burin can attend both English language and health classes. There are approximately twenty women and forty children whom weekly attend classes. The settlers of this region are known as some of the most extreme and militant in the West Bank. At the Olive Center, founded in February 2014 by Wadha Asous, the people of Burin

find solace from the heavy omnipresence of danger and tension caused by the settlers.

When the day of summer camp is over, Wadha and her friend - who works closely with her at Olive Center insist on spending the evening with us in Burin for a barbeque. We pile into an ancient car and hold our breath as we lurch forward up the dry hillside to see the view from above. As we get closer to the top and I see the abandoned land filled with only long piles of whitened rocks, I realize we’ve come to the place from where the settlers throw rocks down on the villagers below. As we careen up the steepening hill, the women casually tell us of how the settlers come here weekly to fling stones at the children below and torment them as they walk to school in Burin. We don’t stay on the eerie summit long, and instead travel back down to the Olive Center to prepare for the barbeque.

We sit outside under the shady olive trees with Majd, Duaa, Dalia, and Akhmed, some of our students, while the women heat up the coals to grill and the other children run to get water from the well across the road.

The kids flit about us, laughing and playing with one another, and then settle calmly by our sides. Wadha would later tell us at dinner that these children are truly the reason she founded the center; she would tell us how she felt she needed to bring happiness to them again, to give them a safe place to learn and socialise with one another.

In many ways, the center has become very therapeutic for the kids in Burin who have grown up terrorized in the shadow of hatred and violence caused by the settlers. As we sit outside with the children and thankfully watch the sun fall behind hills in the east, Duaa and Dalia shyly ask me something in broken EnglishArabic. I ask them to repeat. They look at the other project Hope volunteer and me and ask again, and this time we understand they’ve asked us to sing. The volunteer looks back at me and nods. I look back at Duaa and motion at myself, ‘Ana? Sing?’ She smiles and the commonly heard Ana turns into ‘Intu’, (you guys).

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TECHNIQUE FOR WOMEN

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ablus is one of the Palestinian cities that has made education a top priority since the early part of the twentieth century.

Though Palestine is often cited as the most educated society in the Arab world, we have to say that this is a very misleading notion. In order to achieve the level of education that they have, incredible obstacles to their schooling and acces to learning have to be overcome on a daily basis.

MOTIVATION AND INSPIRATION AT THE TECHNICAL GIRLS SCHOOL AL-RAWDAH COLLEGE IN NABLUS

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It is within this context that we talked to some of the students of Al-Rawdah College about education here in Palestine, the role of women in society, and the importace of being a Palestinian.

The role of women is becoming more and more important in Palestinian society and the girls are a great expample of this. They are comitted to the wellbeing and future of children here in Palestine, as well as pursuing their careers.

1.

Why am I studying?

“Because we need a new, strong generation; I think that working with children by teaching them good values from the beginning helps a lot. Children are the new generation and they definitely affect society.”

Raghad Okal - 18 years old “I’m studying because I really like my career; since I was a little child I dreamed to become a teacher. Now, sometimes, while I’m studying in the classroom, I imagine myself teaching children and I cry because it’s my biggest dream. I want to be a teacher, a child’s teacher!”

Masara Kanaah - 19 years old

2.

How do I see the role of women in Palestine?

“ Women in general are one of the most important parts of society; we raise up children- our children- while we work and study at the same time. Women are really important in Palestine, and, of course, women can work as well as men.”

Masara Kanaah - 19 years old “We are half of our society, we are as important as men, and we raise our children. Nowadays our role in Palestine is becoming more important.”

Areeg - 18 years old

3.

When I think of Palestine…

“ Palestine means everything to me. It is the land where I grew up and where I will die. It is the holy land and I’m very proud of being a Palestinian woman.”

Ahed Assi - 19 years old “Palestine is my mother. It is the place where I was born, the air I breathe- Palestine means everything to me and I’ll never give up!”

Donna Kamal - 20 years old

Literacy rate of Palestinian population (Palestinian Bureau of Statistics) Male 97.9 % Female 92.9 %

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Balata Camp in 1950 and now 22 • Mother Palestine

PLAYING IN BALATA STRUGGLES IN THE BIGGEST REFUGEE CAMP IN THE WEST BANK

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n the process of founding the new state of Israel hundreds of thousands of Palesinians were displaced by force. With their homes destroyed, their land lost and no bright perspective for the future, the citizens of over sixty different villages – including the current Israeli cities of Jaffa, Lydd and Ramleh – gathered in the first refugee encampment on the West Bank of the Jordan river.

To this day, the people and their descendants of the camp struggle to find a way to handle their daily life. Balata camp is situated on the outskirts of Nablus, at the same spot where the first UN tent encampment was placed. But now, almost seventy years later, the tents are replaced by multistory cinderblock emplacements. The streets are narrow, the biggest ones barely wide enough for a car to drive through, the smallest only wide enough for kids to trespass.

Due to the current economic situation most people try to be selfsufficient,

resulting in appartment blocks with several cows in the basement, sheep and goats on the first floor and chickens on the rooftop. The camp is extremely densly populated, measuring only 0.25 square kilometer, and inhabiting almost 30.000 people. This results in a density of one person per six square meters, including the uninhabited streets and schools.

The lack of space and privacy makes the enviroment hectiv. The people under sixteen – almost half of the entire population – have few options to entertain themselves. While walking around in the camp one regulary smells the fumes of burning car tyres, sees kids fighting each other with sticks or just throwing small stones into the open. Military incursions happen at least once a week, in the middle of the night. Sometimes people are arrested, sometimes not. A great opportunity for the kids to practice their stone-throwing skills.

The football field – the only one - in Balata is the place where the youngsters meet. All of whom strive to become a

famous football player. On this field we meet Nasir, Karam, and Mourad. As all kids in Balata, they are excited to practice their English skills in the prescence of a foreigner.

‘I play football every day’, states Mourad (10). ‘I love to play it, and to watch my idol Lionell Messi play. I try to play the same way he does, and when he scores it feels like I scored too.’ After that statment Mourad is pushed away by Karam, eager to have his say too. ‘Playing with my friends makes me happy, that’s why I love it. I want to be a great Palestinian football player in the future.’

Those dreams in these precarious circumstances shine a light on the ability of people to adapt. To not give up, to try against all odds to build op a daily life and a future in the hive of a hectic refugee camp. They patiently wait for the moment to return to their lands, their houses and their heritage. Even though that time may never come.

Mother Palestine 23

YO YO, ASKAR CAMP!

A beat, some words and a real-life experience, that’s all you need for rap’

SUT AL’ALAM, THE RAP VOICE OF ASKAR

T

he name says it all : Sut Al’Alam, the voice of the world. Reclaiming their voices and sharing it worldwide, that’s the goal of Samih, Jamil and Hamze, aged 16 to 21, from the refugee camp Askar, in Nablus. Together they chose a specific genre to express it, rap music.

‘A beat, some words and a real-life experience, that’s all you need for rap’, says Jamil. Seated inside the Keffiyeh Center, which regroup all the cultural activities in the camp, the boys start their rehearsal.

Almost on a daily basis, the group gets together and practices. Hamze is looking for a good beat on a website. In front of every one lays a piece of paper and a pen. Then, the all dive into their own world, searching for inspiration. Words are tumbling down on the paper and the magic of ryhmes is initiated. A new song is born and another message is sent to the world, as Hamze quotes: ‘Rap is our way to express ourselves, our way to deliver a

message to others, our way to speak about the reality of Palestinian’s lifes.’

From the streets of Brooklyn to those of Askar refugee camp, rap has been used by many generations of young marginalised people, as a way to express themself. In Palestine, the rap scene is still an emerging one. It was born about a decade ago. Influenced by the roots of the rap movement, the group Sut Al’Alam focusses on putting out words from the harsh daily life. Their lyrics aren’t about cars, girls, and bling-bling attitudes, but about political and social issues of the IsraeliPalestinian conflict. By telling the unfolded stories of their lives as young Palestinian refugees, the band members shed light on a reality and reclaim their voices, in a very talented manner.

What is Askar camp?

Askar is a Palestinian refugee camp located in the outskirts of the

interrogating individuals or arresting suspected.

West Bank city of Nablus. According to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, the camp’s registered population is 31,629.

The UNRWA has several installations in Askar refugee camp includ-

Food rations are distributed to approximately 2086 families.

ing schools and health clinics. However, in addition to these, the camp has several of its own community centers including the

During the 2000 Intifada and 2002 Israeli Occupying Force (IOF) for

Keffiyeh Center located in New Askar. International volunteer

Palestinians or Israeli Defense Force (IDF) for Israelis incursions,

work activities are run at the center the whole year long.

camps such as Askar were a source of considerable resistance from Palestinian gunmen. IDF incursions are still common in Askar refugee camp and are generally conducted for the purposes of

24 • Mother Palestine

More information: keffiyehcenter.wordpress.com

Jamil and Elise, members of Sut Al-Al;am

The revolution is nothing for our ego’s

When darkness starts the clouds attack me

We need to take the power to the people

the doors in front of my face close

Against all odds we can spread the Palestinian struggle

and everything I have I lose in one shot

against the Israeli occupation all over the world

my fuel runs out but the gasstation is closed

Fragments from the song ‘Black Cloud’ by Sut Al-Alam

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Hola desde Cusco, somos niños de Perú y mandamos todo nuestro apoyo a nuestros hermanos palestinos.

Hello from Cusco, we are Peruvian children and we send all our support to our Palestinian brothers.

Hallo kinderen, groetjes uit Nederland we hopen dat in de toekomst alle problemen verdwenen zijn. We denken aan jullie!

Hello children , greetings from The Netherlands, we hope that in the future all the problems disappeared. We are thinking of you guys!

We send all the kids in Palestine greetings from Bengalore, India and we wish you all the best!

GREETINGS AROUND THE WORLD 26 • Mother Palestine

I COME FROM THERE MAHMOUD DARWIESH 1941 – 2008

I come from there and I have memories Born as mortals are, I have a mother And a house with many windows, I have brothers, friends, And a prison cell with a cold window.

Mine is the wave, snatched by sea-gulls, I have my own view, And an extra blade of grass.

Mine is the moon at the far edge of the words, And the bounty of birds, And the immortal olive tree.

I walked this land before the swords Turned its living body into a laden table.

I come from there. I render the sky unto her mother When the sky weeps for her mother.

And I weep to make myself known To a returning cloud.

I learnt all the words worthy of the court of blood So that I could break the rule.

I learnt all the words and broke them up To make a single word: Homeland…

JOHN DOE FARAH CHAMMA 1994 - CURRENT

Rise and shine The world outside is awaiting us two Across leas of the sun Just Me and you We shall glide like water droplets On petal hues Then evaporate into the air Like wet morning dew Swaying like a summer breeze Would gracefully do Melting like strawberry ice cream Under a sunlight, imbued Like skates on smooth ice Slithering our way through Across the rivers of Evermore We shall serenely canoe Painting all mountains red Like a dawn anew Rise and shine, If only you knew your dream—I say ... then I awaken, and no city is in the city. No “here” except “there.” And no there but here. If it weren’t for the mirage I wouldn’t have walked to the seven hills ... if it weren’t for the mirage!

Mother Palestine 27

FACTS & FIGURES PALESTINE IS OCCUPIED AREA LET THE FIGURES SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES

520,000 settlers illegaly occupy Palestinian land 709,000

meter of concrete wall seperates Israel from the occupied West Bank

The wall is built inside occupied territory, not at the border, isolating 9.4% of the West Bank There are

56 water springs in the West Bank that have become target of settler activities

30 of these springs have been taken over completely by Israeli settlers Almost forces

1100 Palestinians, over half children, were displaced due to home demolitions by Israeli

REFUGEES FROM PALESTINE Regsitered Palestinian Refugees in the Middle East

4,618.141

Estimated Palestinian Refugees worldwide 5.5 million The war in 1948 resulted in over

750,000 Palestinian Refugees

The 1967 “Six Day War“ a further 240,000 refugees were created Since 1967, another

400,000 Palestinian have been displaced

Source: United Nations office for the coordination of humanitarian affairs occupied palestinian territory, 2012 28 • Mother Palestine

Mother Palestine 29