Hard at work in Tulkarem

Some days are very busy in Tulkarem. Most activities require special planning with coffee and sweets to ensure effective resolution. Our weekly schedule is normally tight with checkpoint duty,visiting locals, presenting village conversations and monitoring agricultural gates. Once this is complete we have to write reports and publish articles. We do not have time to sit around and be idle.

The story of Ala'a

I met Ala'a today. She is only 24 years old. Her husband Riad is 28 years old. They have three children together. Riad used to work for the mother of Ala'a in their clothing store. This is where they met and fell inlove. One fateful day around 18 months ago while on their way to Nablus to purchase goods for the store he was arrested at the checkpoint. She waited with their one month old baby until late that night begging for his release. Instead she heard from him three days later that he was tortured and deported back to the Gaza strip where he was born. Since then she has tried profusely to be with the man that she loved but to no avail. The forces of politics stood between them. Yesterday we received a message that Gaza is under complete closure and that everyone found on the WestBank who is born in Gaza will be deported immediately. No-one is allowed to leave or enter the area. The situation in Gaza is hopeless and inhumane. Most of the people are unemployed and are living on AID and charity from international donors. This is no place to raise three children.
It is not certain how the story of Ala'a and Riad will end...

Visit to the Mayor

We were welcomed to the town of Tulkarm by the Mayor, Eyad Jallael along with his Director, Abdul Ghalek. During our conversation at his municiple office he mentioned that his vision is for Palestians is to live side by side with their neighbours. "We are all human beings and should be considered as equals" he said.

A few days later we met with the Director in the Ministry of Labour and Economics, Ahmed Drobe. He mentioned that Tulkarem, a predominantly agricultural town showed financial promise and growth before the two Intifadas. Considered as the "food basket" for the West Bank because it was the commercial gate for import and export but today the unemployment rate of the town has increased to 27%. Fewer workers are able to reach the labour market since the Israeli occupation of Palestine and the building of the seperation wall in 2002. It seems as if the West Bank is slowly becoming financially dependant on Israel for its existance because economic liquidity is under control of Israel. Furthermore, the nearby villages are surrounded by Israeli settlers who make movement very difficult for the Palestinians. They have no contact with each other for fear of conflict and intimidation.

Easter Service in Nablus

We attended a blessed Easter Service at the Church of the Good Sheppard (Anglican) in Nablus with Reverend Ibrahim Narouz. The church pews were full with Palestinian Christians and following the service we shared a cup of coffee with the congregation. We were invited for lunch to the home of one of the members on our next churh visit.

Sofie's Birthday

We celebrated Sofie's birthday with cake, candles, gifts, dinner and good conversation. It was fun. Jon and I put up huge "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" posters. Jean-Maurice brought a cake with candles. We decided that even though our b'days are on other days in the year we will all celebrate a special day over the three months. So I am on 25 April, Jean-Maurice is on 25 May and Jon will be 2 June.
I wish her all the happiness and success in the future.

Land Day

On this day in 1976 six Palestinians lost their lives in an attempt to resist against the Israeli government occupying their land.

We attended a mass rally in the town of Nasslat Issa. Hundreds of people gathered to listen to the governor presenting a speech in remembrance of this day wherein he reiterates that never again will Palestinian land be taken. The day was marked with special traditional Palestinian dancing and singing.

The wall that seperates Palestinian families from each other is clearly visible in Naslat Issa. They have to travel up to two hours one-way in order to visit friends and family who used to live just minutes away.

Handover ceremony

We attended a beautiful handover ceremony. The former EAs handed over their responsibilities to us. It was very touching and I realised again the huge task and honour that we were blessed with. Bishop Munib Younin (Head of Churches in Jerusalem) shared his thoughts and vision for Israel /Palestine with us a few days earlier and requested that we continue our missionary work with grace and love.