A Village Tour

Almost the end of 2010 and where did it go?  As I reflect on this past year I realize how many blessings have come my way.  As I experience daily life in this unique part of the world I am constantly reminded of the many freedoms I take for granted.  Today after our agricultural gate

Qaffin Agricultural Gate

watch at Qaffin,  our team went on a tour of several areas north of Tulkarm where the separation barrier between Israel and Palestine has been constructed. 

The villages that once enjoyed visits with family members and friends were abruptly cut off when the separation barrier was completed in 2004.  What that means in the daily life of Palestinians is extreme difficulty even getting to a family function. 

Roads that connected villages to each other were suddenly filled with dirt or concrete barriers plus the never ending razor wire.  Maintaining friendships and positive family communication is a challenge due to the frustration and stress of trying to get anywhere.

It was interesting to see olive groves and walk around in the fields.  They told us that olive trees thrive in rocky soil.



Here I am in an olive grove in Nazlat

 The land is very fertile if it can get water.  Here are some greenhouses made with plastic.  They are put up seasonally and can grow two crops a year if they have water. 

Greenhouse gardening near Qaffin

But water is scarce, especially for Palestinians.  (that will be another story after I learn more particulars)

Several sobering stories shared with us today were about what happened after the separation barrier was in place.   A family home that had existed before the barrier was built was now too close to the barrier.  Demolition orders were issued and the demolition of the house took place on the very day of the wedding of a family member living in the house.  They came back from the wedding to find their home gone.

When a demolition occurs everything is completely destroyed and only rubble remains.  In looking at the demolished houses it looked the same way that an act of nature would destroy everything in the path such as a tornado or hurricane.  But those are acts of nature and not purposeful destruction of property and livelihood.  I wonder how someone feels when they watch their house being destroyed.  As I walk and talk to folks in Tulkarm and surrounding areas, I sense an overwhelming sense of grief and loss.   It seems to me that the struggle to keep going must sometimes feel insurmountable.

We visited another small village called Nazlat’Isa that had been the center of commerce a few years ago.  The Israeli forces came into the town unexpectedly one day and completely destroyed 170 businesses.  Since that time it has been like a ghost town with very little activity.  The construction of the separation barrier not only destroyed many houses and shops but has basically destroyed the economy of the village.

Nazlat’Isa--mostly deserted



In another village there was a large house where the separation barrier was built up to it with a space for the house and then again on the other side.  Because it wasn’t secure, the family had to move out for 6 years while the Israeli forces occupied the upper level of the house.  Now the owner is back in the house but unable to occupy the section that is against the separation barrier.

Halfway through our tour our guide for the day, Abdul, who received a graduate degree in New Orleans and speaks English very well, showed us a plot of land he has purchased.  He comes out often, has cleared some land for planting, and has constructed a place to camp, treated us with coffee and tea.  His wife comes out weekly and bakes bread for the family in his home-made stove.  These people have such an attachment to the land.  And to see it slowly being taken from them is heartbreaking.

And this is the bathroom he has constructed.  Note the running water............ha.

Well, that is enough for today.  I will write soon about my experience of being in Bethlehem apart from our Christmas Eve service.  We are nearing 2011.  I will be staying here for New Years.  Johanna and Vidar plan to go for the holiday and one of the EAs from the village of Yanoun will come and stay with Esther and me.

Susanne