A very British Solution

This is it... its time to go. Im on the final leg of my Palestinian Adventure. I'm packing and sorting out visas, bus tickets and airplane times. Its all came too fast. Thats not to say im not ready to leave, it would be nice to see my family and friends - and experience a few home-comforts. However, what i know now is that i am coming back, and will be soon itching to return to the holyland.

The paradoxes of this region have fascinated me for a long time now- the contrasts and juxtipositions. But the one that will always be a part of my heart is this - for such a historical place (probably the most historically relevant area in the world), history continues to be made here - so much so that the 2000 years or more that made this region what it is, is systematically being forgotten. To the actual delight of many.

Jerusalem has been the centre for buzzwords, maybe its been like this for centuries. It has always been a part in the worlds attitudes and actions, and this will not change anytime soon. It thrives on being different - whether that means to be 'holy', or 'historical', or 'beautiful', or even 'dangerous'. Similarly comparisons can be made with the Israeli/Palestinian conflict - and all its interesting and complex issues...

...But thats the whole problem! Its interesting! - there is so much vested interest from all around the world, be that financially, socially, politically or culturally. This is the perfect example of a protracted conflict.

So after 7 Months - i have a solution, and its a little something like this...

The conflict cannot be solved in todays current climate - its just too darn interesting for too many important people, even if these people see the conflict as a terrible, terrible thing - they are vested into it - and thus doing more harm than good. 'Oscar Wilde once said (paraphrase may be coming up) - 'As long as War is seen to be wicked it will remain fascinating, only when it is looked upon as vulgar will it cease to be popular'.

Never a truer quote for this region...

...One day the world will see the vulgarity of the checkpoints, the sickening settlement expansions, and the stomach turning racism that is inflicted upon the Palestinian people. Until then, for every person who reads the news, or watches the TV or buys the latest Robert Fisk book - is just as much to blame for these horrific acts than the settlers or the IDF - why? its simple... they are paying to see the plights of the Palestinians - without acting upon it. They pay the News channel to broadcast it, they pay the newspapers to publish the articles, they pay the goverments to give the mediocre fundings to the NGO's in Palestine too show they 'really care' when they dont at all..

...and the pay the world to look away.

'All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.' (Edmund Burke)

These are the people who matter most - they need to show the world the Vulgarity of the war in Palestine - no longer can they say 'Hey this wicked, but it suuuuure is interesting' - they must SCREAM 'This is disgusting and must stop NOW!' - only then will people listen.

Its time for all that care about this region to promote the idea that the Israeli Occupation is not Rightwing, it is not Racist, it is not Illegal, and it is not immoral. but it is DISGUSTING AND VULGAR.

The people who are part of it are distgusting and vulgar.

The governments are disgusting...

And the soldiers are vulgar.

They sicken you - too your very stomach.

After all - Governments thrive and strive on being/to be seen as different and uncommon - A trend-setter, even if that means they are rightwing, racist or illegal...

...but no one likes to be called 'vulgar' do they?

Well the British don't anyway.

Nil'in

This weekend i travelled to a small Palestinian village called Nil'in. This village along with neighbouring Bil'in have been the hub for local and international protest against the confiscation of land by the Israelis. Though orginally i had planned to protest in Bil'in, an opportunity of a talk and a tour of Nil'in became available. Therefore i and my friends decided to go there instead. After our tour which described the systematic destruction and confication of Nil'in's land we headed to a house for refreshments before the protest. As we sat on the roof enjoying the sun, we noticed the Israeli soldier massing on the same hill we started the tour. All of a sudden they started shooting this brand new high powered teargas cannisters at some kids at the bottom of the hill. These cannisters have to be seen to be believed - they are fired out at such a rapid rate they are just as deadly as live ammunition. The Israeli soldiers then shot at the house we were sitting in, it was suggested that we leave the house, as if the teargas got inside it would be impossible to get rid of.

We had a 50metre run in open space before we hit the relative safety of a big wall. I ran as quick as i could, then all of a sudden one of the cannister whizzed past my head. It was a terrifying sound, i couldnt believe they travelled so quickly. If that hit my head - i would have died - im sure of it. As i sat shocked behind the wall - the teargas hit, so we had to run even further down the road, eyes streaming with water and in alot of discomfort.

We hadn't even started to protest yet.

As we joined the hundreds of protesters we were told to move into the town towards the barriers - but nomore than a hundred metres in a barrage of teargas cannisters and rubber coated steal bullets flew all around, and everyone had to run back - me and my partner, Martha, got separated at this point. It is such a innate feeling - when danger is near - you run... and fast. It was only when i stopped in the town centre i realised that Martha was not in the group i ran with. I started to panic, but was comforted that she was with some other friends.

Everytime the protesters got anywhere near the Israeli soldiers - they responded with teargas and rubber bullets. A demonstration was impossible. Only the most bravest (Israeli protesters being among them) dared to get near the soldiers - but they were quickly dispersed.

As i regrouped with Martha news came that a local protester in the neighbouring village of Bil'in had died from being shot in the chest with one of the gas cannisters (one which flashed by my head). Similarly a few weeks ago Tristan Anderson an American peace activist sustained severe brain damage and is still in a coma after being hit in the head with these cannisters. I sat there with so many questions running around my head. Save for a few random gas cannisters and a few dashes for cover my protest in Nil'in was affectively over, i didnt know what i achieved by being there - but i hope it was something. Every week people protest, peacefully there. Every week someone is severe injured or killed. It is the way Palestinians live their lives - a way i of course understood but only now really appreciated the traumatic situations they are put through.

Two images have stayed in my memory from this demonstration - and have raised big questions on both: -

First and most obvious is the new gas cannister. Whatever you view points on the usage of teargas at peaceful protests, i cannot understand the introduction of gas cannisters that can kill. I know from first hand experience how quickly these cannisters are shot out. The killing of the local palestinian man last weekend is conclusive proof that these cannister are deadly. These cannisters also give the Israeli Soldiers a psuedo legitmacy to kill. They are supposed to be none-deadly, and they are treated as such (as in used profficiently). But they are just as deadly as live ammunition and need to be banned immediately.

The second is the image of the owner (an elderly man) of the house we were staying in walking home after Friday Prayer. As he walked passed i thought nothing of it. But after i had time to think i realised - He has to walk passed the place we were shot at. If the Israelis think its ok to shot at 4-5 internationals who are running for cover - they wont think twice about shooting at an elderly palestinian man walking home. Every week he, and others in the village run the risk of being shot at - for walking home. An image i just cannot shift.

Democractic states allow protests - Palestinians are faced with the possibility of death, if they protest on...their...own...land. Israel claims to be the only democratic state in the Middle East. I have extreme doubts.

Jobless, Homeless, Penniless - but Happy

Last week - i quit my job, and though looking back it may not have been the most sensible option - it was one that had to be taken. I do take solice in the fact that every international that has ever worked there leaves in blaze of anger and frustration. So i am not alone.

I therefore have had a week to assess my life - and i am liking the results. Ok, so i am broke, i have no job, and currently no house, but im happy, i am actually happy. Ana beheb Falasteen kter.

Last weekend i went to the Golan Heights - Occupied Syrian Territory in the the North of Israel, it was so beautiful and relaxing, but of course it was tinged with the sense of foreboding. Similar to East Jerusalem, it is hard to see the Israeli give this part of the country back. I also went to Erez border to Gaza in the South of Israel, and though of course i coundn't get it - it was such a humbling experience to be so close to a region that is currently in such dire straits, one day i will be in that region, that i am sure with.

In 4 weeks time - im leaving this place, and though i only plan to leave for a few weeks - i really do not feel ready to go just yet, i look forward to seeing my family and friends - but my time here in Palestine is not completed yet - not by a long, long way.

A Month Left

It is seemingly ironic that i decided to 'write about my experience in the Middle East' now. This is for two reasons; first was mentioned in my previous blog (i've been here nearly 6months why start now?) - second and one that was an afterthought of this blog - was that i am now planning to leave the middle east in a months time. Better get writing quick eh?

Last week allowed me to experience my first feelings of sadness that i will be leaving this place, i have grown to love Palestine and the people. I have made so many friends, who inshaAllah will stay in my life a long time.

This feeling has now developed into more of a philosophical attitude to my time in Palestine. I have now created a pseudo-existentialist mindset. Namely why am i here? It has been a question i have pondered, left to one side because my head hurt, then re-pondered all over again. I'm not trying to get all 'Hegelian' on your ass - and ask 'why are we all here'. But the shock of booking my tickets away from this place, allowed me to shift into almost a zen-like state (can you stop laughing at the back). Ok, maybe you won't find me up a mountain telling westerners the secrets of the Universe - but what i have begun to realise is that my life is, well, OK, and that i may, just may have found a little place in the world - namely Falasteen!

The treatment of the Palestinian people is nothing short of barbaric, the violence set upon them manifests itself in so many disgusting ways - ways that the rest of the world are unaware of. I therefore feel i would greatly do myself an injustice if i walk away from this place now - unfulfilling my desire to help in whatever small way i can. Whether that is through resolution, advocacy or merely just showing people around the world the beauty of Palestine.

My zen-like attitude also added a final line 'therefore i must plan to return very soon', which of course i will, afterall it would be rude to upset my zen now wouldn't it?

Next Week - Semantic Paradox in Machiavellian Art.

My first entry after 170 days

Welcome to Liam's world!

So after seeing far too many amazing things in my time here - i've decided to set up a 'blog'. I have been in the Middle East now for nearly 6months, and alot of things have happened in this time - though due to laziness, incompetency or a bit of both - my ability to record my person experiences (either on paper or in photograph) have been lax to say the very least. So i've decided to 'pull me socks up', 'have a word wif meesel' and 'teh gan an' boil me heed' - and start writing about things that may (or most probably may not) interest people. I hope to enlighten, entertain, and amaze my loyal readers.

I was thinking about writing about the things that i have already done - but along with my sheer laziness i have increasingly began to forget things. So ive decided to start afresh as not to do amazing places a disservice and write things like;

'Week 6: (ish, cant really remember) -

I travelled to Jordan and it was nice, i mean it was really nice, i can remember at the time thinking 'wow - this is nice', but now i can't really remember why!' Oh wait yeah, i went to Petra... wow, now that was nice! - why? erm...' and so on and so on.

Therefore my time in the Blogisphere starts NOW... prepared to be amazed and astonished!!!

Day One: -

Managed to get Saturday's off at work (at a severe reduction of my wage), erm, ahh! i started a blog (oh but i guess you already knew that), erm - let me think, uh... i accidently ate a bit of soldering wire...

Its going to be one riveting, rollarcoaster of a ride.

Stay posted!