A Nice but Kitschy Interfaith Protest Against the Fence

Submitted by Liza Behrendt on July 17, 2009 - 4:37am
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A protest last Tuesday in Beit Jala brought together Christian, Muslim, and Jewish groups to both sides of a gate in the security barrier, where we passed gifts through the fence and joined in song and dance.

I went to the Israeli side of the fence, which required a steep climb down a hill of olive groves.

Here, the protest is beginning underneath the bridge to Bethlehem.

We were detained by soldiers on the way down, so I made them take silly pictures while I waited to get my passport back.

I head down the hill as other ICAHD activists are still detained.

It's Kaamila and Saleem, waiting for us on the other side!

Holding hands through the fence.

It gets even more kitschy: the Jews brought flowers, the Muslims brouht pita, and the Christians brought candles.  We then passed these gifts to one another.

We heard some music and speeches.  A few protesters were actually able to pass their way through the razor wire, to the other side of the fence, without the soldiers noticing. 

A Rabbi for Human Rights leading chanting.