Journals

From the top of Jabal al-Zetoon

Submitted by Stephen Robinson on June 16, 2009 - 1:03pm
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So I trekked the mountain twice in two days. In reality, it was only once and half, but the "half" was uphill. The Augusta Victoria Hospital is located at the very top of the Mount of Olives, or as the Arabs call it, Jabal al-Zetoon. The ANERA office is located at the bottom of the Mount of Olives. Therefore, the logic goes as follows; I walk down in the morning, I hike up in the afternoon.

Completed House in Jabalel Mukaber

Submitted by Liza Behrendt on June 16, 2009 - 6:10am
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Last Sunday, I attended a house warming party for a family in Jabalel Mukaber, East Jerusalem.  Their house has been demolished twice, and they are in debt thousands of dollars for the demolition fees.  ICAHd rebuilt the house in only 3 days.  Here are photos from the pary...I gave my camera to the kids, so this is a highly pared down group of pictures.

Demonstrations in the West Bank: No Freedom of Speech for Palestinians

Submitted by Liza Behrendt on June 16, 2009 - 5:06am
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While I described the all-Israeli demonstration near the Knesset as surprisingly tame, demonstrations I’ve attended in the West Bank elicited disproportionately strong reactions from the IDF.  I felt that the measures taken to silence protest were more intended to break morale than to prevent violence.  I’m amazed by the perseverance of Palestinians activists, but also critical of the methods used by some outlying demonstrators.

The Doors Are Locked

Submitted by Stephen Robinson on June 15, 2009 - 3:30pm
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This post was originally posted on June 13, 2009

The drive between Israel's two most prominent cities takes less than an hour. It is impossible to conceptualize an Israeli suburb, simply because once you've effectively left the urban place, you've almost immediately entered another.

My First House Demolition

Submitted by Liza Behrendt on June 15, 2009 - 7:11am
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Last week, ICAHD followed as two Palestinian homes were demolished in the heart of Jerusalem's Old City: one located on Via Dolorosa, between the Stations of the Cross and the Dome of the Rock, and one in the central Arab Souk. Here are some photos and reflections.

Where is the Israeli Left?

Submitted by Liza Behrendt on June 15, 2009 - 6:02am
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My first demonstration was an all-Israeli protest outside of the Knesset against Lieberman’s proposed ban on the Arab Nakba... The bill was later shelved by members of Likud, but if you’re not familiar with this bill, check it out here just so you can truly understand how evil Lieberman is:

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1085588.html

The Catch-22

Submitted by Supreetha Gubbala on June 14, 2009 - 12:25pm
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It has been exactly three weeks since the start of my internship at the Women’s Intercultural Center located in the rural border community of Anthony, NM.  Since my first day it has been quite an amazing journey that has yet to show me its full potential.

Shalom from Herzliyyah

Submitted by Stephen Robinson on June 12, 2009 - 1:19pm
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Ladies and Gentlemen,

I realize that I have been far from diligent with my updating of this blog. Over the course of my Israel trip, I have slept very little, and have had even less internet access. Birthright trips aren't about sl eeping, or staying savvy to contemporary issues. The point of the trip is to remove yourself from the familiar world and to become enamor ed with Israel, the land, it's people, etc.