I made a good friend named Aaron in my Peace & Justice class in Spring 2009 and I knew he was planning to spend the majority of the summer traveling and researching in the Middle East. Even though I was completely green with envy I was thrilled for him and demanded we meet up after he returned so he could tell me EVERYTHING!
In the first weeks of fall semester I happened to walk past Aaron and immediately started interrogating him about his travels. He had loved it! So much in fact he had already planned another trip to the West Bank over Christmas vacation. Somewhere between my excitement and curiosity about the Middle East and more specifically the conflict in Israel and the West Bank he asked if I would go with him. Of course I laughed about it, not figuring he meant it seriously, but when he looked at me waiting for the answer I paused to think about it….
Christmas in Israel, Jerusalem, Bethlehem?
I bought my plane ticket two days later.
My next step was to research the history and what exactly the ‘conflict’ was about.
I spent half of December on the West Bank meeting and interviewing Palestinians, Soldiers and Israelis about the conflict. It was a touching, humbling and nerve racking trip.
On my second day we went to visit the city of Bil’in where there are non-violent demonstrations every Friday. We both agreed being in the demonstration was something we both really wanted and discussed our two options.
1) We participate in the demonstration on the first Friday in the country which also happened to be my second day in the country.
2) 2) We participate on Christmas Day. Which interfered with out plans to spend Christmas at a permaculture farm and spend Christmas eve at the huge celebration in Bethlehem square.
While I was a little reluctant to immerse myself in the conflict so quickly I thought it may be a good way to get acclimated to the situation quickly and how many chances was I going to have to spend Christmas right where it all started?
We spent most our days in and out of meetings with different people, programs and organizations with our main focus on those pursuing a non-violent resolution. We were there for our own experience and research but also on behalf of the school to get some preliminary information and make contacts for possible opportunities for UVU in the future. Some examples of who we met are refugee camps, the Bustan Qaraaqa permaculture farm, individuals whose livelihood depended on water and agriculture, Tent of Nations, activists, individuals, International Women’s Peace Service.
It’s interesting what you learn while traveling.
1) Not in all countries is it considered ‘better’ or ‘more privileged’ to be American. In the West Bank it’s considered a responsibility.
2) In a room full of people who have lived in forced occupation for their whole lives, had friends and family killed in the name of justice, having their livelihood withheld from them, children with a dim and unknown future, diminishing land rights, unreliable access to healthcare… and they were crying for me.
3) If you want to get married… Go to Israel. I was proposed to three times!
In three words?
Heartbreak. Hope. Humility.
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