Today began with a meeting with a representative from UNDP which works in tandem with UNRWA to assist Gazans. He noted that with the almost constant conflict in Palestine, there in a unique situation in that development has to take place in the midst of conflict, wherein normally development assistance would wait until after the crisis was over. He had a really good point that made me think - Palestinians aren't necessarily lacking food, income, or shelter (although most are), but they are lacking a voice both in the relief that they receive, and in the outside world. They essentially have lost all right to self-determination as they are given whatever aid the UN and other NGOs feel is necessary. He explained some new programs that the UNDP is working on to cultivate the skills and interests of Gazans, such as a micro-finance project for a man who had skills as a washing machine repairman which was within a few months turned into a very successful business.
We then met with a representative from a human rights centre (whose name I couldn't quite understand) who gave a brief overview of the human rights work being done in Palestine. She sighted that humanitarian aid organizations are generally stuck at the first level of intervention (ie. emergency services such as food and water) because the blockade prevents any supplies from coming in. She noted a sewage spill that happened a few years ago in a bedouin village in the north which killed six people, and the facility is now in a constant state of emergency repair because no supplies can be brought in to properly fix it, which caused another spill recently.
Afterwards we went to meet with women who had been imprisoned in Israeli jails, but on the way everyone on the bus was asked if they had O type blood as there was an emergency at the hospital and they had a shortage (I don't know how they found out about it). About 15 minutes later we were told that they didn't need us anymore, but some people wanted to go to the blood bank to donate anyways. I decided not to as I'm pretty sure this would jeopordize my ability to donate at home (although I would have forfeighted this for the emergency). In the end, only one person could donate due to low iron, low blood pressure, etc. I have to say though that part of me was glad I didn't attend the other event, as I think it simply would have been too hard - I didn't hear many details as people seemed reluctant to talk about them, but the experiences of the Palestinian women were horrific. They were raped, tortured, and some forced to watch as the soldiers applied strong electric shocks to their son's genitals. And this is a developed, respected nation?
After lunch (they eat meals very late here) we went very close to the Israeli border to plant trees (probably within about a kilometre from the border - the buffer zone where we can be shot at is 300 metres). There was a large balloon in the air which is used by Israel to spy on the Palestinians. I could see the outposts where snipers sit to shoot at people who come to close to the buffer zone, including farmers who are harvesting their crops. I could also see the tower from the airport that was destroyed eight years ago. It's really no wonder why Gaza is termed the world's largest jail.
The evening ended with free time which was spent chatting over the best milkshakes (yes, multiple!) and of course sheesha. Only one day left!
Day 9 - May 29, 2009
We woke up at 5am today (which meant that I got three hours of sleep as Lubna's, my host mom, family came over to visit last night and in true Palestinian style fed us a lot of very good food). Our day began by meeting fishermen and hearing how their lives have been affected by the siege. They have lost 10 men and countless have been injured from shootings, sometimes within the permitted 3km range. During the last war, the port was strategically heavily damaged as this is a foundation of the Gazan economy, as were farms and factories as mentioned earlier. The fishermen used to take four hours collecting fish, but now because there are so few fish within the three km that they are permitted to travel off shore, they now spend 10 to 20 minutes. After we talked with the men we got to go out with them on a boat which was fascinating. The Gaza city skyline is gorgeous against the sunrise.
After eating an odd breakfast of hummus mixed with bread, we got to see a tunnel! We weren't allowed to bring our cameras and we had to be quick as the area is being bombed regularly. I couldn't see the bottom - they are 14 metres deep and are several hundred metres long (they go into the bordering Egyptian town of Rafah), and there are several hundreds of them. Their construction, as I later found out from a lecture from local businessman, began 10 years ago to smuggle weapons, but now it is more profitable and necessary to ship goods, as only simple staples are allowed in through the Israeli borders (pretty much everything we eat is shipped in through there. It's so cool / sad to see the pop cans all scraped up and think of where they have been). 70% of all products in Gaza are smuggled, and therefore everything is very expensive (usually the same price as in Israel), however Gazans earn an income with a ratio of 1:30 of what the Israelis make. Even the petrol here is smuggled in. All cement that has come into Gaza to rebuild has come through the tunnels, which as you can imagine means that there is a significant shortage of cement. Even if people have the money to rebuild, they can't find the supplies.
We then met with UNRWA director John Ging, who so eloquently stated that there is a "deficit of truth in policy and decision making" which results in fundamentally flawed policies which are fuelled by propoganda. He reiterated what we have heard so often and have come to understand: the people in Gaza are not hostile - the conditions are hostile. Because of propoganda-filled policies, there has become almost a self-fulfilling prophecy phenomenon wherein the Palestinians act in ways that are produced by Israeli policies. He believes that accountability begets protection, and that a loss of confidence in the rule and application of law begets violence. The siege, the closed crossing points, the settlements and their expansion, and the building of the separation wall are all violations of international law and yet nothing has been done to hold Israel accountable. Does it not make sense then that the Palestinians feel that they have nothing left to do but take matters into their own hands? The international community has truly let this nation down by crumbling to partisan politics.
We concluded the evening by separating the boys and girls and having BBQs. The girls ate a LOT of meat, smoked sheesha, and learned how to dance - I'm really, really not very good :( Apparently the boys spent the evening chasing a rooster to eat (which they didn't end up eating) and playing silly games - not surprising :)
After eating an odd breakfast of hummus mixed with bread, we got to see a tunnel! We weren't allowed to bring our cameras and we had to be quick as the area is being bombed regularly. I couldn't see the bottom - they are 14 metres deep and are several hundred metres long (they go into the bordering Egyptian town of Rafah), and there are several hundreds of them. Their construction, as I later found out from a lecture from local businessman, began 10 years ago to smuggle weapons, but now it is more profitable and necessary to ship goods, as only simple staples are allowed in through the Israeli borders (pretty much everything we eat is shipped in through there. It's so cool / sad to see the pop cans all scraped up and think of where they have been). 70% of all products in Gaza are smuggled, and therefore everything is very expensive (usually the same price as in Israel), however Gazans earn an income with a ratio of 1:30 of what the Israelis make. Even the petrol here is smuggled in. All cement that has come into Gaza to rebuild has come through the tunnels, which as you can imagine means that there is a significant shortage of cement. Even if people have the money to rebuild, they can't find the supplies.
We then met with UNRWA director John Ging, who so eloquently stated that there is a "deficit of truth in policy and decision making" which results in fundamentally flawed policies which are fuelled by propoganda. He reiterated what we have heard so often and have come to understand: the people in Gaza are not hostile - the conditions are hostile. Because of propoganda-filled policies, there has become almost a self-fulfilling prophecy phenomenon wherein the Palestinians act in ways that are produced by Israeli policies. He believes that accountability begets protection, and that a loss of confidence in the rule and application of law begets violence. The siege, the closed crossing points, the settlements and their expansion, and the building of the separation wall are all violations of international law and yet nothing has been done to hold Israel accountable. Does it not make sense then that the Palestinians feel that they have nothing left to do but take matters into their own hands? The international community has truly let this nation down by crumbling to partisan politics.
We concluded the evening by separating the boys and girls and having BBQs. The girls ate a LOT of meat, smoked sheesha, and learned how to dance - I'm really, really not very good :( Apparently the boys spent the evening chasing a rooster to eat (which they didn't end up eating) and playing silly games - not surprising :)
Day 8 - May 28, 2009
Today, sadly, the Canadian delegation left Gaza. As far as I have heard they made it out of Gaza which is very good news. I am now staying with the Codepink student group which consists mostly of Americans, although there is also another Canadian and a Norwegian. There was a Palestinian, but she was turned away at the border as she had a new passport that did not have the Egypt visa in it. Most of the students are studying at AUC in Cairo, usually Arabic or political science of some sort.
I met them when they were meeting with the former chief of police (their program is much more structured then ours, and sometimes in lecture format). We then went to Al Azhar University for a tour and a presentation put on by the students there. It was really well articulated and well put together - clearly a lot of effort. The presentation sparked a rather heated discussion mostly between the delegation and the students, as although the university is considered to be a moderate institution, their aggression towards Israelis was marked. While understandable, the discussion revolved around what type of response Palestinians would be best off to take. While of course I would advocate for non-violent resistance on their part (with accountability being held by Israel), I felt uncomfortable coming from the outside and telling them what I think they should do. The debate finally subsided peacefully but it sparked discussion and thought for the rest of the day within our group.
Before our next meeting we were able to go to the beach and put our feet in (well, some people, for lack of bathingsuits, went in fully clothed). It's incredible that a few metres away lay bullet holes and demolished buildings, and yet on the beach Gaza is beautiful. I think that with the difficult things we are seeing and with the emotions running high, it's really important that we take the time to recognize the beauty that remains in this land.
We then met with a political science professor and a director of a human rights centre. I learned a lot from their opinions - they believed that one of the reasons that Egypt isn't more supportive of Palestine, aside from the US influence, is because Egypt fears that Hamas's ties with the Muslim Brotherhood Association would spread to Egypt, and therefore Hamas failing needs to be shown as an example of what will happen if that type of party takes power. We also learned that Hamas, because of the mixed voting system, has only 44% of the popular vote but 67% of the seats. And while Hamas is a fundamentalist group itself, the horrendous conditions of Gaza are inherently breeding fundamentalism and extremism.
What continues to amaze me about this land is how generous the people are when they have relatively nothing. Many of the keffiyeh that the Palestinian students were wearing were given to our students, and I received two Palestinian flag pins as good will gestures. One young woman, after I commented on how cute her smiling cartoon-like moon ring was (it's hard to explain lol), promptly offered it to me and wouldn't take no for an answer. In return I gave her a fake silver band I had - I felt badly as it was a cheap little thing, but she was thrilled, as was I. The peace and community present in the majority of Palestinians here should be a model for us at home.
I met them when they were meeting with the former chief of police (their program is much more structured then ours, and sometimes in lecture format). We then went to Al Azhar University for a tour and a presentation put on by the students there. It was really well articulated and well put together - clearly a lot of effort. The presentation sparked a rather heated discussion mostly between the delegation and the students, as although the university is considered to be a moderate institution, their aggression towards Israelis was marked. While understandable, the discussion revolved around what type of response Palestinians would be best off to take. While of course I would advocate for non-violent resistance on their part (with accountability being held by Israel), I felt uncomfortable coming from the outside and telling them what I think they should do. The debate finally subsided peacefully but it sparked discussion and thought for the rest of the day within our group.
Before our next meeting we were able to go to the beach and put our feet in (well, some people, for lack of bathingsuits, went in fully clothed). It's incredible that a few metres away lay bullet holes and demolished buildings, and yet on the beach Gaza is beautiful. I think that with the difficult things we are seeing and with the emotions running high, it's really important that we take the time to recognize the beauty that remains in this land.
We then met with a political science professor and a director of a human rights centre. I learned a lot from their opinions - they believed that one of the reasons that Egypt isn't more supportive of Palestine, aside from the US influence, is because Egypt fears that Hamas's ties with the Muslim Brotherhood Association would spread to Egypt, and therefore Hamas failing needs to be shown as an example of what will happen if that type of party takes power. We also learned that Hamas, because of the mixed voting system, has only 44% of the popular vote but 67% of the seats. And while Hamas is a fundamentalist group itself, the horrendous conditions of Gaza are inherently breeding fundamentalism and extremism.
What continues to amaze me about this land is how generous the people are when they have relatively nothing. Many of the keffiyeh that the Palestinian students were wearing were given to our students, and I received two Palestinian flag pins as good will gestures. One young woman, after I commented on how cute her smiling cartoon-like moon ring was (it's hard to explain lol), promptly offered it to me and wouldn't take no for an answer. In return I gave her a fake silver band I had - I felt badly as it was a cheap little thing, but she was thrilled, as was I. The peace and community present in the majority of Palestinians here should be a model for us at home.
Day 7 - May 27, 2009
I've got two days missing which are on a friend's computer from the Canadian delegation which I'm waiting to be emailed to me - I will post as soon as I get them :)
Our day was completely packed, as we had to fit as much of the original 5 day schedule into 1 as possible. We began with a great breakfast of hummus and other snacks at the restaurant on top of the hotel overlooking the beach - absolutely breathtaking. We then went to meet again with Dr. Yusuf Musa at his office where he prepared a presentation of the health effects of the most recent attack. Most interestingly, he presented us with some statistics about the massacre's effect on children: 100% heard explosive sounds, 95% saw dead bodies, 80% of childred have suffered from some sort of PTSD, 72% have had related nightmares, 68% feel that their parents are unable to protect them, 45% have suffered from bed-wetting, and probably most devastatingly, 41% have lost hope in the future.
We then visited Al-Awda hospital where we were given a tour of their facilities, and got to see new born babies! :) The damage they suffered from the attack was minimal in that they had broken windows, however because of the siege they have been unable to get the materials in to replace them. They also have a brand new surgery room and intensive care unit, however they are on the top floor and the necessary elevator has been stick in Israel for over a year. Somehow, though, they have almost a 0% infant mortality rate (they specialize in deliveries, with an average of more than 10 babies per day in two delivery rooms).
Next we visited the Jabalia Camp, where hundreds of people live in tents after becoming homeless from the latest attack. A woman who lives next to the camp took us to her home. I was fortunate to have taped what the women told us, because I was crying so much that I had difficulty paying attention. There were bullet holes everywhere, and she told us how she found an unexploded bomb on her porch. The IDF stayed in her house for two days (of course without her permission) - they tried to leave and were told by the authorities to leave the area, but there was no safe place to go. Another woman told us that although she took all precautions, she had a miscarriage because she was exposed to the white phosphorous. I will post the video as soon as I am able to, because I really can't do this story justice by reiterating it in my own words.
On our way to Beit Lahiya we saw the American International School of Gaza - I have taken pictures but until I post them, a good picture can be found here http://deafwalls.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/american-school-in-gaza.jpg. We also saw fields and fields of destroyed farmland, as well as demolished factories, both of which were strategically targeted because they are part of the foundation of the Palestinian economy.
In Beit Layiha we met with the Alsmoni family, a now well known family as 31 members of their family were killed in the war. They were ordered to leave their house so that the IDF could stay there, and told to go to a house down the street where they were subsequently shot at. We met a father whose daughter was killed, and whose 3 month old son only survived because his mother was clutching him and took the impact of the demolished building they were in. We saw white phosphorous burns, disfigured faces, and children with no parents, and one child with no family left at all. Again, I have video of our talks with them. The most disturbing thing about this entire ordeal to me though was the writings left behind on the wall - they clearly spoke to the deep-seated hatred and racism that is omnipresent in this conflict. While I have taken pictures, I think that it's important that whoever is reading this to see them, and some can be found here: http://israeldemocracy.blogspot.com/2009/01/writings-of-israeli-soldiers-on-walls.html. Again, I cried.
Finally some happy times - we did a press conference to tell of our struggle at the border and what we had seen during the day. Afterwards we met with ISM, who told us of the struggles of Palestinian fishermen, who were told that they had 5km in which to fish, and then 3km, and are now being shot at as few as a few hundred metres away from shore. They also explained that Israel is attempting to create a wider "buffer zone" between the border and Palestine, wherein farmers are being shot at for attempting to harvest their crops. They told us of one man who was shot by a sniper at the end of the day as he was leaving with the other farmers to go home. Even with ISM escorts, they are still shot at. The blogs for ISM's work in these two areas can be found at fishingunderfire.blogspot.com and farmingunderfire.blogspot.com.
We then met with an incredibly interesting psychologist who explained the psychological effects the war and the continued occupation and siege have had on the citizens of Gaza. I wish I had written more details down, but I was so exhausted - pretty much, he was explaining how difficult it is to mend the pain and suffering the Palestinians have gone through so as to avoid this pain developing hatred and violence. He also spoke about how he believes that the unhealed pain of the Holocaust is partly fueling the violence (a cycle of violence, if you will), which I thought was fascinating.
An absolutely emotionally and physically exhausting day, but it was worth it to know that I can share what I have learned with others.
Our day was completely packed, as we had to fit as much of the original 5 day schedule into 1 as possible. We began with a great breakfast of hummus and other snacks at the restaurant on top of the hotel overlooking the beach - absolutely breathtaking. We then went to meet again with Dr. Yusuf Musa at his office where he prepared a presentation of the health effects of the most recent attack. Most interestingly, he presented us with some statistics about the massacre's effect on children: 100% heard explosive sounds, 95% saw dead bodies, 80% of childred have suffered from some sort of PTSD, 72% have had related nightmares, 68% feel that their parents are unable to protect them, 45% have suffered from bed-wetting, and probably most devastatingly, 41% have lost hope in the future.
We then visited Al-Awda hospital where we were given a tour of their facilities, and got to see new born babies! :) The damage they suffered from the attack was minimal in that they had broken windows, however because of the siege they have been unable to get the materials in to replace them. They also have a brand new surgery room and intensive care unit, however they are on the top floor and the necessary elevator has been stick in Israel for over a year. Somehow, though, they have almost a 0% infant mortality rate (they specialize in deliveries, with an average of more than 10 babies per day in two delivery rooms).
Next we visited the Jabalia Camp, where hundreds of people live in tents after becoming homeless from the latest attack. A woman who lives next to the camp took us to her home. I was fortunate to have taped what the women told us, because I was crying so much that I had difficulty paying attention. There were bullet holes everywhere, and she told us how she found an unexploded bomb on her porch. The IDF stayed in her house for two days (of course without her permission) - they tried to leave and were told by the authorities to leave the area, but there was no safe place to go. Another woman told us that although she took all precautions, she had a miscarriage because she was exposed to the white phosphorous. I will post the video as soon as I am able to, because I really can't do this story justice by reiterating it in my own words.
On our way to Beit Lahiya we saw the American International School of Gaza - I have taken pictures but until I post them, a good picture can be found here http://deafwalls.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/american-school-in-gaza.jpg. We also saw fields and fields of destroyed farmland, as well as demolished factories, both of which were strategically targeted because they are part of the foundation of the Palestinian economy.
In Beit Layiha we met with the Alsmoni family, a now well known family as 31 members of their family were killed in the war. They were ordered to leave their house so that the IDF could stay there, and told to go to a house down the street where they were subsequently shot at. We met a father whose daughter was killed, and whose 3 month old son only survived because his mother was clutching him and took the impact of the demolished building they were in. We saw white phosphorous burns, disfigured faces, and children with no parents, and one child with no family left at all. Again, I have video of our talks with them. The most disturbing thing about this entire ordeal to me though was the writings left behind on the wall - they clearly spoke to the deep-seated hatred and racism that is omnipresent in this conflict. While I have taken pictures, I think that it's important that whoever is reading this to see them, and some can be found here: http://israeldemocracy.blogspot.com/2009/01/writings-of-israeli-soldiers-on-walls.html. Again, I cried.
Finally some happy times - we did a press conference to tell of our struggle at the border and what we had seen during the day. Afterwards we met with ISM, who told us of the struggles of Palestinian fishermen, who were told that they had 5km in which to fish, and then 3km, and are now being shot at as few as a few hundred metres away from shore. They also explained that Israel is attempting to create a wider "buffer zone" between the border and Palestine, wherein farmers are being shot at for attempting to harvest their crops. They told us of one man who was shot by a sniper at the end of the day as he was leaving with the other farmers to go home. Even with ISM escorts, they are still shot at. The blogs for ISM's work in these two areas can be found at fishingunderfire.blogspot.com and farmingunderfire.blogspot.com.
We then met with an incredibly interesting psychologist who explained the psychological effects the war and the continued occupation and siege have had on the citizens of Gaza. I wish I had written more details down, but I was so exhausted - pretty much, he was explaining how difficult it is to mend the pain and suffering the Palestinians have gone through so as to avoid this pain developing hatred and violence. He also spoke about how he believes that the unhealed pain of the Holocaust is partly fueling the violence (a cycle of violence, if you will), which I thought was fascinating.
An absolutely emotionally and physically exhausting day, but it was worth it to know that I can share what I have learned with others.
Day 4 - May 24, 2009
Off to the border again, this time with banners and songs in tow. We were all decked out in pink (again), and were hopeful that today would be the day. We arrived at the border to see an amazing sight - the European convoy had arrived this morning. Dozens of ambulances, driven down for the UK, representing almost every European country and filled with medical supplies. There were journalists, a woman on stilts, people everywhere! It was so different from yesterday, almost joyful. We could take pictures and film without repercussion (although Kathy, who is making a documentary about our journey, was asked twice to put the camera away, so then I took it and was never bothered). We walked around, chatted with other activists from all over the world, did interviews, sang songs and held our banners right in front of the gates. We played soccer and catch with the children who had come from the local area to see what was happening. They then discovered my camera and took a LOT of very cute pictures.
The European convoy was allowed past the first gate before we left, though they still had to make it through the terminal and so for all we know could have been turned away. As they were going in we found out that they had waited 11 days in Cairo for clearance. We were again turned away, but by the end of the day were told that 132 names were cleared for Codepink, which we believe includes us. So we have hope for tomorrow. Sadly, the hunger strikers, although with the group that was cleared, were not allowed in, as their non-violent protest has been deemed a "security threat" by the powers that be. Disgusting, really. Although I think that them and us not getting in may prove to be as beneficial as those who do. We have already been in the news (including Al Jazeera!) and are bringing attention to the fact that the siege is in full force. The Israeli government allows some groups to go in to make it seems as though the borders are easily penetrable, but they are not, and our mission is to show this to the world. So although the denial of entry is disappointing, it is hopefully making progress in the long run.
We didn't stay as long at the border today, as we didn't want to be labelled as a security threat as the strikers were. We returned to the hotel and then mama bear (ie Sandra) took us to the Mediterrean for a beautiful and relaxing swim. I bought my first pink gallabeya and finally started into my book, and Kenana gave me some much needed chocolate. Here's hoping for tomorrow!
The European convoy was allowed past the first gate before we left, though they still had to make it through the terminal and so for all we know could have been turned away. As they were going in we found out that they had waited 11 days in Cairo for clearance. We were again turned away, but by the end of the day were told that 132 names were cleared for Codepink, which we believe includes us. So we have hope for tomorrow. Sadly, the hunger strikers, although with the group that was cleared, were not allowed in, as their non-violent protest has been deemed a "security threat" by the powers that be. Disgusting, really. Although I think that them and us not getting in may prove to be as beneficial as those who do. We have already been in the news (including Al Jazeera!) and are bringing attention to the fact that the siege is in full force. The Israeli government allows some groups to go in to make it seems as though the borders are easily penetrable, but they are not, and our mission is to show this to the world. So although the denial of entry is disappointing, it is hopefully making progress in the long run.
We didn't stay as long at the border today, as we didn't want to be labelled as a security threat as the strikers were. We returned to the hotel and then mama bear (ie Sandra) took us to the Mediterrean for a beautiful and relaxing swim. I bought my first pink gallabeya and finally started into my book, and Kenana gave me some much needed chocolate. Here's hoping for tomorrow!
Day 3 - May 23, 2009
First day at the border! It didn't start out so well - we had thought that the Red Crescent Society would be escorting us (as Sandra discussed with them last night) but they didn't show up. They bus was over an hour late, and we weren't sure whether or not the police would take us to the border. They did, however, and we were able to pass all the checkpoints easily. They drove us right up to the gate and we were promptly told to park at the side.
Sonia, one of the British hunger strikers, quickly came up to our bus. She has been there for 53 days now, staying overnight for 20 and striking for 4. Her and her husband, Nicholas, are the only two left as the rest had to return to work. They have been trying to set up a cardiac unit in Gaza city, and were doing so successfully until their ability to enter Gaza had been cut off 53 days ago. She said that a European convoy was supposed to be coming tonight and that their names were on the list that was cleared, so hopefully they will be getting in. For now, they are sleeping on very thin foam mattresses under a tree beside the little convenience store.
Our passports were again taken and Sandra and Nabil went out to talk to the guards. There were groups of individuals waiting with their bags to get across the border. Kenana and I went into the very, very gross bathroom. As I was waiting for her, an Arab woman came in. She grabbed an old water bottle that was laying by the sink to fill with water to drink. She then came over, and once Kenana came out, asked us if we could wait for her as she did not feel safe being at the back of the store by herself. Afterwards we walked her to the front, where Kenana talked to her and later told me her story. She is 60 and had been waiting at the border for 2 weeks to get back in to see her husband and children. She is Jordanian and had been living in Gaza for 2 years. She goes into Rafah each night begging locals for a place to stay, and returns to the border each day. I saw her go up to the gate so many times only to be refused again. We gave her what we could, but else could we do? It is the Egyptians, not the Palestinians, who decide who gets into Palestine, and they clearly do not care about her.
To describe what I saw at the border and how I felt is impossible. To be able to see Gaza and yet not be able to reach it was heart wrenching. Men with huge rifles guard the gate - they were actually training while we were there, so we saw them running around pretending to shoot. There is an open passageway on the right of the gate with a single guard where we saw donkey-led trailers come in and out, with Palestinian women and children guiding them, but we don't know where they were going or what they were doing. We weren't allowed to take pictures (although I did anyways) and had to stay close to the bus unless going to the store, mosque (on the second floor of the store) or washroom. The soldiers stared at us (probably partly because, as I found out later, my long skirt was blowing up in the wind) and a few children came by to sell us almonds and figs. The border seemed solemn and desolate, and the sadness increased with every individual who was turned away. By the end of the day (we were there for at least 6 hours), we did see one group of Palestinians get in who had arrived before us, although they had carts and carts of belongings and were forced to enter by foot because no vehicles could cross with them.
Some of us sat with the hunger strikers for a while and learned what we could, others waited in the bus as it was cool and chatted amongst ourselves. Two girls came over to sell us figs and one played a game of patty cakes with Kathy - it was beautiful. Eventually, we were turned away. First, we needed clearance from the Egyptian national security. Then, we needed endorsement from the Canadian embassy (which we're clearly never going to get). After Sandra reemed a very, very large man out, we got back on the bus and the fury of phone calls started. We've been told by Codepink to stay strong and return tomorrow, which we will.
Sonia, one of the British hunger strikers, quickly came up to our bus. She has been there for 53 days now, staying overnight for 20 and striking for 4. Her and her husband, Nicholas, are the only two left as the rest had to return to work. They have been trying to set up a cardiac unit in Gaza city, and were doing so successfully until their ability to enter Gaza had been cut off 53 days ago. She said that a European convoy was supposed to be coming tonight and that their names were on the list that was cleared, so hopefully they will be getting in. For now, they are sleeping on very thin foam mattresses under a tree beside the little convenience store.
Our passports were again taken and Sandra and Nabil went out to talk to the guards. There were groups of individuals waiting with their bags to get across the border. Kenana and I went into the very, very gross bathroom. As I was waiting for her, an Arab woman came in. She grabbed an old water bottle that was laying by the sink to fill with water to drink. She then came over, and once Kenana came out, asked us if we could wait for her as she did not feel safe being at the back of the store by herself. Afterwards we walked her to the front, where Kenana talked to her and later told me her story. She is 60 and had been waiting at the border for 2 weeks to get back in to see her husband and children. She is Jordanian and had been living in Gaza for 2 years. She goes into Rafah each night begging locals for a place to stay, and returns to the border each day. I saw her go up to the gate so many times only to be refused again. We gave her what we could, but else could we do? It is the Egyptians, not the Palestinians, who decide who gets into Palestine, and they clearly do not care about her.
To describe what I saw at the border and how I felt is impossible. To be able to see Gaza and yet not be able to reach it was heart wrenching. Men with huge rifles guard the gate - they were actually training while we were there, so we saw them running around pretending to shoot. There is an open passageway on the right of the gate with a single guard where we saw donkey-led trailers come in and out, with Palestinian women and children guiding them, but we don't know where they were going or what they were doing. We weren't allowed to take pictures (although I did anyways) and had to stay close to the bus unless going to the store, mosque (on the second floor of the store) or washroom. The soldiers stared at us (probably partly because, as I found out later, my long skirt was blowing up in the wind) and a few children came by to sell us almonds and figs. The border seemed solemn and desolate, and the sadness increased with every individual who was turned away. By the end of the day (we were there for at least 6 hours), we did see one group of Palestinians get in who had arrived before us, although they had carts and carts of belongings and were forced to enter by foot because no vehicles could cross with them.
Some of us sat with the hunger strikers for a while and learned what we could, others waited in the bus as it was cool and chatted amongst ourselves. Two girls came over to sell us figs and one played a game of patty cakes with Kathy - it was beautiful. Eventually, we were turned away. First, we needed clearance from the Egyptian national security. Then, we needed endorsement from the Canadian embassy (which we're clearly never going to get). After Sandra reemed a very, very large man out, we got back on the bus and the fury of phone calls started. We've been told by Codepink to stay strong and return tomorrow, which we will.
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