The Wall, Senator Clinton and Bob Marley by eileen fleming
On November 15, 2005, Senator Clinton stood on the Jerusalem side of The Wall and was quoted in Ha’aretz, expressing support for The Wall because it “is against terrorists” and “not against the Palestinian people.”
Senator Clinton did NOT visit the Little Town of Bethlehem in Occupied Territory, to see what The Wall has done to the Bethlehem economy. But I have.
On New Years Eve Day 2005, I visited a family who had just rebuilt their home in Dasheish, one of three fifty-eight year old refugee camps in Bethlehem.
The Habib [not real name] family had rebuilt on the very same spot after the Israeli Defense Force/IDF blew their former home up without reason and without any compensation. The usual reason given for home demolitions is for the building of The Wall, but the Habib residence is deep within the Dasheish refugee camp, and The Wall is at least three miles away. Mr. Habib told me that in 2004, the IDF banged on his door and informed the family that their home would be demolished within fifteen minutes. The family all got safely out but their home was but a memory a few moments later.
“No one in our family had ever been in any trouble with the Israeli government before and no family member had ever been arrested. They picked us to be an example of the power and control that Israel has to deny basic and inalienable human rights,” Mr. Habib told me without any bitterness.
What impresses me most every time I go to Palestine, is that every Palestinian I speak with all have the most forgiving spirits and unflappable patience. I thought of Senator Clinton’s inaccurate and insensitive remarks about The Wall not being against the Palestinian people, and wondered what she would say about Palestinian homes being destroyed without any reason at all.
An Uncle down the stairs from the Habib’s also had his home blown away on the same day. Relatives took them all in, for the poor in Palestine take care of the poor and don’t look to the government to do what people of good will, will do automatically: care for the widow, the orphan, the ill and the prisoner.
When ever I need a taxi while in Bethlehem or Jerusalem, I call Sam. He can comfortably transport eight and has an excellent sound system. Sam is an Orthodox Christian in the Syrian Church and has a gorgeous wife and two beautiful kids. Sam has VIP papers which enable him to chauffeur the Patriarchs around town without as much hassle as a regular Palestinian would have to endure at the checkpoints.
Sam, his wife and I rode to the Ben Gurion Airport, three hours prior to my 1 AM flight home on January 5, 2005. We talked a little but mostly we listened to the music of Bob Marley. When we arrived at the checkpoint at the entrance of the airport, Sam rolled down his window and smiled at the young soldier and said, “Shalom” but it sounded more like “Salaam.”
Sam’s VIP pass meant nothing to the soldier and we are all ordered to disembark and pull out all the luggage. My passport was demanded without a smile and Sam was led into the interrogation room while his wife and I stay out in the cold trying to laugh at the absurdity of the situation. Another soldier examines and probes the van as he thoroughly looks for b-o-m-b-s. The paranoia I see in many Israeli’s has got to be, some kind of holocaust hangover blinding them to the fact that the oppressed have now become the oppressors.
After Sam’s van is thoroughly examined for b-o-m-b-s, I received my passport back marked with a red sticker upon it. Back in Sam’s van his wife expertly removed the sticker and all the glue from my passport. The sticker brands one as having come through occupied territory. Sam informs me that my third degree would be airport securities territory and that was why the soldier never asked me any questions.
Sam smiled wryly as he told me, “This is what the Nazi’s did to the Jews before the Holocaust when they made them wear the Star of David. They marked them as the enemy. Now anyone who knows Palestinians or visits occupied territory gets a sticker on their passport to label them as friends of the enemy.”
Bob Marley and the Wailers erupt through the speakers:
Get up, stand up
Stand up for your rights
Get up, stand up
Stand up for your rights
Get up, stand up
Stand up for your rights
Get up, stand up
Don’t give up the fight.
My luggage had been filled with Arabic nonviolent literature but Sam cautioned me to leave it all with him to avoid the extra hassle it could cause me during the routine questioning by airport security.
I left everything with him that I could get on the Internet but kept books, a CD and a DVD.
Sam warns me on what I shouldn’t say when I undergo my interrogation from the inquisitive employees at the Ben Gurion Airport.
While in Bethlehem I shared with many about my experience of having my computer confiscated by EL AL employees at JFK Airport, during my pre-flight checking in process. Every Palestinian told me “don’t worry about it.”
But every American I spoke with during my time in Israel and Palestine, freaked out when I told them about El Al confiscating my lap top for over an hour before I boarded the plane at JFK for my second trip to the Holy Land. Every American believed that they had downloaded my files, read my emails and perhaps even injected a Trojan into my soft ware. Those Americans had fallen into fear and paranoia, but Bob Marley and the Wailers is the way I choose to go:
Get up, stand up
Stand up for your rights
Get up, stand up
Stand up for your rights
Get up, stand up
Stand up for your rights
Get up, stand up
Don’t give up the fight.
I had no fear of any airport security and I was determined I would answer honestly every question and keep smiling. Every employee I encountered smiled back at me and nobody asked me any ‘explosive’ questions. While three different young women examined and swabbed every item and surface in all my luggage I experienced frisson: the chill in the thrill of the rush you experience in a moment of delight, excitement or fear.
A young lady examiner came upon the book from the Holy Land Trust conference I had attended December 27-30, 2005 entitled: Celebrating Nonviolent Resistance.
The young examiner never looked my way, but she read the cover and scanned all the pages most thoroughly.
I wondered if perhaps a few seeds of thought were left germinating in Tel Aviv that night, but I forgot all about that when I landed in JFK fourteen hours later.
I had crashed for five solid hours out of the eleven hour flight. I awoke to vivid images of The Wall that remain brutally fresh in my mind.
In my minds eye, I still see the concrete boa constrictor and electrified fence that divides, separates, humiliates, dominates, controls and denies inalienable human rights to every Palestinian.
When I landed at JFK Airport, Terminal Two to wait three hours for my connection home, all I could think about was The Wall and all the injustice’s I had witnessed during my second of sixteen days in Israel and Palestine. [My first 16 days are documented in my first book, "Keep Hope Alive"]
In January 2005, every local, taxi driver and would be terrorist knew all the many ways around the concrete boa constrictor and electrified fence which had enormous gaps, holes, and other ways to get around checkpoints and avoid The Bethlehem Terminal which divides the sister city of and from Jerusalem.
The Israeli government and Senator Clinton both claim The Wall is all for Security. I know better.
The concrete boa constrictor and electrified fence is a master plan to divide, separate, humiliate, dominate, control and deny inalienable human rights to the indigenous people of the Holy Land.
In Palestine and the Unrecognized Villages there are olive trees that were rooted centuries ago, for olive trees can live for thousands of years, if they are not plowed down.
Twenty five olive trees can support a typical family in Gaza, the West Bank and in the Unrecognized Villages,
Where every little child knows the names of the ancient olive trees,
And they always be,
Names of mommys, sisters and favorite aunts and uncles,
For the olive trees are a member of their families.
In 1948, 20% of the total population of the Holy Land were Christian. Today they number less than 1.3% and continue to shrink fast.
Palestinian Christian roots go back to the first century when Christ promised: “BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS: THEY ARE THE CHILDREN OF GOD.” [Matthew 5:9]
At The Terminal in Bethlehem, upon the thirty foot high Wall, a hundred square foot sign from The Minister of Tourism hangs and proclaims in Orwellian logic: PEACE, PEACE, PEACE.
“Peace, peace, peace, they say, when there is no peace.”-Jeremiah 6:14
For twelve days around Christmas 2005, I lived in the Little Town of Bethlehem in occupied territory. For twelve days I walked “through streets that were dead” [Bob Dylan] in the morning, noon and night and everywhere I did go, shops were closed, restaurants empty. A few locals would be around and tour buses would quickly come and go at the Church of The Nativity.
But stores remain closed and restaurants empty because tourists don’t want to see, hear or know about occupied territory.
The Terminal is not The Way tourists in buses and taxis go;
The Terminal is the way only Palestinians and the curious go,
Who want to know what’s really going down
In the Holy Land:
Which is in pieces.
Mr. Presidents, I plead, please tear down the concrete boa constrictor and electrified fence which has been deemed ILLEGAL by the International Court of Justice in the Hague.
Mr. Presidents, please imagine what a wonderful world it would be if you would plant olive trees and build playgrounds and construct bridges of community and global neighborhoods.
The Way to security is knowing ones neighbor, and ones neighbor is ones sister and brother,
For everyone is a child of God.
To be blessed with Peace we must resist evil with good and God has already told us what is required: “Act justly, be merciful and walk humbly with your God.”-Micah 6:8
“And the best you can do is forgive.”-The Traveling Wilburys
Eileen is a retired RN, activist, author, poet, reporter and editor of WAWA Blog:
http://www.wearewideawake.org
She returns to the West Bank in November 2006 and will be reporting on WAWA.
Article Source: http://www.earticlesonline.com/Article/The-Wall–Senator-Clinton-and-Bob-Marley/75642
The Soup: Retired “Red”
|
|
Mira Paris ORIGINAL Painting – “Retired Red Sun” $9,500.00 |
|
|
Takara CWC BL-03 Blythe Rosie Red Retired Rare $1,200.00 |
|
|
TY BEANIE BABIES (Pinchers w/teenie babies & RED DIGGER crab) RARE $599.00 |
|
|
BBR 1:18 Ferrari F430 Coupe F1 Red 1302pc Retired Last $430.00 |
|
|
Pullip Red Head Anne Shirley Retired Rare Jun Planning $380.00 |
|
|
SWAROVSKI COCKATOO, RED – PARADISE MEGA BIRD RETIRED 718565 $380.01 |
|
|
16″H Peacock pitcher red Old National Geographic Home Collection rare retired $355.00 |
|
|
ORIENT & FLUME RED BETA FISH VASE RETIRED l@@k (1981) A MUST HAVE $350.00 |
|
|
SWAROVSKI RED RIDING HOOD & WOLF COMBO RETIRED 191695 & 207549 BNIB COA $339.95 |
|
|
Wee Forest Folk Retired Sugar & Spice Christmas Red $329.99 |
|
|
BBR Exclusive Limited Edition 1302 cars Ferrari F430 in Metalic Red 1:18 Retired $329.00 |
|
|
Byers Choice Retired 1991 Apple Lady on Bench with Red Striped Stockings $327.77 |
|
|
TY Beanie Babies GLORY White Bear with Tush Tag # 400 & Red Star (Price Reduced) $325.00 |
|
|
LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD retired DADDY’S LONG LEGS $299.95 |
|
|
STEIFF Ltd UK RED PANDA TEDDY BEAR w GROWLER – 663253 – RETIRED $299.99 |
|
|
“Sale” Pullip Red Head Anne Shirley Retired Rare Jun Planning Last Box $280.00 |
|
|
FENTON DESIGNER RUBY RED WINTER VASE – 9″ RETIRED LTD. CONNOISSEUR $295.47 |
|
|
Wee Forest Folk Sunday Drivers Red with Black Fenders Retired $299.95 |
|
|
Wee Forest Folk Sunday Drivers Red with Tan Fenders Retired $299.95 |
|
|
Vera Bradley Retired Rare Red Hoosier Bag & Garment Bag $299.00 |
|
|
BRAHMIN RED SPENCER CONSORT SHOULDER BAG SET NWT Retired Collection $285.00 |
|
|
RARE RETIRED SWAROVSKI SIGNED RED CRYSTALS EPOXY TASSELS PIN $275.00 |
|
|
Breyer Wapasha “Red Leaf” 2005 Mid States Exclusive Retired NIB RARE # 701845 $249.99 |
|
|
SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL RED RIDING HOOD W/ BASKET & WOLF 7550 RETIRED FAIRY TALES $250.00 |
|
|
WATERFORD *RED CASED SNOW CRYSTAL FLUTES PR* NIB *RETIRED/SOLD OUT* XX RARE* $259.50 |
|
|
sz 7 retired ALAN K HEARTS rubies HEARTS valentine HEARTS red RING $250.00 |
|
|
Three Retired Pandora Jigsaw Puzzle piece charms in Red Yellow and Blue 790486 $225.00 |
|
|
Wee Forest Folk Retired Special Red Me and Raggedy Ann $250.00 |
|
|
Swarovski Crystal Dalisa Cockatoo Red 944911 Retired $244.95 |
|
|
BAIMURU COCKATOO RED SWAROVSKI JEWELRY RETIRED #274471 $240.95 |
|
|
OAKLEY GEN 1 Minute ✠ RARE 04-088 ✠ BNIB ✠ Vintage ✠ Cobalt ✠ +Red ✠ RETIRED ✠ $229.90 |
|
|
Waterford Ruby Red Snow Crystals Cut to Clear Votive Bowl New/Box Retired $229.99 |
|
|
Royal Doulton Figurine “Buttercup” Red Dress Retired HN 2399 7-3/8” Tall $224.95 |
|
|
LENOX CHINA JEWELS NATIVITY CAMEL RARE & RETIRED WITH RED BOX AND WHITE TISSUE $219.00 |
|
|
PEBBLES RED Frogman Tim Cotterill RETIRED $200.00 |
|
|
iittala Vigna Colori Large Sea Blue & Red – Brand New, Retired Design $199.99 |
|
|
UGG Ultra purse SUNDANCE Grab Bag RUBY red & BROWN retired & hard to find! $199.99 |
|
|
WATERFORD LISMORE CASED CUT TO CLEAR VASE, RUBY RED, 9″H, RETIRED & HTF, MUST C $199.95 |
|
|
SWAROVSKI RETIRED SCS RENEWAL HEART COMBO CLEAR BLUE & RED WTH BAG OF MINIS MIB $189.95 |
|
|
American Girl Retired Kirsten Doll, St Lucia Gown, Wreath, Candles & Red Boots $199.00 |
|
|
Holiday Lolita Retired glasses $185.99 |
|
|
Adora 06 Retired / Rare / NIB / LTD / “Little Red***” $175.00 |
|
|
GENE as *RED VENUS* ASHTON DRAKE GALLERIES `95 RETIRED $179.99 |
|
|
Vera Bradley Retired Rare Windsor Red Garment $179.00 |
|
|
Cherished Teddies Northrop RARE Red Coat Version LE NIB $175.75 |
|
|
RETIRED SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL RED RIDING HOOD MIB COA $165.00 |
|
|
Ashton Drake Red Venus Gene Doll 95 RETIRED Mel Odom $179.99 |
|
|
Vera Bradley Retired Rare Red Holiday Christmas Classic Bag $179.00 |
|
|
SWAROVSKI VASE OF RED ROSES JUBILEE RETIRED BNIB COA $169.95 |
|
|
Vera Bradley Retired Rare Villa Red Large Duffel Bag! $169.00 |
|
|
Vera Bradley Retired Rare New Talbots Red Villager $169.00 |
|
|
SNOW BUDDIES by Wee Forest Folk, WFF# M-188, RED, Retired 1999 $175.00 |
|
|
SILPADA RARE Red Coral Cinnabar .925 Sterling Silver Bead Bracelet B0985 Retired $175.00 |
|
|
Hand Crafted Bolo and Ring MOSAIC RED Coral is King Custom Made by Retired Biker $174.99 |
|
|
Wee Forest Folk PM-6 Forget-Me-Knot – Red Boat Retired $172.00 |
|
|
BRIGHTON NECKLACE BRACELET EARRINGS LOCKET WITH PEARLS RED WEAVE HEART RETIRED $169.99 |
|
|
RETIRED Sima K 8.74ct Red Quartzite Colors of Sapphire Sterling Ring 8 w/ Box $169.90 |
|
|
Rare Retired Silpada Sterling Silver Red Sponge Coral Necklace Hammered Pendant $165.00 |
|
|
* RARE Silpada Red Geometric Bracelet ~ .925 Silver ~ 2002-2003 RETIRED B0264 $169.09 |
|
|
Vera Bradley Retired Rare Red Paisley Garment Bag $159.00 |
|
|
Vera Bradley Retired Rare Provincial Red Garment Bag $159.00 |
|
|
Vera Bradley Retired Rare Apple Red Pattern Garment Bag $159.00 |
|
|
Mischief the White Monkey 1st Gen. 1987 with Red Plastic Charm on Tail RARE L@@K $150.00 |
|
|
Zippo Tabasco Lighter Around Bottle and Tabasco Black & Red Lighter- Retired $159.99 |
|
|
Zippo Tabasco Lighter Around Bottle and Tabasco Black & Red Lighter- Retired $159.99 |
|
|
Retired Carolee Ruby Red Swarovski Crystals Necklace & Earings Set $159.99 |
|
|
Zippo Tabasco Lighter Around Bottle and Tabasco Black & Red Lighter- Retired $159.99 |
|
|
Byers Choice Retired 1991 Apple Lady with Red Stockings $159.99 |
|
|
Retired Rare Vera Bradley Red Delft Garment Bag $149.00 |
|
|
Vera Bradley Retired Rare Vintage Red Small Duffel Bag $149.00 |
|
|
Beanie Baby H-tag 1997 “Stinger” #459 + Red star on tush tag, Rare $150.00 |
|
|
NIB Retired Coach Dog Leash Red Leather Sz L-Great Gift 4 Your Dog or Dog Lovers $149.99 |
|
|
Byers Choice Retired 1985 Santa in Red Wood Sleigh with Gifts $153.89 |
|
|
RETIRED SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL RED RIDING HOOD MIB COA $135.00 |
|
|
Beanie Babies Bear “GLORY” 1997, # 400 + red star inside tush tag, Rare! In Box. $150.00 |
|
|
Swarovski Crystal RED RIDING HOOD Figurine NIB COA Retired 2004 ERV. $195.00 $139.00 |
|
|
JUST LIKE DADDY by Wee Forest Folk, WFF# M-367s, RED Boy, LTD Retired 2008 $150.00 |
|
|
Retired Lolita Set: Red Hot : WIne, Flute, mug, martini $149.99 |
|
|
SIGNED SWAROVSKI RED CRYSTAL EARRINGS NEW RETIRED !! $145.00 |
|
|
SWAROVSKI RED RIDING HOOD RETIRED 2004 MIB $135.00 |
|
|
Authenitc Chamilia Silver Holiday Wreath Red & Green CZ *RETIRED* $138.00 |
|
|
RARE Vntg Retired SWAROVSKI Swan Signed Ruby Red Crystal Swan Pin NEW P53 $139.00 |
|
|
SWAROVSKI – Maeva Red Ring RETIRED $132.00 |
|
|
RARE! NWT VERA BRADLEY “VILLA RED” DIAPER BAG. RETIRED $129.95 |
|
|
New in Box UGG Classic Short, Women’s size 7, Pomegranate – Red *RETIRED* RARE * $129.99 |
|
|
Lot of 2 Vera Bradley Rare Retired Red Paisley Villager Tote & Barrel Duffle Bag $124.99 |
|
|
Vera Bradley Retired Red Leaf Long Garment Bag $139.00 |
|
|
Vera Bradley Retired Very Rare Red Hoosier Bag $139.00 |
|
|
MINI RED TIFFANY LAMP MADE FROM SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL RETIRED $139.00 |
|
|
FENTON 2005 RETIRED 12 INCH RED RUBY AMBERINA STRETCH RIBBED BOWL $125.00 |
|
|
Vera Bradley Retired Rare Provincial Red Large Duffel $129.00 |
|
|
Vera Bradley Rare Retired Red Windsor Duffel Bag $129.00 |
|
|
Vera Bradley Retired Rare Red Indiana Paddy Bag! $129.00 |
|
|
Vera Bradley Retired Rare Red Coin Large Duffel Bag! $129.00 |
|
|
RETIRED PARKER DUOLFOLD BIG RED,GOLD TRIM,WHITE,BOX,NEW $129.99 |
|
|
LENOX CHINA JEWELS SANTA ( 9 TH IN SERIES) RARE & RETIRED WITH RED BOX $125.00 |
|
|
LENOX CHINA JEWELS SANTA ( 6 TH IN SERIES) RARE & RETIRED WITH RED BOX $125.00 |
|
|
Vera Bradley Retired Rare Talbots Red Small Duffel $129.00 |
|
|
VERA BRADLEY RED MICROFIBER BACKPACK HANDBAG/PURSE/TOTE RETIRED & RARE BEAUTIFUL $125.00 |
|
|
Vera Bradley Retired Rare Red Regatta Classic Handbag $129.00 |