News

Back to normal? An Israeli virtual reality

Yosef Grodzinsky Tel Aviv 23 April 2002

An ad inserted into the bottom of my TV screen during a soccer match reads “Violence does not win”. Yes, business here appears as usual again — the soccer league here is just about over, people are back in coffee shops and movie theaters, and the summer is fast approaching. Read more about Back to normal? An Israeli virtual reality

Occupation diary (8-22 April 2002)

Bethlehem 23 April 2002

Here I am in the place where Jesus was born, now a most terrifying place. Monday last week we woke up at 1:00 A.M. I could hear bombing and shelling everywhere. At 4:00 I ran to my mother’s room and hid under her bed because the bombing was very close. Read more about Occupation diary (8-22 April 2002)

Letter from Bethlehem (April 15-22, 2002)

Toine van Teeffelen Bethlehem, Palestine 23 April 2002

Over three weeks of curfew makes life somehow timeless. The muezzin and church bells are silent, except for the ‘opening hours’ when we are allowed to leave home. Read more about Letter from Bethlehem (April 15-22, 2002)

Nablus: 'In the Time of Curfew'

Arjan El Fassed Ram, Palestine 5 August 2002

‘Ala, who lives in Nablus, started to write his long awaited ‘Love in the Time of Curfew’, a title he borrowed from Gabriel Garcia Marquez’ novel, ‘Love in the Time of Cholera’. Read more about Nablus: 'In the Time of Curfew'

Update from ISM

Huwaida Arraf Ramallah, Palestine 23 April 2002

ISM volunteers Richard Johnson and Sofia Ahmed witnessed two young boys “blown up” in a small field in Jenin Camp yesterday. Sofia reports being only 40 meters away when something exploded. “Although we can’t be positive what it was that exploded, four days ago we saw Israeli soldiers on foot in the exact same place.” Read more about Update from ISM

'Only transfer will bring peace'

Arjan El Fassed Ram, Palestine 23 April 2002

“Why can’t they announce a curfew a little bit louder?” I thought. Yesterday morning, as I stepped into the office, my colleagues tell me that there has been a curfew imposed on the area where I live. Read more about 'Only transfer will bring peace'

Getting our first look around the 'raped' cities

Patricia Smith Beit Hanina, Palestine 22 April 2002

After 23 days of around the clock curfew, residents of Ramallah and other West Bank towns are today for the first time, able to reclaim the streets of their invaded and destroyed, or as one resident described it - “raped” cities. Read more about Getting our first look around the 'raped' cities

The final verdict

Hakam Kanafani al-Bireh, Palestine 22 April 2002

I am no longer confined to my apartment. I am now confined to parts of one single city; Ramallah. The army is still present in those other parts, in those other cities, in those other roads surrounding every Palestinian town. Read more about The final verdict

I brought Jenin to Israel

Ben Granby East Jerusalem, Palestine 22 April 2002

Last night I brought Jenin to Israel. I tried to at least. I walked from East Jerusalem to West, seeking a drink after spending a night in the devastated northern West Bank town. Jenin was still on my boots. Read more about I brought Jenin to Israel

The 'end' of an occupation

Islah Jad Ramallah, Palestine 22 April 2002

We woke up this morning to see if the Israeli troops withdrew from Ramallah as they claimed yesterday or not. To start with my street, where I live, all that had changed was the fortification of the barrier sealing the beginning of my street and now a new one at the other end. Read more about The 'end' of an occupation