Susan Brannon

Qalqilya and the wall

In the past week, Qalqilya has been under 120 hours of curfew, leaving residents only 28 hours to shop, work and visit with families. The people of Qalqilya have faced hardship for many years, quietly obeying the continual occupation that comes in waves on the town. For what? Susan Brannon reports. 

The Fourth of July

Watching the fireworks from afar off, I sat and remembered America. America is withdrawing a large amount of their funds to the international NGO humanitarian groups and causing a ripple effect within the donor communities. 

A sense of normalcy

Israel’s reoccupation, the lack of movement and being locked up inside of your own home without the knowledge of knowing how long has become normal. This is the sad thing. 

The Occupation

Amjad, Mohmund, Asraf, Abeer, Ahmeed and Khaled left from the Tulkurim area yesterday to work in Ramallah. Normally, they walk for 10 minutes from the village to find a taxi off of the main road and go to Ramallah. This time the road was closed and they had to walk around the closures through the mountains. 

The right to exist

Living in Jerusalem is a different world than living in Ramallah, Bethlehem, Jenin, Nablus, Tulkarm or Gaza; in fact I can say living in Jerusalem is different than living in any other West Bank town or village. 

Bethlehem after the siege

Today, I went into Bethlehem; I interviewed the Parish Priest, Amjad Sabbara, who was inside the Church compound for 40 days. I think to myself, why 40 days? What an interesting number: Jesus fasted for 40 days, the Israelis wondered through the wilderness for 40 years. Didn’t something else happen for 40 days? I wonder. 

Cries of the heart

Nestled in the rolling hills and mountains in the north are numerous small Arab villages scattered among the olive trees and agricultural fields. Spring red poppies and wild flowers are in full bloom tucked among various breeds of tall grasses. 

Crimes without proof

Cries and pleas rings loud and clear from the Palestinians in the Occupied West Bank town of Jenin. Jenin has been under siege from the Israeli army for 11 days, many of those days the residents have been without food, water and electricity. 

Asphalt Turned into Dust

Tuesday, April 9, a convoy of 14 international representatives and 9 national relief agencies were allowed to enter into Nablus to deliver needed medical supplies and food to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS). The supplies will be distributed to those who are in need. 

Hebron Settlers

435 Israelis are nestled within the city limits of Hebron in co-habitation with approximately 180,000 Palestinians. The settlers are “guarded” by approximately 1,500 to 2,000 Israeli soldiers costing Israel millions of dollars in operations cost; the ratio is 1 settler to 4 soldiers guarding the post.