ybiberman
All we are saying is 'Give peace the chance'…
There are moments that warm your heart, and causes you to believe that good is possible.
When I approached the Damascus gate of the old city of Jerusalem, I could not overlook this group of high school girls. They seemed very excited, took many photos (mainly selfies), and were very active. Like teenagers, they made a lot of 'fuss'. It was clear that on the one hand they are local, e.g., Palestinians, and on the other hand, it is the first time they are in Jerusalem.
As I often do, I stood silently, and took their photos, while they were 'playing around'. Soon they noticed me, and as you can see, posed to me, very happily. Then they wanted to see the photos, and get some of them; but were very disappointed when I proposed only an e-mail address (and not social media). They took my mail, but did not send me any message (yet)…
I left the encounter with an impression that despite all the demonization, we are all just humans, that want to live our lives, take selfies, and enjoy. We, certainly, have aggressive parts, but it is not a decree of fate that we will not achieve peace in our tiny piece of land, between the Mediterranean Sea and the river Jordan.
P.S.
I am afraid that in the last few weeks (since Trump's declaration about JLM), you'll not be able to see such smiling faces at the Damascus gate of the old city of JLM, but rather many tensed policemen, and a few protestors...
All we are saying is 'Give peace the chance'…
There are moments that warm your heart, and causes you to believe that good is possible.
When I approached the Damascus gate of the old city of Jerusalem, I could not overlook this group of high school girls. They seemed very excited, took many photos (mainly selfies), and were very active. Like teenagers, they made a lot of 'fuss'. It was clear that on the one hand they are local, e.g., Palestinians, and on the other hand, it is the first time they are in Jerusalem.
As I often do, I stood silently, and took their photos, while they were 'playing around'. Soon they noticed me, and as you can see, posed to me, very happily. Then they wanted to see the photos, and get some of them; but were very disappointed when I proposed only an e-mail address (and not social media). They took my mail, but did not send me any message (yet)…
I left the encounter with an impression that despite all the demonization, we are all just humans, that want to live our lives, take selfies, and enjoy. We, certainly, have aggressive parts, but it is not a decree of fate that we will not achieve peace in our tiny piece of land, between the Mediterranean Sea and the river Jordan.
P.S.
I am afraid that in the last few weeks (since Trump's declaration about JLM), you'll not be able to see such smiling faces at the Damascus gate of the old city of JLM, but rather many tensed policemen, and a few protestors...