Habla

The terror and fear caused by uncertainty about the behavior of the Israeli army and its violence affect every Palestinian man and woman.  Jewish Israelis have felt more afraid in recent weeks as a result of violent acts by individual Palestinian youths.  The checkpoint, its devices and its soldiers, is the physical representation of the military violence.  On our way to the Habla checkpoint we wondered whether the fear and violence would be even more palpable when we arrived.  We found instead a parallel universe.

The checkpoint itself operated “normally”:  people with Israeli work permits and those working in the plant nurseries or on land expropriated “de-facto” from Habla were inspected and crossed in groups of five or six;  the vehicles transporting teachers and pupils went through without delay; so did drivers of cars and carts.  Four of those waiting to leave Habla were sent back after inspection.

After everyone had crossed, the checkpoint closed at 07:45.

Unlike the “checkpoint routine,” the existential distress experienced by Palestinians, including those seemingly privileged, was harshly expressed in conversation with W. after the checkpoint closed.  On the one hand, strong ties with Jews in the area haven’t been undermined even in recent days.  On the other hand, feelings of anger and affront because of the ongoing discrimination and oppression to which all Palestinians are subjected:  it’s one country, we’re all connected, Jews and Moslems eat the same food (according to the laws of kashrut), but the people higher up aren’t interested in cooperation.

That’s something to think about.