No road to Jerusalem: Documenting the latest wave of violations
The photographers behind the exhibition of images depicting the humiliation and brutality of Israel's checkpoints, the two persons hoped to stress the nature of the checkpoint, "mahsom" in Hebrew and "hajiz" in Arabic. In local languages the word means "barrier" and the images the women captured show the frustration behind the world's largest physical barrier preventing men, women and children from realizing both their religious freedom and rights to movement and access.
The start of Ramadan at the end of August marked the start of the recent wave of tension, as long lines of worshipers were mistreated, abused, and refused access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque during the holy month. Israeli actions succeeded in depriving hundreds of thousands of Palestinians of their fundamental right of freedom of religion (protected by Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights), and freedom of movement.
Despite the hours of waiting under the August sun and the risk of being denied entry into Jerusalem, thousands crowded the Qalandiya and Bethlehem checkpoints hoping to worship at Al-Aqsa.
In Bethlehem, a pre-checkpoint of concrete blocks and guard zones was added to the occupation infrastructure ten meters in front of the eight-meter separation wall, the new styles were used to filter men from women, youth, from young adults, from the elderly.
The first three Fridays of Ramadan only men over 50 and women over 45 were allowed to pass the points, occasionally taking with them children under 16 who do not legally need permits to enter the city. Also allowed to pass were Palestinians holding valid travel permits issued by Israel. On the last Friday of Ramadan, however, only men over 50 and women over 45 were permitted to pass.
According to the UN agency OCHA, Israel prevented more than 40 percent of the West Bank population from entering occupied East Jerusalem for Friday prayers.
The anguish, humiliation and frustration of the worshipers was documented in striking images and is currently visible at the Alternative Information Center in Beit Sahour.
And here is the link to see the pictures:
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