Qalandiya
Because of the many restrictions of movement, because of the general sense of suffocation, and because there’s no knowing what tomorrow brings, and especially because of the nerves caused by being stuck and home and missing the children and youths of Qalandiya who wait from week to week and are happy to see their portraits from the previous meeting, and smiling at the camera
for our next meeting – all of these and more made me come here again.
I met, and gave, and took pictures, and listened, and talked a bit, and mostly smiled – with them, about them and at them.
And I heard that Israel imposes general closure beginning tomorrow, Monday, from 7 a.m. on.
General closure is always valid for Palestinians, not Jewish settler-colonists.
One transport driver said that when he drove workers to Israel this morning, the soldiers said that from tomorrow on, no more crossing. Whoever wishes, will have to stay inside (Israel) from tonight.
Suddenly, as if out of nowhere, a convoy of vehicles sped by, flags waving and happy honking. A friend said this is what’s done when someone’s come out of jail…
For a moment there the pandemic was forgotten, everyday pains disappeared, and a flash of hope broke through, a man whose freedom has been regained.
And here’s a bonus photo for terrible times. Keep it, or delete it, as you wish.
