Issue No. 162, October 2011 Celebrations Where Commemoration Meets Celebration...... 4 Dhikr, Mawlid, and the Praise of God...... 10 Our theme for this issue, Celebration, is of course connected with events Annual Cultural Events...... 18 at the United Nations. By the time you read this the situation should be Popular Traditions and Customs...... 24 clearer, or, if recent events are any guide, murkier still. Celebrating Palestine through the Art of Abdul Hai Musallam...... 30 The saga has provided real insight into the processes of the elite nations Public Access: The Presence of Presents...... 34 and institutions. It is sad that the issue of Palestinian statehood has been RIWAQ Wins Prince Claus Award for Culture and Development...... 36 reduced to a platform for grandstanding, horse-trading, and the promotion Regional Food Fests...... 38 of special interests. The lack of transparency and consistency from many Celebratory Gunfire Is an Indiscriminate Killer...... 44 of the key players, notably the United States, is a stain on their noble, Should Palestinians Celebrate the Mysterious Revolutions?...... 46 founding principles. Can the Samaritans Bounce Back?...... 52 Aware that this important phase of Palestinian history was never likely to World Osteoporosis Day – 20 October...... 56 be smooth sailing, we have split our own vote with this issue. We feature In the Limelight...... 62 interpretations of celebration that deal with marking tragedies of the past Reviews...... 68 and whether or not we should support mysterious “rebel” armies as they Events...... 72 emerge in the region. Another dark tale questions the culture of gun usage Listings...... 76-92 at celebrations and the suffering it causes. Maps...... 93-97 The Last Word...... 98 But this is also a chance to celebrate in the purest sense and to revel Picturesque Palestine ...... 99 in the good things. This means taking a look at the best festivals, events, and special occasions, and how we mark them. We applaud RIWAQ for its latest success, and we should direct reader attention toward Dr. Ali Qleibo’s splendid exploration of Sufi culture and customs. In the spirit of balance, we thought that any nervous readers might appreciate a final thought on the UN vote from Rudyard Kipling, taken from his 1895 poem “If–”. Emphasising the importance of maintaining a balanced outlook regardless of fortune, he wrote that we should “meet with Triumph and Disaster, and treat those two impostors just the same.” Telefax: + 970/2-2-2951262 e-mail: [email protected] From the TWIP Collective www.thisweekinpalestine.com

Printed by Studio Alpha, Al-Ram, Jerusalem Binding by Al-Asdika’, Al-Ram, Jerusalem Forthcoming Issues: Maps: Courtesy of PalMap - GSE Distributed by • Palestine on the World Map - November 2011

Theme: Celebrations • Initiatives - December 2011 Cover: “The Bridal Trousseau” 1991. Art work by Abdul Hai Musallam. George Al Ama collection. • Image and Reality - January 2012

Advisory Board

Lana Abu Hijleh Jane Masri Country Director – CHF International, Palestine Director of Communications - Zoom Advertising Razan Kaloti Rev. Mitri Raheb The views presented in the articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. Marketing and Communications Manager – British Council President - Diyar Consortium Maps herein have been prepared solely for the convenience of the reader; the designations and presentation of material do not imply any expression of opinion of This Week in Palestine, its publisher, editor, or its Issa Kassissieh advisory board as to the legal status of any country, territory, city, or area, or the authorities thereof, or as to the delimitation of boundaries or national affiliation. Office of the President

2 3 human. In this context dates become and a far longer history of conflicts, wars, Where Commemoration Meets Celebration important and have particular meanings. and occupations going back over 4,000 This, of course, happens at the personal years. It is thus not surprising that we By Mazin Qumsiyeh level where people commemorate certain have plenty of history to relate to in our On 15 May this year, a teenager events that we call celebrations or dates (the death of a loved one, for memory, much of it is unfortunately sad. climbed the abandoned house of the commemorations in unique and personal example) or celebrate others (a birthday, But we also have the most amazing story original Al-Walaja Village and raised a ways. No two individuals can share a wedding anniversary, etc.). But even of survival and persistence (sumud). Palestinian flag as Israeli jeeps arrived. exactly the same perception of any event. here the language fails us because Like the yin and yang of Eastern Ahmad had a big smile on his face as Yet, for us Palestinians, personal history giving a name to an historical event is a philosophies, it would be hard to imagine those gathered clapped their hands and and national experienced history are very poor way of reflecting our feelings us commemorating a sad event without sang a national song. We were young intertwined as a reflection of a common and the understanding of its significance. also celebrating another (including our and old, male and female, Christians, narrative that includes dispossession, That feeling (of happiness, joy, sadness, positive responses to tragedy). Our Muslims, and even some Jews. We had survival, and longing for return. or love) can also change from year to struggle was and will continue to be crossed the mythical Green Line, and we celebrated this achievement as we commemorated the Nakba. Later in a holding pin at Atarot, we felt freer than our captors. Palestinians in Syria had also crossed that mythical line into the occupied Golan Heights. Hassan Hijazi, 28 years old, not only crossed but kept going to arrive in Jaffa. He told Israeli TV: “It was my dream to go to Jaffa because it is my homeland.” This young man also had a smile on his face. He had done it albeit for a brief period and was expelled just like his family was expelled. In the middle of Jaffa, he said without blinking an eye that “This isn’t Israel, this is my country … I want to stay here where my father and my great-grandfather were born, and I want to bring my family here.” Hassan added that his success was indeed symbolic but significant because it shows what individuals can do. Israeli authorities reacted violently to the peaceful infiltrations this year and murdered many nonviolent activists and imprisoned many of us. How does one characterise such events? The human language, by definition, tries to set boundaries on concepts that “Return of the Soul - The Nakbah Project” (2007-2008), from Tank Art, Jane Frere. defy borders and boundaries. Words such as commemoration, celebration, We the disinherited Palestinians fought year in recalling the same event. If this against a mighty military machine that is and demonstration sometimes appear for survival at many levels, but perhaps is true for individual and personal events, backed up by a strong, worldwide Zionist artificial and certainly limited in telling one of the most important aspects is then surely it is even more complex for lobby that deployed a narrative based us about what actually happens. We that of memory, which constructs our group events. on myth and propaganda. That struggle are a species that uses language that narrative. Our narrative is simply what Palestinians remain the largest refugee is strengthened by our memories of our reflects thoughts that are shaped by we as a people put together from our population on earth. We are experiencing history with all its ups and downs. our experiences, both personal and memory and from history to make sense the longest remaining occupation – the inherited (experiences of our parents and of what happened to us. Narrative links suffering has endured for 63 years. We Nakba grandparents). By nature we experience the temporal and the spatial with the have a history of 130 years of colonisation For us Palestinians the most pressing 4 5 and most indelible of our experiences thousands succeeded. This is indeed is the Nakba. We all know that our a success that we ought to celebrate catastrophe (Nakba) began with Zionism as part of our history. That, against all long before May 1948 and has continued odds, 150,000 of our brothers and sisters since. May 15 is not the date of the stayed inside what became the state of Nakba but is merely a date that became Israel is a miracle of sumud. That they symbolic of the Nakba, the date on number now 1.5 million and that Zionists which we “commemorate” it. Nakba is are panicking about the “demographic not a day but a lifetime of the country danger” is indeed something for us to over 130 years. Each of us experiences smile about when we rightly mourn our our Nakba in different yet related ways. dispossession. This is all part of that Many experienced it when being loaded tapestry that we call the Nakba. So onto boats in Jaffa and literally pushed we find that, indeed, it is deserved that into the sea. Others survived massacres we both commemorate and celebrate. or survived a march east over days. Even Perhaps the best way to express it is to today and for people not even born until say that we “mark the Nakba date.” after 1948, the Nakba is still experienced. It is experienced in the look of a hungry Naksa child in Rafah and in the funeral of an Naksa is similarly marked in June and old man in Nablus. It is experienced in signifies for us the setback of the 1967 a wedding in Arroub, a birth in Jalazone, Israeli occupation of the rest of Palestine a baptism in Bethlehem, and in kneeling (the West Bank and the Gaza Strip) as at prayer at Al-Aqsa. It is experienced in well as the Golan and the Sinai. Here the our blood and in the depth of our bones. Zionist project made additional inroads Nakba is commemorated in various into Palestine, though not in the ways it ways. Some read names of martyrs. anticipated. Did this Naksa represent a Some remember destroyed villages. mere historical event that we can relegate Others symbolically raise banners with to the pages of history or is it ongoing? pictures of those villages. Perhaps a quilt The answer is rather obvious to each and or a flag. Some write songs or poetry. every one of us because we live it daily. Some march back to those villages. May I live it every morning when I get up and 15 became a time to gather and to review drink my coffee as I look at Jabal Abu Photo by Samar Bader. where we have been and where we are Ghneim. It used to be a green hill until heading. But can we commemorate 1997, but has since been transformed here than go live in a refugee camp in community. Is it any surprise, then, that and celebrate it at the same time (with into the concrete jungle otherwise known Jordan.” It includes later the suffering we indeed celebrate the resilience – the all the baggage that these imprecise as the Jewish colony of Har Homa. In my of my family but also strengthened ties sumud – of our Naksa generation as words carry)? Is it not true that there youth and during my work as a biologist, and persistence and success. These we also celebrate those of our parents’ was resistance in 1948 and before it this was a place where I hiked, watched collectively (good and bad) are my Naksa and grandparents’ Nakba generation? and after it? Is it not true that there were birds, and studied mammals. I remember experience. Every Palestinian has his or Celebration and commemoration become heroic acts of such resistance? Is it not also as a child seeing Israeli tanks rolling her tales to tell. Collectively, that is our intertwined, perhaps become one and the true that without these acts, the Zionist down the valley near that hill towards our Naksa narrative. same as we mark these defining chapters project would have achieved its stated village in 1967. The look of fear on my in our history. goals from the beginning: a pure Jewish parents’ faces is imprinted in my mind and From June 1967 till today, we have state on both sides of the Jordan River? will not be erased until I die. My Naksa helped each other, we have survived wars and repression, we have challenged Pessimism or optimism Many of us know stories of Palestinians experiences include sleeping as a child with my clothes and shoes on in case we the occupation, and we have defended We are the sum of our experiences. What who left their villages and tried to come homes, institutions, and livelihood. holds meaning for us comes from our back to them after the cease-fire lines had to leave in the middle of the night. It includes the convincing arguments Approximately 800,000 of our people history. Of course we have choices as to were drawn. The first military order given spent time in Israeli jails and thus got the what to emphasise in this history. We can in the nascent Jewish state was to shoot against leaving that my mother gave to our neighbour on 6 June 1967. “If you education of their lives. These realities all choose to emphasise the negative, and on sight any person trying to go back to are part of our Naksa experience – part there is lots of it: massacres and ethnic his land or home. Thousands were injured leave now, you may not be allowed to come back,” and “It is better to stay of the collective memory that shapes cleansing in 1948–1949, massacres in or killed when they tried to do that. Yet our destiny both as individuals and as the 1950s, the occupation that began 6 7 Professor Mazin Qumsieh during a demonstration in Al Walaja against the uprooting of trees and building of the Wall, 2011. Photo by Anne Paq/Activestills.org. in 1967, the Black September events in Palestinians living in historic Palestine 1970, the Sabra and Shatila massacre or to commemorate the ethnic cleansing in 1982, and many others. We can also that keeps millions of us as refugees or choose to emphasise the positive: the displaced people. We can do both and achievements of resistance, the sumud/ we can do both at the same time. At the persistence of our people, the unity and funeral of my father, I said that we are solidarity of families and communities, “celebrating his life.” I still believe that and the achievements of education, this is the ultimate complement to our culture, and knowledge. There are also ancestors: to celebrate their achievement millions of heroic stories. The unrealistic while, of course, mourning losses. pessimists would focus on the negative I know that Palestine will be eventually and forget the positive. The unrealistic freed. Whether it is in my lifetime or optimists do the reverse. Some of us my son’s, it is worth asking: What sort simply retort: “Optimism of the will, of national dates will we choose to pessimism of the intellect.” Some people emphasise when this freedom comes? are optimists because their religious And HOW will we choose to mark these practices dictate it; others because events then? On 15 May 2030, what will they know that it is a biologically useful be the words uttered in front of memorials characteristic to be optimistic. Even the in villages and towns whose people have most unrealistic pessimists are still with returned? I hope they will be words that us; they did not commit suicide, so at recognise the goodness and beauty of some (perhaps subconscious) level they humanity while shedding a tear for those still hold hope for the future. I think that who lost their lives, their land, and/or their at a deeper level, what educated people livelihood. I hope that they will be words do is adapt and survive, and that requires that those who sacrificed so much for us at least a modicum of optimism about and did not live to be there at those future the future. events would be pleased to hear. Humans are amazing in their ability to survive under the harshest of conditions. Professor Mazin Qumsiyeh, of Bethlehem Palestinians, having suffered so much, University, is author of Sharing the Land have also achieved much. Adversity of Canaan: Human Rights and the forces people to evolve. I contend that Israeli Palestinian struggle and Popular we do not have to choose whether to Resistance in Palestine: A History of Hope and Empowerment. celebrate the fact that we have 5.5 million 8 “O you who believe! Celebrate the praises of Allah, and do so often; and glorify Him morning and evening.” (The Holy Qur’an 33:41–42) “Remember me, I shall remember you.” (The Holy Qur’an 2:152)

Dhikr, Mawlid, and the Praise of God The Discourse of Arabic Religious Music

By Dr. Ali Qleibo

Religious music overtakes profane Fridays at my grandmother’s are reality, imparting life with visionary closely associated with music. Following moments that dissolve the barriers of lunch and upon Grandma’s insistence, memory, and conjures the past in the my father, who had a mellifluous voice, eternal sacred moment of now. would recite selected verses from the Aida and I had reluctantly accepted a Qur’an. There are seven traditional Ramadan breaking-of-the-fast dinner ways of chanting the Qur’an, and invitation, iftar, at the home of one of my my father was a proficient cantor. A former students. The immense number descendant of over seven centuries of of brothers, sisters, first- and second- sheiks, theologians, and Sufi masters, degree cousins and their offspring who my father knew the Qur’an by heart. were invited to join in the customary iftar We would hush as he recited selections dinner was overwhelming. of his favourite verses that showed off his mastery of the art of tajwid, We had barely finished breaking the the traditional styles for the recital fast when young men started setting of the Qur’an. We marvelled at the up microphones, loud speakers, and music scales that interweave with the music mixers. Chairs were set up, and syllables, even the letters, in harmonic twelve djallabieh-garbed men took their beauty to enhance the meaning of the places in a semi-circular group. The lead words of Allah. Following the Qur’an El Anwar group during Ramadan performance at Al-Quds University/ Jerusalem Studies Center, Photo by Ali Qleibo. cantor cleared his throat, tapped the he would move to the Madih al-Nabawi microphone, and began reciting verses songs, which are of a Sufi nature. The devotional act of praying with the the graduation from high school and of the Qur’an. The garden-cum-parking beads, tasbeeh, reaches its climax in college, the return of loved ones from I grew up in a traditional family in lot – where all the dining tables were al-Mawlid, the chanting of the Qur’an a distant long journey, and any social set up – was turned into a theatre. The which dhikr Allah, the invocation and occasion in which family and friends remembrance of God, was hardly followed by singing the Madih al- two hundred relatives listened solemnly Nabawi, variants of dhikr as a means gather, including regular Ramadan iftar. as each of the twelve cantors recited interrupted except by the necessary of carving a space for the sacred The concept dhikr takes on a wide verses, showing off the beauty of the chores. The image of the prayer beads in my grandmother’s hand as she in profane everyday social life in range and various layers of meaning. Qur’an and of his voice. Within minutes To engage in dhikr is to practice the singers modulated the theme to al- praised the glory of God, enumerating addition to the ordained five prayers. his ninety-nine names, has left an Traditionally al-Mawlid ceremony consciousness of the divine presence Madih al-Nabawi, songs in praise of the and to heighten one’s own awareness Prophet Mohammad. I was transported indelible image. Each name would be accompanies most rites of passage and marked with a brief stop at a bead before of God. All words of praise and glory to my childhood … whence Friday family celebrates the return of pilgrims from to Allah extolling His perfect attributes reunions were invariably followed with slipping it to the next in her 33-bead Mecca, a new-born infant irrespective rosary knotted with a perfumed tassel. of power and majesty, beauty and dhikr, the remembrance of Allah. of gender, the recovery from illness, sublimeness, whether one utters them 10 11 by tongue or says them silently in Period in the tenth century AD did it to the commandments of Allah (e.g., cappella or by the rhythm of drums one’s heart, are known as dhikr. On a become public through Zulikhah, the prayer, fasting, hajj, and charity), the and cymbals. The chorus sings a more philosophical level dhikr has also wife of Haroun al-Rashide, who was observance of al-Sunnah (traditions refrain that the soloist answers in an been interpreted to indicate God as the active in transforming the Prophet’s established by Prophet Mohammad), improvisational way through variation, subject and the creation as the object of home into a public shrine. As such the and dhikr. It is because there are many paraphrasing, or transformation of the dhikr. Moreover, the Holy Qur’an refers established musical scales and format types of dhikr that there are many paths refrain, emphasising the characteristics to Mohammad as the very embodiment of the songs in praise of the prophet towards Allah. These paths, known as of the respective maqam, music scale. of dhikr of God (65:10–11). originated in Iraq. Sufi Orders, vary primarily on the type In popular folk Islam the term mawlid In al-Mawlid, the songs following the The Madih al-Nabawi represents of dhikr chosen to lead the disciple to is also used as a generic term for recital of the Qur’an are addressed to the principal Arabic religious musical the internal knowledge of God. the birthday celebrations of historical Prophet Mohammad, who is proffered as discourse. It is a song form devoted to A typical musical performance and mythological religious figures the embodiment of dhikr and as the first eulogising and alternately praising the features a skilled solo maqam singer such as Sufi holy men, the awliya, Sufi. They are the same songs that are Prophet Mohammad, his family, and the assisted by a chorus of eight to sixteen whose sanctuaries dot the Palestinian chanted during the Mawlid al-Nabawi cities where he was born, lived, died, men. The chorus sings in unison and landscape, some of which are centres in celebration of the prophet’s birthday and was buried. Though the elegiac new verses of poetry and prayers or of local pilgrimage. The reading of the which occurs in Rabi’ al- music discourse began immediately blessings for the audience are added Qur’an and the songs in praise of the املولد النبوي Awwal, the third month in the Islamic after the death of Prophet Mohammad at certain places during the chorus. Prophet are central to the procession calendar. Ironically the date is observed in 632 AD, the performers address the In North Africa, it resembles ma’luf or and celebrations of the various holy men as a holy day in most Muslim countries, Prophet as if he were still alive. The andalusi nubah, in Egypt the dur, in during the seasonal local pilgrimages. except for Saudi Arabia and a few other music and poetry of al-Madih al-Nabawi Syria the muwashshah, and in Iraq the These mawlids are of a Sufi nature and Muslim states. Other songs express is predominantly a Sufi discourse of maqam al-iraqi. assume different guises in the various longing for the places associated belletristic Arab literature. Musical genres or subgenres in Muslim countries invariantly shaped with the life and early struggles of the In Sufism al-Madih al-Nabawi the Madih al-Nabawi discourse by previous pagan beliefs such as that Prophet, namely al-Ka’ba and Medina. becomes the most frequent form include tanzilah (revelation), ibtihal of al-Hajjaj held on the grounds of al- Celebrating the prophet’s birthday is a of dhikr, where it is instituted as a (supplication), tawassul (beseeching), Karnak Temple in Luxor. tradition that originated within the direct ceremonial activity. In the orthodox Sufi tawshih, and muwashshah. A typical Saladin played a major role in family of the Prophet in the privacy schools, dhikr encompasses the full performance includes a solo singer delineating the seasonal Palestinian of their homes. Only in the Abbasid adherence to Muslim law (al-Shari’ah), accompanied by a chorus of men a pilgrimages to the local saints which are

Photo from Palestine Image Bank. 12 13 known as mawsim, literally translated as in Christian villages canonises the deportation of the Palestinians in season, and which are celebrated as a Canaanite goren, holy sanctuary, by 1948) and in the grief following the mawlid (a prophet’s birthday). Following building a church in its place, the local Naksa (the defeat of the 1967 War.) the various truces with and victories Christian supplicants continue to offer The centres of local pilgrimage had over the Crusaders, Saladin’s role is blood sacrifices, i.e., the traditional already been lost to Israel, and the similar to that played by Constantine ancient Semitic ritual slaughter of the Jordanian and Israeli governments and Queen Helena in mapping lamb in fulfilment of vows in the various had already stopped the famous Palestinian Christian geography. A St. George churches. In Muslim villages Mawsim al-Nebi Musa. practicing Sufi, Saladin assigned these same gorens become, through I grew up in an impoverished each newly liberated geographic the mediation of Sufi Islam, holy shrines city where luxuries such as a area its own local holy shrine as a associated with the holy men of God, ceremonial mawlid were pilgrimage centre to accommodate Awliya’ Allah bearing new Muslim economically unthinkable. My only the needs of the Bedouin tribes, the names. Significantly, in the mountains first-hand experience of Qur’anic urban populations, and the peasants, of Hebron innumerable holy shrines recitations and Madih al-Nabawi and which encompassed both Muslim associated with Biblical figures such as songs outside the family context and Christian Palestinians. Al-Nebi Noah, Esau, Matthew, Jonah, Lot, etc., was in the three days of aza, Saleh in Ramlah and Lod stands as stand in the Palestinian countryside as when people gathered in the a prime example due to the mystical patrons and holy men of the various house of the deceased to console dual Muslim and Christian aspects of villages. the bereaved family and when the legendary al-Khader/St. George, The local pilgrimages and high special cantors were summoned. who is regarded as an eternal Muslim religious esteem of the innumerable The reciting of the entire Qur’an spirit of which Saint George is an institutional and folk shrines drew the for the soul of the deceased would historical manifestation. Other seasonal various Sufi sects (that flourished in continue for the first three days pilgrimage centres include the shrine the Ottoman Period) to celebrate the following the burial of the dead. of Rubin in Jaffa and the shrine of respective seasonal mawlids with More recitals would follow the first Sayedna Ali in Reshef, known now dhikr in which al-Madih al-Nabawi Thursday, the first forty days, and as Herziliya. The name of Saladin is played a central role. This spiritual Sufi the first year following the burial. associated with Mawsim Deir al-Rum, religious musical discourse nourished The khitmeh, the finishing of the which he renamed Deir al-Balah. It our parents and grandparents and reading of the Qur’an, would be is also known as Mawsim Daron or inflamed their spiritual pathos with followed by Madih al-Nabawi Darom, depending on the dialect of a rich repertoire of sacred music. songs so as to end the evening on the tribes and peasants in southern These mawlids, coupled with the a joyful, hopeful note … followed Gaza. Mawsim al-Mintar was the local Sufi gatherings in the zawaya (Sufi by invoking blessings on the pilgrimage for the Naqab Bedouins and retreats) and the private family salons, Prophet and his family. The main eastern Gaza. provided the context and the source refrain still echoes in my memory. In colloquial Palestinian Arabic, both of the religious songs with which my generation has grown up and which Allahumma salli ‘ala muhammadin terms, mawlid and mawsim, are used wa ‘ala ali muhammadin wa sallim interchangeably. In addition to the were widespread throughout Iraq, local pilgrimages to shrines instituted greater Syria, and Egypt. O Allah, send blessings upon by Saladin, the veneration of ancient Whereas in the rest of the Muslim Mohammad and upon the family holy Canaanite shrines survived under world dhikr and mawlid musical of Mohammad, and grant them the veneer of Christian iconography discourse have developed into a peace. that associated the Baal cultic centres highly developed public performance, Men and women from my with St. George and those of Asheroth Palestine lags behind and, until quite generation remember the three with the Virgin Mary. Invariably the recently, the ceremonies have been blind sheiks, tightly holding shrines associated with Baal are built confined to the few private occasions each other’s hands, with their on the rocky threshing floors in the high that celebrate birth and death; the same red turbans and flowing dark- places; those associated with Asheroth cantors in the funeral ceremony are grey kiftans (dresses) going from are linked to water wells and springs. also the performers in the dhikr. funeral to funeral to play their role Baalic gorens (sanctuaries) provide an I was born into a bereaved Palestine as the chorus for the main cantor interesting example of syncretism. For already destroyed by the Nakba (the who would have two or three although the Greek Orthodox Church loss of Palestine and the massive permanent assistants to help him Photos by Ali Qleibo. 14 15 El Anwar group during Ramadan performance at Al-Quds University/ Jerusalem Studies Center, Photo by Ali Qleibo. cover the Qur’an in the three nights family reunions and our rapture as we of al-aza. huddled around to hear my father’s joy During my two-year sojourn in Cairo I in reciting the Qur’an and al-Madih al- was often asked if Sheikh Yaser Qleibo Nabawi, and reminded me of the simple is related to me. Egyptians, I realised, though rich spiritual life I was born into. would even tune in to the Israel station Religious music overtakes profane with the express desire to hear his reality, imparting life with visionary voice. They assumed that, as a famous moments that dissolve the barriers of cantor, he would also be very rich memory, and conjures the past in the because Egyptian cantors of his artistic eternal sacred moment of now. �أذكروين �أذكركم calibre, such as al-Sheikh Abdul Baset Abdul Samad, were as famous and rich “Remember me, I shall remember you.” as Umm Kulthum and Abdul Wahab, (The Holy Qur’an, 2:152) the reigning Egyptian divas. How exhilarating! How Sublime! I knew him as a humble sheikh leading a modest life. To celebrate the gifts of God! In the new economic conditions, To celebrate life! dhikr and al-Madih al-Nabawi have And to praise God! been revitalised. Various groups have been formed, among which Al-Anwar Dr. Ali Qleibo is an anthropologist, author, stands out. The performance group and artist. A specialist in the social history participates in international festivals of Jerusalem and Palestinian peasant representing Jerusalem’s spiritual culture, he is the author of Before the musical heritage. Mountains Disappear, Jerusalem in the Heart, and the recently published Ramadan Kareem. Surviving the Wall, an ethnographic Al Anwar’s music performance that chronicle of contemporary Palestinians followed the Ramadan festive meal and their roots in ancient Semitic brought back to life the stoic image civilisations. His filmic documentary of my grandmother. She would never about French cultural identity, Le Regard de L’Autre was shown at the Jerusalem waste an idle moment without the International Film Festival. Dr. Qleibo remembrance of God. Their spiritual lectures at Al-Quds University. He can be candour transported me to our former reached at [email protected]. 16 Annual Cultural Events

Palestine is the destination for those in one go, but we have tried to show that seeking cultural and spiritual enrichment. whenever and wherever you may be At the crossroads of civilisations for in Palestine, culture, art, heritage, and centuries, and the birthplace of the three celebration are close at hand. Abrahamic faiths, Palestine is rich in historical endowments. The rich history Palestine International Festival (PIF) of Palestine is still very much alive today for Dance and Music – Popular Arts in its ethnically and religiously diverse Centre – Summer population. Perhaps the oldest and largest of annual Despite the country’s great cultural festivals, the PIF was founded in 1993 to wealth, Palestinian heritage is under organise and host the first international constant threat. Preservation means more cultural events in Palestine. The festivals than protecting items from the passage have brought music and dance groups of time. The ongoing military and civil from Spain, Greece, Chile, Egypt, occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Morocco, Algeria, Iraq, and Turkey. It is Contemporary Dance Festival. Photo courtesy of Sareyyet Ramallah. Strip has been accompanied by a parallel truly the most international festival held effort to erase the Palestinians’ historical in the West Bank. It is, of course, also centres dazzle audiences with live lively and creative atmosphere for visitors and cultural connection to their land. a celebration of Palestinian artists and performances of Palestine’s living culture. to come and enjoy the best that Palestinian, Palestinians have worked hard to preserve heritage. In 2005 the festival expanded The festival features several headline and indeed world, performance artists and enhance access to culture through a beyond Ramallah into a number of various artists each year who can be seen for have to offer. broad range of governmental and non- villages and refugee camps throughout affordable rates, as well as a large number governmental, local and international the West Bank. The age and scope of of free shows. The Jerusalem Show – Outside the initiatives. The chief form of resistance the event have made it a “must do” for Gates of Heaven to their cultural annihilation has been the seasoned and new visitors to Palestine. Contemporary Dance Festival – The Jerusalem Show (‘Ala Abwab Al establishment and flourishing of cultural Sareyyet Ramallah – Spring Janna) borrows its English title from the centres that aim to preserve the past and Jerusalem Festival – Yabous! – For dance lovers of all types, the annual engage the present. Summer vivacious and atypical formats of the Contemporary Dance Festival simply Saturday Night Live show and the Muppet These centres, only a handful of which Each and every year, local Palestinians cannot be missed. Sareyyet Ramallah, Show, whereas its Arabic title ‘Ala Abwab and international visitors come together are mentioned below, conduct events, a local troupe of scouts that also focuses Al Janna (Outside the Gates of Heaven) to celebrate Palestinian heritage in on increasing Palestinian youth access to performances, training programmes, references the sacramental veneration Jerusalem. This weeklong celebration culture, puts on a three-week festival that and workshops throughout hundreds of that is bestowed on Jerusalem. A similar brings together visitors in a number brings together performers from Lebanon, communities in the West Bank and Gaza ludicrous dichotomy is ostensible to of carefully selected sites to celebrate Syria, Jordan, and Palestine. In addition Strip – each and every day. A number of Jerusalem’s inhabitants (including those Palestinian music and culture. Yabous! – a to a large number of performances, this annual events have become mainstays at Al-Ma’mal Foundation). of local Palestinians and international Palestinian NGO focused on performance festival also hosts a number of workshops tourists. Space would never allow us to arts – along with a number of other for the community. This combination of The Jerusalem Show is neither a biennial name and describe each and every event community organisations and cultural spectatorship and participation creates a nor a one-time event. It is neither a

Jerusalem Festival 2011. Photo courtesy of Yabous Productions. Palestine Festival 2010. Annual Bird Migration. Photo courtesy of Wildlife Society. Fête de la Musique. Photo courtesy of Al Kamandjati. 18 19 Middle East, is especially treasured by Annual Bird Migration Festival – Theatre of the Oppressed – Ashtar Palestinians in the West Bank, the Gaza Jericho Botanical Gardens – Spring Theatre – Spring Strip, and around the world. The Palestine When so much of the focus on Palestine The Theatre of the Oppressed is now Festival of Literature brings Palestinian and Palestinians is directed toward in its fourth year. The event features and international artists together for the land, many forget to look up at the performances by local and international audiences across Palestine, organises wonders of our skies. At the crossroads groups and is attended by people from cultural festivals with international and local of civilisations and continents, the fact around the world. The three-month participation, and facilitates workshops that Palestine is an important migratory “season” of theatre dazzles performance with Palestinian students in co-operation route for birds should come as no surprise. art lovers with dozens of extremely varied with academics. Rather than remaining in According to the Palestine Wildlife Society, and unique performances from Ashtar one place, the festival is held in several the West Bank and Gaza Strip are home and its international partners. While the locations throughout Palestine. Last year’s to 12 important sites for birds, making Theatre of the Oppressed concept was festival wrapped up in the Solidarity Tent of it an increasingly popular site for bird born on the other side of the ocean and Umm Kamal in Silwan, where an open-mic enthusiasts around the world. Each spring, is currently all over the world, the unique night for poets and authors was held, as over 500 million birds traverse Palestine on experiences and talents of Palestinian well as a performance by Dam. their journey from Africa to Asia or Europe artists, combined with the context of the and back again in the fall. occupation, make the Palestinian version Shashat Women’s Film Festival – stand out from the rest. Autumn The Christmas Bazaar – Bethlehem Shashat Women’s Film Festival. Photo courtesy of Shashat. Shashat Women’s Film Festival in Palestine – Winter Fête de la Musique – Al Kamandjati – is the only ongoing annual women’s film As Christmas approaches each year, Summer festival in the Arab world. Shashat, which large-scale show nor an international the municipality of Bethlehem, along Do you like music – any and every kind of means “screens” in Arabic, held the first grand exhibition. It is an attempt to with a number of local and international music? Then you simply cannot miss the edition of its festival in 2005, and is now intercede within the apocalyptic decadal partners, organises a Christmas bazaar annual Fête de la Musique. Organised launching its seventh edition as part of the tides of upheaval under which the city in Manger Square. Religious pilgrims and by Al Kamandjati in cooperation with the project, “I am a Woman from Palestine.” kneels, stealing time during the ebb of tourists alike converge on the city, some French Consulate, this four-day event violence (yet sunk neck-high in hatred and The festival tours nationally in the West to celebrate the birth of Christianity in the brings together local and international discrimination) to wage an action of covert Bank and Gaza Strip, in partnership world’s oldest standing church, and all to artists for a celebration of contemporary resistance to the forced hegemony of one with nine Palestinian universities and share in the unique heritage of the West and classical music. Each day of the creed and one people on the city. In a way, several cultural and community centres. Bank. Unlike that fateful night that pilgrims performance is held in a different venue it can be perceived as a political action, It celebrates Palestinian, Arab, and come together to celebrate, when Mary throughout the West Bank and is open to and so the organisers try to garner as international women’s cinema in its and Joseph could not find a room and the public. The atmosphere and university much support as possible from institutions, objective to explore the social and cultural were forced to stay in a shed, Bethlehem setting of these events make them a organisations, youth centres, clubs, etc., implications of women’s representations. has the tourist infrastructure to support the unique treat for audiences – and it only which operate in the city. The Jerusalem The festival consists of screenings, ever-growing crowds. gets better year by year. Show presents works, performances, and discussions, panels, workshops, and the interventions throughout the Old City as subtitling of selected films into Arabic. Birzeit Heritage Week – Birzeit – International Puppet Festival unique actions that promote a re-reading The seventh edition of the festival focuses Summer – Palestinian National Theatre – of the city in a creatively open, accessible, on Palestinian women filmmakers and Autumn and interactive manner. At the height of summer, the still-sleepy city consists of the following components – an of Birzeit comes to life in a five-day festival The Palestinian National Theatre (PNT) It is the aim of Al-Ma’mal to re-define its intensive three-month training/production of music, dance, cuisine, film, poetry, and was founded in 1984 by El-Hakawati work and position in Jerusalem from that workshop in Gaza, which resulted in six theatre, all within the beautifully restored Theatre Company. One year later, the of artistic space-fillers to activists. In a films by young Gazan women filmmakers; old city. Home to one of the largest management of the centre was handed context and time such as this, art, culture, four productions by established women and most prestigious universities in the over to a board of directors composed activism, manifestations, political protest, filmmakers; 85 screenings/discussions region, Birzeit is known for its college- of artists, writers, and notable persons social work, etc., are all part of its actions in 13 Palestinian cities followed by social town ambience and wonderful hospitality. in the Palestinian community. The PNT and its understanding of what a show in consultancies; and 6 specially produced While it is already a popular destination supports or participates in a number of Jerusalem should entail. TV programmes. for local families, international tourists are the annual cultural festivals listed above, The seventh festival is funded by the increasingly moving beyond the traditional but they are especially famous for their PalFest – Palestine Festival of European Union, Heinrich Boll Foundation, tourist sites in the West Bank to enjoy annual International Puppet Festival that Literature – Spring Goteborg Film Fund, and the Ford the living culture of Palestine amidst the is held between 15 and 30 October. This The written word, loved throughout the Foundation. beautifully terraced hillsides. festival brings together local and foreign 20 21 puppeteers to delight audiences of Bank village of Artas, near Bethlehem, Palestinian children and adults alike. In a the annual Lettuce Festival brings day and age where Palestinian youth are together local and international visitors engulfed in new high-tech gadgetry, the to honour the history and culture of the not-so-lost art of the puppeteer leaves Palestinian peasantry. Traditional food, them as awestruck as the most digitally music, dance, and handicrafts are all advanced movies. on display, as is the legendary village hospitality. Al-Kasaba International Film Festival (KIFF) – Al-Kasaba Theatre – Autumn Olive Oil Festival – Bethlehem – The International Film Festival began in Autumn 2006 and works to promote inter-cultural In October the main square of Bethlehem dialogue and cultural diversity while fills with local and international visitors helping to create adequate conditions to celebrate the olive harvest while for the development of cultural activities enjoying music, dance, and traditional through regional and international handicrafts. Those interested in the more networking. The KIFF targets areas of than 6,000 years of history behind olive Palestine that are physically isolated cultivation and the unique bond between or economically marginalised, helping Palestinians and the olive tree should not Palestinians from all walks of life to learn miss this event. Palestinian oil, known about more than the political story of for its deep colour and rich taste, is as their nation. Through hosting workshops, famous throughout the world today as it filmmakers, and screenings, as well as was 6,000 years ago. bringing in a number of regional and global celebrities, Al-Kasaba is able to Oktoberfest – Taybeh – Autumn put on a unique show year after year. The tiny village of Taybeh has been welcoming people from all corners Youth Drama and Animation of the world to celebrate life during Festival – Theatre Day Productions Oktoberfest every year since 2005, when – Autumn this unique event was initiated to become Unknown to most in the West Bank, the highlight of Palestine. The exquisite but known to most people in Gaza, hills and valleys of the village offer the Theatre Day Productions (TDP) hosts perfect escape from any busy schedule an annual Youth Drama and Animation to all international and local people who Festival. TDP fills a small area with art come to support local products and boost and expression created by young people the economy while celebrating the deep and drama teachers. This year TDP will cultural heritage offered by one of the go to Rafah and parts of Khan Yunis most ancient spots in Palestine known where 15 groups of children will prepare by its Biblical name Ephraim. for 6 weeks of drama workshops and video animation. On 26 and 27 October, The two-day celebration usually they will gather in the one venue where happens on the first Saturday and their mini-performances and films will be Sunday of October and gives venue shown to family, friends, teachers, and to local music groups to celebrate their the community at large. Coffee, sweets, talent and skills in promoting a different and a public debate about the benefits face of Palestine. Bands from Brazil, of theatre and arts for children end the Germany, Greece, Spain, and England two-day festival. have participated. Oktoberfest has even featured a Japanese dancer. Artas Lettuce Festival – Artas Folklore Centre – Summer For more information on ongoing cultural events, visit www.thisweekinpalestine. Beginning in 1994 in the southern West com and www.visit Palestine.ps. 22 Popular Traditions and Customs Christian Rituals in Palestine

By Fr. Rafiq Khoury Nations and societies express their culture and sentiments through traditions, customs, and popular practices. Religious, social, and national identities are the main aspects of culture that are deeply embedded in traditions. As part of the national heritage, traditions develop gradually and spontaneously as a result of conscious and unconscious social interactions and as a result of the social, cumulative effect of the life experiences that nations have passed through in their history. Traditions play a significant role in the lives of nations; they unite people, shape their identity, and are crucial for the integration of individuals within their communities. Like people from all nations of the world, the Palestinian people have a wide range of popular traditions and customs that revolve around religion and represent the collective spiritual sentiments of people. Throughout the past 2,000 years, Palestinian Christians have developed their own set of traditions tinged with religion. In this article, I will talk about some of the traditions, customs, and practices that are associated with Christian communities in Palestine. They can be The Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Photo from Palestine Image Bank. divided into three categories: holy sites, religious feast days, and sacred rituals. Pilgrimage to the holy sites in and jubilation. Palestinian Christians sanctuaries in Lod and Al-Khader, Our Palestine started about two thousand at home and in the diaspora maintain Lady of Palestine Sanctuary in Rafat, Holy sites years ago, shortly after the emergence strong connections with holy sites. It west of the city of Jerusalem, St. Elijah Palestinian Christians live on the same of Christianity. Palestinian Christians is known that when Palestinians come in Haifa (and near Bethlehem), the land where Christ lived, taught, and journey to these places in order to from abroad to visit their relatives in Mount of the Beatitudes, and Mt. Tabor. spread His message. Hence, it is only worship and to seek the blessings Palestine, the first thing that they think For example, the Milk Grotto near the natural that many of their traditions and of God, and they light candles in of doing is to visit the holy sites, which Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem is social practices have been inspired and churches for the salvation of their souls they consider to be a source of grace usually visited by mothers who have shaped by the holy sites around them. and the souls of their relatives. They and blessing. difficulty breastfeeding their babies. The Churches were founded on sacred pray to the holy saints to intercede Holy sites are also associated with mothers ask for the intercession of the ground as emblems and reminders of the for them before God so that God holy occasions, especially Christmas Virgin Mary who, according to tradition, life of Christ and the Virgin Mary; the most will provide them with all that they and Easter. In addition to the three main breastfed Jesus in this place when she important of which are the Church of the need. In addition, popular celebrations churches mentioned above, there are was journeying with Joseph to Egypt Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, the Church are closely associated with the holy other significant sanctuaries that are during their flight from Herod. of the Nativity in Bethlehem, and the sites. These are social celebrations frequented by believers, including the Palestinian Christians visit the holy Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth. characterised by an atmosphere of joy Milk Grotto in Bethlehem, St. George’s sites, kiss the holy stones, pray, and 24 25 light candles. Palestinian Christian meet eminent figures of Bethlehem residents of the city of Jerusalem know and neighbouring towns and villages. well the image of the Virgin Mary, Mother Then they go into the Church of the of Pain, on Golgotha. Throughout the Nativity where religious rites begin. past two thousand years generations Christmas celebrations are a huge have come to worship before this image event in Bethlehem; the chairman of leaving behind them all their pain and the Palestinian Authority attends the difficulties, and joyfully donating their midnight mass because Christmas is not gold rings, necklaces, and other items only a Christian event but has become of value as an expression of their love a national holiday that is celebrated by for the Virgin or in fulfilment of a vow. all the Palestinian people. It is well known that families prefer to At Easter, the city of Jerusalem have their children baptised or to have turns into a sea of people. Palestinian their weddings take place in these holy Christians and Christian pilgrims from all places. Finally, it must be said that the over the world arrive in the city and walk Photo by Niveen Manarios. closure imposed on Jerusalem by the through its streets and alleys, holding Israeli military authorities and the Wall huge crosses on their shoulders. They St. Elijah’s Monastery. According to Jerusalem. Believers spend all day in around the holy city have deprived follow the footsteps of Jesus on the Via tradition, St. Elijah passed by this place the gardens of the sanctuary. Palestinian Christians from one of the Dolorosa passing by all the 14 stations when he was on his way to Mt. Horeb Religious feasts are also linked to most basic sources of their spiritual and that remind them of the agony of Christ. in Sinai. On this site a monastery was popular food. At Easter, for instance, religious life (in addition to their social, erected in the fourth century AD. On Christians make and eat special economic, and cultural life). One of the main processions that take place during Easter time is the Palm St. Elijah’s Day, Christians flock to the sweets called kaak and ma’moul monastery, which turns into a popular Religious Feast Days Sunday procession. Believers hold palm made of semolina stuffed with dates or olive branches and walk from Bethany market that sells traditional items that or walnuts. According to tradition, the The holy sites derive their importance to Saint Anne’s Church singing special include pottery jars and ceramics. kaak represents the crown of thorns from the feast days associated with hymns for this occasion. Holy Saturday, Unfortunately, however, the separation on the head of Christ, and the ma’moul them. At Christmas, hundreds of also called the Day of Light, has a very Wall that surrounds the West Bank represents the sponge soaked with thousands of Christians assemble in the special character, especially in the prevents Palestinian Christians in wine, which the Roman soldiers gave the West Bank from coming to the city of Bethlehem, which is decorated Eastern Christian tradition. Believers to Christ to drink while He was on the monastery on that holy day. with colourful lights, Christmas trees, set out from the Church of the Holy cross. and figures of Santa Claus. The whole Like St. Elijah, St. George is also Sepulchre in a carnival of extreme joy Another traditional dish is called city becomes a popular market and a venerated by Palestinian Christians. holding candles that they light from fire burbara, after St. Barbara who lived in source of great joy to families. What One aspect of veneration is that that, according to tradition, emanates the fourth century and whose sanctuary characterises Christmas celebrations Christians carve the image of St. from the Holy Tomb. Young people is in the village of Deir Aboud. Christians is the entry of the patriarchs into sing religious and national songs and George on a stone over the entrance Bethlehem. The Latin patriarch to their homes as a sign of protection. all over Palestine eat burbara, which go through the streets of the old city of is made of a mixture of wheat, raisins, processes into the city on 24 December, Jerusalem lighting the candles of other On St. George’s Day Christians from the Greek Orthodox patriarch on 18 all over Palestine go in large crowds and pomegranate seeds soaked in people. The light is also taken to other sweetened syrup made of apricot juice January, and the Franciscans on 5 cities and towns in Palestine. to Lod, the hometown of St. George, to January, which commemorates the hold religious and social celebrations called qamarddin. On the eve of St. In Nazareth, the Day of the feast of Epiphany. The entry of the and festivals. Barbara’s Day, believers carry trays of patriarchs takes place in an organised Annunciation is celebrated every year qamarddin to the altar to be blessed by on 25 March. People in Nazareth hold Sanctuaries in Palestine are many the priest. Afterwards they return home manner. The patriarchs leave their and social traditions associated with religious celebrations, going out onto to eat with family and friends. abode in Jerusalem and are led by them are numerous. They include mounted police to their vehicles that the streets in large crowds and singing hymns and national songs. Rafat sanctuary where celebrations Sacred rituals take them to Bethlehem where they take place to commemorate the Virgin are received by delegations, including Christians in Haifa celebrate St. Mary, Our Lady of Palestine, and Our What we mean by rituals is the mayors, governors, and government Elijah’s Day on 20 June on top of Lady’s sanctuary near the Church of celebrations relating to the seven officials from the cities of Bethlehem, Mt. Carmel. Crowds of people go up Gethsemane in Jerusalem, which, on sacraments, including baptism, marriage, Beit Sahour, and Beit Jala. The crowd the mountain for worship and social 15 August is visited by believers who burial of the dead, etc. These rituals have is led by boy scouts and girl scouts to gathering. On the northern outskirts of process to the church from the Greek their own spiritual and religious meaning the Nativity Square where the patriarchs Bethlehem there is a monastery called Orthodox Patriarchate in the old city of that puts the individual in a very special 26 27 relationship with God. But they are also church. Inside the church at the end of takes place. One of the burial traditions social rites that connect people, deepen their the ceremony, the best man holds the is to cover the dead body with the relationships with each other, and strengthen groom and throws him into the air three shroud of Christ, a piece of fabric that is their identity. For example, many social times. Following the wedding ceremony, used especially for these occasions. In traditions revolve around baptism, which is the groom’s family invites the bride’s addition, before covering the coffin, the also a social occasion that contributes to the family and close friends to a banquet, priest throws a handful of earth over the child’s integration within the community of and one week later they hold the frad, dead body and pours a bottle of olive believers. On this occasion, the immediate which is a social gathering of both oil on it. The olive oil represents life and family and relatives of the baptised child get families that takes place on the Sunday by using it people express their belief in together and bring gifts to the child. According that follows the wedding ceremony. After eternal life. to tradition the child must weep at the time the newlywed couple returns from their of baptism because tears, according to honeymoon, the priest welcomes them Conclusion believers, are a good omen. On one occasion, as a new family into the bigger family of Although there are a lot of customs and as I baptised a child who remained quiet the church. traditions concerning religious occasions, throughout the ceremony, the grandmother Social traditions are also associated we could not deal with them all in this suddenly pinched the baby to make it weep. with the burial of the dead. Believers article. People in the East express their Usually after the baptism the family of the meet to express their sorrow and at the spiritual and social feelings in concrete baptised child invites relatives and friends to same time their belief in resurrection and terms. Traditions and customs are mixed a lunch or dinner in a hall or at home. eternal life. People gather in the house of with national and religious feelings. They There are many social traditions associated the deceased to give their condolences express the individual’s relationship with with weddings. Before the actual marriage to his/her relatives. This is a tradition God, with other people, and with the land. ceremony takes place in church, many that brings much consolation and social It must be said that Christians and social practices are performed that highlight solidarity to the family of the deceased. Muslims share many traditions and the importance of marriage in the Christian On this occasion only coffee without customs. All traditions are deeply rooted environment. The social practices include sugar is provided to people who, after in history, and they all express very the bride being adorned with henna, the drinking the coffee, utter expressions special social situations that have that include “May God show mercy groom’s beard being shaved off by his close specific religious characteristics. The upon him,” and “May you have a long friends, and evenings of dancing and singing after-burial tradition and ululation during life.” After the burial, family members that precede the wedding. Traditionally and weddings are common traditions shared get together to eat the food of “mercy” especially in rural areas, these practices used by Muslims and Christians. Finally, that is traditionally offered by one of the to go on for seven days and seven nights traditions and customs are concrete and included diverse social activities such relatives of the deceased. The house representations of social, national, as horseracing. In urban areas, however, of condolences remains open for three religious, and family belonging. wedding ceremonies last only for one day days after the burial so that the family due to their high costs and to the change in of the deceased will not remain alone. social structure that has occurred over time. Condolences finish on the third day in Fr. Rafiq Khoury teaches at the Latin Patriarchate Seminary in Beit Jala. The wedding ceremony starts with the bride church where the after-burial prayer leaving her father’s house. She is given an amount of money called nqout as a gesture of solidarity from her family, as wedding ceremonies cost a lot of money. On the way from the groom’s home to the church, a zeffa, or groom’s procession, winds through the streets of the village. Friends and relatives of the groom assemble and escort the groom to church, holding him on their shoulders and dancing and singing jubilant songs. The songs express joy, social integration, and religious sentiments that generations have inherited from their ancestors. In the churchyard, the crowd does the last round Nativity Church, Bethlehem. Photo from Palestine Image Bank. of dancing and singing before entering the

28 29 The late seventies and early eighties in simply wearing her traditional dress; Celebrating Palestine through the Art of Beirut were an important period in Abdul she could be as lofty as an empress in a Abdul Hai Musallam Hai’s art, during which he continued to legend or as transparent as a mistress. By George Al Ama and Nada Atrash work under the Israeli bombing. Sitting For him she is a symbol of the earth,

“The Visit of the Groom’s Family to the Bride’s House” 2007. Photo courtesy of Dar Al-Anda Gallery, Amman Jordan. “The traditional Dance”. Photo courtesy of Dar Al-Anda Gallery, Amman Jordan.

Palestine and its celebrations were wood in order to form bas-relief figures on a chair in his makeshift studio in the the revolution, or freedom; she is a the motivation behind the talent of Abdul and shapes. The ensemble is later entrance of a building, Abdul Hai spent representation of fertility and the land. Hai Musallam. At the age of five, Abdul painted to form masterpieces that reflect his days working vigorously on his art. At Born in 1933 and living in his home Hai lost his father and continued to live the memoirs of the artist’s early life in sunset he would arrange his equipment, village until 1948, Abdul Hai now enters peacefully among his five sisters and their Palestine. It was a long journey for the pick up his rifle, and leave to begin his his Amman studio in the morning and mother in his little village of Al Dawaimeh, self-taught Abdul Hai to discover the artist night duty as a guard. His art during that leaves behind his reality to return to those near Hebron. They were expelled from that lay inside him; his ultimate dream was period reflected the Palestinian struggle; fifteen early years, trying to assemble his the village in 1948. That period of Abdul to fight for Palestine. Unable to fulfil this a bas-relief work of young women and memories and arrange them in artistic Hai’s life was the most influential on dream, he was led by an urge to employ men dancing with rifles in their hands masterpieces together with the joys and his art; he spent his childhood in his his art to serve the Palestinian cause. represents pride and power, and the delights of Palestinian cultural heritage. village home where all the women in In Tripoli, Libya, the first station of his commitment to resist. His works of that Abdul Hai creates folkloric portraits and the neighbourhood used to gather each mysterious journey with art, the Libyan period were exhibited in many places. One documents traditional songs, sayings, and morning. He represented this repetitive Desert added to his feelings of pain and of the most significant exhibitions of that poems that relate to various occasions event in his work Abdul Hai’s Mother’s alienation. Later he moved to Beirut and time – and one that was visited by the late and situations. His works represent House, in which he recounted the daily then to Damascus before settling back Palestinian president Yasser Arafat – was traditional dresses from various areas of routine of the village women who came in to the crowded neighbourhood of Al- held in Beirut in 1982, under the fire of the Palestine; a collection of relatively small together to embroider and chat while Qusour in Amman. Throughout his journey Israeli invasion. art pieces shows one to three figures sipping their morning coffee. The little child Abdul Hai maintained his spontaneous Another approach to resistance is modelling costumes from the various Abdul Hai is observing the details while nature and honesty, which were reflected noticeable in the prominence of “the areas of Palestine. He often inscribes sitting in a tree and watching the scene. clearly and freely in his representations woman” in works that reflect Palestinian sayings on love, romance, affection, and In 1970 – a date that Abdul Hai refers of pre-1948 Palestine. He concentrated heritage and folklore. For Abdul Hai, sorrow on these works. to as his true date of birth – he began to on the beauty and simplicity of the woman is the reason for life; she is the A detailed illustration of village weddings use a carpenter’s technique of mixing Palestinian village and its richness – daily mother, the daughter, and the lover. is a living witness to all the celebrations sawdust with glue to produce a dough-like life, celebration, feasts, and traditions – Sometimes she is there with her impulsive that accompany the occasion, starting with substance to fill the cracks of a piece of forgetting the painful reality of Palestine. nature and at other times she is there the visit of the groom’s family to the bride’s 30 31 “The Bridal Trousseau” 1991. George Al Ama collection. house, the bride’s henna, the bride’s arrival on which they would run to their houses a camel (al-zafeh), the arrival of the bride at to break their fast. The popular poet, the bridegroom’s house, and the dancing and the women’s return from the vineyards dabkeh that accompany the celebration. His and fig groves, and the celebrations works display a spontaneous yet sophisticated that accompany circumcision are also illustration of embroidered traditional dresses, documented in his works. headdresses, veils, and jewellery, as well as Not only did Abdul Hai celebrate the rugs, carpets, and scenes of the village in the Palestinian village and the Palestinian background. diaspora and struggle, he was also Other special celebrations, feasts, and involved in, devoted to, and influenced activities of the Palestinian village are by the turbulence that afflicted documented in the works of Abdul Hai; the Palestine. After the assassination Festival of the Tree – Spring Festival, Sham Al of his colleague and friend of eight Nasim documents a traditional festival that is no years, the artist Naji Al-Ali, in London longer celebrated in Palestine. Fasting Ramadan in 1987, Abdul Hai dedicated his time is another work of art that represents the holy to produce a collection of works on month of Ramadan: men are gathered around a the artist, leaving behind all his other low table holding their beads and waiting for the works and insisting on keeping alive sunset prayer. In a distance, boys and girls are the memories of a great friend. standing on the roofs, observing and waiting for Gold Dust is a film produced in al-mu’athen at the mosque to call for prayer, after 1986 by Mohammad Mawas that tells the story of Abdul Hai Musallam. The title refers to the ability of the artist to transform cheap raw materials into pieces of art that tell the story of Palestine. Today, Abdul Hai Musallam still lives in Amman and continues to dream of gathering into a museum his 1,200 bas-relief works that document Palestine, its cultural heritage, its traditions, and its folklore.

George Al Ama and Nada Atrash are part of the Research and Training Unit at the Centre for Cultural Heritage Preservation (CCHP). “The Festival of the Tree” or “Sham el Nasim”. Photo courtesy of Dar George and Nada can be reached Al-Anda Gallery, Amman. at [email protected]. 32 Public Access: The Presence of Presents

Always a highlight of any special person, rather than what the actual gift is. occasion is the receiving, and perhaps One classmate gave me a real baby duck! even the giving, of gifts. In the latest of It was fun but so much trouble.” this series we asked you, the reader (or at Amra, Palestinian Medical Relief least people we think are readers) to tell Society from Chicago: “I’m an accessory us about your best-ever present. type of person. I remember this awesome Odai, student from Al-Bireh: “My mom gold set of earrings, necklace, and ring gave me a car when I finished high with pearls that I got for my university school. It was a Chrysler LeBaron 1993 graduation.” convertible.” Omar, journalist from Surda: “Mine was Jumana, communications officer from a journal that was given to me as a high Birzeit: “I would probably school graduation present say a white-gold ring, but by my aunt. It happened to then again you always be the moment I started expect to get jewellery ... writing for the first time, so I did receive a punch bag it came in handy just when once, which I was very I needed it most” excited about!” Jaber, IT technician Maath, journalist from from Bi’lin: “In 2009 a Tubas: “I was released Macedonian photographer from house arrest after the gave me his camera. I use May 15 demonstrations, it to take pictures of my and my best friends in Jerusalem gave family and friends.” me a necklace of the Palestinian map Kareem, shopkeeper from Salfeet: with Handala on it!” “When I was 12 my parents gave me a Anas, retail executive from Hebron: “A table-tennis set. I became very popular miraculous cake that made me feel very with a lot of friends!” strange!” Rami, architect from Nazareth: “My Arwa, public relations manager from girlfriend got me an Xbox, which was Ramallah: “To me it’s mainly how it’s great. It’s my birthday soon, so I’m hoping presented and how much you love that for a nice surprise.” RIWAQ Wins Prince Claus Award for Culture and Development By Khaldun Bshara

“RIWAQ is awarded for its significant achievements in preserving and reinvigorating sites of historical and architectural significance, for linking cultural heritage with community development and economic opportunities, for nourishing collective memory and strengthening Palestinian identity, and for its daring and pioneering work in a context marked by conflict and military occupation.”Excerpt from the statement by the Prince Claus Award Committee for 2011

RIWAQ has been re-envisioning Palestine in terms of built heritage that is both historically and geographically based, thus overcoming the geographic fragmentation and the historical falsification created by the colonial conditions. It is not the first time that RIWAQ has been internationally or locally recognised; RIWAQ was awarded the UN-Habitat Dubai International Award for the Best Practices to Improve the Living Environment (2006). RIWAQ was also awarded the Good Governance Certificate from Transparency Palestine – The AMAN Coalition (2007), and the 2007 Qattan Distinction Award, as well as the Palestine International Award for Excellence and Creativity (2009). In the future, RIWAQ will continue to explore the relation between space, Exactly 20 years after its establishment, meaning-making, and social change; RIWAQ’s work is widely acknowledged both between built heritage, memory, locally and internationally. In all humility, and identity; and between public we know that good, hard work will always and private in the endeavour to be recognised. This award would not have create the common. RIWAQ will been possible without the tireless, hard work continue to engage in research in of RIWAQ’s team and partners. It is not order to identify creative practices to only about the € 25,000 sum, or about the revive historic centres, both socially mentioning of RIWAQ on the international and economically, building on local stage, it is also about celebrating Palestine, potential and resources. its geography, its history, its people, its heritage, and its experts. Khaldun Bshara is director of RIWAQ. 36 Regional Food Fests

Palestine’s top delicacies are harvested such techniques feature prominently in at points spread around the country and the festivities. calendar, so dedicated foodies must Battir Landscape Museum, bleproj. always know what to eat and where. [email protected] Celebrations have grown out of some of the most popular harvests, so we picked out some of the best food festivals in Central Palestine Grape Festival the best locations. The festivals are in Grapes have a very special significance alphabetical order. for the people of Hebron. Grapes are part of the cultural fabric and heritage of the population in Hebron and an indispensable food ingredient. In addition, grapes have a special economic and social significance for the Palestinian Photo by George Azar. people, even though the yield of grapes in Hebron faces many difficulties, especially festival in Hebron took place in 1973 in Baquon, while members of the Elderly in marketing and promotion. Grapes come Hussein Bin Ali Secondary School, and it Care Center staged an authentic, second in rank as the most delicious fruit was tantamount to an economic, cultural, traditional Palestinian wedding with all in Palestine, after olives. and social parade that included all types the trimmings. A concert from the Edward There are several types of grapes that of white and black grapes of various sizes. Said Music Academy and a stellar line- are grown in Hebron, including Khudari, The festival included many different art up of talented poets made for a glorious Jandali, Dabouki, and Hamadani, in and folklore activities. Last year’s festival occasion. All this in honour of the Sahouri addition to seedless grapes. Grapes are took place in Halhul, and this year the fakkous, a symbol of pride in the locality a healthy snack choice, and some of the festival will take place on the campus of of Beit Sahour, and a reminder of how by-products include molasses, raisins, Hebron University on 3–5 October 2011. long and how well Palestinian culture has fruit roll (malban), vinegar, and juice. Walid S. Abu Alhalaweh, Hebron served this land. August is the harvest month for grapes. Rehabilitation Committee, Lubna Shomali, Beit Sahour Municipality, Photo by Omar Hasan. Grape markets open and grape festivals [email protected] [email protected] Aubergine (Battir) Festival – Fall are organised. The biggest central grape The Aubergine Festival is set in a Fakkous Festival village that is rightly regarded as one of Beit Sahour is small town – slightly Palestine’s most beautiful, having received fewer than 5,000 dunams with just over international prizes for the safeguarding 13,000 residents – but its delicacies are and management of a unique, terraced numerous. One of these is the famous landscape. In early October, Battir hosts Sahouri fakkous: a delectable vegetable a celebration derived from its most famous from the cucumber family. Many have produce, with two days of art, music, and testified to its unique taste that results exhibits relating to agriculture. The festival from the geographical and agricultural was conceived for the promotion and particularities of the town of Beit Sahour, advancement of agriculture in a region and an annual festival is held in honour that is richly blessed with raw materials of the renowned vegetable. and could benefit hugely if they were The two-day Fakkous Festival is effectively harnessed. held in Ush Ghurab Peace Park, the The aubergine has long been a symbol result of collaborative efforts of Beit of that aspiration, as one of the nation’s Sahour Municipality, the Palestinian favourite and most commonly consumed Wildlife Society, and local partners. vegetables. Best farming techniques and It showcases the best of Palestinian making good use of aubergine in the dabke; the most recent festival featured kitchen are always popular subjects, and performances from Kazar Troupe and 38 39 The Jifna Club festival has become held in Jenin on 4 November 2011. the listeners. All this and more will be held a cultural destination for many. Last The festival, or jaru’a, is a traditional in the natural settings under the shade of year, based on media resources, agricultural celebration of the harvest, ancient olive trees. over 40,000 attended the event. giving gratitude for another year of Vivien Sansour, This contributes to the development abundance. Farmers, women producers, [email protected] and support of internal and rural fair trade distributors, and international tourism in Palestine. The village of visitors gather together and share a Jifna, classified as a first-rate tourist delicious meal of musakhan prepared Olive Harvest Festival (Bethlehem) attraction by the Palestinian Tourism by the local women’s cooperatives. The The Environmental Education Center Ministry in 2000, has strengthened traditional Palestinian olive harvest dinner (EEC) annually organises the Olive the foundations of rural and internal is prepared with taboun, flatbread soaked Harvest Festival in the period between tourism since its existence in 1990. in freshly pressed olive oil and topped mid-October and mid-November in with sautéed onions spiced with sumac cooperation with Bethlehem Peace Center Samer Makhlouf, Jifna Club, and Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce [email protected] and covered with roasted almonds and chicken. This experience will awaken the and Industry. The festival takes place senses through such activities as olive in Manger Square in Bethlehem and in Jifna Days Apricot Fair (Mishmish) Olive Festival (Jenin) oil tasting and guided tours as well as conjunction with Ramallah Municipality The Palestine Fair Trade Association musical entertainment. In addition, village in Ramallah District. The apricot tree stands apart from even th the most cherished fruit trees. The rhythm and Canaan Fair Trade 6 Annual elders share their oral histories to the It is an exciting and memorable event in the repeated “mish” syllable of the Arabic Olive Harvest Festival will be pride of their families and the respect of where visitors can taste traditional food, word mishmish puts your voice somewhere between speaking and whispering. Both young and old love the fruit of the apricot tree, which is made into jam and dried fruit called qamr al-deen. People love apricots, which have a very short harvest season, leading people to refer to “Apricot Week,” a week in which the apricots ripen and must be picked quickly before the season ends. Setting up a festival centred on one tree and fruit is a popular tradition in many nations. For instance, in Palestine a number of festivals are held for grapes, figs, lettuce, and apricots. These festivals are based on long-standing traditions, the study of which can show you much about the relationship between villagers and farmers, the people and the land, and traditions and the necessities of life. Jifna Club, which has been leading such festivals, organises an annual festival called “Jifna Days –Apricot Fair,” where many local products are displayed and sold. This exhibition aims to support Palestinian farmers and local small manufacturers in Palestine through promotion of their products. Furthermore, visitors are entertained by folkloric and modern musical performances. This creates a lively platform for Palestinian cultural heritage activities such as the performance of various traditional folkloric dances, various Art Night events, and the presence of local and international artists. Photo by Emile Ashrawi.

40 41 buy artisanal crafts and goods, and see performances of dabke dancing, theatre, choral groups, and much more. The festival gives local olive farmers and vendors the opportunity to show and sell their various products – olives, olive oil, and other olive-based items. As the pressures and hardships faced by so many Palestinian farmers continue to increase, this festival provides a crucial interface between agriculturalists and the general public in order to raise awareness about the importance of the olive tree and to promote fair trade and organic traditional farming practices. It also focuses on the importance of protecting the olive tree in our land, which is under serious threat by the Israeli occupation forces and their settlers, both of which jeopardise our natural and cultural heritage. More than one million olive trees have been uprooted since the second Intifada. Our role as Palestinians is to plant more and more olive trees to compensate for our loss and keep Palestine green. EEC also organises voluntary olive harvest campaigns in various areas as one of the olive harvest festival activities. The aims of these campaigns are to deepen the concepts of voluntary work among Palestinian and international students, and to help farmers in the olive harvest season, especially in areas under Israeli control and next to the apartheid Wall. Indeed, the festival is always a good opportunity to affirm Palestine’s rich cultural and environmental heritage, as well as to spread awareness by promoting fair trade and organic farming.

Simon Awad, Environmental Education Center, [email protected]

Photo by Wafa Al-Tarifi. 42 success in Tawjihi exams. Neither was Celebratory Gunfire Is an Indiscriminate she the only youth to be killed this way Killer during those chaotic days of celebration. By Kieron Monks There is a broader lesson; it is the moments of joy and exultation that often Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but Authorities have sought to curtail this make people more vulnerable. The foresight is even better. The ability to practise. In Los Angeles celebratory excesses that mark celebrations bring weigh up the consequences of an action gunfire is now illegal, and bullets are not their own perils. It is no coincidence that before committing to it can save us from sold close to New Year’s Eve and other emergency services in cities around any number of bad ideas. And how do likely occasions. The offence carries the world are typically busiest on New a ten-year jail sentence in Macedonia. Year’s Eve. we know a bad idea? Well in some cases Photo by Ayman Nobani. it’s more obvious than in others. You Libya’s acting interior minister Ahmed Consider the common images of wouldn’t throw a hammer straight up in Darrat has repeatedly demanded that celebration. Cars overloaded with the air and hang around for it to come people stop, but he can do little to prevent students hanging out of windows as perception of celebratory gunfire must down and bash you. So why do people them. they speed through Ramallah streets. shift toward unequivocal condemnation. get a little nervous about the practise of While it is difficult to pinpoint when or The water balloon fights in Bangkok and Any trace of tolerance must be eradicated “celebratory gunfire,” the shooting in the where the custom was first popularised, the firework battles in Greece. The office from families and communities, to be air that we have seen throughout the Arab today it is most common in parts of party with too much to drink, or even enforced by uncompromising legal Spring? Because this idea is exactly as Eastern Europe and the Middle East. For Premier League footballer Shefki Kuqi deterrents. bad as it looks. centuries, guns have been fired to mark sustaining a serious back injury during an That collective responsibility is an Each day this practise claims more ceremonial occasions such as weddings expressive goal celebration. Celebration indication of maturity in a society, a distant lives, and in Libya it has become an and funerals. Formal funerals, in honour is, in itself, dangerous, the release tied up prospect for a chaotic and damaged state epidemic. Mahmoud Matoub, 11, was of state officials, are often marked with a with the risk. such as Libya. It is a simple and universal one of the most recent victims, killed by 21-gun salute. And maybe it is tremendously liberating equation that the control of guns in all the celebrations of rebel fighters in Tripoli But it is spontaneous street fire, of the to stand in the middle of a crowded contexts will provide the reward of a last month. Doctors in the city claim to kind that we are seeing in Tripoli, which street as you blast holes in the sky safer society. be seeing dozens of patients each day poses the greatest risk of injury. It is with an automatic rifle. Who cannot Only through such collective with injuries caused by falling bullets. In estimated that inside the Libyan capital empathise with a soldier giving in to his responsibility can the cycle of pointlessly Sana’a, Yemen, over 100 people were there are an average of two guns per primal impulse at the victorious end of a tragic and indiscriminate deaths be injured and 40 cars damaged during person, which are freely available even devastating conflict? arrested. Some deaths are easier to the celebration of President Saleh’s to children. The unregulated proliferation An attitude shift is needed. When an accept than others, and it is a chilling successful surgery in June. of deadly weapons is practically a action as casual as clicking one’s fingers thought to imagine how the mother of The casual assumption that a bullet guarantee of accidents and an issue can result in murder, that action cannot 11-year-old Mahmoud Matoub could ever ceases to be dangerous once it has that must be taken more seriously in be treated lightly. The cultural and judicial come to terms with the way her son died. travelled as far as 9,000 feet into the air is Palestine. plainly inaccurate. While it will lose much Many of us choose to celebrate Eid with of its pace and direction, that amounts to guns, a tradition that stubbornly refuses creating a game of Russian roulette for to die out. It is easy to see how the cycle anybody who happens to be within a mile continues, when so many children are out of the shot being fired. playing on the streets with the new toy Researchers in Los Angeles found pistols and Kalashnikovs that they have dozens of cases of citizens being been gifted by relatives. Little wonder that randomly struck by falling bullets, far kids who develop a taste for shooting go away from any gunfire. It was also on to do serious damage when they are revealed that while bullets typically let loose with a deadly weapon. return to earth at around half the speed, Parents who would tolerate the use of mortality rates are ten times higher for this guns by their children would do well to type of injury. Two to six percent of regular consider the tragedy of Fatima Al-Masdar. gunshot victims die, but that figure jumps In July, the 18-year old student from Gaza to 33 percent in cases of falling bullets, as died from a shot to the neck, fired by her far more of these injuries are to the head. younger brother in celebration of her Photo by Saja Kalouti. 44 45 Should Palestinians Celebrate the Mysterious Revolutions? By Maath Musleh

The Libyan revolution is one of the armed struggle in Libya opens the door to most surprising amongst Arab countries. justifying the return of the armed struggle Libyan people are known for being very against the Israeli occupation. peaceful. The Libyans have not only The Libyan revolution has now offered revolted against Gaddafi, they have also the Palestinian military factions a new used armed revolution as their means. source of funding and logistical support. Just ten days after the beginning of the Such funding and support had dried up movement, the revolution was armed, during the past three decades when unlike the revolutions in other Arab the factions left Lebanon. The only countries. The West, which pretends source of funding has been Iran, more to support peaceful demonstrations, or less. Now Libya can be considered a has put all its efforts toward supporting possible source. Qatar will also expand the armed revolution in Libya. If the its influence on the Middle East conflict popular revolution in Libya had triumphed through Libya. without any interference, we would have But as noted above, the result of the witnessed a spark of the first Arab unity Syrian revolution will remain the number since decades. And Libya has the natural one influence on the future of the region. resources and wealth to make it happen. The absence of political life in Syria Unfortunately, the Libyan revolution was for almost five decades has negatively hijacked, and the Egyptian and Tunisian impacted the opposition there. Most revolutions have stumbled. of funding to Islamist groups like Hamas and IJP, if not the more radical groups of the opposition, including the Syrian After the success of revolutionary like PRC and Jaysh Al-Islam. Muslim brotherhood, live abroad and are forces in controlling 90 percent of Libyan funded by Russia, the United States, or land, it’s still unclear what is next. Will a It is still unclear who will take control of Libya. The stability of Libya depends France. The opposition has a hand in new civil war erupt? Will Al-Qaeda take encouraging the crimes committed by control? Will NATO find the pretext to on the liquidation of Gaddafi and the figures of his regime. If they stay on the the Syrian regime by organising armed intervene in Libya to control its wealth? groups, especially in the Jisir Shaghour What is for sure is that the Arab Spring loose, Libya will be looking forward to a long-term civil war and instability. Gaddafi area. The Syrian regime has found its and the consequent instability of the pretext to crush the revolution through Arab world open a door of hope for the and his assistants will use armed groups, especially Tuareg, to take revenge. the existence of the Salafi armed groups Palestinians. The decades-long status in some areas. Nonetheless, this pretext quo in the Arab world has tremendously The Libyan revolution has had a was a trap. harmed the Palestinian cause. negative effect on the Arab Spring, The Syrian revolution has been hijacked Although the most influential revolution diverting the use of peaceful means to justify the use of arms. Thus, it planted a by the foreign-funded opposition. on the Palestinian cause is the Syrian This opposition has been pushing for revolution, the changes in Libya might split in the bodies of the Arab revolutions. It is a split between those who favour international military intervention. It was introduce new logistical improvements a shy invitation at the beginning, but the for the Palestinian factions. The wealthy armed revolution and those who oppose it. This split opens wide the doors for voices have become louder during the Libyan state has funded many Palestinian past couple of months. factions in the past, mainly the Marxist foreign interference in these revolutions. Syria remains a critical area for any and leftist factions. PFLP-GC received And it has worked well for the United military intervention. If Western powers US$ 1.5 million monthly from Gaddafi. States and other European powers. This intervene militarily, the last card in the The PFLP and DFLP received US$ 1 is a new style of the ancient “divide and regime’s hand could be to divert the million monthly. Other smaller factions conquer.” war against Israel. This would quell the received various amounts of funding. The Western powers have not taken into revolution once and for all. It could result Nonetheless, the new Libyan regime with account one significant factor regarding in a regional war as well. The Syrian front its Islamist tendency might divert the line the Palestinian cause. Their support of 46 47 is open to many scenarios. Another would doubts. We see footage of huge be that the opposition would succeed in demonstrations. We don’t see the taking power, causing the regime to fall. security forces present. And then If this happens, it would be disastrous we see other videos of individual for the Palestinian cause. The Israeli cases of torture and killings. But flag would be flying in Damascus in less we don’t see any videos of the than a year. intervals. How do we get from the There’s no clear response to the point of mass demonstrations to demands of the Syrian people. They the point of lone individuals in the should regain control over their revolution. streets being killed in cold blood? If not, their revolution, dreams, and hopes If the scenario of a regional war will be crushed on the doorstep of takes place, Israel will face the international interests.

Arab Spring, Egypt.

Qatar, as Libya, is trying to gain most critical and dangerous conflict more political influence in the region by since its creation 63 years ago. interfering in Syria. Through the loose This winter will be a hot one. It will Jordanian-Syrian borders, huge amounts determine the line between failure of broadcast equipment for professional and success, between freedom and and personal use have been injected a new colonisation. into Syria. There will soon be a Thurayya (satellite-connection) phone in every Maath Musleh, born in Jerusalem, is house in Syria. an activist in the Palestinian youth movement. He is a freelance social The amateur videos that have been media consultant and producer, released increase the doubts about currently taking his MA in political what is happening in Syria. The videos journalism at City University, released by youth produce the same London. 48

Can the Samaritans Bounce Back? TWIP Comment

If an alien race descended to earth on an evening in late April and made a stopover at the top of Mount Gerizim, they would surely conclude that human civilisation has not changed much since the biblical era. At this point each year, the entire Samaritan clan, resplendent in flowing white robes, gathers at the summit of their spiritual home to conduct an epic slaughter of livestock. At sundown, a chosen member of each family slays their sacrifice, and the blood from dozens of cut throats flows into a narrow stone trench. This has become the representative image of the Samaritans. Every Passover for 2,500 years they have performed the ritual without variation. This unique offshoot of conventional Judaism is defined by its adherence to tradition and its spiritual home of Mount Gerizim in Nablus. Samaritan beliefs and customs set them apart from Palestinian neighbours and Jewish brethren. In recent years that isolation has begun to seem unsustainable. Samaritan numbers have dwindled to just 712 in 2007, split between Mount Gerizim and the town of Holon near Tel Aviv. One of the world’s oldest communities is facing serious threats to its existence. The population has been shrinking steadily, accelerated at points by bloody suppression and mass conversion to Samaritans celebrating. Photo by Ala Badarneh. Islam. It has been difficult to regenerate while tradition dictated that no Samaritan Yet there is an entrenched schism with Israeli government finds it problematic Typically Samaritans have more could marry an outsider, a law that held other strands of Judaism, which dates to have a Jewish community living in the sympathy for Israeli political positions, until 2007. back to 538 BC and the return from heart of the West Bank outside of a fortified and they serve in the IOF (Israeli settlement. Occupation Force). Yet they are not Samaritans, particularly the Gerizim Babylon. Secular Jews typically regard cheerleaders for Israel, and generally community, are physically and spiritually them as eccentric, and they have frosty Neither are they integrated within refuse to make statements on the key separated from other ethnicities and relations with Sephardi (of Spanish Palestinian society. While their eternal issues for fear of antagonising either side, faiths, living on the margins outside the extraction) Jews who believe Samaritans and non-aggressive presence saves them although leaders have referred to the IOF mainstream. Their spokesman, Shahar are pagans and heathens. from the hatred that is reserved for the as an “enemy” in the past. Jegoshya, downplayed this in a recent They are set further apart by alternative new waves of settlers, Samaritans have interview, stating, “Many of us are quite holy books, history, and languages. always distinguished themselves from The delicacy of their unique position well-to-do people. Practically all of us Their interpretation of Moses’ Ten Palestinians. They no longer hold a seat – effectively “Palestinian Jews” – is have our own houses and cars. Our guys Commandments contradicts the on the Palestinian Legislative Council; they reflected in a policy of keeping their serve in the army.” conventional Jewish recording, and the carry Israeli passports as well Palestinian. heads down in the interests of self-

52 53 Samaritans celebrating. preservation. Sadly, Samaritans are In the short term, this should keep finding out that there is little room for numbers steady. bystanders in the most contentious and If community leaders are shrewd fought-over land in the world. enough, the Samaritans could take Like the Bedouin, who have been advantage of their unique position and reduced to helpless onlookers while the intrigue that their lifestyle generates. their quiet, pastoral way of life is literally The Bedouins of Wadi Rum have made demolished to serve expansionist goals, a fine living from exhibiting glimpses the Samaritans must worry about a time of their culture to visitors, and already when their legitimacy is challenged and Mount Gerizim is becoming a tourist they risk becoming collateral damage. attraction, with numbers peaking around That their numbers are evenly split the day of sacrifice. between Israel and Palestine is a At this critical time, the Samaritans perilous situation, as there is a great risk must strike a delicate balance between that any inflammation of the conflict will the need to adapt and the preservation cut them adrift, as occurred during the of their way of life. They would surely first Intifada. The Holon community would benefit from better links with nearby be denied access to their most important Nablus, whose people have always holy site, and their Gerizim counterparts respected their presence, to guard would struggle to cross into Israel. against a political sea-change. Better There are signs that the Samaritans communication would help to bring them are beginning to adjust to the present in from the margins. threatening circumstances. A long- Exposure, which has been so rare, can standing diktat that members of the provide the Samaritans with recognition community were forbidden from marrying for their unique history and culture. outsiders was annulled in 2007, leading Certainly, their isolation cannot continue, to a peculiar influx of eastern-European having brought them already to the brink brides typically acquired on the Internet. of extinction. 54 of bone tissue loss increases after menopause, when oestrogen production stops and World Osteoporosis Day – 20 October bones no longer benefit from its protective effect. Men also suffer from loss of bone Osteoporosis and You By Dr. Elias Saba tissue, but the rate of loss is much slower than in women. At this stage in life, taking preventive measures will help to slow the rate of bone tissue thinning and reduce the risk of having osteoporosis-related fractures. What is osteoporosis? Osteoporosis, which literally means How common is osteoporosis? “porous bone,” is a disease in which One in three women and one in five men over the age of 50 years will suffer an the density and quality of bone are osteoporotic fracture. The hormonal changes that take place at menopause are one reduced. As the bones become more reason why women are at greater risk than men. Osteoporosis is a global problem. porous and fragile, the risk of fractures Current estimates for the total number of sufferers set the figure at 75 million for is greatly increased. The loss of bone Europe, the United States, and Japan. This figure is projected to double within 50 occurs “silently” and progressively. years. Due to demographic changes, the greatest increase in the number of people Often there are no symptoms until with osteoporosis will be in Asia and Latin America. It is projected that about 50 percent the first fracture occurs. Fractures of all osteoporotic hip fractures will occur in Asia by the year 2050. Spinal compression associated with osteoporosis occur fractures are one of the most common types of osteoporotic fractures. They can result most commonly at the wrist, hip, and in severe back pain, loss of height, deformity, immobility, increased number of bed spine. In the short term, spine fractures days, reduced pulmonary function, and even premature death. People who develop (vertebral compression fractures) can a vertebral fracture are at substantial risk for additional fractures within the following cause intense pain and may eventually one to two years. result in a gradual loss of movement and the inability to carry out daily chores. They What are the risk factors for osteoporosis? can lead to loss of height, and in severe cases, the spine may curve to form Knowing your risk factors is the first step in successfully fighting osteoporosis. Some what is termed a “dowager’s hump.” Hip risk factors may be modifiable through changes in lifestyle; others are non-modifiable fractures almost always require surgery risk factors (such as age, family history, etc.), which can’t be changed. Secondary and, in about a third of patients, result in risk factors include other diseases and certain medications that directly or indirectly loss of independent living and the need affect bone health. to transfer to institutional care. The good news is that testing for osteoporosis is Non-modifiable risks Modifiable risks quick, easy, and painless, and there are a number of different treatments available • Age • Alcohol that have been shown to act quickly to • Female gender • Smoking maintain bone density and to reduce the • Family history (parental history of • Low body mass index risk of fractures. hip fracture) • Previous fracture • Poor nutrition How does osteoporosis develop? • Race/ethnicity (more common in • Eating disorders such as anorexia Bones are made of living, dynamic Caucasians and Asians) tissue. All throughout life old bone tissue • Early menopause/hysterectomy • Insufficient exercise is removed and new bone tissue is formed. The critical years for building • Long-term glucocorticoid therapy • Low dietary calcium intake bone mass are during childhood and • Primary/secondary hypogonadism • Vitamin D deficiency adolescence. This is when new bone in men is formed more quickly than old bone • Frequent falls is removed, causing bones to become larger and denser. This pace continues until around the mid-20s when peak bone Secondary risk factors haematological disorders or malignancy, mass is normally reached. Bone tissue The following disorders can affect the hypogonadal states (Turner syndrome, loss generally begins after the age of Klinefelter’s syndrome, amenorrhea, about 40 years, when we are no longer skeleton and raise the risk of osteoporosis: etc.), endocrine disorders (Cushing’s able to replace bone tissue as quickly as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, nutritional we lose it. In women, however, the rate and gastrointestinal diseases (Crohn’s syndrome, hyperparathyroidism, disease, celiac disease, etc.), diabetes, etc.), and long-term immobility.

56 57 Some medications may have side Making lifestyle changes Recommended daily calcium allowances by age group effects that directly weaken bone or Once osteoporosis has been diagnosed, Calcium (mg/day) Infants and Age group increase the risk of broken bones due it might not be possible to completely halt Children to falls or trauma. Patients taking any of the process of bone loss, but it is possible the following medications should consult to slow it down significantly and remove 300–400 0–6 months with their doctor about increased risk or reduce certain factors that contribute 400 7–12 months to bone health: glucocorticosteroids, to its rapid progress. Exercise is not just certain immunosuppressants, thyroid 500 1–3 years important to general health, it also helps 600 4–6 years hormone treatment, certain steroid build bone mass in youth and slows 700 7–9 years hormones, aromatase inhibitors, certain down bone loss in adults. Exercise also antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, or strengthens muscles, increases flexibility, Adolescents antiepileptic drugs, lithium, methrotrexate, and improves coordination and balance. 1300 10–18 years antacids, and proton pump inhibitors. These factors are significant in helping to Women reduce the risk of falls. The importance of early diagnosis 1000 19 years–menopause Weight-bearing exercise in particular As osteoporosis has no obvious is good for bone health. This type of 1300 Post-menopause symptoms other than a fracture when the exercise includes walking, jogging, 1200 During pregnancy (last trimester) bone is already significantly weakened, it tennis, and similar sports, aerobics, and 1000 Lactation is important to go to the doctor if any of dancing. Speak to your doctor to find the risk factors apply to you. The doctor Men out which sort of exercise is best for will do a clinical assessment and may you according to your age and health 1000 19–65 years determine that the next step is to have condition. 1300 65+ years a bone mineral density (BMD) test. A number of different types of BMD tests Both calcium and vitamin D are are available, but the most accurate is essential to maintain healthy bones. As Adequate intake of vitamin D, which helps calcium absorption, is also essential. For DXA (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry). we grow older we absorb calcium from the majority of people around the world, the amount of vitamin D that is synthesised DXA is a low-radiation X-ray capable of food less efficiently. This means that over in the skin through regular daily exposure to sunlight is sufficient. However, dietary detecting quite low percentages of bone time we need higher amounts of calcium sources of vitamin D become relatively more important in certain cases, such as in loss. It is used to measure spine and (see tables). Calcium-rich foods include high-latitude countries in winter, for elderly people and those living in care homes, or hip bone density. There are a number dairy foods such as milk, cheese, and for people who rarely go outdoors. Recommended daily vitamin D intake ranges from 5 of therapies available that your doctor yogurt; certain greens (e.g., broccoli, to 15 micrograms per day, with higher amounts recommended for elderly people. Good might prescribe that slow down the rate curly kale, bok choy); whole canned dietary sources of vitamin D include oily fish such as salmon and mackerel, fortified at which bone loss occurs and help fish with bones, such as sardines or dairy foods or margarine, fortified breakfast cereals, and egg yolks. prevent fractures. In addition, there are pilchards; nuts (almonds and brazil nuts, important nutritional and lifestyle changes in particular) and tofu set with calcium. In Recommended vitamin D intake by age group, both as international units (IU) that you can make to help reduce your addition, calcium-fortified foods – most and micrograms (μg) per day risk of fracture. commonly orange juice and breakfast cereals – are increasingly available. )RNI (μg/d )RNI (IU/d Age group 5 200 0–9 years 5 200 10–18 years 5 200 19–50 years 10 400 51–65 years 15 600 65+ years 5 200 Pregnancy 5 200 Lactation In order to maintain muscle function and bone mass, sufficient protein should also form part of a healthy diet. Good sources of protein include white meat, fish, milk, beans, and tofu.

A number of other factors will also make a difference to your bone health: • Stop smoking – smokers lose bone density more rapidly than non-smokers.

58 59 • Stop or reduce alcohol intake – excess alcohol is a risk factor for osteoporosis. • Ensure healthy body weight – excessive weight loss should be avoided.

Treating osteoporosis It is important that the choice of treatment be tailored to a patient’s specific medical needs and lifestyle. Common treatments that are currently available (although not in all countries) are: bisphosphonates (alendronate, ibandronate, risedronate, zoledronic acid), calcitonin, raloxifene, strontium ranelate, teriparatide, and tibolone. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), although not specifically for the treatment of osteoporosis, has also been shown to have a beneficial effect on bone. Calcium and vitamin D supplements are also usually prescribed to ensure adequate intake and to ensure maximum effectiveness of the drug therapy. Nutrition and lifestyle factors as well as exercise play an important role in osteoporosis prevention and management. By improving balance, muscle strength, and agility, individually tailored exercise programmes can also help to prevent falls. Osteoporotic fractures often occur as a result of a minor fall. Fall-prevention strategies for seniors should also include exercises to improve balance and strengthen muscles.

What can you do? Despite the fact that osteoporosis is widespread and also on the increase, few people are aware of the risk factors involved, how the disease progresses, and what can be done to slow its progress. Greater awareness and preventive measures could lower the human, social, and economic costs of the disease. There are osteoporosis societies in most countries, and you can have more information about the disease by contacting the Palestinian Osteoporosis Prevention Society (POPS), an active member of the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) and an executive member of the Pan Arab Osteoporosis Society. You can also join us to celebrate the annual World Osteoporosis Day (20 October). This year we will celebrate at Bethlehem University on 2 November. Several awareness and screening activities will be conducted in cooperation with Bethlehem Arab Society for Rehabilitation, Bethlehem University, and POPS. For more information, kindly contact POPS at P.O. Box 100, Bethlehem; telefax: 02-276-6075, 02-274-4625; or [email protected].

Dr. Elias Saba is president of the Palestinian Osteoporosis Prevention Society.

60 Dabdoub has great faith in Palestine: Dabdoub has great faith DabdoubRecipient of many accolades, is generous support Dabdoub’s “Mr. studied at Dabdoub in Bethlehem, Born named the Shucri Ibrahim Dabdoub Dabdoub Ibrahim the Shucri named Administration in Business Faculty of and Mrs. late son of Mr. honour of the son “Our beloved Ibrahim Dabdoub. and last year, unexpectedly passed away it is fitting that an enduring memorial to of be established in the place him should Dabdoub. his heritage,” says Mr. to see the young “I have a great desire Arabs have the opportunity generation of to benefit from a first class business institutioneducation at such a prestigious as Bethlehem University.” committee serves as an executive Council Business Arab member of the of the Center and is a board member Arab Studies at for Contemporary the International Georgetown University, Thought Arab Institute of Finance, and the Forum. He also serves on the board University American of the of trustees of Beirut and the Kuwait Maastricht Business School. an affirmation of the professionalism, of plans future and accomplishments, Brother reports University,” Bethlehem Chancellor of Bethlehem Vice Peter Bray, are grateful for Mr. “We University. and the additional generosity Dabdoub’s Arab world that will enable support from the our plans of growth and development to be Fadi realised,” Kattan, says Dean Dr. of the Shucri Ibrahim Dabdoub Faculty of Business Administration. the Frères College in Bethlehem before to study at the Middle Turkey heading to successfulAfter University. Technical East completion of undergraduate studies, he graduate for to Stanford University set off studies. Dabdoub has chosen to invest in education in Palestine, as a personal and professional commitment. “Although life my of part greater the have spent I overseas, mainly in Kuwait, my roots and formative years are deeply rooted in birth, my of place the is This Palestine. my ancestors, and early education. It is my home.” 62

In his homeland of Palestine and his In his homeland of Palestine and his Personality of the Month Dabdoub enjoys an extraordinarily Mr. Business Administration, which is being Business Bethlehem University and its Faculty of has recognised the unique quality of has recognised the unique quality of hometown of Bethlehem, Mr. Dabdoub Dabdoub hometown of Bethlehem, Mr. Asia.” state into a major economic player in state into a major economic player in transforming the small nation and city- his lifetime, rose to the challenge of his lifetime, rose to the challenge of Singapore, who, just in the space of Singapore, who, just in the space of founding father and prime minister of founding father and prime minister of am a great admirer of Lee Kuan Yew, chairman and former CEO of Apple. “I Apple. “I chairman and former CEO of and transformation leader Steve Jobs, and transformation leader Steve Jobs, state, executives in the banking world, state, executives in the banking world, influential leaders as US secretaries of has taken part in initiatives with such has taken part in initiatives with such of the G30 member banking group and honoured for his responsible leadership successful banking groups, he has been for leading one of the Middle East’s most for leading one of the Middle East’s international banking world. Well known international banking world. Well successful global career in the successful global career in the East in 2010. Best Emerging Market Bank in the Middle Market Bank Emerging Best CEO of the National Bank of Kuwait, the which I live,” says Mr. Ibrahim Dabdoub, which I live,” says Mr. helped shape the fundamental beliefs by discipline of a strong work ethic and discipline of a strong work ethic and the family and who instilled in me the the family and who instilled in me the my mother, who was a firm influence in “The first great role model in my life was Ibrahim Dabdoub Celebrating Roots Since returning to Gaza, Abusal Abusal Since returning to Gaza, he remains a traveller, Today a photography exhibition in association with the Lebanese Ministry of Culture. He finished the year with a bang, presenting the epic and technically challenging “Experience of Cactus” installation in Rodez, France. has taken a new direction, based on These realism.” and new art “conceptual ideas came together in “Lighting,” a exhibition2009 whichtookalight- hearted look at how Palestinians could best cope with power cuts. performing numerous shows in Europe. delivering He has become a teacher, Eltiqa the renowned classes with ArtSchool Palestine. Most collective and of all he is a man of experiments, for taking risks and daring to take the road less travelled, as his growing community of fans will attest. 65 The year 2004 was to be a The year 2004 was to be a He began to engrave on zinc and print Abusal was recently selected by Abusal was recently selected by breakthrough year. Abusal took up Abusal took up breakthrough year. and residencies in Fairmont, USA Arts then at the Senegal International When he returned to the Workshop. Middle East it was to Beirut, to deliver graphics, developing a long-lasting love for the use of technology in artwork. His graphics were to impress in a sequence of exhibitions, including “Identity” at the Sakakini Centre. the Khalil Sakakini Cultural Centre in to participate in the “AcademyRamallah Abdul Hameed Arts September” at the of Shoman Foundation in Jordan. He used colourof ideas explore to experience the and space, aiming to create ever more visually striking pieces. drawing children’s stories in workshops drawing children’s with the French artist Daniel Maja. Those friendships were to give rise give rise to Those friendships were him of the Circumstances deprived Abusal’s “Blue Window” was the title of Since then he has gone on to a rich nature. The sea and Gemayzeh, The sea and Gemayzeh, nature. old houses, the people markets and and the good guys and the rebels fire. friends with many artists, I became discuss the camps. We especially from views and experiences. and exchange is the love of What brings us together teamwork.” to the Kaljaddariaat collective, which and exhibitions specialised in outdoor installations. so he formally, opportunity to study art and theory from learned his techniques assiduous reading, experimentation, and all available and attendance at any exhibitions. 1999, in Gaza in exhibition personal first presenting nearly forty attendees with an experience of symbolic expression, in which an actress portrayed physical theatre to represent mood and feeling. but he says his and varied career, personal highpoints are community- oriented. Painting a wall with the and “Japanese,” artist mysterious 64

“The fields were beautiful, painted Abusal discovered his talent for Abusal discovered his talent for Artist of the Month Abusal was born in Mohammed Jamal his words: but returning to Palestine lit a fire. In drawing when he was far from home home far from he was when drawing with his family. in exile, spending 12 years travelling in exile, spending 12 years travelling He lived his childhood in Palestine and 1976 in Bureij, located in central Gaza. Mohamed Abusal Kairos Kairos Kairos for Palestine also discusses the scope Kairos for Palestine also attempts to explain have endured. It then discusses the historical the historical discusses It then have endured. players and of the key positions hegemonic the reader as it takes in the region powers the British period, the Ottoman through the Arab Nationalism, rise of presence, the and the current situation role of the Soviets, the and Israel of creation the explaining by which region, in the policies and role American for East a fertile ground make the Middle effect the illustrates book The power. gaining on role of the United States of this hegemonic development, and such topics as democracy, the of account an gives also It fundamentalism. East, in the Middle of resistance forces various as counter-players both secular and religious, in the game of hegemony. of the Arab Spring and the atmosphere of change of atmosphere the and Spring Arab the of Although Arabs at the moment. that confronts all it document, Kairos the to linked is title book’s the document. the of analysis an solely not is tactics various the puts forward Palestine for used currently in non-violent resistance, such as the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions against discusses key issues also it and (BDS), Israel such as the refugee problem, normalisation, the media, pilgrimages to Palestine, and Jerusalem. the situation of Arab Christians in general Arab Christians in general the situation of an as particular in Christians Palestinian and heritage, Arab nations’ important layer of the concentrating both on their realities and their dreams. It sheds light on both Islamic fundamentalism and Christian fundamentalism in the context of the Arab-Israeli documents conflict.Kairos twelve The the analyses also book to the Palestinian published prior that were types of document, as they target different oppression, classism, injustice – poverty, etc. Furthermore, apartheid, occupation, war, the book presents the experience of the Kairos Palestine Initiative and explains its points and highlights. It concentrates on the intersection of religion, non-violence, and social justice and the importance of such a document in the current situation in which Palestinians, both Christians and Muslims, find themselves. Kairos for Palestine is available in and in Palestine select bookstores can be ordered online at www. spreadthe3rdvoice.blogspot.com or www.madeinpalestine.de. 66 15.00 €

starts by offering insight Kairos for Palestine starts by offering , has The book, Kairos for Palestine, has Book of the Month In December 2009, Kairos Palestine was defeats and losses that the Palestinian people Nakba and the Naksa and all the subsequent families, especially in villages, experienced the gives a personal account of how Palestinian and the situation in the wider Middle East. It East. Middle wider the in situation the and background of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict the author while shedding light on the historicalthe author while into the Palestinian struggle as experienced by a compass to navigate through these topics. situation, frequently using the document as situation, frequently using the document as various issues related to the Palestinian issues related to the Palestinian various of the co-authors of the document, it tackles the coordinator of the Kairos Initiative and one and Initiative Kairos the of coordinator the emerged from this universal call. Written by by emerged from this universal call. Written hands to end this injustice. messages to various religious groups to join abide by international law. It offers universal It offers abide by international law. a document that urges Israel to adhere to and theological justifications of this occupation. It is It occupation. this of justifications theological and encourages the reader to revisit the and encourages the reader to revisitthe Palestinian people by the Israeli occupation Palestinian people by the Israeli occupation points out the atrocities committed against the end the injustice toward the Palestinians. It end the injustice toward the Palestinians. It communities to pressure their countries to communities to pressure their countries to seeks to mobilise local and worldwide Christian theologians and activists, Kairos Palestine launched. A document written by Palestinian A launched. September 2011, 198 pages, Published Published by Badayl/Alternatives, Kairos for Palestine By Rifat Odeh Kassis Website Review http://www.yabous.org By Abed A. Khooli Review date: 20 September 2011

Yabous Productions is a Jerusalem- where visitors can view a brief biography based performing arts and cultural centre. of the artist or group and listen to a It derives its name from the Jebusites sample of music. The Publications menu – an ancient Canaanite tribe. The site is is limited to copies of flyers from artists’ announcing a new interface and may look promotional material, while Photo Gallery different by the time you visit. has a number of linked thumbnails Currently, the Yabous site uses one of from previous activities, albeit without those traditional “knock-on-the-door-to- annotation. Links has two dozen mostly enter” pages that leads to a flash interface, related websites, and the top menu and it is available only in English. concludes with Contact Us, where you can find the centre’s location, phone The welcome page has an animated numbers, contact names, and e-mails. flyer for the Jerusalem Festival 2011 (one of the annual festivals organised by the The left menu complements the main centre), a visitor counter, a (useless?) one and starts with Jerusalem Festival time counter, and graphic links to the This Year (already took place). Yabous centre’s presence on Twitter, Facebook, Newsletter has three issues, and there is and Wikipedia. These elements are also one track under Sample Music. Link and available in the footer of all site pages. Videos points to eight video clips from YouTube. A number of events, including If you click Enter on the welcome page, the literature festival, can be found under you are taken to the main interface: a 2010 Events, and there are both English menu bar on top, followed by a logo and Arabic pages under International banner and a current selection stripe Participation before the menu concludes underneath. There is another menu on with the 2011 Events (another link to the the left under an animated thumbnail. The Jerusalem Festival). The left column main content paints to the right. ends with a flyer announcing a domicile The top menu bar starts with About Us, of performing arts in Jerusalem (facility which explains, in a number of submenus, and plans). the centre’s history, objectives, plans, Yabous Productions is representative of organisational structure, donors, and the cultural identity of Palestine in general partners. Events & Activities is divided and Jerusalem in particular. Let’s hope into festivals, concerts, Arab festivals, that the new site will be launched soon and achievements (mini-reports). and will not disappoint its visitors in terms Next is Projects, where you can read of content, languages, and ease of use. about cultural research in Jerusalem, Jerusalem certainly deserves the best. awareness campaigns, and Yabous participation in international events. Abed A. Khooli is a SharePoint and Promotion of Palestinian groups and Web development specialist. He can be artists is under the Promotion menu, reached at [email protected]. 68 . 71 . Station of the Cross th The scenery leading to the Noble Sanctuary is grand. The casual olive, cypress, and grand. The scenery leading to the Noble Sanctuary is shadow over the majestic The spectacular ever-shifting play of light and architecture with the warm or cold glow of the sacred linger in the ground. Summer or winter, We The intensity of the “Subhan Allah” (Glory be to God) comes involuntarily to mind. The photograph exhibition captures the early-morning light in 40 large-sized pine tree groves that cover most of the lower courtyard have a wild sort of beauty that pine tree groves that cover most of the lower courtyard unchanged the – untamed the – solitude – quietness yearnings: reflexive spiritual stirs only by aspect of nature – an aspect scene which the has worn for centuries, affected the seasons, Here we stand on sacred ground. Personal the sunshine, and the rain. security. fear is replaced by a sense of well-being and The beauty of the Noble Sanctuary evokes the feeling of the unbound and the limitless. light nor the tenebrous shadow is accentuated by light. But neither the bouncing sight of the monument: instead that it can obliterate the to the degree outshines the form The simple greatness of the ancient the imagination is moved and wonder. to awe architecture becomes up of many elements a tableau made that counterpose with the shifting lights and colours to become phantasmagoric shapes and forms produced by The unbound and unlimited silhouettes and transitory outlines offer a magic lantern. us a universal glimpse at the spacious, the infinite, and the eternal, and surpass the and sectarian religion. formal boundaries of culture, geography, morning sun we are transported and intuitively sense the noble Sublime, a feeling of quiet wonder; and the Splendid, a beauty completely pervaded by divine presence. moment overwhelms the faithful with a vast sense of wonder and delight in God’s creation. the under July, and March in sessions one-hour five in taken were They photographs. and continues through The art show begins on 23 October 2011, rain and in sunshine. Street in the Austrian Hospice on El-Wad 31 December from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. at the Old City adjacent to the 5 The Qur’an al-Isra’ wal-Mi’raj). al-Isra’ Medieval theological colleges, reservoirs, water reclusive domed rooms, Sunrise on the Noble Sanctuary is majestic: it is beautiful, it is grand, and The experience early morning of sunshine Sanctuary is a on the Noble Noble Sanctuary arches, praying platforms, domed niches, and vaulted galleries scatter vaulted galleries scatter arches, praying platforms, domed niches, and of the mosque bathed in theasymmetrically in the lower and upper courtyards the and shadow and light of playfulness The sunlight. first the of glow golden monuments demure and dynamism onto the cast resonance shifting colours Above, in the centre of the upper courtyard, shimmers the Golden Dome that enshrines the Holy Rock (al-Qudus); the locus of Prophet Mohammad’s transfiguration in the Night Journey ( it is picturesque. The spectacular sight stirs in us the exhilarating feeling it is picturesque. that there is more to us than senses and imagination, and makes us aware of the infinite. transcendent experience. The shifting light that envelops the magnificent centuries-old buildings moment with a tender sweetness is an evanescent is Sanctuary The beauty of the Noble harmony. of great lyricism and The transitory incidence of iridescent Shrine light on the Holy astonishing. evokes the exhilarating feelings of awe, delight, admiration. and Its emotive splendour assuages of the our loneliness and stimulates our intimations sublime. the of feeling the trigger harmony and lyricism, immensity, Its infinite. “The glory of the One who moves all things penetrates through the “The glory of the One who The Divine Comedy Alighieri, Dante splendour...” universe and shines in “Light upon Light! God doth guide whom He will to His light.” “Light upon Light! God Beauty and the Sublime: Jerusalem’s Ali Qleibo’s new photography exhibit at the Austrian Hospice in Jerusalem

Exhibition of the Month PLAYS French-German Cultural Centre, tel: 298 1922; Saturday 1 Cafe La Vie, tel: 296 4115; Khalil Sakakini 17:15 The Coffee Shop,Taybeh Oktoberfest Note: Please make sure to contact the venue to check for the latest updates. Cultural Centre, tel: 298 7374; Palestinian SPECIAL EVENTS Association for Cultural Exchange (PACE), tel: Thursday 6 240 7611 18.00 White night/Nuit blanche, French-German AlHoash, tel: 627 3501; Centre for Jerusalem ART Cultural Center Studies, tel: 628 7517 Alternative Information Centre, tel: 277 5444; Wednesday 5 Monday 10 FILMS Dar Annadwa, tel: 276 4576; Jacir Palace, tel: 18.00 Exhibition of Installations by Randa Mdah, 19:00 Stammtisch Deutsch, Open meeting with 276 6777 French-German Cultural Center Native German speakers and learners of German Sunday 2 ART CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES language, Café La Vie 13:00 The Fig and the Olive, Al-Quds University Monday 24 Saturday 1 Sunday 2, 9, 16 ,23 ,30 Tuesday 4 15:00 Cave of Imagination, Beit Nimeh Birzeit Fête de la Science, Workshops, games and 20:00 Boycott from within, Alternative Information FILMS exhibitions about science, technology and 13:00 Acrid and Honey, Al-Quds University Center Tuesday 4 innovation in Ramallah, Nablus, Jerusalem, Thursday 6 Bethlehem and Gaza, Westbank/Gaza Friday 21 18:00 KinoKlub “Beyond the Borders,” French- 18:00 Acrid and Honey, Al-Hoash Gallery 17:00 Opening of an exhibition “Palestine through German Cultural Centre Tuesday 25 Saturday 8 My Eyes,” Dar Annadwa 14:00 Acrid and Honey, Birzeit University Fête de la Science, Workshops, games and exhibitions about science, technology and 14:00 Its A Tough Life, Birzeit University 18:00 Sardine & Pepper, Step & a Half, FILMS innovation in Ramallah, Nablus, Jerusalem, Tuesday 11 Kamkamah, Al-Hoash Gallery Autumn Graduation Film Festival at Dar Bethlehem and Gaza, Westbank/Gaza Monday 10 Annadwa: 18:00 KinoKlub “Grenzüberschreitungen I,” Wednesday 26 “Crossing Boundaries I,” French-German 18.00 Café littéraire, French-German Cultural 18:00 Madleen, Portrait, .com, Al-Hoash Gallery Friday 7 Cultural Centre Center 19:00 The People Want Sunday 16 Tuesday 11 TOURS 13:00 Its A Tough Life, Al-Quds University 19:15 The Forgotten 18.00 R-Existence, French-German Cultural Center Sunday 30 9:00 A tour to the city of Ramallah & Vicinity, Shashat Women’s Film Festival 7: 19:35 Love Story Tuesday 18 PACE Office Thursday 6 Monday 10 18.00 CineMemoire, French-German Cultural 18:00 “Sweet and bitter” by Lina Hijazi followed 10:00 The Fig and the Olive, Bethlehem Center with a video discussion, AlHoash Gallery University 14:00 Sardine & Pepper, Step & a Half, CONFERENCE Kamkamah, Birzeit University Wednesday 12 Saturday 8 Wednesday 12 Sunday 23 9:30 The Translation Conference, Al-Najah 18:00 Films by Al Aqsa University female 10:00 Acrid and Honey, Bethlehem University 18.00 “Cinémois,” “La France,” French-German University students followed by discussion, Al Hoash 11:00 Sardine & Pepper, Step & a Half, Cultural Center Thursday 13 Gallery Kamkamah, IBDAA Institution Tuesday 25 9:30 The Translation Conference, Al-Najah Monday 10 Wednesday 19 18:00 KinoKlub “Berlin is in Germany,” In German University 18:00 Films by Al Aqsa University female with English subtitles, French-German Cultural TOURS 10:00 Its A Tough Life, Bethlehem University students followed by discussion, Al Hoash Center Sunday 9 Gallery Wednesday 26 14:00 Madleen, Portrait, .com, Birzeit University 9:00 A tour to the City of Nablus, PACE Office TOURS 10:00 Sardine & Pepper, Step & a Half, Thursday 27 Kamkamah, Bethlehem University 18.00 International Animation movies days, Saturday 1 French-German Cultural Center Palestinian Association for Cutural Exchange 10:00 Taybeh Oktoberfest, Meeting point: PLAYS Sunday 30 (PACE), tel: 240 7611 Ambassador Hotel, Centre for Jerusalem Studies Saturday 29 18.00 “Séminaire Pierre Coulibeuf,” “Somewhere FILMS Sunday 9 19:00 Theater Dance Show “Revival,” Dar in between,” French-German Cultural Center Tuesday 18 Annadwa 11:00 5 Cups & A Cup, Hebron University 10:00 The Afro-Palestinian, Centre for Jerusalem LITERATURE Studies SPECIAL EVENTS Saturday 8 Monday 24 11:00 The Fig and the Olive, Hebron University Thursday 20 15:00 October Book Discussion, Readers meet to Sunday 16 discuss “The Road From Damascus,” Cafe La Vie TOURS 10:00 The Edomite Kingdom & hometown of King October Fest, Jacir Palace InterContinental Thursday 13 Sunday 2 Bethlehem Herod, Meeting point: Ambassador Hotel, Centre 17:00 Booklaunch “Schnipselgestrüpp” and 9:00 A tour to the City of Hebron, PACE Office for Jerusalem Studies Round Table, French-German Cultural Centre Saturday 22 Saturday 15 TOURS 10:00 Colonization of the Old City of Jerusalem, 18:00 Loz Akhdar youth literature forum Centre for Jerusalem Studies (seventeenth session), organized by JEEL Sunday 23 Publishing/ Filistin Ashabab in cooperation with 9:00 A tour to the city of Jericho, PACE Office Saturday 29 Khalil Al Sakakini Cultural Center, Khalili Sakakini 10:00 Roman & Byzantine Jerusalem, Centre for Cultural Centre Jerusalem Studies

72 73 FILMS Sunday 2 Thursday 6 10:00 5 Cups & A Cup, Al-Aqsa University 17:00 The Fig and the Olive, Cultural Center for Tuesday 4 Child Development 10:00 The Fig & the Olive, Al-Aqsa University Thursday 13 Thursday 6 17:00 Acrid and Honey, Cultural Center for Child 10:00 Arcid & Honey, Al-Aqsa University Development Sunday 9 11:00 Acrid and Honey, Dar-Qandeel 10:00 Its A Tough Life, Al-Aqsa University Monday 17 Tuesday 11 13:00 5 Cups & A Cup, Arab American University 10:00 Sardine & Pepper, Step & a Half, Wednesday 19 Kamkamah, Al-Aqsa University 13:00 The Fig and the Olive, Arab American Thursday 13 University 10:00 Madleen, Portrait, .com, Al-Aqsa University Monday 24 Sunday 16 13:00 Acrid and Honey, Arab American University 10:00 5 Cups & A Cup, Al-Aqsa University Wednesday 26 Tuesday 18 13:00 Its A Tough Life, Arab American University 10:00 The Fig & the Olive, Al-Aqsa University Thursday 27 Thursday 20 16:00 Its A Tough Life, Cultural Center for Child 10:00 Acrid & Honey, Al-Aqsa University Development Sunday 23 Monday 31 10:00 Its A Tough Life, Al-Aqsa University 13:00 Sardine & Pepper, Step & a Half, Tuesday 25 Kamkamah, Arab American University 10:00 Sardine & Pepper, Step & a Half, TOURS Kamkamah, Al-Aqsa University Sunday 16 Thursday 27 9:00 A tour to Sebastya and Jenin City, PACE 10:00 am Madleen, Portrait, .com, Al-Aqsa Office University Sunday 30 Sunday 30 9:00 A tour to the city of Qalqilia, PACE Office 10:00 5 Cups & A Cup, Al-Aqsa University

74 International Centre of Bethlehem-Dar The International Palestinian Youth League Annadwa (IPYL) Tel: 277 0047, Fax: 277 0048 Tel:222 9131, Fax: 229 0652 [email protected], www.diyar.ps Sanabel Culture & Arts Theatre [email protected], www.ipyl.org Tel: 671 4338, Fax: 673 0993 ITIP Center “Italian Tourist Information Al-Jawal Theatre Group [email protected] Point” Jericho Community Centre Telefax: 628 0655 The Edward Said National Telefax: 276 0411, [email protected] Telefax: 232 5007 Alruwah Theatre Conservatory of Music Palestinian Heritage Center Tel: 626 2626, [email protected] Tel: 627 1711, Fax: 627 1710 Telefax: 274 2381, 274 2642 Jericho Culture & Art Center [email protected], www.birzeit.edu/music [email protected] Telefax: 232 1047 Al-Ma’mal Foundation for Contemporary Art www.phc.ps Municipality Theatre Tel: 628 3457, Fax: 627 2312 Theatre Day Productions [email protected] Tel: 585 4513, Fax: 583 4233 Palestinian Group for the Revival of Popular Tel: 232 2417, Fax: 232 2604 www.almamalfoundation.org [email protected], www.theatreday.org Heritage Al-Urmawi Centre for Mashreq Music Turkish Cultural Centre Telefax: 274 7945 Tel: 234 2005, Fax: 234 2004 Tel: 591 0530/1, Fax: 532 3310 Relief International - Schools Online [email protected], www.urmawi.org [email protected], www.kudusbk.com Cinema Jenin Bethlehem Community Based-Learning & Tel: 250 2642 Ashtar for Theatre Productions & Training Wujoud Museum Action Center [email protected], www.cinemajenin.org Telefax: 582 7218 Tel: 626 0916 Tel: 277 7863 [email protected], www.ashtar-theatre.org www.wujoud.org, [email protected] Hakoura Center Sabreen Association for Artistic Telfax: 250 4773 Yabous Productions The Bookshop at the American colony hotel Development [email protected], www.hakoura-jenin.ps Tel: 627 9731, Fax: 627 9779 Tel: 626 1045; Fax: 626 1372 [email protected] [email protected], www.yabous.org Tel: 275 0091, Fax: 275 0092 The Freedom Theatre/Jenin Refugee Camp www. americancolony.com [email protected], www.sabreen.org Tel: 250 3345, [email protected] British Council Tent of Nations Tel: 626 7111, Fax: 628 3021 Tel: 274 3071, Fax: 276 7446 [email protected] Al-Harah Theatre [email protected], www.tentofnations.org British Council- Al Najah University www.britishcouncil.org/ps Telefax: 276 7758, [email protected] The Edward Said National Conservatory of [email protected], www.alharah.org Telefax: 237 5950 Center for Jerusalem Studies/Al-Quds University Music [email protected] Tel: 628 7517 Alliance Française de Bethléem Telefax: 274 8726 www.britishcoumcil.org/ps [email protected], www.jerusalem-studies.alquds.edu [email protected], www.birzeit.edu/music Telefax: 275 0777, [email protected] Cultural Centre for Child Development Community Action Centre (CAC) Anat Palestinian Folk & Craft Center The Higher Institute of Music Tel: 238 6290, Fax: 239 7518 Tel: 627 3352, Fax: 627 4547 Telefax: 277 2024, [email protected] Telefax: 275 2492 [email protected], www.nutaleb.cjb.net www.cac.alquds.edu [email protected] Arab Educational Institute (AEI)-Open www.thehigherinstituteofmusic.ps Cultural Heritage Enrichment Center Educational Bookshop Tel. 237 2863, Fax. 237 8275, [email protected] Windows Turathuna - Centre for Palestinian Heritage Tel: 627 5858, Fax: 628 0814 Tel: 274 4030, www.aeicenter.org [email protected], www.educationalbookshop.com (B.Uni.) French Cultural Centre Artas Folklore Center Tel: 274 1241, Fax: 274 4440 Tel: 238 5914, Fax: 238 7593 El-Hakawati Theatre Company [email protected] Tel: 276 0533, Mobile: 0599 938 0887 [email protected], www.bethlehem.edu Tel: 583 8836, Mobile: 0545 835 268 [email protected] [email protected], www.el-hakawati.org Nablus The Culture Badil Centre Tel: 233 2084, Fax: 234 5325 French Cultural Centre [email protected], www.nablusculture.ps Tel: 277 7086 Tel: 628 2451 / 626 2236, Fax: 628 4324 Al Sanabl Centre for Studies and Heritage [email protected] Beit Jala Community Based-Learning Tel: 256 0280, [email protected] Issaf Nashashibi Center for Culture & & Action Center www.sanabl.org, www.sanabl.ps Literature Tel: 277 7863 Beit Et Tifl Compound A. M. Qattan Foundation Telefax: 581 8232, [email protected] Telefax: 229 1559, [email protected] Tel: 296 0544, Fax: 298 4886 Bethlehem Academy of Music/ Bethlehem [email protected], www.qattanfoundation.org Music Society British Council- Palestine Polytechnic University Jerusalem Centre for Arabic Music Al-Kamandjâti Association Tel: 627 4774, Fax: 656 2469, [email protected] Tel: 277 7141, Fax: 277 7142 Telefax: 229 3717, [email protected] www.britsishcouncil.org.ps Tel: 297 3101 Melia Art Center Bethlehem Peace Center Children Happiness Center [email protected], www.alkamandjati.com Tel: 276 6677, Fax: 276 4670 TeleFax: 628 1377 Telefax: 229 9545, [email protected] Al Kasaba Theatre and Cinematheque [email protected] [email protected], www.peacenter.org www.meliaartandtrainingcenter.com Dura Cultural Martyrs Center Tel: 296 5292/3, Fax: 296 5294 Cardinal House [email protected], www.alkasaba.org Tel: 228 3663, [email protected], www.duramun.org Palestinian Art Court - Al Hoash Telefax: 276 4778 Al-Mada Music Therapy Center Telefax: 627 3501 [email protected], www.cardinalhouse.org France-Hebron Association for Cultural [email protected], www.alhoashgallary.org Tel: 241 3196, Fax: 241 3197 Catholic Action Cultural Center Exchanges [email protected], www.al-mada.ps Tel: 222 4811 Palestinian National Theatre Tel: 274 3277, Fax 274 2939 Al-Rahhalah Theatre Tel: 628 0957, Fax: 627 6293, [email protected] [email protected], www.ca-b.org [email protected], wwww.hebron-france.org Hebron Rehabilitation Committee Telefax: 298 8091, [email protected] Public Affairs Office Centre for Cultural Heritage Preservation Telfax: 225 5640, 222 6993/4 Amideast Tel: 628 2456, Fax: 628 2454 Tel: 276 6244, Fax: 276 6241 www.uscongen-jerusalem.org [email protected] Palestinian Child Arts Center (PCAC) Tel: 240 8023, Fax: 240 8017 [email protected], www.amideast.org www.cchp.ps Tel: 222 4813, Fax: 222 0855 Sabreen Association for Artistic [email protected], www.pcac.net ArtSchool Palestine Development Inad centre for theatre and arts Telefax: 276 6263, www.inadtheater.com Yes Theater Tel: 295 9837 Tel: 532 1393, Fax: 532 1394 [email protected], www.artschoolpalestine.com [email protected], www.sabreen.org Telefax: 229 1559, www.yestheatre.org, [email protected] 76 77 Ashtar for Theatre Production Sandouq Elajab Theatre Tel: 298 0037, Fax: 296 0326 Tel: 296 5638, 295 3206, [email protected] [email protected], www.ashtar-theatre.org Mount of Olives Hotel (61 rooms; bf; mr; res) Shashat Tel: 628 4877, Fax: 626 4427 Baladna Cultural Center Tel: 297 3336, Fax: 297 3338 Addar Hotel (30 suites; bf; mr; res) [email protected], www.mtolives.com Telfax: 295 8435 [email protected], www.shashat.org Tel: 626 3111, Fax: 626 0791, www.addar-hotel.com Mount Scopus Hotel (65 rooms; bf; mr; res) BirZeit Ethnographic and Art Museum Sharek Youth Forum Alcazar Hotel (38 rooms; bf; mr; res) Tel: 296 7741, Fax: 296 7742 Tel: 582 8891, Fax: 582 8825, [email protected] Tel. 298 2976, www.virtualgallery.birzeit.edu Tel: 628 1111; Fax: 628 7360 [email protected], www.sharek.ps National Hotel (99 rooms; bf; cr; res; cf) British Council [email protected], www.jrscazar.com Tamer Institute for Community Education Tel: 627 8880, Fax: 627 7007 Tel: 296 3293-6, Fax: 296 3297 Tel: 298 6121/ 2, Fax: 298 8160 Ambassador Hotel (122 rooms; bf; cf; mr; res) www.nationalhotel-jerusalem.com [email protected] Tel: 541 2222, Fax: 582 8202 www.britishcouncil.org/ps [email protected], www.tamerinst.org [email protected] New Imperial Hotel (45 rooms) The Danish House in Palestine (DHIP) www.jerusalemambassador.com Carmel Cultural Foundation TeleFax: 298 8457, [email protected], www.dhip.ps Tel: 627 2000, Fax: 627 1530 Tel: 298 7375, Fax: 298 7374 American Colony Hotel (84 rooms; bf; cf; mr; res) The Edward Said National Conservatory of New Metropole Hotel (25 rooms; mr; res) El-Funoun Dance Troupe Tel: 627 9777, Fax: 627 9779 Music [email protected], www.americancolony.com Tel: 628 3846, Fax: 627 7485 Tel: 240 2853, Fax: 240 2851 Tel: 295 9070, Fax: 295 9071 [email protected], www.el-funoun.org New Regent Hotel (24 rooms; bf; mr; res) [email protected], www.birzeit.edu/music Austrian Hospice Sareyyet Ramallah - First Ramallah Group (FRG) Tel: 628 4540, Fax: 626 4023, [email protected] The Palestinian Circus School Tel: 626 5800, Fax: 627 1472 Tel: 295 2690 - 295 2706, Fax: 298 0583 [email protected] [email protected], www.sareyyet.ps Tel: 0545 - 671 911, 0599 - 926 107 New Swedish Hostel www.palcircus.ps, info@ palcircus.ps www.austrianhospice.com Tel: 627 7855, Fax: 626 4124, [email protected] Franco-German Cultural Centre Ramallah (15 rooms, res) www.geocities.com/swedishhostel Tel: 298 1922 / 7727, Fax: 298 1923 The Palestinian Network of Art Centres Azzahra Hotel [email protected], www.ccf-goethe-ramallah.org Tel: 298 0036, 296 4348/9, Fax: 296 0326 Tel: 628 2447, Fax: 628 3960 Notre Dame Guesthouse (142 rooms, Su, bf, mr, Greek Cultural Centre - “Macedonia” [email protected] [email protected], www.azzahrahotel.com cr, res, ter, cf, pf) Telefax: 298 1736/ 298 0546, [email protected] The Spanish Cultural Center Capitol Hotel (54 rooms; bf; mr; res) Tel: 627 9111, Fax: 627 1995 Tel. 295 0893, [email protected] In’ash Al-Usra Society- Center for Heritage Tel: 628 2561/2, Fax: 626 4352 [email protected], www.notredamecenter. Young Artist Forum org & Folklore Studies Christmas Hotel Tel: 240 1123 / 240 2876, Telefax: 240 1544 Telefax: 296 7654, [email protected] Palestine Workshop Tel: 628 2588, Fax: 626 4417 [email protected], www.inash.org Mob: 0597 651 408, http://palestineworkshop.org [email protected], www.christmas-hotel.com Khalil Sakakini Cultural Center Petra Hostel and Hotel Tel: 298 7374, Fax: 296 6820 Al-Qattan Centre for the Child Commodore Hotel (45 rooms; cf; mr; res) [email protected], www.sakakini.org Tel: 283 9929, Fax: 283 9949 Tel: 628 6618 [email protected] Tel: 627 1414, Fax: 628 4701 Manar Cultural Center Pilgrims Inn Hotel (16 rooms; bf; mr; res) www.qattanfoundation.org/qcc Gloria Hotel (94 rooms; mr; res) Tel: 295 7937, Fax: 298 7598 Tel: 627 2416, [email protected] Mazra’a Qibliyeh Heritage and Tourism Arts & Crafts Village Tel: 628 2431, Fax: 628 2401, [email protected] Telefax: 284 6405 Ritz Hotel Jerusalem (104 rooms, bf, mr) Centre Golden Walls Hotel (112 rooms) [email protected], www.gazavillage.org Tel: 626 9900, Fax: 626 9910 Telefax: 281 5825, [email protected] Tel: 627 2416, Fax: 626 4658 www.geocities.com/mazraaheritage/ Ashtar for Culture & Arts [email protected] Telefax: 283 3565, [email protected] [email protected], www.goldenwalls.com Palestinian Association www.jerusalemritz.com Fawanees Theatre Group Holy Land Hotel (105 rooms; bf; cf; mr; res) for Contemporary Art PACA Rivoli Hotel Telefax: 288 4403 Tel: 627 2888, Fax: 628 0265 Tel: 296 7601, fax: 295 1849 Tel: 628 4871, Fax: 627 4879 [email protected], www.pal-paca.org Culture & Light Centre [email protected], www.holylandhotel.com Palestinian Association for Cultural Telefax: 286 5896, [email protected] Jerusalem Hotel (14 rooms; bf; mr; res; live music) Savoy Hotel (17 rooms) Exchange (PACE) French Cultural Centre Tel: 628 3282, Fax: 628 3282 Tel: 628 3366, Fax: 628 8040 Tel: 240 7611, Telfax: 240 7610 Tel: 286 7883, Fax: 282 8811 [email protected], www.jrshotel.com Seven Arches Hotel (197 rooms; bf; mr; res) [email protected] [email protected], www.pace.ps Jerusalem Meridian Hotel Tel: 626 7777, Fax: 627 1319, [email protected] Palestine Writing Workshop Gaza Theatre (74 rooms; bf; mr; res) St. Andrew’s Scottish Guesthouse www.palestineworkshop.org Tel: 282 4860, Fax: 282 4870 Tel: 628 5212, Fax: 628 5214 “The Scottie” (19 rooms +Self Catering Apartment) Popular Art Center Global Production and Distribution www.jerusalem-meridian.com Tel: 240 3891, Fax: 240 2851 Telefax: 288 4399, [email protected] Jerusalem Panorama Hotel Tel: 673 2401, Fax: 673 1711 [email protected], www.popularartcentre.org Dialogpunkt Deutsch Gaza (Goethe-Insitut) (74 rooms; bf; mr; res) [email protected], www.scotsguesthouse.com Ramallah Center for Human Rights Studies Tel: 282 0203, Fax: 282 1602 Tel: 628 4887, Fax: 627 3699 St. George’s Pilgrim Guest House (RCHRS) Holst Cultural Centre [email protected] (25 rooms; bf; res) Tel: 241 3002 Tel: 281 0476, Fax: 280 8896, [email protected] www.jerusalempanoramahotel.com Tel: 628 3302, Fax: 628 2253, [email protected] Ramallah Cultural Palace Theatre Day Productions Hashimi Hotel Strand Hotel (88 rooms; mr; res) Tel: 298 4704 / 295 2105, Fax: 295 2107 Telefax: 283 6766, [email protected] Tel: 628 4410, Fax: 628 4667, [email protected] Tel: 628 0279, Fax: 628 4826 [email protected] Windows from Gaza For Contemporary Art www.ramallahculturalpalace.org Knights Palace Guesthouse (50 rooms) Victoria Hotel (50 rooms; bf; res) Mob. 0599 781 227 - 0599 415 045, [email protected] RIWAQ: Centre for Architectural Tel: 628 2537, Fax: 628 2401, [email protected] Tel: 627 4466, Fax: 627 4171 Conservation Legacy Hotel Tel: 240 6887, Fax: 240 6986 Tel: 627 0800, Fax: 627 7739 [email protected], www.riwaq.org [email protected], www.jerusalemlegacy.com Metropol Hotel Alexander Hotel (42 rooms; bf; mr; res) Tel: 628 2507, Fax: 628 5134 Tel: 277 0780, Fax: 277 0782

78 79 Al-Salam Hotel (26 rooms; 6f; mr; cf; res) St. Nicholas Hotel (25 rooms; res; mr) Al-Bireh Tourist Hotel (50 rooms; cf; res) Royal Court Suite Hotel (34 suites; res; mr; ter; Tel: 276 4083/4, Fax: 277 0551, [email protected] Tel: 274 3040/1/2, Fax: 274 3043 Telefax: 240 0803 cf; pf; i) Beit Al-Baraka Youth Hostel (19 rooms) Saint Vincent Guest House (36 rooms) Al-Hajal Hotel (22 rooms; bf) Tel: 296 4040, Fax: 296 4047 Tel: 222 9288, Fax: 222 9288 Tel: 276 0967/8, Fax: 276 0970 Telefax: 298 7858 Star Mountain Guesthouse (10 rooms; wifi; pf) [email protected], www.saintvincentguesthouse.net Beit Ibrahim Guesthouse Al Hambra Palace (Hotel Suites and Resort) Tel: 296 2705, Telefax: 296 2715 Tel: 274 2613, Fax: 274 4250 Talita Kumi Guest House (22 rooms; res; mr; cf) Tel: 295 6226 - 295 0031, Fax: 295 0032 [email protected] [email protected] Tel: 274 1247, Fax: 274 1847 www.abrahams-herberge.com www.alhambra-palace-hotel.com Zaituna Tourist Village Bethlehem Hotel (209 rooms; bf; cf; mr; res) [email protected] Tel: 275 0655 Adam Hotel (76 rooms; bf; cf; mr; res) Tel: 277 0702, Fax: 277 0706, [email protected] Reef Pension (Jifna village) (8 rooms; res) Telefax: 282 3521/19 Bethlehem Inn (36 rooms; bf; mr; res) Telefax: 2810881, www.reefhousepension.ps Al-Deira (11 suites; cf; mr; res; ter) Tel: 274 2424, Fax: 274 2423 Al-Wihdah Hotel Al- Zaytouna Guest House (7 rooms; bf; res; mr) Tel: 283 8100/200/300, Fax: 283 8400 Telefax: 298 0412 Bethlehem Star Hotel (72 rooms; cf; bf; res) Telefax: 274 2016 Deir Hijleh Monastery [email protected] Tel: 274 3249 - 277 0285, Fax: 274 1494 Tel: 994 3038, 0505 348 892 Ankars Suites and Hotel (30 suites) Al Mashtal Hotel [email protected] Tel: 295 2602, Fax: 295 2603 Hisham Palace Hotel Tel: 283 2500, Fax: 283 2510 Casanova Hospice (60 rooms; mr; res) [email protected] Tel: 232 2414, Fax: 232 3109 [email protected] Tel: 274 3981, Fax: 274 3540 Beauty Inn Inter-Continental Jericho Almat’haf Hotel Casanova Palace Hotel (25 rooms; bf; res) (181 rooms; su; bf; cf; mr; res; ter; tb) Tel: 296 6477, Fax: 296 6479 Tel: 285 8444, Fax: 285 8440 Tel: 274 2798, Fax: 274 1562 Tel: 231 1200, Fax: 231 1222 [email protected], www.beautyinn.ps [email protected], www.almathaf.ps El-Beit Guest House (beit sahour) (15 rooms) Jericho Resort Village Best Eastern Hotel (91 rooms; cf; res) Al-Quds In­ter­na­tional Hotel TeleFax: 277 5857, [email protected], www.elbeit.org (60 rooms; 46 studios; bf; cf; mr; res) Tel: 296 0450, Fax: 295 8452, [email protected] (44 rooms; 2 suites; bf; mr; res) Everest Hotel (19 rooms; bf; mr; res) Tel: 232 1255, Fax: 232 2189 Caesar Hotel (46 rooms & su, 2 mr, cr, res, cf) Telefax: 282 5181 - 282 6223 - 286 3481 - 282 2269 Tel: 274 2604, Fax: 274 1278 [email protected], www.jerichoresorts.com Tel: 297 9400, Fax: 297 9401 Al-Waha Hotel Grand Hotel (107 rooms; bf; cf; mr; res) Jerusalem Hotel (22 rooms) [email protected], www.caesar-hotel.ps Tel: 287 0880, Fax: 287 0889 Tel: 274 1602 - 274 1440, Fax: 274 1604 Tel: 232 2444, Fax: 992 3109 City Inn Palace Hotel (47 rooms; bf; cf; res) Beach Hotel (25 rooms; bf; mr; res) [email protected] Telepherique & Sultan Tourist Center Tel: 240 8080, Fax: 240 8091 Telefax: 282 5492 - 284 8433 Golden Park Resort & Hotel (Beit Sahour) (55 rooms) [email protected], www.cityinnpalace.com Cliff Hotel (24 rooms; bf; mr; res) (66 rooms; res, bar, pool) Tel: 232 1590, Fax: 232 1598 [email protected] Grand Park Hotel & Resorts Tel: 282 3450, Fax: 282 0742 Tel: 277 4414 (84 rooms; 12 grand suites; bf; cf; mr; res; sp; pf) Commodore Gaza Hotel (120 rooms;su; bf) House of Hope Guesthouse Tel: 298 6194, Fax: 295 6950, [email protected] Tel: 283 4400, Fax: 282 2623 Tel: 274 2325, Fax: 274 0928 Gemzo Suites [email protected] Hebron Hotel [email protected] (90 executive suites; cs; mr; pf; gm; res) Tel: 225 4240 / 222 9385, Fax: 222 6760 Gaza International Hotel House of Peace Hostel Tel: 240 9729, Fax: 240 9532 [email protected] (30 rooms; bf; cf; res; sp) Tel: 276 4739, http://www.houseofpeace.hostel.com/ [email protected], www.gemzosuites.net Tel: 283 0001/2/3/4, Fax: 283 0005 Inter-Continental Hotel (Jacir Palace) Manarah Hotel Grand Palace Hotel (250 rooms; su; bf; cf; mr; res) Al-Qaser Hotel (48 rooms; 7 regular suites, 1 royal Tel: 295 2122, Telefax: 295 3274 (20 rooms; cr; mr; cf; res; internet) Tel: 276 6777, Fax: 276 6770 suite; bf; cf; mr; res) [email protected], www.manarahhotel.com.ps Tel: 284 9498/6468, Fax: 284 9497 [email protected] Lutheran Guesthouse “Abu Gubran” Tel: 2341 444, Fax: 2341 944 Merryland Hotel (25 rooms) [email protected], www.alqaserhotel.com Tel: 277 0047, [email protected], www.diyar.ps Tel: 298 7176, Telefax: 298 7074 Hotel Sea Breeze Murad Tourist Resort Al-Yasmeen Hotel & Souq Tel: 283 0277 - 284 2654, Fax: 282 4231 (30 rooms; cf; mr; res) Mövenpick Hotel Ramallah (171 rooms and Su; Tel: 2759880, Fax:2759881, www.murad.ps Marna House (17 rooms; bf; mr; res) Tel: 233 3555 Fax: 233 3666 bf; mr; cr; res;ter; cf; gm; pf; sp) Tel: 282 2624, Fax: 282 3322 Nativity BELLS Hotel (65 rooms; bf; cf; mr; res) [email protected], www.alyasmeen.com Tel: 298 5888, Fax: 298 533 [email protected] Tel: 274 8880, Fax: 274 8870 Asia Hotel (28 rooms, res) Palestine Hotel (54 rooms; bf; cf; mr; res) [email protected], www.nativitybellshotel.ps [email protected] Telefax: 238 6220 Tel: 282 3355, Fax: 286 0056 Nativity Hotel (89 rooms; bf; cf; mr; res) www.moevenpick-ramallah.com Chrystal Motel (12 rooms) Tel: 277 0650, Fax: 274 4083 Rocky Hotel (22 rooms; cf; res; ter) Telefax: 233 3281 [email protected], www.nativity-hotel.com Tel: 296 4470, Telefax: 296 1871 Cinema Jenin Guesthouse (7 rooms; 2 su) International Friends Guesthouse (Hostel) Paradise Hotel (166 rooms;cf;bf;mr;res;su;pf) Pension Miami (12 rooms) Tel: 250 2455 (mr; res; ter; cf; pf) Tel: 274 4542/3 - 274 4544, [email protected] Telefax: 295 6808 [email protected], www.cinemajenin.org Telfax: 238 1064 St. Antonio Hotel (36 rooms; mr; cf;res;pf) Haddad Hotel & Resort [email protected], www.guesthouse.ps Ramallah Hotel (22 rooms; bf; mr; res) Tel: 276 6221, Fax: 276 6220 Tel: 295 3544, Fax: 295 5029 Tel: 241 7010/1/2, Fax: 241 7013 Santa Maria Hotel (83 rooms; mr; res) Retno Hotel (33 rooms & su; res; mr; gm; sp) [email protected] www.haddadtourismvillage.com Tel: 276 7374/5/6, Fax: 276 7377, [email protected] Al-A’in Hotel (24 rooms and suites; mr; cf) Telefax: 295 0022, [email protected] www.retnohotel.com Shepherd Hotel Tel: 240 5925 - 240 4353 Fax: 240 4332 Tel: 274 0656, Fax: 274 4888 [email protected] [email protected], www.shepherdhotel.com Aladdin Hotel Shepherds’ House Hotel Tel: 240 7689, 240 7921, Fax: 240 7687 (Facilities: Restaurant and Bar, WiFi) [email protected] Key: su = suites, bf = business facilities; mr = meeting rooms, cr = conference facilities; res = restaurant, Tel: 275 9690, Fax: 275 9693 ter = terrace bar; tb = turkish bath, cf = coffee shop; gm = gym; pf = parking facilities, sp = swimming pool

80 81 Il’iliyeh Restaurant Jabal Quruntul Birth Café Continental Cuisine Continental Cuisine (Open Buffet) Barbecues and Fast Food Tel: 277 0047 Tel: 232 2614, Fax: 232 2659 Tel: 297 6614 Four Seasons Restaurants The Scots Bistro La Terrasse Seven Trees Caesar’s (Grand Park Hotel) and Coffee Shop Coffee and Pastry Middle Eastern and Continental Continental Cuisine Continental Cuisine Al-Diwan (Ambassador Hotel) Barbecues and Shawerma Tel: 673 2401, Fax: 673 1711 Cuisine Tel: 232 2781 Tel: 298 6194 Middle Eastern, French, and Italian Tel: 275 3678 Tel: 628 6061, Fax: 628 6097 The Patio (Christmas Hotel) Café De La Paix Cuisine Layal Lounge Tel: 541 2213, Fax: 582 8202 Garden’s Restaurant Oriental and European Menu French Cuisine Tel: 581 6463 Tel: 628 2588, 626 4418 Snack Bar Salim Afandi Tel: 298 0880 Alhambra Palace Jerusalem Tel: 275 0655 Barbecues and Oriental Cuisine Restaurant & coffee shop Goodies Versavee Bistro (Bar and Café) Castillo Restaurant & Café Oriental and Western Food Mariachi (Grand Hotel) Tel: 237 1332 Conferences workshops and social Fast Food Oriental activates, Theatre and Cinema Tel: 585 3223 Tel: 627 6160 Seafood and Mexican Cuisine Qasr al-Jabi restaurant Tel: 297 3844/55 Tel: 238 4180 Tel: 626 3535, Fax: 6263737 Kan Zaman (Jerusalem Hotel) Tel: 274 1440, 274 1602/3 Chinese House Restaurant Fax: 274 1604 [email protected] Mediterranean Cuisine Zeit Ou Zaater (Al-Yasmeen Chinese Cuisine Hotel) Al-Shuleh Grill Tel: 627 1356 1890 Restaurant (Beit-Jala) Palmeras Gastropub Tel: 296 4081 Continental Cuisine and Pastries Shawerma and Barbecues Lotus and Olive Garden Tel: 277 8779 Continental Cuisine Crispy Tel: 627 3768 (Jerusalem Meridian Hotel) [email protected] Telefax: 275 6622 Tel: 238 3164, Fax: 233 3666 Abu Eli Restaurant Fried Chicken and Hamburgers Amigo Emil Middle Eastern and Continental Peace Restaurant & Bar Tel: 295 6661 Middle Eastern, American, Indian, Cuisine Middle Eastern and Barbecues Pasta, Seafood, Steaks & Middle and Italian Cuisine Tel: 628 5212 Tel. 274 1897 Eastern 911 Café Darna Tel: 628 8090, Fax: 626 1457 Nafoura Abu Shanab Restaurant Tel: 0595 187 622 Mexican, Italian, Oriental Continental Cuisine Tel: 296 5911 Tel: 295 0590/1 Antonio’s (Ambassador Hotel) Middle Eastern Menu Barbecues Riwaq Courtyard (Jacir Palace Tel: 626 0034 Middle Eastern, French, and Italian Tel: 274 2985 – InterContinental Bethlehem) Andareen Pub Diwan Art Coffee Shop Cuisine Continental Cuisine Nakashian Gallery Café Afteem Restaurant Coffee Shop and Sandwiches Mob: 0599 258 435 Tel: 541 2213 Tel: 296 6483 Tel: 627 8077 Oriental Cuisine Tel: 276 6777, Fax: 276 6754 Al Falaha Arabesque, Poolside, and Tel: 274 7940 (Royal Court) La Rotisserie (Notre Dame Roots Lounge (Beit Sahour) Msakhan and Taboun Do Re Mi Café Patio Restaurants (American Hotel) Al-Areeshah Palace (Jacir Tel: 0598 333 665 Tel: 290 5124 Continental Cuisine Colony Hotel) Gourmet Restaurant, European Palace – InterContinental Tel: 296 4040 The Tent Restaurant Akasha Western and Middle Eastern Menu and Mediterranean Menu Bethlehem) Elite Coffee House Tel: 627 9777, Fax: 627 9779 Tel: 627 9114, Fax: 627 1995 Middle Eastern and Barbecues (Shepherds’ Valley Village) Oriental Italian and Arabic Cuisine Tel: 276 6777, Fax: 276 6154 Barbecues Tel: 295 9333 Armenian Tavern Dina Café Tel: 296 5169 Armenian and Middle Eastern Food Coffee and Pastry Al-Hakura Restaurant Tel: 277 3875, Fax: 277 3876 Allegro Italian Restaurant European Coffee Shop Tel: 627 3854 Tel: 626 3344 Middle Eastern and Fast Food Sima café Mövenpick Hotel Ramallah Coffee and Sweets Askidinya Panoramic Golden City Tel: 277 3335 Tel: 275 2058 Italian fine cuisine Tel: 298 5888 Tel: 2951 7031, 296 6505 Italian and French Cuisine Barbecues Al- Khaymeh (Jacir Palace – St. George Restaurant Express Pizza Tel: 532 4590 Tel: 628 4433, Fax: 627 5224 InterContinental Bethlehem) Oriental Cuisine and Barbecues Al- Riwaq All-day-dining American Pizza Az-Zahra Pasha’s Middle Eastern and Barbecues Tel: 274 3780, Fax: 274 1833 restaurant Tel: 296 6566 Oriental food and Pizza Oriental Food Tel: 276 6777, Fax: 276 6154 [email protected] Mövenpick Hotel Ramallah Tel: 628 2447 Tel: 582 5162, 532 8342 Akkawi Café Tachi Chinese International, Swiss and Oriental Fawanees cuisine Borderline Restaurant Café Patisserie Suisse Western Menu Chinese Cuisine Pastries and Fast Food Tel: 298 5888 Italian and Oriental Menu Fast Food and Breakfast Tel: 274 8447 Tel: 274 4382 Tel: 298 7046 Atlantic Sea Food Tel: 532 8342 Tel: 628 4377 Al Makan Bar (Jacir Palace – Taboo – Restaurant and Bar Hoash Il’iliyet Restaurant Sea Food and Oriental Cardo Restaurant Petra Restaurant InterContinental Bethlehem) Oriental and Continental Cuisine and Gallery Tel: 296 9696 Continental Cuisine Oriental Cuisine Snack Bar Tel: 274 0711, Fax: 274 1862 Traditional Palestinian Cuisine Tel: 627 0827 Tel: 627 7799 Tel: 276 6777, Fax: 276 6770 Awjan (Birzeit) The Square Restaurant and Mob: 0599 868 914 Chinese Restaurant Pizza House Balloons Seafood, Breakfast, and Pizza, Coffee Shop Coffee Shop, Lebanese and Italian Chinese Cuisine Pizza and Oriental Pastry Coffee Shop and Pizza Jasmine Café Mediterranean Cuisine Cuisine Tel: 295 0121 Tel: 626 3465, Fax: 626 3471 Tel: 627 3970, 628 8135 Tel: 275 0221, Fax: 277 7115 Tel: 274 9844 Tel: 297 1776 K5M - Caterers Coffee Bean Café RIO Grill and Subs Beit Sahour Citadel Zaitouneh (Jacir Palace – Andre’s Restaurant Sandwiches and Sushi Italian and French Cuisine Mediterranean Cuisine Cake and Sweets InterContinental Bethlehem) French and Italian Cuisine Tel: 627 0820 Tel: 583 5460 Tel: 277 7771 Tel: 295 6813 Continental Cuisine Tel: 296 6477/8 Educational Bookshop Rossini’s Restaurant Bar Bonjour Restaurant and Café Tel: 276 6777, Fax: 276 6154 Khuzama Restaurant Angelo’s Books and Coffee French and Italian Cuisine Coffee Shop and Continental Oriental Cuisine Western Menu and Pizza Books and Coffee Tel: 628 2964 Cuisine Tel: 298 8289 Tel: 295 6408, 298 1455 Tel: 627 5858 Philadelphia Restaurant Tel: 274 0406 Al-Nafoura Restaurant Karaz Restaurant El Dorada Coffee Shop and Mediterranean Menu Dar al-Balad (Jericho Resort Village) Azure Restaurant and Coffee French and Italian dishes Internet Café Tel: 532 2626, Fax: 532 2636 Continental Cuisine Arabic Cuisine and Barbecues Shop Tel: 297 3451 Continental Cuisine Chocolates, Coffee, and Internet Shalizar Restaurant Tel: 274 9073 Tel: 232 1255, Fax: 232 2189 La Vie Café Telefax: 295 7850 Tel: 626 0993 Middle Eastern, Mexican, and Grotto Restaurant Al-Rawda Cafe, Bistro & Bar Flavours Grill Italian Cuisine Barbecues and Taboon Barbecues Baladna Ice Cream Tel: 296 4115 Tel: 582 9061 Ice Cream and Soft Drinks International Cuisine with Tel: 274 8844, Fax: 274 8889 Telefax: 232 2555 La Vista Café and Restaurant Mediterranean Flavour Telefax: 295 6721 The Gate Café Golden Roof Green Valley Park Oriental and Western Cuisine Tel: 627 4626 Fresh Juices, Coffee, and Tea Continental Cuisine Oriental Cuisine and Barbecues Bamboo Chinese Restaurant Tel: 296 3271 Tel: 627 4282 Tel: 274 3224 Tel: 232 2349 Tel: 297 6667

82 83 Cann Espresso Sangria’s Zam’n Premium Coffee Arabic and Italian Cuisine French, Italian, and Mexican Masyoun Tel: 297 2125 Cuisine Coffee Shop Style Mac Simon Tel: 295 6808 Tel: 298 1033 Pizza and Fast Food Shukeireh Restaurant Zarour Bar BQ Tel: 297 2088 Middle Eastern and Western Barbecues and Oriental Cuisine Cuisine Mr. Donuts Café Tel: 295 6767, 296 4480 Donuts and Coffee Shop Sinatra Cafe and Cheese Fax: 296 4357 Tel: 240 7196 Cake Zeit ou Zaater Mr. Fish Italian and American Cuisine Pastries and Snacks Tel: 297 1028 Seafood Tel: 295 4455 Tel: 295 9555 Sky Bar (Ankars Suites and Ziryab Hotel) Mr. Pizza Barbecues, Italian, and Oriental Continental Cuisine Cuisine Pizza and Fast Food Tel: 295 2602 Tel: 240 3016, 240 8182 Tel: 295 9093 Sparkles Bar Muntaza Restaurant and Cigar bar Garden Mövenpick Hotel Ramallah Al-Andalus Barbecues and Sandwiches Tel: 298 5888 Middle Eastern and Western Tel: 295 6835 Stones Cuisine Tel: 282 1272, 283 3769 Na3Na3 Café Continental Cuisine Italian and Oriental Cuisine Tel: 296 6038 Al-Deira Tel: 296 4606 Tabash (Jifna Village) Continental Cuisine Tel: 283 8100/200/300 Newz Bar Barbecues Lounge and “Le Gourmet” pastries’ Tel: 281 0932 Al-Marsa corner Tal El-Qamar Roof Seafood and Desserts Mövenpick Hotel Ramallah Tel: 286 3599 Tel: 298 5888 Middle Eastern and Western Menu Tel: 298 7905/ 6 Almat’haf Restaurant Osama’s Pizza TCHE TCHE Tel: 285 8444, Fax: 285 8440 Pizza and Fast Food [email protected], www.almathaf.ps Tel: 295 3270 Tel: 296 4201 The Vine Restaurant Al-Molouke Orjuwan Lounge Shawerma and Barbecues Continental Cuisine Palestinian-Italian Fusion Tel: 286 8397 Tel: 297 6870 Tel: 295 7727 THE Q GARDEN Al-Salam Pesto Café and Restaurant Seafood Italian Cuisine Roof-top garden - International Cusine Tel: 282 2705, Telefax: 283 3188 Tel: 297 0705, 297 0706 Tel: 295 7727 Al-Sammak Pizza Inn Tomasso’s Seafood Pizza and Fast Food Pizza and Fast Food Tel: 286 4385 Tel: 298 1181/2/3 Tel: 240 9991/ 2 Al-Sammak Ghornata Philadelphia Restaurant Tropicana Seafood Middle Eastern Menu Mexican Cuisine, Oriental Menu, Tel: 284 0107 Tel: 295 1999 and Zarb Avenue Restaurant and Café Plaza Jdoudna Restaurant Tel: 297 5661 Shop and Park UpTown (Ankars Suites and Middle Eastern and Western Menu Middle Eastern Menu Hotel) Tel: 288 2100 / 288 3100 Tel: 295 6020, Fax: 296 4693 Continental Cuisine La Mirage Pronto Resto-Café Tel: 295 2602 Continental Cuisine and Seafood Italian Cuisine Values Restaurant Tel: 286 5128 Tel: 298 7312 International and Sea Food Roots - The Club Roma Café Tel: 296 6997 Oriental Cuisine Italian Light Food Vatche’s Garden Restaurant Tel: 288 8666, 282 3999, Tel: 296 4228 European Style 282 3777 Rukab’s Ice Cream Tel: 296 5966, 296 5988 Saleh Atya Al Shawa Ice Cream and Soft Drinks Zam’n Premium Coffee Restaurant - Al-Jala Tel: 295 3467 Coffee Shop Style Barbecues Saba Sandwiches Tel: 295 0600 Tel: 282 5062 Falafel and Sandwiches Zaki Taki Tel: 296 0116 Sandwiches Samer Tel: 296 3643 Al Quds Restaurant Middle Eastern Food Tel: 229 7773 Tel: 240 5338 - 240 3088 Fax: 229 7774

84 East Jerusalem (02) 4M Travel Agency, Tel: 627 1414, Fax: 628 4701, [email protected], www.4m- travel.com • Abdo Tourist & Travel, Tel: 628 1865, Fax: 627 2973, [email protected] • Aeolus Tours, East Jerusalem (02) Armenian Museum, Old City, Tel: 628 2331, Fax: 626 4861, Opening hours: Tel: 0505 635 5496, Fax: 656 5823, [email protected] • Albina Tours Ltd., Tel: 628 3397, Fax: 628 1215, Mon.- Sat. from 9:00 - 16:30 • Dar At Tifl Museum (Dar At Tifl Association), Near the Orient House, [email protected]; [email protected], www.albinatours.com • Alliance Travel Solutions, Tel: 581 7102, Tel: 628 3251, Fax: 627 3477 • Islamic Museum (The Islamic Waqf Asso­ciation), Old City, Tel: 628 3313, Fax: 581 7103, [email protected], www.alliancetravel-jrs.com • Arab Tourist Agency (ATA), Tel: 627 Fax: 628 5561, opening hours for tourists: daily from 7:30 - 13:30 • Math Museum, Science Museum, Abu 7442, Fax: 628 4366,[email protected] • Atic Tours & Travel Ltd., Tel: 628 6159, Fax: 626 4023, info@atictour. Jihad Museum for the Palestinian Prisoners Studies - Al-Quds University, Tel: 279 9753 - 279 0606, com, www.atictour.com • Awad & Co. Tourist Agency, Tel: 628 4021, Fax: 628 7990, [email protected], [email protected], opening hours Saturday - Wednesday 8:30 - 15:00 • Qalandia Camp Women’s Handicraft www.awad-tours.com • Aweidah Bros. Co., Tel: 6282365, [email protected] • B. Peace Tours & Coop., Telefax: 656 9385, Fax: 585 6966, [email protected] • WUJOUD Museum, Tel: 626 0916, Fax: Travel, Tel: 626 1876, Fax: 626 2065, [email protected] • Bible Land Tours, Tel: 627 1169, Fax: 627 0272625, [email protected], www.wujoud.org 2218, [email protected] • Blessed Land Tours, Tel: 628 6592, Fax: 628 5812, [email protected], www. blessedlandtours.com • Carawan Tours and Travel, Tel: 628 1244, Fax: 628 1406, [email protected], www. Ramallah & Al-Bireh (02) Museum of Palestinian Popular Heritage - In’ash el Usra, In’ash el carawan-tours.com • Daher Travel, Tel: 628 3235, Fax: 627 1574, [email protected], www.dahertravel.com • Usra society, Al-Bireh, Tel: 240 2876, Fax: 240 1544, Opening hours: daily from 8:00 - 15:00 except Fridays • Dajani Palestine Tours, Tel: 626 4768, Fax: 627 6927, [email protected] • Dakkak Tours Agency, Tel: Ramallah Museum, Al-Harajeh St., Across from Arab Bank, Old Town, Ramallah, Telefax: 295 9561, 628 2525, Fax: 628 2526, [email protected] • Destination Middle Eastl, info@destination-middle-east. open daily from 8:00 - 15:00 except friday and Saturday • The Birzeit University Ethnographic and Art com • George Garabedian Co., Tel: 628 3398, Fax: 628 7896, [email protected] • GEMM Travel, Tel: 628 Museum Tel: 298 2976, [email protected], Opening hours: daily from 10:00 - 15:00 except for Fridays and Sundays 2535/6, [email protected] • Guiding Star Ltd., Tel: 627 3150, Fax: 627 3147, [email protected], www. guidingstarltd.com • Holy Jerusalem Tours & Travel, Tel: 540 1668; Fax: 540 0963, info@holyjerusalemtours. Bethlehem (02) Al-Balad Museum for Olive Oil Production, Tel: 274 1581, Opening hours: 8:00-14:30 com, www.holyjerusalemtours.com • Holy Land Tours, Tel: 532 3232, Fax: 532 3292, [email protected] Monday through Saturday • Baituna al Talhami Museum, (Folklore Museum) Arab Women’s Union, • Jata Travel Ltd., Tel: 627 5001, Fax: 627 5003, [email protected] • Jiro Tours, Tel: 627 3766, Fax: Tel: 274 2589, Fax: 274 2431, Opening hours: daily from 8:00 - 13:00/ 14:00 - 17:00 except for Sundays and 628 1020, [email protected], www.jirotours.com • Jordan Travel Agency, Tel: 628 4052, Fax: 628 7621 • Thursdays afternoon • Bethlehem Peace Center Museum, Tel: 276 6677, Fax: 274 1057, [email protected], Jerusalem Orient Tourist Travel, Tel : 628 8722, Fax: 627 4589, [email protected] • JT & T, Tel: 628 9418, www.peacenter.org, Opening hours: daily from 10:00-18:00 except Sundays from 10:00 - 16:00 • International 628 9422, Fax: 628 9298, [email protected], www.jttours.com • KIM’s Tourist & Travel Agency, Tel: 627 9725, Nativity Museum, TeleFax: 276 0076, [email protected], www.internationalnativitymuseum. Fax: 627 4626, [email protected], www.kimstours.com • Lawrence Tours & Travel, Tel: 628 4867, Fax: 627 com • Natural History Museum, Telefax:02-276 5574, [email protected], www.eecp.org • The International 1285, [email protected] • Lions Gate Travel & Tours, Tel: 627 7829, Fax: 627 7830, Mobile: 0523 855 Nativity Museum, Tel: 276 6585, Fax: 274 2421 • Palestinian Ethnographic Museum, 312, [email protected], [email protected] • Lourdes Tourist & Travel Agency, Tel: 627 Tel: 276 7467, Fax: 276 0533, [email protected], Opening hours: daily from 9:00 - 17:00 • Palestinian Heritage 5332, Telefax: 627 5336, [email protected] • Mt. of Olives Tours Ltd., Tel: 627 1122, Fax: 628 5551 Center, Telefax: 274 2381, [email protected], www.palestinianheritagecenter.com [email protected], www.olivetours.com • Nawas Tourist Agency Ltd., Tel: 628 2491, Fax: 628 Gaza (08) Al Mathaf, Tel: 285 8444, [email protected], www. almathaf.ps 5755 • Nazarene Tours and Travel, Tel: 627 4636, Fax: 627 7526 • Near East Tourist Agency (NET), Tel: 532 8706, Fax: 532 8701, [email protected], www.netours.com • O.S. Hotel Services, Tel: 628 9260, Fax: 626 4979, [email protected] • Overseas Travel Bureau, Tel: 628 7090, Fax: 628 4442, [email protected] • Priority Travel and Tours LTD., Tel: 627 4207, Fax: 627 4107 • Safieh Tours & Travel Agency, Tel: 626 4447, Fax: 628 4430, [email protected] • Samara Tourist & Travel Agency, Tel: 627 6133. Fax: 627 1956, [email protected] • Shepherds Tours & Travel, Tel: 6284121- 6287859, Fax: 6280251, [email protected], www.shepherdstours.com • Shweiki Tours Ltd., Tel: 673 6711, Fax: 673 6966 • Sindbad Travel Tourist Agency, Tel: 627 2165, Fax: 627 2169, [email protected], www.Sindbad-Travel.com • Terra Sancta Tourist Co, Tel: 628 4733, Fax: 626 4472 • Tower Tours & Travel Ltd., Tel: 628 2365, Fax: 628 2366, [email protected], www. tower-tours.com • Tony Tours Ltd., Tel: 244 2050, Fax: 244 2052, [email protected] • United Travel Ltd., Tel: 583 3614, Fax: 583 6190, [email protected], www.unitedtravelltd.com • Universal Tourist Agency, Tel: 628 4383, Fax: 626 4448, [email protected], www.universal-jer.com • William Tours & Travel Agency, Tel: 623 1617, Fax: 624 1126, [email protected] • Yanis Tours & Travel, Telefax: 627 5862, hai_mou@ yahoo.com • Zatarah Tourist & Travel Agency, Tel: 627 2725, Fax: 628 9873, [email protected]

East Jerusalem (02) Car Rental • Car & Drive, Tel: 656 5562/3 • Dallah Al-Barakah, Tel: 656 4150 • Bethlehem (02) Angels Tours and Travel, Tel: 277 5813, Fax: 277 5814, [email protected], www. Good Luck, Tel: 627 7033, Fax: 627 7688 • Green Peace Rent A Car Ltd., Telefax: 585 9756 • Jerusalem angelstours.com.ps • Arab Agency Travel & Tourism, Tel: 274 1872, Fax: 274 2431, tourism@aca-palestine. Car Rental & Leasing ltd., Tel: 582 2179, Fax: 582 2173 • Orabi, Tel: 585 3101 • Petra, Tel: 582 0716,Taxis com, www.aca-palestine.com • Bethlehem Star Travel, Telefax: 277 0441, [email protected], www.bst.ps • Crown Abdo,Tel: 585 8202 (Beit Hanina), Tel: 628 3281 (Damascus Gate) • Al-Eman Taxi & Lemo Service, Tel: Tours & Travel Co. Ltd., Tel: 274 0911, Fax: 274 0910, [email protected], www.crown-tours.com • Four 583 4599 - 583 5877 •Al-Rashid, Tel: 628 2220 • Al-Aqsa, Tel: 627 3003 • Beit Hanina, Tel: 585 5777 • Holy Seasons Co. Tourism & Travel, Tel: 277 4401, Fax: 277 4402, [email protected] • Gloria Tours & Travel, Land, Tel: 585 5555 • Imperial, Tel: 628 2504 • Jaber - Petra, Tel: 583 7275 - 583 7276 • Khaled Al-Tahan, Tel: 274 0835, Fax: 274 3021, [email protected] • Golden Gate Tours & Travel, Tel: 276 6044, Fax: 276 6045, Tel: 585 5777 • Mount of Olives, Tel: 627 2777 • Panorama, Tel: 628 1116 • Tourist Trans­por­tation Abdo [email protected] • Kukali Travel & Tours, Tel: 277 3047, Fax: 277 2034, [email protected] • Laila Tours & Tourist, Tel: 628 1866 • Jerusalem of Gold, Tel: 673 7025/6 • Kawasmi Tourist Travel Ltd., Tel: 628 Travel, Tel: 277 7997, Fax: 277 7996, [email protected], www.Lailatours.com • Lama Tours International, 4769, Fax: 628 4710 • Mount of Olives, Tel: 627 1122 • Mahfouz Tourist Travel, Tel: 628 2212, Fax: 628 Tel: 274 3717, Fax: 274 3747, [email protected] • Millennium Transportation, TeleFax: 676 7727, 050-242 270 4015 • Middle East Car Rental, Tel: 626 2777, Fax: 626 2203 • Mousallam Int’l Tours, Tel: 277 0054, Fax: 277 0054, [email protected] • Nativity Travel, Tel: 274 2966, Bethlehem (02) Car Rental Murad, Tel: 274 7092 • Nativity Rent a Car, Tel: 274 3532, Fax: 274 7053 Taxis Fax: 274 4546 • Sansur Travel Agency, Tel: 274 4473, Telefax: 274 4459 • Sky Lark Tours and Travel, Asha’b, Tel: 274 2309 • Beit Jala, Tel: 274 2629 • Al Fararjeh Taxi - 24 Hours, Tel: 275 2416 Tel: 274 2886, Fax: 276 4962, [email protected] • Terra Santa Tourist Co., Tel: 277 0249 Fax: 277 0250 • Voice of Faith Tours, Tel: 275 70 50 Fax: 275 70 51, [email protected], www.gmtravel.co.il Hebron (02) Car Rental Holy Land, Tel: 222 0811 • Taxis Al-Asdiqa’, Tel: 222 9436 • Al-Itihad, Tel: 222 8750 Beit Jala (02) Guiding Star Ltd., Tel: 276 5970, Fax: 276 5971, [email protected] Jericho (02) Taxis Petra, Tel: 232 2525 Beit Sahour (02) Alternative Tourism Group, Tel: 277 2151, Fax: 277 2211, [email protected], www.atg.ps • Nablus (09) Car Rental Orabi, Tel: 238 3383 • Taxis Al-Ittimad, Tel: 237 1439 • Al-Madina, Tel: 237 3501 Brothers Travel & Tours, Tel: 277 5188, Fax: 277 5189, [email protected], www.brostours.com • Magi Tours, Telefax: 277 5798, [email protected] Ramallah & Al-Bireh (02) Car Rental Good Luck, Tel: 234 2160 • Orabi, Tel: 240 3521 • Petra, Tel: 295 2602 • TWINS, Tel: 296 4688 • Taxis Al-Bireh, Tel: 240 2956 • Al-Masyoun Taxi, Tel: 295 2230 • Hebron (02) AL-Afaq for Travel & Umrah, Telefax: 221 1332, [email protected] • AlArrab Tours Al-Salam, Tel: 295 5805 • Al-Wafa, Tel: 295 5444 • Al-Itihad, Tel: 295 5887 • Hinnawi Taxi, Tel: 295 6302 Tel: 221 1917, [email protected] • Alkiram Tourism, Tel: 225 6501/2, Fax: 225 6504, alkiram@hebronet. • Omaya, Tel: 295 6120 • SAHARA Rent a Car Co., Tel: 297 5317/8 • Shamma’ Taxi Co., Tel: 296 0957 com • Al-Salam Travel and Tours Co., Tel: 221 5574, Fax: 223 3747 • Sabeen Travel Tourism, Telefax: 229 4775, [email protected] Gaza Strip (08) Car Rental Al-Ahli, Tel: 282 8534 • Al-Farouq, Tel: 284 2755 • Imad, Tel: 286 4000 • Luzun, Tel: 282 2628 • Taxis Al-Nasser, Tel: 286 1844, 286 7845 • Al-Wafa, Tel: 284 9144 - 282 4465 • Ramallah (02) Al-Asmar Travel Agency, Telefax: 295 4140, 296 5775, [email protected] • All Middle Azhar, Tel: 286 8858 • Midan Filastin, Tel: 286 5242 East Pilgrimage and Tourism Coordination Office, Tel: 289 8123, Fax: 289 9174, [email protected], 86 87 www.ameptco.com • Amani Tours, Telefax: 298 7013, [email protected] • Anwar Travel Agency, Tel: 295 6388, 295 1706, [email protected] • Arab Office for Travel & Tourism, Tel: 295 6640, Fax: 295 1331 • Arseema for Travel & Tourism, Tel: 297 5571, Fax: 297 5572, [email protected] • Atlas Tours & Travel, Tel: 295 2180, Fax: 298 6395, www.atlasavia.com • Darwish Travel Agency, Tel: 295 6221, Fax: 295 7940 Consulates • Golden Globe Tours, Tel: 296 5111, Fax: 296 5110, [email protected] • Issis & Co., Tel: 295 6250, Fax: 295 4305 • Jordan River Tourist & Travel Agency, Tel: 298 0523, Fax: 298 0524 • Kashou’ Travel East Jerusalem (02) Apostolic Delegation, Tel: 628 2298, Fax: 628 1880 • Belgium, Tel: 582 8263, Agency, Tel: 295 5229, Fax: 295 3107, [email protected] • Mrebe Tours & Travel, Tel: 295 4671, Fax: 581 4063, [email protected] • European Community - Delegation to the OPT, Tel: 541 5888, Fax: 295 4672, [email protected] • The Pioneer Links Travel & Tourism Bureau, Tel: 240 7859, Fax: 240 Fax: 541 5848 • France, Tel: 591 4000, Fax: 582 0032 • Great Britain, Tel: 541 4100, Fax: 532 2368, britain. 7860, [email protected] • Travel House For Travel & Tourism, Tel: 295 7225, Fax: 296 2634, www. [email protected], www.britishconsulate.org • Greece, Tel: 582 8316, Fax: 532 5392 • Italy, Tel: 561 8966, travelhouse.ps • Rahhal Tours & Travel, Tel: 242 3256, Fax: 242 9962, [email protected], www.rahhalyours. Fax: 561 9190 • Spain, Tel: 582 8006, Fax: 582 8065 • Swedish Consulate General, Tel: 646 5860, Fax: ps • Raha Tours and Travel, Tel: 296 1780, Fax: 296 1782, www.rahatt.com, www.rahatravel.com • Reem 646 5861 • Turkey, Tel: 591 0555-7, Fax: 582 0214, [email protected], www.kudus.bk.mfa.gov.tr • Travel Agency, Tel: 295 3871, Fax: 295 3871 • Royal Tours, Tel: 296 6350/1, Fax: 296 6635 • Sabeen Travel United States of America, Tel: 622 7230, Fax: 625 9270 Tourism, Telefax: 240 5931, [email protected] • Salah Tours, Tel: 295 9931, Fax: 298 7206 • Shbat & Abdul Nur, Tel: 295 6267, Fax: 295 7246 Representative Offices to the PNA

Jenin (04) Asia Travel Tourism, Telefax: 243 5157, www.asia-tourism.net • Al Sadeq Travel & Tourism, Ramallah & Al-Bireh (02) Argentina Representative Office to the PA, Tel: 241 2848/9, Fax: 241 Tel: 243 8055, Fax: 243 8057, email: [email protected] 2850, [email protected] • Australia, Tel: 242 5301, Fax: 240 8290, [email protected], ausaid@palnet. com • Austria, Tel: 240 1477, Fax: 240 0479 • Brazil, Tel: 241 3753, Fax: 241 3756, admin-office@rep-brazil. Nablus (09) Almadena Tours, Tel: 239 3333, Telefax: 239 3366, [email protected], www.almadena.ps • org • Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Tel: 240 58 60/1, Fax: 2405862, representacionenpalestina@yahoo. Dream Travel & Tourism, Tel: 233 5056, Fax: 237 2069 • Firas Tours, Tel: 234 4565, Fax: 234 7781 • Top com, [email protected] • Canada, Tel: 297 8430, Fax: 297 8446, [email protected] Tour, Tel: 238 9159, Fax: 238 1425, [email protected] • Yaish International Tours, Telefax: 238 • Chile, Tel: 296 0850, Fax: 298 4768, [email protected] • Cyprus, Tel: 240 6959, Fax: 240 4897 • Czech 1410, 238 1437, [email protected] Republic, Tel: 296 5595, Fax: 296 5596 • Denmark, Tel: 242 2330, Fax: 240 0331 • Egypt, Tel: 297 7774, Fax: 297 7772 • Finland, Tel: 240 0340, Fax: 240 0343 • Germany, Tel: 298 4788, Fax: 298 4786, gerrprof@palnet. Tulkarem (09) Faj Tours, Tel: 2672 486, Fax: 2686 070, [email protected] com • Hungary, Tel: 240 7676, Fax: 240 7678, [email protected] • India, Tel: 290 3033, Fax: 290 3035, roi_ [email protected] • Ireland, Tel: 240 6811/2/3, Fax: 240 6816, [email protected] • Japan, Tel: 241 3120, Fax: Gaza Strip (08) Al-Muntazah Travel Agency, Tel: 282 7919 Fax: 282 4923 • Halabi Tours and Travel 241 3123 • Jordan, Tel: 297 4625, Fax: 297 4624 • Mexico, Tel: 297 5592, Fax: 297 5594, ofimex-ramala@palnet. Co., Tel: 282 3704, Fax: 286 6075, [email protected], www.halabitours.ps • Maxim Tours, Tel: 282 4415, com • Norway, Tel: 235 8600, Fax: 234 5079, [email protected] • Poland, Tel: 297 1318, Fax: 297 1319 • Portugal, Fax: 286 7596 • National Tourist Office, Tel: 286 0616, Fax: 286 0682, [email protected] • Time Travel Tel: 240 7291/3, Fax: 240 7294 • Republic of Korea, Tel: 240 2846/7, Fax: 240 2848 • Russian Federation, Ltd., Tel: 283 6775, Fax: 283 6855, [email protected] Tel: 240 0970, Fax: 240 0971 • South Africa, Tel: 298 7355, Fax: 298 7356, [email protected], www.sarep.org • Sri Lanka, Telefax: 290 4271 • Switzerland, Tel: 240 8360, [email protected] • The Netherlands, Tel: 240 6639, Fax: 240 9638 • The People’s Republic of China, Tel: 295 1222, Fax: 295 1221, chinaoffice@ palnet.com

Gaza Strip (08) Egypt, Tel: 282 4290, Fax: 282 0718 • Germany, Tel: 282 5584, Fax: 284 4855 • Jordan, Tel: 282 5134, Fax: 282 5124 • Morocco, Tel: 282 4264, Fax: 282 4104 • Norway, Tel: 282 4615, Fax: 282 1902 • Qatar, Tel: 282 5922, Fax: 282 5932 • South Africa, Tel: 284 1313, Fax: 284 1333 • Tunisia, Tel: 282 5018, Fax: 282 5028 United Nations and International Organisations FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Jerusalem (02), TeleFax: 532 2757, 532 1950, [email protected], www.fao.org • IBRD - International Bank for Reconstruction and Devel­ ­opment (World Bank), West Bank (02), Tel: 236 6500 Fax: 236 6543, Gaza (08) Tel: 282 4746 Fax: 282 4296, firstletterofsurname. [email protected] • IMF, - International Monetary Fund, www.imf.org, Gaza (08), Tel: 282 5913; Fax: 282 5923, West Bank (02), Tel: 236 6530; Fax: 236 6543 • ILO - International Labor Organization, Jerusalem (02), Tel: 626 0212, 628 0933, Fax: 627 6746, [email protected], Ramallah (02), Tel: 290 0022, Fax: 290 0023, Nablus (09), Tel: 237 5692 - 233 8371, Fax: 233 8370 • OHCHR - Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Gaza (08), Tel: 282 7021, Fax: 282 7321, [email protected], West Bank Office, Telefax: 02-296 Air France and KLM, Tel: 02-628 2535/6 (Jerusa­lem), Tel: 08-286 0616 (Gaza) • Air Sinai – Varig, Tel: 02-627 5534 • UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, Ramallah (02), 2725 (Jerusalem), Tel: 08-282 1530 (Gaza) • Austrian Airlines Tel: 09-238 2065, Fax: 09-237 5598 (Nablus) Tel: 295 9740, Fax: 295 9741, [email protected] • UNFPA - United Nations Population Fund, Jerusalem • BMI, Tel: 09-238 2065, Fax: 09-237 5598 (Nablus) • British Airways, Tel: 09-238 2065, Fax: 09-237 5598 (02), Tel: 581 7292, Fax: 581 7382, [email protected], www.unfpa.ps • UNICEF - United Nations Children’s (Nablus) • Cyprus Airways, Tel: 02-240 4894 (Al-Bireh) • Delta Airlines, Tel: 02-296 7250, Telefax: 02-298 Fund, Jerusalem (02), Tel: 583 0013,4 Fax: 583 0806, Gaza (08), Tel: 286 2400, Fax: 286 2800, Jerusalem@ 6395 (Ramallah) • Egypt Air, Tel: 02-298 6950/49 (Ramallah), Tel: 08-282 1530 (Gaza) • Emirates Airlines, unicef.org • UNIFEM - United Nations Development Fund for Women, Telefax: 628 0450, Tel: 628 0661 • Tel: 02-296 1780 (Ramallah) • Gulf Air, Tel: 09-238 6312 (Nablus), Tel: 02-295 3912/3 (Ramallah) • Iberia, Tel: UN OCHA - United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs,Tel: 582 9962/02 - 582 5853, 02-628 3235/7238 (Jerusalem) • Lufthansa, Tel: 09-238 2065, Fax: 09-237 5598 (Nablus) • Malev-Hungarian Fax: 582 5841, [email protected], www.ochaopt.org • UNRWA - United Nations Relief and Works Agency, Airlines, Tel: 02-295 2180 (Ramallah) • Middle East Car Rental, Tel: 02-295 2602, Fax: 295 2603 • PAL Gaza (08), Tel: 677 7333, Fax: 677 7555, unrwapio@unrwa.org, West Bank (02), Tel: 589 0401, Fax: 532 2714, AVIATION, Tel. 02-296 7250 Telefax: 02-298 6395 (Ramallah) • Palestine Airlines, Tel: 08-282 2800 (Gaza), [email protected] • UNSCO - Office of the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Tel: 08-282 9526/7 (Gaza) • Qatar Airways, Tel: 02-240 4895 (Al-Bireh), Tel: 08-284 2303 (Gaza), Royal Peace Process, Tel: 08-284 3555/02-568 7276, Fax: 08-282 0966/02-568 7288, [email protected], www. Jordanian Airways, Tel: 02-240 5060 (Ramallah), Tel: 08-282 5403/13 (Gaza) • SN Brussels Airlines, Tel: unsco.org • UNTSO - United Nations Truce Supervision Organization, Jerusalem (02), Tel: 568 7222 - 568 02-295 2180 (Ramallah), SAS Scandinavian Airlines, Tel: 02-628 3235/7238 (Jerusalem) • South African 7444, Fax: 568 7400, [email protected] • WFP - World Food Programme, Gaza (08), Tel: 282 Airways, Tel: 02-628 6257 (Jerusalem) • Swiss International Airlines, Tel: 02-295 2180 (Ramallah) • Tunis 7463, Fax: 282 7921, Jerusalem (02), Tel: 540 1340, Fax: 540 1227, [email protected] • WHO - World Air, Tel: 02-298 7013 (Ramallah), Tel: 08-286 0616 (Gaza) • Turkish Airlines, Tel: 02-277 0130 (Bethlehem) Health Organization, Jerusalem (02), Tel: 540 0595, Fax: 581 0193, [email protected], Gaza (08), Tel: 282 Airport Information Gaza International Airport, Tel: 08-213 4289 • Ben Gurion Airport, Tel: 03-972 3344 2033, Fax: 284 5409, [email protected] • World Bank, Tel: 236 6500, Fax: 236 6543

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (PAPP) 4 Al-Ya’qubi Street, Jerusalem, Tel: 02 6268200, Fax: 02 6268222 E-mail: [email protected] / URL: http://www.papp.undp.org

88 89 Ramallah (02) Quds Bank (Al-Masyoon), Tel: 297 9562, (El-Bireh), Tel: 298 3391 • Al Rafah Microfinance Bank, Tel: 297 8710, Fax: 297 8880 • Arab Bank, (Al-Balad) Tel: 298 6480, Fax: 298 6488 • Arab Bank, (Al-Bireh), Tel: 295 9581, Fax: 295 9588 • Arab Bank, (Al-Manara) Tel: 295 4821, Fax: 295 4824 • Arab Bank (Masyoun Branch), Tel: 297 8100 • Arab Land Bank, Tel: 295 8421 • Bank of Palestine, Tel: 296 5010, Fax: East Jerusalem (02) Hospitals Augusta Victoria, Tel: 627 9911 • Dajani Maternity, Tel: 583 3906 298 5920 • Bank of Palestine, (Al-Irsal) Tel: 296 6860, Fax: 296 6864 • Arab Palestinian Investment Bank, • Hadassah (Ein Kerem), Tel: 677 7111 • Hadassah (Mt. Scopus), Tel: 584 4111 • Maqassed, Tel: 627 0222 Tel: 298 7126, Fax: 298 7125 • Beit Al-Mal Holdings, Tel: 298 6916, Fax: 298 6916 • HSBC Bank Middle • Red Crescent Maternity, Tel: 628 6694 • St. John’s Opthalmic, Tel: 582 8325 • St. Joseph, Tel: 591 East, Tel: 298 7802, Fax: 298 7804 • Cairo-Amman Bank, Tel: 298 3500, Fax: 295 5437 • The Center for 1911 • Clinics and Centers Arab Health Center, Tel: 628 8726 • CHS Clinics, Tel: 628 0602/0499 • Ibn Private Enterprise Development, Tel: 298 6786, Fax: 298 6787 • Commercial Bank of Palestine, Tel: Sina Medical Center, Tel: 540 0083/9, 532 2536 • Jerusalem First Aid Clinic, Tel: 626 4055 • Medical 295 4141, Fax: 295 4145 • Cooperative Development Unit, Tel: 290 0029, Fax: 290 0029 • Deutsche Relief Womens, Health Clinic, Tel: 583 3510 • Palestinian Counseling Center, Tel: 656 2272, 656 Ausgleichsbank (DTA), Tel: 298 4462, Fax: 295 2610 • The Housing Bank, Tel: 298 6270, Fax: 298 6276 • 2627 • Peace Medical Center, Tel: 532 7111, 532 4259 • Red Crescent Society, Tel: 586 056 • Spafford International Islamic Arab Bank, Tel: 240 7060, Fax: 240 7065 • Jordan Bank, Tel: 295 8686, Fax: 2958684 Children’s Clinic, Tel: 628 4875 • The Austrian Arab Commu­nity Clinic (AACC), Tel: 627 3246 • The • Jordan-Gulf Bank, Tel: 298 7680, Fax: 298 7682 • Jordan-Kuwait Bank, Tel: 240 6725, Fax: 240 6728 • Jerusalem Princess Basma Center for Disabled Children, Tel: 628 3058 Jordan National Bank, Tel: 295 9343, Fax: 295 9341 • Palestine International Bank (PIB), Tel: 298 3300, Bethlehem (02) Hospitals Al-Dibis Maternity, Tel: 274 4242 • Al-Hussein Government, Tel: 274 Fax: 298 3333 • Palestine Investment Bank, Tel: 298 7880, Fax: 298 7881 • Palestine Islamic Bank, Tel: 1161 • Bethlehem Arab Society for Rehabilitation, Tel: 274 4049-51, Fax: 274 4053 • Caritas Baby, Tel: 295 0247, Fax: 295 7146 • Union Bank, Tel: 298 6412, Fax: 295 6416 275 8500, Fax: 275 8501 • Mental Health, Tel: 274 1155 • Shepherd’s Field Hospital, Tel: 277 5092 • St. Gaza Strip (08) Quds Bank (Al-Remal), Tel: 284 4333 • Arab Bank, Tel: 08-286 6288, Fax: 282 0704 • Mary’s Maternity, Tel: 274 2443 • The Holy Family, Tel: 274 1151, Fax: 274 1154 Clinics and Centers Arab Bank (Al-Rimal), Tel: 282 4729, Fax: 282 4719 • Arab Bank, (Khan Younis) Tel: 205 4775, Fax: 205 4745 Beit Sahour Medical Center, Tel: 277 4443 • Bethlehem Dental Center, Tel: 274 3303 • Arab Bank (Karny), Tel: 280 0020, Fax: 280 0028 • Arab Land Bank, Tel: 282 2046, Fax: 282 1099 • Bank Hebron (02) Hos­pi­tals Amira Alia, Tel: 222 8126 • Al-Ahli, Tel: 222 0212 • Al-Meezan, Tel: 225 7400/1 of Palestine Ltd., Tel: 282 3272, Fax: 286 5667 • Beit Al-Mal Holdings, Tel: 282 0722, Fax: 282 5786 • • Al-Za’tari, Tel: 222 9035 • Mohammed Ali, Tel: 225 3883/4 • Shaheera, Tel: 222 6982 • St. John’s Cairo-Amman Bank, Tel: 282 4950, Fax: 282 4830 • Commercial Bank of Palestine, Tel: 282 5806, Fax: Opthalmic, Tel: 223 6047 • The Red Crescent, Tel: 222 8333 • Yattah Governmental Hospital, Tel: 282 5816 • The Housing Bank, Tel: 282 6322, Fax: 286 1143 • Jordan Bank, Tel: 282 0707, Fax: 282 4341 • 227 1017, 227 1019 Clinics and Centers Red Crescent Society, Tel: 222 7450 • UPMRC, Tel: 222 6663 Palestine Development Fund, Tel: 282 4286, Fax: 282 4286 • Palestine International Bank (PIB), Tel: 284 4333, Fax: 284 4303 • Palestine Investment Bank, Tel: 282 2105, Fax: 282 2107 Jericho (02) Hospitals Jericho Government, Tel: 232 1967/8/9 Clinics and Centers UPMRC, Tel: 232 2148 Nablus (09) Quds Bank, Tel: 235 9741, (Nablus Aljded) , Tel: 239 7782 • Arab Bank, Tel: 238 2340, Fax: 238 2351 • Arab Bank (Askar), Tel: 231 1694, Fax: 234 2076 • Arab Land Bank, Tel: 238 3651, Fax: 238 3650 Nablus (09) Hospitals Al-Aqsa Hospital and Medical Center, Tel: 294 7666 • Al-Ittihad, Tel: 237 • Bank of Palestine Ltd., Tel: 238 2030, Fax: 238 2923 • Bank of Palestine (Al-Misbah), Tel: 231 1460, Fax: 1491 • Al-Watani, Tel: 238 0039 • Al-Zakat Hospital (TolKarem), Tel: 268 0680 • Aqraba Maternity 231 1922 • Cairo-Amman Bank, Tel: 238 1301, Fax: 238 1590 • Commercial Bank of Palestine, Tel: 238 Home, Tel: 259 8550 • Rafidia, Tel: 239 0390 • Salfit Emergency Governmental Hospital, Tel: 251 5111 5160, Fax: 238 5169 • The Housing Bank, Tel: 238 6060, Fax: 238 6066 • Jordan Bank, Tel: 238 1120, Fax: • Specialized Arab Hospital, Tel: 239 0390 • St. Luke’s, Tel: 238 3818 • UNRWA Qalqilia Hospital 238 1126 • Jordan-Gulf Bank, Tel: 238 2191, Fax: 238 1953 • Jordan-Kuwait Bank, Tel: 237 7223, Fax: (Qalqiliya), Tel: 294 0008 Clinics and Centers Al-Amal Center, Tel: 238 3778 • Arab Medical Center, 237 7181 • Jordan-National Bank, Tel: 238 2280, Fax: 238 2283 • Palestine Investment Bank, Tel: 238 Tel: 237 1515 • Hagar (Handicapped Equipment Center), Tel: 239 8687 • Red Crescent Society, Tel: 5051, Fax: 238 5057 • Palestine International Bank, Tel: 239 7780, Fax: 239 7788 238 2153 • UPMRC, Tel: 283 7178

Ramallah & Al-Bireh (02) Hospitals Arabcare Hospital, Tel: 298 6420 • AL-Karmel Maternity Home, Tel: 247 1026 • Al-Mustaqbal Hospital, Tel: 240 4562 • AL-Nather Maternity Hospital, Tel: 295 5295 • Ash-Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Tel: 298 8088 • Birziet Maternity Home, City Fire Ambulance Police Tel: 281 0616 • Care Specialized Dental Center, Tel: 297 5090 • Khaled Surgical Hospital, Tel: Jerusalem* 02-6282222 101 100 295 5640 • Ramallah Government Hospitals, Tel: 298 2216/7 • Red Crescent Hospital, Tel: 240 CHS (Old City Jerusalem) 101 / 050-319120 6260 Clinics and Centers Arab Medical Center, Tel: 295 4334 • Arabcare Medical Center, Tel: 298 6420 • Emergency & Trauma Center, Tel: 298 8088 • Harb Heart Center, Tel: 296 0336 Bethlehem 02-274 1123 101 / 02-274 4222 02-274 8231 • Modern Dental Center, Tel: 298 0630 • National Center for Blood Diseases “Hippocrates” Gaza 08-2863633 101 / 08-2863633 08-2863400 Thalessemia and Hemophilia Center, Tel: 296 5082, Fax: 296 5081 • Patients’ Friends Society Hebron 102/22 28121-2-3 101 100 K. Abu Raya Re­ha­bili­tation Centre, Tel: 295 7060/1 • Palestinian Hemophilia Association-PHA, Jericho 02-232 2658 101 / 02-232 1170 02-232 2521 Telefax: 297 5588 • Peace Medical Center, Tel: 295 9276 • Red Crescent Society, Tel: 240 6260 • UPMRC, Tel: 298 4423, 296 0686 Jenin 04-250 1225 101 / 04-250 2601 04-250 1035 Nablus 09-238 3444 101 / 09-238 0399 09-238 3518 Gaza Strip (08) Hospitals Al-Ahli Al-Arabi, Tel: 286 3014 • Dar Al-Salam, Tel: 285 4240 • Nasser, Tel: Ramallah 02-295 6102 101 / 02-240 0666 02-295 6571 205 1244 • Shifa, Tel: 286 2765 Clinics and Centers Arab Medical Center, Tel: 286 2163 • Beit Hanoun Clinic, Tel: 285 8065 • Dar Al-Shifa, Tel: 286 5520 • Hagar (Handicapped Equipment Center), Tel: 284 Child Helpline Palestine (121) free line 2636 • St. John’s Opthalmic, Tel: 284 8445 • UPMRC, Tel: 282 7837 Tulkarem 09-267 2106 101 / 09-267 2140 09-267 2161 Qalqilia 09-294 0440 101 / 09-294 0440 09-294 22730

Telephone Services Paltel Tourism and An­tiq­uities Wake up calls 175 Bezeq Police Wake up calls 1475 Free fax service 167 Bethlehem 02-277 0750/1 East Jerusalem (02) Quds Bank (Al-Ezzarieh), Tel: 279 8803 • Arab Bank (Al-Ezzarieh), Tel: 279 6671, Talking Clock Follow me Fax: 279 6677 • Arab Bank (Al-Ram), Tel: 234 8710, Fax: 234 8717 • Center for Development Consultancy Time around the world 1455 (forwarding calls) 72* Gaza 08-282 9017 (CDC), Tel: 583 3183, Fax: 583 3185 • Commer­cial Bank of Palestine, Tel: 279 9886, Fax: 279 9258 Vocal Information 1975 Phone book 144 Jericho 02-232 4011 Pager Service 1705 Maintenance 166 Nablus 09-385 244 Bethlehem (02) Arab Bank, Tel: 277 0080, Fax: 277 0088 • Arab Land Bank, Tel: 274 0861 • Cairo- Repeat call *41 Information 199 Amman Bank, Tel: 274 4971, Fax: 274 4974 • Jordan National Bank, Tel: 277 0351, Fax: 277 0354 • Bank Internet maintenance 167 Border Crossings of Palestine Ltd., Tel: 276 5515/6, Fax: 276 5517 • Palestine Investment Bank, Tel: 277 0888, Fax: 277 0889 Last call *42 Call waiting *70 Calls from Overseas Allenby Bridge 02-994 2302 Hebron (02) Quds Bank, Tel: 221 1357 • Al-Ahli Bank, Tel: 222 4801/2/3/4 • Arab Bank, Tel: 222 6410, Call forwarding *71 Arava Border 08-630 0555 Dial access code, international Fax: 222 6418 • Bank of Palestine Ltd., Tel: 225 0001/2/3 • Cairo-Amman Bank, (Wadi Al-Tuffah) Tel: 222 General information 199 Eretz Crossing 08-674 1672 5353/4/5 • Cairo-Amman Bank, (Al-Balad) Tel: 222 9803/4 • Cairo-Amman Bank, (The Islamic Branch) country code (972) or (970), Services 164 Rafah Border 08-673 4205 Tel: 222 7877 • Islamic Arab Bank, Tel: 2254156/7 • Islamic Bank, Tel: 222 6768 • Jordan Bank, Tel: 222 Corporate services 166 area code (without the zero), 4351/2/3/4 • Palestine Investment Bank, Tel: 225 2701/2/3/4 • The Housing Bank, Tel: 225 0055 desired number Sheikh Hussien 04-609 3410

90 91 As Palestine continues its struggle for independence, it has already begun to acquire sovereign cyberspace recognition. A difficult three-year international debate resulted in the “Occupied Palestinian Territory” being officially assigned the two-letter suffix, “.ps,” in the ISO 3166-1 list for the representation of names of countries or territories. The successful struggle to attain country code 970 led the way for the Internet Corporation for Associated Names and Numbers (ICANN), the international corporation that manages the country code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD) system on the Internet, on 22 March 2000, to assign Palestine its unique country identifier, “.ps,” in line with other sovereign nations such as .fr for France and .ca for Canada. Arts and Culture: Al Rowwad Theatre Centre www.alrowwad.virtualactivism.net, A.M. Qattan Foundation www.qattanfoundation.org, Ashtar Theater www.ashtar-theatre.org, Al Kasaba Theatre and Cinematheque www.alkasaba.org, Al-Ma’mal Foundation for Contemporary Art www.almamalfoundation. org, Al Mathaf www.almathaf.ps, ArtSchool Palestine www.artschoolpalestine.com, Baha Boukhari www. baha-cartoon.net, Educational Bookshop www.educationalbookshop.com, Family Net www.palestine- family.net, Khalil Sakakini Cultural Center (Ramallah) www.sakakini.org, Paltel Virtual Gallery (Birzeit University) www.virtualgallery.birzeit.edu, Rim Banna www.rimbanna.com, RIWAQ: Centre for Architectural Conservation www.riwaq.org, Sunbula (fair trade/crafts) www.sunbula.org, The Popular Arts Centre www.popularartcentre.org, Sumud www.sumud.net, Pal­es­tinian Pottery www.pales­ tinianpottery.com­ , The International Center of Bethlehem (Dar Annadwa) www.annadwa.org, The Musical Intifada www. docjazz.com, El-funoun www.el-funoun.org, Sabreen Association for Artistic Development www.sabreen. org, The Virtual Gallery www.virtualgallery.birzeit.edu, Business and Economy: Arab Pal­es­tinian In­vestment Com­pany www.apic-pal.com, Hebron Store www.hebron-store.com, Jawwal www.jawwal.ps, Massar www.massar.com, The Palestinian Economic Council for De­vel­opment and Re­con­struction (PECDAR) www.pecdar.org, Pal­es­tinian Securities Ex­change, Ltd. www.p-s-e.com, Pal­es­tine Development and Investment­ Ltd. (PADICO) www.padico. com, Paltel Group. www.paltelgroup.ps, Tatweer Information Technology & Business Solutions www. progress.ps, Wataniya Palestine www.wataniya-palestine.com Directories, ISPs and Por­tals: Jaffa Net www.weino.com, Hadara www.hadara.ps, Al-Quds Network www.alqudsnet.com, Masader, the Palestinian NGO Portal www.masader.ps, Palseek www.palseek. com, Paleye www.paleye.com, Al Buraq www.alburaq.net, The Palestinian NGO Portal www.masader.ps Government: PLO Negotiations Affairs Department (NAD) www.nad-plo.org, PNA www.pna.gov.ps, Ministry of Higher Education­ www.mohe.gov.ps, Min­is­try of Indus­ ­try www.industry.gov.ps, Ministry of Education www.moe.gov.ps, Min­is­try of Health www.moh.gov.ps, Government Computer Center www. gcc.gov.ps, Orient House www.orienthouse.org Health and Mental Health: Augusta Victoria Hospital www.avh.org, Gaza Community Mental Health Programme www.gcmhp.net, Ministry of Health www.moh.gov.ps, Palestinian Counseling Center www.pcc-jer.org, Red Crescent Society www.palestinercs.org, Spafford Children’s Clinic www.spafford- jerusalem.org, UNFPA www.unfpa.ps, Union of Palestinian Medical Relief Committees www.upmrc.org, Bethlehem Arab Society for Rehabilitation www.basr.org, Palestine Medical Council www.pmc.ps Human Rights Organisations: Al Haq www.alhaq.org, Defence for Children International Palestine Section www.dci-pal.org, Human Rights and Good Governance Secretariat in the oPt www.humanrights. ps, LAW - The Pal­es­tinian Society for the Protection­ of Human Rights and the Environment www.lawsociety.org, The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights www.pchrgaza.org, BADIL www.badil.org, Women’s Affairs Technical Committee (WATC) www.pal-watc.org; www.pcc-jer.org Research and News: Applied Research Institute - Jerusalem www.arij.org, JMCC www.jmcc.org, PASSIA www.passia.org, MIFTAH www.miftah.org, AMIN www.amin.org, Al Quds www.alquds.com, Al Ayyam www.al-ayyam.com, WAFA www.wafa.pna.net, Palestine Wildlife Society www.wildlife-pal.org, 93.6 RAM FM www.ramfm.net, Ramallah on line www.ramallahonline.com, Ramattan Studios www.ramattan. com, Palestine Family Net www.palestine-family.net, Palestine Mapping Centre www.palmap.org, The Palestine Monitor www.palestinemonitor.org, The Palestinian Center for Rapprochement between People www.imemc.org, OCHA- The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs www.ochaopt.org, Englishpal www.englishpal.ps, Ma’an News Agency www.maannews.net/en Tourism: Ministry of Tourism www.travelpalestine.ps, Arab Hotel Association www.palestinehotels. com, Holy land Incoming Tour Operators Association www.holylandoperators.com, Diyafa Hospitality Management Consultants Group www.diyafa.ps, visitpalestine www.visitpalestine.ps Travel Agencies: Al­ter­native Tourism Group www.patg.org, Atlas Aviation www.atlasavia.com, Awad Tourist Agency www.awad-tours.com, Aweidah Tours www.aweidah.com, Blessed Land Travel www. blessedland.com, Crown Tours www.crown-tours.com, Daher Travel www.dahertravel.com, Guiding Star Map Source: PalMap - GSE www.guidingstarltd.com, Halabi Tours and Travel Co. www.halabitours.ps, Jiro Tours www.jirotours.com, Mt. © Copyright to GSE and PalMap of Olives Tours www.olivetours.com, Pioneer Links www.pioneer-links.com, Raha Tours www.rahatravel. Map source, designer and publisher: com, Ramallah Travel Agency www.kaoud.org, United Travel www.unitedtravelltd.com, Universal Tourist GSE - Good Shepherd Engineering & Computing Agency www.universal-jer.com P.O.Box 524, 8 Jamal Abdel Nasser St., Universities: Birzeit University www.birzeit.edu, An-Najjah University www.najah.edu, Al-Quds Bethlehem, West Bank, Palestine University www.alquds.edu, Al-Azhar University (Gaza) www.alazhar-gaza.edu, Arab American University Tel: +970 2 2744728 / Fax: +970 2 2751204 (Also +972) www.aauj.edu, Bethlehem University www.bethlehem.edu, Hebron University www.hebron.edu, The Islamic University (Gaza) www.iugaza.edu, Palestine Polytechnic www.ppi.edu [email protected] / www.gsecc.com / www.palmap.org

92 93 94 95 96 97 The Last Word Pandora’s Box It’s the evening of 23 September and President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minsiter Benjamin Netanyahu have just delivered their much anticipated speeches. Horse racing at Tormos Ayya. Unfortunately for Netanyahu, the forum for the speeches was before the entire world Photo by Ramzi Hazboun. as represented before the United Nations’ General Assembly; this was not the floor of the US Congress. The audience was not his “buddies.” Feeling out of place and even victimized, he did give it his best as he attempted to be theatrical, emotional, innocent-looking, and yes, even peace loving by extending his hand to our President; he did not miss out on the opportunity to lash out, even insult the United Nations, but his speech simply didn’t wash. No one believes him anymore; not even his people. But wait, I stand corrected; his “buddies” still do, rather have to pretend that they do - or else, they lose their seat! I have to admit though that I found the part in Netanyahu’s speech about the ancient ring in his office with the word Netanyahu quite interesting. Obviously, the intention is to leave the listener with the impression that his family’s name goes as far back as the age of that ring (a couple of thousand years). Although he does come from a fine family, it just turns out that Netanyahu’s original family name, till less than a century ago, was Mileikowsky and that all his grandparents were born in the (then) Russian empire; specifically Belarus, Lithuania and Poland. (I love Google!) President Abbas was collected and delivered a true and invigorating speech; he prevailed, hands down. It is no secret that Palestinians–along with at least four billion people supporting them–are very disappointed in the “yes we can” President Barack Obama, America’s policies towards the Middle East, and its shameless bias towards Israel. So much so in fact, that an idea was thrown on Facebook not too long ago, to start a page to “boycott American goods.” For whatever reason, the idea was never picked up, but interestingly enough, one sarcastic comment during the short debate was, “What, are you mocking the best government money can buy?” That’s the punch line guys: American politicians respond to the highest bidder! It’s rather sad, but just listen to Texas Governor Perry and you’ll know what I mean. Can someone explain to me why do we, Palestinians, have to achieve peace prior to becoming a member state at the United Nations? Did I miss something here? Didn’t Israel become a member state in 1947 prior to achieving peace with the Arabs? Not that they ever did, but what hypocrisy! And such double standards! American pressure on Palestinians has been unreal; one example is the threat to cut financial aid if Palestinians went ahead with their UN Bid. Well, the application was indeed handed in right before Abbas delivered his speech. Time will tell if the Americans will carry out their threat to cut funding. More importantly though, I hope Palestinians will learn a lesson and realise now why some entities refused to be recipient of USAID aid funding and won’t touch that double-edged political money. No matter what happens now, it’s goodbye to America as the “honest” broker of peace in the Middle East! President Carter suggested a few days ago that the European Union should take over that role. Personally, I’d go for Norway! Having their backs to the wall with almost nothing to lose, the Palestinians have succeeded in reshuffling the cards and opening Pandora’s Box. One thing is for sure now: there is no turning back now on Palestinian efforts to resolve and end occupation. Finally, I love how my brother ends his emails quoting Prof. Edward Said, “Why ‘Palestine? Because it is a just cause, a noble idea and a moral quest for peace.” Sani P. Meo Publisher