“Palestine will be a stable democratic state with a multi-party political On 20 December 1978, the United Nations General Assembly system. Transfer of governing authority is smooth, peaceful and adopted Resolution 33/143, which is the legal underpinning of regular, in accordance with the will of the people, expressed through the UNDP Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People free and fair elections conducted in accordance with the law. (UNDP/PAPP). The year 2008 marked 30 years of UNDP’s “The state of Palestine respects human rights and guarantees equal efforts, as called for by this resolution, “to improve the economic rights and duties for all citizens. Its people live in safety and security and social conditions of the Palestinian people…by establishing under the rule of law, safeguarded by an independent judiciary and concrete projects to that end.” professional security services… “Achieving our national goals depends on the adoption of the basic Based on UNDP’s vision as a global development network, the PAPP principles and practices of good governance throughout the public strategy of 2008–2011 aims to build a coalition of key partners on the sector, the private sector and civil society…. The basic aim is to meet ground to work with the Palestinian people to fulfill their vision the demand of our people for transparent, accountable institutions of a peaceful, sustainable, and equitable society, with a focus that deliver services, social development, economic growth, and on two major thematic areas: poverty reduction and democratic career opportunities free from favouritism and wastefulness. governance. Key cross-cutting dimensions such as environmental Achieving this goal requires commitment and determined effort from sustainability, capacity development, gender, and early recovery all corners of our society.” activities are addressed in all programmatic interventions. Through its strategy, UNDP/PAPP is firmly committed to ensuring Programme of the Thirteenth Government that all development activities respond directly to the priorities August 2009, Palestinian National Authority indentified by the Palestinian Authority as well as civil society institutions. UNDP/PAPP’s efforts focus on the areas vital to Palestinian well-being and socio-economic development, such as The United Nations Development Programme facilitating basic social services, infrastructure, agricultural and rural Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People will continue livelihoods, entrepreneurial skills, wastewater management, early to support the PNA and the Palestinian people in achieving their recovery coordination, public administration reform, and employment vision and ensuring national ownership of the process. generation.

For more information, please visit our website at http://www.undp.ps. Rule of Law and Good Governance ...... 4 Good Governance as a Centre of Gravity for Democracy ...... 8 Honour Crimes and Tribal Laws in Palestine ...... 12 This September did not start with full steam as in previous years due to the Police, Justice, Rule of Law for Palestinians…Who Cares? ...... 22 holy month of Ramadan, which was well under way. Hence, the morning rush USAID Helps to Strengthen Judicial Institutions ...... 24 hour was somewhat less intense, giving the impression that we were still in Codes of Conduct and Good Governance ...... 26 the lazy days of August. Palestine, in the meantime, had reverted to winter Corporate Governance ...... 28 time, which probably had something to do with it. The downside of this, though, Légistique in the Law-Making Process: The Palestinian Case ...... 32 was that it created a lot of confusion regarding appointments and schedules Unprecedented Development of the Palestinian Judiciary ...... 38 as we had to deal with two different time zones in such a tiny country. Luckily Paving the Way to Good Governance ...... 40 this lasted for only three weeks or so. Good Governance in the Water Sector...... 44 Now with the holiday of Eid El-Fitr over, I anticipate a return to the Favouritism in Palestinian Society Is Not Corruption ...... 46 usual, congested traffic, the kind that requires an hour for a ten-kilometre Al-Kasaba International Film Festival 2009 ...... 48 commute. Letters to the Editor ...... 49 In the Limelight ...... 52 The topic of this month’s issue of This Week in Palestine is an important Reviews ...... 58 and delicate one. As the Palestinian Authority is building its various state Events ...... 68 institutions, it is crucial that they be based on solid foundations that can Listings ...... 74-92 withstand the trials and tribulations of time. Transparency is an important Maps and Where to Go? ...... 93-97 element. It instils confidence in citizens vis-à-vis their public institutions and The Last Word ...... 98 other bodies. Transparency should not be limited to the public sector. It must Picturesque Palestine ...... 99 permeate the private sector as well. The rule of law is another crucial ingredient that must make its presence felt. It allows citizens to feel secure, with the knowledge that they have recourse to a higher governing body that treats people equally and restores their rights. Autumn has started and with it came a few unexpected – but highly welcome – showers. Does this foretell a wet winter season ahead? We certainly hope so. This issue of This Week in Palestine But don’t worry; we will still have plenty of warm and sunny days to enjoy before is sponsored by UNDP/PAPP the onslaught of the cold and rain. So make hay while the sun shines. The United Nations Development Programme. Tony A. Khoury Editor-in-chief

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Theme: Rule of Law and Good Governance Mahmoud Abu Hashhash Ibrahim Matar Cover: Taisir Masrieh Writer and art critic Development Consultant Dr. Rania Filfil Almbaid Najah Osaily The views of all the articles do not neccessarily reflect the views of the publisher. Freelance translator and writer Osaily Trading Contracting Co. 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, and its Emile Ashrawi Nidal Rafa advisory board as to the legal status of any country, territory, city, or area, or of the authorities thereof, or as to the delimitation of boundaries or national affiliation. Father and grandfather Journalist/Television Producer

2 3 the fulfillment of our commitments toward professionals often tend to feel distant Rule of Law and Good Governance our citizens….” from the courts and lawyers, for example, Critical Ingredients for Palestinian Statehood Given deliberate, but gradual despite being main beneficiaries. In improvements in advancing the rule this context, fulfilling justice does not By Boram Kim and Geoffrey D. Prewitt of law in the oPt, the development only mean dealing with laws and legal As globally acknowledged, rule of on breaches of international law and a process of the justice sector should be professionals, but also making the law is a precondition for sustainable number of international humanitarian law accompanied by national ownership and population understand what its legal peace and development. It is also and human rights violations in the context social acceptance. Ordinary people who rights and obligations are as well as those recognised that security and justice are of continued occupation, including those rely on the services provided by legal of the government by interacting vibrantly essential components in achieving the related to military incursions, settlements, rule of law. These variables – amongst obstacles to freedom of movement, the others – comprise the basic premise separation Wall and the demolition of UNDP/PAPP and the Justice Sector of good governance. Governance is houses.ii Some of these findings have not interchangeable with government. their legal basis in the 2004 decision of the UNDP/PAPP has supported and continues to support the Palestinian justice sector As defined by UNDP, “Governance is International Court of Justice in relation to through: the exercise of political, economic and the construction of the Wall in the West • Judicial training for judges, prosecutors and court administrators in partnership with administrative authority to manage Bank.iii The Special Rapporteur has also France, Japan, and USAID through the High Judicial Council and the Institute of [territorial] affairs. It [comprises] the insisted that future peace negotiations Law of Birzeit University; complex mechanisms, processes and and post-conflict recovery should be • Automation of Palestinian courts through the development and upgrading of a case institutions through which citizens and guided by international law. This, in turn, management system called Al MIZAN in partnership with Japan; groups articulate their interests, exercise warrants a thorough understanding of • Strengthening the capacity of the High Judicial Council in partnership with the their legal rights and obligations, and international law among the lawyers Netherlands and strengthening the capacity of the Attorney-General’s Office in mediate their differences.” From this and legal advisers involved in peace partnership with Canada; viewpoint, governance is understood negotiations and peace building. • Construction of courthouses in Jenin, Khan Younis and Nablus in partnership with to include a broad spectrum of issues, The occupation does not excuse that Japan. among which are the creation of there are numerous internal dynamics representative and transparent public within the oPt that continue to weaken In addition, in partnership with Sweden and based on a significant financial contribution institutions, civil society engagement, the judicial sector. These include, for from SIDA, UNDP/PAPP is in the process of expanding its efforts to promote the rule and broad consensus-building within example, fragmented jurisdictions of law by providing support to the Ministry of Justice and enhancing access to justice society. and blurred mandates of judicial and for marginalised and disadvantaged people across the oPt. In brief, governance in the occupied prosecutorial institutions; absence of UNDP/PAPP would like to acknowledge the support and generous contributions Palestinian territory (oPt) is marred, at a fully functioning legislature; different provided by all partners of the Palestinian justice sector. the base, by a lack of autonomy brought legal frameworks in the West Bank and about by the prolonged occupation. Gaza; limited capacity of judicial entities; The combined external impediments – and restricted access to justice at local historical, structural, and geographical, and grassroots levels. Although many etc. – and internal uncertainties – societal of these concerns are indirect causes fragmentation, limited civic engagement, of the occupation, several fall within the paralysis of the legislative body, etc. purview of the PNA and can continue to – have, singly and collectively, led to be improved. a governance dilemma. One of the It is encouraging to note that the recent causal outcomes of this dilemma has Programme of the 13th Government been a weakened justice sector and, (August 2009) seeks to redress all these subsequently, a fragile legal system. matters in its plan entitled “Ending the In a series of public opinion polls, Occupation, Establishing the State.” This Palestinians have consistently singled includes a clear description of sector out Israeli occupation as the major priorities, policies, and programmes. In threat to their security and the main addition, in the foreword, Prime Minister impediment to access to justice.i The Fayyad directly stresses, “The work United Nations Special Rapporteur on of our government will be guided by the situation of human rights in the oPt, international law and the precepts of John Dugard, has regularly reported good governance, as we work to ensure 4 5 with them. In doing so, inclusion of socio- the population with special needs. legal aspects is essential to trickle down Justice is about balance. The former the impact to the people at the grassroots UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan noted level and to strengthen a link between a in one of his speeches during his tenure: wide range of justice-service providers “Today’s real borders are not between and the citizens, including those from the nations, but between powerful and under-served communities, in particular, powerless, free and fettered, privileged women, children, youth, the elderly, and and humiliated.” To achieve this balance in the oPt, continued cooperation and coordination among key judicial institutions, continued comprehensive review of the legal and regulatory framework, including legal harmonisation, and the development of a robust legal aid mechanism that guarantees the right to justice and protection for all citizens are indispensable. And these efforts must be coupled with coordinated knowledge and resources by the international community under the guidance of the PNA. On the path to statehood, all citizens of the occupied Palestinian territory and all sectors of the society deserve equal protection under the law and unfettered access to justice. Many question how. Many point out that the occupation hinders achieving good intentions. However, let us remain hopeful, believing that a real change comes from the inside – inside each individual and inside each society. It was Nelson Mandela of South Africa who uttered the famous words, “Let there be justice for all. Let there be peace for all. Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all. Let each know that for each the body, the mind and the soul have been freed to fulfill themselves.”

Geoffrey D. Prewitt is Team Leader for the Governance and Poverty Reduction Teams as well as the Senior Governance Advisor, UNDP/PAPP. Boram Kim is the Programme Analyst for Rule of Law, Justice and Human Rights, UNDP/PAPP. The views in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of UNDP/PAPP or UNDP but those of the authors.

i. Palestinian Public Perceptions of Security Sector Governance, DCAF 2005, p. 8; Access to Justice in the oPt: Mapping the Perceptions and Contributions of Non-State Actors, UNDP/PAPP 2009, pp. 11–12. ii. Human Rights Situation in Palestine and other Occupied Arab Territories, report to Human Rights Council, 21 January 2008 (A/HRC/7/17). iii. Legal Consequences of the Construction of a Wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, ICJ, 2004. 6 state through the “diplomacy” of of good governance, accountability, Good Governance as a Centre of the Quartet. In recent years, they and transparency. Gravity for Democracy have taken some concrete steps Since its establishment, the toward solidifying the pillars of good NDC – or Markaz Tatweer – has By NGO Development Center/NDC governance while achieving some had as its goal the development Unlike many other developing actors as well as their relations with noticeable social progress. This and empowerment of civil society nations, the occupied Palestinian non-state actors.” achievement was part of a new trend institutions in Palestine. In July 2008, developed by the donor community territory represents a unique case After a decade and a half of the NDC reached an agreement with for discussing good governance in the early 1990s, whereby much of the Swiss Agency for Development the leadership of the Palestinian the funds were partially allocated to either in terms of the young Authority and the establishment of and Cooperation (SDC) on behalf of a Palestinian Authority, established help stimulate a good governance group of donors, including Denmark, a promising electoral system, one culture in Palestine, and ultimately, as a quasi state in 1994, or in light would argue that good governance the Netherlands, Switzerland, and of the increasing and complex roles to strengthen the very basis of Sweden, to establish and manage a is still a Palestinian national project Palestinian civil society organisations played by a host of international under construction as a gateway human rights and good governance governmental organisations (IGOs), and support them in their state- secretariat as an emerging NGO in toward genuine democracy. One of building endeavours. non-governmental organisations the reasons is the unsettled power the Territories, for an initial period of (NGOs), and various actors of relations and national leadership This trend has gained momentum 16 months. The main component of so-called civil society. Within this in forging harmonious and unifying along the way through the World its mandate is to manage the Human context, the interconnectedness governance in both the West Bank’s initiative (PNGO I and II Rights/Good Governance Program of these roles and cooperation (or Bank and the Gaza Strip. At the projects), which was directed to (HR/GG) and direct its activities lack of it) shapes, or more precisely, end of his tenure as secretary the NGO sector in the form of grant toward improving human rights controls the difference between good general of the United Nations, Kofi schemes and capacity building standards and good governance governance and bad governance. Annan emphasised that “without aimed to improve the effectiveness, practices in the West Bank and In its first report on the challenges of the rule of law and respect for self-reliance, and sustainability Gaza Strip through three specific governance faced by the fifty poorest human rights; without transparency of civil society. Subsequently, the components: channelling pooled nations in the world, “Governance and accountability; and unless unalloyed success of the projects donor funding; supporting coordinated for the Future: Democracy and governments derive their power has pinpointed the need for a and joint capacity-building initiatives; Development in the Least Developed legitimately, through the ballot box, permanent organisation to support and policy dialogue between HR/ Countries” (2006), the United Nations the path to prosperity is likely to be the NGO sector. In response to GG NGOs and donors. Therefore, concluded that “the commitment of more difficult, and gains could remain this need, the NGO Development the HR/GG Program aims to build those holding the levers of power can fragile and reversible.” Center (NDC) was established in and solidify the NGO sector’s level November 2006, as an independent of awareness and capacity to deliver make a crucial difference in terms Here arises a fundamental of promoting change and progress. NGO responsible for implementing services in Palestinian society. Within challenge of democratic capacity the PNGO III project, the third phase the politically contentious Palestinian Equally important are the quality and building among Palestinians as they scope of relations among all state of the World Bank initiative with a context, a major challenge remains: strive to establish their independent component focused on the issues how to assess the potential of

8 9 the NGO sector and maintain its evaluation, and strategic planning. sustainable role in the development It includes manuals, guidelines, process in all its dimensions. This and assessment tools to be used HR/GG initiative provides support as a reference for NGO compliance to the NGO sector in advocacy for with the principles of the Code of legal reform, public awareness- Conduct. In addition, a Technical raising concerning the national and Assistance Program has been international legal framework, and launched to provide 50 NGOs in capacity-building and/or reform of the West Bank and Gaza that have institutions. signed the Code of Conduct with On the other hand, the primary coaching and assistance in the role of the NDC includes the implementation of their development conceptualisation of modern plans. The NDC role, however, development models, programmes remains essential to the collective for developing NGO abilities, and local and international efforts to build activities designed to promote a strong and active NGO community good governance within the NGO in Palestine. These efforts are sector. In this regard and through a consistent with the national goal coalition of four Palestinian NGOs to promote good governance and – the NGO Network, the National participatory culture in a society that Institute of NGOs, the General Union is now standing at a crossroads on of Charitable Societies, and the its path to independence and self- General Union for NGOs – the NDC, determination. as the secretariat, led the coalition for Attempts on the part of the the development of the NGO Code NGO community to democratise of Conduct document, the first of Palestinian society will bear fruit its kind in the Arab countries, which in the future. The only way to sets out priorities and operational ensure a democratic Palestinian instructions for local NGOs to gain state, however, is to consolidate confidence and develop appropriate the efforts of all civil society good governance practices. The institutions, including NGOs, political code is made up of twelve principles parties, trade unions, and other and specifies the ground rules representative organisations. The needed to be observed by NGO need has never been stronger for a boards, administrations, and staff unity that goes beyond all political while fulfilling their tasks. This code affiliations, ideological tendencies, also reflects international standards and geographic divisions between of good governance including Gazans and West Bankers, elite transparency and accountability. and ordinary folks, and old and Although adherence to the code is young generations alike. As conflict solely voluntary, more than 510 NGOs resolution theorist Edward Azar have signed the Code of Conduct (1990) eloquently put it, “Peace is as an operational standard to be development in the broadest sense observed by their organisations. of the term.” Another initiative of the NDC, which Compiled by the NGO Development complements the Code of Conduct, is Center (NDC), an innovative Palestinian the NGO Resource Kit. It consists of non-profit organisation that empowers a set of learning resources and tools Palestinian NGOs to better provide vital on information management. The kit services to Palestinians living in the West is designed to broaden the utilisation Bank and Gaza. of good governance practices, For more information, contact info@ndc. self-assessment, monitoring and ps or visit www.ndc.ps. 10 Charge the violation to the violator, history the oral tribal system of crime representative and guarantor of the Charge the offence to the offender, and punishment has triumphed over transgressive tribe, labbas el-thob (literally But be compassionate lest (mankind) be cut off, canonical law. The millennia-old classical the one who dons the garment), he is Be merciful lest they be killed. dictum of punishing each individual for highly sought after to mediate and help The Epic of Gilgamesh, Mesopotamian Mythology his own crime, since the founding of Uruk resolve intertribal conflicts. in ancient Sumer, followed by the code of As we approach his home in downtown Honour Crimes and Hamurabi and the laws of the classical Dura I see the venerable sheikh in his monotheist religions, the halacha and By Dr. Ali Qleibo formal tribal costume already waiting to Tribal Laws in Palestine shari’a, have failed to supplant collective tribal punishment. Tribal law still thrives among the Semitic tribesmen and their descendants throughout the Arabian Peninsula and the Fertile Crescent, spilling over even into Turkic southern Anatolia. Tribalism is a totalising world view where rugged individualism is fostered within an authoritarian social system in dynamic cultural adaptation to an ecological niche. Underlying the concept of tribalism lurks the cultural perception of the individual as inseparable from the collective. The transgressions that one of its members would inflict on a member of another tribe would set off tribal conflict that may escalate to bloodshed. In a system based on total social solidarity it is not the individual transgressor who is punished, rather it is the entire tribe. The tribe members as a whole – past, present, and future generations – are implicated in each case of murder, theft, or honour crime. Time dissolves under the Over the past fifty years our landscape patriarchal tribal system, which strikes ruthless judgemental scrutiny of history has changed tremendously. Southern deep roots in the pre-Moslem Arabian welcome us under the hot blazing sun. Abu Ali Hantash, my contact in Dura, Palestine, once associated with cave culture (jahiliyyeh), has bequeathed us With gracious words and gestures I am introduced me to an extremely refined dwellers, shepherds, and Bedouins, has al-qanun al-asha’iri, tribal law. Though ushered in to the living room and given gentleman, Al-Sheikh Abed Al-Rahman changed. They have moved out of their Islam and shari’a (orthodox Moslem the seat of honour. The wall is full with Hijjeh, the previous mayor of Dura and caves and goat-hair tents into handsome law) superseded the pagan customary his photos shaking hands, hugging, and one of the leading tribal dignitaries in villas that sprawl over the mountains. Here laws, nevertheless al-qanun al-asha’iri kissing King Hussein, Arafat, King Abudllah southern Palestine. His great prestige and there we may still glimpse shepherds prevails; in fact both shari’a and civil II, Prince Hasan… had put him in close contact with the herding their flocks and children on laws are marginalised. From an urban royal court during the life of King Hussein, “Ramadan Kareem,” he said in reference donkeys on their way to school amidst perspective, on the one hand, the tribal and now Abdullah II. He heads and to the fact that the customary coffee, cold expansive fields of wheat. All the same, values and definition of crime, the criminal coordinates the official tribal visits on drinks or fruits with which a guest is shown the building fever escalates fuelled by the and the punishment are deemed archaic, special occasions to pay their respects to hospitality cannot be offered because of Palestinian dream of a villa at the edge yet it seems common sense and totally the Jordanian monarch. In short I was in Ramadan. of the countryside, with satellite dishes, meaningful to the majority of peasant, the presence of a traditional Palestinian “Allahu Akram,” Abu Ali and I answered Internet connections, cellular telephones, Bedouin, and a certain segment of urban nobleman whose charisma, experience, in unison. and a car. society. prestige, eloquence, diplomacy, and astute A moment of silence was followed with the Modernism remains a thin veneer. Palestinians in general chose to resolve perspicuity have elevated him to the most exchange of traditional greetings, general Despite the apparent globalisation their conflicts by recourse to al-qanun prestigious position of respectability and courtesies, and brief introductions. Palestine remains a bastion of traditional al-asha’iri in preference to both Moslem social credibility within the tribal tribunes I begin the interview. tribalism. The ancient pagan Semitic orthodox law and civil law. Throughout in both Palestine and Transjordan. As 12 13 The eyes of the others play a great role patterns of early tribal settlement in the in shaping and polishing Palestinian self- agricultural colonies into which the various image. Eyes desire, envy, covet, crave, later waves of settlers (be they Semites, spite, lust, love, hate, and judge. The Europeans, or central and eastern Asians) proverb, ma bihsid il mal illah as’haboh, were assimilated played a determinant which translates literally as “the owner role in establishing the contemporary envies his own possessions,” attests individual character of the extant clusters to the pervasive fear of the eyes. Even of Palestinian villages. loving eyes envy. The evil one (alwiswas al I had always been under the impression khnnas) lurks everywhere ready to prance. that the hamula is a subdivision of the tribe, Hence the need, when congratulating but my host, al-Sheikh Abed al-Rahman someone on a newborn baby, a new Hijjeh, insisted, “Al-asheereh and al- house, newly acquired goods, or any hamula are synonymous, interchangeable achievement, to add the talismanic word, words.” “Mashallah,” it is God’s will. Al-Sheikh elaborated, “Each asheereh As I listen to al-Sheikh Abed al-Rahman consists of innumerable extended families “Should a girl fall in love,” I ask my crime of honour has taken place, the tribe’s Hijjeh I picture a social geography wherein (a’ila) claiming a shared ancestry, and venerable 72-year-old host, “and should name has been sullied and can only be the “eyes” of the various tribesmen linked through the father’s male line. Each she become pregnant, what would be the revindicated through blood.” interlock as they scrupulously scrutinise extended family will generally include male response of her family?” each other, ever ready to find fault in first and second cousins, the women they “Who would execute the slaughter?” the other. In preparation each tribe must I had already explained to al-Sheikh marry, and the children of that union. “Her brothers, father, or uncles…and it project a faultless, impeccable image. Fear Female children who marry outside of the that I did not need the description of the must be done immediately.” He avoided of shame belies Arabic ceremonial, “Bella highly ritualised atweh visits in which truce hamula (and their children) then belong eye contact and looked straight through figura,” the formidable flawless ritualised to the other hamula. Their nasab, or (hudneh) between the victim tribe and the me. I persisted. manner of honourable conduct. The eye “criminal tribe” is sought. Rather I wanted “relationship in law,” will bind them to a “But how could they have the heart to kill of the other becomes the convex mirror to understand the logic underlying the tribal new hamula.” the daughter they love?” in whose reflection the tribe discerns concept of crime and punishment. While clans will always claim to have a “In these matters there can be no its identity; it circumscribes, delineates, “Before sunset the girl would have to be common male ancestor and are thus linked hesitation and no delay. No one may falter. and enlarges the tribe’s virtues and slaughtered.” He stared firmly through my by blood, it is often a fictitious claim, and The decision must be firm and immediate. shortcomings. surprised eyes. “To avoid imprisonment the boundaries of inclusion are historically They are prepared in advance for such “What is the difference between more fluid. by the police, the girl would invariably “asheereh” (tribe) and the “hamula” eventualities and the methods of response In a culture wherein over fifty percent be thrown inside a well, poisoned. Any (clan)?” I change the subject to ease are set in advance.” of the marriages are arranged between number of means would be used to make the tension. His hands instantly relax. the death look accidental.” “In the cases of ‘ird,” crimes of honour, patrilateral parallel cousins the clan is the the reputation of the entire tribe is at He readjusts his sitting position as he “What if the man offers to marry the main provider of spouses. In the absence stake. Hence the urgency to kill the girl,” welcomes with relief the new topic. girl?” of a central authority the clan provides Abu Ali added. “There is no difference; the hamula and security for its individuals. And as one “Too late, this would be mere patchwork As Abu Ali and I drove in Dura earlier the asheereh are one and the same,” he drives in the wilderness the elongated ... cosmetic.” that morning my attention was drawn to affirmed. rectangular pieces of land, marsaat, plots “But there are extenuating the sight of a scarecrow perched on top The tribal structure of the Palestinian of land for planting wheat, belong to clans circumstances…. And there is love and of a sand mound adjacent to a building countryside dates to ancient Semitic that distribute the use of land equally a mistake barely takes a few minutes.” site. The scarecrow looked odd. There settlement of Palestine when, over among their members. I look at his large hand with strong, long were no plants in sight and no vegetation five millennia ago, the early Hurrite Moving a few kilometres away from well-defined fingers folded firmly on his to be protected from the hungry birds and Canaanite tribal waves migrated Jerusalem, from the post-modernist lap. “How could parents kill their daughter … just barren land and a house under into Palestine. Arrangement by clans highly individualised individual culture and in cold blood?” construction. represents a form of social geographical into the countryside, I find myself in an “Depending on the stature and prestige I stopped the car and inquired. The and political organisation natural to entirely different socio-political geographic of the tribe the options vary. Some would construction workers explained: Semitic nomads, as may be observed culture. simply marry her off to her lover and forgive among the extant Bedouins of the Arabian “It is a fazza‘ah (a scarecrow) that the Once again I pick up the theme of honour her. Prestigious tribes, on the other hand, Peninsula and of desert-dwelling Bedouins owner has put up to ward off the evil crimes. must keep their social standing. Once the in the Fertile Crescent. Significantly the eye.” “What sequence of actions follow once 14 15 “Blood money is often not accepted,” Arab school children are taught the reiterated our host. history of the glorious early days of “What if the culprit is arrested and Islam and its battles against Jahilyyeh, imprisoned … wouldn’t that be sufficient the days of ignorance. We are warned punishment?” I inquire. that jahili Arabs were not only polytheist heathens but they also practiced the “The problem is not restricted to the abominable custom of wa’d el-banat, individual transgressor but includes the burying alive newborn girls to avoid entire tribe,” Abu Ali explained. future dishonour. Other jahili virtues “In order to retrieve the tribe’s dues, were extolled; hospitality, generosity, haq, justice, must be exacted from the gallantry… Every schoolchild knows of the whole tribe. It is a question of tribal honour legendary pre-Moslem Arab, Hatem el Ta’i, and in this sense the punishment remains who was caught unprepared by the arrival irreducible to individual culprits,” al-Sheikh of unannounced guests. Having neither patiently explained to me. food nor money Hatem killed his beloved “Honour is not an individual matter but a horse to offer a dignified meal – hospitality tribal matter,” added Abu Ali. being an Arab virtue. they kill off their daughter?” “In case of indemnity payments all “Now according to shari’a law the Throughout history tribal values remained members pay their dues, including the “Once the girl is killed the family of her murderer would be sentenced to death. at variance not only with orthodox Islam relatives in Transjordan and in the Arabian male partner sends tribunal envoys to However, the shari’a and state law punish but with centralised authority per se. Gulf,” Abu Ali added. begin negotiating blood indemnity, atwat only the perpetrator. In our law the tribe From early Roman times, we know of dam,” answered al-Sheikh. I had always been puzzled by the tribal as a whole shares the guilt and the the alliances between the Roman state, As I sat writing the article the sentence translation of punishment into economic punishment.” Al-Sheikh added, “Should Byzantium and the tribes on the fringes of sounded wrong. I called Abu Ali to terms. “Indeed,” I exclaim, “exacting there be a case of fraudulence, theft, and the desert, such as the Ghassanids who corroborate my notes. He affirmed the cash in return for a crime trivialises the faulting in payments of debts the court had their own kingdom. Striking alliances statement of al-Sheikh. punishment especially given that the entire case can drag on for innumerable years. with the various tribes ensured the loyalty tribe, which can number in the thousands, “Should they stall and not arrive promptly Tribal law on the other hand is much more of all the tribesmen to the state. participates in defraying the “bill.” their son would be killed.” decisive and faster. Within one month the The traditional state and tribes alliances The dignified sheikh nodded his head case would be settled and the claimant can To avert al-th’ar, socially ritualised and continue. The political role that the in approval but cautioned, “Not every have his money back. This is why people sanctioned revenge, underlies all social ashayer and hamayel play is instrumental tribe accepts to take the money of the turn to us. Tribal law is efficacious and forms of reconciliation, hudneh (truce) in promoting and protecting the modern indemnity: the hudneh merely specifies produces almost immediate results.” culminating with yom el-teeb, day of national state. By the same token tribalism the exact duration of the truce but does recovery, when peace between the tribes “What are the restraining measures that is also protected. The conflicts that not resolve the conflict. The hudneh must would be re-established. a tribe can exert on the individual?” ensue between the two legal systems lead to “yom el-teeb”; the day of clearance “The tribe is the home with a secure are endemic. “Meanwhile,” interrupted Abu Ali, “and of grudges, forgiveness, and literally of fence, it provides shelter and shade. All through the Fertile Crescent tribal throughout the hudneh both parties will recovery from the deep wound.” mutually avoid each other. The avoidance Should a member of the tribe be a law thrives. The day of forgiveness is usually relationship would be displayed even on (chronic) criminal, a thief, a rapist, he runs Honour crimes continue unabated. postponed endlessly; “A family whose the level of elementary school where the the risk of tashmis, being ‘sunned,’ i.e., son is killed connives, dodges, evades, children of families in conflict would not talk excommunicated from the tribe.” Dr. Ali Qleibo is an anthropologist, author, and in various ways defers yom el-teeb or come in contact with other members of Tashmis is a system of punishment and artist. A specialist in the social history final forgiveness when the blood money the tribe. They become socially invisible.” through banishment from the tribe. The of Jerusalem and Palestinian peasant is paid in remuneration for the committed image is eloquent. Within the tribe, culture, he is the author of Before the We cannot for a moment assume that crime.” Mountains Disappear, Jerusalem in tribal solidarity, affiliations, and bonds are shelter, security and shade are provided. “What they seek is personal revenge, the Heart, and the recently published exclusive to the desert or to a particular Within the confines of the tribe the th’ar…” The words flew almost involuntarily Surviving the Wall, an ethnographic cultural group of shepherds and peasants. individual is safe, secure, and comfortable. chronicle of contemporary Palestinians out of Abu Ali’s mouth. “They stalk the tribe Rather it includes the professional white- Once excommunicated the unremitting and their roots in ancient Semitic members of the criminal, they trail and tail collar tribesmen, who may be successful transgressor is thrown out into the sun civilizations. Dr. Qleibo lectures at Al- them. They prowl and lie in wait for the wealthy doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs, metaphorically which means that he has Quds University. He can be reached at opportune moment to take their haq, their and businessmen who have moved to no allies to protect him, give him work or [email protected]. right: to revenge.” a spouse. the city. Article photos by Ali Qleibo.

16 17

criminal justice system and deals Police, Justice, Rule of Law for Palestinians… with it as a whole, ensuring the Who Cares? By José Vericat presence of experts in every link of the chain. Six months is a long time for the members, 15 belong to the Rule of They are senior police officers, Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and one year Law section and 17 to the Field Adviser prosecutors, judges, prison directors, is an age. It may be a slight exaggeration, section. The mission, however, is still as well as defence lawyers and but for anyone involved or following growing in a race against time to achieve legal and human rights experts events it has a ring of truth. It is almost as much as possible while the volatile from seventeen different nations exactly a year since the Rule of Law political climate still permits it. capable of working both at the section was established, and though I After a decade of ESDP missions macro and the micro levels. The would not dare to say my colleagues throughout the world – the majority skills of our penitentiary experts, for look aged, they certainly appear weather- supporting police and rule of law – the example, allow them to advise on the beaten to me. EU was quick to realise that Palestinians organisational structure of the prison Since its origins EUPOL COPPS would not enjoy security and stability service as a whole, the syllabus of the has developed and transformed itself with an effective police force alone. To training course for prison staff, as well significantly – from the project of a United put it bluntly, that would only contribute as provide input into the design of the Kingdom governmental department for to the creation of a police state. future Jericho prison and the specific international development to a European Without improvements to the whole furnishings of an individual cell. Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) criminal justice system the efforts of the Logically, the first task we set Mission, from EU COPPS to EUPOL Palestinian police to put a criminal in ourselves in October 2008 was COPPS, from a dozen staff members to jail would go to waste. To use American to audit the whole criminal justice more than sixty today. One of the most terminology, that might lead to order but system, just as we had done one important changes, however, came not to law. year before for the civil police after about with the creation of the Rule of Law Of course, EUPOL COPPS has not the mission was reactivated in July section in October 2008, which turned been the first to realise this. For years 2007. Our audit, based on first-hand the whole enterprise into a police and the international community has provided information – interviews, visits, and justice mission. Changes have taken support to the Palestinian justice sector, obviously the original texts – has place so quickly that in some places and the Palestinians themselves have become a basic reference document not enough time has passed to be able done their utmost to provide justice for all actors in the justice sector. to incorporate them. The most external to their compatriots. Interested in not Numerous gaps were identified; example of this is the very name of replicating the efforts of others and aware however, one in particular became the mission: European Union Police of the bilateral support to each and all the the basic barometer by which we Coordinating Office for Palestinian justice institutions, the EU understood gauge the state of the justice system: Police Support, which does not reflect that there was a need to look for the the percentage of prison inmates the criminal justice element. chokepoints in the way each link of the who have not received their final The two operational sections of the criminal justice system was joined to sentences. It is using that same mission are the Field Adviser section the next. Thus, the unique contribution index that we can now, one year on, and the Rule of Law section. The former of EUPOL COPPS is its comprehensive measure significant improvements remains larger than the latter only by and, at the same time, focused approach. already palpable thanks to Palestinian a small margin. Out of the 63 mission The mission is solely devoted to the and international efforts. From approximately 90 percent, when we started our work, it is now down to little more than 70 percent. Progress indeed.

José Vericat, of Spanish origin, is spokesperson for EUPOL COPPS. He worked as press officer for EUBAM Rafah prior to his current posting. As a reporter he covered the Intifada and the Iraq War from Photo by Abbas Momani 2001–2006. 22 23 USAID Helps to Strengthen Judicial Institutions and Provides Opportunities for Young Palestinian Professionals to Gain Experience By Amal Hassan

Strengthening judicial institutions and work was also established in Hebron and enabling them to better serve the public Bethlehem and will soon be expanded is a key goal of USAID’s Rule of Law to other courts. Today, 32 interns have project known as Netham. In August been hired by Netham to work in both the 2007, the project launched an ambitious courts and the Ministry of Justice. programme to improve internal processes Establishing the actual workload – at Palestinian judicial institutions. and the backlog of cases – in these Netham’s intervention included renovating departments was a key priority of this the premises of the judicial departments initiative. In the civil judgment departments, to better accommodate the public and interns entered approximately 5,000 files to increase building efficiency. The work in Ramallah and 1,220 in Nablus. The also aimed to improve the departments’ majority of the work, however, was in the public image by helping to archive files notary public departments, with interns in an automated filing system thereby entering an astounding 60,248 files in allowing the public to easily access and Ramallah and 42,700 in Nablus. retrieve court cases and files. The public and legal professionals File archiving involves time-intensive have also noted the positive change. “In manual and electronic data entry. Keeping the past, I used to wait for one or two in mind the limited resources of the weeks before the judge responded to judiciary, Netham proposed that most of my applications. Because of the interns, the work be done by students and recent I can now receive a response to inquiries college graduates, who would be hired about files in a day or two, maximum,” as interns and benefit from the chance said attorney-at-law Amir Tamimi. to improve professional skills and earn The interns were selected from various modest compensation. After consultation areas of the West Bank, including Jenin, with the chief justice, who agreed to grant Tulkarem, Nablus, and Ramallah. “I the interns the right to access and file value this opportunity and believe it will court documents, Netham approached provide a bridge to professional life,” USAID’s Ruwwad Youth Empowerment said Intern Ayat Omar, who mentioned Project with the proposal to tap into its that she is keen to see more female database of youth volunteers in order to interns participating in this programme. identify potential interns. After a series Nour Eddin Salameh, a law school of interviews and tests, 15 interns were graduate from Bourqin Village in Jenin, is initially selected. Their task was to assist currently serving in the Ramallah Notary the departments’ personnel in unifying Public Department. He believes that this the filing system as well as archiving and initiative has strengthened filing system filing documents electronically. security for storage of critical documents Interns began work in the Ramallah and and has enhanced protection of citizens’ Nablus notary public departments, and civic and legal rights. after entering a significant portion of data on cases, some dating back to 1999, they Amal Hassan, Deputy Project Director, USAID-funded “Netham” Rule of Law were transferred to the Ramallah, Nablus, Program and Ms. Susan Coleman, Senior and Jenin civil judgment and notification Technical Advisor to the Supreme Judicial departments to share human resources Council, USAID-funded “Netham” Rule of and experience with other courts. Support Law Program. 24 Codes of Conduct and Good Governance

According to its 2007 International Palestinians, represented by the PNA, – CoCs provide guidelines for these the use of resources. Finally, it means Good Practice Guidance, Defining and have exercised state and institution values and principles for institutional that those in higher positions are held Developing an Effective Code of Conduct building. work, which therefore protect them from accountable for decisions as well as for Organizations, the International With this in mind, AMAN Coalition distortion. CoCs specify the professional meeting – or failing to meet – the goals Federation of Accountants offers the for Integrity and Accountability and and moral values needed for institutions of the institution. following as a working definition of CSO partners initiated the Code of and their employees. They define ideal As of today, six Palestinian codes codes of conduct: “Principles, values, Conduct as an operative mechanism professional behaviour, both in its general have been adopted by various sectors standards, or rules of behavior that for employees to be added to the and specific sense, help make the work or groups, which include the public guide the decisions, procedures and stand-alone bills that govern Palestinian environment transparent, convenient, sector, the private sector, NGOs, the systems of an organization in a way institutions. The initiative, in addition to and constructive for employees, and media, judiciary employees, and judges. that (a) contributes to the welfare of its the above-mentioned explanation of introduce citizens to the conduct Two more CoCs are in the planning key stakeholders, and (b) respects the PNA management, was based on the expected from their institutions. stages, one for the public prosecutor’s rights of all constituents affected by its findings of several studies, reports, CoCs also define relationships between office and the other for the security operations.” and opinion polls conducted by AMAN related parties; for example, those establishment. With the increase in demand for in the occupied Palestinian territories. between the board of directors (BoD)/ Although this may seem like a small good governance practices within These surveys and studies indicated administrative council and the executive step, Palestinian officials in governmental governmental and non-governmental that corruption is linked to behaviour body of an institution; between the and non-governmental institutions organisations worldwide, Arab countries and a lack of clear instructions and executive body and employees; between have shown great readiness to face in general and Palestine in particular information on good governance. CoCs the employees themselves; between the the challenges necessary in order to are facing many challenges in this area. offered a good solution for providing institution and its beneficiaries; between manage their institutions in accordance More and more pressure is placed on institutions with a set of standards and the institution and other institutions; and with international standards on good governments as well as civil society principles to work with while clarifying between the institution and its funders. governance by signing and adopting organisations (CSOs) to behave in an rights and responsibilities that would Furthermore, CoCs are a handy CoCs. However, before painting a perfect honest and accountable manner before create sound and consistent practices tool for providing guidelines for BoDs/ picture of Palestinians and Palestinian their stakeholders. One step towards within Palestinian institutions. administrative councils to adopt policies institutions, it should be acknowledged ensuring this is for institutions to adopt The main purpose of the code is to that prevent conflicts of interest. They that the signing and adoption of CoCs codes of conduct (CoCs) that would promote integrity and transparency also involve beneficiaries in the decision- is not an end in itself. AMAN, as well complement laws and bylaws which among employees, two important making process concerning related as signatories of CoCs realise that govern management of institutions. elements of good governance. According programmes and offer procedures that implementing and following up on this There are many different codes of to AMAN, the Code of Conduct is not ensure the right of the general public issue is the actual challenge. conduct for many different groups meant to introduce strict rules that limit to access information, along with other of professionals. However, all have or restrict employee behaviour but to functions. For more information on the Palestinian one common goal: to establish good ensure that employees observe certain An institution that adopts a code Codes of Conduct cited in this article, governance as a principle. fundamental values that are required please visit AMAN’s website, www.aman- of conduct commits to financial and palestine.org. In the Palestinian case, many CoCs while performing their jobs and to administrative transparency. This were developed for various sectors. These evaluate the extent to which employees means committing to openness, AMAN–Coalition for Integrity and CoCs were developed in participation meet the code’s criteria. transparency, and integrity with regard Accountability, “Transparency Palestine,” with relevant parties. For example, CoCs are adopted voluntarily by the to the organisation, its mission, its is a civil coalition of five prominent NGOs themselves participated in the institutions. The premise on which this policies, procedures, and activities. NGOs that aim to ensure sound public development of the NGO CoC. The idea is based is that a person’s conscience It covers all levels of management in management, transparency, and of developing CoCs was a consequence is an effective internal tool that functions a way that allows for inquiry by the accountability in response to the pressing of lessons learned over 15 years of in accordance with the moral values public and all other relevant parties. need for enhancing and fostering a system Palestinian National Authority (PNA) of good governance and democratic instilled in and taught to us from It also means that the institution must culture in Palestine. Since establishment management of institutions. In looking birth by parents, teachers, religious pledge its commitment to financial and in 2000, AMAN has committed itself to back, one might say that institutions teachings and practices. When adopted administrative accountability, which combat corruption, which significantly could have been run differently, but in by institutions – or, more accurately, entails the existence of mechanisms undermines human development and all fairness, this is the first time that the individuals responsible for institutions within the institution for reporting on human security.

26 27 recent modern financial crisis, it is dealings with investors and creditors, Corporate Governance becoming more challenging to attract helps to prevent systematic banking By Layali H. Abdeen sufficient levels of capital. Investors crises even in countries where most nowadays are demanding evidence firms are not actively traded on stock Corporate Governance was long ignored private use; and 3) provide the measures that companies are run according markets. as a matter of potential importance for the to monitor managers’ behaviour to ensure to sound businesses practices that 4. Countries with strong CG protection for development policy issue. After the Wall corporate accountability and provide for minimise the possibility of corruption and minority shareholders have much larger vi Street Crash in 1929, legal and economic a reasonable cost-effective protection of mismanagement. and more liquid capital markets.vii scholars, such as Adolf Berle, Eugene investors’ and society’s interest.iv CG helps companies and economies As illustrated, the major role of CG is Fama, and Kathleen Eisenhardt, began attract investments and strengthen to help increase the flow and lower the their endeavours in corporate governance the foundation for long-term economic Why Corporate Governance Matters? cost of the financial capital that firms concepts. But it wasn’t until the wave of performance and competitiveness in need to finance their investment in real CEO dismissals in the United States and In today’s globalised economies, several ways: assets. McKinsey & Company research increased shareholder activism in the first companies and countries with weak 1. CG attacks the supply side of the on investors’ perception regarding half of the 1990s, followed by the East corporate governance systems are corruption relationship by demanding CG indicates that governance is of Asian financial crisis in 1997–1998, and likely to suffer serious consequences transparency in corporate transactions, at least equal importance to reported those that erupted in Russia and Brazil, above and beyond financial scandals v accounting and auditing procedures, financial performance, and that investors that drew attention to “crony capitalism”i and crises. The main result will be the purchasing, and all individual would be willing to pay a premium for and its perceived relationship to poor inability to expand internationally and transactions. companies that exhibit strong governance local corporate governance practices in attract new capital. Such failure to attract 2. CG procedures improve the procedures. several emerging markets.ii adequate capital could jeopardise the very existence of individual firms thus affecting management of the firm by helping entire economies, where operating firms firm managers and boards to develop Emerging Markets and Corporate But What Is Corporate Governance? would lose their competitiveness. a sound company strategy. Governance According to OECD (Organisation for Thus, within the context of the entire 3. A strong system of CG, through Most emerging economies’ market Economic Co-operation and Development) adopting standards of transparency in institutions are weak. In addition, most Principles, corporate governance (CG) of them suffer from a concentration of governs the relationships between the ownership within a limited number of people who manage corporations (known shareholders (known as “blockholders”). as insiders) and all others who invest viii Thus instituting corporate governance resources in corporations in the country. in developing and emerging markets Corporate governance includes both requires more than merely exporting private and public institutions. Sir Adrian well established models of corporate Cadbury, from the United Kingdom, governance that function within the defines CG as “the system by which developed economies. Special attention companies are directed and controlled… needs to be given to establishing the Boards of directors are responsible for necessary political and economic the governance of their companies. The institutions that are tailored to a country’s shareholders’ role in governance is to specific needs and that give corporate appoint the directors and the auditors to governance some power. Many codes, satisfy themselves that an appropriate such as that of the OECD, and even the governance structure is in place.”iii drafted Palestinian code fail to address The basic purpose of CG is to: 1) some vital corporate governance issues, enhance the performance of corporations especially those concerned with the by forming and maintaining incentives that unlisted companies, many of which are motivate corporate insiders to maximise largely family owned. firms’ operational efficiency, return on Furthermore, corporate governance in assets, and long-term productivity growth; emerging economies extends far beyond 2) limit insiders’ abuse of power over resolving the problems that stem from corporate resources, whether such abuse the separation of ownership and control. takes the form of insiders’ asset stripping Emerging economies are constantly or allocating corporate resources for their confronted with issues such as the lack

28 29 of property rights, the abuse of minority for the related institutions; however, simple shareholders, contract violations, asset measures could be adopted in the Palestinian stripping, and self-dealing.ix market to increase the compliance with the Thus the key point for emerging drafted Palestinian code of governance: economies is that corporate governance 1. For listed companies, there should be a should be instituted by both the public detailed section in their annual reports and private sectors, and the rules of the regarding their corporate governance codes should be binding on all. practices, and each company should be required to place a section on their website that relates to corporate governance. This Palestine and Corporate Governance section would reveal each company’s Palestine has been active in its educational corporate governance procedures, its programmes with regard to corporate largest shareholders, and its board-of- governance and its importance to both the directors holdings. In addition, and in order private and public sectors. The code of to create incentives for the companies to corporate governance was drafted in 2008 abide by the CG codes, the exchange should by the Palestinian Capital Market Authority, offer annual rewards to the companies that the Palestinian Securities Exchange, and a exhibit high scores on evaluations. number of related institutions, in addition to 2. For listed and unlisted companies, the including some of the corporate governance BOD should include at least one or two terms (especially those designed to protect independent directors (who have no shares price-sensitive information and minority in the company), who would act as a neutral shareholders) in the exchange regulations or party on the board. even banking regulations. 3. Minority shareholders should be represented Corporate governance should be one of on their company’s boards (and this should the pillars in the strategy to attract foreign be obligatory, not voluntary). direct investments to the country and to counterbalance the high risks associated with It can be concluded, therefore, that investing in Palestine (political and economic enforcement measures have proved to be instability). This should be emphasised through more effective if implemented by the market enforcing the corporate governance code on rather than the judiciary. listed and unlisted companies, the latter being the majority in the Palestinian market. Layali Abdeen, MA in Economics from Birzeit University, and currently is the Many studies have proved that corporate Investor Relations Manager at PADICO. governance enforcement is a difficult task Email: [email protected]

i A term describing a capitalist economy in which success in business depends on close relationships between businesspeople and government officials. It may be exhibited by favouritism in the distribution of legal permits, government grants, special tax breaks, etc. ii Morck, R. and L. Steier, “The Global History of Corporate Governance: An Introduction,” NBER Working Paper 11062, 2005. iii Cadbury, A., “Report of the Committee on the Financial Aspects of Corporate Governance, Gee Publishing, London, 1992. iv Omen, C., Fries, S. and W. Buiter, “Corporate Governance in Developing, Transition and Emerging-Market Economies,” OECD Development Centre, Policy Brief 23, 2003. v Centre for International Private Enterprise, Instituting Corporate Governance in Developing, Emerging and Transitional Economies: A Handbook, 2002. vi Coombes, P. and S. Wong, “Investor Perspectives on Corporate Governance: a rapidly evolving story,” McKinsey & Co., 2004. vii Centre for International Private Enterprise, Instituting Corporate Governance in Developing, Emerging and Transitional Economies: A Handbook, 2002. viii La Porta et al, “Corporate Ownership around the World,” NBER Working Paper 6625, 1998a. ix Coombes, P. and S. Wong, ibid. 30 launched by the PA in certain fields Légistique in the Law-Making Process: and abandoned in others due to a de The Palestinian Case By Jamil Salem facto, intrinsic incapability or inability of implementation have generated a “At the present as well as at any distorted system that obstructs real other time, the centre of gravity of legal reforms that pave the way to building development lies not in legislation, nor in the “State” and developing a unified juristic science, nor in judicial decision, Palestinian legal system. but in society itself.” Eugen Ehrlich In the legislative field, the PA was The applied science of legislative concerned with building legislative drafting (légistique) is subject institutions that aim to unify and to extended discussion by legal modernise the legal system. Thereby practitioners, in general, and the legal the Palestinian legislative process is community in Palestine, in particular. supposed to meet public expectations Drafting bears a significant effect on and needs related to emancipation legislation. Irrespective of legislative from the Israeli occupation as well as drafters’ high level of accuracy and its respective legislative and political clarity in developing a legislative consequences in all societal fields. policy of a certain item of legislation, Within this framework, the legislative expressions of such legislation would process should also guide relevant not be clear unless drafters fully activity towards state building. Despite master components of outstanding the fact that it has taken place over a legislative drafting. Drafting is the tool decade and a half of the legislative that reflects the content of a piece activity, such a goal still poses a of legislation, including orders and challenge to the legislative authority prohibitions. and the political level in the Palestinian According to various studies case. On the other hand, the legislative published in the field of legislative institutions themselves seem to face drafting, legislation in Palestine lacks unprecedented crises of legitimacy, a clearly demarcated legislative policy especially after the political division and societal strategy. Most often, between Fatah and Hamas. the Palestinian legislative process is In the year 1995, Law No. (4) was converted into a merely haphazard, issued which specifies the PA’s powers unplanned endeavour. Moreover, In an article titled “Palestinian and responsibilities to promulgate many pieces of legislation were Law: Social Segmentation versus primary and secondary legislation. enacted as a reaction to a certain Centralization,”i Botiveau considers In addition, this law prescribes the incident, to meet a need arising from the situation of Palestinian law as of religious laws and positive law, in procedures for promulgating legislation a particular obligation, or to avoid an unique and is described, first of all, addition to an extremely complex legal prior to the establishment of the external criticism or undesired attitude. in terms of diversity and plurality. The environment that comprises a mixture Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC). Other causes have compelled the Palestinian state does not formally of historical legacies associated with During this phase (until 1996), the legislature to promulgate specific items exist, however Palestinians have several political regimes from the legislative power was in the hand of of legislation, thereby rendering a large achieved a level of social organisation Ottoman period to the current day. the executive. Although PLC members number of regulations inapplicable capable of drafting and enacting Under all these constraints, the were elected in 1996, Law No. (4) (so called dead-letter legislation). their own laws. The challenges are Palestinian Authority (PA) was of the year 1995 remained the main Furthermore, the autonomy of the tremendous for drafting, developing, established with powers that did not source for regulating the preparation legislative field and its ability to and unifying Palestinian laws. There manifest any form of sovereignty. of legislation until today. produce norms according to its own is a duality of legal orders with the Only within a limited scope can the According to the aforementioned definitions and needs are challenged separation between the Gaza Strip PA administer territories transferred law, the Diwan al-Fatwa wa’ Tashri’ in the Palestinian context by the and the West Bank, a dichotomy to it. From the onset, the PA has not (the Bureau of Legal Counsel and growing involvement of certain actors between the Palestinian regulations thus been able to manage the reform Legislation – hereinafter Diwan) is in formulating laws and using law as and Israeli military orders, and a legal process except within limits prescribed the authority responsible for drafting an instrument of colonial hegemony. duality represented in the coexistence by the Oslo Accords. As such, reforms pieces of legislation submitted by 32 33 relevant ministries and the Council cases based on a request from the impacts expected by the proposed curricula were designed in order of Ministers. On the other hand, the Secretariat General of the Council of legislation; the necessity to address to advocate new directions and PLC Legal Committee drafts items Ministers. The Diwan also publishes the problems in question through the methods for drafting legislation of legislation presented by PLC approved legislation in the Official draft legislation; the financial cost and to explore “new perspectives members and relevant committees Gazette that can be freely accessed associated therewith; expedient on law to allow a breakout from (all in accordance with Law No. (4) through the legislative database (Al- resources for the drafting and the claustrophobic world of legal of 1995 as well as PLC Standing Muqtafi).ii enforcement of the prospective law scholarship”iii by not only focusing Orders). Roles between the Executive Following the crisis in the Gaza Strip, or bylaw; and the timeline needed on legislative drafting techniques as Authority (through the Diwan at the however, the PLC was paralysed to draft and finalise the draft law. an end in itself but in connection with Ministry of Justice) and the PLC and the role of the Diwan has been However, researchers at the Institute fundamental questions about law’s (through the PLC Legal Department) limited. Currently, the Diwan primarily of Law in cooperation with several nature, sources, and consequences are, therefore, intertwined. This fact publishes enacted regulations. In legal advisers from various ministries as a social phenomenon. Ultimately, it caused major disputes between the November 2007, a Higher National concluded that defects still impair the is hoped that Palestinian policy makers executive represented by the Council Committee for the preparation of drafting of legislation in Palestine in and drafters of new regulations will of Ministers and the Diwan and the Legislation Plans was established both formal and objective terms. Some possess the tools to reduce the legislature represented by the PLC based on the Decision of the Council of items of legislation lack legislative complexity of the Palestinian legal Legal Committee. Ministers No. 1 (2007). Legal advisers harmony as well as contravene system and make society itself, in However, all draft laws prepared at legislative departments of most Ehrlich’s words, the centre of gravity of legal development.

Jamil Salem is working as a researcher and program manager at the Institute of Law - Birzeit University. His research areas are in the field of legal theory, history of law, socio-legal studies, IT and law, and the development of legal databases.

i Dupret Baudouin, Maurits Berger, and Laila al-Zwaini (eds.), Legal Pluralism in the Arab World, Kluwer Law International, 1999. ii Al-Muqtafi can be accessed from the following website: http://muqtafi2.birzeit.edu/en/index.aspx. by the Diwan and/or the PLC Legal ministries, including the ministries provisions under the Palestinian “Al-Muqtafi” currently includes: Committee, will at the end be submitted of planning, justice, information, Basic Law. Other pieces of legislation - A bibliographic database containing reference details of all legislation enacted in Palestine over to the PLC. Hence, unified standards etc., are members of the Higher mostly suffer shortcomings in drafting. the past 150 years, including status and relations should be in place so as to govern National Committee. In the course of The Institute of Law examined the between them (currently about 12,000 pieces of the technical drafting of laws in the developing the Legislative Plan, these content of different enacted legislation legislation) - Full text of all laws in-force published in the PA. These standards bear a special ministries play the following roles: as well as studied all aspects of Palestinian Authority’s “Palestine Gazette” and significance as they help various 1. Ministries and governmental the legislative process, both on the from other periods (around 5,000 pieces) authorities reach consolidated results legislative level (legislation passed by - Full text of legal documents relating to Palestinians agencies submit to the relevant (local, regional, and international – including UN) when they draft pieces of legislation. body proposals for draft laws and the PLC) and on the executive level during various historical periods (including the Unified standards assume further bylaws, according to which they (secondary legislation issued forth by post-Madrid era) - Facsimile images of all referenced legislation as importance because they constitute intend to carry out their assigned the Executive). captured from original sources a single work methodology that is tasks. Explanatory notes and reports To devise solutions to problems - Descriptors (keywords) for each article in commonly shared between the two will also be presented along with the impairing the process of legislative legislation in-force (some 48,000 articles) official authorities responsible for proposed draft laws and bylaws. drafting in Palestine, the Institute - Internal “dictionary” composed of cross-references legislative drafting. of various terms in Arabic and English 2. Explanatory notes should provide of Law has developed a Diploma - Approximately 23,000 court judgements with Although various bodies are drafting justifications for giving the priority to Programme in Legislative Drafting, bibliographic details, legal principles, and legislation, the Diwan is considered the first of its kind in the Middle East. commentary. the presented draft laws and bylaws. iii Cotterrell, Roger, “Subverting Orthodoxy, Making Law to be the main body for managing the These should also elaborate on the Along with Cotterrell’s thoughts on Central: A View of Sociolegal Studies,” Journal of Law legislative drafting process in most social, economic, and political interpreting law sociologically, the and Society, 29 (4), 632–644, 2002.

34 35

Unprecedented Development of the Palestinian Judiciary Chief Justice Issa Abu Sharar The Palestinian Judicial Authority development of the judiciary is centrally, thus raising the efficiency of independent authority. However, we (PJA) has already accomplished seen in the increasing number of the courts in case adjudication. Work believe that optimal independence much, and it is currently passing adjudicated court cases. During the is being undertaken to develop these is still lacking. The nature of judicial through an unprecedented past year the judiciary managed computer programmes. work in terms of resolving conflicts development stage. This process to bring about a balance between The fifth indicator involves the between individuals on the one hand, of development started at the end the number of incoming cases and continuous efforts of the Judiciary and individuals and administrations on of 2000, following a seven-year adjudicated cases, in spite of the Authority to provide the most the other, requires the existence of an period of extreme difficulty. The increase in incoming cases, which conducive environment for litigation. independent and neutral judicial body second Intifada broke out and the totalled 77,515, an increase of 48 We can talk about the existence of that has its own separate budget. Israeli military forces demolished percent compared to last year. four typical courts in the West Bank We must develop mechanisms the constituents of the Palestinian The second indicator concerns the districts of Nablus, Jenin, Jericho, whereby donors would be willing Authority, segregated the Palestinian enhancement of internal monitoring and Bethlehem. The expansion of to aid the judiciary without causing territories, and restricted movement. of the functions of the judges courts in other districts is also taking any decrease in its independence. Moreover, the elections took place and judicial departments through place, and we hope that the building Millions of Euros and dollars have in 2006 and the Hamas victory was activating the role of the Judiciary of new courts in all districts will begin been spent in support of the judiciary, followed by an international embargo Inspection Department, reinforcing soon. but the judiciary has experienced on the Palestinian Authority. What very limited and modest benefit the capacities of judges in case Furthermore, the Judiciary also paralysed the operation of the from the projects funded by donors. management, and upgrading the Authority is making new judicial judiciary in Palestine was the strike In fact, much of the money that was competence of judges by offering and administrative appointments held by public officials working in supposed to support the judiciary has them training courses organised by in order to meet the needs of the the institutions of the Palestinian been wasted, and many attempts the High Judicial Council. courts. The new judicial year started Authority. In 2007 Palestinian society have been made to interfere in the The unceasing efforts to in September 2009 in all West Bank experienced division following affairs of the judiciary. institutionalise the High Judicial courts when 146 of 190 judges Hamas’ military control of the Gaza Council constitute the third indicator. working in the West Bank and Gaza The Palestinian judiciary has matured Strip, including Palestinian courts. New departments, administrations, Strip began their work. The judiciary and has no need for guardians; all it As a result, judges in regular courts and institutions have been is still in need of more judges, needs is aid and assistance to were excluded and prevented established, and they cooperate however. complete its development. We need from performing their duties and to amend some legislation, such as among themselves and with the The last indicator shows increasing responsibilities. the Judicial Authority Law, in order to High Judicial Council in managing public trust in the Palestinian Judiciary This difficult period came to an provide judges and the High Judicial the affairs of the Judicial Authority. Authority. According to statistics from end in 2007, and the Palestinian Council with more efficient tools that There are now competent bodies the Palestinian Central Bureau of government, headed by Dr. Salam would help to further the development and departments such as courts Statistics and a survey conducted by Fayyad, responded to the needs of the judiciary. In this respect, I management, judicial training, judicial the Judiciary Council, the public has of the High Judicial Council hope that all those concerned would inspection, strategic planning, media developed much trust in the judiciary. and managed to rescue judicial endorse the legislation proposed by and public relations, IT, the general In addition, the Judiciary Authority has institutions from collapse. It was the Judicial Council, especially the secretariat of the judicial council, the strengthened and organised relations clear to the government that an legislation pertaining to the General technical office, and the head of the with the civil society by signing a independent judicial authority had to Amnesty Law and the Formation Judicial Council Office. memorandum of understanding with be established. During the next two of Courts Law, as well as other In addition, a fourth indicator of civil society institutions. Stronger years (2008–2009) the development procedure laws. The amendment the development of the Palestinian relations have also been established of the Palestinian judiciary was of these laws has already been judiciary is the policy of automation with the media, and memos were launched in an unprecedented approved by the Judicial Authority of courts. Computer programmes that sent to heads of courts requesting manner, and a new period of and the High Judicial Council. have been distributed to courts will that they facilitate court access for resuscitation and revival began. facilitate better adjudication of court journalists and reporters. There are several indicators that Chief Justice Issa Abu Sharar is the Head cases and enable us to review the We are proud of the achievements point to the development of the of the High Court and the Palestinian status of cases and adjudicate them of the Palestinian Judiciary as an Judicial Council. Palestinian judiciary. First, the 38 39 Paving the Way to Good Governance

By Zackaria Sabella

It is widely argued that democracy, as drawn up to tackle every component of Emphasising the importance of good a political system, cannot be imposed governance reform in Palestine. Two governance and the rule of law for on societies but is rather a process that such programmes deal with reform Palestine has encouraged many donors is birthed from within a society out of and transformation in the security and to pledge substantial resources towards conviction, freedom, and auto-critique. justice sectors, whereas the remaining governance reform. Active sector working It could also be argued that democracy three aim to improve the accountability groups, including one for justice and one carries with it certain responsibilities of local government, as well as the for security, meet periodically to conduct and challenges that have to be met in efficiency, effectiveness, openness, coordinated policy dialogue and monitor order to safeguard the welfare and best and accountability of the national programme implementation. In addition, interest of the society. We, in Palestine, government. the government’s legislative plan and are pursuing such responsibilities The efforts to improve the quality its implementation mechanism provide with steadfast determination and the of life in Palestine and to ensure an a clear framework for the legislative realisation that the declaration of our investment-friendly environment would and reform agenda. The commitment state would not materialise without be seriously undermined without a well- of the PNA to succeed in the integrated the needed democratic foundations in designed and applicable governance planning and budgeting process along place. strategy in place. This calls upon all with increased financial control has This is exactly why the Palestinian the relevant institutions to strategically vastly improved public finance, and National Authority (PNA) is pushing expand their way of thinking from an as a result, donor confidence towards towards more integrated planning and institution-based approach to a more providing more direct budget support. budgeting as manifested in documents sector-based approach that focuses Yet, amidst all the positive moves that such as the Palestinian Reform and more on the collective well-being. have been undertaken to ensure success Development Plan (PRDP), which Consequently, and for the first time in the governance sector, there are many was drawn up two years ago. The aim in Palestine, the PNA institutions will challenges that still lie ahead. The Israeli of this integrated planning process is be working jointly to develop sector- government continues to disappoint to try to consolidate national efforts wide strategies to guarantee a more in the fulfilment of its commitments towards setting achievable development structured, more holistic, and more to more freedom of movement and objectives and polish the Palestinian organised development and reform fewer restrictive measures. Movement national agenda. The overarching aim process, while trying to minimise the restrictions continue to hamper work is to start a coherent national process gap between work at the policy level in the governance sector, and the with clearly set targets, in which we and the more technical programme lifting of these restrictions is vital are constantly asking ourselves, “Are implementation. in order to ensure that the judicial we there yet?” inducing a culture of What we are striving to accomplish is and security personnel can carry out constructive self-criticism for the sake of a system of democratic governance in their duties unhindered and that the improvement. The PRDP is strategically Palestine that will be characterised by prisoners and investigation materials dissected into four main sectors of work respect for the rule of law, the separation can be transferred easily, as required, that cover every possible area of life yet synergy of judicial and executive throughout Palestine. in Palestine: economy, infrastructure, powers, the protection and preservation Internally, the absence of the social development, and governance. of human rights, and the efficient and Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) Success in each of the aforementioned adequate delivery of services to the continues to be a major impediment, sectors is interdependent and crucial for Palestinian public. If such a system is as many of the legislative, jurisdictional, a better Palestine; however, success implemented in Palestine, coupled with and constitutional issues pending in the governance sector is widely a modern and stable legal framework resolve are directed to the cabinet for considered the most vital and most and honest and transparent institutions, intervention. There are also worries that challenging of all. Due to the intricacy then this will certainly be considered a the continued political instability and of the sector and its composition, five monumental leap towards establishing the lack of unity resulting from the factional carefully designed national programmes envisioned democratic, business-friendly, divide between Hamas and Fatah will with clearly defined objectives have been and politically stable Palestinian state. result in two separate governance High Court in Nablus 40 41 systems. This, in turn, will deal a blow be a well-designed monitoring and to the current efforts to modernise and evaluation system that will follow up unify existing legislation which is now on the work being done in order to outdated and comprised of Ottoman, pinpoint chokepoints and highlight British, Egyptian, Jordanian, Israeli, possible areas of intervention on the and Palestinian legislation. It is crucial political level. Thirdly, the economic that political unity be nurtured in order situation has to be improved by to ensure sustainable governance providing more incentives for investors and legislative reform in Palestine; and businesses. Fourthly, the Israeli otherwise, all efforts will be in vain. government has to be coerced into In addition, there is a need to try to honouring its commitments to lift revamp the poor infrastructure of the movement restrictions and allow for governance-sector institutions. If the the socioeconomic cycle to take its principles of good governance and the natural course. And finally, we have rule of law are to be efficiently applied in to cling to the belief that as long

Internal view of the High Court in Nablus

Palestine, then the proper infrastructure as we keep the best interest of our should be set in place to withstand the beloved Palestine at heart, then we future reform ambitions. can succeed in our efforts to make it All in all, the success of the a better place in which to live. governance-sector reform is dependent on a list of factors. First and Zackaria Sabella is a member of foremost, the improvement of inter- the PRDP governance team at the Ministry of Planning and Administrative institutional coordination is imperative Development. He holds an MSc in for a successful reform process. The Project Planning and Development Policy sector institutions should be aware that Analysis from the Centre of Development they are the pillars on which the reform Studies of the University of Glasgow. process will be built and this calls for a more collective and harmonised Article photos courtesy of UNDP/PAPP work ethic. Secondly, there should photo archive. 42 Good Governance in the Water Sector By Rania Filfil

Water evokes life. It is this vital source to waste? that we – humans and other living What do you know about the things – need in order to continue living. water situation in the Palestinian In theory, water is a self-regenerating territories? element: it is produced and reproduced Water remains a final-status issue in the in a perfect cycle. We are now using the protracted political negotiations for a same waters used by dinosaurs many peaceful settlement of the Palestinian- years ago. This is nature’s blessing. Israeli conflict; water rights, shared with However, human activity has disrupted the Israelis, have not yet been clarified. this cycle and contaminated many of This means that Israel continues to the water resources on the globe. And control all Palestinian water. It is selling with the climatic changes, the situation us our share of water through the is even gloomier. Mekorot Company and the tap is less We need, therefore, to ensure “good and less generous. Settlements are Palestinian water tanks destroyed by settlers in Hebron. governance” or sound management built on the very source of water, and of this essential element. Water is no we, the Palestinians, are at the mercy to suffocate you with official statistics. ground water that is extracted from longer taken for granted. We must act of ruthless colonisation. Not many people will understand wells and springs and water purchased to preserve it for our generation and “The water crisis has started early this figures about rainfall or available water from the Israeli Water Company, generations to come. Of course, the year in the Palestinian Territories. In in aquifers, which can offer a technical Mekorot. The total water quantity phrase “good governance” includes scores of towns and villages throughout explanation of the alarming situation. obtained from these two sources in the concept “govern” or “government,” the West Bank and Gaza Strip, people We are here to ask you to consider 2008 was 308.7 million cubic metres, which implies responsibility on the listen eagerly for the gurgle of water in what you do with your water. Think of compared to 335.4 million cubic part of the state/government. But can pipelines, and turn on their taps with repairing your worn-out infrastructure; metres in 2007, and 319.1 million cubic government be expected to shoulder trepidation, watching anxiously for the recycle water or use grey water to metres in 2006. And until a final-status this responsibility alone? first drops to appear, waiting to see if flush toilets or clean the floor; use agreement on water is concluded, the All citizens face this challenge. they turn into a stream, or splutter and water-saving methods to irrigate; situation will keep deteriorating. The How can we participate in good gurgle to nothing after a few seconds. repair a leaky faucet; do not leave the solution is to ration water use in a governance? How can we become Others watch and wait for the arrival tap running for nothing; teach your nationwide collective effort. a tool to preserve water rather than of water tankers, transporting the children to respect and preserve this Wells are considered the most remain the culprits who waste it? Let’s life-giving liquid to them from distant valuable resource; cooperate with important source of water. think of how we use water; look at sources across an obstacle course of your local authorities to fix and mend Approximately 225.7 million cubic the streets in Ramallah, for instance: road blocks, checkpoints and military the distribution networks and water metres of water were pumped from water is running everywhere but not in closures put in place by the Israeli connections; respect the rights of other water wells. This represents 73.1 natural streams or rivers or as part of Authorities, an inherent feature of citizens to their share of this scarce percent of water resources. The normal rain precipitation. Alas! Water their ongoing military occupation resource. quantity of water purchased from is leaking everywhere: clean water and colonization of the Palestinian Just take the time to think and act; Mekorot, approximately 57.8 million from poor installations and worn- Territories.” (Alice Gray, “Thirst in if we do not all cooperate, we will all cubic metres, represents 18.7 percent out infrastructure, wastewater from the Palestinian Territories,” 13 July suffer! of water resources. Finally, springs inadequate connections to the sewage 2008, http://www.countercurrents.org/ And for those of you who would like to represent the third most important networks. The end result: both types of gray130708.htm.) know the facts, here is some information source with an annual discharge of 25.2 water merge and flow into the aquifers, to help you better understand the What do you remember about the million cubic metres, which represents our only source of water. situation. winter that has just elapsed? It was 8.2 percent of water resources in the How many tanks on the tops of cold, but without sufficient rain. Every Palestinian Territories. houses and apartment buildings are day we wonder whether we will have Some statistics (Source: http://www.pcbs.gov. in dire need of repair? Does the high enough water for drinking, cooking, Water resources in the Palestinian ps/Portals/_pcbs/PressRelease/ cost of repair justify letting water go washing, or farming. We are not going Territories are restricted mainly to Water_2008_E.pdf.)

44 45 Favouritism in Palestinian Society Is Not Corruption By Nasser Al-Laham

In the title of its fifth annual because they employ a thousand then it should be condemned, but Saeb Erekat, Hanan Ashrawi, Azmi report, the Palestinian Coalition for people from Jenin, for example. if that favouritism was motivated by Ash-Shu’aybi, and Jibril Rajoub Accountability and Integrity (AMAN) Security services commanders are the will to help people, is there any as references? Is this a type of wrote that favouritism, nepotism, also described as good because they problem with it? favouritism? and appointments are the most appointed many people from Hebron, The issue must also take into Most importantly, who should be given widespread aspects of corruption in for example, in the security services. consideration the scarcity of jobs in priority in employment? Is it the poor the Palestinian territories. However, Even within Palestinian factions, Palestine. Favouritism was not needed who provide for their families, or the the report added, “public financial there is favouritism and cronyism, when the Israeli work market was most qualified candidates? There may management improved somewhat in attributes which I would like to call open to Palestinians and graduates not be a clear answer to this question. 2008, yet corruption is still dominant good. I call these positive favouritisms, preferred working construction inside On a personal note, I, as chief editor at in other fields.” akin to providing a good student with Israel to office jobs based on the Ma’an News Agency, try to take both In the 41-page report, the organisation a glowing reference letter, and also disparity in financial compensation. cases into account. explaining that he lives under dire noted that transparency in choosing Hamas’ slogan during the elections In Palestinian media there are at least conditions, and thus badly needs to employees for the public sector was “change and reform.” When one a few stories a day where a “Citizen work. improved, particularly through the Hamas-affiliated friend was asked why Appeals to the President!” or an bids and tenders system. However, it Respected organisations who party members fought so desperately organisation appeals to the public on added that cronyism, nepotism, appoint staff based on favouritism will to stay in power, he denied the the occasion of Ramadan. On the misuse of public money, and misuse put those employees under probation accusation and said, “We do not fight twentieth day of Ramadan, my phone of power are still affecting several for three months until they prove that desperately to stay in power, but the rang, and the caller was the director sectors within Palestinian society. they are qualified. Otherwise, they will only way we can satisfy our supporters of the office of President Abbas. She In the absence of a working be ousted and replaced. is by employing them in the public said that the president read on Ma’an Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), Favouritism and cronyism in local sector, and we are not ready to give an appeal from the family of a sick the report noted, several draft laws society gives the impression of up that privilege.” baby girl from Gaza whose treatment for fighting corruption have remained respect for a family or group. Avoiding Thus, unemployment, poverty, and costs US$ 5,000. She told me that the un-ratified. Such laws would cover favouritism may lead to antagonism siege are the true factors behind president decided to donate that money issues such as citizens’ rights to between officials and local society. the increasing demand for office to the family. access information, privatisation, and Clerics and dignitaries accept jobs as available positions decrease In legal terms, there is the ministry of the establishment of a committee to favouritism and cronyism, and they monthly. When we have a hundred health, and other specialised institutions fight corruption. The report stated that even boast that it is a noble value. thousand applications for only four for such affairs. However, morally corruption has even reached some It is not unusual to hear an official or hundred vacancies for teachers in speaking, the Palestinian president fields in the private sector, which is commander saying, “Okay, I guarantee governmental schools, favouritism and did the right thing. This is the case in basically a result of the absence of a it. I will talk to the minister and make cronyism will necessarily appear as all Arab societies; a president is not working PLC. sure that your son gets the job.” applicants worry and officials become qualified for his post if he does not To argue that the AMAN report is In his teachings, the Prophet the victims when they find themselves sympathise with his people’s concerns. not credible is not wise, but some Muhammad was quoted as saying that unable to avoid intervention and He sometimes even needs to bypass deep thinking must be done about he would ask God to forgive all Muslims favouritism. the law in order to advocate on behalf of favouritism and cronyism and their on the Day of Judgment. Is this, God’s The AMAN report is correct in private an oppressed citizen or to help a needy place in Arab society in light of the prophet asking for forgiveness, like terms, but its assessment is unjust one whenever the opportunity arises. report. They are not, one might favouritism? Are Christian prayers when it comes to the general case. It argue, used for their own sake, but that seek forgiveness an aspect of should have taken into account local Nasser Al-Laham is the editor-in-chief rather to avoid “embarrassment” of favouritism? realities before it condemned the at Ma’an News Agency and produces acquaintances, political parties, and and hosts the popular local Palestinian AMAN must differentiate between practices. After all, why do national clans. Favouritism and cronyism are TV programme entitled “Hebrew Press positive and negative favouritism and academic institutions ask job also used out of good will to help the Review.” He has hosted numerous and cronyism. If favouritism means applicants to name “references” at political, cultural, and social programmes oppressed. depriving a qualified graduate of a job the end of their application? Why and has authored several books related Ministers are described as good to appoint someone who is unqualified, do applicants write names such as to politics.

46 47 Al-Kasaba International Film Festival 2009 The Stork Delivers 60 Films to Palestine Congratulations on the new September issue Hashem was born deaf with the disability theme. It looks great and I Not dead, alive The year 2009 has been lively and filled Excuse us, Mustafa! We insist on honouring am sure it will succeed in bringing the voice Loved much, worshipped with joy for the team at Al-Kasaba, with its you and join our voices with yours in calling of disabled people to the community at large. He thrives, a fool distinguished performance of Stories under on officials to be attentive to and increase Great job!!! In Shakespeare’s play Occupation at the Arabesque Festival for their support for culture and art, which cannot Ghada Harami Wherein life is a dream. Arab Culture at the Kennedy Center for wait for political and economic stability. Diakonia He howls to be known but the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.; Culture is an integral part of development Hashem alone comprehends. its efforts in organising the second edition and state-building. He tells of dreams of Al Manara International Theatre Days The festival is built on three axes: To travel, to marry Festival; and its participation in the Meknes “Panorama,” “A Look at Iranian Cinema,” Thank you so much for your support. Be a human being. Theatre Festival in Morocco, which opened and “Between the Fall of a Wall and Building Dr. Kamal Abuqamar Born deaf with Stories under Occupation to celebrate Another,” films on the Berlin Wall to mark the National Society for Rehabilitation Loved foolishly the occasion of Al-Quds Capital of Arab 20th anniversary of its fall and films on the Gaza, Palestine He cannot be. Culture 2009. But most of its effort and hard Israeli Occupation and the ongoing building of Hadassah Haskale work have been focused on the dream of the apartheid Wall on Palestinian land. Jerusalem launching the Drama Academy, which finally The 2009 festival will welcome Arab and became a reality. international artists, including Tunisian Thank you for your efforts to highlight And now our priority is the fourth annual actress Hind Sabri, Egyptian directors Yousry disability issues in TWIP. Al-Kasaba International Film Festival, to Nasrallah and Nadia Kamel, and Moroccan Rima Canawati Dear Editor, be held between 8 and 22 October. The directors Saad Chraibi, Hassan Binjelloun, Bethlehem Arab Society for festival will present 60 award-winning films First, I would like to request permission and Nabil Ayyoush. We also look forward Rehabilitation –47 feature films, 12 documentaries, and an to publish one article from the September to welcoming Mr. Thierry Frémaux, director 2009 issue of TWIP in the forthcoming animation film – from all corners of the world: of the Cannes Film Festival; Jane Birkin; Hong Kong, Turkey, New Zealand, South issue of the newsletter of the Japan- Simone Bitton; and the Palestinian producer Palestine Medical Association (JPMA): Korea, France, Japan, Egypt, Netherlands, Layali Bader. As always, remarkable work! Britain, South Africa, Canada, United States Dr. Kamal Abu Qamar’s article, “Disability The festival will take place in Ramallah, Miss home and everybody. of America, Italy, China, Jordan, Bangladesh, in Palestine.” I would also like to ask if Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Nablus, and Jamal Kleibo Morocco, Portugal, Iran, Spain, Brazil, and, it would be possible to use one or two films will also be screened in the refugee Abu Dhabi, UAE of course, Palestine. photos from your website. camps of Jenin, Dheisheh, Jalazon, Balata, At the end of my own short essay that will This year’s festival will open with the official and al-Fawwar. Middle East premiere of the film Amreeka by be printed with the translated article of Our thanks go to all those who support Palestinian Cherien Dabis, who will join us Dr. Abu Qamar in the JPMA newsletter, I this festival, in particular, the European for the opening ceremony. Thanks for the monthly (This Week wrote a brief introduction about TWIP Commission, the Administrative Council in Palestine). I wish you even more to encourage readers to visit the TWIP The joys brought by the festival will be of Al-Quds Capital of Arab Culture 2009, success. website. Through the translation, I tempered by soberness as we remember and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, as well as learned quite a lot about the situation of those cultural icons who are no longer I would like to inform you that I am the consulates, representative offices, and forwarding the monthly issues of your people with disabilities. among us. Last year the great poet Mahmoud cultural centres. Darwish and theatre director Yaqoub Ismail respected magazine to various Italian My husband was astonished by the same The festival is Al-Kasaba’s contribution to were remembered. This year’s festival is interested parties. Yesterday I received issue of TWIP. The theme itself is really mark Al-Quds Capital of Arab Culture 2009, dedicated to the founder of Palestinian an e-mail asking me if it is possible new to the eyes of researchers who focus to break the siege on our people, and to Revolution Cinema, Mustafa Abu Ali, who to send them the articles in Italian on Middle Eastern societies. broaden awareness of the Palestinian culture refused to be honoured at the opening of the (especially the articles about tourism). TWIP is a respected, genuinely and arts arena. first festival. “I am not honoured by receiving a Therefore I guess it is a good idea if the revolutionary and pioneering publication. I statue to be put on a shelf. My real honour is articles could be translated into Italian. also greatly appreciated the August issue, Khaled Elayyan I just wanted to inform you about that which dealt with the gender question. when I see the light of my film emerging from Festival Director the projector in a dark screening hall. I will be (Text translated by Ala’ Jaradat.) for the future. Best regards, truly honoured when our officials keep their For more information, contact us at 02- Magdouline Salameh Misako Nagaemy promise to support Palestinian cinema.” 296-5292 or [email protected]. Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities Tokyo, Japan

48 49

rst women fi ve Palestinian law ve Palestinian fi ects for a moment and ects for a moment and fl rst law school of Al-Quds Al-Quds school of rst law fi judges for Islamic family law. family law. judges for Islamic rst and foremost a human rights rst and foremost a human fi Today, the Today, Dr. Khashan’s passionate search to passionate search to Khashan’s Dr. Khashan considers himself Although Dr. When asked about the most important Yasmine Sherif is the Senior Adviser and Sherif is the Senior Yasmine Justice Rule of Law, Head of the UNDP and Security Unit. She has an LLM in law from Stockholm University (1987) and has served with the United Nations since 1988. has expanded into has expanded a total of 2,000 students, schools, with of his ex- Two are women. 800 of whom serving as the students are Shari’a law prepared advance justice and freedom which he had him for that “something,” as a young sensed since his childhood In 2007 he was refugee in the camps. of justice. appointed the minister to be contribution to advocate, his lifetime makes him advance justice at all levels for his position. exceptionally suited Khashan has Dr. As minister of justice, undertaken a number of reforms to strengthen the capacity and outreach of the ministry. lesson that has emerged from his own he re journey, responds softly with a reassuring voice: “Knock on the door of justice and freedom again and again. Do not give up. Because when freedom and justice come from within, the door will eventually open.” 53 rst fi rst class totalled fi rst Palestinian law fi rst, the idea of a Palestinian rst, the idea of a Palestinian fi ce for Francophone information. ce for Francophone fi But Dr. Khashan persisted despite the Khashan But Dr. Khashan developed a plan for legal Dr. At In 1991, he won a scholarship to to won a scholarship In 1991, he 70 students. Dr. Khashan sought to Khashan sought to 70 students. Dr. ensure that women made up at least 50 percent of the enrolment. His tireless eventually paid off. efforts law school was met by resistance. by resistance. law school was met were on Palestinian legal professionals saw no hope in a strike at that time and state under occupation. to the then discouragement. He went Arafat, to Yasser Palestinian president, argue his case, saying, “If you want a free Palestinian State, you need a faculty have We of medicine and a faculty of law. was The Palestinian president neither.” convinced, and the Al-Quds school was established later at University. education and assumed the position of dean. He renovated the premises – contributing money from his own and appointed pocket – recruited staff, The four professors. Palestinian law school. Palestinian law school. Harvard, where he studied human rights he studied human Harvard, where renowned professor Henry under the Law School Steiner at the Harvard returned in He Human Rights Center. establish the 1992 with a dream to Dr. Khashan actively pursued his quest his quest pursued actively Khashan Dr. media and justice, opening a for freedom of rst went to rst went to fi ame within me. It ame within fl by Ibn Khaldun. He by Ibn Khaldun. He rst Intifada commenced. fi nished his studies in Egypt, fi rmed. “It is based on imperatives fi ected. Slowly it transpired before meected. Slowly fl In his search, he also read Arabic Arabic read In his search, he also And so the adventure began. He was When he After completing his PhD in law in 1986, was a light of hope and it inspired me of hope and it inspired was a light found books on Rousseau to search. I Instead of writing and Montesquieu. to reading. I now devoted myself poetry, I re was not only a noble ideal, that ‘freedom’ it was a right.” including the comprehensive philosophy, Al-Muqaddimah, freedom was began to see clearly that concept alone. not a French or Western to all people. It is universal and belongs It is the glue that The law is its vehicle. contract. It holds together the social and balances for establishes the checks a just and peaceful co-existence. motivated to study law and, in 1975 after graduation from high school, he It was then that went to Egypt to study. he began to understand the essence of the Palestinian problem and realised the illogic of the situation. “The law is logic,” he af of equality and non-discrimination. My earlier questions expressed in poems now evolved into a conviction in logic I refused to believe that there – the law. was no resolution to the Palestinian problem, that there would be no justice for us.” he decided to go to France – the home country of Rousseau and Montesquieu – to continue his studies. In order to higher education at Montpellier afford University in France, he Kuwait to work, and then on to France where he earned his living picking grapes in a vineyard. he returned home and was appointed professor of law at Hebron University. he As a legal scholar of public law, yearned to contribute to the resolution of the Palestinian problem and to justice. The opportunity arose shortly after his return, as the rights. Amidst the darkness around around darkness the Amidst rights. was set a me, a light 52 ce in Ramallah, ed the violence fi fl By Yasmine Sherif By Yasmine ning situation and “become ning situation and “become fi

“In high school I heard about the “In high school I heard about the We are sitting in his of We Married and the father of four Married and the father of four BookPersonality of the of Month the Month a refugee. Born in Ali Khashan is Dr. notions of freedom and constitutional notions of freedom and constitutional recollects his story. recollects his story. Khashan leans back in his chair and Khashan leans back in his chair and did it start?” I ask in anticipation. Dr. did it start?” I ask in anticipation. Dr. Palestinian National Authority. “How “How Authority. Palestinian National contributing to a justice system for the to a ministerial post, responsible for to a ministerial post, responsible for about his journey from a refugee camp justice. It feels only natural to ask him Authority. Authority. sophisticated, with an innate sense for of justice in the Palestinian National of justice in the Palestinian National Khashan is articulate and children, Dr. he one day would become the minister his con little did he know that Yet something.” administrative seat. in his heart that he would rise out of in his heart that he would rise out of Authority has its where the Palestinian As a child, he wrote poetry. He knew He As a child, he wrote poetry. factual tone. He grew up in the camps. hometown,” he says in a calm and hometown,” he says in a calm and in 1948. “I have never known my in 1948. “I have never known my Jerusalem, his family Justice From the Camps to the Ministry of From the Camps to the Ministry of Dr. Ali Khashan Dr. ce ce fi rms rely fi dence in corporate ethics fi t to be made. fi Corporate integrity is about more than Corporate integrity is about more than Revolving doors between public of Revolving doors between ways in which The extent and multifaceted Corporate integrity pays. Companies with The dearth of con highlighted by the present economic crisis highlighted by the present economic crisis makes the need to promote anti-corruption mechanisms, as an integral part of a company’s operations, all the more urgent. sustainable earnings or returns on investment. When reckless companies engage in corruption, the consequences can be devastating. From water shortages, exploitative work conditions or illegal logging to unsafe medicines and poorly or illegally constructed buildings that collapse with deadly consequences, corruption The can bring about unprecedented harm. private sector has a crucial role to play in preventing these outcomes, by operating with transparency and accountability wherever there is a pro is how the sheer economic power of some some economic power of is how the sheer business sectors translates companies and on and undue leverage into disproportionate often making. Lobbying efforts political decision to fall outside the lack transparency and tend that system of checks and balances on for strategic decisions. another practice and the private sector, provide a smooth documented in the report, procurement deals path to deceitful public and opaque where non-competitive bidding waste and processes lead to immense unreliable services or goods. manifested greatly private sector corruption is that actually surpasses the few companies employ systems to stop this abuse of power Almost 90 percent of the top 200 for illicit gain. businesses worldwide have adopted business codes, but fewer than half report that they monitor compliance, according to the report. anti-corruption programmes and ethical up to 50 percent guidelines are found to suffer fewer incidents of corruption and to be less likely to lose business opportunities than The companies without such programmes. tools for corporate anti-corruption action are broadly and readily available but companies must pick up the pace in applying them. (Source: Transparency International: the Transparency (Source: global coalition against corruption.) es fl 54 cials, cials, fi xing cartels and undue xing cartels and undue fi

uence on public policy is costing billions uence on public policy is costing billions

The report documents many cases of The report documents many cases of Another concern addressed in the report Another concern addressed in the report The Global Corruption Report 2009: The Global Corruption Report 2009: fl Book of the Month nes due to corrupt practices. corrupt politicians and government of countries alone, companies colluding with countries alone, companies colluding with society at large. In developing and transition detriment of owners, investors, employees and entrusted power for personal gain, to the entrusted power for personal gain, to the actors inside corporations who abuse their actors inside corporations who abuse their managers, majority shareholders and other managers, majority shareholders and other billion annually, according to the GCR. billion annually, have supplied bribes estimated at up to US $40 fi alone, companies have had to pay billions in business’s own existence. In the last two years business’s force that undermines fair competition, sti economic growth and ultimately undercuts a how corrupt practices constitute a destructive by Transparency International (TI). Transparency by Corruption and the Private Sector (GCR) shows economic growth, according to a new report in and obstructing the path towards sustainable from bribery, price- from bribery, The massive scale of global corruption resulting 496 pages, $40. By Transparency International By Transparency 2009, August Cambridge University Press, Corruption and the Private Sector Report 2009 Global Corruption Mohsen came from far, from a (no) Mohsen came from far, Much remains to be said about Mohsen wood fuse into a continuum of vibrations, vibrations, of fuse into a continuum wood as it grips the listener which entrances that It is our contention in its resonance. his living to the searchMohsen dedicated tones, that embodied all Tone for that one of put him in a state a search which readiness for the execution continuous search, In this perpetual Tone. of that what a samurai Mohsen was to music is to death. is perpetually, where, a where which (in vain, I irrevocably annihilated wrapped in the should add). He was somewhere, and “absenciation” of this for himself and painstakingly sculpting, to take others, a time and a geography allowed pain refuge in. He courageously it into heavenly within him, and distilled marvels for the living. Subhi, an enchanted and enchanting master who readied himself in silent labour to express faithfully that which mattered, that which remains. 57

esh- , the , the fl maqam oud tradition. , Mohsen , Mohsen maqam dent mastery over fi Mawasem , the ultimate medium , the ultimate , the ground was set for , the ground was set for oud ngers-string-nerves- fi – holding on to it as much as Mawasem oud In the act of performance, Mohsen In the act of performance, Mohsen With rhythms hardwired and folklore folklore and hardwired With rhythms holding it – close his eyes, and let hand- plectrum- With their generousfurther breakthroughs and exacting oral dissemination, through turned apprenticeship of accompanists, The of creation. accomplices in the act having shared his messenger went silent secrets with dedicated followers. would wrap himself around the belly of his announced, with con of his the untapped secrets shimmering results of his convincing his convincing shimmering results of deconstruction of the of its expression. Formal methods Formal methods of its expression. technicians in conservatoriesenforced by then un-learnt, were systematically to by Mohsen in his striving reinvented to be said, after express what remains all is undone. On absorbed, Mohsen took on the absorbed, Mohsen and with it the ow with calculated fl is the fruit of one such is the fruit of one such ows with an aesthetic vibrancy fl Once again Mohsen Subhi commends Mohsen Subhi commends Once again time to his Mohsen folded and distorted Mohsen would regularly immerse provoked by Mohsen’s sudden, and and sudden, by Mohsen’s provoked Silence. seemingly permanent, writing about music, this time to surrender, in the he did to listening silenced, as again performed. Once silence of music, albeit harshly he sets the tone, the beat, this last time. this time, this only time, wrote themselves to approximate Words music, Mohsen’s in speech the impact of effervescence; its infectious, ecstatic to postpone the words write themselves impact of a loss unexpected. knowledge liking. His rhythms embodied passionate, thorough, gleaned from early, explorations and largely auto-didactic instruments of percussion, its varied Thus and bewildering techniques. permute empowered, he could effortlessly over cycles, layer them, shift seamlessly then back again, from one to another, freely breaking the intervals of expressive silence. himself in musical traditions, soaking up their typical motifs and carefully registering subtleties in their execution. Zaghareed immersion in Palestinian folklore; it gave form to his skills as a composer and arranger of forms traditional, to his ability to ingest, dissolve, then reconstitute a body of work which, while fully rooted in folklore, and coherence that is all Mohsen’s. 56

ections on the musical explorations

fl ArtistBook ofof thethe MonthMonth I would have Personally, preferred that this window convey, preferred that this window convey, the eloquence in a coherent way, latest, now last, of Mohsen’s adventure in composition and arrangement, a forthcoming body of work dedicated to silence. Instead, the happening shall write itself in the fragmentary state of an enchanted being, who broke out of the fabric of time. Perhaps more there is timeliness in sharing urgently, words rushed by his untimely departure. The explorer in question is Mohsen Subhi Abdulhamid, who died in Ramallah August 2009, having charted, on 2 over decades of single-minded dedication to the purifying of soul and sound, a wondrous landscape for all of us to explore after him, with him (see http://en.wikipedia. org/wiki/Mohsen_Subhi). The irony of writing an article for the The irony of writing an article for the Week This Artist of the Month section in in Palestine about a Palestinian artist who passed away last month did not escape me. Of course, there is comfort in continuity achieved by inserting, in a casual, almost leisurely frame of time, re Penny Harter still rocking” the pieces “broken bowl: Dying to Hear Him Play Dying to Hear Website Review http://lawcenter.birzeit.edu/iol/en/index.php Review date: 11 September 2009

The Institute of Law (IoL) at Birzeit Law, and Conferences, Workshops. University was established in 1993 to And Continuing Education provides build legal capacities and infrastructures an opportunity for visitors to browse in Palestine. Its flagship product, Diploma Program (in legal practice), Al-Muqtafi is well known among the Judicial Education, and Birzeit Legal legislative and judicial community. Encounters (specialised seminars). The IoL site is available in English and The left column has three blocks: Arabic (default). Quick Links, Related Sites, and Site The Institute of Law follows a Management. Quick Links has a traditional structure for its home page number of featured sub-menu items and includes three columns, a header for better visibility and easier access, area, and a footer. However, the main in addition to a language switch and menu items are in the top menu bar in a link to the home page. The Related the header area, which also houses a Sites section links to an old interface search box and a banner that displays of the IoL website, the legal data bank Birzeit University’s logo on the left and (Al-Muqtafi), Ritaj (Birzeit University’s IoL’s logo on the right. learning management system), and the The menu bar has four main cascading Faculty of Law and Public Administration menus: IoL Management explains the at Birzeit University. The last block is for institute’s structure and administration site maintenance. and contains comprehensive The main content area on the home background information, including page is dedicated to the institute’s history, vision, partners, and values. activities (conferences, seminars, and The four sub-menus under IoL legal encounters). A thumbnail image Management are: Director’s Office and a brief summary with a link for more (history, structure, partners, donors, details are provided for each activity. and endowments), Administration (staff The third column has two more blocks: and classification), Finance (financial Related Links (lists the four main top- management and philosophy), and menu items) and Announcements. Programmes Management (staff, There is a direct language switch strategy, and values). Some of the from any page, and it appears that the deeper sub-menus appear to be Arabic version is more developed than empty. the English pages. The page ends with The other three main menus have a footer linking to a sitemap and contact similar structure. Information Center information. branches into Library (services and Overall, the IoL site is rich, containing online access), Data Bank (legislative, the most relevant information, and judicial, and other databases as well as provides an essential reference for legal community contacts), Information legal professionals and researchers. Technology (unit staff and functions), As such, however, it could benefit from and Legal Status in Palestine (an simplified access to information and overview of the legal history and improved user interface. complexities). The Research menu groups the sub-menus of Publications, Legislative Support, Comparative Abed A. Khooli, IT/KM specialist Law, Law & Society, Constitutional Mr. Khooli can be reached at [email protected].

58 Exhibition of the Month Jerusalem 0.0km and Picasso in Ramallah New Projects at the International Academy of Art, Palestine

Picasso in Ramallah is a joint initiative with the Van Abbemuseum in Eindhoven, Netherlands, which is under the directorship of Charles Esche. The project aims to bring, for the very first time, an original masterpiece by Pablo Picasso to Ramallah to be placed on public display at the academy. Whereas the project may appear straightforward – the aim would appear normal in any The International Academy of Art in other context – the logistics of being Ramallah is not only a place for teaching able to borrow and show an international and learning about contemporary art but artwork mean that The Oslo Accords are also a catalyst for art production and being re-visited to understand the legal creative thinking in Palestine. Via its constitution of the location, Palestinian initiatives and projects, the academy is capabilities to provide security for the working to advance the integration and art work and museum context for its understanding of contemporary art in display are being researched, along Palestine and to engage the international with international business agreements, community in the current Palestinian which in turn all highlight the abnormality reality. Two projects, Jerusalem 0.0km of the Palestinian reality and question the and Picasso in Ramallah, which are nature of the Palestinian entity. the brainchild of the academy’s artistic The project revives the legacy of director Khaled Hourani, are currently Picasso and his stand against injustice under way and attempt to address and takes Picasso on an extraordinary the question of Jerusalem and art in journey to a zone of disturbance in an Palestine. attempt to realise the ordinary, which Jerusalem 0.0km, funded by Jerusalem – is currently being documented in film. Capital of Arab Culture 2009, materialises Once Picasso is finally home again in the place and relationship that Jerusalem the Netherlands collection, the work will holds in the imagination of people in go on display as the “Picasso that visited Palestine and throughout the world. Ramallah.” Eighty ceramic plates are being placed across the West Bank, Gaza, Jerusalem, Compiled by the International Academy of Art, Palestine. inside the Green Line, and in cities across the globe that measure the distance from those co-ordinates to Jerusalem. The plates are made in traditional ceramics that are found in the Old City of Jerusalem and re-establish the importance of this local craft in the public sphere. The signs illuminate a radius around the city highlighting through this artistic project its symbolic importance to all and its position as the future capital of Palestine.

60 Exhibition of the Month are not only formed at a conscious level Mansour – Palestine, Kevork Mourad but are also the product of unconscious – Syria, Riyadh Neama – Iraq, Larissa The Other Shadow of the City desires. The city as a space becomes both Sansour – Palestine, Nawras Shalhoub – the material and lived space as well as a Palestine, Oraib Toukan – Jordan, Munir site of fantasy and imagination. Waked – Palestine, Mohanad Yaqubi – The exhibition will be accompanied Palestine. by a series of events, including artists’ Organised by: the Palestinian Art Court talks, screenings, and workshops and will – al Hoash and ArtSchool Palestine in take place in a number of venues across partnership with the British Council, the Jerusalem, including the Arab Bank venue, International Academy of Arts Palestine, which has been closed since 1967, the the French Cultural Centre – Jerusalem, Palestinian Art Court – al Hoash, and the and Rafia Gallery – Damascus. French Cultural Centre. Sponsored by: Palestine Investment Participating artists: Mohammad al Fund. Hawajri – Palestine, Jawad Al Malhi – Supported by: Arab Bank LTD., A.M. Palestine, Buthayna Ali – Syria, Rafat Assad Qattan Foundation, Consulate General – Palestine, Michael Baers – USA, Sarah of Belgium, Ford Foundation, Consulate Beddington – UK, Rana Bishara – Palestine, General of Spain-Spanish Cooperation Anna Boggon – UK, Zoulikha Bouabdellah Office, Dr. Nabil Qaddumi, Swiss Agency – Algeria/France, Raouf Haj Yihya – for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Palestine, Rula Halawani – Palestine, the Representative Office of Denmark, and Alexandra Handal – Palestine, Shuruq Zina Jardaneh. Harb – Palestine, Maj Hasager – Denmark, Samah Hijawi – Jordan, Jakob Jakobsen For further information, contact – Denmark, Bouchra Khalili – Morocco/ [email protected] or France, Yazan Khalili – Palestine, Sliman [email protected]. 7–31 October 2009 newly commissioned works by 26 Jerusalem international contemporary artists working in painting, sculpture, video, film, installation, text, and photography. The artists set the An exhibition curated by Samar Martha. stage for discussion on a number of themes, Opening: 7 October 2009 at 6:30 p.m. such as mobility, visions of utopia/dystopia, at the Arab Bank, Sultan Suleiman Road, surveillance, history and memory, gated followed by a tour to the exhibition locations communities, and natural environments. and a reception at the Palestinian Art Court The exhibition is also the culmination of – al Hoash at 9:00 p.m. ArtSchool Palestine’s 2008/09 residency The Other Shadow of the City draws programme organised in cooperation with inspiration from the city of Jerusalem and al Hoash Gallery, where 15 artists from its changing urban structure. The exhibition the United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, takes the viewer to places outside the France, Morocco, Algeria, and Jordan were spiritual and holy Old City to urban locations invited to pursue new projects or research that, despite their importance in shaping in locations throughout Palestine. For The the contemporary urban city, have been Other Shadow of the City, nine artists were rarely referenced or addressed in literature invited: Anna Boggon, Michael Baers, Sarah and art. The exhibition unravels Jerusalem Beddington, Zoulikha Bouabdellah, Maj as an urban structure with all its physical, Hasager, Samah Hijawi, Bouchra Khalili, social, economic, and political complexity, Jakob Jakobsen, and Oraib Toukan. demonstrating how urban space is divided, In addition, the exhibition provided an conquered, abandoned, and occupied opportunity for Arab and Palestinian artists, again. who do not have access to the city of The Other Shadow of the City features Jerusalem, to respond to their desires and dreams – testifying that ideas about cities 62 63 Exhibition of the Month

Al-Ma’mal Foundation for Contemporary Art

The Jerusalem Show 2009 11–20 October Jerusalem Syndrome By Nina Möntmann

The title of this year’s Jerusalem an entry for individual approaches to Show, Jerusalem Syndrome, serves the Old City, exploring its enclaves, as a metaphor for approaching the wandering its labyrinths, and telling many facets of a contested city its stories from multiple points of divided by occupation and ethnic- view. religious segregation. In the film Jerusalem Syndrome The city of Jerusalem is by Nathan Coley, Dr. Moshe Kalian, characterised by the concentration District Psychiatrist of Jerusalem, of diversity and its conflicts – shares his experiences with patients spiritual, political, and territorial. who are affected by the syndrome, The Jerusalem Syndrome overtakes while we can watch members of all tourists who are overwhelmed by religions worshipping at the various the unique denseness of spiritual holy sites in Jerusalem. The film sites in the Holy City, their history suggests that there is only a fine line Ra’ouf Haj Yahya’s new animated encounters for passersby, who are and imaginaries. Between fifty and between religiousness brought to an film, however, deals with a more surprised by one or two works they two hundred travellers, pilgrims, extreme, and tragedy, which includes innocent idea of watching – modes encounter accidentally, art lovers and tourists every year are affected the endangerment of others. Alluding of watching TV in Palestine. who are joining our tours or using the by the syndrome, believing they to the alleged spiritual content of All artists in the Jerusalem Show exhibition map to follow the parcours are the Virgin Mary or the Messiah. every stone in Jerusalem, Dora 2009 (thirty) are engaged in projects of the venues, or those who live They walk around the city spreading Garcia turns the experiences of ten that activate the venues in the with a work of art simply because it the news of their palingenesis or of performers walking the Old City of Old City in a particular way, be it is installed in their neighbourhood the apocalypse – before they are Jerusalem into “Prayers.” poetic, activist, documentary, or or temporarily displayed in their dragged to the state psychiatric fictional. We hope that the show shop, office, restaurant, hotel, or Adding a psychological dimension community centre. ward. The Jerusalem Syndrome, to the visit of Jerusalem is the density creates meaningful and enjoyable hence, stands for enlightenment of surveillance cameras. Some and collapse at the same time, it 1,000 cameras are installed in the is the strongest effect Jerusalem Old City alone, which is creating the can have on the personality of a dichotomic relationship of Paranoia visitor. The madness and illusion of on the one hand and Claustrophobia being chosen also characterises the on the other. Shaina Anand and relations of religion and power, when Nida Ghouse (CAMP, Mumbai) are the historical importance of religious working in a neighbourhood that is sites is cited to legitimise territorial overseen by a more covert, privately claims over the city. In this sense installed watchtower. In contrast to Jerusalem is also at the nucleus of these subtle modes of surveillance, the occupation and its spatial-military the “official” watchtowers of the West practice. Bank in Taysir Batniji’s photo-series For the Jerusalem Show 2009, “Miradors” appear as “cathedrals” of the metaphor of the Jerusalem the occupation and mark the official Syndrome is supposed to serve as modes of surveillance and control.

64 65 Restaurant Review The Complete Food Experience Kaabar Restaurant Beit Jala, Bethlehem By José Vericat

This is one of my favourite food joints and waiter since most of the conversation ever. I love everything about it. An goes unsaid. You know, he knows that immersion in debauchery. I feel like a you know that he knows what you have pig rolling in the mud. The sort of place I come for. Waiter comes and just looks at daydream about. you, disdainfully, opens his mouth half a A cavernous, domed interior, with white centimetre and waits for you to say how plastic chairs, filthy whitish tile floor that much chicken you have in mind. He you access after crossing a cloud of proceeds to throw a few pieces of pita smoke bang in the centre of Beit Jala, bread on the table, making a slapping Bethlehem. Nakhle Kaabar has been sound. It is often a little soggy from being running the place for the last 37 years. kept in plastic bags while still warm and It evidently hasn’t changed much since you might want to ask to warm it up and probably hasn’t been cleaned often on the grill. Keep an eye on the bread either. because they will inevitably forget it is there and burn it. The man is Greek Orthodox, but that is quite immaterial apart from the fact The same sort of self-confidence that it means the place is closed on explains the lack of any trace of a Sundays. Perhaps the only religious billboard advertising that this is a public thing about it is the epiphanies I have establishment. For all you know you are there, particularly on a hot summer day entering someone’s house in the middle with the sweat dripping down my nose. of a barbeque. Sweating profusely while sucking my If you want conversation ask the owner fingers in delight with bits of charred about the day when Ariel Sharon popped chicken skin and the lemon, garlic, hot over from a nearby military base and how pepper sauce stuck to them is the closest many chickens he ordered. I get to heaven. Some statistics: Sells between thirty The economy of the menu and the and a hundred chickens per day. Thirty simplicity of the cooking bring tears to shekels for a whole chicken takeaway, my eyes. The only choice is between same price for half a chicken, salads, a half and a whole bird. The recipe is and a Coke if you eat in. spatchcocked chicken on the grill. There Opening hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. is a two-metre barbeque on the street If you are wondering who would have outside the entrance where the cooking grilled chicken at 10 a.m., then you should takes place. The men who stand next to seriously consider that your capacity to it and manhandle the food are so smoked enjoy life is sadly limited. out and sweaty they look more like miners Closed: On Sunday. Worth the trip into than cooks. Bethlehem any other day of the week. The signature salad is the snow-white Heard: I don’t come here enough. garlic sauce, with almost the fluffy consistency of whipped egg-white. Unheard: Can I have a napkin please? The service is the type that you find in places where they know that they don’t Jose Vericat, currently an adviser to the have to worry about service. There is not EU, has worked in the Middle East as a much of an exchange between customer reporter for the last eight years.

66 Note: Please make sure to contact the venue to check whether the programme is still running.

TOURS EAST JERUSALEM (02) The tours "Jerusalem, a Palestinian Perspective" Ashtar for Theatre Production, tel. 02 298 0037; are organised by the Center for Jerusalem Center for Jerusalem Studies, tel. 628 7517; Studies of Al Quds University (CJS). The dates Palestinian Art Court- Al Hoash, tel. 627 3501; of the tours are to be confirmed. For further Palestinian National Theatre, tel. 628 0957; information please call the Center for Jerusalem Turkish Cultural Center, tel. 540 0592; YMCA, Studies, tel. 02- 628 7517 tel. 628 6888 Saturday 3 ART 10:00 The Citadel, Centre for Jerusalem Wednesday 7 Studies 19:00 Inauguration of an international visual art Saturday 10 exhibition entitled "The Other Shadow of The City," curated by Samar Martha (through October 10:00 Wells and pools of Jerusalem, Centre for 31 daily in Al Hoash Art Court, YWCA, French Jerusalem Studies Cultural Center, and the PNT), Al Hoash Monday 12 FILMS 10:00 Old city wall, in cooperation with Al Ma’mal Foundation, Center for Jerusalem Studies Thursday 1 19:00 Women, War and Welfare in Jerusalem, Thursday 15 the story of Hind Al-Husseini & Crystal Grapes, 16:00 Old city settlements, in cooperation with directed by Sahera Dirbas, PNT Al Ma’mal Foundation, Center for Jerusalem Studies Friday 2 Saturday 17 15:00 YOL (Turkish with English subtitles), Turkish Cultural Center 10:00 Old city communities, in cooperation with Al Ma’mal Foundation, Center for Jerusalem Friday 9 Studies 15:00 YENGEÇ SEPETİ (Turkish with English Sunday 18 subtitles), Turkish Cultural Center 10:00 Jericho Monastries, Centre for Jerusalem Friday 16 Studies 15:00 YOL (Turkish with English subtitles), Saturday 24 Turkish Cultural Center 10:00 Armenian quarter, Centre for Jerusalem Friday 23 studies 15:00 YENGEÇ SEPETİ (Turkish with English subtitles), Turkish Cultural Center BETHLEHEM and BEIT JALA (02) Friday 30 Al Harah Theatre, tel. 276 7758; Ashtar for Theatre 15:00 YOL (Turkish with English subtitles), Production, tel. 02 298 0037; International Centre Turkish Cultural Center of Bethlehem (Dar Annadwa), tel. 277 0047; PLAYS ART Monday 19 Friday 16 12:00 Story of Said Al Masoud, organised by 16:00 Inauguration of an art exhibition entitled Ashtar Theatre, YMCA "The Hidden" by the Swedish artist David Myrvold (through November 4 daily), Dar Annadwa Tuesday 20 Friday 23 10:00 and 12:00 Story of Said Al Masoud, organised by Ashtar Theatre, YMCA 16:00 Inauguration of an art exhibition entitled "Exploring Inner and Outer Landscapes in Wednesday 21 Watercolors" by the American artist Chris Cowan 10:00 and 12:00 Story of Said Al Masoud, (through November 9 daily), Dar Annadwa organised by Ashtar Theatre, YMCA DANCE Monday 26 Friday 16 10:00 and 12:00 Story of Said Al Masoud, 18:00 A Smile and a Tear by Al Amal organization organised by Ashtar Theatre, YMCA for the Modern Dancing, Dar Annadwa Tuesday 27 PLAYS 10:00 and 12:00 Story of Said Al Masoud, Monday 5 organised by Ashtar Theatre, YMCA 16:30 People from Paper, produced by Al

68 Harah Theatre, in cooperation with Ecumenical Thursday 8 Disability Advocate Network/ Middle East, Beit 18:00 WaterFonie, Franco-German Cultural Jala Catholic Seminary Centre Tuesday 6 Al Kasaba International Film Festival: Amreeka, 16:30 People from Paper, produced by Al- The time that remains, Sparrow, Three Monkeys, Harah Theatre, in cooperation with Ecumenical Rain of the Children, 63 Years On, The Class, Disability Advocate Network/ Middle East, Beit Rachel, Swing Girls, The Face of Jizo, Ehke ya Jala Catholic Seminary Shahrazad, Al Farah, Zahra, Babaj, An Indian Friday 9 love story, Unmade Beds, More than just a game, Treeless Mountain, Crime it’s a way of life, My 18:00 Clarinet, by Safar Theatre, Dar Annadwa Secret Sky, West Of Pluto, Still Walking, Prince of Friday 23 Broadway, The Sicilian Girl, Slumdog Millionaire, 18:00 I have a Dream, organised by Al Harah The Red Awn, Captain Abu Raed, Sereaphine, Theatre, Dar Annadwa The Last Thakur, CHE, Oud Al Ward, Hadit al yad wa al Kattane, Fin Mashe ya Moshe, Islam ya SPECIAL EVENTS Salam, UP, Machan, Inshallah Beijing, Whatever Sunday 11 Lola wants, Rachel an American Conscience, 13:00 Street Performance, organised by Al Harah Secret World, Os Imortais, Salata Balade, Wrong Theatre, Aida Refugee Camp Rosary, Around a small Mountain, Public Enemy, Saturday 24 Wake up Arezoo, Raami, Those Three, 7 Blind 19:00 DE-FENCES, part of CUT project, in Women Filmmaker, Man at Work, Nacturnal, cooperation with Theatre ENTROPIA/ Greece, 3 Women, Goodbye Lenin, The Life of the Al-Harah Theatre Others, Rock Checkpoint, The Gates are open Sometimes, They Don’t Exist, Linha de Passe, RAMALLAH (02) Ballroom, Out of Tune, Los Girasoles Ciegos, Al Kasaba Theatre and Cinematheque Al Kasaba Theatre and Cinematheque, tel. 296 Saturday 10 5292; Franco-German Cultural Center, tel. 298 16:00 Race To Witch Mountain, Popular Art 1922; Khalil Sakakini Cultural Center, tel. 298 Centre 7374; Popular Art Center, tel. 240 3891; Ramallah Friends Meetinghouse, tel. 297 1314 18:00 The Hurt Locker, Popular Art Centre 20:00 Dance Flick, Popular Art Centre ART Tuesday 20 Wednesday 21 18:00 Inauguration of a painting and photography 18:00 Water situation in Gaza, Ramallah Friends exhibition entitled "Travelling Note Books" Meetinghouse (through October 22 daily), Franco-German Sunday 25 Cultural Centre 18:00 Stéphane Hessel, une histoire Wednesday 28 d’engagement by Christine Seghezzi, Franco- 18:30 Inauguration of a photoghraphy exhibition German Cultural Centre entitled "Life in a Divided Country" by the Wednesday 28 Palestinian photographer Mahmoud Dabdoub 18:00 Water situation in the West Bank, Ramallah (through November 10 daily), Khalil Sakakini Friends Meetinghouse Cultural Center LECTURES CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES Sunday 4 Sunday 18 18:00 Results of the student project 15:00-18:00 A role play by children from partner "Cottbusfreihand", the architectural and artistic schools, Franco-German Cultural Centre eductaion and her own work at the university CONCERT Cottbus/Germany, Franco-German Cultural Saturday 3 Centre 19:00 Taybeh Beer Festival: Rascasse, the Monday 12 Reagge/Ska/Funk-band - Berlin, Taybeh 15:30 Meet the curators, Talk with the curators Village of the "Jerusalem Show", Nina Moentmann and Friday 22 Jack Persekian, Al Rozana Cultural Center 19:00 Classical Concert by teachers of the 16:00 Meet the artists, artist Talk mit Nevin Barenboïm Said Foundation, Quakers Aledag und Andrea Fasciu that participate at the "Jerusalem Show", Al Rozana Cultural Center FILMS Thursday 15 Wednesday 7 18:00 Activists in Palestine: What are Palestinians 16:30 Cinémois, Franco-German Cultural and Internationals doing to end the occupation, Centre Ramallah Friends Meetinghouse

70 Thursday 29 TOURS 18:00 Dominique Dubosc: "Palestine Palestine" Sunday 11 , Franco-German Cultural Centre 9:00-17:00 Nablus city & vicinity, PACE Thursday 29 18:00 Séminaire, Dominique Dubosc : "Palestine JERICHO (02) Palestine", Franco-German Cultural Centre The Palestinian Association for Cultural Exchange LITERATURE (PACE), tel. 240 7611 Wednesday 7 TOURS 18:00 Book launch: Palestine in Pieces: Graphic Sunday 25 Perspectives on the Israeli Occupation by 9:00-17:00 Jericho city & vicinity, PACE Kathy and Bill Christeson, Ramallah Friends Meetinghouse HEBRON (02) Wednesday 28 18:30 Café littéraire, Pascal Janovjak: The Palestinian Association for Cultural Exchange presentation of his last novel, Franco-German (PACE), tel. 240 7611 Cultural Centre PLAYS PLAYS Saturday 17 Sunday 4 19:00 The Metamorphosis, produced by Al Harah 11:00 The Red Apple, organised by Taybeh Theatre, in cooperation of Al-Quds Capital of Oktober Fest, produced by AL-Harah Theatre, Arab Culture, Child Happiness Cultural Center Taybeh Village TOURS Monday 5 Sunday 4 13:00 Story of Mona, organised by Ashtar 9:00-17:00 Hebron city & vicinity, PACE Theatre, Ashtar Theatre Tuesday 6 JENIN (04) 16:00 Story of Mona, organised by Ashtar Theatre, Jalazoun Camp PLAYS Tuesday 13 Wednesday 7 10:00 Story of Said Al Masoud, organised by 18:00 Story Of Mona, organised by Ashtar Ashtar Theatre, Al Salam School Theatre, Tira collage Monday 12 12:00 Story of Said Al Masoud, organised by Ashtar Theatre, Al Salam School 13:00 Story of Said Al Masoud, organised by Ashtar Theatre, Friends Boys school Wednesday 14 Thursday 15 10:00 Story of Said Al Masoud, organised by Ashtar Theatre, Al Salam School 12:00 Story of Said Al Masoud, organised by Ashtar Theatre, Ashtar Theatre 12:00 Story of Said Al Masoud, organised by Ashtar Theatre, Al Salam School Thursday 22 18:30 The Metamorphosis, produced by Al Harah Wednesday 21 Theatre, in cooperation of Al-Quds Capital of 18:00 The Metamorphosis, produced by Al Harah Arab Culture, Am3ary Camp Theatre, in cooperation of Al-Quds Capital of Arab Culture, The Freedom Theatre Thursday 29 Wednesday 28 16:00 Story of Said Al Masoud, organised by Ashtar Theatre, Aboud Village 15:00 Story of Said Al Masoud, organised by Ashtar Theatre, Arab American University TOURS Sunday 18 QALQILIA (09) 9:00- 17:00 Ramallah city & vicinity, PACE The Palestinian Association for Cultural Exchange NABLUS (09) (PACE), tel. 02 240 7611 The Palestinian Association for Cultural Exchange TOURS (PACE), tel. 02 240 7611 Sunday 18 PLAYS 9:00-17:00 Qalqilia city & vicinity, PACE Friday 30 19:00 Story of Said Al Masoud, organised by Ashtar Theatre, Al Madina club

72 East Jerusalem (02) The Edward Said National Conservatory of Music Al-Jawal Theatre Group Tel: 627 1711, Fax: 627 1710 Telefax: 628 0655 [email protected], www.birzeit.edu/music Alruwah Theatre Theatre Day Productions Tel: 626 2626 Tel: 585 4513, Fax: 583 4233 [email protected] [email protected], www.theatreday.org Al-Ma’mal Foundation for Contemporary Art Turkish Cultural Centre Tel: 628 3457, Fax: 627 2312 Tel: 591 0530/1, Fax: 532 3310 [email protected] [email protected] www.almamalfoundation.org www.kudusbk.com Al-Urmawi Centre for Mashreq Music Yabous Productions Tel: 234 2005, Fax: 234 2004 Tel: 626 1045; Fax: 626 1372 [email protected], www.urmawi.org [email protected], www.yabous.org Ashtar for Theatre Productions & Training Telefax: 582 7218 Bethlehem (02) [email protected], www.ashtar-theatre.org Al-Harah Theatre British Council Telefax: 276 7758 Tel: 626 7111, Fax: 628 3021 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected], www.alharah.org www.britishcouncil.org/ps Alliance Française de Bethléem Center for Jerusalem Studies/Al-Quds University Telefax: 275 0777 Tel: 628 7517 [email protected] [email protected], www.jerusalem-studies.alquds.edu Anat Palestinian Folk & Craft Center Community Action Centre (CAC) Telefax: 277 2024 Tel: 627 3352, Fax:627 4547 [email protected] www.cac.alquds.edu Arab Educational Institute (AEI)-Open El-Hakawati Theatre Company Windows Tel: 583 8836, Mobile: 0545 835 268 Tel: 274 4030 [email protected], www.el-hakawati.org www.aeicenter.org French Cultural Centre Artas Folklore Center Tel: 628 2451 / 626 2236, Fax: 628 4324 Tel: 276 0533, Mobile: 0599 938 0887 [email protected] [email protected] Gallery Anadiel Badil Centre Tel: 628 2811, Fax: 626 4403 Tel: 277 7086 Issaf Nashashibi Center for Culture & Beit Jala Community Based-Learning Literature & Action Center Telefax: 581 8232 Tel: 277 7863 [email protected] Bethlehem Academy of Music/ Bethlehem Jerusalem Centre for Arabic Music Music Society Tel: 627 4774, Fax: 656 2469 Tel: 277 7141, Fax: 277 7142 [email protected] Bethlehem Peace Center Palestinian Art Court - Al Hoash Tel: 276 6677, Fax: 276 4670 Telefax: 627 3501 [email protected], www.peacenter.org [email protected], www.alhoashgallary.org Cardinal House Palestinian National Theatre Telefax: 276 4778 Tel: 628 0957, Fax: 627 6293 [email protected], www.cardinalhouse.org [email protected] Catholic Action Cultural Center Public Affairs Office Tel: 274 3277, Fax 274 2939 Tel: 628 2456, Fax: 628 2454 [email protected], www.ca-b.org www.uscongen-jerusalem.org Centre for Cultural Heritage Preservation Sabreen Association for Artistic Tel: 276 6244, Fax: 276 6241 Development [email protected] Tel: 532 1393, Fax: 532 1394 www.bethlehem2000.org/cchp [email protected], www.sabreen.org Inad Centre for Theatre & Arts Sanabel Culture & Arts Theatre Telefax: 276 6263 Tel: 671 4338, Fax: 673 0993 www.inadtheatre.org [email protected] 74 International Centre of Bethlehem-Dar Palestinian Child Arts Center (PCAC) ArtSchool Palestine [email protected], www.riwaq.org Annadwa Tel: 222 4813, Fax: 222 0855 Tel: 295 9837 [email protected], www.artschoolpalestine.com Sandouq Elajab Theatre Tel: 277 0047, Fax: 277 0048 [email protected], www.pcac.net Tel: 296 5638, 295 3206 [email protected] Yes Theater Ashtar for Theatre Production [email protected] www.annadwa.org Telefax: 229 1559, Tel: 298 0037, Fax: 296 0326 [email protected], www.ashtar-theatre.org Shashat ITIP Center “Italian Tourist Information Point” www.yestheatre.org, [email protected] Tel: 297 3336, Fax: 297 3338 Telefax: 276 0411 The International Palestinian Youth League Baladna Cultural Center [email protected], www.shashat.org [email protected] Telfax: 295 8435 (IPYL) Sharek Youth Forum Palestinian Heritage Center Tel:222 9131, Fax: 229 0652 BirZeit Ethnographic and Art Museum Tel: 296 7741, Fax: 296 7742 Telefax: 274 2381, 274 2642 [email protected], www.ipyl.org Tel. 298 2976 [email protected], www.sharek.ps [email protected] www.virtualgallery.birzeit.edu www.phc.ps Jericho (02) Tamer Institute for Community Education British Council Tel: 298 6121/ 2, Fax: 298 8160 Palestinian Group for the Revival of Popular Jericho Community Centre Tel: 296 3293-6, Fax: 296 3297 [email protected], www.tamerinst.org Heritage Telefax: 232 5007 [email protected] The Edward Said National Conservatory of Telefax: 274 7945 Jericho Culture & Art Center www.britishcouncil.org/ps Music Telefax: 232 1047 Relief International - Schools Online Carmel Cultural Foundation Tel: 295 9070, Fax: 295 9071 Bethlehem Community Based-Learning & Municipality Theatre Tel: 298 7375, Fax: 298 7374 [email protected], www.birzeit.edu/music Action Center Tel: 232 2417, Fax: 232 2604 Tel: 277 7863 El-Funoun Dance Troupe The Palestinian Circus School Jenin (04) Tel: 240 2853, Fax: 240 2851 Tel. 0545- 671 911 or 0599- 926 107 Sabreen Association for Artistic [email protected], www.el-funoun.org www.palcircus.ps, info@ palcircus.ps Development Hakoura Center First Ramallah Group, Sareyyet Ramallah Tel: 275 0091, Fax: 275 0092 Telfax: 250 4773 The Palestinian Network of Art Centres Tel: 295 2706 - 295 2690, Fax: 298 0583 Tele: 298 0036, 296 4348/9, Fax: 296 0326 [email protected], www.sabreen.org [email protected], www.hakoura-jenin.ps [email protected], www.sirreyeh.org [email protected] Tent of Nations The Freedom Theatre/Jenin Refugee Camp Franco-German Cultural Centre Ramallah Tel: 274 3071, Fax: 276 7446 Tel: 250 3345 Young Artist Forum Tel: 298 1922 / 7727, Fax: 298 1923 Telefax: 296 7654 [email protected], www.tentofnations.org [email protected] [email protected], www.ccf-goethe-ramallah.org [email protected] The Edward Said National Conservatory of Nablus (09) Greek Cultural Centre - “Macedonia” Music Telefax: 298 1736/ 298 0546 Gaza Strip (08) Telefax: 274 8726 British Council- Al Najah University [email protected] [email protected], www.birzeit.edu/music Telefax: 237 5950 Al-Qattan Centre for the Child [email protected] In’ash Al-Usra Society- Center for Heritage Tel: 283 9929, Fax: 283 9949 The Higher Institute of Music www.britishcoumcil.org/ps & Folklore Studies [email protected] Telefax: 275 2492 Tel: 240 1123 / 240 2876, Telefax: 240 1544 www.qattanfoundation.org/qcc [email protected] Cultural Centre for Child Development [email protected], www.inash.org www.thehigherinstituteofmusic.ps Tel: 238 6290, Fax: 239 7518 Arts & Crafts Village [email protected], www.nutaleb.cjb.net Telefax: 284 6405 Turathuna - Centre for Palestinian Heritage Khalil Sakakini Cultural Center Tel: 298 7374, Fax: 296 6820 [email protected], www.gazavillage.org (B.Uni.) Cultural Heritage Enrichment Center Tel. 237 2863, Fax. 237 8275 [email protected], www.sakakini.org Ashtar for Culture & Arts Tel: 274 1241, Fax: 274 4440 Telefax: 283 3565 [email protected], www.bethlehem.edu [email protected] Manar Cultural Center [email protected] Tel: 295 7937, Fax: 298 7598 French Cultural Centre Fawanees Theatre Group Hebron (02) Tel: 238 5914, Fax: 238 7593 Mazra’a Qibliyeh Heritage and Tourism Centre Telefax: 288 4403 [email protected] Al Sanabl Centre for Studies and Heritage Telefax: 281 5825 Culture & Light Centre Tel: 256 0280 [email protected] Nablus The Culture Telefax: 286 5896, [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] www.geocities.com/mazraaheritage/ Tel: 233 2084, Fax: 234 5325 French Cultural Centre www.sanabl.org, www.sanabl.ps [email protected], www.nablusculture.ps Palestinian Association Tel :286 7883, Fax : 282 8811 Association d’Echanges Culturels Hebron- Ramallah & Al-Bireh (02) for Contemporary Art PACA [email protected] France (AECHF) Tel: 296 7601, fax: 295 1849 Gaza Theatre [email protected], www.pal-paca.org Telefax: 222 4811 A. M. Qattan Foundation Tel: 282 4860, Fax: 282 4870 [email protected], wwww.hebron-france.org Tel: 296 0544, Fax: 298 4886 Palestinian Association for Cultural Global Production and Distribution [email protected], www.qattanfoundation.org Beit Et Tifl Compound Exchange (PACE) Telefax: 288 4399 Telefax: 229 1559 Al-Kamandjâti Association Tel: 240 7611, Telfax: 240 7610 [email protected] [email protected] Tel: 297 3101 [email protected], www.pace.ps Goethe Institute [email protected], www.alkamandjati.com British Council- Palestine Polytechnic University Popular Art Center Tel: 284 7595, Fax: 284 7595 Telefax: 229 3717 Al Kasaba Theatre and Cinematheque Tel: 240 3891, Fax: 240 2851 Holst Cultural Centre [email protected] Tel: 296 5292/3, Fax: 296 5294 [email protected], www.popularartcentre.org Tel: 281 0476, Fax: 280 8896 www.britsishcouncil.org.ps [email protected], www.alkasaba.org Ramallah Cultural Palace [email protected] Children Happiness Center Al-Rahhalah Theatre Tel: 298 4704 / 295 2105, Fax: 295 2107 Theatre Day Productions Telefax: 229 9545 Telefax: 298 8091 [email protected] Telefax: 283 6766 [email protected] [email protected] www.ramallahculturalpalace.org [email protected] Windows from Gaza For Contemporary Art Dura Cultural Martyrs Center Amideast RIWAQ: Centre for Architectural Mob. 0599 781 227 - 0599 415 045 Tel: 228 3663 Tel: 240 8023, Fax: 240 8017 Conservation [email protected], www.duramun.org [email protected], www.amideast.org Tel: 240 6887, Fax: 240 6986 [email protected] 76 77 East Jerusalem (02) Gloria Hotel (94 rooms; mr; res) Tel: 628 2431, Fax: 628 2401 Addar Hotel (30 suites; bf; mr; res) [email protected] Tel: 626 3111, Fax: 626 0791 www.addar-hotel.com Golden Walls Hotel (112 rooms) Tel: 627 2416, Fax: 626 4658 Alcazar Hotel (38 rooms; bf; mr; res) [email protected], www.goldenwalls.com Tel: 628 1111; Fax: 628 7360 [email protected], www.jrscazar.com Holy Land Hotel (105 rooms; bf; cf; mr; res) Tel: 627 2888, Fax: 628 0265 Ambassador Hotel (122 rooms; bf; cf; mr; res) [email protected], www.holylandhotel.com Tel: 541 2222, Fax: 582 8202 [email protected] Jerusalem Hotel (14 rooms; bf; mr; res; live music) www.jerusalemambassador.com Tel: 628 3282, Fax: 628 3282 [email protected], www.jrshotel.com American Colony Hotel(84 rooms; bf; cf; mr; res) Tel: 627 9777, Fax: 627 9779 Jerusalem Claridge Hotel (30 rooms; bf; mr; res) Lawrence Hotel (30 rooms; business facilites; res) St. Andrew’s Scottish Guesthouse [email protected], www.americancolony.com Tel: 656 4393, Fax: 656 4394 Tel: 626 4208, Fax: 627 1285 “The Scottie” (17 rooms + 1 hostel) [email protected], www.jerusalemclaridge.com [email protected] Tel: 673 2401; Fax: 673 1711 Austrian Hospice [email protected], www.scothotels.co.il Tel: 626 5800, Fax: 627 1472 Jerusalem Meridian Hotel Legacy Hotel offi[email protected] (74 rooms; bf; mr; res) Tel: 627 0800, Fax: 627 7739 St. George Hotel (144 rooms; bf; cf; mr; res) www.austrianhospice.com Tel: 628 5212, Fax: 628 5214 [email protected], www.jerusalemlegacy.com Tel: 627 7232 - 627 7323, Fax: 628 2575 www.jerusalem-meridian.com [email protected], www.hotelstgeorge-jer.com Azzahra Hotel (15 rooms, res) Metropol Hotel Tel: 628 2447, Fax: 628 3960 Jerusalem Panorama Hotel Tel: 628 2507, Fax: 628 5134 St. George’s Pilgrim Guest House [email protected], www.azzahrahotel.com (74 rooms; bf; mr; res) Mount of Olives Hotel (61 rooms; bf; mr; res) (25 rooms; bf; res) Tel: 628 4887, Fax: 627 3699 Tel: 628 3302, Fax: 628 2253 Capitol Hotel (54 rooms; bf; mr; res) Tel: 628 4877, Fax: 626 4427 [email protected] [email protected], www.mtolives.com [email protected] Tel: 628 2561/2, Fax: 626 4352 www.jerusalempanoramahotel.com Mount Scopus Hotel (65 rooms; bf; mr; res) Strand Hotel (88 rooms; mr; res) Christmas Hotel Hashimi Hotel Tel: 628 0279, Fax: 628 4826 Tel: 628 2588, Fax: 626 4417 Tel: 582 8891, Fax: 582 8825 Tel: 628 4410, Fax: 628 4667 [email protected] [email protected], www.christmas-hotel.com [email protected] Victoria Hotel (50 rooms; bf; res) Tel: 627 4466, Fax: 627 4171 Commodore Hotel (45 rooms; cf; mr; res) New Imperial Hotel (45 rooms) Knights Palace Guesthouse (50 rooms) Tel: 627 2000, Fax: 627 1530 Tel: 627 1414, Fax: 628 4701 Tel: 628 2537, Fax: 628 2401, [email protected] Bethlehem (02) New Metropole Hotel (25 rooms; mr; res) Tel: 628 3846, Fax: 627 7485 Alexander Hotel (42 rooms; bf; mr; res) Tel: 277 0780, Fax: 277 0782 New Regent Hotel (24 rooms; bf; mr; res) Tel: 628 4540, Fax: 626 4023 Al-Salam Hotel (26 rooms; 6f; mr; cf; res) [email protected] Tel: 276 4083/4, Fax: 277 0551 [email protected] New Swedish Hostel Tel: 627 7855, Fax: 626 4124 Beit Al-Baraka Youth Hostel (19 rooms) [email protected] Tel: 222 9288, Fax: 222 9288 www.geocities.com/swedishhostel Beit Ibrahim Guesthouse Notre Dame Guesthouse Tel: 274 2613, Fax: 274 4250 Tel: 627 9111, Fax: 627 1995 [email protected] www.abrahams-herberge.com Petra Hostel and Hotel Tel: 628 6618 Bethlehem Hotel (209 rooms; bf; cf; mr; res) Tel: 277 0702, Fax: 277 0706 Pilgrims Inn Hotel (16 rooms; bf; mr; res) [email protected] Tel: 627 2416 [email protected] Bethlehem Inn (36 rooms; bf; mr; res) Tel: 274 2424, Fax: 274 2423 Ritz Hotel Jerusalem (104 rooms, bf, mr) Tel: 626 9900, Fax: 626 9910 Bethlehem Star Hotel (72 rooms; cf; bf; res) [email protected] Tel: 274 3249 - 277 0285, Fax: 274 1494 www.jerusalemritz.com [email protected] Rivoli Hotel Casanova Hospice (60 rooms; mr; res) Tel: 628 4871, Fax: 627 4879 Tel: 274 3981, Fax: 274 3540 Savoy Hotel (17 rooms) Casanova Palace Hotel (25 rooms; bf; res) Tel: 628 3366, Fax: 628 8040 Tel: 274 2798, Fax: 274 1562 Seven Arches Hotel (197 rooms; bf; mr; res) Everest Hotel (19 rooms; bf; mr; res) Tel: 626 7777, Fax: 627 1319 Tel: 274 2604, Fax: 274 1278 [email protected]

78 79 Grand Hotel (107 rooms; bf; cf; mr; res) Hebron (02) Tel: 274 1602 - 274 1440, Fax: 274 1604 [email protected] Hebron Hotel Tel: 225 4240 / 222 9385, Fax: 222 6760 Golden Park Resort & Hotel (Beit Sahour) e-mail: [email protected] (54 rooms; res, bar, pool) Tel: 277 4414 Regency Hotel (76 rooms; su; res; tb; cf; bf) Tel: 225 7389/98, Fax: 225 7388 Inter-Continental Hotel (Jacir Palace) [email protected], www.hebron-regency.com (250 rooms; su; bf; cf; mr; res) Tel: 276 6777, Fax: 276 6770 Nablus (09) Lutheran Guesthouse “Abu Gubran” Al-Qaser Hotel (38 rooms; bf; cf; mr; res) Tel: 277 0047 Tel: 238 5444, Fax: 238 5944 Murad Tourist Resort [email protected] Tel: 2759880, Fax:2759881 Al-Yasmeen Hotel & Souq www.murad.ps (30 rooms; cf; mr; res) Nativity Hotel (89 rooms; bf; cf; mr; res) Tel: 233 3555 Fax: 233 3666 Tel: 277 0650, Fax: 274 4083 [email protected], www.alyasmeen.com [email protected], www.nativity-hotel.com Asia Hotel (28 rooms, res) Paradise Hotel (166 rooms;cf;bf;mr;res;su;pf) Telefax: 238 6220 Tel: 274 4542/3 - 274 4544 Chrystal Motel (12 rooms) [email protected] Telefax: 233 3281 Saint Antonio Hotel (36 rooms; mr; cf;res;pf) Tel: 274 4308, Fax: 277 0524 Ramallah & Al-Bireh (02) Santa Maria Hotel (83 rooms; mr; res) Al-A’in Hotel (24 rooms and suites; mr; cf) Tel: 276 7374/5/6, Fax: 276 7377 Tel: 240 5925 - 240 4353 Fax: 240 4332 [email protected] [email protected] Shepherd Hotel Al-Bireh Tourist Hotel (50 rooms; cf; res) Tel: 274 0656, Fax: 274 4888 Telefax: 240 0803 [email protected], www.shepherdhotel.com Al-Hajal Hotel (22 rooms; bf) St. Nicholas Hotel (25 rooms; res; mr) Telefax: 298 7858 Pension Miami (12 rooms) Al-Waha Hotel Tel: 274 3040/1/2, Fax: 274 3043 Telefax: 295 6808 Tel: 287 0880, Fax: 287 0889 Al-Murouj Pension (Jifna village) (8 rooms; res) Saint Vincent Guest House (36 rooms) Telefax: 281 0881 Plaza Hotel Beach Hotel (25 rooms; bf; mr; res) Tel: 276 0967/8, Fax: 276 0970 Telefax: 298 2020 Telefax: 282 5492 - 284 8433 [email protected], www.saintvincentguesthouse.net Al-Wihdah Hotel Telefax: 298 0412 Ramallah Hotel (22 rooms; bf; mr; res) Cliff Hotel (24 rooms; bf; mr; res) Talita Kumi Guest House (22 rooms; res; mr; cf) Tel: 295 3544, Fax: 295 5029 Tel: 282 3450, Fax: 282 0742 Tel: 274 1247, Fax: 274 1847 Ankars Suites (22 suites; cf; res; bf) Tel: 295 2602, Fax: 295 2603 Retno Hotel (15 rooms & su; res; mr; gm; sp) Commodore Gaza Hotel (120 rooms;su; bf) [email protected] Telefax: 295 0022 Tel: 283 4400, Fax: 282 2623 Jericho (02) [email protected] [email protected] Al- Zaytouna Guest House (7 rooms; bf; res; mr) Best Eastern Hotel (91 rooms; cf; res) Tel: 296 0450, Fax: 295 8452 Royal Court Suite Hotel (34 suites; res; mr; ter; Gaza International Hotel Telefax: 274 2016 Deir Hijleh Monastery cf; pf; i) Tel: 994 3038, 0505 348 892 [email protected] (30 rooms; bf; cf; res; sp) Tel: 296 4040, Fax: 296 4047 Tel: 283 0001/2/3/4, Fax: 283 0005 Hisham Palace Hotel City Inn Palace Hotel (47 rooms; bf; cf; res) Tel: 240 8080, Fax: 240 8091 Grand Palace Hotel Tel: 232 2414, Fax: 232 3109 Gaza Strip (08 ) [email protected], www.cityinnpalace.com (20 rooms; cr; mr; cf; res; internet) Inter-Continental Jericho Adam Hotel (76 rooms; bf; cf; mr; res) Tel: 284 9498/6468, Fax: 284 9497 Grand Park Hotel & Resorts (181 rooms; su; bf; cf; mr; res; ter; tb) Telefax: 282 3521/19 [email protected] Tel: 231 1200, Fax: 231 1222 (84 rooms; 12 grand suites; bf; cf; mr; res; sp; pf) Tel: 298 6194, Fax: 295 6950 Al-Amal, Palestinian Red Crescent Hotel Sea Breeze Jericho Resort Village [email protected] Guesthouse Tel: 283 0277 - 284 2654, Fax: 282 4231 (60 rooms; 46 studios; bf; cf; mr; res) Gemzo Suites Tel: 286 1832 Tel: 232 1255, Fax: 232 2189 Marna House (17 rooms; bf; mr; res) [email protected], www.jerichoresorts.com (90 executive suites; cs; mr; pf; gm; res) Al-Deira (11 suites; cf; mr; res; ter) Tel: 282 2624, Fax: 282 3322 Tel: 240 9729, Fax: 240 9532 Tel: 283 8100/200/300, Fax: 283 8400 Jerusalem Hotel (22 rooms) [email protected], www.gemzosuites.net [email protected] Palestine Hotel (54 rooms; bf; cf; mr; res) Tel: 232 2444, Fax: 992 3109 Tel: 282 3355, Fax: 286 0056 Manarah Hotel Al-Quds Inter na tional Hotel Summerland Tourist Village (casino; cf; res) Telepherique & Sultan Tourist Center Tel: 295 2122, Telefax: 295 3274 (44 rooms; 2 suites; bf; mr; res) Tel: 284 7171, Fax: 286 4008 (55 rooms) [email protected], www.manarahhotel.com.ps Telefax: 282 5181 - 282 6223 - 286 3481 - 282 2269 Tel: 232 1590, Fax: 232 1598 Merryland Hotel (25 rooms) Zahrat Al-Madain [email protected] Tel: 298 7176, Telefax: 298 7074 Tel: 282 6801 Rocky Hotel (22 rooms; cf; res; ter) Tel: 296 4470, Telefax: 296 1871 Key: su = suites, bf = business facilities; mr = meeting rooms, cr = conference facilities; res = restaurant, ter = terrace bar; tb = turkish bath, cf = coffee shop; gm = gym; pf = parking facilities, sp = swimming pool

80 81 East Jerusalem (02) Nafoura Cigar Bar (Jacir Palace Nablus (09) Fawanees Tomasso’s Tel: 626 0034 Inter-Continental Bethlehem) Tel: 298 7046 Tel: 240 9991/ 2 3 Arches Restaurant Tel: 276 6777, Fax: 276 6770 Salim Afandi Tel: 569 2692, Fax: 623 5192 Nakashian Gallery Cafe Tel: 237 1332 Karkar Café Tropicana Tel: 627 8077 Dar al Balad Tel: 296 3643 Tel: 297 5661 Al-Diwan (Ambassador Hotel) Tel: 274 9073 Zeit Ou Zaater Tel: 541 2213, Fax: 582 8202 Notre Dame - La Rotisserie (Al-Yasmeen Hotel) K5M - Caterers Vatche’s Garden Tel: 627 9114, Fax: 627 1995 Dar Jdoudnah Coffee Tel: 238 3164, Fax: 233 3666 Tel: 295 6813 Restaurant Al-Mihbash Panorama Restaurant Shop Tel: 296 5966 - 296 5988 Tel: 628 9185 Tel: 274 3212 Mac Chain Restaurant Tel: 626 3344 Ramallah & Tel: 297 2125 Zam’n Premium Coffee Al-Shuleh Grill Grotto Restuarant Tel: 295 0600 Tel: 627 3768 Papa Andreas Al-Bireh (02) Mac Simon Tel: 628 4433, Fax:627 5224 Tel: 274 8844, Fax: 274 8889 Al Makan Tel: 297 2088 Zan Restaurant and Pub Amigo Emil Golden Roof Tel: 297 0548 Tel: 628 8090, Fax: 626 1457 Pasha’s Tel: 295 7676, Fax: 297 1776 Mr. Donuts Café Tel: 582 5162 - 532 8342 Tel: 274 3224 Almonds Tel: 240 7196 Zarour Bar BQ Antonio’s (Ambassador Hotel) Il’iliyeh Restaurant Tel: 295 6767 - 296 4480 Tel: 541 2213 Patisserie Suisse Tel: 295 7028 Mr. Fish Tel: 628 4377 Tel: 277 0047 Fax: 296 4357 Al-Aseel Tel: 295 9555 Arabesque, Poolside & Patio La Terrasse Zeit ou Zaater Pizza House Tel: 298 0456 Mr. Pizza Restaurants Tel: 627 3970 - 628 8135 Tel: 275 3678 Tel: 295 4455 (American Colony Hotel) Angelo’s Tel: 240 3016 - 240 8182 Mariachi (Grand Hotel) Ziryab Tel: 627 9777, Fax: 627 9779 Popular Arab Tel: 295 6408 - 298 1455 Muntaza Restaurant & Tel: 583 3226 Tel: 274 1440 - 274 1602 Tel: 295 9093 Armenian Tavern 274 1603, Fax: 274 1604 Avenue Restaurant Garden Tel: 627 3854 Rossini's Restaurant Bar Tel: 296 3633 Tel: 295 6835 Gaza Strip (08) Tel: 628 2964 Opera Bistro & Lounge Askidinya Tel: 275 0859 Azure Restaurant & Na3Na3 Café Al-Andalus Tel: 532 4590 Shalizar Restuarant Tel: 296 4606 Riwaq Courtyard Coffeeshop Tel: 282 1272 - 283 3769 Tel: 582 9061 Telefax: 295 7850 Az-Zahra (Jacir Palace Inter-Continental) Osama’s Pizza Al-Deira Tel: 295 3270 Tel: 628 2447 The Gate Café Tel: 276 6777, Fax: 276 6754 Baba's Brunch Tel: 283 8100/ 200/ 300 Tel: 627 4282 Blue Dolphin Roots Restaurant Tel. 2976931 Pizza Inn Al-Diwanea Tourist Tel: 532 2001, Fax: 581 1737 The Patio (Christmas Hotel) Tel: 274 9292 Baladna Ice Cream Tel: 298 1181/ 2 /3 Tel: 282 5062 Tel: 628 2588 - 626 4418 Borderline Restaurant Café Shepherds Valley Village Telefax: 295 6721 Plaza Restaurant & Park Alladin Tel: 532 8342 Versavee Bistro (Bar and Café) (The Tent) Birth Café Tel: 295 6020, Fax: 296 4693 Tel: 282 3355 Tel: 627 6160 Tel: 277 3875 Tel: 297 6614 é Europe Pollo-Loco (Mexican) Al-MarsaﹶCaf Tel: 628 4313 Victoria Restaurant St.George Restaurant Caesar’s (Grand Park Hotel) Tel: 298 1984 Tel: 286 3599 Tel: 628 3051 Café Imperial Tel: 274 3780, Fax: 274 1833 Tel: 298 6194 Pronto Resto-Café (Italian) Al-Molouke Tel: 298 7312 Tel: 628 2261, Fax: 627 1530 Bethlehem (02) Tachi Chinese Café De La Paix Tel: 286 8397 Cardo Restaurant Tel: 274 4382 Tel: 298 0880 Rukab’s Ice Cream Al-Salam Abu Eli Restaurant Tel: 627 0827 Taboo – Restaurant & Bar Café Mocha Rena Tel: 295 3467 Tel: 282 2705, Telefax: 283 3188 Tel. 274 1897 Chinese Restaurant Tel: 274 0711, Fax: 274 1862 Tel: 298 1460 Saba Sandwiches Al-Sammak Abu Shanab Restaurant Tel: 626 3465, Fax: 626 3471 The Square Restaurant Casablanca Tel: 296 0116 Tel: 286 4385 Tel: 274 2985 Coffee Bean Cafe & Coffee Shop Tel: 298 7658 Samer Al-Sammak Ghornata Al-Hakura Restaurant Tel: 274 9844 Tel: 627 0820 Chinese House Restaurant Tel: 240 5338 - 240 3088 Tel: 284 0107 Tel: 277 3335 El Dorada Coffee Shop & Zaitouneh - Jacir Palace Tel: 296 4081 Sangria’s Al-Sayyad Akkawi Café Inter-Continental Bethlehem Internet Café Darna Tel: 295 6808 Tel: 283 4779 Tel: 274 8447 Tel: 276 6777, Fax: 276 6154 Tel: 626 0993 Tel: 295 0590/ 1 Shukeireh Restaurant La Mirage Al Makan Bar (Jacir Palace Four Seasons Restaurants & Jericho (02) Diwan Art coffee Shop Tel: 297 5233 Tel: 286 5128 Coffee Shop Inter-Continental Bethlehem) Tel: 296 6483 Tel: 276 6777, Fax: 276 6770 Sinatra Cafe & Cheese Cake Lido Tel: 628 6061, Fax: 628 6097 Al-Nafoura Restaurant Do Re Mi Café (Royal Court) Tel: 2971028 Tel: 286 4198 Baidar (Jacir Palace Inter- (Jericho Resort Village) Goodies Tel: 232 1255, Fax: 232 2189 Tel: 296 4040 Continental Bethlehem) Stones Matouq Tel: 585 3223 Tel: 296 6038 Tel: 276 6777, Fax: 276 6770 Al-Rawda Elite Coffee House Tel: 282 6245 - 282 1399 Kan Zaman (Jerusalem Hotel) Tel: 296 5169 Balloons Telefax: 232 2555 Tabash (Jifna village) Roots - The Club Tel: 627 1356 Tel: 281 0932 Tel: 275 0221, Fax: 277 7115 Green Valley Park Ein Al-Marj (Birzeit) Tel: 288 8666 - 282 3999 Lotus and Olive Garden Tel: 281 0220/ 1 282 3777 Bonjour Restaurant and Tel: 232 2349 Tal El-Qamar Roof (Jerusalem Meridian Hotel) Tel: 298 7905/ 6 Café Jabal Quruntul European Coffee Shop Whispers Tel: 628 5212 Tel: 282 1011 Tel: 274 0406 Tel: 232 2614, Fax: 232 2659 Tel: 295 7031 - 296 6505 The Orthodox Club Moon Light Pizza Express Pizza Tel: 295 6520 Tel: 627 5277 Café Sima Seven Trees Tel: 275 2058 Tel: 232 2781 Tel: 296 9599 82 83 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 Tel: 628 3251, Fax: 627 3477 • Islamic Museum (The Islamic Waqf Association) , Old City, Tel: 628 3313, 7102, Fax: 581 7103, [email protected], www.alliancetravel-jrs.com • Arab Tourist Agency (ATA), Fax: 628 5561, opening hours for tourists: daily from 7:30 - 13:30 • Math Museum, Science Museum, Abu Tel: 627 7442, Fax: 628 4366,[email protected] • Aswar Tourism Services, Tel: 628 2183, Fax: 628 2189, Jihad Museum for the Palestinian Prisoners Studies - Al-Quds University, Tel: 279 9753 - 279 0606, [email protected] • Atic Tours & Travel Ltd., Tel: 628 6159, Fax: 626 4023, [email protected], www. [email protected], opening hours Saturday - Wednesday 8:30 - 15:00 • Qalandia Camp Women’s Handicraft atictour.com • Awad & Co. Tourist Agency, Tel: 628 4021, Fax: 628 7990, [email protected], www.awad- Coop., Telefax: 656 9385, Fax: 585 6966, [email protected] tours.com • Aweidah Bros. Co., Tel: 628 2365, Fax: 628 2366, [email protected], www.aweidahtours.com • Ayoub Caravan Tours, Tel: 628 4361, Fax: 628 5804 [email protected] • B. Peace Tours & Travel, Ramallah & Al-Bireh (02) Museum of Palestinian Popular Heritage - In’ash el Usra, In’ash el Tel: 626 1876, Fax: 626 2065, [email protected] • Bible Land Tours, Tel: 627 1169, Fax: 627 2218, Usra society, Al-Bireh, Tel: 240 2876, Fax: 240 1544, Opening hours: daily from 8:00 - 15:00 except Fridays • [email protected] • Blessed Land Tours, Tel: 628 6592, Fax: 628 5812, [email protected], www. The Birzeit University Ethnographic and Art Museum Tel: 298 2976, [email protected], Opening hours: blessedlandtours.com • Carawan Tours and Travel, Tel: 628 1244, Fax: 628 1406, [email protected], www. daily from 10:00 - 15:00 except for Fridays and Sundays carawan-tours.com • Daher Travel, Tel: 628 3235, Fax: 627 1574, [email protected], www.dahertravel.com • Dajani Palestine Tours, Tel: 626 4768, Fax: 627 6927, [email protected] • Dakkak Tours Agency, Bethlehem (02) Al-Balad Museum for Olive Oil Production, Tel: 274 1581, Opening hours: 8:00-14:30 Tel: 628 2525, Fax: 628 2526, [email protected] • Egythai Int. Tours and Travel, Tel: 628 1184, Fax: Monday through Saturday • Baituna al Talhami Museum, (Folklore Museum) Arab Women’s Union, 628 4701, [email protected] • Gates of Jerusalem Travel Agency, Tel: 234 4365, Fax: 234 3835, Tel: 274 2589, Fax: 274 2431, Opening hours: daily from 8:00 - 13:00/ 14:00 - 17:00 except for Sundays and [email protected] • George Garabedian Co., Tel: 628 3398, Fax: 628 7896, [email protected] • GEMM Thursdays afternoon • Bethlehem Peace Center Museum, Tel: 276 6677, Fax: 274 1057, [email protected], Travel, Tel: 628 2535/6, [email protected] • Golden Dome Company for Hajj& Umra Services, www.peacenter.org, Opening hours: daily from 10:00-18:00 except Sundays from 10:00 - 16:00 • Natural History Tel: 628 0770, Fax: 628 5912 • Guiding Star Ltd., Tel: 627 3150, Fax: 627 3147, [email protected], www. Museum, Telefax:02-276 5574, [email protected], www.eecp.org • The Crib of Nativity Museum, Tel: 276 guidingstarltd.com • Holy Jerusalem Tours & Travel, Tel: 540 1668; Fax: 540 0963, info@holyjerusalemtours. 0876, Fax: 276 0877, [email protected], www.cribofnativity.com • Palestinian Ethnographic Museum, com, www.holyjerusalemtours.com • Holy Land Tours, Tel: 532 3232, Fax: 532 3292, [email protected] Tel: 276 7467, Fax: 276 0533, [email protected], Opening hours: daily from 9:00 - 17:00 • Palestinian Heritage • J. Sylvia Tours, Tel: 628 1146, Fax: 628 8277, [email protected] • Jata Travel Ltd., Tel: 627 5001, Center, Telefax: 274 2381, [email protected], www.palestinianheritagecenter.com Fax: 627 5003, [email protected] • Jiro Tours, Tel: 627 3766, Fax: 628 1020, [email protected], www. jirotours.com • Jordan Travel Agency, Tel: 628 4052, Fax: 628 7621 • Jerusalem Orient Tourist Travel, Gaza (08) Al Mathaf, Tel: 285 8444, [email protected], www. almathaf.ps Tel : 628 8722, Fax: 627 4589, [email protected] • JT & T, Tel: 628 9418, 628 9422, Fax: 628 9298, jtt@bezeqint. net.il, www.jttours.com • KIM’s Tourist & Travel Agency, Tel: 627 9725, Fax: 627 4626, [email protected], www.kimstours.com • Lawrence Tours & Travel, Tel: 628 4867, Fax: 627 1285, [email protected] • Lourdes Tourist & Travel Agency, Tel: 627 5332, Telefax: 627 5336, [email protected] • Middle East Car Rental, Tel: 626 2777, Fax: 626 2203 • Mt. of Olives Tours Ltd., Tel: 627 1122, Fax: 628 5551 [email protected], www.olivetours.com • Nawas Tourist Agency Ltd., Tel: 628 2491, Fax: 628 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, otb@ netvision.net.il • Royal Orient Tours & Travel, Tel: 626 4181/2, Fax: 626 4186, [email protected] • Safieh Tours & Travel Agency, Tel: 626 4447, Fax: 628 4430, safi[email protected] • Samara Tourist & Travel Agency, Tel: 627 6133. Fax: 627 1956, [email protected] • Season Travel ltd., Tel: 627 7552, Fax: 627 7564, [email protected], www.season-travel.com • 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 • Siniora Star Tours, Tel: 628 6373, Fax: 628 9078, East Jerusalem (02) Car Rental • Car & Drive, Tel: 656 5562/3 • Dallah Al-Barakah, Tel: 656 4150 • [email protected] • Terra Sancta Tourist Co, Tel: 628 4733, Fax: 626 4472 • The Pioneer Links Travel Good Luck, Tel: 627 7033, Fax: 627 7688 • Green Peace Rent A Car Ltd., Telefax: 585 9756 • Jerusalem & Tourism Bureau, Tel: 626 1963, Fax: 628 4714, www.pioneer-links.com • Tony Tours Ltd., Tel: 244 2050, Car Rental & Leasing ltd., Tel: 582 2179, Fax: 582 2173 • Orabi, Tel: 585 3101 • Petra, Tel: 582 0716,Taxis Fax: 244 2052, [email protected] • United Travel Ltd., Tel: 583 3614, Fax: 583 6190, [email protected], Abdo,Tel: 585 8202 (Beit Hanina), Tel: 628 3281 (Damascus Gate) • Al-Eman Taxi & Lemo Service, Tel: www.unitedtravelltd.com • Universal Tourist Agency, Tel: 628 4383, Fax: 626 4448, [email protected], www. 583 4599 - 583 5877 •Al-Rashid, Tel: 628 2220 • Al-Aqsa, Tel: 627 3003 • Beit Hanina, Tel: 585 5777 • Holy universal-jer.com • William Tours & Travel Agency, Tel: 623 1617, Fax: 624 1126, [email protected] • Land, Tel: 585 5555 • Imperial, Tel: 628 2504 • Jaber - Petra, Tel: 583 7275 - 583 7276 • Khaled Al-Tahan, Zatarah Tourist & Travel Agency, Tel: 627 2725, Fax: 628 9873, [email protected] Tel: 585 5777 • Mount of Olives, Tel: 627 2777 • Panorama, Tel: 628 1116 • Tourist Transpor tation Abdo Tourist, Tel: 628 1866 • Jerusalem of Gold, Tel: 673 7025/6 • Kawasmi Tourist Travel Ltd., Tel: 628 4769, Bethlehem (02) Angels Tours and Travel, Tel: 277 5813, Fax: 277 5814, [email protected], www.angelstours. Fax: 628 4710 • Mount of Olives, Tel: 627 1122 • Mahfouz Tourist Travel, Tel: 628 2212, Fax: 628 4015 com.ps • Arab Agency Travel & Tourism, Tel: 274 1872, Fax: 274 2431, [email protected], www. aca-palestine.com • Crown Tours & Travel Co. Ltd., Tel: 274 0911, Fax: 274 0910, [email protected], Bethlehem (02) Car Rental Murad, Tel: 274 7092 Taxis Asha’b, Tel: 274 2309 • Beit Jala, Tel: 274 2629 www.crown-tours.com • Four Seasons Co. Tourism & Travel, Tel: 277 4401, Fax: 277 4402, fseasons@p- ol.com • Friendship Travel & Tourism, Tel: 277 7967, Fax: 277 7987, [email protected] • Gloria Hebron (02) Car Rental Holy Land, Tel: 222 0811 • Taxis Al-Asdiqa’, Tel: 222 9436 • Al-Itihad, Tel: 222 8750 Tours & Travel, Tel: 274 0835, Fax: 274 3021, [email protected] • Golden Gate Tours & Travel, Tel: 276 6044, Fax: 276 6045, [email protected] • Kukali Travel & Tours, Tel: 277 3047, Fax: 277 2034, kukali@p-ol. Jericho (02) Taxis Petra, Tel: 232 2525 com • Laila Tours & Travel, Tel: 277 7997, Fax: 277 7996, [email protected], www.Lailatours.com • Lama Nablus (09) Car Rental Orabi, Tel: 238 3383 • Taxis Al-Ittimad, Tel: 237 1439 • Al-Madina, Tel: 237 3501 Tours International, Tel: 274 3717, Fax: 274 3747, [email protected] • Millennium Transportation, TeleFax: 676 7727, 050-242 270 • Mousallam Int’l Tours, Tel: 277 0054, Fax: 277 0054, [email protected] • Nativity Ramallah & Al-Bireh (02) Car Rental Good Luck, Tel: 234 2160 • Orabi, Tel: 240 3521 • Petra, Travel, Tel: 274 2966, Fax: 274 4546 • Sansur Travel Agency, Tel: 274 4473, Telefax: 274 4459 • Sky Lark Tel: 295 2602 • TWINS, Tel: 296 4688 • Taxis Al-Bireh, Tel: 240 2956 • Al-Masyoun Taxi, Tel: 295 2230 • Tours and Travel, Tel: 274 2886, Fax: 276 4962, [email protected] • Terra Santa Tourist Co., Tel: 277 Al-Salam, Tel: 295 5805 • Al-Wafa, Tel: 295 5444 • Al-Itihad, Tel: 295 5887 • Hinnawi Taxi, Tel: 295 6302 • 0249 Fax: 277 0250 Omaya, Tel: 295 6120 • SAHARA Rent a Car Co., Tel: 297 5317/8 • Shamma’ Taxi Co., Tel: 296 0957 Beit Jala (02) Guiding Star Ltd., Tel: 276 5970, Fax: 276 5971, [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 • Beit Sahour (02) Alternative Tourism Group, Tel: 277 2151, Fax: 277 2211, [email protected], www.atg.ps • Azhar, Tel: 286 8858 • Midan Filastin, Tel: 286 5242 Brothers Travel & Tours, Tel: 277 5188, Fax: 277 5189, [email protected], www.brostours.com • Magi Tours, Telefax: 277 5798, [email protected]

Hebron (02) AL-Afaq for Travel & Umrah, Telefax: 221 1332, [email protected] • Al Amir Tours, Telefax: 221 2065, [email protected] • Alkiram Tourism, Tel: 225 6501/2, Fax: 225 6504,

84 85 [email protected] • Al-Haya Travel & Tourism, Tel: 229 3108, Fax: 229 7496 • Al-Salam Travel and Tours Co., Tel: 221 5574, Fax: 223 3747 • Arab Nisr Travel & Tourism, Tel: 221 5970/1, Fax: 229 2730/1, [email protected] • Sabeen Travel Tourism, Telefax: 229 4775, [email protected]

Ramallah (02) Al-Asmar Travel Agency, Telefax: 295 4140, 296 5775, [email protected] • Al Awdah Tourism & Travel, Tel: 295 2597, Fax: 295 2989 • All Middle East Pilgrimage and Tourism Coordination Consulates Office, Tel: 289 8123, Fax: 289 9174, [email protected], www.ameptco.com • Amani Tours, Telefax: 298 7013, [email protected] • Anwar Travel Agency, Tel: 295 6388, 295 1706, [email protected] • Arab Office for East Jerusalem (02) Apostolic Delegation, Tel: 628 2298, Fax: 628 1880 • Belgium, Tel: 582 8263, Travel & Tourism, Tel: 295 6640, Fax: 295 1331 • Arseema for Travel & Tourism, Tel: 297 5571, Fax: 297 Fax: 581 4063, [email protected] • European Community - Delegation to the OPT, Tel: 541 5888, 5572, [email protected] • Atlas Tours & Travel, Tel: 295 2180, Fax: 298 6395, www.atlasavia.com • Darwish Fax: 541 5848 • France, Tel: 591 4000, Fax: 582 0032 • Great Britain, Tel: 541 4100, Fax: 532 2368, britain. Travel Agency, Tel: 295 6221, Fax: 295 7940 • Golden Globe Tours, Tel: 296 5111, Fax: 296 5110, gg-tours@ [email protected], www.britishconsulate.org • Greece, Tel: 582 8316, Fax: 532 5392 • Italy, Tel: 561 8966, palnet.com • Issis & Co., Tel: 295 6250, Fax: 295 4305 • Jordan River Tourist & Travel Agency, Tel: 298 Fax: 561 9190 • Spain, Tel: 582 8006, Fax: 582 8065 • Swedish Consulate General, Tel: 646 5860, Fax: 0523, Fax: 298 0524 • Kashou’ Travel Agency, Tel: 295 5229, Fax: 295 3107, [email protected] • Mrebe 646 5861 • Turkey, Tel: 591 0555-7, Fax: 582 0214, [email protected], www.kudus.bk.mfa.gov.tr • Tours & Travel, Tel: 295 4671, Fax: 295 4672, [email protected] • Paltour for Tours and Travel, Tel: 297 United States of America, Tel: 622 7230, Fax: 625 9270 5456, Fax: 297 6079, [email protected] • The Pioneer Links Travel & Tourism Bureau, Tel: 240 7859, Fax: 240 7860, [email protected] • TTravel House For Travel & Tourism, Tel: 295 7225, Fax: 296 2634, www. Representative Offices to the PNA travelhouse.ps • Rahhal Tours & Travel, Tel: 242 3256, Fax: 242 9962, [email protected], www.rahhalyours. ps • Raha Tours and Travel, Tel: 296 1780, Fax: 296 1782, www.rahatt.com, www.rahatravel.com • Ramallah Ramallah & Al-Bireh (02) Australia, Tel: 242 7710, Fax: 240 8290, [email protected], ausaid@palnet. Travel Agency, Tel: 295 3692, Fax: 295 5029, [email protected], www.kaoud.org • Reem Travel Agency, Tel: com • Austria, Tel: 240 1477, Fax: 240 0479 • Brazil, Tel: 241 3753, Fax: 241 3756, admin-office@rep-brazil. 295 3871, Fax: 295 3871 • Royal Tours, Tel: 296 6350/1, Fax: 296 6635 • Sabeen Travel Tourism, Telefax: org • Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Tel: 240 58 60/1, Fax: 2405862, representacionenpalestina@yahoo. 240 5931, [email protected] • Salah Tours, Tel: 295 9931, Fax: 298 7206 • Shbat & Abdul Nur, Tel: 295 com, [email protected] • Canada, Tel: 297 8430, Fax: 297 8446, [email protected] 6267, Fax: 295 7246 • Skyway Tourist Agency, Telefax: 296 5090 • Chile, Tel: 296 0850, Fax: 298 4768, [email protected] • Cyprus, Tel: 240 6959, Fax: 240 4897 • Czech Republic, Tel: 296 5595, Fax: 296 5596 • Denmark, Tel: 240 2330, Fax: 240 0331 • Egypt, Tel: 297 7774, Fax: Jenin (04) Asia Travel Tourism, Telefax: 243 5157, www.asia-tourism.net • Al Sadeq Travel & Tourism, 297 7772 • Finland, Tel: 240 0340, Fax: 240 0343 • Germany, Tel: 298 4788, Fax: 298 4786, gerrprof@palnet. Tel: 243 8055, Fax: 243 8057, email: [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: Nablus (09) Dream Travel & Tourism, Tel: 233 5056, Fax: 237 2069 • Firas Tours, Tel: 234 4565, Fax: 241 3123 • Jordan, Tel: 297 4625, Fax: 297 4624 • Mexico, Tel: 297 5592, Fax: 297 5594, ofimex-ramala@palnet. 234 7781 • Top Tour, Tel: 238 9159, Fax: 238 1425, [email protected] • Yaish International Tours, com • Norway, Tel: 234 5050, Fax: 234 5079, [email protected] • Poland, Tel: 297 1318, Fax: 297 1319 • Portugal, Telefax: 238 1410, 238 1437, [email protected] Tel: 240 7291/3, Fax: 240 7294 • Republic of Korea, Tel: 240 2846/7, Fax: 240 2848 • Russian Federation, Tel: 240 0970, Fax: 240 0971 • South Africa, Tel: 298 7355, Fax: 298 7356, [email protected], www.sarep.org • Tulkarem (09) Faj Tours, Tel: 2672 486, Fax: 2686 070, [email protected] 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@ Gaza Strip (08) Al-Muntazah Travel Agency, Tel: 282 7919 Fax: 282 4923 • Halabi Tours and Travel palnet.com Co., Tel: 282 3704, Fax: 286 6075, [email protected], www.halabitours.ps • Maxim Tours, Tel: 282 4415, Fax: 286 7596 • National Tourist Office, Tel: 286 0616, Fax: 286 0682, [email protected] • Time Travel Gaza Strip (08) Egypt, Tel: 282 4290, Fax: 282 0718 • Germany, Tel: 282 5584, Fax: 284 4855 • Jordan, Ltd., Tel: 283 6775, Fax: 283 6855, [email protected] 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), Tel: 2725 (Jerusalem), Tel: 08-282 1530 (Gaza) • bmi – Nazarene Aviation, Tel: 02-626 0896/898, Fax: 02-626 295 9740, Fax: 295 9741, [email protected] • UNFPA - United Nations Population Fund, Jerusalem (02), 0958 (Jerusalem) • British Airways, Tel: 02-628 8654 (Jerusalem) • Cyprus Airways, Tel: 02-240 4894 (Al- Tel: 581 7292, Fax: 581 7382, [email protected], www.unfpa.ps • UNICEF - United Nations Children’s Fund, Bireh) • Delta Airlines, Tel: 02-296 7250, Telefax: 02-298 6395 (Ramallah) • Egypt Air, Tel: 02-298 6950/49 Jerusalem (02), Tel: 583 0013,4 Fax: 583 0806, Gaza (08), Tel: 286 2400, Fax: 286 2800, [email protected] • (Ramallah), Tel: 08-282 1530 (Gaza) • Emirates Airlines, Tel: 02-296 1780 (Ramallah) • Gulf Air, Tel: 09-238 UNIFEM - United Nations Development Fund for Women, Telefax: 628 0450, Tel: 628 0661 • UN OCHA 6312 (Nablus), Tel: 02-295 3912/3 (Ramallah) • Iberia, Tel: 02-628 3235/7238 (Jerusalem) • Lufthansa, Tel: - United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Tel: 582 9962/02 - 582 5853, Fax: 582 5841, 09-238 2065 (Nablus) • Malev-Hungarian Airlines, Tel: 02-295 2180 (Ramallah) • Middle East Car Rental, [email protected], www.ochaopt.org • UNRWA - United Nations Relief and Works Agency, Gaza (08), Tel: 677 Tel: 02-295 2602, Fax: 295 2603 • PAL AVIATION, Tel. 02-296 7250 Telefax: 02-298 6395 (Ramallah) • Palestine 7333, Fax: 677 7555, [email protected], West Bank (02), Tel: 589 0401, Fax: 532 2714, firstletterofsurname. Airlines, Tel: 08-282 2800 (Gaza), Tel: 08-282 9526/7 (Gaza) • Qatar Airways, Tel: 02-240 4895 (Al-Bireh), Tel: [email protected] • UNSCO - Office of the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, 08-284 2303 (Gaza), Royal Jordanian Airways, Tel: 02-240 5060 (Ramallah), Tel: 08-282 5403/13 (Gaza) • Tel: 08-284 3555/02-568 7276, Fax: 08-282 0966/02-568 7288, [email protected], www.unsco.org • UNTSO SN Brussels Airlines, Tel: 02-295 2180 (Ramallah), SAS Scandinavian Airlines, Tel: 02-628 3235/7238 - United Nations Truce Supervision Organization, Jerusalem (02), Tel: 568 7222 - 568 7444, Fax: 568 7400, (Jerusalem) • South African Airways, Tel: 02-628 6257 (Jerusalem) • Swiss International Airlines, Tel: [email protected] • WFP - World Food Programme, Gaza (08), Tel: 282 7463, Fax: 282 7921, 02-295 2180 (Ramallah) • Tunis Air, Tel: 02-298 7013 (Ramallah), Tel: 08-286 0616 (Gaza) • Turkish Airlines, Jerusalem (02), Tel: 540 1340, Fax: 540 1227, [email protected] • WHO - World Health Organization, Tel: 02-277 0130 (Bethlehem) Jerusalem (02), Tel: 540 0595, Fax: 581 0193, [email protected], Gaza (08), Tel: 282 2033, Fax: 284 5409, who@ palnet.com • World Bank, Tel: 236 6500, Fax: 236 6543 Airport Information Gaza International Airport, Tel: 08-213 4289 • Ben Gurion Airport, Tel: 03-972 3344

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

86 87 Ramallah (02) 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 Land Bank, Tel: 295 8421 • Bank of Palestine Ltd., Tel: 298 5921, Fax: 298 5920 • Bank of Palestine Ltd., (Al-Irsal) Tel: 296 6860, Fax: 296 6864 • Beit Al-Mal Holdings, Tel: 298 6916, Fax: East Jerusalem (02) Hospitals Augusta Victoria, Tel: 627 9911 • Dajani Maternity, Tel: 583 3906 298 6916 • HSBC Bank Middle East, Tel: 298 7802, Fax: 298 7804 • Cairo-Amman Bank, Tel: 298 3500, Fax: • Hadassah (Ein Kerem), Tel: 677 7111 • Hadassah (Mt. Scopus), Tel: 584 4111 • Maqassed, Tel: 627 0222 295 5437 • The Center for Private Enterprise Development, Tel: 298 6786, Fax: 298 6787 • Commercial • Red Crescent Maternity, Tel: 628 6694 • St. John’s Opthalmic, Tel: 582 8325 • St. Joseph, Tel: 582 Bank of Palestine, Tel: 295 4141, Fax: 295 4145 • Cooperative Development Unit, Tel: 290 0029, Fax: 8188 • Clinics and Centers Arab Health Center, Tel: 628 8726 • CHS Clinics, Tel: 628 0602/0499 • Ibn 290 0029 • Deutsche Ausgleichsbank (DTA), Tel: 298 4462, Fax: 295 2610 • The Housing Bank, Tel: 298 Sina Medical Center, Tel: 540 0083/9, 532 2536 • Jerusalem First Aid Clinic, Tel: 626 4055 • Medical 6270, Fax: 298 6276 • International Islamic Arab Bank, Tel: 240 7060, Fax: 240 7065 • Jordan Bank, Tel: Relief Womens, Health Clinic, Tel: 583 3510 • Palestinian Counseling Center, Tel: 656 2272, 656 295 8686, Fax: 2958684 • Jordan-Gulf Bank, Tel: 298 7680, Fax: 298 7682 • Jordan-Kuwait Bank, Tel: 240 2627 • Peace Medical Center, Tel: 532 7111, 532 4259 • Red Crescent Society, Tel: 586 056 • Spafford 6725, Fax: 240 6728 • Jordan National Bank, Tel: 295 9343, Fax: 295 9341 • Palestine International Bank Children’s Clinic, Tel: 628 4875 • The Austrian Arab Commu nity Clinic (AACC), Tel: 627 3246 • The (PIB), Tel: 298 3300, Fax: 298 3333 • Palestine Investment Bank, Tel: 298 7880, Fax: 298 7881 • Palestine Jerusalem Princess Basma Center for Disabled Children, Tel: 628 3058 Islamic Bank, Tel: 295 0247, Fax: 295 7146 • Union Bank, Tel: 298 6412, Fax: 295 6416

Bethlehem (02) Hospitals Al-Dibis Maternity, Tel: 274 4242 • Al-Hussein Government, Tel: 274 Gaza Strip (08) Arab Bank, Tel: 08-286 6288, Fax: 282 0704 • Arab Bank (Al-Rimal), Tel: 282 4729, Fax: 1161 • Bethlehem Arab Society for Rehabilitation, Tel: 274 4049-51, Fax: 274 4053 • Caritas Baby, Tel: 282 4719 • Arab Bank, (Khan Younis) Tel: 205 4775, Fax: 205 4745 • Arab Bank (Karny), Tel: 280 0020, Fax: 275 8500, Fax: 275 8501 • Mental Health, Tel: 274 1155 • Shepherd’s Field Hospital, Tel: 277 5092 • St. 280 0028 • Arab Land Bank, Tel: 282 2046, Fax: 282 1099 • Bank of Palestine Ltd., Tel: 282 3272, Fax: Mary’s Maternity, Tel: 274 2443 • The Holy Family, Tel: 274 1151, Fax: 274 1154 Clinics and Centers 286 5667 • Beit Al-Mal Holdings, Tel: 282 0722, Fax: 282 5786 • Cairo-Amman Bank, Tel: 282 4950, Fax: Beit Sahour Medical Center, Tel: 277 4443 • Bethlehem Dental Center, Tel: 274 3303 282 4830 • Commercial Bank of Palestine, Tel: 282 5806, Fax: 282 5816 • The Housing Bank, Tel: 282 Hebron (02) Hospi tals Amira Alia, Tel: 222 8126 • Al-Ahli, Tel: 222 0212 • Al-Meezan, Tel: 225 7400/1 • 6322, Fax: 286 1143 • Jordan Bank, Tel: 282 0707, Fax: 282 4341 • Palestine Development Fund, Tel: Al-Za’tari, Tel: 222 9035 • Hamdan, Tel: 228 1860 • Mohammed Ali, Tel: 225 3883/4 • Shaheera, Tel: 222 282 4286, Fax: 282 4286 • Palestine International Bank (PIB), Tel: 284 4333, Fax: 284 4303 • Palestine 6982 • St. John’s Opthalmic, Tel: 223 5042 • The Red Crescent, Tel: 222 8333 • Yattah Governmental Investment Bank, Tel: 282 2105, Fax: 282 2107 Hospital, Tel: 227 1017, 227 1019 Clinics and Centers Red Crescent Society, Tel: 222 7450 • UPMRC, Nablus (09) Arab Bank, Tel: 238 2340, Fax: 238 2351 • Arab Bank (Askar), Tel: 231 1694, Fax: 234 2076 Tel: 222 6663 • Arab Land Bank, Tel: 238 3651, Fax: 238 3650 • Bank of Palestine Ltd., Tel: 238 2030, Fax: 238 2923 • Jericho (02) Hospitals Jericho Government, Tel: 232 1967/8/9 Clinics and Centers UPMRC, Tel: Bank of Palestine (Al-Misbah), Tel: 231 1460, Fax: 231 1922 • Cairo-Amman Bank, Tel: 238 1301, Fax: 238 232 2148 1590 • Commercial Bank of Palestine, Tel: 238 5160, Fax: 238 5169 • The Housing Bank, Tel: 238 6060, Fax: 238 6066 • Jordan Bank, Tel: 238 1120, Fax: 238 1126 • Jordan-Gulf Bank, Tel: 238 2191, Fax: 238 Nablus (09) Hospitals Al-Aqsa Hospital and Medical Center, Tel: 294 7666 • Al-Ittihad, Tel: 237 1953 • Jordan-Kuwait Bank, Tel: 237 7223, Fax: 237 7181 • Jordan-National Bank, Tel: 238 2280, Fax: 1491 • Al-Watani, Tel: 238 0039 • Al-Zakat Hospital (TolKarem), Tel: 268 0680 • Aqraba Maternity 238 2283 • Palestine Investment Bank, Tel: 238 5051, Fax: 238 5057 • Palestine International Bank, Home, Tel: 259 8550 • Rafidia, Tel: 239 0390 • Salfit Emergency Governmental Hospital, Tel: 251 5111 Tel: 239 7780, Fax: 239 7788 • Specialized Arab Hospital, Tel: 239 0390 • St. Luke’s, Tel: 238 3818 • UNRWA Qalqilia Hospital (Qalqiliya), Tel: 294 0008 Clinics and Centers Al-Amal Center, Tel: 238 3778 • Arab Medical Center, Tel: 237 1515 • Hagar (Handicapped Equipment Center), Tel: 239 8687 • Red Crescent Society, Tel: 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 City Fire Ambulance Police Hospital, Tel: 295 5295 • Ash-Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Tel: 298 8088 • Birziet Maternity Home, Jerusalem* 02-6282222 101 100 Tel: 281 0616 • Care Specialized Dental Center, Tel: 297 5090 • Khaled Surgical Hospital, Tel: CHS (Old City Jerusalem) 101 / 050-319120 295 5640 • Ramallah Government Hospitals, Tel: 298 2216/7 • Red Crescent Hospital, Tel: 240 6260 Clinics and Centers Arab Medical Center, Tel: 295 4334 • Arabcare Medical Center, Bethlehem 02-274 1123 101 / 02-274 4222 02-274 8231 Tel: 298 6420 • Emergency & Trauma Center, Tel: 298 8088 • Harb Heart Center, Tel: 296 0336 Gaza 08-2863633 101 / 08-2863633 08-2863400 • Modern Dental Center, Tel: 298 0630 • National Center for Blood Diseases “Hippocrates” Hebron 102/22 28121-2-3 101 100 Thalessemia and Hemophilia Center, Tel: 296 5082, Fax: 296 5081 • Patients’ Friends Society Jericho 02-232 2658 101 / 02-232 1170 02-232 2521 K. Abu Raya Reha bili tation Centre, Tel: 295 7060/1 • Palestinian Hemophilia Association-PHA, Telefax: 297 5588 • Peace Medical Center, Tel: 295 9276 • Red Crescent Society, Tel: 240 6260 • UPMRC, Jenin 04-250 1225 101 / 04-250 2601 04-250 1035 Tel: 298 4423, 296 0686 Nablus 09-238 3444 101 / 09-238 0399 09-238 3518 Ramallah 02-295 6102 101 / 02-240 0666 02-295 6571 Gaza Strip (08) Hospitals Al-Ahli Al-Arabi, Tel: 286 3014 • Dar Al-Salam, Tel: 285 4240 • Nasser, Tel: 205 1244 • Shifa, Tel: 286 2765 Clinics and Centers Arab Medical Center, Tel: 286 2163 • Beit Hanoun Child helpline Palestine (121)free line Clinic, Tel: 285 8065 • Dar Al-Shifa, Tel: 286 5520 • Hagar (Handicapped Equipment Center), Tel: 284 Tulkarem 09-267 2106 101 / 09-267 2140 09-267 2161 2636 • St. John’s Opthalmic, Tel: 284 8445 • UPMRC, Tel: 282 7837 Qalqilia 09-294 0440 101 / 09-294 0440 09-294 22730

Telephone Services Paltel Tourism and Antiq uities Wake up calls 175 Bezeq Police Wake up calls 1475 Free fax service 167 Bethlehem 02-277 0750/1 East Jerusalem (02) Arab Bank (Al-Ezzarieh), Tel: 279 6671, Fax: 279 6677 • Arab Bank (Al-Ram), Tel: Talking Clock Follow me 234 8710, Fax: 234 8717 • Center for Development Consultancy (CDC), Tel: 583 3183, Fax: 583 3185 • Time around the world 1455 (forwarding calls) 72* Gaza 08-282 9017 Commer cial 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-Amman Repeat call *41 Information 199 Bank, Tel: 274 4971, Fax: 274 4974 • Jordan National Bank, Tel: 277 0351, Fax: 277 0354 • Bank of Palestine Internet maintenance 167 Ltd., Tel: 276 5515/6, Fax: 276 5517 • Palestine Investment Bank, Tel: 277 0888, Fax: 277 0889 Last call *42 Border Crossings Call waiting *70 Calls from Overseas Allenby Bridge 02-994 2302 Hebron (02) Al-Ahli Bank, Tel: 222 4801/2/3/4 • Arab Bank, Tel: 222 6410, Fax: 222 6418 • Bank of Call forwarding *71 Palestine Ltd., Tel: 225 0001/2/3 • Cairo-Amman Bank, (Wadi Al-Tuffah) Tel: 222 5353/4/5 • Cairo-Amman General information 199 Dial access code, international Arava Border 08-630 0555 Bank, (Al-Balad) Tel: 222 9803/4 • Cairo-Amman Bank, (The Islamic Branch) Tel: 222 7877 • Islamic Services 164 country code (972) or (970), Eretz Crossing 08-674 1672 Arab Bank, Tel: 2254156/7 • Islamic Bank, Tel: 222 6768 • Jordan Bank, Tel: 222 4351/2/3/4 • Palestine Corporate services 166 area code (without the zero), Rafah Border 08-673 4205 Investment Bank, Tel: 225 2701/2/3/4 • The Housing Bank, Tel: 225 0055 desired number Sheikh Hussien 04-609 3410 88 89 Persons (10 years and over) who use computer ...... 50.9% Percentage of households that have a mobile phone ...... 81.0% Percentage of households that have a telephone ...... 50.8% Percentage of households that view Palestine TV ...... 29.9% Population and Demography (revised - 2007) Projected Population (1/09/2009) Living Standards and Humanitarian Aid (2006) (Census - 2007, Preliminary Finding) Percentage of Households below poverty line ...... 57.3% Number of Individuals below poverty line ...... 2,303,840 Palestinian Territory ...... 3,954,108 Percentage of households that lost more than half of their income during Al-Aqsa Intifada ...... 51.6% West Bank (All governorates) ...... 2,459,241 Percentage of households that indicated their need for assistance (2005) ...... 67.0% Average Monthly per capita Expenditure in the Palestinian Territory (2007) ...... 95.4 Gaza Strip ...... 1,494,867 Labour Force (1st quarter of 2009) Males Females Jerusalem Governorate ...... 376,313 Labour Force participation rate ...... 66.9% 15.4% Unemployment rate in Palestinian Territory (PT) ...... 25.0% 23.8% Sex Ratio (31/12/2008) ...... 103.1% Unemployment rate in West Bank ...... 20.1% 16.8% Population by Sex (1/2/2009) Unemployment rate in Gaza Strip ...... 36.6% 39.0% Male ...... 1,973,503 Average net daily wage for employees working in PT (US$)...... 19.8 17.9 Female ...... 1,916,023 Percentage of working children (10-17 years), (1st quarter of 2009) ...... 6.4 % . 1.0 % Fertility rate (2007) ...... 4.6% Average Household Size (1/12/2007) Percentage of graduates of high education and vocational training Palestinian Territory ...... 5.8% of persons aged 15 years and over (End 2005) ...... 14.5% West Bank ...... 5.5% Percentage of graduates of high education and vocational training Gaza Strip ...... 6.5% who participated in labour force (End 2005) ...... 83.4% Unemployment rate of graduates of high education and vocational training (End 2005) 25.4% Land Use and Agriculture Palestinian Territory (PT) Area (Km2) ...... 6,020 Economics Area of PT by Type of Use (different reference periods) GDP (2008-million US$)-at constant prices (RWB and GS)** ...... 4,639.7 • Agricultural Land (2007) ...... 24.9% GDP Per Capita (2008- US$)-at constant prices (RWB and GS)** ...... 1,289.9 • Forest and Wooded Land (2007) ...... 1.6% CPI and percent change in Palestinian Terrotiry • Palestinian Built-up Land (2006) ...... 6.6% in August 2009 compare with July 2009 (base year 2004=100) 125.60 ...... 1.11% Area of built-up land in Israeli Settlements of the total area of West Bank (2006) ...... 3.3% GDP per capita for the 2nd Quarter 2009 in US $ at constant price (RWB & GS) ...... 339.4 Quaterly GDP at constant price in millions of US $ (RWB & GS) for the 2nd Quarter 2009 ...... 1,252.1 Cultivated Area (Km2) - 2006/2007 ...... 1,834.9 Number of Establishments in Operation in Private Sector and Non Governmental Education (2007/2008) Organization Sector by Economic Activity (2008)*** Illiteracy rate for persons 15 years and over (2007) ...... 5.9% • Agriculture (framing of cattele & other animals) ...... 6,977 Illiteracy rate for persons 15-29 years (2007) ...... 0.9% Mining and Quarrying...... 295 No. of schools ** ...... 2,430 • Manufacturing ...... 15,229 No. of school teachers ** ...... 43,556 • Electricity and Water supply ...... 464 No. of school students ** ...... 1,097,957 • Construction ...... 590 Students per class (schools) ** ...... 32.9% • Wholesale and Retail and Repairs...... 59,299 Drop-out rate (schools 2005/2006) ...... 1.2% • Transportation, storage and communication ...... 1,175 Repetition rate (schools 2005/2006) ...... 3.0% • • Hotels and Restaurants ...... 4,641 Business ICT (2007) • Financial Intermediation ...... 844 Percentage of Enterprises that uses Computer ...... 21.1% • Real Estate, Rental and Business Activities ...... 4,285 Percentage of Enterprises that did Electronic transactions ...... 3.1% • Education ...... 2,377 Number of (IT) Specialist Per 100 Employees ...... 3.5% • Health and Social work ...... 4,248 • Other Community, Social and Personal Services ...... 9,052 Health (2008) No. of hospitals (2008) ...... 76 Imports of Goods (2007 million US$) ...... 3,141.3 Doctors per 1000 population (2008) ...... 1.9 Exports of Goods (2007 million US$) ...... 513.0 Nurses per 1000 population (2007) ...... 2.7 Hotels (1st Quarter, 2009 ) Beds per 1000 population (2007) ...... 1.3 Room occupancy rate ...... 23.8% Culture (2006) Bed occupancy rate ...... 22.1% No. of mosques (in operation) ...... 2,228 Environment No. of churches ...... 160 Available quantities of water (2007 - mcm) ...... 308.7 No. of newspapers (in operation) ...... 13 Connected households to wastewater network (2006) ...... 45.5% No. of theaters (in operation) ...... 9 Housing Conditions (2008) No. of museums (in operation) ...... 8 Average number of rooms in housing units ...... 3.6 No. of cultural centers (in operation) ...... 161 Average number of persons per room (housing density)*** ...... 1.7 Information & Communication Technology (2006) (RWB and GS)=Remaining West Bank and Gaza Strip Availability of TV sets ...... 95.3% * RWB and GS at constant prices: 1997 is the base year: revised version Availability of satellite dish for household having TV set ...... 80.4% ** It’s Primary Results Availability of computers at home ...... 32.9% Prepared by the Palestinian Central Bu reau of Sta tis tics *** Revised Figures Tel: 02-240 6340, Fax: 02-240 6343 Availability of Internet at home ...... 15.9% e-mail: [email protected] - URL: www.pcbs.gov.ps Persons (10 years and over) who have acces to the Internet ...... 18.4% 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: 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, 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 International Center of Bethlehem (Dar Annadwa) www.annadwa.org, The Popular Arts Centre www. popularartcentre.org, Shammout.com www.shammout.com, Sumud www.sumud.net, Pales tinian Pottery www.pal es tinianpottery.com, A.M. Qattan Foundation www.qattanfoundation.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, Al Rowwad Theatre Centre www.alrowwad. virtualactivism.net Business and Economy: Arab Pales tinian 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 Devel opment and Recon struction (PECDAR) www.pecdar.org, Pales tinian Securities Exchange, Ltd. www.p-s-e.com, Pal es tine Development and In vestment 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; Palestine-Net www.palestine-net.com, Hadara www.hadara.ps, Al-Quds Network www.alqudsnet.com, 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, Minis try of Indus try www.industry.gov.ps, Ministry of Education www.moe.gov.ps, Minis try 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, LAW - The Pal es tinian Society for the Pro tection 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, Al-Hayyat Al-Jadedah www.alhayat-j.com, 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 Tourism: Ministry of Tourism www.visit-palestine.com, Arab Hotel Association www.palestinehotels.com, Arab Travel Association www.visit-holyland.com Travel Agencies: Alter native 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 www.guidingstarltd.com, Halabi Tours and Travel Co. www.halabitours.ps, Jiro Tours www.jirotours.com, Mt. of Olives Tours www.olivetours.com, Pioneer Links www.pioneer-links.com, Raha Tours www.rahatravel. com, Ramallah Travel Agency www.kaoud.org, United Travel www.unitedtravelltd.com, Universal Tourist Agency www.universal-jer.com Universities: Birzeit University www.birzeit.edu, An-Najjah University www.najah.edu, Al-Quds University www.alquds.edu, Al-Azhar University (Gaza) www.alazhar-gaza.edu, Arab American University 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 92 93 Where to Go? The Citadel

The only fortification remaining in Jerusalem which was reinforced by the Mamluks in 1310 was the Citadel, which dominates the western side of the Old City by its minaret and towers. When the Romans assumed direct control in Palestine in AD 6, the Procurator, who lived in Caesarea, used the palace as his Jerusalem residence. For over 200 years it remained the camp of the tenth legion Fretensis. Considering the western hill to be Mt. Sion, the Byzantines inevitably identified the site with the Palace of David. Hence the remains of the great tower became known as David’s Tower. In 1128 it became the residence of the Crusader kings of Jerusalem. Only when the Crusaders struggled to maintain a toe-hold in Palestine was the Citadel rebuilt and torn down more than once. When the Crusaders had clearly abandoned all hope of return the Mamluk Sultan Al-Nasir Muhammad (1309-40) gave the central portion of the fortress its present form in 1310. He retained the Crusader outer line, but levelled the Old City wall which had divided the interior into two wards. In the 16th century the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent contributed by adding the monumental entrance and the platform for cannons along the western wall. The archaeological remains in the courtyard of the Citadel are all of different periods. A tour along Mamluk and Ottoman Jerusalem, leading to the Citadel and revealing part of Jerusalem’s history will be conducted on August 19th, by the Centre for Jerusalem Studies, Al-Quds University. To join call 02-628 7517.

94 95 Where to Go? The Village of Deir Ghassaneh

Located ca. 25 kilometres north- west of Ramallah, Deir Ghassaneh was one of the 24 Throne Villages during the Ottoman period; a central village dominated by a semi feudal family (Al-Barghuthi) who, at that time, controlled tens of villages around it and collected taxes in the name of the central government. This fact has reflected on its unique architecture, compared to other villages. The palace of Al-Shaikh Salih Al-Barghuthi, with its secure walls and beautiful architectural details, shows the wealth of its lords during that period. The palace occupies the top of the hill, as a crown for the village, surrounded by several other palaces. The multi- coloured courses of stone, the large gates, the domes, the two- and three- floor high palaces, and the majesty of the stone details reflect not just wealth but also high taste. Coming from Ramallah, one drives through the town of Birzeit, past the checkpoint of ‘Atara and the beautiful forest of Saffa which, being near the settlement of Hallamish, has been closed for the past several years. The road then leads through a fascinating cultural landscape full of ancient olive tree terraces. After driving through its twin town of Bait Reema, the historic centre of Deir Ghassaneh comes into view. The 8,000 inhabitants of Deir Ghassaneh and Bait Reema live in a municipal federation known as Bani Zaid, which elected the first woman mayor in Palestine. In both villages, Riwaq Centre for Architectural Conservation had restored two community centres, both worth visiting.

Prepared by Riwaq.

96 97 The Last Word

Teenage Politics Horse Racing in Turmos Ayya The setting: three boys and one girl, all close cousins in their teens, taking an early evening drive and arguing about politics. It was interesting to listen to a heated debate Photo by Ramzi Hazboun of thirteen-to-fifteen-year-olds, if only to learn how and what our next generation actually thinks. The topic was a far cry from “What am I going to wear today” or “No, Mom, this is a Mazda, not a Volkswagen” sort of conversation. To put things into perspective, the girl is a Jerusalemite, one boy lives in the town of Birzeit, and the two brothers live in a village in 1948-Palestine. Technically, that means that one is a Jerusalem-ID-holder with permanent-resident status, one a West Banker, and two Israeli citizens; practically speaking, a typical Palestinian family! Within the thirty-minute emotional drama, I, the driver, was surprised to see that all four had their convictions well formulated, and they all knew who’s right and who’s wrong and what should be done – naturally, all in absolute terms. The debate flared when it was clear that one of the two brothers had given up on Palestinian nationalism after citing disunity and futility of resistance as his arguments. His praise of Israeli achievements and military successes only aggravated the shouting match! Although the position of the East-Jerusalemite and the West Banker did not astonish me, that of the younger brother did. How can two brothers, less than two years apart, who live in the same house and go to the same school have diametrically opposed views on such crucial matters? Quite articulately and roaring like a lion, the younger brother boasted about being a Palestinian and was quite unimpressed with Israeli successes. For the most part, it was a three-against-one kind of debate; however, all agreed on one point: discrimination or rather racism against Arabs/Palestinians exists. For 1948-Palestinians, racism is most evident in job opportunities as well as in enrolment in Israeli universities. For West Bankers, suffice it to say that they have to deal with over 500 checkpoints and road blocks in order to exercise their right of mobility! For East Jerusalemites, racism is witnessed and practised through the expulsion of inhabitants from their homes, house demolitions, the constant threat of being deprived of one’s ID card – if, for example, one leaves Jerusalem for seven years or more, one’s status as a permanent resident is lost – and the lack of government services from infrastructure to ministerial services, particularly the services of the Ministry of Interior. After over 22 years of Israeli presence in East Jerusalem, there is only one branch of the Ministry of Interior, which is supposed to serve well over 240,000 inhabitants, doing everything from providing legal documents, such as certificates and travel documents, to changing one’s social status or even one’s address. I tried hard to teach the interlocutors the art of debate, but I failed miserably! Passion simply got the best of them. My rear car door still squeaks from being slammed, but I’m glad that the kids vented only on my car! An hour later, it was time for Monopoly. In general, I am pleased that there is still a consensus within Palestine’s next generation, however diverse, on Palestinian identity and the need to fight injustice irrespective of its source. Finally, I just hope that the older brother will one day realise that if a person errs, it does not mean that his or her cause is necessarily wrong.

Sani P. Meo