Issue 122 - Volume 11 Issued by Media Development Center, Birzeit University Since 2005

We are used to mourning and breast-beating Elderly Haja Zareefa commonly told her grandchildren: “I spit on your weak generation. Are you the ones who will liberate Palestine!” This scolding would usually conclude with the phrase “In my… dreams you will”; you know what is the missing word is. Believing that we have run out of people to break across the firing lines, she used to say: “Where are the gunmen? Where are they?” She saw the youth of 2015 with their various accessories as people who value life, who would not sacrifice the luxuries to which they are so strongly attached, and who would never throw a stone or respond to a call for help. But it seems that Zareefa was mistaken and the elixir of love for Palestine is proving more powerful than anything else for us, apart from one thing that is even stronger: our hatred of the occupation and our desire to drive it out. With this in mind, here in what was called and will remain Palestine, the love potion for the homeland and the hatred for the occupiers will be enmeshed until the day of resurrection, or until we are restored to a homeland where we can be ourselves, and just ourselves.

AL HAL - Saturday 31/10/2015 4 PAGES “He sacrificed accuracy for a press scoop” When the Palestinian press faltered

Muntaser Hamdan communicating with Israeli journalists and assuming that they have a press scoop. As The rapid development of events in a result, Palestinian journalists and society the has laid bare assume that what is published in the Israeli structural imbalances in the workings of media is factual and can be transmitted the editorial boards of many local media without verification”. outlets. The media have found themselves Journalist Fadi Arouri agrees and stresses dragged into exchanging and disseminating the need to improve the performance of news without any scrutiny of the credibility local media in view of what he describes of what they publish or broadcast. This has as “catastrophic faults” that can have served the Israeli narrative by enabling negative and direct effects on individuals the transmission of misleading information or their families in many ways, including about events, and several Palestinian psychological damage. Freedom of Journalism media outlets have fallen victim to the He said: “The problem is aggravated when speedy release of news at the expense of it comes to matters like publishing news accuracy and scrutiny of information. relevant to the names of the wounded or Many journalists and observers consider martyrs with no consideration of the rules that the responsibility lies with journalists and ethics of the profession, or even of in the field to examine and ensure the humanitarian requirements. It requires credibility of the information they supply to strenuous efforts to monitor and address their media outlet. Other media specialists this aspect”. believe that editorial boards are primarily Khaldoun Barghouti, the website Journalists are of different kinds responsible for the publication of the administrator of al-Hayat al-Jadeeda information received and should examine newspaper, acknowledges that there is a and check the credibility of this information real dilemma when it comes to handling prior to public transmission. breaking news such as an ongoing incursion Palestine TV reporter Christine Rinawi or news about martyrs or wounded inside believes that the rapid pace and number [the Green Line]. “Our work depends on of events have led to confusion for both speedy publication, but in such events we journalists and the local media, especially should use “brakes” because facts need to with the widespread use of social media and be scrutinized and verified”. smart phones that disseminate information, “In the absence of a Palestinian source Either they are with us, or god images and videos without any checks on of information inside [the Green Line], we have mercy on them! their credibility. follow up on more than one source from the Rinawi refers to an event she was covering Israeli media before we accept any piece of in which the death of a local martyr was information”. announced from the speakers of the On another note, Said Abu Muala, media mosque in al-Tour. Several news stations lecturer at the American University of transmitted the news. The man himself Jenin, commented: “Today the term that heard the news of his death while sharing a is emerging in this field is that of ‘media cup of mint tea with his wife on the balcony society’. This is a concept related to of their house. Rinawi explained that attributes that influence the work of the this story was the result of an erroneous media and what is associated with it: statement by the Israeli police about the intangibility (the digitalization of the press death of that resident, prompting media language and forms of transmission); outlets to transmit the news, although the knowledge (undermining the principle Israeli police later corrected their statement. of monopolization and hegemony of Another journalist, Naela Khalil, believes knowledge); flexibility (ongoing education that this popular uprising has revealed that and improving proficiency); and change A journalist’s reputation will be threatened accuracy, Hussam Ezzidin, head of local Palestinian media do not have in place (work is not centralized or confined to a if he ignores this principle and prioritizes the ethics committee of the Palestinian proper methods for handling events and the location)”. speed at the expense of accuracy”. Journalists’ Syndicate (PJS) said: “Our exchange and transmission of information. Farid Abu Thuheir, media professor at Ashraf Ajrami, a journalist and former press has committed catastrophic errors, She believes that this is an accumulative Al-Najah National University, finds that minister, believes that local media in the very sense of the word, by opening result of neglect and dependency over alongside the many advantages of social are unfortunately influenced by social the door to information published by Israeli many years. These popular events have networking, the door has been opened wide networking that publish vast amounts of satellite stations and news websites as simply served to expose structural defects for ordinary citizens to receive a rapid flow inaccurate news and information, often incontrovertible facts”. in the performance of journalists and media of information in an unprecedented manner. based on the personal experiences of He added: “A professional framework outlets. It must be admitted that journalists feel the individual witnesses. is required, including the publication of “Journalists are not 100% excused from impact and are pulled into this reality. It is Ajrami said: “The solution lies in reiterating information only if it has been verified the responsibility of examining and difficult for journalists when the news is that the local media must abide by the rules by at least two sources and taking news verifying the information they publish, published first by ordinary people and not of the profession and take action against about deaths only from medical sources. and neither are media outlets, including a journalist. those who publish false information that A specialist Palestinian security source is chief editors or editorial boards, exempted “A journalist is not an ordinary person who causes harm to individual or public rights or needed to provide accurate information on from the responsibility of publishing false conveys information he hears about. A leads to problems on a national level”. the situation”. He pointed to a circular issued information”. journalist is a professional who deals with Commenting on the problem of rapid by the PJS on guaranteeing the accuracy Naela Khalil added: “The other problem information on a technical basis without publication of news by the local Palestinian of information and protecting the principles we face is that officials are used to emotion and with no calculated outcome. press at the expense of credibility and and rules of professional journalism. Issue 122 - Volume 11 AL HAL - Saturday 31/10/2015 02 The occupation turns a blind eye and the PA is not allowed to act Legal drugs widespread among youth

Mahmoud Adama

At a time when the Israeli police and municipality officials are conducting daily prosecutions of Palestinian women selling vegetables at the square outside Damascus Gate in occupied Jerusalem, these same forces turn a blind eye to the destructive effects on young people in Jerusalem of the flood of drugs that are even sold openly. Palestinian security forces are unable to take any action to counter this phenomenon that threatens the lives of thousands of young Jerusalemites. The head of the social department at the Al-Maqdesee organization for Society Tempting wrapping to promote poison Issam Jweihan Omar Himmo Development (MSD), Issam Jweihan, said that he has become aware of a drug that Smart propaganda Locally manufactured and the number of abusers is rising. Kharoub is spreading among specific age groups, According to Jweihan, the branding of these Alaa Kharoub, a coordinator for the prevention says: “These drugs are available in the market for especially school students, and causing drugs as legal gives young people the of drug and alcohol abuse in Jerusalem, said very low prices compared with other drugs. They serious psychological and mental diseases impression that they are not harmful. He that this type of drug has become widespread come primarily from Israeli sources and may also in some cases. He realized that these were explains that the blend is changed each year in Jerusalem and the West Bank since 2010. be manufactured locally in illegal laboratories”. not traditional drugs and prepared a report and named as a “new version”. The mix is These materials are manufactured locally for submission to the relevant Palestinian not blended under medical supervision or to circumvent legal restrictions and lists of Death is one of the consequences authorities in the Ministries of Health, Interior, at medical laboratories; it is prepared from hazardous substances. Dangerous chemicals Omar Himmo, a counselor and physician who Social Affairs and the Ministry of Jerusalem 6070- products, including organic materials are mixed with herbal materials to manufacture treats drug abusers, said that these drugs cause Affairs. used in animal drugs, plant fertilizers and drugs locally, thereby avoiding the costs of individuals to behave like a mentally ill patient Jweihan argues that Jerusalem is being insecticides, all mixed with the chemical smuggling in drugs from abroad. as they suffer from hallucinations and fantasies subjected to an unconventional war in which ethanol. He added that these drugs are targeted at young and are difficult to deal with. Dozens of cases the Israeli occupation is using non-traditional These drugs are wrapped in different attractive people under attractive and tempting names, have been recorded over the past three years weapons to empty the city and divert its packaging and are promoted according to the and they act quickly to encourage addiction. in treatment centers, mental hospitals and social inhabitants to issues other than politics and targeted group. For example, there are drugs They are known locally under the names institutions. Himmo also outlined the effect of resistance to occupation. He stated that there targeted at men as sex boosters under names “Enchanted”, “Mr. Nice” and “Guy”. Health and these drugs on the body. They increase blood are 15,000 to 20,000 drug users in the East like “Mercedes” or “BMW”, implying durability social welfare institutions monitored the risks pressure, change heartbeat rates and may result Jerusalem population, including six thousand and strength; other drugs are targeted at of these substances in 2013 and engaged in in fainting. They can affect the brain and cause who are addicts and whose lives are being women for weight loss, and others to school lobbying until the drugs were prohibited in 2014. bursts of anger, aggressiveness, insomnia and destroyed by drugs. children as memory enhancers. Nevertheless, the sale of these drugs continues irritation, possibly resulting in death. New graduates are victims of media institutions…no legal deterrents

Mahmoud Fataftah Sameh Hamdan Naser Abu Baker Maher Shalaby Emad Al Asfar Khalil Shaheen Khaled Masoudi Haitham Al-Sharif has insufficient experience to qualify for a The director-general of al-Falstiniah TV, Maher them work as an intern for long periods of time. job. Thus, the graduate is forced to tolerate Shalabi, said that they rely on young people This is tragic”. “When I am sent a trainee, I take advantage of these difficulties faced at the start. Practical and new graduates and provide them with very Journalist Khalil Shahin, research director at him”, the manager of a media institution openly experience for a new graduate is a protective good salaries. He said he was willing to show the Palestinian Center for Policy Research admitted. Al-Hal has investigated the extent shield against any potential future exploitation his payroll to prove this. He gave the reason as and Strategic Studies-Masarat, concludes that of exploitation by media institutions of new by media institutions in terms of working hours follows: “New graduates are efficient in modern the exploitation of young people by some civil graduates who require a period of training to or payment”. communication technologies. It is not enough institutions is more noticeable in the Gaza Strip acquire the necessary experience to enter the Masoudi believes that it is an exaggeration to today to be a talented journalist if you are than in the West Bank due to the large number media profession. describe new graduates as victims. “Sometimes not competent in using technology. There are of graduates versus limited opportunities. Akrama Asafra graduated from Hebron the local media institutions are the ones who young people working who earn US 20003000- According to Shahin: “Graduates are obliged University in 2013, majoring in media. He sacrifice their time to provide an opportunity a month because their qualifications dictate the to work for two or three months under the applied for a job in photography in a media for these graduates to prove themselves. For amount they are paid. For the same reason, title of ‘temporary and emergency programs’. institution. He stated: “I was offered monthly pay instance, we made an agreement with 24 new other graduates started with us on US 700 and They are then sacked before they reach the of NIS 1200. This minimal pay demonstrates media graduates to make programs and news their salaries increase to over US 1300 after legal deadline for job placement. They are why media institutions seek new graduates reports in return for a transportation allowance two or three months”. not given any allowances, or if any, they are specifically as their intention to take advantage and a job for those who prove themselves at Media professor Mahmoud Fatafta points out trivial amounts. This issue requires special of them is obvious. I accepted the offer and work. We had to deal with a lack of commitment that competition is fierce because of the limited attention from the Palestinian Journalists’ worked for four months to obtain a certificate of to deadlines or to the policies of the institution. number of media institutions and growing Syndicate (PJS) to prevent journalists from experience. When a radio station announced Some students even thought of themselves as numbers of graduates in this field, resulting in being vulnerable to ugly exploitation”. a vacancy for a broadcaster, I applied and well-qualified and without need for training, which the level of indignity faced by a graduate in the The deputy chairman of the PJS, Naser Abu got the job. I worked as a program presenter resulted in several problems, including damage face of bargaining by a firm’s owner. Baker, said: “The exploitation of new journalists adhering to the official working hours of 9am to to cameras. Even those we selected for a job The monitoring and evaluation coordinator needs to be addressed in concerted efforts 3pm, but was surprised when, one month later, are unaware that we have the right by law to put at the Media Development Center of Birzeit by the PJS, the Ministry of Information and the head of the station declared that I was still them on probation for three months, let alone University, Emad Alasfar, agrees with all the media departments at Palestinian universities. in training and not an employee. I left the job”. their demands for salaries way above what they reports of graduate exploitation. “Many local A memorandum was sent to the International It is obvious that new graduate trainees in deserve for their efforts or our pay scale”. private media institutions broadcast reports, Federation of Journalists (IFJ) in this regard. media institutions undergo exploitation that Sameh Hamdan, the manager of Raya investigations and appeals about the need to We also held a workshop on this issue with cannot be ignored. The director general of the for Media and Publications, said: “I know guarantee the rights of workers, the application a number of Arab countries, including the Nawras radio and TV station in Hebron, Khaled employees who have been working for local of minimum wages and the employment participation of Palestinian universities, to urge Masoudi, said: “This is not confined to the radio stations for two or three years and are of people with special needs. But these them to provide media students with practical media sector; it is a common phenomenon in not paid. The director of one of the stations has institutions themselves are not committed to training courses. Workshops and meetings most institutions, where employers safeguard even told them that they need to win advertising the Palestinian Labor Law and do not apply it. with university students are also required to their own interests and a new graduate revenue to get paid”. Instead, they exploit new graduates by making introduce them to the PJS and their rights”. Issue 122 - Volume 11 AL HAL - Saturday 31/10/2015 03 Controversy over a Palestinian authority in Jerusalem Orient House closed for 14 years; owners to convert it into a hotel

Bayan Baydoun Husseini in 1983 is part of the Husseini family heritage. It was closed five years On the 14th of July, Palestinian activist later during the first Intifada by then Ghazi al-Husseini, the son of freedom Israeli army minister, Yitzhak Rabin. In fighter Abdel Qader al-Husseini, wrote 1992, Faisal al-Husseini reopened it as an article entitled We and Jerusalem, in an institution representing Palestinian which he stated: “Orient House was the legitimacy in occupied Jerusalem, house of the Palestinian government. It naming it Bayt al-Sharq, a center was the fountain of life for Jerusalemites; where political dialogues, programs and politicians and diplomats from the world activities in Jerusalem were conducted. over visited it to learn the basic truth It embraced the discussions that led to of the right of the Palestinian people to the start of negotiations in Madrid and their land. What has happened to Orient Washington up to the signing of the Oslo House now? Why is everyone silent in Accords, after which the work of Orient the face of the enemy’s closure of this House was confined to Jerusalem affairs Palestinian institution?” only. Located in occupied Jerusalem, Orient House was witness to successive events Not included in of historic significance in the Palestinian political and national story. The fervent the negotiations agenda desire of to take control of Orient Budeiri’s opinion bolsters his belief House is proven. The latest attempt was that strenuous efforts are required to the news published on 14 February in reopen Orient House and the Arab Israeli newspaper Kol Ha’ir of a proposal Studies Society. He does not exclude approved by the Israeli occupation the possibility of negligence on the part municipality to convert this building, of the Palestinian negotiators. He stated: which is a symbol of Palestinian struggle “The whole truth lies in the fact that Orient and of the beauty of Arab Islamic oriental House was never put on the negotiating architecture, into the ‘Orient House table. I do not know whether this is due Bayt al-Sharq remains closed since the death of Faisal al-Husseini. (By photographer Mahmoud E’layaan) Hotel’. to the negligence of the Palestinian negotiators, or whether the issue of reopening was brought up but rejected so the municipality or the occupation entity in Jerusalem”. Solely a family decision by the Israeli occupation”. have no control over it. The Israeli order Notwithstanding these comments, Some of the few people who are aware Khaled al-Husseini and Jihad Abu to close part of the building is renewed Budeiri still insists that the idea of turning raised their voices and prepared to Zuneid, a Jerusalemite member of the every six months, but the rights remain the site into a hotel is the owners’ right oppose this “very grave step which the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), with the owners and legitimate inheritors that no one can deprive them of, even if Israeli occupation wishes to implement disagree. Both deny any negligence and to take any action”. people have objections. and which should be opposed by firm state that Israel has never abided by On his role as the son of the late Faisal Jerusalem journalist Hiba Aslan Palestinian diplomacy”, according to its agreements or obligations towards al-Husseini and the director of the shares his opinion and expressed her the article. Many are unaware of the the Palestinians. In fact, 26 institutions foundation that bears the name of his understanding of the family’s desire to family’s decision, taken in 2003 by a and offices have been closed by force father, Abdel Qader says: “Preserving preserve the property from likely Israeli number of the inheritors, to create a by the Israeli occupation since 2001, the historic, political and resistance confiscation in the future by opting to turn family endowment (waqf Thuri) for the including the Chamber of Commerce, legacy of Faisal al-Husseini is one of the it into a hotel. However, she fears that the building, which was built by Ismail Musa the Arab Studies Society, Nadi al-Aseer objectives of the foundation through the transformation of a national institution al-Husseini over a century ago and (the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club) and the collection, documentation, preservation that was once a refuge for Jerusalemites served as the unofficial headquarters Mapping and Geographic Information and dissemination of this legacy. I do not in good and bad times, is a controversial of the Palestine Liberation Organization Systems Department. Orient House think that the lease by the owners of part issue that may encourage the Israeli PLO in . topped the list of closures issued by Uzi of the building to Orient House and the occupation to close Palestinian national Khaled al-Husseini, a relative of the Landau, the Israeli Minister for Internal Arab Studies Society would change even institutions and deprive Jerusalem family and business supervisor to Security, on 10 August 2001, less than if the building remains under closure”. residents of its protective presence. The Ayman and Sayyar al-Husseini, who three months after the death of Faisal al- family is placed between a rock and a live abroad, says: “Orient House serves Husseini. hard place”. Fundraising the owners through a family endowment No to the exclusion of a Palestinian In an attempt to justify the family’s issued by the Islamic Shari’a court. The authority in Jerusalem Israeli conditions decision to renovate this historic proposed hotel is a family decision that To date, Orient House remains captive The newspaper report states that the property as a hotel bearing the name was discussed and approved by the to the Israeli occupation. The building, proposal includes the addition of three Orient House and return it to its former municipal conservation committee for resembling an old Ottoman palace, new sections to surround the historic glory of the 1950s, Ishaq Budeiri says: old buildings in Jerusalem. The proposal is defiant despite the Israeli flag that building, compatible with the oriental “This is an investment project for the comprises blueprints to establish flutters on its roof, a punishment for character of the city, plus the demolition establishment of a modern hotel to additional buildings near to the historic the services once offered to Jerusalem of the extensions added in the 1950s and match the modern sophisticated style main building. Although the committee residents in health and education, plus 1960s as inappropriate to the oriental of hotels in Jerusalem and both Israeli approved building around the main the renovation and restoration of old nature of the building. licenses and funding are required. house, it acknowledged that any change buildings to preserve their Palestinian The news report also states that the So far, the family has been unable to in the shape of the location and its three identity and Arab nature even on the municipal committee for the conservation obtain a license from the municipality main buildings is not permitted”. negotiating table. of heritage sites imposed several and investors have not been found to The family of Taher al-Husseini lives at conditions for approval of the proposal, allow work to start. If there is no funding, the rear of the building. Although Taher Building or leadership? including the appointment of a special the building will remain closed and the is a sick man now, he still struggles to Khaled al-Husseini believes that Orient engineer to ensure preservation of the status quo will be maintained”. House is not merely a building. He quotes old building throughout the construction preserve the heritage of his family and the late Faisal al-Husseini: “Leadership period, and the renovation and relocation homeland. The upper floor of the building without a building is better than a building of the fountain located behind the building Closure and confiscation has been occupied for some time by the without leadership”. Thus, the essential to the front. or investment World Health Organization (WHO) under principle is the Palestinian political Abdel Qader al-Husseini, like Jihad Abu Budeiri’s concerns about this decision a lease contract. presence in Jerusalem. Ishac Budeiri, Zneid, expressed astonishment that this are as follows: “The establishment of The presence of this institution as the director of Orient House and the Arab item of news has not yet spread around a hotel in this historic building will not only legitimate Palestinian authority in Studies Society, also believes that the town. Abu Zneid said that she had heard serve Palestinian national interests. Jerusalem is the message that Budeiri foundations [of leadership] could have talk about the sale of Orient House. Abdel Essentially, Orient House should be wishes to convey, summed up in the fact been established anywhere in Jerusalem: Qader condemned the idea that the reopened and operational. This should that it is the duty of the President’s Office The building is more than a story of a Israeli occupation could decide to convert be in the form of an agreement with to double its efforts to reopen the building collection of stones. The establishment the building into a hotel: “This building is the owners to maintain the work of the before it is turned into a hotel with the of the Arab Studies Society by Faisal al- private and has not been confiscated, foundation as a legitimate Palestinian agreement of the owners. Issue 122 - Volume 11 AL HAL - Saturday 31/10/2015 04 Awni Thaher: A man and a museum

Abdel Baset Khalaf years to see tools that have disappeared, like the old primus stove, a kerosene Awni Thaher, a man in his fifties, has torch, a traditional coffee grinder, an iron turned his home into a museum that that works on coal, watches that are summarizes the tale of 100 years of half a century old, a drum made out of Palestinian history. He boasts of his vast pumpkin, innumerable items in copper archives where social, educational and and ceramics, a stone hammer for olives, agricultural life are recorded in the form of unusual knives, agricultural tools unknown costumes, crafts, media, music and more. to this generation and many dresses. I Every area of the house is bursting with have collected the things that most people artifacts, tools, collections of items that used because I could not afford to buy have vanished, old-fashioned clothing. items from wealthier families and the Ancient documents compete with old tools bourgeoisie”. for a space in his house, located in the The house of this retired teacher, who town of Yaseed close to Nablus. worked for 30 years in teaching and Relating the story of his passion for administration, holds enough tools and heritage and antique documents and equipment to stage a Palestinian film tools, Thaher says: “My mother Fatima, documenting life a century ago with period may God bless her soul, was famous for dresses, house and kitchen utensils, crafts making handmade items out of straw, such and school items. as quba’a, qirtalleh, juneh, etc. These A fortune names are now unfamiliar to the young He states: “I have thousands of small generation. At that time, I was happy to pieces such as buttons from clothes, watch her using these different utensils hundreds of wooden, glass and copper in her kitchen. I started at an early age, tools, dozens of embroidered male and in 1980, to collect books and clippings female clothes. I have a sartalyah (a from old newspapers and magazines. white dress striped in black), which is a Whenever I saw antiques, I would buy rare piece that is close to my heart, and them and spend all my money on them, old coins. My museum is my wealth that giving priority to my car or tractor, which I I cherish”. sold to buy old tools. Thaher tends to favor his media and Personal tour educational archives that comprise a Any visitor to Thaher’s house will wooden radio that operates on old bulbs, notice that the balcony is decorated rare musical records and instruments, with dozens of traditional Palestinian old cameras and photographs, obsolete dresses, while the entrance hall is stacked teaching aids, educational documents with various agricultural tools and old dating back decades, books, tourist wooden school desks, tools belonging to brochures, stories about martyrs, letters, barbers, agricultural workers, merchants, old school certificates, and so on. carpenters, street vendors, cattle and Description and anecdotes horse breeders, teachers, journalists and Among the unusual documents in Thaher with his collections the community in general. The rooms of Thaher’s archives are reports written by the house are packed with books and rare educational supervisors in 1944 about educational documents that leave little their visit to the village school of Baqa space for the pottery and items made from Sharqiah in Tulkarem governorate. The straw, bamboo, glass, copper and iron. reports describe the village, its geography, From the Palestinian Museum The courtyards are unable to hold the latitude and longitude, history, antiquities, plethora of large items. area and population. They also include Thaher says: “I have 2000 old books on the grades of students and the grades different subjects, and rare magazines in reading and writing for each student. and children’s books. I have the earliest Thaher says: “Supervisors used to original versions of Khalil Sakakini’s Ras evaluate the students, whereas teachers Roos [a famous book for elementary are now responsible for this and the students]. I have also compiled clippings supervisor just adds formal remarks from al-Quds newspaper and al-Bayader irrelevant to the teacher”. al-Syasi magazine that go back for more Thaher studied chemistry at the University than a quarter of a century. The first of , but never worked in this field or document I kept was the marriage contract taught chemistry. He is father to six sons, between my grandfather ‘al-Armeet’ and a daughter and three grandchildren. Since my grandmother ‘Suad’ in 1905. Her dowry 1980 he has spent half of all his income was 50 Turkish piasters. Later, I added (about 50 thousand US dollars) to buy and the marriage contracts of my father and maintain old collections. mother, my brothers and my sons, leaving The Chest! space for those of my grandchildren. He concludes: “I made a three meter long Five periods of time wooden chest and put it in the hall of Always with a smile on his face, Thaher my house where I store my old and rare stands in traditional dress next to the documents to protect them from damage wooden boxes he made himself to cope when I have no place to exhibit them with the limited space in his house. He properly. I have lobbied the relevant bodies The scouts group from the government teacher training college, says that he needs 3000 square meters with letters to protest the lack of attention to exhibit his collections, which cover the given to our heritage. If I were anywhere Jerusalem 19291930-, from the album of Janette Michael. era of the Ottoman Empire, the British else in the world, the government would Mandate, Jordanian rule, the Israeli encourage me and would have knocked In collaboration with the Palestinian Museum at Birzeit University, Al-Hal publishes a photo in each occupation and the Palestinian Authority. on my door. He who does not preserve his edition to remind us of the past and evoke happy memories that have faded as a result of limited He continued: “Whoever comes into my past will lose his future”. documentation and publication. house can travel back in time 100 hundred

Editorial Board: Resident Editor: Distributed by: Funded By: Issued by: Media Development Center Aref Hijawi Saleh Masharqa Husam Barghouthi Lubna Abdel Hadi Founded by: Khalid Saleem Directed by: Bassam Ewaidah Aref Hijawi Editor In Chief: Samia Zubaidi Asem Naser Issa Bshara Nabeel Khateeb Nibal Thawabteh Waleed Omari Tel: 2982979 Email: [email protected]