- The simple realities of life for Palestinians in Israel Archived Message
Posted by John Monro
on April 18, 2024, 11:06 pm
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I have a cousin by marriage who buys goods and crafts from an artisan outfit called "Handmade Palestine". I now possess a fine Keffiyya which she's given me. This is a message from this organisation she has forwarded to me. Dear , Before October 7, it was incredibly challenging to regularly visit our artisans. Now, it's nearly impossible. Before, we could go on artisan visits with relative ease, dedicating a day to journeys to Bethlehem, allowing plenty of time for interactions with artisans. A mere 45-minute drive to Nablus offered the opportunity to enjoy knafeh and leisurely walks through the Old City. However, now the obstacles are insurmountable. Israeli blockades now obstruct all routes in and out. Every Palestinian village and town is now sealed off by newly erected orange metal gates (thanks to US tax dollars) guarded by armored Israeli military vehicles with soldiers stationed nearby, armed and ready. Once-deserted checkpoints have been reactivated, while new ones have sprung up everywhere. The ramifications are dire. Palestinians face inconvenience at best and economic ruin at worst, as shops are blockaded and businesses collapse. Entire cities are besieged, their local economies crushed by continuous closures. Once-thriving markets are now ghost towns. Israeli closures not only stifle economic growth but also disproportionately impact creatives, who often bear the brunt of all of this. With these unimaginable difficulties Palestinian artisans face, it's vital to understand their experiences, as well as how they somehow find ways of navigating through these obstacles in both their daily lives and in preserving the traditions of their ancestral crafts. As Israel continues trying to do everything in its power to eradicate Palestinian existence, heritage, and identity, supporting creatives in Palestine is perhaps more crucial now than ever before. No explanation or comment required. |
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