Blowin’ in the Wind?
We got to stand in the back of a meeting of Bethlehem people concerned about human rights for refugees. It was entirely in Arabic which would have left us wondering what was going on, were it not for our friend Mazin who stood next to us and translated. So we could get much of what was being said. We also read a lot of fierce body language and tones of voice. Some of what we heard: 60% of Palestinians are displaced from their homes (i.e., refugees). This includes many who are not living in refugee camps. It is understood that it doesn’t matter who the US president is - nothing will change the ongoing nakba. The Palestinian Authority (PA) is considered a shameful collaborator with Israel, most egregiously in its recent coordinated attack with the IDF in Jenin. The fact that the PA doesn’t represent Palestinians (in fact, attacks them) begs the question of who will represent the interests of refugees. Everyone seemed to agree that Palestinian leadership is pitiful and that th...