Day 14: Covo's Concerning Conflict

I am happy to be writing to you tonight from the comfy couch of my Palestinian Family in Beit Sahour.
Today was an eye-opening and challenging day for myself and I think everyone in the group, it has really reinforced the reason why I came on the Yella!trip.
We travelled to Hebron today,which at times felt like a trip into the world of Aladdin(the Disney version) . Unlike the Tourist town of Bethlehem the city of Hebron is not thriving, despite the fact that it is the largest city in the West Bank. The Palestinian people living here have neighbours of at least 400 Jewish settlers that are protected by almost 1500 Israeli soldiers. This means that main streets are barricaded, homes and businesses are confiscated for "military use" or "security reasons" and the markets are covered by a canopy of protective nets.
While visiting with a spokesperson form Christian Peacemaker Teams we had the opportunity to climb to the roof of the building and achieve a wonderful view of the city and of the conflict. Across the way was a young Israeli soldier who asked us to leave the roof, even though we had every right to be up there(this happened several times throughout our day!). From the roof top we looked over the military building as well as a street that is only for Jewish settler use.
We then traveled through the market again and visited the Mosque of the patriarchs, where the tombs of Abraham and his family are enshrined. this was an amazing experience, this mosque is divided into a Muslim side and a Jewish side, the family shrines are seen by both sides but are divided by bullet proof glass--it is unbelievable to see two religions who are worshiping the same Deity but they are separating themselves with an impenetrable wall.
We then attended a lecture with the Palestinian rehabilitation committee, this group is working to rebuild he old city and restore it to its original grandeur and beauty.
we then traveled through a checkpoint and into an Israeli settlement area where we met and had lunch with a family that is living beneath the settlements. since the occupation of the settlers they are unable to access there front door from the main road and now much walk a narrow pathway behind their neighbours homes to arrive at their front door. due to their close proximity to the setters this family is living under harsh persecution but are working for peaceful resistance, and we all felt as thought we could learn something from them.

we ended our day with a visit to a Hebron glass factory, where we were able to support the local community and artist by purchasing there beautiful pieces of glass artwork and pottery, a lovely example of how the spirit of the people of Hebron still thrives despite desperate situations.

with love
Alysha