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Palden
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Beit Lahem - BethlehemWest Bank, PalestinePhotos by Palden Jenkins, July 2005 |
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I took these pictures in July 2005, during a time of relative peace in the West Bank. Bethlehem is a peaceful, pleasant city, with a population of around 80,000, made up of the merged towns of Bethlehem, Beit Sahour, Beit Jala and al Khader, with Deheishe and other refugee camps. It used to be a satellite of Jerusalem, just 10km away, but now the wall and checkpoints isolate and surround Bethlehem, and they are worlds apart.
Bethlehem was once a Christian-majority town, but now, many Christians have left - they are more able to than Muslims, and church missions have assisted it. Strange that, since Bethlehem is, or was, a Christian 'capital'. The loss of this mixture of communities is enormous for Bethlehem, affecting the town's social makeup, its identity and future. Peace is not created by harping on about violence and injustice. So this photo-montage doesn't show atrocities and tragedies. These pictures show normality - people living daily lives, just like us. With Christmas approaching, Bethlehem re-enters people's thoughts. How still we see thee lie - with a collapsed economy, serious unemployment, tourist hotels empty, walled-in claustrophobia. O little town of Beit Lahem: you're like a global barometer, and when the world as a whole changes for the better, a smile will return to your face. Mother and Child - with nowhere to stay. Whether you're Christian or not, this symbolism binds us all and is connected with Bethlehem. It represents sensitivity, care, tenderness. Go drink mint tea and eat falafels, hummus and pitta in a cafe in Bethlehem. Go talk to the people. Go and just be there.
I work with a school in Bethlehem called the Hope Flowers School. They teach the kids 'peace and democracy education' - how to deal with personal tragedy and avoid turning it into frustration and violence, how to deal with people who are different from you, and how to engage positively in society to make a contribution. It's under-resourced, dependent on grants and donations. Part of the school might be demolished to make way for a new Israeli security wall. It's an innovative school, with dedicated staff. They educate children for real life. At Christmas, remember Bethlehem. In summer, go there for the trip of a lifetime. These pictures above give an idea of what you'll find there. There's one word in English that all Palestinians know and use: "Welcome!". It's true, and they mean it. | |||||
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A selection of Bethlehem websites: |
Palestine Tourism Guide |
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Palden Jenkins
01458-834576 (*44-1458-834576) |