I found myself in a Palestinian refugee camp. What can we do?

Hello everyone.

My first post should be √introduceyourself but let me start with my experience in the Palestine refugee camp I visited one month ago.

Israel vs. Palestine: The situation is known. As people, we can realize how little influence we have on democratic politics and how, after several centuries of war in the world, we still haven't achieved the peace that we are constantly programming.

I went in Israel because of my music project. Before I left some of my friends said I should ask the locals when it will end. I didn't think much of it until I entered a country armed at every turn.

The desire to talk with them began to intensify. The war youth marched past us in clusters at every corner. Who are they? I didn't know, but very soon everything was clear. The army is compulsory for the youth, for three years. I decided that my second project would be conversations with as many people as possible and get an insight into the thoughts of locals from both sides.

After few days in Mitzpe Ramon I visited Jerusalem and after Jerusalem I decided to go in Palestinian Betlehem. Friend of mine conected me with a young man who lives in a refugee camp.

This post is intended for you to see what the refugee camp looks like and I will share with you few senteces of Raul, Palestinian man. Those words put me in silence and I felt grateful for the life I live now, after my "wartime" deliverances.

Bethlehem is a city in Palestine and within the city there are two large refugees camps. Raul received me very kindly. He apologized profusely for being a good hour late. We entered the creative center for children, where they have very nice spaces for various activities with children, souvenirs, some works of art from children and adults.

Are you ready for a walk through history? Raul asked me. Confused, I answered yes. I had no idea why I ended up there in the first place. I was only interested in how it looked and maybe to hear briefly how they felt, but I got a lot more than that.

We started like in school. Picture of the map of Palestine from l. 1947 to the present day shows what we have processed. If anyone is interested in this in more details, they should investigate it themselves.

We are standing on the street where the main focus of the action is. They (the army) come here every day. This road was the main connection between Bethlehem and Jerusalem and it was very live street. Now look what a wall we have. Here they builded a military vest. That's why the life in these camp is the most difficult he explained.

Are they bombing here too? I asked him. Sure, every single day.

He showed me a video of how the army was cutting down trees in their camp and no one knows why the trees were bothering them and that day I saw also other videos of shootings, bombings, etc.

When someone rings your doorbell, you don't dare to open it because chances are someone will throw a bomb into your house. Can you imagine that life? I nodded wordlessly. Only then did I realize where I was and that I too could be involved in the attack at the same moment. But that afternoon there was nothing.

For each photo, I specifically asked him if I could take it. Raul was very sensitive.

They killed my fiancee, so I don't want to deal with anyone who is Israeli. It's not about Jews. Not long ago I hosted them at my house. It's not religion. We are all mixed up here. This is just politics.

This is the first house that was built. But there were tents. When it all started and the family had to withdraw from their homes in Jerusalem, all they took were their keys and documents. They thought it would take a few days. Those houses are still occupied. The question of who shares ownership.

In more than fifty years, a new settlement has grown up in the places of tents. They also have their own hospital.

You can see bombs and tear gas remnants all over the street. Raul said they clean them every day.

Suffering and fear as well as faith and the struggle for reconciliation are strongly depicted in graffiti. It is impossible to understand why they are killing their innocent children.

These street has a witness against humanity, international laws. Many women and children were killed exactly here.

He said also, that in all these years of his life, he has not visited a single natural resource or seen the sea, because he is not allowed to leave.

And I tell you, he is innocent.

A brief summary of the visit should give you at least a little insight into why so many people are fighting for the liberation of Palestine. Raul told me about some well-known activists who, despite the Israelis, sided with the Palestinians. The matter is serious. If we cannot help otherwise, let us help in our hearts. Every pursuit of peace counts.

I am attaching a link to the speech of activist Mika Pedela.

https://fb.watch/ibCp8-spnH/

Let's liberate the war zone.

If you have any questions or would like a discussion, do not hesitate to comment. We are most likely safe here - Instagram blocked my account right after the first post from the refugee camp.

The Palestinians will not leave. This is our home, concluded Raul. He took me to the Christian Bethlehem, where I took in the December atmosphere next to Jesus' birth cave. The spirit has changed. Absolutely. The place was Christian and a sense of ridiculous lack of safetiness...

All photos taken by me (unless noted otherwise)