My friend John Harvey is currently visiting Palestine. John has been a longtime Olympia+Rafah Sister City Project pal and this is his first trip to the Israeli and occupied Palestinian territories. Since I’m way too busy shopping for baby prams and researching eco -friendly nappies and have no freaking time to update my own blog these days, I will continue my trend in donating posts to people with something to say. In this photo by John, Palestinian kids greet the Jewish organization Birthright Unplugged during one of their stops on a tour of Palestine.  — andy

Dear family and friends,

I finished my tour with the Jewish American group “BirthRight Unplugged.” Very excellent tour and naturally we were well taken care of by the Palestinians. We felt completely at ease walking the streets of the refugee camps, etc, and we met so many lovely people. I will post photos as soon as possible, but it is hard to predict internet service. An outline of my itinerary is at the very bottom.

Very safe in the West Bank. The tension is around Israeli troops and the low-level ( and  high level) humiliation of Palestinians attendant with the checkpoints and crossings.

I am now waiting for my papers to be cleared by the Israeli army and get their nod to go in.  Or their denial of entry.

Gaza is being bombed now and the border is closed. So I may not get a chance to get in.    However, I do have sponsorship from the Anglican Church in Jerusalem to enter Gaza and that is strong endorsement.  In “usual” times that would enough to get me in. But we shall see. ( It was decided that a single endorsement from the Anglican church made more sense than a triple endorsement  with  SCI and GCMHP.)

I will keep you all informed before I head in. Keep in mind that if the situation was really dangerous for me, neither my hosts in Gaza or the Anglican Church would  want me to go in.

I am now visiting family of friends in the West Bank. I will be in Beita, Ramallah, and Tulkarm if you wish to check them out on a map.

Please do not distribute this letter widely until I am in Gaza.  Thank you.

As is is, for Palestinians the situation is outlined in the article below.

Love, John

Saturday Jan 12
Bethlehem, Dheisheh Refugee Camp
- Ibdaa Cultural Center
- Walking tour of Dheisheh
-Shiraa, labour and youth organization
- Frontiers of Dreams and Fears
- Homestay

Sunday, Jan 13
Khalil/Hebron , Beit Ummar, Dehisheh
-Hisham Shiribati guides around Tel Rameda neighborhood terrorized by settlers
-Beit Ummar Palestine Solidarity Project,
- overnight at Dheishah camp

Monday, Jan 14
Al Quds, Ramallah
- Abu Hassan political tour of East Jerusalem
- Video Conference with Dr. Mona El Farra in Gaza
-  Mtg w/ Omar Barghouti and Jamal Juma , Boycott/Divestment/Sanctions ( BDS)
Omar Barghouti: Palestine Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI)
Jamal Juma: Palestine Grassroots Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign
- Restaurant run by Women’s cooperative in Ramallah; dinner meeting with Neta Golan , a founding member of the International Solidarity Movement

Tuesday, Jan 15
Mas’ha, Biddya, Jenin
- visit Muni and Hani Amer’s home , entirely surrounded by the Wall and settlement fences.
- Meet w/ Flowers Against The Occupation, rural girls group that works on issues of girls empowerment and nonviolent struggles.
-Jenin: Nasser of Palestine Fair Trade Association PFTA
- Tour Jenin Refugee camp with Freedom Theatre
- Mtg. Freedom Theatre
- Screening of Arna?s Children
- Homestay

Wednesday, January 16
Um il Fahm, Al Lajun, Ein Hod
- Um il Fahm , meet with Adnan, a refugee frm Lajun village.  Visit Lajun with Nakba survivors
- Ein Hod, Palestinian village whos residents were expelled.  Lower Ein Hod, now an artists colony.
- Upper Ein Hod , “unrecognized village” movement.

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