December 9, 2000

The last day of classes before exams begin, giving us a chance to get a way for a few days. But another trip out of Zababdeh began in tragic and fearful fashion. Yesterday, four Palestinian policeman were killed in Jenin. Our plan had been to go north to get out, but as always, plans change. Instead we headed south to Jerusalem with our friend who gets though most places with his Palestinian ID, American passport, and Israeli license plate.

Yet another Palestinian village cut off.

The Israeli closures of Palestinian villages are getting worse. Many roads are still blocked with cement and now dirt has been bulldozed all around. And the asphalt of roads into villages has also been destroyed. Palestinian resistance (the kinds you don't see as often on tv) continues - drivers trying to drive around blocked roads, farmers attempting to get to their fields, children climbing over the piles of refuse to meet their buses.

A rainbow over the Old City of Jerusalem.

Moon above the walls of the Old City.

We arrived in Jerusalem to astounding views of the Old City (as usual), including a fantastic rainbow. In the face of the current situation, the symbol of restoration is a welcome one!