March 30, 2002

We're back to Lenten time and Lenten life. Thankfully the Israeli army didn't head north out of Ramallah like many people expected them to.

Today is "Land Day", the day meant to remember Arab-Israelis who were killed preventing more illegal land seizures in the Galilee by the Israeli government twenty-six years ago. Under "normal" circumstances, the school would be open but would have special presentations. Instead, given the fact that the Palestinian president's home and office are under siege and being fired upon, a general strike was called. Land Day acknowledgements will happen on Monday.

Zababdeh teachers sharing a Lenten meal.

While Elizabeth nursed her ear infection, Marthame headed up to the school to find a handful of teachers there getting ready to eat a fasting feast of hummus, beans, and za'atar (a spice of sesame and oregano we think). Marthame was greeted with Hammatak bithebbak - "Your mother-in-law loves you!" - something said when your timing makes you impeccably lucky.

Meanwhile Arafat remains pinned down in Ramallah. He is, warts and all, the symbol of Palestinian liberation - at both its best and worst. Now he's trapped in his home, as they are in theirs. And for that, people here understand, pity, and respect him. Word has come from email in Ramallah that, in addition to the tank assault, the Israeli army has taken over the Palestinian TV station and is broadcasting pornography. Somebody's laughing somewhere, but not us. Another suicide bombing took place in Tel Aviv - it's not easy to fall asleep when evil persists like this.

The Western churches, meanwhile, will be gathering soon to sit vigil by the tomb. In a land of such death, it only seems appropriate.