September 11, 2002

Last year, CNN provided us with our view of 9/11.

The anniversary of 9/11. All of the channels have been full of programs about the events of the past year - candlelight vigils, documentaries on al-Qaeda and the WTC, statements from politicians and heads of state...Even our little school assembly had a remembrance. One of the ninth graders wrote and presented his reflections on the events of last year: "Terrorism is evil because it cheapens the value of human life....We must unite in prayer for those who died and for their families."

Later, Elizabeth was interviewed by Free Speech Radio News - as was Fr. Aktham - about September 11th. The world is joining in mourning once again. Last year, 9/12 was a terrible day around here, the heaviest Israeli military action in the area to that point - perhaps the world attention being turned to NYC was the reason; who will ever know.

In any case, we expected today to be similar around here - the intense military action in and around Zababdeh yesterday (the tight closure of Qabatia and Jenin, the Israeli surveillance planes slowly circling overhead, the tanks passing by) has everyone nervous.

Even so, everyone arrived today - one of the Jenin teachers arrived at 11:00, though (school begins at 7:30 and finishes at 1:30). She'll be moving to Zababdeh to rent an apartment soon - ridiculous that a six mile commute necessitates a move. The teacher from Qabatia who walked here yesterday told us about his travel back home after school. Even the "road" between the olive trees he took was cut off, which gave him the opportunity to explore a part of Qabatia he had never seen before as he tried to get home.

Even in the midst of the absurdity here, there is optimism for some reason.