September 28, 2002 — Mudeif Productions

*A student speaks at the morning assembly.*

Two years ago, Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon, flanked by a thousand Israeli troops, strutted onto the Temple Mount/Holy Sanctuary. From that day, the death toll has continued to rise: more than 1700 Palestinians (with 20,000 injured), more than 600 Israelis (with 4000 injured). It's sick. And both Israelis and Palestinians are doing the only things they know to do: on this side of the Green Line, defiance is the national past-time. Even if it's empty, it's still there. On the other side, militarism reigns.

The school assembly this morning was longer than usual. Students read speeches and poetry, sharing love of land and the like. Many wore small kaffiyes, the Palestinian headscarves, draped around their necks. (Red and white is traditionally Bedouin and often symbolizes the PFLP, black and white is the traditional Palestinian style, which has come to symbolize the PLO.) Thinking back on the last two years, it's difficult to summarize succinctly, except to say that we hope there's very little more down the road. Watching people die is hideous - watching people die slowly is gut-wrenching. It would be too easy to say that those who favor war have never seen it, but it's certainly true to say that those who embrace it without nuance have never lived through it. And that's dangerous. It's time to turn swords into ploughshares, and not the other way around. Which are we doing - personally, nationally, globally?

At break time today, the grades continued their soccer tournament. Each year, as weather permits (that is, without rain - and there won't be some for a while), the different grades match up in a soccer tournament. Today pitted 7A against 7B (whom Elizabeth teaches). 7B was victorious, pleasing Elizabeth - she attributed it to their English language education this year.

*The Kindergarten birthday celebration.*

In the early afternoon, the Kindergarten teachers organized a group birthday party for the children who had birthdays in the last month. On a national day of mourning, it seemed odd to have a celebration, but such are the contradictions that make up life here. The ones with birthdays were allowed to dance (and each got to blow out candles), but all of the kids got a piece of the cake - something that could be learned by the negotiators and world leaders.