October 21, 2001

We had a lively discussion with the students about the role of women in society - there was as much variety in opinion among the all-male, mostly-Muslim students as you would expect to find in an American classroom.

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October 18, 2001

Word filtered through later in the day that an eleven year old girl had been killed on her way to school by Israeli soldiers who had invaded Jenin. Needless to say, those of us responsible for the safety of students are concerned by such reports.

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October 17, 2001

We had a couple of visitors a few nights ago, and Marthame had casually mentioned that he wanted to get a galabiye, or a dishdashe, the gown worn by men at home here. They're very comfortable, and in the summer they're extremely cool.

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October 7, 2001

Reports came on CNN of stadiums full of football fans chanting "USA! USA!" when hearing the bombing had started. And we're confused as to why there're anti-American sentiments in the world?

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September 17, 2001

On the same bus were teachers and students from Qabatiya, who had endured little sleep the previous night - further incursions by the IDF have come into their village, too

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September 8, 2001

The military has orders to allow the children to go to school, even though the curfew is in effect. We went to a couple of different spots. Marthame joined one of the CPTers as soldiers were telling the children that it was forbidden to go a certain way and they must turn back (towards streets blocked with barbed wire).

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September 7, 2001

Yesterday, he dropped a pot of hot tea on his foot, but was prevented from going to the hospital by Israeli soldiers (contradicting not only international law, but also their own explicit military orders). After a few phone calls to Doctors without Borders, the CPTers were able to get an ambulance close to the home and we accompanied the young man as he walked (hobbled) to it.

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August 28, 2001

The IDF is still in Beit Jala, and gun-battles are in the streets of that Christian village. Our inbox is clogged with pleas for help, to call/fax/email Israeli and American leaders and officials to stop this reoccupation and escalation of the conflict, particularly pointing out the occupation of the Lutheran church and orphanage.

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August 26, 2001

We had a wonderful visit, as we played with their children and listened to our friend's father-in-law regale us with his stories of living as the only Christian in various Muslim towns around the area.

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August 12, 2001

The village of Al-Ghayar lies just northeast of the Golan. In 1967, the Israelis assumed it belonged to Lebanon and left it alone. Instead, it had been a Syrian village and was now cut off from the rest of Syria by the Israeli presence in the Golan. Now it is under full Israeli military control and guarded by quite the bevy of troops.

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