We spent a day in Zababdeh, running errands and trying to stay cool.
Read MoreWhat was yesterday's headline? "Israel agrees to ease Palestinian daily conditions." We have yet to see it.
Read MoreIn many ways, it's been a good summer.
Read MoreSome of the students in our program have been working with the Birzeit student activities committee to prepare an event together at the end of our term.
Read MoreTheir logic is similar to that of the Israeli army - we are in a state of truce, but that doesn't prevent us from engaging in incursions and assassinations. Hamas is also holding to the truce, but that doesn't prevent them from carrying out retaliatory suicide bombings.
Read MoreThe summer semester is winding down, with only this week to go, so we are trying to get the most out of the last few days.
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The Israeli Committee Against Home Demolitions (ICAHD) work camp is constructing a Peace Center on the site of the Shawamreh Family home which has been demolished four times. A large group of internationals and Israelis were there, working with Palestinians on the site, which was impressive for only two days of construction.
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In many cases, it's simply a case of squatters taking over other people's homes. They are then protected by the Israeli government.
Read MoreThe food remains good and as authentic tasting as any little Chinese restaurant in the States.
Read MoreSince Oslo began, the number of settlers and the size of their settlements increased twofold, and only 18% of the Occupied Territories came under Palestinian control. For people who expected a viable state in the 1967 borders by 1998, the real results of Oslo were meager and frustrating.
Read MoreOur good friend and fellow Birzeit "alum" from two years ago, is taking some vacation days from his job in London and visiting Israel and Palestine.
Read MoreAt this point, his application is in DC ( the final scene of Raiders of the Lost Ark comes to mind). The Consulate in Jerusalem can do nothing at this point except wait.
Read MoreAt the facility, Barbara could hear the police discussing her, proposing that she was working with Hamas, collecting information for terrorist activities. Barbara spoke up in her defense, asserting her innocence. Astonished that she knew Hebrew, the police turned to questioning her, a process which wore on and on, and which took decidedly harassing turns (you have a boyfriend? how do you make love to him?).
Read MoreQalqilya, where the Wall first originated. Particularly there, the situation could more appropriately be described a prison. High concrete walls, guard towers placed all along. In order to include nearby settlements on the Israeli "side," Qalqilya has been isolated such that it has one entry gate coming and going. It is already estimated that one fourth of the city's population has left - voluntary transfer at work.
Read More"If they want a wall, fine," he said. "But put it on the border, and don't steal our land to build it."
Read MoreThe discussion mainly focused on present relations between Christians and Muslims, as well as some history lessons on the Christian presence - particularly under Ottoman rule. There was general agreement that the situation for Christians improved with the arrival of the British as well as under Jordanian rule in the West Bank, but under Israeli rule/Occupation the situation has been unbearable for Christians and Muslims alike.
Read MoreNo visa, simply "provisional approval." He has to wait for another process - probably being an eighteen year-old young man from the Jenin area set off some buzzers. Now his application goes back to Homeland Security, which could take anywhere from a few days to a few months. This is a young man who has been involved with a number of Israeli-Palestinian peace exchange programs, but his profile isn't right.
Read MoreThis evening, the Birzeit students came over for a little potluck party at Star Mountain.
Read MoreThe issues of the Security/Separation Wall is high on the agenda. It has become the new stumbling block in the negotiating process towards a settlement of the conflict here.
Read More"When you live in Palestine even for a few days, you think it's hell on earth."
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