Palestine Israel

[Divine Wright]

My neighbours are a family from Palestine. They are by some distance the most friendly neighbours we have. Much more open, talkative and friendly than the local people in my street (Vitoria-Gasteiz, Euskal Herria).

The couple, who have three lovely kids, are studying their PHD here. They are researching the effects of sports in promoting social mobility and welfare. Souleman, the husband has told us some incredible stories of the treatment they have received from the Israelis, truly harrowing and heartbreaking.

I don't know what historical issues the Israelis have with the people of the occupied territories, but the fact perfectly well adjusted and decent people have to go through some of the stuff these people have gone through is just awful.

What I found amazing, aside from the experiences they have had of seeing friends being shot in front of them, is that fact that even within the Palestinian territories, the locals have to go through numerous checkpoints to go from one city to another ....again , this is within Palestine, without even setting foot in Israeli occupied territories. The israeli troops are incredibly zealous and trigger-happy on top of this, so people just don't bother leaving their cities.

He also explained to me how the Israelis use the religious elements as an excuse to continue their actions, but that it actually has very little to do with the situation.....

They are moving back to Palestine in October after three years here in the Basque Country. Their friends think they are mad and that they should stay in Europe, but they are determined to go back and work in education, in order to help their country progress. Proper admirable attitude, fair play.

[Feedback]

My neighbours are a family from Palestine. They are by some distance the most friendly neighbours we have. Much more open, talkative and friendly than the local people in my street (Vitoria-Gasteiz, Euskal Herria).

The couple, who have three lovely kids, are studying their PHD here. They are researching the effects of sports in promoting social mobility and welfare. Souleman, the husband has told us some incredible stories of the treatment they have received from the Israelis, truly harrowing and heartbreaking.

I don't know what historical issues the Israelis have with the people of the occupied territories, but the fact perfectly well adjusted and decent people have to go through some of the stuff these people have gone through is just awful.

What I found amazing, aside from the experiences they have had of seeing friends being shot in front of them, is that fact that even within the Palestinian territories, the locals have to go through numerous checkpoints to go from one city to another ....again , this is within Palestine, without even setting foot in Israeli occupied territories. The israeli troops are incredibly zealous and trigger-happy on top of this, so people just don't bother leaving their cities.

He also explained to me how the Israelis use the religious elements as an excuse to continue their actions, but that it actually has very little to do with the situation.....

They are moving back to Palestine in October after three years here in the Basque Country. Their friends think they are mad and that they should stay in Europe, but they are determined to go back and work in education, in order to help their country progress. Proper admirable attitude, fair play.

that's a fair story. Have you spoken with any Israelis and taken on board their position so you can form a balanced opinion?

[Divine Wright]

that's a fair story. Have you spoken with any Israelis and taken on board their position so you can form a balanced opinion?

Maybe it's just me, but I can't imagine any justification for the types of things this guy has told me.

The guy is pretty upfront about stuff. He told me that Israeli troops entered his city in armoured tanks looking for "a baddie" and that when kids started throwing stones at them , they returned with live rounds. He said " My friend and me ran and then I felt liquid on my face and when I looked my friend had been shot in the head "....he pointed at his forehead and had tears in his eyes.

He also told me that he once tried to go from his city to visit his wife in another Palestinian town in the West Bank and that a journey that should take half an hour takes hours due to check-point controls. ON one of these occasions a soldier spoke to the guy in Hebrew and he responded in English saying that he didn't understand Hebrew. The soldier told him that he is in Israel and should speak Hebrew. My neighbour responded telling him that he is in Palestine and should therefore speak Arabic. He was then made to get out of the car and sit in ,what he described, as a pit in the ground until morning.

Again, this guy is studying a PHD in a foreign country....he not some scrote I bumped into in a bar. Proper nice, friendly people. I asked the guy once for a recipe for Falafel....he said "wait a sec, I've got some in the freezer, I'll bring some over to you" ....it's no polygraph test, but he sure seems like a decent and honest bloke to me.

If I spoke to an Israeli , is there anything at all that he could say that would justify the things I've mentioned above ?

For me there isn't.

[truthpaste]

My neighbours are a family from Palestine. They are by some distance the most friendly neighbours we have. Much more open, talkative and friendly than the local people in my street (Vitoria-Gasteiz, Euskal Herria).

The couple, who have three lovely kids, are studying their PHD here. They are researching the effects of sports in promoting social mobility and welfare. Souleman, the husband has told us some incredible stories of the treatment they have received from the Israelis, truly harrowing and heartbreaking.

I don't know what historical issues the Israelis have with the people of the occupied territories, but the fact perfectly well adjusted and decent people have to go through some of the stuff these people have gone through is just awful.

What I found amazing, aside from the experiences they have had of seeing friends being shot in front of them, is that fact that even within the Palestinian territories, the locals have to go through numerous checkpoints to go from one city to another ....again , this is within Palestine, without even setting foot in Israeli occupied territories. The israeli troops are incredibly zealous and trigger-happy on top of this, so people just don't bother leaving their cities.

He also explained to me how the Israelis use the religious elements as an excuse to continue their actions, but that it actually has very little to do with the situation.....

They are moving back to Palestine in October after three years here in the Basque Country. Their friends think they are mad and that they should stay in Europe, but they are determined to go back and work in education, in order to help their country progress. Proper admirable attitude, fair play.

It would also be honest to point out that In Israel, Muslims can freely run businesses and live there with their families, something I've personally witnessed when I've visited Israel. On the other hand, a Jew found anywhere within the borders of Palenstine is in immediate and constant danger, and he/ she would have to be insane to open a business there.

[Divine Wright]

It would also be honest to point out that In Israel, Muslims can freely run businesses and live there with their families, something I've personally witnessed when I've visited Israel. On the other hand, a Jew found anywhere within the borders of Palenstine is in immediate and constant danger, and he/ she would have to be insane to open a business there.

I think you are referring to "The 48" (or "48 Palestinians") as my friend refers to them. People who remained after the occupation . From what he has told me, it's a nightmare to get into Israel if not.

Also , it's the Israelis that prohibit jews from entering Palestine.