The Oddity of the Commonplace

Though this seems strange, I'm going to let CNN dictate what I write today. Last Saturday, a large action took place in the Palestinian village of Susiya (the same village I wrote about last week that's under threat of demolition). There were over 250 people, including three busloads of Israelis coming from Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Beer Sheva. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to go as I was nursing the toilet in At Tuwani, but many Palestinians were greatly encouraged by the action and by the support they received from so many Israelis and internationals. There was also a lot of press present. Here is the link to a story done by CNN:

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2007/07/09/wedeman.mideast.cave.dwellers.cnn

Since I know the village and its history pretty well, I'm slightly critical of the piece, but it does give you an idea of what life is like in Susiya and some of the issues facing them.

As of now, the Israeli High Court has not made it's final decision regarding the fate of Susiya. A few days ago, I was sitting around with one of the Palestinian leaders in the area and my team mates as we were discussing what he would like us to do if/when Susiya is demolished. He said there are Palestinians in many villages keeping their eyes pealed for the transport of large bulldozers on the Israeli bypass road. As soon as anyone sees one, we'll be notified and get out to Susiya as quickly as we can, calling human rights organizations and press along the way. The strange thing about this conversation is that it seems normal... and I've been struck by the many things here that seem normal but just shouldn't be:

1. One of the two year olds in At Tuwani can now pronounce three words: Mama, Baba, and Jaysh (referring to the Israeli army)
2. A little girl told me yesterday about crying with her grandmother when her father was put in jail last year. He was arrested after he spoke at a nonviolent protest against the wall the Israeli army built near At Tuwani (he was charged with hitting a soldier...though the video footage shows he never even raised his hand).
3. A team mate had to go to the nearby Israeli police station yesterday to give testimony about settler violence against Palestinians that happened in Susiya in March. The same Palestinian man who was arrested last year jokingly asked her to tell his friends at the station "Hello."
4. Palestinians joke about the nearby jail being a five-star hotel because it has running water and electricity, whereas they do not.

These discussions are commonplace, and they and we joke about them to keep ourselves going. I don't know if people will be able to make jokes about the demolition of Susiya if it happens, but I expect there will be a lot of anger and tears when that day comes again. Pray for people here as they go on living and resisting oppression; they are much stronger than I. God give us all strength and, yes, even laughter.