| Introduction: This is a compilation of field reports and interviews with women of all ages in villages surrounding Jerusalem. Researchers from the Jerusalem Center for Women interviewed the participants about their daily lives under the occupation. These women have agreed to share their stories so that the international community and women worldwide will take notice of the injustice and help them in their efforts to secure freedom and peace in the turbulent region. |
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| Khaldia Mussa Al ‘Araj - Al Walajeh village |
I am a disabled woman from the village of Al Walajeh. One of my legs was amputated when I was a child. I have always been nervous to speak about my leg in front of other women.
I live with my brothers and sister, who is mentally disabled. My parents are dead. Our house is not under demolition order, thank God. My brothers who are 24 and 27 years old wish to get married but we have no income in our home. We need financial help. One of my brothers drives a taxi but he can only find work on some days. My younger brother is never in our home, he is out all day and I don’t know where he is. I bring my sister everywhere with me because I am afraid to leave her alone at our home in case she hurts herself.
I want to contribute to my society – I want to work and develop an income for my sister and brothers. I don’t like to stay at home every day because I feel stress when I stay and think about my problems.
I received a prosthetic limb from an association in Beit Jala. In return for their help, I had to take a course in textile skills. I did not enjoy this work but I did it so that I could receive the prosthesis. Since that time, I have gained weight and the prosthetic limb does not support me anymore. The association in Beit Jala cannot help me anymore so now when my sister comes out with me, I lean on her for support when I am tired.
I am very happy since the social advisor from Jerusalem Center for Women comes to visit the village. It is a chance for me to go and see the women and girls from Al Walajeh. Every Sunday I prepare myself to sit with the women – this program is like a retreat for me, it’s beautiful.
It was good when a female doctor came to visit the women of the village. I received a lot of information on this day and I was comfortable with this doctor. On another day, we received social training on drug addiction and now I know how to deal with my brothers. The social training has made me stronger because I did not complete my education when I was a girl. |
| Sana' Quder – Wadi Yasoul – Silwan |
Before the project with the Jerusalem Center for Women, we were frustrated as we felt that no one would stand with us. We were lonely. I have a lawyer for my home and we went to the courts to try and postpone the demolition order.
After that, I went to visit a number of consulates with the Jerusalem Center for Women and I felt happy and more hopeful after telling my story to other people. I have renewed hope that my house won't be demolished. This activity raised my morale.
The lectures that we have had about political issues, human rights and family issues have been of great benefit to me. I didn't complete my education when I was a girl so I feel that this is my education now. I would like to have a system where we are examined on the subjects that we have studied, like in school.
The women of Wadi Yasoul feel that we need more than information. We need basic services also. This is a marginalized community – we have no transport, no paving in the streets, no street lights and not enough access to water. We also need activities for our children. |
| Claire - Bethlehem |
Claire lives in Bethlehem. Before the wall Claire had a very successful souvenir shop on the side of the main highway from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. Claire and her husband were very well off and provided the best for their children. Yet, like many others in her neighborhood Claire was soon isolated and devastated as the wall appeared in front of her doorstep. Merely meters from her home, we stood in the shadow as the wall immediately surrounded us on three sides. Not only did the wall come with soldiers and guard towers, but also video cameras monitoring the families every move. Claire’s children were heartbroken at the sight. Returning home from school one day to find the wall erected out of no where, they cried with their mother for days. Claire’s hopes for her children have disappeared. Now she only wonders what will happen to them. Her family struggles to pay their bills while no one will come and visit them. Their home has become a military zone. No light comes into the house anymore. Claire was forced to shut down her shop and return to life as a homemaker, while her husband struggles to find mechanic jobs in town. As a Christian family Claire believes that one day this will all change, and the God will provide for her family. Claire is currently developing a website to sell her souvenirs via the internet bringing awareness to the brutality of the occupation and ‘security’ wall. To support Claire (link to website). |
| Maha – Abu Dis |
Maha is a 25 year old woman who spoke with us about the effects of the wall on her and her young family. Maha has an adorable two year old boy who explored the living room as we sat and talked. She began by telling us about her life before the wall. She taught mathematics in Al Ram, a town about 15 minutes away at the time, and had friends she visited often in Jerusalem . She was married about four years ago and moved to this beautiful home on top of the hill with her new husband. The wall began being built soon after their arrival. She said “it is so ugly and hot here now.” “We used to have a great breeze during the day that kept us cool. We even had to plants trees here before to block some of the wind. Now the wall blocks it all.” Maha's home is surrounded on two sides by the nine meter wall and a barbed wire barrier. She works much closer to home now in Bethany , since it is too far to go to Al Ram due to the waiting time and harassment at the checkpoints in between. Maha has only spoke to her best friend from university in Jerusalem over the phone for the past four years now. Her husband worries about her all of the time now. She can hear soldier's voices on the other side of the wall at all hours of the day and night. “And they come to harass the villagers from time to time.” She told us the story of a man, who three days ago, had beat a soldier who threw sound bombs at children to break up a group of them. “Its not safe here for our children.” Maha and her husband own the home and do not plan on moving. Maha is studying to earn her Masters degree in Mathematics and Technology and hopes that her husband will continue to allow her to attend the university as it is becoming more and more dangerous for her to leave the house. |
| Muna Ireqat – Abu Dis |
Muna is a vibrant young 18 year old student who just finished her “Tawjihi” (final highschool exams). The relief in her eyes was just as evident as the uncertainty she now felt. Before the wall she planned to attend Birzeit University to be a journalist. Now she is not sure. Muna says her father will not allow her to attend Birzeit now that she has to pass through many checkpoints to get there. Muna feels suffocated by the wall and the occupation in the West Bank. She is disappointed that she has to remain in Abu Dis for university and can not get out. Muna also expressed her concern about the society she lives in and how the conservativism limits her future dreams of becoming a journalist. Women’s role in this society is very limited and it is difficult to break out of these norms. Women should be teachers not working outdoors and in many places like journalists. “I have to work through these issues with my family which is difficult, but the occupation creates actual obstacles to my dreams that encourage my family. I want to be a journalist not a teacher in Abu Dis.” |
| Adibeh Abu-Hilal – Abu Dis |
Adibeh is a single woman living with her father and brother in their childhood home. Adibeh is 40 years old now and told us that her only dream in life anymore was to make the haj (pilgrimage to Mecca). Adibeh lives on a fraction of the land her family owns, as the rest was confiscated for building the wall only twenty feet from their home. Adibeh is a West Banker and rarely leaves her home now. Her mother died 7 years ago, and her father is retired, collecting only 600NIS a month, barely enough to cover the most basic household expenses. Adibeh talked about the emotional toll the wall and the occupation took on her. “You can feel the difference now. The men they just blame their fears on you.” The men are scared and women are often told they can not go places and must stay at home for safety reasons. Adibeh expressed her concerns about her family and her brother’s ability to find a good wife. She even tried to solicit references from us. After declining, Adibeh went on to tell us about the suffocation and pain she felt because of the wall. When we asked Adibeh what she thought about her future she said “Be patient, there is nothing to do. This is our life. We must be patient.” |
| Mrs. Wehesh – Abu Dis |
The door opened and we were welcome visitors to this home without question. Mrs. Wehesh invited us in to sit with her. She sat and looked at us for a moment her eyes twinkling and her smile genuine. “Ahalan Wasahalan” (Welcome). We introduced ourselves and chatted about the day. The translator told her what we were studying. She began to cry. The wrinkles on her face deepened and she used her veil to wipe away her tears. She told us how this was her childhood home. She loved this house. But now, behind the house was the ominous wall. Mrs. Wehesh told us how they had taken her land, olive trees older than she was, and demolished them for the erection of the wall. She sobbed. They had taken not only 10 dunums of land, but also her livelihood. The 25 tanks of olive oil she used to harvest and sell were gone, the wheat she’d plant and harvest was now gone, and just a week ago the remaining olive trees she had were burnt down; likely by the reckless flick of a soldier’s cigarette. Hugging her we were speechless. This woman had been deeply affected by the wall. Her family was separated, she had no livelihood, and her sons had all moved away. She told us her story and sighed. Alone in her home we left her and her tear soaked veil with tears in our eyes. |
| Huda (Hanan) – Beit Anan |
Huda has seven children, four girls and three boys. Huda is practically a single parent although she has been married for 16 years. Her husband has been in jail now for three years under the Israeli policy of administrative detention. Neither Huda nor her husband know what he is being jailed for. No charges were ever brought against him and no claims have been made. The policy keeping him in jail is one Israel claims is for “security” allowing them to arrest suspected terrorist and hold them for up to six months without charging them. The loophole that Huda and many others suffer from is that this detention can be renewed indefinitely after its expiration in the six months without releasing the prisoner. Huda explained how her husband’s file was kept secret and that she could do nothing to help him. She told us how it became important for her to be strong for her family; her husband and her children. She now supports her husband in jail sending him 700NIS a month and her seven children. Huda said, surprisingly positively, that the whole experience while unfortunate had actually empowered her as a woman in her community. Huda contacted lawyers, dealt with community activists, and the Red Crescent, to ensure the well being of her husband while under the Israeli prison system. Huda explained how in the beginning she was naïve and would take taxis anywhere she needed to go, since her husband used to drive her everywhere. This cost her 8NIS for an average trip. Later she was thankful when she discovered the city bus system which was far more convenient for only 2NIS. Laughing, and reminiscing on her old naivety, Huda said her funniest experience was when she was running errands and had to go to a certain office. So she flagged down a taxi, got in, and told him where she was going. To her surprise he only laughed at her. The office she was looking for was in the same building she had just exited!
Huda, remaining optimistic, described the prison system she was forced to endure while visiting her husband. Huda has made five visits to her husband most of which have all occurred at different locations. After the long paperwork process and with the help of lawyers Huda acquired a permit to enter Jerusalem and take a bus to see her husband. Leaving at 4am and often not returning home again till the wee hours of the next morning, only to see her husband for 30 minutes during the day. After all this Huda was subjected to four body checks when entering the prison, and was forced to speak to her husband over the telephone in front of a glass wall.
Huda says she has a stronger personality now, and is very glad she learned how to get along without her husband, but she eagerly wants him back at home with his family.
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| Amal (Ansaf) – Beit Anan |
Amal is married and has two children. She has been married for 14 years and her husband has been in jail for the last 6 years. She is originally from Jordan and moved here after the census in 1967. Amal does not have a West Bank or Jerusalemite ID. She rarely leaves her village since the last time she went through Qalandia checkpoint the soldiers threatened to tear up her Jordanian passport leaving her with no identification. Amal’s children like many others have not seen their father for years. Amal applied for permits throughout his entire imprisonment but was consistently denied. In the sixth year of his imprisonment and with the help of HAMOKED’s legal advisors, Amal obtained a special permit allowing her five visits to the prison instead of the standard three. Amal describes bringing the children with her. “I stood my four year old up on the bench so his father could get a good look at him. He had grown so much taller. There were many many tears.” “My daughter begged the soldiers to allow her inside to hug her father and pleaded with them to switch places with him.” Amal was heart broken telling us about her story. She explained how some people in her village had it worse. They would make the trip all the way to the prison only to find their father, son, or husband had been moved. Some had to send their children alone, like Amal did, since parents were not always granted permits to leave the West Bank. Amal and Huda both participate in making and selling Palestinian handicrafts to support their families. Support Amal and Huda at (link to website for products). |
| Imha’tam Al Atrash (Nawel Ahmad) – Al Walajeh – Aserj |
I was born in Jordan and married my husband, who is from Al Walajeh, there. After we were married, we returned from Jordan to Al Walajeh where I lived on temporary visiting permits. The permits expired at the time that I delivered a new baby and I had to go alone to Jordan to renew the visa even though my baby was only a few weeks old.
In 1984, my husband applied for family unification for me. Those who marry residents of Al Walajeh receive residency permits for six months only and I couldn’t travel to Jordan during that period. Therefore, I missed the funeral of my first brother and then the wedding of my second brother the following year. After a lot of time and effort, I received notice that I would finally receive a residency permit for the West Bank in one year’s time. The Israeli authorities warned me that if I committed any misdemeanor during that year, I would not receive my permit.
For nine years I lived in Al Walajeh in my brother in law’s house in a small room with my husband and three children. My father in law has a little land and we applied for a building license for that in order to expand our living space but the request was rejected. So we went ahead and built two small basic brick rooms with dirt floors. During this time, the Israeli authorities threatened to demolish the house many times. On a number of occasions, my husband was arrested by the Israeli forces for being in his own home as the people of Al Walajeh carry West Bank IDs but the village has been annexed to Israel by the Annexation Wall. In 1998 we arranged our home better because by then I had five children and very little space.
Soon afterwards, my eldest son went to study Chemistry at Abu Dis but within a short time he was arrested and Israeli Army Radio announced that our home was a bomb factory. He was tried and sentenced to 40 years in prison. My husband and I haven’t seen our son for one and a half years as he is in Nafha prison in Israel. Five days after my son was arrested, the Israeli forces came and blew up our home with explosives, and without any warning. We didn’t have enough time to take any of our things from the house before it was demolished. My youngest son was so traumatized that he hasn’t been able to talk or speak since.
The legal and social counseling program with Jerusalem Center for Women has helped me in a number of ways. I now have better information about and awareness of social and legal issues that affect me. Also, I work as a dressmaker and make traditional handicrafts and the workshop has given me an opportunity to market my goods to the other women and outside the village, through the Center. I have had a good opportunity to talk to the social trainer about my youngest son who is still suffering from shock and trauma. The fun day arranged by the Center for the children of Al Walajeh was also very good for my soon because he could relax and enjoy himself with other children. Finally, the workshops are a chance for me to speak out in a relaxed environment about my problems.
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| Imta Faq – Wadi Yasoul |
The JCW training sessions have increased my awareness of legal and social issues. The Center has also given us a chance to speak out to the world through media interaction, visits from representatives of different consulates and participation in conferences. Through this communication, I feel that the culture of fear and silence is being broken down. We now have more hope to solve the problems of Wadi Yasoul. We network with the Jerusalem Center for Women and with other women who have similar problems to ours. I have been able to contact other organizations that intervene to stop the demolition of houses. Until now, the demolition of my house has been postponed.
I feel that through the training sessions, I have learned to communicate better and I am happier. Through the trainings, other human rights organizations have learned about our problems and they have started to help us too. I also think that the fun days that the Center run for our children are very beneficial as they give the children a good environment to enjoy themselves in.
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