From Gaza, with Love

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Gaza again and again

Back to Gaza, Back to Walking
22-1-2011

Walking during the early hours of the morning this Friday, the town
has not awoken yet, but a few children are playing on the side of the
road. Some are young girls, smiling, who invite me to join them to
play hopscotch. These are girls that are happy playing with little
boys, yet soon in a few years they will be forced to be covered.
Mixing with boys is one of the great, great taboos. Whether it is
because of tradition or religion, it does not matter.

Quite simply, they cannot practice their right to choose what to wear-
all are asked to surrender to the rules of the tribe, like herds of
sheep. Voices of difference or dissent are asked to shut up when the
current is running so strongly in the other direction.
I was thinking deeply of the years when the grandmothers of these
children walked to schools uncovered, during the Sixties and the
secular era of Nasser- how Gaza has changed.

All of a sudden I could hear and see two Israeli gunboats on the
horizon, just like two ugly protruding eyes on a huge face. It
reminded me of Orwell’s 1984, where Big Brother controls and watches
over you at all times.

What do we expect next as Palestinian people? I thought deeply about
this. Where is the outlet, the solution to this big dilemma?
Politicians seems to insist on a constant deadlock, and in the West
Bank, Israel proves every day that she is not a partner in peace, as
she steals more and more land and continues building new settlements.
In Gaza, Hamas rules while Israel controls our borders and continue
their daily attacks. Military attacks that are unheard and unseen by
many in this world, yet we live under this siege daily. The worst is
the constructed division between Hamas and Fatah, and the lack of
Palestinian unity. This affects ordinary peoples’ daily lives, from
the food we consume to the medicine we need. The other aspect which
people feel is the lack of any promise or inspiration on the political
horizon.

As for me, I remember my friend’s inspiring words, “When things seems
so bad, try to focus on small successes.” I thought of the work of the
Middle East Children’s Alliance(MECA), the Maia projects(water purification system for children in gaza schools ), the psycho- social
support for children, with their love for art programs, and their
chance for self expression. I am determined to continue helping and
empowering people with steadfastness. There are thousands of women
and children, courageous people who are living under such harsh
conditions, who need these programs and the love and support they
offer.

With love I send my message, with great conviction that the remedy for
Palestine is unity. Unity is the first step towards a clear strategy
to determine for ourselves what we need next for our future. I
believe strongly that this unity exists in the growing global
solidarity movement that stands with Palestinians for peace and
justice and against oppression wherever it exists, including within my
own land.

With your solidarity and support, we in Gaza will continue. It is a
long term battle, but one day we will all prevail.

15 Comments:

  • i have been reading a book by Susan Abulhawa and I suddenly wondered whether there were anyone logging from Gaza. I have only read this post that you have written and I will sure to read more! Best wishes aminah

    By Blogger aminah, at 1/23/2011 4:54 PM  

  • Hi every Gaza people
    we are in in iran preparing to come again to Gaza the humor
    we are coming to break the disege of gaza and the islam world
    pray for freedom of Gaza, west-bank, egypt, tunis, Africa and every where in world
    pray for God to help menkind to be free
    we are coming. It`s time of muslims

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 1/29/2011 4:47 AM  

  • You're blog is amazing. You're voice is so important.

    By Blogger Abel Garrido, at 2/04/2011 4:43 PM  

  • Dear Mona,
    I have read your blog, the latest scroll from top to bottom. Not once I have read the word "Hamas"
    Do you have any view of the political org that is controlling your everyday lives? I remember, the days when so many from Gaza worked in Israel and naturally mede friends here, specially I remember Jamal and Nasr who worked in the restaurant in Tel-Aviv that I managed. The pride they took in the Humus that is made in Gaza (the granular type) compared to the Israeli type, the olive oil, and other delicacies. Different days and times that made different bonds between us.
    Do you feel your politicians are using the "man in the street" for their political gains?

    By Blogger Unknown, at 2/04/2011 5:50 PM  

  • I hear your sincere calling and I hope and pray to god to hear your voice and provide the people of Gaza and Palestine the peace and protection they deserve.
    From Arlington Texas With Love,
    Abed Elkassih

    By Blogger Unknown, at 2/05/2011 5:44 AM  

  • I found your site through a CNN internet page. I like you open mind despite all the sufferings you and your family have been through. Could you give me more infos regarding MECCA ? Alain

    By Blogger Unknown, at 2/05/2011 7:26 AM  

  • I found your site through a CNN internet page. I like you open mind despite all the sufferings you and your family have been through. Could you give me more infos regarding MECCA ? Alain

    By Blogger Unknown, at 2/05/2011 7:27 AM  

  • I found your site through a CNN internet page. I like you open mind despite all the sufferings you and your family have been through. Could you give me more infos regarding MECCA ? Alain

    By Blogger Unknown, at 2/05/2011 7:28 AM  

  • I have followed with interest the events around the middle east, in particular those concerning the Palestinians. I live in the USA, but get information from UK and other sites, as the US media is 'sold to the jewish lobby' and will not inform with the truth.You should know that there are millions of people around the world that understand and support the Palestinian cause. Unfortunately the 'propaganda war' has been won by the Israeli and US media, and keeps so many millions of people misinformed and biased against your cause. There are so many 'wrong issues' within your own government, created by the chaos of continued war and occupation and also from that lack of unity that you talk about. It seems to me as if most of the arab countries were stuck in the 1967 war, and have not been able to move forward/along like the rest of the world. I at times, think what would I do if I were living under this same conditions, truthfully I wouldn't know the answer to that. I certainly don't wish harm to anyone, yet think of all those who 'blow themselves' and can't imagine how low their self esteem has gone, how much they must hate their current life and conditions, enough to be willing to end their own.

    By Blogger Unknown, at 2/05/2011 6:19 PM  

  • Thank you for your message. I found your blog from a link on twitter. I've never done this before but your message is so moving. I will check back.

    Sheryl

    By Blogger sacteachus, at 2/06/2011 5:02 AM  

  • Hello, Mona

    I am a reader of your blog and I must say I really like it. I have linked it from my blog for a couple of years now and this is one of my favourite Gaza blogs.
    This time, I turn to your help because I am planning to get a tattoo with the word "palestine" in arabic. I have found the design you will find at the bottom of my comment, and I really love it. However, I was wondering if you would be so kind as to tell me if it is correct? I am not an arabic speaker and I would hate it if my tattoo were all wrong.

    Thank you so much for your help! And please keep on writing. I leave you with the design I found:

    http://www.etsy.com/listing/38141482/mens-palestine-bling?ref=pr_shop

    Greetings from Mexico!

    By Blogger Bloodplayer, at 2/07/2011 12:18 PM  

  • I hope that one day you all will be free. I hope that for everyone, but especially Gaza and West Bank.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2/12/2011 9:49 PM  

  • Dear Mona

    I am from Israel and i want to tell you a basic thing.
    both sides of this game are wrong.
    we were wrong (and still are) by thinking that we could on one hand keep our historic motherland (the Yehuda and Shomron area), but on the other hand neglect and close our eyes to the Arab population.

    But you are wrong to elect Hamas with a charter that includes the termination of the state of Israel, firing rockets on civilian population, and targeting civilians in terror acts.

    I am not saying that you should elect someone else. no, that's you 100% right to elect who you want, but you also need to face the consequences of it.

    If tomorrow Mexico will elect Ben-Laden as president,i am not sure the US will keep it's borders open.

    If you stop dreaming of the termination of the Jewish state and start recognizing that's it is here to stay, you will see that most of us Israelis will support the evacuation of the territories even with settlements. we did it once in Gaza, and we can do it also again. but you need to show us that you can become a peaceful neighbor, unlike Gaza.

    Can you?

    By Blogger Unknown, at 2/22/2011 2:52 AM  

  • tour article brings a tear to my eye. Iam an american, But I Know a little bit about your stuggles.I know how israle is an occupying force who imprisons you in your own land. Most americans, and westerners don't Know the truth. Our media makes the palestinians look like bad guys. The people that support israel are blinded by greed for money and power, and religious fanatacism. I hope that one day that Palestine may have peace, and a peace that is Fair to you palestinian people. I am sorry that you haved to grow up under oppression, and I am sorry that U.S. taxpayers' money goes toward helping to oppress you. Maybe someday we will all lie in Peace.
    Your friend,
    Christopher

    By Blogger nemo, at 3/01/2011 4:09 AM  

  • What a great blog! Thank you so much for writing about a situation that receives little main stream attention.

    Keep up the good work and the good fight!

    By Blogger Travelling Man, at 3/02/2011 9:09 PM  

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