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Answer
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Name
Woman
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Profession
Question
Thanks for this opportunity. I always wonder about women's rights in Palestine. I'll be grateful if you can give me more insight to this.
Answer
Salaam
Thanks for your question. Just as other women across the world, Palestinian women have to deal with such a complicated set of issues and to top it all- war and occupation are thrown in.
The occupation has made it harder for everyone to move around and that includes women who face the same discrimination from the Israeli state when they show the borders and barriers. Getting to school is a real struggle and that's not to mention the women who are forced to give birth at checkpoints as security won't let them pass into the major Hospitals. High unemployment amongst the men also means that a lot of families are struggling financially.
When I visited Deheisha refugee camp, a young man was telling me how this was difficult and a real dint to his pride. This is especially difficult when you realize that women are actually better able to find jobs in offices, cleaning Israeli homes or part of a small enterprise. Young men are seen as the biggest threat to security in the Israeli states and so a lot of the times they get left behind.
Whilst I was in Jerusalem, I was actually lucky enough to meet a Palestinian girl- Salwa- who worked with a Labor organization campaigning for Palestinian working in Israel. She told how lots of Palestinian women worked in Israeli factories in absolutely terrible conditions, with no ventilation and were earning well below the minimum wage. It was really difficult to make any changes as a lot of the women were desperate for work. However these women had decided to organised and demand safer working conditions and better wages. They are still struggling now but I really hope that they make a difference.
From the Palestinian front, many feminist argue that as the Palestinian struggle is such a major issue that other concerns such as women's rights do take a back seat. A lot of women are openly welcomed and accepted when they support the cause but would find it a lot more difficult to discuss women's rights as a separate topic. I personally think that to ignore women's rights is a little strange as the Palestinian struggle directly affects women (see above!). Another example is that after the recent war on Gaza, there have been reports that domestic violence has gone up (the circumstances which they all live are difficult but this is no excuse for violence). The occupation, economic circumstances, war- they all affect women.
Despite the really negative circumstances, I met so many Palestinian women who had not let all these barriers hold them back. They were still ambitious young women who wanted to become teachers, journalists and doctors. Salwa, for example, said that the really difficult conditions that women found themselves working in didn't mean that they gave up. Rather, Palestinian women are ready and able to struggle and fight for their rights. (see the Palestinian Center for Human Rights for some detailed facts and figures)
I hope this answers your question!!
Name
Faiza
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Profession
Question
What kind of obstacles did face you when entering Jerusalem?
Answer
Salaam Faiza,
As an international ( I have a British passport) I don't think I experienced many of the problems that Palestinians face when they try to enter Jerusalem.
I flew into Tel Aviv and was held by Israeli security for questioning for several hours which was an unpleasant experience and extremely intimidating- they are able to deny you entry into the country. Apart from that I was able to enter Jerusalem and the Haram without any problems as Israel see it as their territory and so you don't need to cross a checkpoint or barrier as such.
Actually, its quite funny as I got completely lost on my to the Haram al-Sharif and so when I arrived at the entrance the security stopped me as looked like a completely hopeless tourist. They asked me for my passport and to read the fatiha- I guess this was just for security but I found it quite amusing.
For Palestinians coming from the West Bank, its a completely different story. They would need special authorization to enter Jerusalem and also need to cross the many checkpoints on their way in. At each checkpoint is the risk that they will simply be denied entry, humiliated or that they will be waiting for hours to be herded through the metal barriers. During tensions, these barriers also become a way to stop Palestinians altogether- especially young men- from reaching Jerusalem. Even celebrations like Eid and Ramadan don't stop these barriers and many Muslims are simply not allowed in regardless of the religious celebrations.
The totally unpredictability of the checkpoints make them real nightmare situations. I remember talking to Nadim Nashif from Baladna (an organization in Haifa which promotes Palestinian identity amongst youths) who said that these checkpoints not only become real physical barriers between them and Jerusalem- but they are social barriers:
“I mean there are always ways to go around them but as it is more difficult people may less of an effort to go. Less people meet and the dynamics change.”
I hope this helped. By the way, if you are thinking of visiting Jerusalem PLEASE don't let the security issues put you off. It's such a magnificent place, that it more than makes up for the hassles you face. Just think of it as an important part of the experience and it does gives you a better idea of the circumstances in which Palestinians are forced to live.
Thanks for your question.
Name
Khadiga
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Profession
Question
AsalamAlykom Ms. Arwa,
I would like to ask you about the motive behind your visit?
Salam
Answer
Salam Sister Khadiga,
I was actually lucky enough to be commissioned to write a travel guide and so it was partly work-related. However, I have always wanted to visit the holy city since I was a child as I was told about the importance of Masjid al-Aqsa and saw pictures of the glorious Dome of the Rock. So you can imagine that I jumped at the opportunity when I was asked if I would like to visit the country!!
I also think its important to visit Palestine for solidarity and also to support Palestinians in the really practical aspect of contributing to their economy. So, I really encourage people to go and enjoy the spiritual aspect but also to actively inform yourself of the political situation and tell others. Also when you are visiting stay in Palestinian hotels, eat at Palestinian restaurants, hire Palestinian guides and actually cross the checkpoints into Palestine and see the West Bank!! Its all really simple ways of supporting Palestinians when you are there.
A coalition of Palestinian organizations have put together a really simple guide which you can access on www.atg.ps.
Hope this answers your question. Thanks again.
M'salama
Name
Najeeb
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Profession
Question
I believe that tourists are subjected to some security measures when entering the Aqsa Sanctuary. Do these measures differ from Muslims to Christians?
Answer
Salam Brother,
Thanks for your question. There are some security measures to make sure that only Muslims enter the Aqsa Sanctuary during Prayer times- you may be asked to show your passport and recite the fatiha but it nothing more intrusive than this. Muslims are also allowed to enter from any of the gates around the Haram.
For other tourists and Christians, entry is restricted to Bab al-Maghriba (Gate of the Moors) and security checks are more thorough. Modest dress is enforced and they are only allowed to walk around the grounds and are not permitted to enter the Dome of the Rock and Masjid al-Aqsa. I hope this answers your question.
Name
Muslim
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Profession
Question
How do Muslims in Jerusalem feel about Christian tourists entering AlHaram El Sharief?
Answer
Salam,
I think it is a very sensitive issue indeed. There are some who feel it is not really appropriate to allow tourists and that the 'Ramparts walk' which gives them a view over the Dome of the Rock and Masjid al-Aqsa is more than enough.
Others feel that it is reasonable that they be allowed into the Sanctuary but that they shouldn't attempt to enter the mosques as some tourists have been seen to do. I think no matter what you think about the issue, you should respect the rules laid out for you.
If I was entering another religious building which had laid out certain conventions than I would do my best to follow them. To undermine them is really disrespectful and I think that showing respect for something held to be sacred is just common courtesy...
Thanks for your question.
Name
Mostafa
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Profession
Question
Why the Jews quarters are being taken care of than the Arab ones in Jerusalem?
Answer
Salam Brother
I think its simply a reflection of where the power (and so money) lies. The Isreali government is in charge of the Jerusalem municaplity and so they are able to choose which projects to support. For example, East Jerusalemites (Palestinians) pay 30% of the total municpality taxes but recieve back less than 11% of the city's budget.
There is also a cultural battle for Jerusalem so the Isreali state is very careful about making sure that they don't bolster Palestinian claims to the city by maintianing the Muslim and Chrisian Quarters. Conservationist Simone Ricca has written a great book on this very topic called 'Reinventing Jerusalem' which would tell you alot more.
Thanks for your question Mostafa.
Name
Editor
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Profession
Question
The session has ended. We would like to thank Ms. Arwa Aburawa for taking the time to answer your questions, and all those who participated in the dialogue.
