HEBRON, PALESTINE: GHOST TOWN

Hebron’s Ghost Town: Shuhada Street

15 September 2012

Shuhada Street used to be an integral part of the vibrant centre of Hebron. The shops and markets, for which the city is renowned, lined the pavements. The street itself was a busy main road through the city and was considered the most important street in Hebron.

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Since the Goldstein Massacre, the Israeli occupation forces chose to make restrictions on the Palestinians rather than on the Israeli settlers living inside Hebron and the Palestinian movement have been restricted intermittently. Vehicles were banned from using the Shuhada Street, but it remained a hub of activity in the old city.

During the Second Intifada, in September 2000, Israel placed even further restrictions by closing the street completely off to the Palestinians. The justification given was “security”, often cited as an excuse to violate the rights of the Palestinian people. Today, only a few Palestinians are allowed to enter the area. READ MORE: http://palestinesolidarityproject.org/2012/09/15/hebrons-ghost-town-shuhada-street/

26DEC13. Hebron, Palestinian Territory.

BETHLEHEM, PALESTINE: “THE OX & THE DONKEY UNDERSTOOD MORE”

There were only a few shepherds at the first Bethlehem. The Ox and the donkey understood more of the first Christmas than the high priests in Jerusalem. And it is the same today. ~ Thomas Merton

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25DEC13. Bethlehem, Palestinian Territories.

BETHLEHEM, PALESTINE: CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY

I found the most aggressive religious worshippers on earth. Wait for it. You’ll be surprised: Indonesian Christians. Wow. I had to remind myself that (1) It’s Christmas. (2) We are in line to see Jesus’ (of all people) birthplace! They push and yell. In the Church of the Nativity! There’s more decorum displayed at a Motley Crue concert.
In the images below, you’ll see that to enter, you have to duck through a small doorway. You’ll also see the horde of people I’m talking about. And you’ll also see, which is my reason for going, the 14-point silver star under the Grotto of the Nativity, which is believed to mark the actual spot where the Blessed Virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus Christ.

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Christmas Day. Bethlehem, Palestinian Territories.

OLD CITY, JERUSALEM: “IT IS THE HISTORY OF EARTH AND OF HEAVEN”

“The view of Jerusalem is the history of the world; it is more, it is the history of earth and of heaven.” – Benjamin Disraeli

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Christmas Eve. Old City, Jerusalem.