Crossing Borders issue 35

A bi-monthly regional magazine Volume 8 No.35 November/December 2007

Youth Leadership • The Quiet Storm in Gaza • What Does it mean to be a soldier? • Fixing Castles 1

Crossing Borders Volume 8 No.35 November/December 2007

Who We Are For Learning to live together on equal terms

What is Crossing Borders Crossing Borders is a non profit, non goverment organization that provides youth and educators from the Middle East and Europe with dialogue space and media, communication and conflict management skills training. CB is hosted by The International People’s College in Elsinore, Denmark. CB’s mission is to facilitate meaningful dialogue among youth and educators across conflict divides. The aim of CB is to increase the possibilities for world peace with special focus on the Middle East.

ISSN: 1563-28365 www.crossingborder.org

CB Advisory Board Prof. Munther Dajani (chairperson), Mr. Herbert Pundik, Ms. Else Hammerich, Ms. Lotte Lund, Mr. Hanna Siniora, Mr. Jakob Erle, Mr. Mossi Raz, Mr. Greg Newbold and Prof. Najeeb Nabwani.

Executive Board Ms. Anja Gustavsen (Chairperson), Ms. Rosa Dich (vice Chairperson), Ms. Britha Mikkelsen, Mr. Jorn Faurschou, Ms. Louise Breum Brekke, Ms. Anne Gyrithe Bonne, Ms. Mette Juel Madsen and Mr.Andreas Bredsdorff, Mr. Asbjoern Petersen and Ms. Rikke Mikkelsen.

Executive Secretariat Mr. Garba Diallo, Director Mrs. Christina Lund, Chief Financial Officer Ms. Denise Robinson, CB Intern.

Contact US Headquarters, Crossing Borders C/O International People’s College, Denmark Tel:0045-49213371 Fax:0045-49212128 e-mail:cb@crossingborder.org Crossing Borders partner organizations Givat Haviva- Israel Peace and Democracy Forum - Palestine Masar Centre - Jordan Dialogue Lab - Germany The Finnish institute in the Middle East - Finland Regional Coordination

CONTENTS Politics Eye on Nazareth Voices from Acre Youth Leadership Poem

This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation.

The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of Crossing Borders and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation.

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Palestinian Coordinator Ms. Suheir Hashimeh Tel: 00972-2-2404413 Fax: 00972-2-2404513 Ramallah e-mail: suheir@crossingborder.org Jordanian Coordinator Mr. Khaled Shorman, Masar Tel: 00962-6-5858748,5815740 Fax: 00962-6-5815740 e-mail: kshorman@nets.com.jo Israeli Coordinator Ms. Dorit Maor Telephone: 00972544901415 E-mail: maor.dorit@gmail.com / dorit@crossingborder.org Arabs in Israel Coordinator Ms. Angham Sakar Telephone: 00972506897689 E-mail: angham@crossingborder.org German Coordinator Mr. Johannes Frische Telephone: +49 1736 155656 E-mail: johannes@dialogue-lab.org Editor in Cheif: Ms. Suheir Hashimeh Language Editing: Mr. Greg Newbold Photos: Mr. Garba Diallo.

Graphic Design & Press Production Orientation Ltd. Tel: 00972-2-5818183 Fax: 00972-2-5818203 E-mail: office@orientation.co.il Crossing Borders Volume 8 No.35 November/December 2007

Editorial

Youth Leadership

By Johannes Frische

T

o whom does the notion of leadership apply? To an elder statesman? The coach of a football team? The CEO of a corporation? An army general, holding the life of subordinate soldiers in his hands?

Among the people usually associated with leadership, youth are not very likely to be taken into consideration.

This is short-sighted.

Leadership occurs in various contexts, among various groups and social networks where young leaders might even be standing at the forefront. They are not always visible, formally acknowledged or valued, but their leadership can still be powerful and pervasive in its impact.

Gangs, fast food and CB We could think of the kind of leadership that emerges within youth gangs in the suburbs of Paris. We could pay attention to a team of workers in a fast food place like McDonaldsKFC or some other place of low-paid labor. Who actually notices the efforts of a young woman within that team who takes on the task of motivating and cheering up her fellows in this tough business?

We should also take into account the leaders in the group of Crossing Borders youth. Their leadership is indispensable when attempting to establish a space of mutual encounter in the face of physical and mental barriers that all too often seek the opposite.

The question and the search The crucial question, however, remains. What does it take to become a leader? Is it a matter of skills, strategic intuition and self-confidence? Is it the almost mystical

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aura emanating from a person that turns him or her into an indisputable leader? Is it the ability to convey a powerful vision? Or is leadership simply related to the irresistible appearance of a tall, handsome person with a strong voice?

On the 7th and 8th of September a group of 25 youth from Israel, Palestine, Denmark and Germany came together at the St. Gabriel Hotel in Nazareth to reflect upon exactly these questions. It soon turned out that the “perfect leader” has a multiplitude of attributes and qualifications. But the ubiquity of everyday leadership in various contexts as indicated above makes it hard to believe in the existence of such perfect, “larger than life” leaders.

Time and place...

Maybe, being a leader essentially starts when a person takes on responsibility at the right time in the right place.

With the qualities and lack of qualities he or she is endowed with and makes the best out of it.

After all, we may have to admit that there is no general answer to the question of what exact attributes leadership requires. Human beings are complex and so is the relationship between “leaders” and “followers” which has to be constantly negotiated through communication. For exactly this reason a leaderfollower-relationship is first and foremost a relationship of trust or lack of trust - with the latter resulting in bad leadership.

Thus, good leadership might not only be about taking on responsibilities but also about sharing them.

No sharing - no trust A person, who does not share, does not trust others and is therefore impossible to be trusted.

At Crossing Borders seminars, fostering trust is the first step to a positive group dynamic and a precondition for the emergence and recognition of leadership.

If Crossing Borders youth make this effort of building mutual trust they are, at the same time, taking the first steps towards leadership and also sending out a clear message to the public: Take notice! Acknowledge and actively support young people as the leaders of the future.

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Politics The quiet storm in Gaza

By Nasser Barakat

W

ho said there was a coup? Hamas won the elections and became the leadership, so they just changed the old corrupted security forces into new better ones and I totally support them” a Palestinian woman said.

Within a week of Hamas executive forces takeover, crime, drug smuggling, tribal clashes and kidnappings had disappeared. Hamas had the chance for the first time since its victory in the 2005 elections to show its ability to control the situation in Gaza.

Yet Palestine has been divided for the first time by Palestinian hands, with two different governments controlling the West bank and Gaza respectively.

“It’s very sad to see Palestinians killing each other at a time when Israelis are building more settlements, and detaining more Palestinians,” Mohammed, a 23 year old from Khan Younis City said.

He added, “What Hamas did as a first step was not wrong actually, but also we can’t say that it was right!”

The civil society from its side was nourished in Gaza with peace on the streets and an observed quietness in

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every side of life, because Hamas banned the illegal possession of guns and rockets and the partying with firearms. Traffice in Gaza’s streets became disciplined.

Yet, when Israel branded Gaza as a Hostile Entity, it transformed Gaza into a big jail once more.

People can’t travel or work anymore, and the financial and economic situation is becoming bad. Only a few basic necessities are allowed to enter to meet the needs of the 1.5 million inhabitants in Gaza.

Fairouz, a 22-year-old Palestinian girl said, “It’s not Hamas who caused the blockade, but America and Israel. They didn’t respect the Palestinians’ choice since the beginning.”

On the other hand Assef, from Jabalia refugee camp added, “Life after the coup has become mysterious and miserable. We don’t know to where it leads us. There are sick people who need recovery outside and all the borders are closed.”

Whatever where the consequences of this conflict, Hamas and Fateh can both be called losers along with all Palestinians. Right now the list of woes includes the international boycott, the closure of borders, the unpaid salaries, the collapse of the economy and the increasing humiliation and frustration of the people.

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Politics What does it mean to be a soldier?

By Enav Halabi

E

nav Halabi interviewed an Israeli soldier to show what is hidden behind the general image of the person holding the M16. She found tired brown eyes, in the face of a 19-year-old.

How did you get here?

At the age of 18, I had to serve in the IDF and contribute my share to my country. I have a good health so they sent me to the command unit.

Can you describe your duties here?

I have to be here at the checkpoint 8 hours everyday. I have daily briefing around 30 minutes by our commander to inform us about the new threats and then I get into my post. My job is very dangerous, but nothing we can do about it. We have orders to stop the terrorists from entering Israel.

How do you handle the fear?

Deep inside I’m really scared. I get hurt here very easily. Only a month ago a friend of mine was attacked by an armed Palestinian while he was in the post where I usually stand. The Palestinian guy jumped on him with a big knife and hurt him seriously.

What do your parents think about what you do here?

They don’t like me being here and they tried to convince me several times to find another job to do. It’s really uncomfortable to see my mother so worried and stressed when I’m guarding here in this dangerous area.

How do you feel about holding people here sometimes even for hours, some of them in the age of your grandfather?

In the beginning it was weird and I felt really uncomfortable but after a while you just have to get use to it. I tried my best to treat them with respect but sometimes it’s hard to be friendly after hard day and little sleep.

Do you think your children will be in your position?

I hope that they won’t be here. I wish no one to be in my position. But the way things are going now it seems it might happen.

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Politics

The absen of leaders

By May Mustafa

M

any Palestinians regard President Abu Mazen as a weak leader who won’t be able to bring them a State.

According to a poll conducted by the Ramallah-based Palestinian Center for Policy and Information Research (PSR), 81% of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza believe that there is corruption in the Palestinian Authority and only 30% believe that corruption will decline in the future. Last November, 84% believed corruption existed in the PA. “Abu Mazen has no control,” says Mohammed Abed, a resident of Jericho. “He doesn’t even control his own police force. Life was much better for us before Abu Mazen came to power. Because of his bad leadership, Abu Mazen is responsible for the crisis between Fatah and Hamas.”

Hamas took control of Gaza last June largely because of the corruption of Abu Mazen’s Fatah faction and government.

Many people were unhappy with the Fatah government and the way they treated the people in the Gaza Strip, says Serren Fayez, a housewife from Gaza City.

She and many residents of the Gaza Strip claim that the security situation has remarkably improved since the Hamas takeover.

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Politics Maria Amin

ce ship “Now in Gaza we feel more secure and we can go to work without fear,” Mrs Fayez explained.

“Students feel more comfortable at their universities and there are no fights or killings. These days remind me of the period when the late Yasser Arafat was in power. Today we have a better life and we feel that there is a government and that the police care about our security.”

In January 2006 many Palestinians voted for Hamas because they were unhappy with the leadership of Fatah and Abu Mazen.

No one is perfect and people make mistakes.

But the real challenge is how to overcome the mistakes without losing the people’s trust.

In the Palestinian case, the late president Yasser Arafat was a perfect example of a powerful and strong leader. Despite the mistakes he made, he was the perfect leader to lead the Palestinians.

During his rule, the Palestinians were united despite their political differences. Even Hamas was willing to listen to him. They had a lot of respect for him because he was a symbol and a hero for the Palestinians.

The late president brought together all Palestinians - Christians and Muslims, young and old.

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Little Girl

Big Challenge

By Haneen Younis

M

aria Amin, aged 5, was injured in a missile attack in Gaza in 2006. Maria’s mother, grandmother and seven-year-old brother were killed.

Maria was left paralysed from the neck down, sitting in a wheelchair, unable to breathe independently and permanently attached to a ventilator.

Israeli law considers Maria a victim of “acts of war” so the State doesn’t have to take responsibility for her rehabilitation treatment.

However, the Israeli Defense Ministry was pressured to be responsible for Maria’s treatment and gave her and her father, who is taking care of her, permission to stay one year in Israel.

She has been staying in Jerusalem at the Alyn’s Children’s Hospital but her residence permission runs out at end of this year.

The Israeli Defense Ministry sees Maria as just one more ‘victim of war’, but the Hospital staff have developed a special relationship with her and given her hope of a better life.

And many Israeli Lawyers are trying to stand against the Ministry’s decision to deport her out of Israel when her permit expires.

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CB Experience In Nazareth

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Eye On Nazareth Architecture in Nazareth The Church of the Annunciation

By Stefanie Lang

T

he CB Seminar in September took place in the St. Gabriel Hotel in Nazareth. From this place there is a wonderful view over the city.

The most prominent sight is the Church of the Annunciation. It is the biggest church in the Middle East. The architect, Giovanni Muzio, planned it as two churches built one upon the other. The lower church contains the place which, tradition holds, is the home of Mary. When you enter the church it looks like a dark, low-ceilinged and nearly empty hall.

The upper level is the church proper. It is crowned by

the 170-foot-high cupola through which natural light illuminates the interior. It is shaped like an inverted lily which is the symbol of Mary.

The church, built from 1960-1969, has a modern style.

So there are critical voices describing it as a silo or lighthouse.

There are lots of unusual elements in the church’s architecture to fascinate visitors.

19-year old Elias from Haifa was impressed while visiting the church but that doesn’t mean he liked it.

“Usually churches here in the region are much smaller and more intimate,” he says. I miss this special atmosphere here in this big church.”

http://israel4321.wordpress.com/2006/12/13/basilica-of-the-annunciation-rehov-casa-nova-nazareth/ http://www.ourfatherlutheran.net/biblehomelands/galilee/nazareth/nazareth.htm

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Eye On Nazareth I’ve been there, have you?!

By Qamar Daher

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alk with your chin up, don’t go looking right and left. Walk straight and look ahead only” That’s the slogan of all parents. It is part of the “goodbye and take care” lecture before leaving the house, every time, every day .

Well here is a challenge to that convention.

In Nazareth, one cannot walk without looking at the roads, smooth, slippery, and sharp ups and downs. One cannot walk without looking right, left, and right again.

The attractions are everywhere!

The City has a unique range of religious and historical sites. For two thousand years Nazareth has been identified with Christianity, attracting millions of pilgrims from around the world and offering a combination of exceptional architecture and culture.

From a cultural aspect, you have the market in the center of the old city. It is teeming with traditional bazaars in the middle of the old stone houses. It is definitely

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exclusive; how many vegetable markets also have wedding dresses for sale?

As for the religious sites, they are simply too many to list fully. Yet there are two that should not be missed.

The Church of the Annunciation is built above the cave which is believed to have been the home of the Virgin Mary. Its roof is black-tiled marking the spot where the Archangel Gabriel is supposed to have first appeared to Mary. The church has two levels: The bottom level is said to date back to the 4th century and above it the more recent church and dome by the architect Giovanni Muzio. He designed the upper walls to shape the letter ‘M’ for Mary.

The White Mosque, known as the Old Mosque was built in 1799-1808. The mosque is the oldest Islamic holy site in Nazareth. It is located in the center of the market and is famous for its pencil-thin Ottoman minaret. The color white symbolizes a new age of purity, luminosity and harmony.

Check it out!

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Eye on Nazareth

Basilica of Annunciation Nazareth

By Elias Hawila

T

he most recent Crossing Borders seminar was held in Nazareth.

During the seminar there was a chance to explore the city. Participants passed through the old market, tasted the traditional Arabic desert Knaffe and visited the Basilica of Annunciation. “ At the Basilica is found Anis Fakhoury, who has been a keeper of the church for 8 years and shared both his time and knowledge.

Mr. Fakhoury explained the religious importance of the basilica. It is said to hold in its first storey the house of the Virgin Mary and the place of annunciation by the archangel Gabriel.

The present church was designed by an Italian architect and took ten years to build.

It is built on the ruins of many previous churches starting from the original which was commissioned by Constantine, the first Christian emperor of Rome.

On the second level and the surrounding courtyard the basilica is decorated with icons of Virgin Mary which were contributed to the church by many countries. Each depicts the holy mother in its own culturally-influenced view. For example, one icon shows a dark skinned Virgin Mary.

The Basilica is a hot spot for Christian Pilgrims and tourists alike, and Nazareth and its citizens enjoy a constant stream of people from around the world. One local, Orjowan Khartabel, 24, explains: “I am a citizen of Nazareth and I feel proud to have the church in my hometown. The tourists help in reviving the city financially especially since the Pope’s visit after the beginning of the new millennium where he held a service in this very church.”

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Voices From Acre

Akka

By Razan Wazwaz

T

he city of Akka (Acre) is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It lies on the promontory at the northern end of Haifa Bay. Akka was once a leading port in the Middle East in the same league as Alexandria and Constantinople. Today it is a home for fishing boats.

Its Old City has been designated a UNESCO world heritage site since the 1990s. There are many historical places like Al Jazzar mosque, built by Ahmad Pasha Jazzar, and made from materials taken from Caesarea Maritima. There is the hot Turkish bath ‘Hamam el Basha’, the Knights’ Halls built and used by the Hospitaller Knights, and the Bahaiya holy places to name a few.

“It is an interesting city,” says Amira Chaikh, a Dane.

“It brought back memories to me because it looks a bit like a city in Morocco.”

David Kreuer from Germany says, “I met a priest who described in an impressive way how all religions coexist in the city and celebrate their respective holidays together. I think many seaside cities have this greater open-mindedness.”

Bar Shamir’s visit to Akka was her first. She was surprised by what she saw. “I liked the way it looked,” she says.

“All these ancient buildings, you can see it tells you the whole history, and influences the environment.”

The fortification of Akka has giving the city great protection. When Napoleon landed in Palestine and assaulted the city in 1799, he was unable to take it. His Middle Eastern campaign collapsed and he withdrew to France. A lesson for us all.

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Voices From Acre

Fixing Castles and Towns

By Netta Moshe

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ast summer while many of the teenagers among us took their time to rest from studies and hard works, some young people from Israel and France practiced rehabilitation in the old city of Acre.

In the summer of 2004 a group of Israeli teenagers joined a camp for heritage site rehabilitation in France. The project was organized by Rempart, a French organization established to bring heritage to the public awareness. In the camp the teenagers learned about historical sites and practiced many methods of preservation and rehabilitation, some modern and some from the Middle Ages.

The volunteers help rehabilitate castles, farms, archeological sites and even tried their luck at Mediaeval cooking.

A trip to the old city of Acre

Last summer, Rempart, together with ICOMOS Israel (International Council on Monuments and Sites) established its first rehabilitation camp in Israel in the old city of Acre, which is a UNESCO world heritage site.

30 volunteers from Israel and France worked to preserve the Citadel’s old stone arches, which used to mark a passageway between the garden and the main western hall, and were damaged by a rockslide. After the work hours the volunteers toured the country and learned about the history and the folklore of Israel.

By Stefanie Lang

F

or Fadi, a 19 year-old from Acre, the city has two faces.

“There is the old and the new Acre” he says. “Usually I don’t come to the old part. I hardly remember the way.” The old part has the Suk, ancientlooking houses, and the old port. Sometimes one can feel the atmosphere of an Arab town of the old days. “I prefer the modern life, cinema, going by car, modern apartments,” Fadi explains. “I wouldn’t like to live here, in old Acre.”

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Youth Leadership

CB youth at the youth leadership workshop, Nazareth, Sept 2007

Leaders-Who?

By Baha Samara

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he Guevara, Gandhi, Marie Antoinette, Yasser Arafat, George Bush, are the names of some leader who have managed to make a difference in their communities and among their followers and enemies. Regardless of what kind of difference, they managed to be the center of attention.

Haya Qassem, 21, from Beir Zeit University said that leadership in its straight and direct meaning is when one individual succeeds to build a base of followers that supports his or her principles and regulations. But the important question is whether we choose to have leaders, or do they just come along as part of every human community? Haya believes the answer depends on the situation and circumstances.

Some people believe it is part of human nature to seek guidance from a higher, stronger party in their lives.

Even in tribal communities we will find that people had their leaders. Does this deep need for leadership reflect a weakness in us humans? Does it point to a lack of perfection that we continually try to create “God� in different shapes and forms throughout our history?

These are the questions. The answers are up to you.

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Youth Leadership

aQuiet Success

By Yana Galfrin

Y

eruham is a quiet local council, located in the Negev in the southern desert part of Israel.

It’s a small place with only 9000 residents but each year, a group of local youth makes their fellow residents and friends feel proud.

Each school year, several 17-year-olds are chosen for a special program called “Madatzim”, considered an exclusive high school program in Israel.

The chosen group of students receives continuous guidance during the school year, in addition to their school classes, and passes the material they learn on to 9th graders at their school.

The rationale behind this program is based researches that have shown that pupils understand and assimilate knowledge better when it is taught to them by other students just like themselves.

These young ‘teachers’ speak to their class at eye level, are aware of the difficulties by being students themselves and create obligations and trust based on friendship.

The important work that these young individuals are doing is contributing much to their fellow students and to the quiet world of Yeruham.

CB youth at the youth leadership workshop, Nazareth, Sept 2007

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Age no limit to doing good

By Elad kolnik

I

t started few months ago. Students at “Haemeq Hama’aravi” school were in their History lesson, trying to stay awake, without much success.

Suddenly Tal, a kid from the school, crashed into the class. Our teacher gave him the floor and he started to talk.

His idea was simple: To take a group of kids and start working to make other people’s lives better. The group has a meeting once a week, where they making plans.

So far they have focused on people who live in poverty, by trying to make their bosses pay them a fair salary.

They also fight against big corporations that abuse people just for a bigger profit. In the heat of the moment, most of the class agreed that it was important to be active, to help the society. Tal said that if we could act, than we should act, no matter what age we were.

We shouldn’t wait for our government to do the job, because they do it poorly.

It was an important lesson, and serious stuff was discussed. The class came to the conclusion that every one of us can donate a little time and power for the

benefit of others.

CB Magazine asked Tal to explain more about his ideas.

CB: As the head of the group, how much time are you investing in an average week in the program?

Tal: it might surprise you, but it only takes about two hours a week. The other participants are investing one hour.

CB: What have you done so far in the program?

Tal: Well, we help several businesses to put the sticker of “giving fair conditions to all workers” on their products.

CB: What are your expectations for the future?

Tal: Hopefully soon all of the businesses will have to do so, and then maybe we will be able to help people outside the country as well.

It has been a few months since Tal spoke to the History class. Most students did not join the group, but they are still working with all their power to make people’s lives better.

Their motto is: “When was the last time you did something good for someone else?”

CB youth at the youth leadership workshop, Nazareth, Sept 2007 Crossing Borders Volume 8 No.35 November/December 2007

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Youth Leadership An Israeli Youth Movement

By Bar Shamir

B

ar Shamir interviewed her friend Itay, who takes part in the “Hanoar Haoved Vehalomed” youth movement.

Bar: How did you get into this?

Itay: A friend of mine is a group member. Sometimes when we met he would drop in to say “hi” to his friends in the clubhouse. The environment was nice and another friend in my class that is a group member also asked me to join and this is how it started.

Bar: Why did you choose the Federation of Young Students and Workers?

Itay: I already had friends in my movement, so I just preferred to be there. But the timing, the values, the friendship, the environment, everything just suited me.

The movement actually changed my whole perspective on the world. And I liked it.

Bar: How do you think the movement has changed you?

Itay: Some friends and I see it like in the movie “The Matrix”- the movement is actually the pill that Neo took, that helped him realize he is living in a fake world. The more you are into the movement, the more you get to see the problems in our society, you understand that our government is absolutely not perfect. You begin to develop your own opinion about daily current affairs, All of these suddenly stop passing you by so quietly.

Today I am much more aware. I look at every bit of information differently now.

Bar: How would you look today without the movement?

Itay: Wow, that is a hard one. Probably I would have more time, but my whole perspective on the society would be different. Really important things that surround me everyday would probably look boring and trivial, and my awareness to today’s situation, in all fields - political, security, economic, social - would be different.

Bar: Do you think, considering to today’s situation, that it is advisable for every boy and girl in Israel to participate in some sort of youth movement?

Itay: We discussed this topic in our last meeting. Youth movements have replaced our schools today for teaching about values. The moment there will be no more youth movements, there will be no more education for values. No-one will stand up and shout “teach me about values”.

Bar: What exactly do you do? What is the reaction of your surroundings?

Itay: From 10th-12th grades you can choose to become a guide. Each guide gets a group which he should educate and it is his own responsibility. Sometimes we are going out for protests and campaigns. On Rosh Hashana (the Jewish New Year) we give people apples with honey on the streets, flower bouquets on Israel Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism Remembrance Day. We protest for old people’s pensions. These are just a few examples.

Bar: Tell me a little bit about fun.

Itay: The fun reaches its peak mainly on trips, although we are having much fun in our daily activities. Over time, teenagers in the movement become really close friends, more like a family. Activities become more like spending time plus values, especially when each activity begins with a funny “ice-breaking” game. It is also the experience of sleeping together, to hiking together, getting to know Israel together.

Bar: Finally do you have any message to pass on?

Itay: Never stop fighting for what’s right in this world.

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Jewish AgencyYouth

supporting Development

By Maoz Negauker

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tidim (Futures) is the name of a project designed to help talented high school youth. The youth, from disadvantaged areas, are helped to feel more compfortable with “academic life” by being exposed to University courses where they can show their academic potential.

The Jewish Agency, a global partnership with a long history of supporting the Jewish people, is involved with the Atidim Association, focusing primarily on PreAtidim. The Pre-Atidim program aims to help children (ages 13-18) achieve an advanced science-oriented high school diploma, increasing their chances of being accepted into one of Israel’s prestigious universities.

In the recent school year, over 3,000 children from the region joined the program. In all of Israel, more than 8,000 children were involved, studying in 55 locations.

Yarden Cohen,16 and Gabi Yeruham,17 are both in their second year in the Atidim project.

“I never imagined I would ever go to university or a college, and now I’m studying in university and I am just 16 years old,” says Yarden. “I am really thankful for this opportunity because now I know I can get an education and I’m not afraid anymore from this ‘higher education’ thing.”

“When I tell people that every Friday I am going to a university they are like ‘really?’,” says Gabi. “From where I come from it’s really hard to get in to university or college. In my family I’m the only with Bagrut (final high school certificate) and I hope I will be the first to study in university.

“My parents are really proud at me,” she says. “But most importantly, I am proud of myself!”

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Youth Leadership

Different

From You And Me?

By Yana Galfrin

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ast August 10 Israelis, 10 Palestinians and 10 Canadians arrived at the Film and Television School in Galiano Island, Canada, with full commitment and desire to understand the other side of the IsraeliPalestinian conflict. Back then it seemed like the most complicated and impossible mission we were ever asked to do.

Yet as we got to know the Palestinians in a more personal way, the stereotypes that we came with broke down one by one. We had many intensive talks about

today’s situation, past actions and even took a small glance into the future that we are trying to change for the better, in an honorable and respectful way.

The friendships that were made, the collaboration and the trust that kept building up led to an new understanding of the concept “the other side”.

People who take part in such programs must have courage, a lot of patience, plenty of openness and ability to listen.

We know that following the camp peace hasn’t arrived but we’ve made a small step toward it. Now it just takes more small steps to continue to run the big marathon race for peace.

CB youth at the youth leadership workshop, Nazareth, Sept 2007

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WhatTeenagersFollow

By Elias Hawila

C

hildren are the future” goes that saying the underlines the importance of educating the next generation in leadership and responsibility.

In the philosophies of the Far East, the right leader is defined as the person who can identify what the people need and give it to them in the time and amount suitable for each one.

One important means of education for 21st century youth is popular TV shows and internet blogs. However some people believe these tools cannot bring to the surface the hidden potential of young leaders.

19-year-old Yara Saadi’, a Sociology major at the University of Haifa agrees. “It is essential for teens to acquire information from good sources,” she says.

“Today’s youth often forget to use the pool of knowledge that is held within their own homes - their parents’ life experience.”

CB youth at the youth leadership workshop, Nazareth, Sept 2007

Most teenagers idealize pop stars and fashion icons who have no idea that they are role models for millions all over the world.

Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Alexander the Great are some exceptional leaders, however they couldn’t have achieved, in the eyes of teenagers, anything as extraordinary as Britney Spears getting married 3 times and being a regular guest at rehab centers.

Communities inside Israel are attempting to empower teenagers, through a number of youth leadership programs which are being led by different organizations and schools.

These programs are helping to build the next generation of leaders, hopefully these future leaders will operate under the law and for the people.

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Other Stories

The City Of Hope?

By Wafa Elsheikh

S

ince its annexation of East Jerusalem in 1967, the Israeli government has adopted several measures to impose control over the precinct and over the lives of Palestinians living there. It has taken action to increase the number of Jews and reduce the number of Palestinians in the city. It has confiscated land and closed the Palestinian Governor’s compound along with a number of adjacent buildings and offices,

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Crossing Borders Volume 8 No.35 November/December 2007

Transfer and closure In 2000, according to B’tselem, the Israeli Centre for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories (www.btselem.org), the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) approved the transfer of heavily populated townships such as Abu Dis, Eizzariyya and Sawahre El-Sharqiyyah to full Palestinian Authority control. In 2001 it approved the closure of the Orient House. All of this, combined with the building of the separation wall, has succeeded in isolating East Jerusalem and removing it from its natural and historical context. B’tselem was established in 1989 by a group of prominent academics, attorneys, journalists, and Knesset members.

Permanent resident status Adding to the problem, Palestinians in East Jerusalem hold the status of “permanent resident” of the State of Israel. This is the same status granted to foreign citizens who have freely chosen to come to Israel and want to live here. Thus, under Israeli law, Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem are classed as immigrants who live in their homes under the will of the authorities and not by right. And as with other “permanent residents”, the government can revoke residency and social benefits whenever it so chooses.

Methods B’tselem has documented a range of methods used by the Israeli state to disenfranchise, depress and deport Palestinians from East Jerusalem, and replacing them with Jewish settlers1. This list includes: • Revoking residency rights and social benefits • Placing restrictions on building rights • Refusing to issue building permits • Bulldozing houses • Expropriating land • Neglecting infrastructure in the Palestinian neighborhoods (despite the fact that Palestinians pay the same taxes as their Jewish counterparts) • Forced expulsions • Fear tactics.

It’s quite a list!

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Environment

Earth from Above shows us

a world worth saving

By Netta Moshe

Y

ann Arthus-Bertrand, a French photographer, discovered the beauty of the world seen from above more than 30 years ago. While studying lions in Kenya, he used a hot-air balloon to take pictures of the lions from above. And so he began experimenting with aerial photography.

Then in 1990, while working for the Ecological Science Department of UNESCO, he started his project EARTH FROM ABOVE, creating a data bank of the world’s environment for future generations.

After more than 300,000 shots from 150 different countries, taken from helicopters, airplanes, hotair balloons, hang gliders and other flying platforms, Yann opened his first “earth from above” exhibition in 2000.

By presenting 120 emotive images in a free public forum, Yann lets people experience a unique view of the earth’s natural beauty. With these images, he encourages viewers to consider the impact of

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their footprint on the earth’s surface and the role they can play in the preserving the planet.

Yann adds environmental information under each picture, like: “It takes 1.8 tones of material to produce a personal computer”, or “ Each tree planted provides oxygen for two people for the rest of their lives”, or “More than 70% of ocean pollution is caused by human activities that take place on land” and “Leaving the tap running wastes up to 9 liters of water a minute”.

At the end of the exhibition each guest is offered one small piece of recycled paper with suggestions for small changes that can be made to make a change in our world.

Here is the list of 10 small ways you can help the earth: 1. Walk, cycle or use public transport - and leave your car at home.

2. Avoid plastic bags and take reusable ones shopping.

3. Turn off lights and appliances when you don’t need Crossing Borders Volume 8 No.35 November/December 2007

The Sounds of `Crisis... “

By Elias Hawila

T

them.

4. Plant a tree or a native bush in your area.

5. Put your food scraps and plant scraps in a worm farm or compost.

6. Take four-minute power showers.

7. Turn off the tap when you brush you teeth.

8. Buy the most energy and water efficient appliances you can afford.

9. Choose products with the least amount of packaging, or packaging made from recycled materials.

10. Switch to Green Power by calling your electricity retailer.

The exhibition has visited more than 100 cities and been translated to 24 languages.

The exhibition website is http:// www.earthfromabove.whereis.com

Crossing Borders Volume 8 No.35 November/December 2007

he Sound of Music” is a famous Broadway musical. It was put on the big screen in 1965 and won 5 Academy awards including Best Picture and Best Director and 2 Golden Globe awards.

The lead character was played by Julie Andrews. She is Maria, a governess who brings joy back to the widowed Captain von Trapp and his seven children.

Typical for a romance movie, the two fall in love and get married after overcoming numerous hardships in the face of the Nazis taking over Germany in the 1930s.

The movie is a personal favorite of English high school teacher, Doris Hawila.

Her favorite scene is when Maria and the Von Trapp family go on stage and sing an Austrian national song while waving the Austrian flag.

This scene brings tears every time.

It brings to her mind the thing she misses the most - a feeling of belonging and acceptance in one’s own country.

In this, she faces a crisis of undefined Identity. And she is not alone.

“Growing up in the Israeli community as a minority makes it really difficult to build a cohesive identity when you are practically taught to forget your own culture and heritage and replace it with something new,” says Anan Abu Rahmon, 32.

“Not being able to relate or feel at home in any country either Israel or Palestine is a cause for hardship in Arab Israeli lives. On the whole, Arab Israeli’s have been affected by the Israeli society and so they have come to possess their own unique traits,” adds Doris.

Learning to cope with these feelings and trying to define one’s identity in the face of a dominating cultural pressure have been major goals in many teen programs for Arabs in Israel.

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Culture

True or False?

White = Good

By Qamar Daher

I

t has been linked to angels, brides and pixies. It has been considered the symbol of innocence and purity.

It represents the good when good battles evil in endless tv shows and in movies.

It is the light at the end of a tunnel,. The color of the blank screen, the color of clouds on a shiny spring day, of milk,. It is white.

People say “life is not simply black and white”. True. It is unquestionably black, white and all colors in between.

Yet for some, white can be tricky and problematic. Its very brightness makes it harder to observe when it is a

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true white and when it is a fake one.

A “white lie” demonstrates the point. On the one hand, white lies have been regarded to as good lies, which are used to avoid hurting someone’s feelings or saying a harsh truth. On the other hand, they have become excuses, or are used whenever a lie must be justified.

In some cases, those little white lies are actually tricks that help keep the truth hidden. Sissela Bok, in her book “Lies for the Public Good” says that white lies are not as innocent as they seem. They are not so beneficial and those who use them are not so naïve and blameless.

She says that there is a thin line between white lying and plain deception. What do you think?

Crossing Borders Volume 8 No.35 November/December 2007

Fluttery

wings of a fairy

By Razan Wazwaz

W

hen we were young we had the story of the tooth fairy, which would take away a tooth that comes out and leave a present under our pillow.

Some people believe in fairies, some don’t Fairies are usually described as human-like and having magical powers. In folklore they are sometimes the spirits of the dead or some form of angel or a species completely independent of humans and angels.

These days however, most people don’t believe in them. 22-year-old Amani Rishmawi from Palestine says they are unreal. She says she used to believe in them when she was a child, but not anymore. Yet, when she is desperate enough, she thinks they will make her dreams come true.

For 20-year-old Antonella Imparato from Italy they are fantasy and they don’t exist. It’s also the same for young Dane Amira Chayikh.

Fairies are special in Irish culture more than any other culture in the world.

Irish people have a penchant towards fairies says 34year-old Martin McCool. “We have an old saying in Ireland ‘away with the fairies’ which means someone is not really in this world!”

“We have in our culture things like ‘ fairy ring’ which means an enclosed area of land where fairies supposedly perform magical acts and rituals.”

Then there are dreamers like 19-year-old Dane, Kasper Nicholson, who believes in fairies and says, “Our angels and fairies will ultimately heal the world.”

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Culture MuslimHolidays

By Hanan Ahmad

M

uslim schools are usually closed during Eid and Milad. During Ramadan, Muslim schools shorten their hours.

Ramadan takes place during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, when the Qur’an was revealed, on Laylat al-Qadr, a holy night.

All nights of Ramadan are holy nights but Laylat alQadr is the holiest night of this holy month. It comes only once a year and Allah (God) Almighty grants to His most praised, most respected and most beloved servant prophet Muhammad this holy night, the Night of Power.

Ramadan is considered the most venerated and blessed month of the Islamic year. Prayers, fasting, charity, and self-accountability are especially stressed at this time.

Religious observances are kept throughout the month.

Every day during Ramadan, Muslims around the world get up before dawn to eat. They break their fast at sunset and do not eat, drink, smoke or engage in sexual congress during the day.

Ramadan ends with the three days of Eid Alfitr where Muslims are allowed to break their fast and celebrate the end of the holy month.

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Crossing Borders Volume 8 No.35 November/December 2007

Poem Paintingoflove

By Ruba Wazwaz

I

t sounds like a silky dream Rosy cloud, New born bird, It feels like a day on the moon, Like a weightless bubble Wingless angel, Like a butterfly lying in a flower Like rain tickling your skin It is how to be adopted by a life...

Captured by wishes, Living on a cloud, It is like how to be healed with the power of love

Choices

By Ruba Wazwaz

B

etween the devil and the deep blue sea, Confusion, to set his demons free...

The whys and the wasted minutes Seems his suffering has no limits Still he stands tall to do better, For that pain is temporary, but pride is forever...

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Letters to the Editor I

t is a great pleasure to read Crossing Border magazine. I had the chance to check and surf your magazine on the Web, and I hope I could join your magazine, and maybe share some of my articles. I believe that writing is such a powerful and civilized weapon that human beings should use more than guns and weapons to reach and achieve their freedom and rights. As a youth, I really appreciate every initiative calling for writing for peace, sharing ideas, discussing topics, and also talking about what makes us similar more than talking about things that differentiate us.

With all respect, love, appreciation and gratitude.

Palestinian Leadership P

alestinian leadership has come now to a crossroad. There is always more than one alternative to achieve a solution, but those alternatives might either lead to hope and peace or towards suffering and disasters. This indicates that Leadership is about making tough decisions.

For the time being, Gaza is lost and there is little that the Palestinian leadership in Ramallah can do to change the course of events. The fall of Gaza has thrown the Palestinian people into their worst crisis since 1967.

M

The West Bank and Gaza Strip have been divided into approximately ten separate territorial units. Gaza was the victim of both Hamas and Fateh which were fighting for control, both battling to win the hearts and minds of the international community.

Every minute was so valuable that I kept taking photos, and now they are a dear reminder of the great time I had with CB members.

There is now an opportunity to contrast the horrors of Gaza with a new reality in the West Bank that could serve as an example of positive Palestinian energies. In order to do so, the Palestinian leadership in the West Bank and in East Jerusalem should call on the governments of the world to renew their diplomatic relations and financial support for the Palestinian people in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and in Gaza.

Mohammad Rujailah Gaza y summer holiday has been great and no matter what I do now I will never be the person I used to be before my participation in CB’s Narareth Seminar.

I shall never forget, I miss everybody and I am looking forward impatiently to meet you all again.

Ruba Wazwaz

Apology for the mistake in the special edition on the CB Bonn magazine: Writing Mustafa Isaid was wrong: the correct name is Dr. Ibrahim Mohamed, DW-World.DE 30

Most importantly, recognizing the mistakes from the past, the Palestinian leadership should implement a plan to unite all Palestinian security forces into a singular force under direct political command. The number of troops will reduce which will give the Palestinian government a chance to focus on development, education, health and welfare.

The present focus must be on saving the Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza from additional unnecessary disasters and nightmares. We can look at it as a crisis that provides opportunities for real change and this is the time for change.

Serene Najdi

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The Arab World Through European Eyes

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P D F

Peace & Democracy Forum

The International People’s College in Elsinore, Denmark

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