2 minute read
Access to Lifta
by Sidney Sim
Population Group Access To Lifta
JEWISH ISRAELI CITIZEN
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PALESTINIAN CITIZEN OF ISRAEL
EAST JERUSALEM PALESTINIAN
WEST BANK PALESTINIAN
GAZA STRIP PALESTINIAN
PALESTINIAN EXILES
Lifta’s Present Day Significance
The table on the left shows which population group is able to visit Lifta. At the moment, not all Palestinians are able to visit Lifta. However it does not mean that the rest of Palestine is unaware about Lifta. This is because Lifta is seen as a symbol for the right of return. Currently, Lifta refugees are residing in Ramallah, East Jerusalem, Jordan, or have fled abroad.* For the Palestinians or Lifta descendants that are still able to visit Lifta, visiting Lifta is an act of exercising their right to the land where their ancerstors were born.
For instance, Lifta is visited by the displaced Liftawis on Land Day to commemorate where their ancestors were from but to also clean up their graves. Hence, Lifta’s significance still remains relevant to younger generations of Liftawis.
Lifta Volumes Pros [ + ] Cons [ - ]
Highlights a potential romanticization for the idea of return
Pros [ + ] Cons [ - ]
Highlights a potential romanticization for the idea of return
Lifta as a place of reinvention and reimagination to challenge dominant narratives
Lifta as a place of reinvention and reimagination to challenge dominant narratives
An attempt to create Palestine of the Earth and Palestine of the Mind
No mention of a possible return for Liftawi refugees
No mention of a possible return for Liftawi refugees
RIWAQ Pros [ + ] Cons [ - ]
An attempt to create Palestine of the Earth and Palestine of the Mind
Extensive knowledge on rehabilitating dilapitated historical buildings
Pros [ + ] Cons [ - ]
Extensive knowledge on rehabilitating dilapitated historical buildings
Creates a space that builds community values
No clear resolution or proposal for Lifta
No clear resolution or proposal for Lifta
Creates a space that builds community values
Advocating for a presevation and conservation of the existing building in Lifta
Advocating for a presevation and conservation of the existing building in Lifta
Current efforts do not mention of a possible return for Liftawi refugees
Current efforts do not mention of a possible return for Liftawi refugees
SAVE LIFTA COALITION Pros [ + ] Cons [ - ]
Have done extensive surveys of existing buildings of Lifta
SAVE LIFTA COALITION Pros [ + ] Cons [ - ]
Preserving Lifta under heritage reasons
The cause brings together both Palestinians and Israelis to work together and preserve Lifta
Have done extensive surveys of existing buildings of Lifta
The cause brings together both Palestinians and Israelis to work together and preserve Lifta
Current efforts do not mention of a possible return for Liftawi refugees
Preserving Lifta under heritage reasons
Current efforts do not mention of a possible return for Liftawi refugees
FOUNDATION FOR ACHIEVING SEAMLESS TERRITORY Pros [ + ] Cons [ - ]
FOUNDATION FOR ACHIEVING SEAMLESS TERRITORY Pros [ + ] Cons [ - ]
Questioning the act of labelling Lifta as heritage conservation work
Questioning the act of labelling Lifta as heritage conservation work
Highlighting that the exisiting heritage conservation initiative does not acknowledge liftawi refugees as rightful owners of the land Advocating for more exposure on the issue of LIFTA
Highlighting that the exisiting heritage conservation initiative does not acknowledge liftawi refugees as rightful owners of the land
Advocating for more exposure on the issue of LIFTA
No clear resolution or proposal for Lifta
No clear resolution or proposal for Lifta
