FRUSTRATION: Protesters in Ramallah on Tuesday. The poster shows a picture of the Israeli Prime Minister Neyanyahu branded as a war criminal. Photo: Kyrre Lien / VG
RAMALLAH, WEST BANK (VG) Israelis and Palestinians are both fighting an existential war. Never have they been so far from peace.
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Demonstrators protest against Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land and against visiting Western leaders such as Emmanuel MacronThe war has turned into an information war, with claims of “fake news” on both sidesPalestinians express anger at Western media, which they believe favors IsraelShow more
As Ramallah opens up before us, burnt tire marks and large burnt billboards bear witness to fierce fighting.
Everything in the bag with a link to Israel must be hidden, because Israelis are not welcome here.
In this city, there are now clashes between Israelis and Palestinians every day. And since Hamas’s shock attack on Israelis on October 7, Israeli forces have killed more Palestinians here in the West Bank than ever before.
Palestinians are allowed to move around far less than before. Israeli guards are on the chopping block.
– Genocide! We refuse to accept the catastrophe that is happening in Gaza!
A teenager sits on the shoulders of adults as they demonstrate through the streets.
Today they are protesting against French President Emmanuel Macron, who is going to visit the city. The next day there may be riots that happen after the Friday prayer. Or if another, western leader dares to show himself here.
RAMALLAH: In practice, this serves as the capital of the Palestinian Authority. The city is 15 km north of Jerusalem. Photo: Kyrre Lien / VG
With the most right-wing Israeli government ever, the Israeli occupation here in the West Bank has gained a foothold more than ever: There are constantly new illegal Israeli settlements occupying Palestinian land, which is illegal under international law, according to the UN.
CRITICAL: Saja believes Western media favor Israel. Photo: Kyrre Lien / VG
– We don’t know what you are going to write, I don’t trust you, says Saja (35) when VG approaches her.
She thinks we, like other Western media, are guaranteed to twist and turn things in Israel’s favour.
– Firstly, it’s not war, it’s genocide. The way we use words is important, says Saja, who has a master’s degree in international cooperation and development.
She believes that the Hamas attack did not happen in a vacuum, and that everything dates back to when Palestinians were forcibly displaced when the state of Israel was established in 1948.
For her, only one side is the victim. She too, like several others VG has spoken to, emphasizes that they have not seen evidence of the bestial murders that took place on 7 October, and emphasizes that the hostages were treated well.
ON THE HORIZON: The road to peace will be long, we are to believe both Palestinians and Israelis VG has spoken to. Photo: Kyrre Lien / VG
What is certain is that this has developed into an information war like no other. The report that came early in the war that 40 children were beheaded, which turned out to be unverifiable, is an example that Palestinians use as if everything from Israel is “fake news”.
The hospital bombing in Gaza on 18 October, where hundreds are said to have been killed, is also used by both sides as an example of how cynical the other is. In other words, everyone finds some number that fits into their story and then clings to that perspective.
Wissam (30) says she is surprised by how much support Israel receives in both Western countries and the media.
– If someone in Israel dies, the newspapers write that they were killed. In Palestine they just die.
Her father, Mohammad Aruri (73), also believes that the Western media, led by the United States and Great Britain, are against them.
RAMALLAH: The flag of the Fatah party, which is led by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, blows in the wind. Photo: Kyrre Lien / VG
A little outside the center of Ramallah, there is a memorial service for two men who lost their lives.
Nedal Elyan lost his son just a few days ago, when Muhammad Elyan was shot by Israeli security forces inside the area where they live.
– He is gone, but he is gone because of the resistance fight. That’s a good goal.
COMPLICATED: The grief after the son’s death is mixed with both anger, fear and frustration. Photo: Kyrre Lien / VG
Saif Najleh also lost his son. Both are furious.
The two fathers sit around one of the round tables in a large meeting room. Several come over to offer their condolences. The smoke hangs thick in the air, and teenagers walk around stocking up on water, small cardboard mugs of Arabic coffee and dates.
– They don’t see us as people. Killing us is something that is OK for them, he says.
When VG asks about the 7 October attack on Israelis, they ask back what we think. There will be hardly any tension. They think we have chosen a side by replying that we should portray it from both sides.
BIG BROTHER: In the West Bank, so many people have never been killed as now. Here is an Israeli watchtower inside the occupied West Bank. Photo: Kyrre Lien / VG
Eventually, younger boys come over, who answer questions about what they think of Hamas.
– We do not support the killing of civilians. But we also support everything that fights against the occupation of our country, says one of them, while one of the adults breaks in and asks them to guard their words.
Another of the younger ones adds:
– All Israelis are a member of the military, he says, referring to the fact that all Israelis have between 2-4 years of initial service.
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Published: 26.10.23 at 14:12
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2023-10-26 12:12:27
#Nerves #edge #West #Bank #dont #trust
