Day Five

The first four days had been enthralling, but today was when the real work started. Work doesn’t imply a chore - on the contrary, writing this back at the guesthouse we’re all feeling tired, inspired and dare we say it, a tad optimistic?

Our journey started from Jerusalem to Ramallah where we would encounter our first check point and the separation wall, on the way to meet the leaders of OneVoice Palestine (OVP). Driving alongside the wall reminded us of the tangible effect of this conflict as we passed through Beit Hanan; an area which had been sliced in half and where many families were faced with a new barrier to getting on with their daily routines. This included simple things we take for granted like easy access to going to school, their local doctors or even visiting the bank.

Half an hour later we had entered the busy atmosphere of Ramallah and were explained to the difference in the colour of car registration plates. Israeli plates were yellow and Palestinian were white/green. This difference was significant in highlighting that the Palestinian plates could not pass through check points Israel.

Once we arrived at the OVP offices, we were greeted by some enthusiastic youth leaders and briefed about their work over some delicious hummous and falafel. Their passion and dedication was apparent whilst explaining what events they had organised and participated in, such as a role play peace negotiation simulations. In this event, Israelis had to act as the Palestinian negotiations and vice versa. Their main focus was targeted at reaching and representing the youth in their communities. One leader expressed how OneVoice had not only helped him to amplify his voice but had given him the opportunity to learn about his rights, the Geneva and Oslo accords, and given him a wider understanding of Palestinian history.

We’d been told previously to expect an inspiring and committed bunch of people from OneVoice in Nablus, and our hopes were not dashed. It wouldn’t be hard to lose hope, even as a day-tripper, in the West Bank. Sprawling refugee camps, the growth of illegal settlements, and the internal clashes between Hamas and Fatah, do not make optimism easy. We were privilledged, however, to be in the company of 20 or so ‘reasons to be cheerful’ (blame Anthony for that phrase) - the OneVoice youth leaders in Nablus are simply brilliant.

Sitting around a table in a Nablus café, with a shinning mountainous backdrop, we listened to these young people explain what brought them to OneVoice, what they’ve achieved so far, and what drives them to carry on. We’ll cover this a lot more easily in our video diary (coming soon!) but the discussion involved:

· Their support for a 2-state solution, and how they see it as the best option for Palestinian rights, as well as Palestinian-Israeli cohesion

· They were curious to know how Palestinians are perceived abroad

· What they want from UK students, not just protests, but real change that makes a difference to the lives of Palestinians

· The impact of Israel’s invasion of Gaza

Politics aside, it was Palestinians and OneVoice advocates, it’s easy to forget that these are also just normal young people, who love music, sport and, well, normal ‘stuff.’ In fact, we got a great impromptu Syrian song from one guy, who has insisted that the video recording go up on YouTube, it’ll be up nest week.

We were practically dragged from this gathering by our driver, as time had flown by and we were already late and we were already late for our next stop. A 2 hour trip unfortunately delayed by road works led us to Jericho to meet Palestinian Youth Leaders (PYL) for coffee and cake before quickly leaving to Ramallah.

As 8o’clock approached a travel weary and hungry OneVoice group were more than grateful to arrive at El Darna restaurant, a popular hangout for the highest echelons of the Palestinian political elite.

Greated by the President of the Al-Quds bank, the OneVoice group sat down to break bread and have supper with OVP colleagues we’d met during the course of the day, as well as a few new ones like, Rami Rabagah, a charismatic, likeable and well spoken youth leader from Jenin.

Feeling fully contented and ready to call it a night, the OneVoice Europe crew headed home to get some R&R whilst mulling over the day with some Shisha and Palestinian beer.