Day Nine- the final chapter

Our day started early, at Aida, a refugee camp where we were greeted by the site of the world's largest key (symbolising palestinians right to return) as well as a close up of the wall and the previous guard tower... walking through the refugee camp we were struck by sense of community yet the fear of the lack of basic security as the camp and school had previously been targeted by the Israeli forces during the second intifada. As a result, the local UN school had taken the precaution of removing their windows to ensure future safety of their children, even though it meant blocking out the sunlight.

After a presentation and heartfelt goodbyes, the OneVoice van headed onto Ramallah for a meeting with the Palestinian Authority Minister for Public Works & Housing.

The conversation was frank and engaging. Naturally he placed full blame on Israel for the lack of progress in the peace talks, however this was also the consensus of many other less partial speakers that we had met this week. Nontheless he was very encouraging of the vital work that OneVoice youth leaders in Palestine are carrying out.

The final journey in our trip was to Christian holy sites in Bethlehem. Beautiful architecture, inspiring works of art, a sense of unity and wonder, and a slightly cattle-like approach to herding the pilgrims quickly through, it was a slightly anti-climatic end to what had been a very eye opening trip.

So for us internationals, a lot of food for thought. One of the defining features of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the polarization of views on both sides and a lack of willingness to budge from the proverbial ‘armchair’ of each nation’s own narrative.

As four British students, we’ve been privileged this week to see, first hand, an initiative aimed at changing this reality and providing much needed impetus to the stagnating peace process. Hopefully these meetings have provoked and encouraged discussion of these ‘taboo’ issues in Israeli and Palestinian society. The leadership may not be listening yet; however, the voice of the moderate majority will not be silenced.

Gary, Anthony, David, & Hala