Some folks in Bethlehem interpreted some of Banksy’s graffiti art he painted on the Apartheid Wall Israel has surrounded the town with as insulting to the Palestinian struggle. I see where they’re coming from, but you sort of have to want to see the paintings that way in order to see them that way. Pretty much the rest of the world understood them to imply Israeli responsibility for the current situation.

Bethlehem residents vandalise Banksy graffiti
Rebecca Harrison in Bethlehem

Bethlehem residents have painted over a satirical mural by the graffiti artist Banksy that was meant to highlight their plight.

The elusive British artist had painted six images around the town to help drum up tourism before Christmas and to illustrate the hardships faced by Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

But the irony behind the depiction of an Israeli soldier checking a donkey’s identity papers was lost on some residents, who found it offensive.

“We’re humans here, not donkeys,” said Nasri Canavati, a restaurater. “This is insulting. I’m glad it was painted over.”

To be called a donkey in Palestinian society is similar to being called an idiot.

Not all Bethlehem residents found the mural offensive. Fyras Twemeh, an architect, thought it was funny and made a neat political point. “It’s offensive for the Israelis, not for us,” he said. “It shows how much their minds are limited so they even check donkeys.”

I don’t like parties. I have never really liked parties. I don’t understand why people get together to do nothing in large groups. Occasionally I make myself go to a party because I think “I need to socialize more”, but then I always end up sitting on a couch reading a book. Then, other party goers feel the need to check in with me that I’m ok.

“Why aren’t you having a good time?” they ask. But I am having a good time. I just like reading.

The worst are dance parties. I don’t dance. I never have danced in public. I’m bothered by the very thought of dancing. I have danced in private with other people. But not in public. I think its obnoxious; not for other people, just for me. Its fine if other people want to dance, but I feel that for me to dance is obnoxious. I just don’t dance at parties, its just not my bag.

I think I’m done with parties. I just want to sit and read a book and play with a dog. Thats all I really want to do. I don’t like food tables either. I either end up grazing at them all night or they are disgusting with remnants of food mixed together in ways that they shouldn’t be.

What is interesting is that there is a sort of group pressure that begins to develop that targets anyone not fully participating in the party ritual. Its creepy and weird. You get pressured into taking part which then feels like a performance of the “party.”

by Neta Golan, IMEU

Anyone familiar with Israeli politics was not surprised that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert did not acknowledge Israel’s occupation in his speech at Annapolis. What was surprising was that short of mentioning the “R” word- refugees, Olmert acknowledged the Palestinian refugee problem.

Referring to the Palestinians, the Israeli Prime Minister stated in his Annapolis speech: “your people, too, have suffered for many years; and there are some who still suffer. Many Palestinians have been living for decades in camps, disconnected from the environment in which they grew up, wallowing in poverty, in neglect, alienation, bitterness, and a deep, unrelenting sense of humiliation.” Olmert’s characterization of the refugees is only partially correct. Poverty, neglect, alienation, bitterness and feelings of humiliation, are only one component of the refugee experience. There are also other components, such as community, pride, generosity, and perseverance. This one-dimensional characterization obviously suits Olmert’s conception of a solution. It also casts refugees as objects that will be acted upon (once again), rather than subjects who can genuinely participate in finding a solution. A recent article in the Israeli newspaper Ha’aretz Daily titled “Refugees and Jerusalem : A question of money” sheds light on Olmert’s statements. The article revealed the outlines of the deal being cooked to sell the rights of the Palestinian refugees.