Arrival to Bil'in

What began as a difficult Christmas day has transformed itself. What a gift, this village of Bil’in. The spirit of resistance within this community is clever, human and characterized by hope. The tremendous welcome I received has rejuvenated me and I believe that there is a home for me here.
Bil’in is a small village near Ramallah, in the direct path of Israel’s Annexation Wall. For months now, the people of Bil’in have come together each Friday to protest the annexation of their land, the theft of their olive trees, (which are being transplanted in illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank) and the destruction of their livelihoods.
On the third floor of a partially finished building, we watched the film, “Bil’in, My Love,” produced by a team of Israeli and International activists working to oppose building the Wall here. After a power outage delayed the start by an hour, we saw the effects this Wall is having on their village and the ways in which they are resisting.
Creative non-violent strategies such as welding metal crosses to which activists locked themselves, chaining human beings to olive trees and conducting “die ins” in the path of soldiers have been met with ceaseless violence from the Israeli Occupation Forces. Many of the residents here have been imprisoned, gassed, beaten and shot in their attempts to stop construction. Yet, they persevere with humor and optimism.
I am taken aback by the welcome extended to International and Israeli activists alike. Many of the residents here are fluent in Hebrew and eager to work with Israelis willing to stand beside them in their efforts.
Construction of the Wall continues, and as stated by former president and Mid-East mediator Jimmy Carter, the slide toward Apartheid is worsening. This village is a beautiful place; smiles abound and the people remain hopeful. The tragedy this Wall manifests is tremendous.
Merry Christmas, it looks to be a very interesting New Year.
From Bil’in, West Bank