After three eye-opening, heart-rending, and life changing days in the West Bank, we returned to Israel yesterday through the Kafka-esque Qalandia Checkpoint. In addition to the experiences of Palestinian hospitality in villages, we had seen vital and exciting Ramallah and beautiful scenery. So it felt particularly insulting to be welcomed back to Israel by the young guard who checked those of us riding through the checkpoint on the bus. He looked at our passports silently and without a greeting or question said:
"Why would you go there? There's nothing to see there!"
It was a mildly abusive insult compared to what Palestinians at this checkpoint endure every day, but it stung. It reminded us what it feels like to have your culture, your land, your home dismissed and discounted as unimportant. --Wayne Arnason
Location:Qalandia checkpoint
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