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Day
39: Amman - Nazareth (Israel)
Today is going to be a big day for 'The Peace Cycle', since we
are about to enter Israel via the Sheikh Hussein Bridge (crossing
the Jordan River from the North of Jordan).
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| A
view of the town of Nazereth |
Our entry
into Israel has not been guaranteed prior to our arrival. We are sent
off positively from the Jordanian side of the border crossing. We
all approach the Israeli side together in one group and are told to
wait for a while.
Soon after, we are split up into smaller manageable groups. Each group
enters one at a time. Our luggage and bikes get thoroughly scanned
and some of us are interrogated.
Finally after spending six hours at the Israeli border, the group
is successfully in. By this time, it is dark and we are forced to
catch a bus to our hotel in Nazareth.
Day
40: Nazareth - Zababida (West Bank [Palestine])
After
spending the morning negotiating with the mayor and chief of traffic
police of Nazareth, 'The Peace Cycle' is finally granted authority
to use the main road from Nazareth via Afula until the north border
of the West Bank towards Jenin (occupied West Bank).
At the border into the West Bank, we notice more than eight Israeli
army vehicles each loaded with Israeli soldiers stationed and ready
for deployment. The soldiers allow us entry into the West Bank without
problems.
Shortly after our entry into the West Bank, around ten army vehicles
speed past us. As we arrive into Jenin, the municipality welcomes
us.
After
lunch we cycle into Jenin refugee camp, where hundreds of children
and adults come out onto the very narrow alleyways of the camp to
question us about our presence.
Some were confused and thought we were Israelis, whilst the others
learned of why we were really here; so then they welcomed us and were
happy to see us.
For most, it was impossible to comprehend that 'The Peace Cycle' convoy
cycled more than 3500 kilometres to show solidarity with them. Some
journalists were there to interview us.
We then headed for the Martyrer cemetery, where we paid our tributes
to those hundreds of lost lives. Thousands of children followed us
to the cemetery where many of them desperately wanted us to see the
graves of their relatives, (usually fathers, uncles or brothers).
It was such a sad moment for us all, just to see so many of the children
bearing necklaces of their lost loved ones killed in the conflict
with Israel.
A Palestinian member of our group speaks out to the children of Jenin
assuring them that we have come in solidarity with them in their struggle.
After an emotional short stop, we cycle out of Jenin refugee camp
waving farewell to the children and people.
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| Palestinian
children playing in the narrow streets |
We cycle
through Jenin and into Zababida, a small village, half Christian,
half Muslim. Members of the Christian and Muslim communities at a
church courtyard welcome us. We witness enormous harmony between the
Christians and Muslims, which they reinforce by talking to us about
their community relation projects.
Muslims and Christians have co-existed in Palestine for a long time
we are assured. After a warm evening with the people of Zababida,
we are guided off to our accommodation for the night at the 'Palestinian
Agricultural Relief Committees' centre.
Day 41: Zababida - Howwarah
Today, we set off through some rough dirt tracks towards Nabulus.
We cycled through villages such as Silat e'thahr, where we met with
locals for a quick drink.
We peddled on until we reached the main West Nabulus entrance checkpoint.
As we approached the checkpoint, we noticed many cars parked at the
side of the road and a few hundred Palestinian people waiting patiently,
most of them under the shade.
After attempting to enter through the checkpoint, we get turned away
without reasons. It is supposedly too dangerous for us to enter.
We came across a mother bearing her very ill child who has been waiting
(along with most of the others) for more than four hours begging to
be allowed in to Nabulus in order to get to the hospital.
Another casualty was in an ambulance waiting patiently but was not
yet allowed into Nabulus. He is supposed to be going in for an important
operation and has been waiting for more than four hours. "This
is common procedure" patient Palestinians tell us.
People die on checkpoints, because the Israeli army sometimes prevent
people reaching medical services in the city.
Just witnessing this for two hours really angered us; except we kept
reminding ourselves that the Palestinians have to cope with this kind
of humiliation day in day out.
With no luck negotiating with the Israeli soldiers, we head down to
a small town known as Howwarah just south of Nabulus. We are greeted
by a Fire Brigade vehicle just outside of Howwarah who escort us into
the town, where the Municipality greet us for a snack and cup of tea.
We then head to the home of an International guide, who politely accommodates
the whole Peace Cycle team including the film crew and drivers. An
amazing dinner is prepared for us, so we indulge ourselves as soon
as it's ready. After that we eventually doze off.
Day 42: Howwarah - Tulkarem
After
an exceptional traditional Palestinian breakfast, we set off in a
north-westerly direction.
The road surface is reasonably good as we are cycling purely on a
main road today, unlike most previous days where the roads were not
quite smooth.
We eventually come across a roadblock (yellow metal gate) just outside
the village of Anabta.
This metal gate is always locked, causing Palestinians to abandon
their vehicles on one side, then to either get picked up or catch
a taxi/bus on the other side. It appears to serve no real purpose
but to frustrate the Palestinians.
We peddle on and eventually reach Anabta, where the mayor invites
us all for a snack and a brief chat with us.
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| Permenant
road block outside Anabta |
After
a small break in Anabta, we peddle on towards Tulkarem. Upon our arrival
into Tulkarem, a Police vehicle escorts us into the town centre where
crowds cheer us on and I hear a voice in the distance shouting, "Don't
you get tired!" in Arabic.
I laugh and reply "Patience my friend!" We are escorted
towards our accommodation, and on the way we stop and observe a pile
of rubble, which was once a Police station, but destroyed by Israeli
forces not long ago.
After lunch and a rest, we tour parts of the town to witness how the
'Apartheid' wall has destroyed people's livelihoods. After that we
pay a visit to an orphanage and meet the children and staff.
After this very inspirational visit, we say our farewell and then
head for dinner courtesy of the mayor and his associates to round
off the day.
Day 43: Tulkarem - Rammallah
After being escorted to the border of the town, we wave goodbye to
the police and thank them for their time and effort in ensuring our
safety during our time in Tulkarem.
Today is going to be the longest day of cycling in Palestine, so we
psyche ourselves up and cycle at a good pace.
After a challenging ride up and down some very tough mountains, we
stroll into Bir zeit where organisers and locals guide us to the University.
As we enter the grounds of Bir Zeit University, to our amazement,
thousands of students cheer us on. A lot of press is also present
who interview many of us.
We are then invited for lunch, after which we head off towards Rammallah
for our appointment with the President of Palestine.
After being privileged with an opportunity to meet Abu Amaar (Yasser
Arafat) and be praised by him for our efforts, we thank him for his
time then make our way to visit Marwan Barghouti's wife.
Dinner is next and so we make our way to the roof of Palestine Capital
Studios offices, where a wonderful dinner and a fantastic view of
Jerusalem await us.
Day 44: Rammallah - Abu Dis
Today we get our hands on a copy of Al-Quds daily newspaper to find
3 articles on 'The Peace Cycle' in it.
After the excitement, we cycle on leaving behind Rammallah. We arrive
at Abu Dis in the early afternoon to be greeted by our local guides
who escort us to a social club where lunch awaits.
After lunch we are invited to watch a slide show presentation on the
impact the occupation has on the livelihoods of the Palestinians.
Then we are given a tour around the village, mainly to see the 'Apartheid'
wall and how it strangles the village completely, cutting its inhabitants
off from a five minute journey to the hospital and schools, which
now takes more than three hours (if Israeli forces feel like letting
them through).
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| Two
off duty police officers joining us for dinner in Tul Karem |
We then
head off to the Al-Quds university football pitch and take on their
team in a friendly football match, which they just about win after
hospitalising our key player.
After an entertaining evening, we all limp back to the social club
before going to visit some families of prisoners.
Day 45: Abu Dis - Bethlehem
Today's journey towards Bethlehem hosts some really tough climbs;
luckily they don't last very long, so we struggle up them eagerly.
We arrive in Manger Square at around 5pm. where a mini festival is
organised by 'The Holy Land Trust' and the 'Bethlehem Peace Centre'.
Speeches were made by the Mayor of Bethlehem Mr. Hanna Nasser and
other leading figures in the town to welcome The Peace Cycle convoy.
After being presented with gifts and being offered snacks, we thank
everyone for the fantastic reception, before visiting the Church of
the Nativity, the birth place of Jesus Christ (Peace be upon him)
and then the Mosque of Umar bin El Khataab, built opposite the church
in the 6th century AD by Umar himself as a means of ensuring a history
of harmonious coexistence between Muslims and Christians.
Day 46: Bethlehem - Jerusalem
A truly amazing feeling to cycle into Jerusalem on such a beautiful
day amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life in the Capital of
the Holy Lands.
The majority of us cannot comprehend the fact that we have cycled
more than 3500 kilometres to reach Jerusalem.
Our cycling journey has now officially come to an end as we enter
the vicinity of the YMCA East Jerusalem centre, where a crowd of people
cheer us on.
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| The
Dome of the Rock temple in the grounds of The Aqsa Mosque |
The people
of Palestine by now know that we have come in solidarity with them.
The rest of the day is spent site seeing and shopping.
Day 47: Rest Day in Jerusalem
Day
48: Visit to Hebron
Today
we were able to visit the ancient city of Al-Khaleel (Hebron), the
city named after the Father Abraham because of its significance to
him and his family members.
Palestinian locals, who gladly welcome us with smiles and quickly
spot the Peace Cycle convoy.
We tour the main streets of Hebron and are disturbed by what we see.
There is a lot of destruction evident.
As we walk down what was once a busy high street, we notice meshed
wire hanging above our heads.
To our disgust, we notice much garbage collected on top of the mesh.
We quickly learn that the floors above the ground are inhabited by
Jewish settlers who throw out their trash onto the heads of the Palestinians.
After just under an hour of waiting, our guide is finally released,
and we are on our way home. One thing I must say is that there is
a real feeling of hostility amongst the inhabitants of Hebron.
The situation here is far from peaceful. Today's visit was a short
one but a real eye opener.
To
round it all off聟
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| Sun
setting on the Dead Sea |
We have
struggled along our journey through Europe raising awareness of the
escalating humanitarian crisis in Palestine.
The Peace Cycle 2004 project has now accomplished what it set out
to accomplish. Until next year, may Peace be upon you all.
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