ANERA’s president, Bill Corcoran, is over from Washington, so we are all busy trying to share the latest developments and projects with hi, Today, I joined him and a few other colleagues to the Palestinian Al-Quds University’s Medical Center in Abu Dis, jst on the other side of the wall compared to Jerusalem. Here, we checked out the computer lab and medical lab that ANERA had helped to create.

Afterwards, we had a cup of tea with the principal of the university and some other. The conversation soon turned towards politics, which is very normal here, considering the general situation. And especially now, with the turbulence and violence in Gaza, a new Prime Minister in Ramallah, and a “new” Defence Minister in Jerusalem. It is for sure going to be a hot summer here, in many ways.

 

On the way home, I drove through the biggest Israeli settlement on the occupied West Bank, Male Adumim. On a hilltop in the desert, next to the Palestinian neighborhood of Eizariya, 20.000 Israelis live in what can only be called luxury if you compare to their Palestinian neighbors. Nicely paved roads, green lawns, flowers and palm trees everywhere (all of this consumes lots and lots of water, which is very scarce and so pumped up from the Palestinian neighbors wells, without payment), street light and even a mall. Of course, none of this is available in Eizaryia, despite that they pay as much tax to the Israeli state as the Israelis in Male Adumim.

 

Afterwards, I was dropping of my Palestinian colleague Amjad in Beit Hanina outside Jerusalem. Driving there, we encountered an Israeli Army-jeep that was parked on the road. The soldiers was standing next to it, and just when we passed them, they threw a stun grenade up the hill next to the road. It went off with a big bang. I don’t know why they did it, and we did not stop to find out either. However sad it is, this is part of daily life here.

 

Of course, I was invited for a drink at Amjad’s place. It is always nice to see how people live and hear their history, especially here, where everyone’s life-stories are fully-fledged dramas.