Camping

Last week we went with the Ivgis to this beautiful mountain, above the clouds, where few people live and the sun rises are glorious. The children enjoyed riding horses all day.



Last week we went with the Ivgis to this beautiful mountain, above the clouds, where few people live and the sun rises are glorious. The children enjoyed riding horses all day.

"Please help me"

While the politicians are spending their time making empty promises in the hope of staying in power a little longer and the 'men with guns' are plotting the next murderous phase in the hope of scoring points (they know on both sides that this conflict can only be won on points. Knock out is not an option), the ordinary person continues to suffer. The story below illustrates this:

She stormed into the clinic saying: I need help; please help me. She seemed stressed and agitated.

• I'll be with you in a minute I said. Just let me finish this treatment.
  

I'll wait outside the door she said, waiving a pile of documents at me.

• I was relieved she spoke English as this seemed like a complicated matter. As soon as the treatment finished I invited her to come in.
  

I don't need a treatment she said waving her documents again: My permit to enter Jenin will expire tomorrow and I want you to help me get a new one. I am a teacher working at the school on the Palestinian side of Barta'a. I have Israeli citizenship but my salary gets paid into the bank in Jenin by the Palestinian ministry of education. The only way to access this money is by going to the bank to withdraw it. Without the permit my family and I will not have money to live on since my husband is unemployed. I have 2 young children. I am desperate, please help.

• I'll call Harry right now. He will know what to do. Harry immediately knew who she was as he arranged for the original 10 month permit. I have good and bad news Harry said. The bad news is that no permits are issued at the moment to pass through the Reihan checkpoint. This means that she will have to travel to Jalame checkpoint where 150 people can get through every day. Just tell her that she has to get there early to be among the 150 people.
  

This is no good for me she said. I can't get to Jalame because my husband doesn't have a permit to enter Israel. If I take a taxi it would cost me as much as my weekly salary. The Reihan checkpoint is therefore the only option as it's just outside Barta'a. We also have family in Jenin. Without this permit we are stuck in Barta'a, unable to travel, unable to feed ourselves.

• I spoke to Harry again. He will arrange a meeting at the Ministry of Defence as soon as possible.
  

The image of her pleading eyes has not left me since.