Al-Aqsa Mosque
Today started with a breakfast at 7.30am and a tour of the Old City of Jerusalem and a visit to the Al-Aqsa mosque, A real privilege because unlike local Palestinian men (between the ages of 16-45 years) the Israelis did not stop us going into the holy place. How ironic that they allow 3 Catholics, one Orthodox and assorted atheists and yet local men can't go there to pray to their God!!!
The one thing this trip has taught me in such a short time is the difference in the economic resources available to the two communities. it is very noticeable that by far the poorer of the groups is the Palestinian, in every way. Their wages are 60% of the Israeli workers but the cost of living is exactly the same for both. The Palestinian areas are much poorer looking, except where the houses have been taken over by Israeli squatters.
I'm trying to persuade folks to stop using the term settlers as it is not the right image for what is being done. We challenged a squatter in East Jerusalem this morning and asked why he had moved into this house of a Palestinian family who were living in a tent on the other side of the road. He smiled sweetly and said in RUSSIAN "because we can" and then something which I can't repeat, but which basically meant "go forth and multiply" before walking away. No wonder people are angry here.
Palestinian evictees outside the house they shared with 17 relatives in total. It is now occupied by 4 Russian Israelis
Media interviews after visit to evicted Palestinian women
The nets are to protect shoppers from garbage and other objects thrown by Israelis
A prisoner of the Palestinian Authority alleges torture. His mother is in the foreground
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