New Askar Refugee Camp
While the economic situation in much of the West Bank has improved over the last couple years, this progress has largely missed many of the West Bank’s refugee camps. Askar Refugee Camp was established in the Palestinian city of Nablus in 1950 by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). It was designed to [...]
Friday in Ni’lin
Every Friday, Palestinians from the village of Ni’lin organize protests against the Israeli “security/separation” barrier being built through the village. Recently, these protests have turned more violent. Israel has, for example, declared Ni’lin a closed military zone on Fridays. This means that, unless you live in Ni’lin, you’re not even allowed to enter the village [...]
A Soccer Night in Ramallah
For a slight change of pace from the normal news coming out of the West Bank, I decided to provide a glimpse into, what has turned out to be, a thriving women’s soccer movement in Palestine. Last Thursday, I had the opportunity to meet up with the Diyar Women’s Soccer Team in Ramallah as they [...]
Friday in Bil’in
Today, I traveled to the Palestinian village of Bil’in outside of Ramallah to photograph the weekly demonstrations against the construction of Israel’s “security/separation” barrier. The march began shortly after the Friday prayers. Palestinians from the village marched, accompanied by a few international demonstrators, through the village and up to the fenceline where the Israeli army [...]
Announcement: Nablus Photowalk!
I’m delighted to announce that, with the help of some friends, I am setting up a photowalk in Nablus, Palestine! Date: Monday, February 1, 2010 Time: 10:00am Location: Downtown Nablus, main circle, followed by a walk through the Old City to take photos! If you’re in or around Nablus and you have a camera, [...]
A Caption Completed: Askar Poster
I first came to the West Bank in August 2005 as part of an international voluntary work camp. For almost three weeks I, along with approximately 30 other people from around the world, spent time with the children from New Askar Refugee Camp. While we were there, we painted one of the walls of the [...]
The Children of al Ma’asara
Before Friday’s demonstration in al Ma’asara, I spent some time hanging out with a few of the children playing outside. Once the children get over their initial shyness, you won’t be able to walk away from them without taking each child’s photo at least 50 times. It’s madness! Anyway, here are just a few…
Demonstration in al Ma’asara
Yesterday, I traveled to the Palestinian village of al Ma’asara, south of Bethlehem. For months now, Israeli peace activists and international activists have been meeting up with local Palestinians to protest the construction of Israeli settlements in the area and the proposed route of Israel’s “security/separation” wall, both of which, they say, are being built [...]
Shadowing the Israeli Army in Hebron
Today, I spent a fair amount of time shadowing the Israeli army today as it went on patrols throughout the Old City of Hebron. I wasn’t invited, of course. I simply would follow them, take photos, and, perhaps, strike up a conversation as they were making their rounds. To be clear, my intent is not [...]
Walking the Line
The Palestinian children below are on their way from school in a small village outside of Hebron. To their right is a dirt road leading up to an Israeli settler outpost. Settler outposts are simply small houses or villages constructed on land that was seized from Palestinians by Israeli settlers. Israeli settlements are much larger [...]
On Assignment in Hebron
We arrived in Hebron this afternoon after a long drive and a brief stop in Ramallah. Over the next few days, I’ll be embedded with the Christian Peacemaker Teams in Hebron and documenting their work in the area. Their primary mission here is to protect the Palestinian civilian population (particularly children) from attack by Israeli [...]
On to Hebron
I made it to the West Bank on Friday afternoon without too much trouble. I’ve spent the last two days catching up with a bunch of friends in Nablus. Tomorrow, however, I’m heading to Hebron for a few days to work with a great NGO there. I’m really looking forward to it. The Internet situation [...]
Update: Marching On
I’ve just learned today that, for a chance to go to Gaza, I would have to re-apply to the Egyptian Foreign Ministry as an individual or as part of a very small group. Under current regulations, the Egyptian government has 20 days to respond to the request. Others that have gone through this process before [...]
Photo Essay: A Parade for Child Martyrs
Askar Refugee Camp is located on the outskirts of the Palestinian city of Nablus in the occupied West Bank. The camp was established in 1950 by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). The camp was created to house some of the 700,000 people displaced or expelled by the creation of the state of [...]
