Introduction

In June 2008 I was fortunate enough to accompany family friends on their visit to the Jerusalem and the West Bank. In just over two weeks we traveled through Jerusalem, Beit Sahour, Bethlehem, Ramallah, Nablus, Dier Istiya, and Hebron. I was greeted with inexpressible hospitality and kindness. Truly I was touched by the people of Palestine and I hope these photos (click to enlarge) help communicate their humanity to the wider world from which they are so tragically isolated. My gratitude is extended to the following: Rabia, Benjamin, Taslim, and Mehedi van Hattum; Kristel; Ruwaida; and many othes. Thanks also to Theodora Portago for her generosity and friendship in helping make this project a reality. Ma'salaama.

Looking over Hebron


Shopkeepers

The city under occupation

Now empty markets

Mothers and daughters


The mesh above their head is put in place to catch stones (visible) thrown by the Israeli settlers from the upper apartments 

Three generation, Ruwiada with mother and grandmother.
...and the fourth, her niece
Ahmed, former political prisoner
...at his childhood home with his grandmother, Siti

Posters of martyrs 
Damaged homes from the conflict

Nablus, the "heart" of the resistance

Tea store and factory
Local and fellow photographer

All the villages that were destroyed in 1948 and whose populations (and descendants) now make up the refugee camp of Aida
Children of Aida
The homes in the camp were never intended to be permanent and so have been haphazardly layered upon each other over 60 years. 

Aida Refugee Camp outside of Behtlehem

Bethlehem's school girls' basketball team
More Banksy
Resting in the shade

These pictures were take by Taslim van Hattum

http://abiqutie.blogspot.com

Demonstration in support of Palestine
Ala
Kristel

The settlement of Har Houma
... and its development during the 1990's. 
Mohammad 
... and Ben

Leaving Jerusalem for the country side
Beit Sahour

The middle of an excellent tour
Ala

Oush Grad, an abandoned military base now back under Palestinian control which they hope to turn into a children's hospital but being considered for settlement. The land is held onto and defended by playing bingo in the empty rooms. 
Banksy's work