Narrow Depth of Field
It’s been two years now.
And I’ve seen many faces.
A crazy kaleidoscope filled with faces from all parts of this region: Palestinian civil servants who had not been paid for months. Orthodox Jews demonstrating against homosexuals. Zionist Christians who rarely left the tour bus. Palestinian kids throwing rocks at the IDF. Settler kids throwing rocks at Palestinian schoolgirls. Young Israelis clubbing in Tel Aviv. Palestinian rap artists from Ramallah. Israelis in bomb shelters. Palestinian youth in jail. I have seen many faces. And none of them look like they are at peace.
I have talked to many people. To both Palestinians and Israelis. I have talked with Jewish immigrants and their descendants. I have talked to Palestinians who have been here for generations. I have talked with architects. With professors. With activists. With business owners. I have talked with members of the Palestinian Authority and members of Hamas. I have talked with members of Kadima and Yisrael Beitanou, Haavoda (as well as the stoned members of the Green Leaf Party who are for the legalization of weed). I have talked to nuns on the Mount of Olives about Christianity. I have talked to a Rabbi who “converted” homosexuals about Judaism. I have talked to Palestinians living under occupation about Islam. I have talked to many people. And they all say they want peace.Of course, I was moved by kids from Nablus rehearsing for a musical in a room where the walls were covered with posters of martyrs. Of course, I was moved by Palestinian women waiting in the hot middle-eastern sun at checkpoints with their crying babies. Of course, I was moved by Israeli sons and grandsons talking about their families “gone in the camps". Today, I am still surprised to see a civilian drinking his espresso, Kippa on his head and a M16 assault riffle slung around his back.
I have seen Palestinian hospitals in the midst of a sanitary disaster. I have seen how the Israeli society reacts to soldiers being killed. I have seen Palestinian protesters being beaten by their own police. I have seen Israelis hiding in bomb shelters. I have seen Palestinians being thrown out of their homes. I have seen the effects of two leaders who have no credibility. And I have seen how American style democracy works when the “wrong” candidate is elected. I have seen many things. And none of these things seemed to be leading to peace.
benoit faiveley photography
