Star crossed lovers: Romeo & Juliet in Israel/Palestine

[user79]

This story is so bittersweet, and highlights the problem of living a normal life in Palestine and Israel....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6405799.stm

Quote:

She is a 26-year-old Jewish Israeli. Her name is Jasmine Avissar. He is a 27-year-old Palestinian Muslim, Osama Zaatar. Jasmine and Osama's is a love story, and it tells you so much about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. They met when they worked at the same place in Jerusalem, and three years ago they got married. First they tried to live in Israel, but the Israeli authorities would not allow Osama to join his wife there. Then they tried living in the occupied West Bank, but some Palestinians made life difficult for them. Now they've given up and are moving to Europe. Strangers "We ran out of choices of finding any solution to live in either Israel or Palestine," says Jasmine as she packs her bags. "We were naive and thought we could win this fight but we can't. So we have to go abroad and start a new life." Osama and Jasmine Jasmine: We were naive and thought we could win this fight but we can't Osama: The moment I decided not to be part of the mainstream I was told that I was not a part of my country anymore Jasmine already has permission to go. Osama hopes to follow her soon. We go up onto the roof of their village home. The sunlight is so harsh you have to squint to look at the view. Stone walls hold earth terraces onto the hillsides, olive trees hundreds of years old are dotted across the landscape. "I feel like a stranger here," says Osama. "Even in my homeland. This place is a holy land, but they're killing each other. It's like it's already a lost cause." "Here there's no chance. I just want to start again." Under investigation They are an almost unique couple. Neither Israeli nor Palestinian society has accepted their marriage. On Jasmine's Israeli passport, it still says her marital status is "under investigation". "Our marriage was a human thing. We just fell in love," says Jasmine. "The society around us is making it political." "I feel like a refugee. The moment I decided not to be part of the mainstream I was told that I was not a part of my country anymore." A taxi turns up, and Osama helps Jasmine with her bags. The drive takes them through occupied Palestinian lands. They pass a tall grey Israeli army watchtower. They drive through army checkpoints. Israel has been in control here for almost 40 years. Given up "Even here in Osama's homeland I am superior as an Israeli," says Jasmine, as she looks out the window. "It's easier for me to move around. The soldiers let me through checkpoints. They don't arrest me like they might arrest Osama." Osama and Jasmine A final embrace at the Israeli checkpoint Osama is banned from crossing Jasmine has given up on her own country. "Jewish people were abused for thousands of years, but my nation has switched from being victims to being abusers. "That's hard for me to acknowledge. The Jewish people are occupiers now, and we are racist." The car arrives at a final checkpoint. We stand next to it, and Osama tells me why he has also given up on his own people. "There were threats. People said if I brought my wife here we'd be in danger. Even my friends said that. They say I am a traitor." "It makes me wonder whether I want to be a Palestinian any more. Some see me as some sort of Israeli envoy. It's a shit feeling." Seeking safety They turn and walk the short distance to the checkpoint that leads out of the West Bank and into Israel. They put down their bags, and hug one another. There's a short kiss. I ask Osama what he hopes for from his new life. "I want to be able to walk in the street and not be stopped by the Israeli army or police. I want to feel safe. I have never felt that." Jasmine smiles. "I just want to be a normal couple, with normal problems about rent, and money. I don't want to have these huge gigantic problems interfering in our marriage." Even now though they are not quite free. Osama cannot go through the checkpoint with Jasmine. They don't know when he will be able to join her in Europe. They are still a couple caught in the middle of the Israeli Palestinian conflict.

Seems like there's no room for people who have a middle of the road stance on the issues, the 2 sides are so polarized...

 

[sharyn]

Thats is so bitter sweet...
i cant even imagine being in a situation like that. I mean even their friends seem to make it even harder for them

 

[m4dswine]

So sad.

I don't think i will every understand why people can't just get along.

I am becoming more convinced its because there aren't enough women in positions of power in the world.

Fingers crossed on Hillary for President.

 

[Beauty Mark]

Politicians are politicians. I don't think it matters what gender the person is, and considering that this conflict has been going on so long, I'm not even sure how it be resolved by outside forces.

That's so sad but sweet. I'm glad that they were able to find each other and hope they have a happy start in Europe sometime soon. That's the thing that gets to me about any conflict. So many people get affected who really aren't that invested in it and are just trying to go about their daily lives.

 

[*Stargazer*]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beauty Mark Politicians are politicians. I don't think it matters what gender the person is, and considering that this conflict has been going on so long, I'm not even sure how it be resolved by outside forces.

I'm actually convinced more and more that the only way to resolve it is to stop trying to make people get along. Separate and go about their own business. It would require that people on both sides make concessions and sacrifices, so it won't ever happen.

And I also highly doubt having a woman president in the US would matter squat to this situation. Women have been in power in plenty of other powerful countries around the world and this conflict has continued despite that.

 

[Raerae]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beauty Mark So many people get affected who really aren't that invested in it and are just trying to go about their daily lives.

Thats like most conflicts. Are few men who need to show the world how big their penis is, cause trouble for so many people who just wanna worry about simple things, like rent, and making dinner, and raising a family.

 

[sharyn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raerae Are few men who need to show the world how big their penis is, cause trouble for so many people who just wanna worry about simple things, like rent, and making dinner, and raising a family.

My new standart definition of conflicts

(and politics in general?)

 

[Raerae]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharyn My new standart definition of conflicts (and politics in general?)

LOL...

Starting a war is like Viagra for politics...

 

[sharyn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raerae LOL... Starting a war is like Viagra for politics...

elected rhymes with erected - coincidence?

uuuugh, I should have posted this in the bad bad jokes thread.

 

[Raerae]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharyn elected rhymes with erected - coincidence? uuuugh, I should have posted this in the bad bad jokes thread.

Haha...

I wish I could draw cartoons...

I thought of this great political cartoon of Irans President with a big rocket for a penis as a satire on his Nuculear Ambitions.

 

[Hawkeye]

I'm going to be the spawn of satan for this but it wouldn't matter if there was a woman president. The US may celebrate it. The west may celebrate it but we would be laughed at by the rest of the world-which unfortunately so is male dominated and we definately wouldn't be taken very seriously.

This is such a heart breaking article. Just readint it and knowing good and well that the conflict being so old and so complicated. As Misschievious said- the two sides are so polorized on their views they refuse to try to look at the other side. They say they do but they don't. If they did there would be a chance for peace but there is no chance for peace over there. I wish that couple all the best in the world.

 

[Raerae]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawkeye I'm going to be the spawn of satan for this but it wouldn't matter if there was a woman president. The US may celebrate it. The west may celebrate it but we would be laughed at by the rest of the world-which unfortunately so is male dominated and we definately wouldn't be taken very seriously. This is such a heart breaking article. Just readint it and knowing good and well that the conflict being so old and so complicated. As Misschievious said- the two sides are so polorized on their views they refuse to try to look at the other side. They say they do but they don't. If they did there would be a chance for peace but there is no chance for peace over there. I wish that couple all the best in the world.

Is this really surprising? Look at the Ricky Martin thread as a perfect example. No one over there even wants to see the other person's side.

 

[Hawkeye]

Just shows how blockheaded humans really are.

And we're supposed to be the smart species. Sometimes I think monkeys would do a better job at politics.

 

[Raerae]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawkeye Just shows how blockheaded humans really are. And we're supposed to be the smart species. Sometimes I think monkeys would do a better job at politics.

No they would just throw their poop at each other =p

 

[Hawkeye]

Not much different then what they do now!

 

[user79]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawkeye I'm going to be the spawn of satan for this but it wouldn't matter if there was a woman president. The US may celebrate it. The west may celebrate it but we would be laughed at by the rest of the world-which unfortunately so is male dominated and we definately wouldn't be taken very seriously.

That's not true. Some countries in the developing world have also had female presidents and rules, such as India, Pakistan, and some African countries spring to mind. I don't think other countries wouldn't take the US seriously just because it's a female president. Besides, women need to me more engaged in politics, because that's what's going to change the stereotype of the "Old Boys Club", of men in suits ruling the world.

 

[Beauty Mark]

Was Margaret Thatcher taken any less seriously than many male PM?

I'm of the camp of the best person for the job, and I don't think it makes a difference, male or female. However, being female shouldn't be a strike against someone.

 

[Hawkeye]

Lauged at by the rest of the world was the wrong choice of words. Laughed at by the Middle Eastern community would probably be a better choice of words.

Margaret Thatcher came from the Western World.

I'm not saying that a woman can't be more qualified for the job then a man because most certainly a woman can and probably be a lot better (Unless of course the said woman is Cynthia McKinney of GA

)

I'm thinking more of the situation now (with the whole mess in the middle east). I do not think with how involved the U.S. is in middle eastern politics right now that if we have a woman as a president that the male dominated society in the middle east (going back to the original post) is going to necessarily help matters.

I'm having a very hard time viewing a woman (Hillary Clinton if she wins- since she's the only female running for president) going over to have a diplomacy thing without there being some chauvenism.

And again its really one of those things of the cultural difference.

I mean we may hear along the lines of what about Rania Al Abdullah Queen of Jordan? Yes, she has a great amount of power, and an amazing woman but her husband "runs the country". Just like with Hillary and Bill. Hillary was involved with politics but Bill ran the country.

It's just one of those things. I understand if people don't agree with my perspective.

As for the women in Africa- you know that's how Africa is. They look towards the women for the the lineage.

Now really going out on the limb here...in isreal we did have a woman acting as president in Isreal Dalia Iztik (she rules as acting president of the State of Israel since 25 Jan 2007, when the incumbent office-holder, Moshe Katzav, took a three month leave of absence to deal with criminal charges.)

So maybe Iztik can prove me wrong but again, Isreal would almost be considered a westernized state.

*shrugs* Just my opinion.

BTW: Here is a website I found with lots of women in power. But that has absolutely nothing to do with the original post-this entire post has nothing to do with the original post-I was piggy backing on someone elses post.

http://www.terra.es/personal2/monolith/00women2.htm

 

[user79]

I think a country should vote for the president they feel will best fulfill their goals and values, not cater to what they think the rest of the world will think about it.

 

[Raerae]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawkeye Lauged at by the rest of the world was the wrong choice of words. Laughed at by the Middle Eastern community would probably be a better choice of words. Margaret Thatcher came from the Western World. I'm not saying that a woman can't be more qualified for the job then a man because most certainly a woman can and probably be a lot better (Unless of course the said woman is Cynthia McKinney of GA ) I'm thinking more of the situation now (with the whole mess in the middle east). I do not think with how involved the U.S. is in middle eastern politics right now that if we have a woman as a president that the male dominated society in the middle east (going back to the original post) is going to necessarily help matters. I'm having a very hard time viewing a woman (Hillary Clinton if she wins- since she's the only female running for president) going over to have a diplomacy thing without there being some chauvenism. And again its really one of those things of the cultural difference. I mean we may hear along the lines of what about Rania Al Abdullah Queen of Jordan? Yes, she has a great amount of power, and an amazing woman but her husband "runs the country". Just like with Hillary and Bill. Hillary was involved with politics but Bill ran the country. It's just one of those things. I understand if people don't agree with my perspective. As for the women in Africa- you know that's how Africa is. They look towards the women for the the lineage. Now really going out on the limb here...in isreal we did have a woman acting as president in Isreal Dalia Iztik (she rules as acting president of the State of Israel since 25 Jan 2007, when the incumbent office-holder, Moshe Katzav, took a three month leave of absence to deal with criminal charges.) So maybe Iztik can prove me wrong but again, Isreal would almost be considered a westernized state. *shrugs* Just my opinion. BTW: Here is a website I found with lots of women in power. But that has absolutely nothing to do with the original post-this entire post has nothing to do with the original post-I was piggy backing on someone elses post. http://www.terra.es/personal2/monolith/00women2.htm

Ummm...

What about Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice? She makes deals ALL the time with men in the Middle East, she is a VERY powerful and respected woman.

I think your giving the Men too much credit if you think women like Condeleezza rice and other can't beat them at the game of Politics and secure diplomatic means to an ends.

If anything Men are more likeley to go to war because they have something to prove. Instead of being diplomatic about it and finding a means to an ends that doesn't invole bloodshed.