“Welcome to Israel”. The billboard
that greets every excited passenger on disembarking the arriving flights into
Ben Guirion airport. I can't help but think though, perhaps a more
honest message would be appropriate. Maybe something like “get
ready for your interrogation if you disagree with our government's actions”, for
example. Although less catchy, and admittedly a bit confusing for a
welcome sign, it would have people quite prepared for what I, and
numerous other visitors to Israel and Palestine have had to
experience. I take no pleasure in writing that I was detained for 5
hours. During this time I was subject to very harsh and strange questioning regarding events I still know nothing about, by a
pair of security officers that I can safely say had perfected a bad
cop, worse cop routine. A very unsettling highlight of the
whole ordeal was when one of the officers gleefully discussed items from my
notebook (used on a short visit last November, which was later taken from my
luggage when leaving) and demanded an explanation. I
was also threatened numerous times with deportation by the other officer
unless I told her the 'truth' regarding the non existent, violent
demonstrations that me and my friends were part of. .
Despite my travel plans being somewhat ruined by
the staff at the airport, I
made headway to my destination. Following my stressful arrival, I was so
grateful for the warm welcome and help I received from ordinary Israelis and Palestinians. In contrast to the news reports regarding the
increasing level of violence in the past months, I was struck by how
relaxed and peaceful Tel Aiv, Jerusalem and the town was and ironically, felt more safe there than
I ever have in Ben Guirion International, where there is what seems
like a small army of security officers. As I write this now, sitting
on the balcony of my accommodation in Abu Dis, perhaps the welcome sign at the airport can finally be appreciated.
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| Good morning from Abu Dis. |
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| A quick pause for breakfast. |
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