subject: What would you risk for a beach trip? [print this page] For your typical British family, a day at the beach is a fun filled activity. But in some parts of the world, the expedition could end with serious consequences.
For some 15 Israeli women, this is the situation. They start their day at a petrol station alongside a road in Jerusalem. The tension in the group is obvious, as they about to break the law and a taboo. They are planning to drive into the occupied West Bank and collect Palestinian women and children in order to take them on a day trip, to the beach.
This is the second time that such an outing has occurred. But why? Well those who are involved hope that by announcing such trips, it will bring attention to the laws that restrict and govern Palestinian movements. In addition to this, these women are trying are to challenge fears that Israelis currently have about travelling into the West Bank.
One such woman remarked on how it took her a long time to sign up the trips."I was resistant to breaking the law. But then I realised that civil action is the only way to go forward, that breaking an illegal law becomes legal."
When the Palestinian women climb into the car, they remove their hijabs, floor-length coats and scarves to reveal skinny jeans and long hair. This look allows them to go through security check points without too much scrutiny.
"I am afraid of the soldiers," said 21-year-old Sara, nervously
"It's like we are using the tools of the occupation," said Irit, one of the drivers. "It just wouldn't occur to the soldiers at the checkpoints that Israeli women would want to do this."
The Palestinian passengers are nervous as they near the beach location. This is their first trip to the beach even though it is only a short trip from where they live.
"It is so much more beautiful than I thought," said Nawal, watching her gleeful seven-year-old daughter skipping backwards to avoid being sprayed by the waves. "It is more beautiful than on TV, the colour is amazing."
24 year old Fatima looks into the distance. "I didn't know that the sound of the sea is so relaxing," she said.
But the consequences of such a day trip are far from relaxing'. Palestinians need permits to enter Israel and furthermore Israelis would face imprisonment for "smuggling" Palestinians without a permit into Israel.
But what is the source of this rebellion?
Several months ago, an Israeli journalist wrote of her beach trip with some Palestinians which prompted a criminal investigation against her. But her story inspired a group of women to take the same day trip with West Bank Palestinians and advertise the fact. Since these incidents, hundreds of signatories have appeared on a petition in support of these women who are defying the law.
But these trips are also to encourage a different attitude by Israelis towards the West Bank Palestinians. "We want more Israelis to realise that there is nothing to be scared of. We want more people to refuse to accept the ideology that keeps us apart and to just refuse to be enemies."
Restrictive Laws?
Prior to 1991, Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza were free to move and any restrictions on travelling to Israel were the exception.
But after this date, the Israeli government initiated a scheme of a more sinister nature. Palestinians were not able to travel without a permit that had been issued by Israel's civil administration.
It wasn't until a series of terrorist attacks inside Israel that the permit system was strictly imposed. From this point, Israel have triggered more and more restrictive measures such as the separation wall, in order to enforce control over the movements of Palestinians.
What would you risk for a beach trip?
By: clarapiere
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