Saturday, August 05, 2006

Khalil's Cafe




Khalil owns a cafe a 3 minute walk form where I'm living in Bethlehem.
His business has been suffering lately as the new extension of the Israeli "security fence" will literally encirle his cafe.
The wall cuts into the town of Bethlehem, cutting the town off from Jerusalem and making traveling, and consequently working, very difficult for the people there.





A particularly sinister aspect of the "security fence" is that it is built on Palestinian land in the West Bank. This land is "confiscated" from the owners.

In addition to the wall which already exists in Bethlehem, Israel has created a new extension which goes further into Bethlehem, including the historic site of Rachel's tomb.

Khalil's cafe is in this new zone.





There is a small gap by which he can gain access to his cafe. He is allowed access to it between 9 and 5, 6 days a week, for the time being. His primary customers are now Israeli solders, who have recently raised their flag on his roof.





Me and some friends have made a point of visiting Khalil alot these past few weeks. He is a desperate man these days, constantly awaiting the day when he is ejected from his land for the last time, and his Cafe is hidden behind the wall forever.

3 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Great update Luke. i've checked your blog regularly since I got back from Bethlehem, but haven't gotten off my ass to actually write. It was a pleasure to meet you there - and there may be another trip in the next year or so - hopefully you'll be there. If you're back in the motherland, take a trip up to the wild North. It'd be good to have you in Belfast. Pádraig.

10:21 PM  
Blogger Jon said...

Thanks for the post, good to know what's going on. Keep us updated.

6:42 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Luke,
Still enjoying your blog and learning from it. Looking forward to seeing you home soon. Love, Maria

6:43 PM  

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