Journey With Jonathan: Entry #10
Today I went up to Nazareth. I decided to take the coastal road in order to see the Mediterranean sea.
The mere sight of the water, even without dipping my feet in it was so relaxing and therapeutic. The deep blue that gives its name (Mediterranean blue) to that particular shade of color was so soothing and healing. I could sit all day and simply look at the water.
However, it is painful to remember that I am one of the privileged Palestinians who can, in fact, visit the coast of Palestine, only because I have (and have maintained) my East Jerusalem residency. For over 3 million Palestinians in the West Bank, who live literally 20 miles from this glorious haven, this experience is subject to a permit from the Israeli authorities that is rarely given. I thought of how such an experience could help relax the pressure cooker atmosphere of the occupation. I would venture to say that it would contribute more to Israeli security and the reduction of tensions than any “iron dome” or the latest drone technologies could do.
This is not mere speculation. A few years ago, the Israeli military in fact tried an experiment. They lifted the ban on West Bank Palestinians to enter Israel for one day—it was a religious holiday. Almost a million Palestinians took advantage of this and most of them rushed to the sea, to picnic, swim, and enjoy the atmosphere before returning home at the end of the day (after also shopping at Israeli malls). No “security incidents” were reported that day at all. Unfortunately, no one in the Israeli military establishment took the lessons to heart, and the experiment was not repeated. Alas.