Jews, Muslims and Christians from Holland on fact-finding tour of Israel
Wow, look at that!
Even on a sweltering August mid-day, the view from the Katzir observation point is impressive, especially with a detailed map in hand and an experienced Givat Haviva guide to explain what one sees between the A's, B's and C's of the West Bank below, and across the State of Israel to the Mediterranean.
A group of students and young professionals from the Netherlands comprising Jews, Muslims, Christians and those who do not identify themselves with any religion, in Israel under the auspices of the CIJO organization in Holland and Hagshama Department of the World Zionist Organization in Israel, participated – as in previous years – in a seminar at Givat Haviva.
The seventeen-member group was accompanied by Israeli guide Gomeh Shabtai and CIJO staff member and group leader Butiati Wiersma, who also participated in last year's seminar and said she had been looking forward to returning once more to Givat Haviva.
The CIJO (CIDI Jongeren Centre for Information and Documentation about Israeli Youth) organize an annual seven-day fact-finding mission to Israel and really have one of the most packed programs of any such missions the International Department works with.
"We visit many different places and speak with representatives of all kinds of diverse organizations in order to get a better understanding of the situation," explained Butiati Wiersma.
On top of a mountain … CIJO over Barta'a
An Arabic speaking member of the Dutch group chats with a local Palestinian in Barta'a
"During the day mission participants attend seminars and in the evenings, hold in-depth group discussions to reflect and evaluate what had been learned that day," she explained to Lydia Aisenberg, who led a lengthy workshop for the Netherlanders before taking them out and about on a tour.
The tour included visiting the Katzir observation point, crossing the Green Line in to Area C of the northern West Bank and seeing for themselves the Jewish settlement bloc of Shaked, Hananit, Tal Menashe and Reichan, Palestinian villages in the area, as well as following the path of the security fence in the region.
The tour culminated in a visit to the village of Barta'a where the Dutch folk had the opportunity to see both sides of the divide, and have a quick chat with a local Palestinian worker who also showed them his special papers allowing him to work legally in the commercially successful and fast expanding village, part of which inside the State of Israel and part under the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank.
"Our group is very varied indeed," explained Butiati Wiersma somewhat tongue in cheek.
"We have here young adults from Jewish, Muslim, Christian and Atheist backgrounds. We work in education, law, international relations, medicine, journalism, politics and more.
"We are not only mixed in background, but we come from very different areas of society and professions, trying to find common ground concerning the situation here in Israel. We hope to be able to become advocates for the many different aspects of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict – to explain the complexity of it, or at least, try to," she concluded.
Gomeh Shabtai, the Israeli tour leader for the group, is no stranger to Givat Haviva having not only accompanied previous CIJO groups but also students on various other programs in Israel.
"Time spent in Givat Haviva is for me one of the most important of seminars, an invaluable experience for groups from overseas – even though I know we will have a great deal of sensitive and difficult issues to discuss this evening as a result of what you have done here on campus and during the tour today," Gomeh told Lydia as the Dutch folks headed for the Golan Heights – and yet more complicated issues to deal with!
Text & photos: Lydia Aisenberg
August, 2009
