These are photos that I took of the West Bank Separation Wall as it runs across the Mt. of Olives and bisects the Town of Bethany. Today we wanted to retrace the steps of Jesus as he made his Triumphal entry into Jerusalem, beginning with Bethany. Bethany and Bethphage are literally minutes from each other across the top of the mount of Olives. But now Bethphage is separated from Bethanyby the Wall. WE had to take a taxi to Bethany (3o minute ride) and then back around the wall another 20 minutes) to Bethphage.
Our inconvenience is nothing compared to the remarkable life alterations the Palestinians have had to endure as this Wall has cut them off from their livelihood (sometimes separating a family from their farm or orchards) and the possibility of freedom of movement and finding meaningful employment.
What does it remind you of? The Berlin Wall? The walls built by the Nazis around the ghettos of Warsaw? The border fence in Arizona?
You pictures (and writings) are breathtaking. They make is possible for us to get a real understanding of things there.
ReplyDeleteIt is so hard to understand how Israelis could build a wall so similar to the Warsaw ghetto walls. Your images do remind me of the Berlin Wall and the boarder fence in Arizona.
ReplyDeleteI turn to God and pray for a breaking down of the issues which divide us, symbolized by these walls.