Stolen Childhood

Crazy you are if you think that we live in peace unless you know the meaning of the word. Such a word carries many meanings beyond its letters and each one of them tells stories about wounded nation called Palestine.

What has happened with me and my family is a drop in the ocean of what Palestinians suffer.

It started when a new settlement sat up in about 500m above our home, and the series of suffering has started.

At first, they didn't do anything and the area they controlled was restricted, but by the time it expanded more and more, and they prevent any one to rise up the mountain.

Many days of my life were full of settlers' attacks .The first time they attacked us was a very dreadful day. As any other day in summer vacation, my brothers spent their time in playing with our neighbors, then suddenly they started shouting that there are some people who are chanting in Hebrow, for the first moment, no body believed them. Curiousity in my father lead him to go and see who those people were. Before reaching them, they started throwing stones to him; so he stepped back, then they followed him as my uncle and my brother went to see my father. When settlers saw people, they went back to their setelment. 10 minutes later, the attack renewed, but this time they were armed. I don't deny we all were afraid and we closed all doors and sat in the guest room which is the safest room as it doesn't have windows have a view outside. Settelers reached the house and started shooing and breaking the windows and trying to beak down the doors. One of them jumped up the roof and as the former tried to break the door down. After all damaging they made, military army finally arrived, and settlers left and went back. When we went out, all small trees were cut, hive was moved from its place, glass was broken.

A couple of months later, they came back with another kind of attack. We were sitting home peacefully enjoying our time with our relatives. As my younger brother Ahmad was playing outside with my cousin Qusi, who is 4 years old, suddenly without any alarm, Ahmad was coming back to bring Qusi home, 2 men were running towards them trying to kidnapped them. My brother carried my cousin and ran down to our neighbors' house although he is small in size, then our neighbors called to inform us that they are ok. Tell this moment I don't know how did Ahmad act in this way, in every time I think about that, I put myself in his place trying to think what would I do, I turned speechless doesn't know what to say. As usual, military Army arrived after all destruction settlers had made without offering any help but "Calm Settlers Down" to leave us in peace...&the legend continue.

Tasneem

A Word To Palestine

A word for love ..a word for peace..a word for a dream that may come true.

From white hearts... from innocent eyes... from lips try to steal a smile for all of you.

We are, the Palestinian, send massages of love and peace, from the city of peace scented by Jasmin for you, who believe that word is mightier than sword.

For you, who believe that who have the right will never lose.

Palestine is a precious pearl captured by evil hand.

Palestine is the home place for every one who doesn't have a home land.

Palestine is the mother, father and family for every one doesn't have a band.

Tasneem

The prices in Palestine today

The growing cost of living in the West Bank has urged Romel al-Swaiti, journalistic from a village near Nablus, to devote his page on the internet to speak about the issue by publishing a comic picture of him going to work riding on a donkey.

He wrote on his page on the social website of Facebook that he was obliged to go to work from his house in the village of Howara to the city of Nablus, which is about 11 km away, by riding a donkey as an alternative to traveling by car or by bus due to the high cost of transportation in the West Bank.

The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) ministry of finance officially announced a new mount in the prices of fuel products starting from September. The decision has brought a strong wave of protests and criticism that coincided with growing complaints about the cost of living in the area.

The Palestinian Petrol Corporation of the ministry of finance announced that the price of cooking gas would grow 12 percent, gasoline 6.12 percent and diesel 2.9 percent. The bill of energy in the West Bank represents about a quarter of the Palestinian individuals' incomes, according to official statistics.

Palestinian markets are suffering from an actual monopoly regarding to the sources of import. Relying mainly on Israeli sources, the Palestinians pay Israel about 1.3 billion US dollars per year for the importation of energy products.

Swaiti, who showed his picture  on his Facebook page of his riding a donkey with a bell on the way to work, and he meant to minimize his daily running expenses, and he did attract the attention of people in the city's streets, with taxi drivers greeting him by waving their hands and expressing full support and solidarity with him.

"It is a symbolic act to protest against the high cost of living, mainly in the prices of fuels, as well as against the growing burdens on the Palestinian people who always suffer without receiving any promotion in their salaries or in their income," said Swaiti.

Swaiti, a journalist, said he has double messages: the first is to the residents, telling them to reduce their daily transportation expenses to confront the growing burdens; and the second is to the Palestinian government, demanding it back the basic needed products to tackle the high living cost.

Earlier this week several West Bank cities witnessed popular protests against the high living cost, coinciding with a severe financial crisis the PNA is going through. Official estimations show that the PNA budget suffers from a shortage of more than 1 billion US dollars.

Mohamed Hamayel, a youth activist in Ramallah, said he and other young men are planning more popular protests to pressure on the government of Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and the PNA to help the people in the West Bank face the "crazy high" living cost.

"The aim of the protests, in which demonstrators gather at the main square of al-Manara in Ramallah, is to send our voice to the outraged people who suffer from the high living cost," Hamayel told Xinhua, calling on the PNA for an initiative of dialogue with the people to overcome the crisis of high cost.

Young men in the West Bank are using funny banners to ridicule the high cost of living and the deteriorating financial conditions of the residents. One from Hebron in southern West Bank wrote on a banner: "5 shekels (1 US dollar equals 4 shekels) only left in my pocket and I bought this banner for it."

"The high cost of living is global, I believe, in this stage, and it is not only in the Palestinian territories, and this is due to the economic changes in the countries that produce the basic materials for living," he said, adding that "the Palestinian territories don't have other natural or agricultural sources."

Mohammed hussein 

The truth about the right to have the land of Palestine

 

Jerusalem in the Jewish Torah:

Starts talking about the divine promise to grant the Holy Land to Abraham, peace be upon him and his descendants, and speaks of the Torah

From the very early stage to take Abraham synagogue in the land of Sham. "The conclusion of the earth passed to the place of Shechem

Lot and Canaanites were then in the land. He said: "To your descendants I give this land," Then God said to Jacob: Go up to Bethel. Stay there and make an altar there to the Lord who appeared to you. "

And remember distorted Torah that Joshua Ben-Nun, who inherited the prophecy after Moses, peace be upon him ordered to crawl

To storm the walls of the Holy Land "was after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, that the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses

Saying: Moses my servant is dead So now then express this land, you and all this people into the land which I am giving. "

This is with regard to the Torah distorted .. But if we read some of the paragraphs of the book "The Protocols of Zion rulers"

Which is the Constitution of the Zionists was developed by a group of leaders in 1897 in the city of Basel in Switzerland and which out the conclusion that the Jewish state must be global control of the world under the crown king of the seed of David, we will find what came to Protocol V: "I read in the law Prophets we are elect of God to judge the earth has given us God genius to be able to do this work if at Camp enemies genius attacking us ... Judging will begin at the same moment while screaming people torn differences and were tortured under bankruptcy rulers shout :  gave us a ruler high one can obey that unites us, the governor can give us peace and comfort ...

When empower ourselves then we are masters of the earth will not leave a place for any religion is ours. "And this kingdom are you talking about

Jews believe protocols under the Torah and the Talmud that it would respond minimum under the leadership of King is expected to judge

The world from Jerusalem  after the re-building of the Temple.

And here they are primed Torah virtually untouched - unlike utilization Arab Koran - they claimed they loved God

And guardians without the other people who are liars claimed also claimed that they are God's chosen people

Zionists and Style:

Zionist Jewish religious political movement derives its name from Zion, a mountain located in the south

West of the Old City of Jerusalem, and aims of this movement to re-glory of Israel establish a Jewish state in Palestine, if it wont, they will set up the Temple of Solomon into Al-Aqsa Mosque to be structure at the head of this state, which is working to extend its sovereignty east and west King of the Jews of the seed of David.

The rejection of rational modern Jews of allegations pro possession of Israel to the Holy Land, and considered

Violation of the peace. One of the strongest pro-Jewish movements in this sense is a movement

Peace Now - Peace Now

And which is one of the most active Jewish movements that reject Israel's policy and claim the right to Palestinian land.

: The people of religions - especially the people of the book - has taught entitlement Muslims in the Holy Land, but they are found in their recipes from the books will open Palestine, until they handed over the keys of Jerusalem to Omar bin Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him

Known in history.

After the Muslims conquered Jerusalem, the Covenant between them and the residents of Jerusalem should not dwell where none of the Jews! No

Jews can housing since 15 AH except in the era of Muhammad Ali after that allowed some Jewish families

Where you live for huge amounts of money! Then Palestine remained under Muslim rule to be occupied by the Crusaders in 492 AH

Free the Muslim army under the leadership of Salah Din Ayoubi land from the Crusaders after the landslide victory in the

Battle of Hattin year 583 AH. Also dashed the hopes of the Mongols in the control of the land of Palestine after their defeat in the

Battle (named Goliath) in 658 B.C led by Muzaffar Qutuz.

Then Palestine remained under Mamluk rule that came under Ottoman rule in 922 AH

We conclude from this narrative: that the Arabs are the owners of the land of Palestine, where inhabited 4,500 years ago and until now, did not migrate them did they leave under any persecution or foreign rule, while passed many times without running into

Jews to the land, and did not have the right to enter.

This is the true story of a Jewish takeover of the city of Jerusalem; If 500 years in Jewish Jerusalem

Make it a Jewish city forever Britain has the right to possess India, Turkey has the right to possess the world

The entire Arab and one-third of Europe, as well as it would be a travesty if that Rome demanded extensive today its property

Two thousand years ago, or demand that Athens many colonies before 3000. Yes, if each group settled countries for a period of time and then was absent for a thousand or  two thousand or three thousand years come today to demand that country, the world will turn into a hell of endless conflicts. Thus, it is clear beyond any doubt that the Arab-Islamic land of Palestine since ancient times  ... And its eternal capital, Jerusalem is dear.

How many years as long as Jerusalem the capital of Israel? ! Kingdom was established in the free zone does not belong to a mother

They were inhabited and full of thousands of years before that?

 After all these questions Is Israel entitled to take from the area

Limited previously and decide which the right to possession of Jerusalem and the mind eternal and undivided capital at the expense of

Its original inhabitants who preceded them to exist and they who built the city and built its walls? !

And what offer the Palestinian people today and sacrifices championships after more than half a century of occupation, and his insistence on the resistance and  martyrdom - although the magnitude of the conspiracies against him - is the best proof of its commitment to the land and not fulfilled Rath in the holy land blessed. Visit my Palestine. You and consciousness and our hearts and say only what pleases our Lord: (God and yes Suffice agent).

 MALAK

References

1 - Arabs and Jews in the Quran to Professor Abdul Rahim Fouda, a professor at Al-Azhar University.

2 - article: bleeding wounds on the story of Islam - under the supervision of Dr. Ragheb Sergani

3 - Encyclopedia joy knowledge, group II No. 5 march of civilization folder 3

4 - Lecture by Dr. Tarek Sweidan about the history of Palestine

"This city has been blessed with wonderful soap 

It made her pride among cities and countries
The spirits have searched in vain its formula
And the secret remained hidden, spiritual
A tiara [tawq] of perfection has embellished her
And her way is perfection
But his soap, and no surprise,
Two diadems [Tuqan] embellished
in its perfection"

Fadwa Tuqan

In the city of Nablus, the tradition of olive oil soap-making evolved into a major industry and an art. As early as the 10th century, the traditional olive oil soap from the city’s factories was exported across the Arab world, and as far a field as Europe, where it is said that sabon nabulsi was the soap of choice for Queen Elizabeth of England.

Yet a batch of olive oil soap can take up to a month to produce. Modern producers in Nablus insist the formula has not varied over the centuries, despite the availability of modern chemical compounds found in most manufactured soaps. Ingredients are mixed in a large vat over low heat for approximately five days, before the mixture is poured over a large floor space. Shortly afterward, casts are laid down to cut the soap into individual blocks, which are then stamped with the traditional seal of the factory of production. Once the soap is cut into blocks, it is stacked in geometric towers which allow for air circulation that assists in the drying process. The towering pyramids of soap climb to heights of over eight feet, and line the halls of the factory’s drying room for a period of between ten and thirty days, before they can be packaged and shipped

The benefits of the soap

The benefits of soap made from natural ingredients are several, especially that they help in maintaining healthy and beautiful skin.

    Organic soap made from coconut, olive oil or palm oil, is rich in vitamins, that helps people with sensitive skin and those who suffer from skin diseases like acne, psoriasis, eczema, and other dry skin problems.
    When you use commercial soaps, you may have found your skin feeling dry and stretched . Withe the natural ingredients in handmade , organic soap , you will find your skin feeling smooth , and fresh , without any itchy feeling.
    Since handmade soap is made small batches, its freshness remains intact, thereby benefiting us more than the usual bar of soap.
    Handmade soap contains glycerin, that is a necessary moisturizing agent found in lotions and other skin creams. Several commercial soaps do not contain glycerin, which is what causes the skin to become dry .
    The natural oils in handmade soap, such as jojoba oil help in balancing the skin complexion.
    Synthetic fragrances are eliminated from handmade soap, and contain fragrances from natural essential oils. These have a great aromatherapy effect that is relaxing for the mind and body.
    These natural essential oils also have anti fungal and antibacterial properties, that make them good cleansers for the body, and are also useful for those with skin infections.
    Commercial soaps use synthetic colors which are harmful for the skin in the long run. On the other hand, natural soap contains natural colors attained from the original source. For instance, a blue soap is so because it has been made from lavender extract.
    The lather that is created with the use of commercial soap has found to cause severe damage to the environment, as it contains several harmful chemicals. Organic soap on the other hand is completely environment friendly and thus. by using it you are actually doing a 

favor to the environment.

the cooked soap is being spread on the ground

A worker measuring the soap pieces

A worker is signing the soap pieces 

The worker is cooking the soap

A worker throwing water into the soap

The workers do the cutting step

The worker moving the soap after cutting it into pieces

The final shape of soap
 

namir

Interview with the mother of a Palestinian prisoner under hunger strike

Many Palestinian prisoners started hunger strike as a way of protesting against administrative detention in the Israeli prisons. Hasan Al Safadi is one of those prisoners who has gone in this strike since more than 70 days.

Hasan, who was born in the old city of Nablus in 1980, spent much more time in prison than he spent in his house. He was arrested several times, the first time in 1995. In 2002 he was arrested for several months as the so-called administrative detention . In 2004 he was arrested also for more than 33 months.

I reached Hasan’s house in which all the signs and posters around showed that we were in his house . The house was full of Palestinian activists who support prisoners issues. After introducing myself and asking about his mother’s health I started my interview :

Nada: Can you tell us about Hasan’s birthday?

Mother : His arresting has forgotten me his birthday, but I can tell he was beautiful like the moon.

Nada : What about his childhood during  the Israeli occupation?

Mother: He was a stubborn child. One day he was throwing stones on the Israeli soldiers. He was 9 years old. They followed him but he could escape and hid himself in the mosque. The soldiers tried to arrest him but they couldn’t, because me and his family saved him from the soldiers. Oh! I wish I could help my son right now, I wish I could stop his suffering and starvation.

 Oum Fareed and Nada

Nada : When was his first arresting time?

Mother : That was when he was 14 years old . He was in his martyr friend’s funeral.

Nada : Did you get any message from him before he began his hunger strike?

Mother : Yes, I did. He was trying to convince me most of the time to take care of myself, to go out and to enjoy my life. He was so optimistic.

Nada : What do you want to say to the mothers all around the world?

Mother : When I heard that he will die because of this strike I got so sad ! Let every mother imagines herself in my place, what would she feel ! I was looking forward to see him married, but he was arrested just before that.

“ House was full of his photos, there was much amount of sorrow “

Prepared by:  Nada  Ma'ani
Translated by: Hedaya Alhaj

Palestine in a poem

كحل كوفيتي 

في عيونها الربيع 

يتربع الشعر فوق شفتاي 

يتكلم يشدو بالكلام

 يمتعني منظرها فلسطينية تكون 

هويتها عربيه 

وتاريخها مجيد

 تتحدث   الازاهر

 بالشوق الكبير لبلدي فلسطين 

يمتعني النظر الى صورته 

فباسمه اسرار واسرار

: يتحدث بعربيته فيقول

 اتا رجل عربي 

عروبيتي فلسطين

 الكائنة في سحر الليل

 بين الشرق والغرب

 تتمثل في جودها

 يذخر المستعمرون في علومها

 يتحدث ابناؤها 

فهو منهم

 لا يكل 

ولا يمل

 ذهب مبتعدا بمساقات امله

 "التي تمجد اسمه "حنظله

 .. وفي حائه حقول فلسطين

 فيها من الزهر والقمح ما يجدد العبير

 ..في نونه نضال مقاومته

 التي ابت ان تخمد نارها

.. في ضاد العربية يتكلم 

بحروفها الثمانية والعشرين

 يبارز والايام 

التي ابت ان تكون هباء 

يظلل العنابر وازاهر الياسمين

 ودوار الشمس الذي يماثل الشمس في السماء 

فحين اقول فلسطين

 يتمايز لعقلي خبرها في الصحف والورق

 يكتب اسمها بخبر صحفي

 يتدثر الحرف العربي

 فيشدو سارحا في عنفوانه

يضاغ الكلام

 يكتب الاتي 

"ويردد : "انا فلسطيني

 لن اتنازل 

...لن اتنازل 

عن حق امات حنظله

 بالامل يعتذر شوقه لفلسطين 

. تخط ادمعهما مسيرة شعب

 بحق يريد العيش الكثير

 لامة اضحى بها القليل الكثير 

لا بل كبير يسرد اسرائيلية 

تكون وكانت كالظل العتيد

 يفيقني باستمرار

 يؤنبني ضميري 

حينما اقول بعيدا عن سهولك والجبال 

سأظل عتادا لكي حتى اموت  انا 

ويكتب اسمي بين الحقول 

فهل لي بكحل كوفيتك 

اكون فلسطينية تكون 

With my hand writing I wrote the words,                     بقلمي اكتتب الكلام        

For a smell that sprinkles your perfume,                  لرائحة تفوح بعطرك

PALESTINE,                                                                        فلسطين
May I not repent from loving you.              فهل لي عن شوقك ألا اتوب 

A poem written by Wala' Mansour, describing Malak Baghdadi's picture.

Education in Palestine

I have interviewed some doctors and students from An-Najah National University in order to know their opinions about the educational system in Palestine and their suggestions to improve this system.

Mohammed As-Sufi.

Palestinian Mansaf

Ingredients:

• -   Jameed
• -   Lamp meat
• -   Onion
• -   Rice
• -   Pine nuts and almonds

How to cook Mansaf:

1- Whey (dried yoghurt/ jameed) is washed and soaked in water for an hour, then mashed with the blender          moulinex, then dried out.

2- Meat is washed and put in a tray and soaked in water.

3- Onion (chopped into squares) is added, then meat is boiled to be rather cooked.

4- Meat is removed and broth is taken.

5- Whey juice is mixed with the soup and left to boil, it can be thickened with cornstarch as wished.

6- Meat is added and it is kept on fire until soup and meat are cooked well.

7- Rice is cooked, and then two or three Arabic loaves are put in the tray.

8- Rice is put on the bread pyramidically, then pieces of meat are arranged on the surface.

9- Mansaf is decorated with the pine nuts and almonds.

10- Mansaf is served with hot whey juice and sprayed on mansaf as wished.

Safa