Palestinian Going Home
Written by Haitham Sabbah on 30. March 2006, 0031hrs // Part of Haitham Sabbah's adventure in Human Rights, Israel, Palestine // Other posts by Haitham Sabbah
This is a true story. Samia, a Palestinian friend who lives in Brazil send me her story about her experience while crossing the borders from Jordan to Palestine. It is touching true story that kept me sleepless last night, that’s why I decided to share it here.
Ahlen , first of all, sorry for my English, but i will explain for you what happened today.
Yesterday i came to Aqaba, and today i went to the border at 8 am.
I was nervous, but at the same time i felt good, making something that i was waiting for long time.I crossed the Jordanian border without problems, only 15 minutes and i take my bag again and i start walking to the Palestinian side. Two armed guys were waiting there and asked me for my passport. They look each other and asked me “from where are you?, well, one of them had my passport in his hand, a Brazilian passport, why they asked me!!, after i went to the check room, and two another guys were there and asked me the normal questions, well, normal for them! All the questions were about my family name, why my name is Samia Ali, if i am Muslim… i answered not, i am christian, but why you has a Muslim name, why you don’t change it, well, 20 minutes of that and they let me pass, even they told me “Welcome to Israel, enjoy your time here”..
I went to the passport control and i big group of tourist were there, every one got their visa in less that 5 minutes. When was my turn, i saw a familiar face, the woman in the control office was the same that last year, the same that after gave me one month visa told me “if you don’t like it come back to Brazil, we don’t want more Palestinians here!!!!”.
Everything was normal, she asked me for my passport, and checked my name at the computer…., she was look at it for more that 2 minutes, at that moment i knew that my name was there, but which information they have, i don’t know…, she called a guy, after another woman, after another guy…, all of them were talking in Hebrew, look at me sometimes, reading again, i don’t know for how long, i was so nervous..
A new guy came to me and start to speak in Arabic with me, i told him that i don’t understand, he continues speaking in Arabic…., after that he told me “Good luck” and asked me to go to the check room again. well, he didn’t asked me, he order me, he told me “Move now”
I entered in the check room and i had all the Israeli security with me, more than 15 persons, all of them not more than 22, playing an important game in their life, with power in their hands and with a terrorist in front of them, i saw exciting eyes, waiting for the orders of the oldest man, the guy with the biggest m 16 in his hand.
They open all my bags, they put everything in a table and start to check it, everything…
After a young woman told me that she need to check my body, and with a smile in my face i answered, “OK, no problem”, when she was checking me she told me whispering “i am sorry, but is my work, can you take of all your clothes?”, i answer yes, but i want to keep my t shirt (i didn’t want to show my tattoo), well, she checked me all, open your legs, close your legs, sit here, up and open your legs again, etc… like last year.After the woman from the last year came and asked me if i was in Israel before, i answer yes, why you are coming again, i have friends here, Arabic friends she asked?, not, Israeli friends, Israelis????? (her fave change it), yes, Israeli friends, she asked me their names and i gave to her.
After asked me for my other passport, passport that i don’t have of course, asked me about Gaza, about Nablus, about other Arab countries, about my name again…
Well, she left me alone, i check the time, was 10:30 am, i was thinking that my future in Palestine will depends of what she decided, and i wanted to smoke, of course i was not allowed to do it, sit there and wait!!!!
The time running, i was nervous but quite at the same time, i wait for this moment since i was refused from my homeland last year, 6 long months, and i was there again, ready for that.
I checked the time again, was 12:15, i asked if i can use the bathroom, they told me no, sit and wait!!! After 10 minutes the women came to me, i wanted cry, i knew that she has my dreams in her hands and she gave me back my passport, i take my bags (after put everything inside) and i start top walk.I walk, with tears in my eyes, full of emotions inside me, all my memories from Palestine were in my head, in my heart, i remember in this 5 or 10 minutes every person that i met in Nablus, how much i wanted come back, how near i was.
One man stopped me and told me something that i didn’t want to hear, something that was only in my nightmares, something that i listened before: “Welcome to Jordan”
I am in Aqaba again, with Palestine in front of me but more far than ever.I checked again in the Jordanian border, i took again my bags and i start to walk. I felt my bags lighters, not so heavy than before, the tears were still in my eyes, but my legs were stronger, i am stronger, they make me feel in that way, they don’t understand that every time that they refused a Palestinian at the border they recognize that the Palestinians are there, they must to use the guns to keep something that don’t belong to them, they are afraid to see us trough our eyes, that we are here, near, and always will be near, they know that Palestine Exist!
I took a room in front of the sea, i will buy a bottle of wine, and this night i will drink, i will drink for Palestine, i am proud to be Palestinian.
All of you will be with me tonight.
Samia Ali
Samia is not her true name, nor Brazil is where she lives, although she lived in South America. I changed these facts for privacy reasons and to keep her out of trouble the next time she attempt to go home-Palestine.
Samia’s story is the story of millions of Palestinians who wants to return home but are denied entry by the Israeli occupation, while any Jew from anywhere in the world (even non Jew, as far as s/he is not “Palestinians, Arab or Muslims”) can go to Israel, and maybe occupy Samia’s grandparents house and land and claim it theirs.
Samia is now in Jordan, and is looking for a job to support her living. She wants to keep as close as possible to her home, Palestine. If you can help her in getting a job, please contact me!
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March 30th, 2006 at 1:30 am
There is “her name” in the body of the the mail as well. You should remove it there if you want to respect her privacy.
March 30th, 2006 at 1:34 am
Hi sabbah, sorry for my english too. I had a well seemed experience. Also I am of the brazil, and I tried to go to find my family there. It’s really very, very difficult to know if the things go to give certain. It’s much unreliability to travel so far and not to be able to see the family…
AB
March 30th, 2006 at 2:30 am
Sad.
March 30th, 2006 at 5:03 am
Very sad.
If you want to go home, go. Don’t put people through this.
March 30th, 2006 at 10:55 am
Haitham,Maybe I can help her if she is planning to stay in Aqaba,can I send you an e-mail?
March 30th, 2006 at 11:29 am
Another proof that Israel has some seriously sick shit going on!
It shows that Israel is not a democracy and that it is a primitive uncivilized country. And I am saying that objectively without being racistic
I am really mad over that Israel continues to be part of European soccer turnaments, that they are part of the Eurovision Song Contest, etc. because apartheid is not something Europe should stand for and therefore, we should not support it in any way!
March 30th, 2006 at 12:20 pm
AhueBrazil,
It will be great if you can share your experience with us. I’ll be happy to publish it here if you like.
Salam,
Sure you can contact me. I’m not sure if she will stay in Aqaba, but will get you both in touch and you can take it from there.
March 30th, 2006 at 3:06 pm
[...] ursday, March 30, 2006 Going back to Palestine ! Salam,Here is a reblog from Sabbah that I wanted to share with ya’ll: [...]
March 30th, 2006 at 3:13 pm
Haitham and AhueBrazil,
My heart breaks every time this happens. Everyone should know that this is not an isolated incident and that even non-Palestinians are having an increasingly difficult time getting a visa if they have intentions of visiting or working with the Palestinians.
Thomas,
I agree, Europe should boycott Israel from competing in their tournaments, should stop buying their products. It places embargos on other nations for lesser atrocities.
The Israelis would give anything to become part of the EU. Functionally, they may as well be. Let it be said that within Israeli society there is a great deal of segregation between European and non-European Jews. It is not just the Palestinians they are bigoted against, but those of color or race that is non-white European. The Palestinians function as someone for every Israeli to hate, so that they do not realise the race hatred amongst themselves.
I bring up this tangential issue because Israel is an Apartheid state, and an Apartheid state within an Apartheid state. If they could boycott South Africa until it gave up its Apartheid, Europe can do the same for Israel.
But, we shan’t hold our breaths, lest we turn seven shades of blue, from the Nile to the Euphrates. ; )
March 30th, 2006 at 3:16 pm
Haitham and everyone,
Please also remember yoom il ard (Palestinian Land Day) is today.
Ma salemi ou ya tiik il afiyeh.
March 30th, 2006 at 3:17 pm
Ironically, the story has become too familiar…thanks for publishing it Haitham and also thanks to Palforce [url] http://www.jordanplanet.net/node/9290/urlwho also re-published it. Its the best way to fight the normness that these stories have become…
March 30th, 2006 at 3:30 pm
Raymond,
Thanks for your reminder. For me, Yoom il Ard (Palestinian Land Day) does not mean much to me, for every day is Palestinian Land Day.
Anyway, this post is dedicated to Yoon il Ard
March 30th, 2006 at 7:36 pm
Yes, every day.
March 30th, 2006 at 8:02 pm
[...] Haitham Sabbah said… And here is another type of experience:http://sabbah.biz/mt/archives/2006/03/30/palestinian-going-home/ [...]
March 30th, 2006 at 8:45 pm
It is not just the Palestinians who are discriminated against. My fiance is an Arab Israeli, who travels on an Israeli passport. When we were in Israel, we had great difficulty going through any checkpoints controlled by the Israelis as we tried to get into Bethlehem. We finally had to circle around and enter through the Palestinian controlled enterance.
The difficulty became even more apparant as we tried to leave the country. The airport security scrutinized both of us. I was surprised, being a US citizen, traveling on a US passport, that they would give us as hard a time as they did. I suppose I can understand somewhat. It just make me sad that they don’t even trust their own citizens.
March 30th, 2006 at 9:25 pm
[...] Haitham Sabbah said… And here is another type of experience:http://sabbah.biz/mt/archives/2006/03/30/palestinian-going-home/ [...]
March 31st, 2006 at 1:00 am
it made me cry..too unfair!
March 31st, 2006 at 8:53 am
March 31st, 2006 at 11:59 am
Dearest “Samia”,
I admit I finished reading your story with tears in my eyes. As a Palestinian-Israeli, I hardly get sent back on checkpoints or border crossings. However, the only few times my pass was refused at a checkpoint inside Palestine were terrible and annoying.
I dare not compare them with your -as well as far too many other Palestinians’- experience. but the comparison forces me not to forget how horrible the feeling to be banned from entering your own homeland is.
You “sound” like an impressively strong woman. your English might not be perfect, but your words are straight as an arrow and powerful as the lightening.
Much RESPECT to you, much love and support.
Good Luck in Jordan. you deserve that at least!
March 31st, 2006 at 1:44 pm
Joe,
All of the Arab-Israelis are scrutinized, as well as their fiances, wifes, husbands, etc, regardless of nationality. You will come to know the airport procedures all too well. Also, Arab-Israelis are not allowed in the West Bank. The more you come to know of your fiance’s troubles as an Arab-Israeli (I really don’t like the term, they’re Palestinians aren’t they?) the more outraged you will become.
March 31st, 2006 at 8:40 pm
Our tears are our gift from our creator as a part of our humanity. He gave us our tears as part of our strength and to be shed as our gift back to him. May all of your tears wash your souls and strenghthen you. May your tears go straight to God and may his loving arms surround you and keep you and your loved ones safe. Peace.
March 31st, 2006 at 9:36 pm
[...] n Rights31. March 2006
This is an update email from Samia (pseudonym). After she was rejected to enter her homeland, Palestine, she came back to Jordan, spent couple of [...]
April 1st, 2006 at 4:18 am
Man, you guys have no idea what you are talking about.
First of all, there is no such place as Palestine, I do believe you are talking about the country of Israel. Now, I am Israeli, and have nothing against arabs, muslims, or palestinians in general. They are people, regular people. I do not make generalizations about other groups of people and I hope that the same graciousness is shown to me. Thomas and Raymond, you obviously know nothing about Israel, it is a beautiful, developed democracy, a world leader in technology, and the home of a nation of good people. I am not safe visiting Egypt a country with which we have had peace for a very long time now. Israelis going to resorts there on vacation are still targetted. Explain that.
April 1st, 2006 at 5:53 am
It is sad that the Israelis have so much control.
Families can’t visit families.
Friends can’t visit friends.
Sounds like Germany in the 30’s and early 40’s.
Pretty close to North Korea now.
But they have Bush on their side. And they will keep the Palestinians in check.
The news here in Canada is just as bad. Our government won’t deal with Hamas. Even though they were elected. Hamas is not the government we wanted to see. But they were elected!
April 1st, 2006 at 10:54 am
[...] ch makes the heart bleed in Haitham Sabbah’s report on the horrifying experiences of a Palestinian woman whose only wish in life is to go back home. “I check [...]
April 1st, 2006 at 12:44 pm
“SHOCKED”,
your reply shows that it is only YOU who doesn’t know what you’re talking about.
i’m Israeli as well, a Palestinian Israeli, and i know that Israel is leading in technology. thanks to the money! this doesn’t make it a fair country.
secondly, there is democracy in Israeli, that much is true. but it is TWISTED. if you disagree, visit Adalah’s website: http://www.adalah.org. and see for yourself some examples of INSTITUTIONALIZED DISCRIMINATION against Palestinians in your democratic country.
it is hard for you to accept “Samia’s” story or other people’s comments on it, for it shows the real face of things.
There are a lot of good people in Israel, but in order to make a change they admit the wrongs and work hard to fix them. do it or SHUT UP!
April 1st, 2006 at 2:53 pm
Fayrouz,
It is said that we always have such ignorant people who jumps in and present the truth (their truth), believing that everyone reading his/her comment is ignorant alike to believe what s/he said.
Sadly (since you are new to blogging), you will see a lot of such… “shocked” sample
Thanks for the link of Adalah!
April 1st, 2006 at 4:09 pm
Dear Shocked,
Must be your poor idea of an April Fool’s Day joke. If you are truly Israeli, you know the truth of the occupation as well as any Palestinian, and are either lying to yourself or simply asserting your Zionist tactics toward the erasure of fact.
Military service is compulsory in Israel for both men and women, after which they are required to do reserve service every year. Every Israeli is therefore militarily trained and combat ready, contributing to the occupation of the Palestinians, not an innocent civilian (on holiday or otherwise) as you so assert.
April 1st, 2006 at 5:04 pm
Please note that I am not condoning the attacks in Ras al Khaimah. But painting Israel as a benign and innocent democracy that keeps getting bullied by its neighbors is far from the truth.
April 3rd, 2006 at 8:07 pm
Raymond,
My fiance isn’t a Palestinian. If you were to ask her, she would say she is a 1948 Arab. She is Arab by nationality, and Israeli by citizenship.
April 4th, 2006 at 11:47 pm
[...] me and spit at me quite any number of times Haitham Sabbah spreads the story of Samia, a Palestinian who was denied entrance to her homeland: This is a true story. Sami [...]
July 31st, 2006 at 3:24 am
[...] osts about the Palestinian girl Samia (pseudonym): The Refugee Number xxxxxx Million & Palestinian Going Home, then you have to read this post yesterday, I met Samia [...]
May 4th, 2007 at 9:23 pm
[...] is an update email from Samia (pseudonym) Nadia Hasan. After she was denied entry her homeland, Palestine, she came back to Jordan, spent couple of days at Aqaba, and now she is in [...]
May 4th, 2007 at 10:58 pm
[...] experience while crossing the borders from Jordan to Palestine (borders occupied by Israel). She wrote me the following email: Ahlen , first of all, sorry for my English, but i will explain for you what happened today. [...]