Reading Ali Qleibo's article Carob, Fennel, and the Red Soil of Gimzo: Crafting Palestinian Identity made me consider a person's or a people's relationship to land. He writes, "It is the aroma of his soil - spring, summer, winter, and fall - that the refugee yearns for. It is his sky, his sun, his moon, the birds in the field, the sunrise dew on the grass, the breeze that ruffles the leaves as the sun sets imprinted in his heart that sustains his solitary life abroad." Land and landscape shape culture and identity. For example, place influences food and meals. In this article, Qleibo eats matful, which is a traditional dish in Gimzo made of whole wheat pasta dough rolled into tiny balls served with bake chicken and tomatoes, chickpeas, and onions on the side. Some questions I have been mulling over in my mind are: How is identity shaped by land? What is the meaning of a 'homeland'? Is it possible to have a world without borders? Is "us" vs. "them" dichotomy necessary for identity construction?
Reading the article that Amber posted by Eitan Grossman posted made me think of other directions towards peace other than negotiating for a two state solutions. Historically negotiations have failed and the problems persist. He writes in the article, "This new political culture is one in which solidarity between Israelis and Palestinians is not only a means to achieve an end – dismantling the occupation – but is rather a core part of its belief system, its conduct, and its political vision. This political vision is one that intends to replace a regime of privileges based on discrimination, repression, and separation with a civil society in which all members have full equality. This vision is being made a reality every day on the ground, in the street, by Palestinian and Israeli activists." Cooperation and unity between Palestinians and Israelis is key to ending the occupation. Maybe instead of solely focusing on a two state solution. Palestinians and Israelis should focus on ending inequality and fighting for not just the right for Palestinians to have a homeland but all rights. I would like to ask members of Sheikh Jarrah about their visions for the future. What needs to be done to achieve equality? Are the weekly protests effective? How can the "discrimination, repression, and separation," of Palestinians be brought to an end?