different realities

yesterday i got an email from nora that shook me up a bit and that has stayed with me: this past saturday, at some point while i was wandering around the city of bethlehem or meeting at the school or walking back from hope flowers to the town, there was a military incursion in dheishe refugee camp.  the military came in unannounced (i don't know if they are ever announced) for reasons unknown to me, and some of the palestinians resisted by throwing stones.  the israelis then responded with tear gas, rubber-coated steel bullets, and live ammunition.  eleven people, mostly youth, were injured.  nora said it was the most intense occurrence she has experienced in all of her time at the camp.  i can't help but wonder if any of the youth involved in this were the kids that i met when i was at the camp two evenings before. 

the thing that seems to have hit me is the relative normalcy that appears to exist despite the fact that these types of incidents are occurring all over the occupied territories on a regular basis.  i think it is completely possible for tourists to come to israel, visit the holy sites, including those in the west bank, and leave with little to no realization, let alone understanding, of what the reality of the situation is in this place.  the hope flowers center where i was that same afternoon is situated next to the camp; still, i had no idea that anything out of the ordinary was taking place.  it makes me wonder how many people here are oblivious to the actions of their government and what is taking place within their own country and palestine.  and of course this is linked to the same apathy and alienation that exists within my own country -- the ease of going about our day without so much as thinking about the human rights violations occurring throughout the world and in our own back yard.  just as americans are removed from the reality of what is taking place in iraq, a vast majority of the israelis seem to be removed from the reality of what is taking place in the occupied territories.  it's not that i want these incidents to disrupt the lives of everyone so that they will stand up and take notice.  no.  instead, i think that this is just a reminder to be paying attention.  to continue to stay aware of what is going on at a political level and to be more intentional in making conscientious choices so as to have more of a positive affect on the earth and the people who inhabit it.