On Wednesday an Israeli friend invited me to come with him to the Erez Crossing i.e. the border crossing with Gaza. He volunteers in an organization that helps Palestinian people to come to Israeli hospitals in order to be treated.
The first thing that shocked me was to learn that getting out of Gaza is in any way possible. At the Erez Crossing you can find cabs waiting for people coming out, which means there is regularity in it. However, my friend explains me that it is quite difficult for Gazans to get out in order to go to hospital (the only reason they can be allowed into Israel). Actually, we were supposed to go on Tuesday, but the people we were going to take were refused the permit for no reason. Things work this way here. Furthermore, the permits these people have are exclusively granted by Israeli hospitals (not border authorities) who offer to give them medical treatment. Thus, their permit allows them only to go to hospital and back into Gaza. They could not stop anywhere or go anywhere else outside this way.
My friend explains to me how, according to what Gazans tell him, they have to cross first a border with Hamas, then a border with Fateh, and finally the Israeli border. This is to prevent direct contact between Hamas and Israeli Authorities.
As you can see in the pictures the Erez Crossing looks almost like an airport terminal. It is a huge modern building with a beautiful design. It seems this border is to stay here as the definitive border with Israel. When we arrive there a couple on their sixties is already waiting for us. The man speaks some English but the woman does not seem to understand much. She wears a big cross on her neck, which makes me understand she’s Christian. On the car I cannot refrain from asking them. They confirm they are Christian. Are you from Gaza city? Yes, we are. How are things for Christians there? There are some thousand Christians in Gaza. Things are ok, he answers. I would think he does not feel like talking about the real situation. However, something makes me think it can’t be that bad for them in Gaza in comparison to Gazan Muslims when they openly expose their faith wearing a cross, deny their problems are due to their religious beliefs (and seem to be willing to go back).
Thanks for sharing! I exactly feel what you are writing as i experienced it firsthand when i crossed this form of injustice called EREZ checkpoint. I had to suffer these checkpoints, two Palestinians and the last horrible checkpoint was/is still Israel. Students and patients have to pass through dehumanizing interrogation process which i could believe how humans are amazingly eager to question students or patients to receive education or medical treatment.
ResponEliminaJustice and human liberty will prevail soon