Ramallah Favorites

Favorite thing: Universities in the West Bank are focuses of political debate. Palestinian students are well informed and updated about politics of the region. Unless you are versed in Middle Eastern topics, I would recommend you not to touch this subject as a tourist.

Fondest memory: We sat with some students to eat lunch, and we talked about the current situation in the territories under military occupation. A student of Birzeit University asked me: "How are the people of Israel? What do they think about us? Do they want peace with us?" He emphasized that the only Israelis he has seen in all his life are soldiers, and that he was curious to know more about Israeli people. I answered that yes, that there are many Israelis who would like to see a peaceful end to this conflict, and who would like, as many Palestinians, to live just a normal life. We also had some fun talking about anecdotes of trips around Israel and the Palestinian territories. Later on, we visited the Students Union Office, where we talked to some very funny guys about politics again. The paths of peace are built upon mutual understanding, knowing each other better, and being tolerant when there are differences.