The Story of Oush Grab ” The Crow’s Nest “
Oush Grab is the east country side of the city where I live, Beit-Sahour or The Shepherd’s Field that lies to the East of Bethlehem. It is a hilly area surrounded with olive trees, almonds, figs and vine gardens. My aunt, Myriam, owned a large farm near that site. As children, her daughter, friends, and I used to play there, collect figs and grapes in the morning for breakfast. The best part of the year was summer time. We used to camp there, make fire, dance, sing and play. We had spent a wonderful time there.
In 1960’s, the Jordanian army built a military camp on the top of the hill, near the borders of my aunt’s land. After the six day war in 1967, the site was occupied by the Israeli army. They expanded the camp, called it “Shdeema” and took over hundreds of acres from Beit-Sahour land. They call it area C and have full security control over the whole area. For my friends and me life had changed. We could no longer approach the vineyard and collect grapes, figs or almonds. For security reasons that was strictly forbidden. So my aunt’s gardens were deserted, even no farm worker was allowed to go near the fence. Trees were neglected. The soldiers pointed their guns at anyone who would approach the wall that separates the farm from the army zone.
During the first Palestinian uprising 1987-1993, the situation got worse. Oush Grab became a large military base from which the Israeli troops used to wage attacks on Beit-Sahour houses and the residential areas. Besides the bulldozers entered my aunt’s farm and uprooted all the olive trees, almonds and vine trees because they blocked the eyesight. They wanted to identify anyone who would come to attack the camp. They destroyed the only road that connects their home with Beit-Sahour city.
In Sept 2000, after the second uprising, life became unbearable for the residents who lived at Oush Grab area, including my aunt’s family. They were caught in between the clashes and the gun fire of the Israeli troops and Palestinian fighters. Several houses were burned down, some destroyed, others severely damaged. All the family of my aunt evacuated their homes and hired a flat down town in Beit-Sahour.
On the 27th of April 2006, surprisingly the Israeli troops evacuated the area and moved to another military base with their heavy equipment, called Herodion in Fordeise area. But Oush Grab was never given back to the Palestinian authority.
All the people of Beit-Sahour were pleased and all residents returned to their deserted homes. The European Union funded the rebuilding of the demolished houses. Everyone was happy.
In June 2006, the municipality of Beit-Sahour presented a plan to the Israeli Civil Administration to reclaim and develop the land near the camp as it is located in zone C according to Oslo agreement. Months later, they got a license to carry on with the projects: a children’s Hospital, Youth center, a public peace park, environmental center, recreation center, a cultural center and a parking lot. These plans are fully funded by USAID.
The municipality proceeded with the peace park project as the area lacks a space for the children to play, have fun or practice sports. But days after they got the license to start work, and after the Israeli government announced freezing the Israeli settlement expansion, the Israeli extreme-right wing of settlers and an Israeli organization known as “Women in Green” announced that they wanted to occupy the site of the camp and establish a settlement there and asked all their supporters to join in with all their efforts.
From that time till now, they kept on attacking the area under the supervision of the Israeli army stating that it is a military zone and refusing to allow any organization who supports justice or human rights to come and visit.
Keep in mind that ” Women in green ” movement is supported by many members of the Knesset. They have been leading weekly demonstrations at the evacuated site of Oush Grab calling for occupation of the land and regarding it as a part of Israeli home land. In May 2008 on Israel’s 60th anniversary they announced their intention to do so.
On Feb 12,2008, with the help of all the peace makers, Beit-Sahour Municipality officially opened the first part of the public peace park project for the benefit of Beit-Sahour people and the surrounding communities.
There has been a huge variety of events held on Oush Grab. They were organized by an informal group of Palestinian activists in the area. These have included barbecues, bingo, kite flying, bird watching, music, tree planting, ecumenical religious services and leadership training activities.
Yet the Israeli government has suspended for further review all the other planned projects. They did so because of the oppression imposed upon them by the settlers’ council. It seems it will finally submit to the settlers’ request and establish a settlement at Oush Grab in the future.
During this summer, exactly on the 10th of July, 2009, The Municipality of Beit-Sahour in co-operation with The Arab Orthodox Club organized a four-night festival for the community of Bethlehem area to be held in the park of Oush-Grab. That festival included music, singing, dancing, folklore Debka and speeches.
The night of the opening was at eight o’clock . Everyone in the neighborhood was excited. We bought tickets and headed towards the park; but as we drew nearer, we saw Israeli jeeps, tanks and soldiers blocking the way to the park. They forbade all audiences from entering, stating that Israeli settlers were coming to pray. So, Palestinian families, children, old men and women returned home, angry, depressed and disappointed. The festival was postponed.
So as you can see, to live in an area surrounded by a wall, eight meters high, confined to a minimum of entertainment and joy in life, that is difficult to endure.
Jala Andoni
