The Jabbar Family.
Jul 5, 2009 Uncategorized | Author: Sarah
The Jabbar Family
Our taxi could not seem to find our host families house. We were driving up and down a road that seemed to have nowhere to go. After a few turn around’s and phone calls the car stopped. A man was waiting for us on the side of the road. He introduced himself as ‘Atta Jabbar. He showed us a pile of rocks and trash and explained that it used to be a road leading to his house until the Israelis blocked it. He showed us a field where he used to grow tomatoes until the Israelis cut his water supply. He pointed to a house at the top of the hill and said it was his. We started to climb up. On the way he showed us two piles of rocks. They used to be houses,his houses. Both were demolished by the Israelis only a few months apart from one another. He was arrested for refusing to leave his land. With international out cry and media support he was ” allowed” to build a new home further up the hill. Not before living in a tent with 4 young children and his wife first. When we got to his home he showed us pictures of this tent and how his family cooked food and brought it over so they could all eat. I was in awe that they made light of such a horrifying situation. He showed us pictures of his arrest and of the protesters outside his tent who came to support him. They shared a lot with us that night. Food, their bed, tea and coffee but most importantly their story and for that I am grateful. I will never forget ‘Atta Jabbar or his family. Not only because they posses more strength than I thought possible but because they shared it with me.
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