Filistia’s trip to the beach

Even a good day can get bad, just because we -Palestinians- are not allowed to enjoy a simple family beach trip safely.

Living in the West Bank, movement restriction counts a major impact on our daily life. Following the second Intifada, West Bankers were banned to drive within the occupied land of 1967, including East-Jerusalem, not even to travel without a permit document which has a special procedures for issuing.*

With all the travel difficulties, starting with the inhumane treatment at checkpoints, metal detectors, blocked access to elderly and baby-strollers gates, to high financial transportation charges. Me and my family are still eager to enjoy a basic right of a trip to the beach.

This summer, my baby-girl FILISTIA, turned one and was able to master her playing skills. Being aware of all restrictions, I was pushing towards taking her to the beach even if once! And here (in the slideshow) goes the journey;

*Movement and Access

Filistia and my nephew waiting for about one hour in front of the disabled gate, which hasn’t been opened in years, as claimed by the aggressive Israeli Occupied Force. You can imagine when babies are tied for that long how fussy they get. After a hassle argument from behind the bullet-proof container that the IOF was settled in, she has forced us to fold the strollers, carry the baby-carriers and manage with the help of 3 other people to pass through 4 metal rolling cages, that barely fits a person, and get the babies pass the metal dedectors several times because the strollers where simply.. beeping ! Still, the return has been also hectic, we had to disturb Filistia’s sleep, wrap here, and pass again the metal gates in the open-air checkpoint where it was cold enough to get a flu