children and the generations to come that we can be proud of."
Those are the words of Abdelfattah Abusrour, founder and director of Alrowwad, which means "Pioneers for life," located in the Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem. Alrowwad is remarkable, both the place and its programs. It was started by volunteers in the refugee camp where Abdulfattah was born and raised along with 5,000 other Palestinians, young and old. Five years later, it registered as a non-profit organization and two years later, Abdulfattah, with a Ph.D. in biology, quit his job to work full time directing Alrowwad. Today, eight years later, Alrowwad owns a three story building with photo labs, theater and meeting space, physical education facilities, a library for kids and playroom for young children, sewing equipment for training, computer lab, video studio and office space.
"Everyone is a change maker. Nobody has the right to say: "I can't do anything," because every day that comes will continue to be worse than the day that goes. This is not a heritage that anyone can be proud to leave to our children and the generations to come." Abdulfattah studied in France, is fluent in French, English and Arabic; when Khitam and I met him, he was dressed in corduroy pants, shirt and blue crewneck sweater. I didn't notice his shoes. He looked like a prep school teacher or headmaster, relaxing. Normally, I don't notice these details. I mention them here because so many people in the States assume that Palestinians are not people. Israelis are people like us; Palestinians are "other," not people like us. Everyone I've met here gives that assumption the lie, and I'd put Abdulfattah at the head of the line. He is bright, articulate, devoted, energetic and non-violent.
Here are some of his thoughts in our conversation:
"We need education, open education with discussion and disagreement. We need to learn how not to get used to the occupation and how to be non-violent in our resistance."
"We can't wait for miracles, for Obama or Netanyahu or even Allah to solve our problems. We are responsible."
"We don't have the luxury of despair, of saying it's everyone else's fault."
"The occupation prohibits commerce, relationships, family gatherings, even love."
"I don't care if people sleep in comfort. Dignity comes before comfort."
"We want partners, not simply donors. We are not helpless."
"We have remained independent, free of any political connection. However, politics is everywhere. Even marriage here is political."
" People say art should be separate from politics. Everything is political. If artists don't make a
change, then what? Art exists in the world!"
Abdulfattah is married and has a family. His official residence is Bethlehem, although his wife and children live in Jerusalem where they have rented a house for several years. His wife was born and raised in East Jerusalem and has an Israeli ID and a Jordanian passport. He was born and raised in Bethlehem in the Aida Refugee camp. His official residence, according to the Israeli government, is Bethlehem, though his family has lived for years in East Jerusalem, and he has to get a special permit to visit East Jerusalem, a permit that has to be renewed each year. He is considered "a visitor" in East Jerusalem.
To be continued...
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