The Palestinians in the greater Bethlehem area put on a final commemoration event of the 40^th anniversary of the occupation following the 1967 War.  This gathering near Aida refugee camp incorporated dance, song, religious readings, and music. It was a good ending to the week because after the intense protesting, this type of demonstration was rejuvenating.  People came together in solidarity to celebrate their culture and express hope for the future.

There was a Palestinian man sitting behind Beth who was nice enough to translate the opening remarks from Arabic into English.  One speaker acknowledged the suffering in Palestinians’ lives.  He talked of the expulsion from their lands, the destruction of crops, and the occupation.  He specifically highlighted two hardships.  The first has been caused by Israel isolating Jerusalem, which leaves the Palestinians unable to have it as their capitol, which is of great importance to both Christians and Muslims.  He also stressed the plea of the refugees, who still hold onto the keys of homes that were taken from them.

Aida refugee camp is a highly dense neighborhood.  There are over 4,000 people living on about 16.5 acres of land.  The living spaces are built one on top of another, as there is little ground area.  This also leaves no room for recreation and play.  The children are particularly suffering from this situation.  The location of the camp, which is near the wall and in an area of great conflict, has resulted in the children witnessing soldier incursions.  Due to this, the children exhibit signs of trauma.  Martha thought that Aida seemed more depressed than Dheisheh refugee camp, which has had far more international aid and support.    

As the event was held next to the illegal apartheid wall, another speaker stated that the reason for this was not because it was a beautiful site, in fact it was an ugly site, but because it was a reminder that the wall needs to come down.  He felt that they had come together to review strategy, renew their commitment to the cause, and to resist injustices.  The Palestinian national anthem was also played while everyone stood.

Verses were read from both the Koran and Bible.  Most Palestinians are either Muslim or Christian.  These readings symbolized the unity among people and religions.  There was also a woman from Sweden who is part of the Ecumenical Accompaniment program who talked on behalf of the international community.  She reminded the Palestinians that the world has not forgotten them. 

Before the performance started, four inspirational readings were read in Arabic and English.  They all spoke of peace for the future.  Using inspirational tools like these are important for the endurance of the movement.

The evening program opened up with young dancers in traditional costumes and continued on to singing and acting. The theatre production was put on by young children, between the ages of 6-14.  The play told the story of St. George saving peasants in Bethlehem from a dragon (which symbolized the wall).  The peasants were hard laborers who worked the land and highly valued that land.  Then one day a dragon comes along and surrounds them.  He demolishes their homes, builds settlements, and attacks them.  This part is supposed to represent both The Nakbah (1948- the expulsion and dispossession of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from their homes and lands) and The Naksah (1967- when Israel began occupying Gaza and the West Bank).  Then they all pray together to ask God for help and Al Khader (St. George) is sent on a donkey holding an olive branch. 

He defeats the dragon and the peasants are very happy to have their land and lives back.  Using St. George in the story was an intentional choice, as he holds importance for Christians and Muslims alike.

The event ended with children lighting large colored candles on a stick.  They all filled the street, lighting each others candles and playing.  The atmosphere at this demonstration seemed like that of a celebration; lifting the spirits of those who attended.