ICB Partnership Blog

Visiting the Separation Wall

The DeHeisha Refugee Camp

We began our day with a tour of the Church of the Nativity in Manger Square.   We then proceeded to one of three refugee camps in this area.  This camp is called the DeHeisha Refugee Camp.  These camps were established in 1948 when many Palestinian people were displaced from their homes.  12,000 Palestinian people still live in the DeHeisha camp that remains under United Nations authority.  Our host Raji Oda said that the Palestinians ‘rented’ this land from Jordan with a 99 year contract.  Only 38 years are left and they do not know what will happen to them afterwards.

Some of the students at the International Center of Bethlehem live in the DeHeisha Refugee Camp.  The poverty and quality of life is beyond imagination.    Of course what stuck me is that there is no place for the children to play.  The streets are in very bad shape within the camp and they are also very narrow.

We had lunch and visited another portion of the separation wall.  I stood at this 27 foot concrete wall and I could hear the busy life on the other side but could see nothing.  At one point in Bethlehem the wall cuts into Palestinian territory for a space of about 2 blocks and then juts back out again – just enough to disrupt a neighborhood.

Later, our guide took us to shepherd’s field where it is believed that the angels visited the shepherds announcing the birth of Jesus.  Since we were early, our guide thought that we would enjoy seeing a hill that King Herod built and some Roman ruins in the area.  We were the only tourists in this area.  Upon arrival, the person in charge of this place, quickly came and told us that this site was closed.  So we snapped a few quick pictures and reboarded our tour bus.  Once on the bus, our tour guide explained that this is also a place where very new Jewish settlements are being built within the West Bank and is heavily guarded.

Afterwards we enjoyed a Bedouin dinner (don’t believe all the stories that you may hear about your Moderator and Associate Pastor even though there might be some pictoral evidence).

Every night we return to ICB.  As has been customary, the bus brings us so far and we walk the balance of the distance.  Tomorrow we leave for a tour of the Old City during the day and are heading to the Sea of Galilee for the evening.  We go sailing on Saturday.  I don’t know what my access to computers will be in that area – so if you don’t read more news for a day or two – do not be alarmed.

We love your comments – keep them coming!  Keep us in your prayers.  Much love to you all – Pastor Peggy and the Holy Land Travelers