A Moral Mezzanine: Returning Home to Massive Attack’s Ban After 11 Nights in Palestine
What does it mean for a country to sit on this awkward half-floor between solidarity and legality? The post A Moral Mezzanine: Returning Home to Massive Attack’s Ban After 11 Nights in Palestine appeared first on RICE .
On July 15, I traveled to Jordan's capital, Amman, via Gulf Air, experiencing a 14-hour layover in Bahrain. The Bahraini air defense systems intercepted Iranian drones during the layover, and I was awakened by distant explosions. Upon arrival in Amman, I took a bus to the King Hussein Bridge, which connects Jordan to the West Bank.
At the Israeli-controlled border crossing, I was detained for over three hours due to suspicions as a solo male Muslim traveler. Despite the ordeal, I was eventually cleared to enter the West Bank.
My trip was a personal one, aimed at volunteering and learning about life in Palestine. I was not a journalist or an author, and I had no connections with Hamas. In Jerusalem, I volunteered and observed cordiality among locals, regardless of their religion. However, the military presence and the constant scrutiny from Israeli soldiers were evident. I spent my days exploring the Old City, conversing with locals, and even feeding the cats in the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.
In Hebron, the journey was vastly different based on one's nationality. As an Arab, I had to navigate multiple buses and military checkpoints for four hours. As a Singaporean, I opted for the faster, air-conditioned bus ride. While in Hebron, I witnessed the stark inequality in public transportation and the challenges faced by the local population.
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