Palestinian Everydayness

Palestinian Everydayness

A photographic journey into Palestinian everyday life... pictures you don't see in the media, the stuff that's normal, beautiful, sad, filled with human history

Traveling through the Palestinian Territories one is confronted with idyllic landscapes, the variety of natural wonders, the smiles of beautiful people, the new playgrounds children make out of destroyed cars, the vegetable and spice markets. Although there is no escaping the ugliness of politics, as seen in Israeli measures of security such as the "security fence" being built in the West Bank, the checkpoints and roadblocks, the destruction of institutions, there is still much beauty - indeed normalcy - in Palestinian life

Gaza

Although the most densely populated on earth with most of its inhabitants living in cramped refugee camps, the Gaza Strip has much beauty: the city markets, the children, the old men playing backgammon on the streets, the beach, the traditionally dressed Bedouin ladies (26 photos)

Jerusalem

The contested capital of the Holy Land, despite all the political ferocity surrounding it, still has pockets of splendor and serenity (24 photos)

"Security Fence"

"Security Fence". "Apartheid Wall". Whatever each side may wish to call it, there is no denying its affect on the landscape and people around it (12 photos)

Graffiti

Throughout Gaza City there is graffiti. Not just political messages, these are true works of art (16 photos)

Rafah

On the Southernmost tip of the Gaza Strip is the town of Rafah where over two-thirds of the population lives in refugee camps. While many aspects of Rafah are literally what one would expect hell on earth to look like, there is much beauty in its people (22 photos)

Checkpoints and Roadblocks

Both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip are littered with checkpoints and roadblocks. These take on different forms ranging from massive concrete-laden installations to a tank on top of a hill forcing people to walk through the beach (13 photos)

The West Bank

Hills, mountains, olive groves, bustling towns, idyllic villages, the natural beauty of the West Bank is awe-inspiring (29 photos)

"Security Measures"

The Israeli government and military often mask their violent actions under the guise of "security measures." This can mean just about anything, from bulldozing houses, destroying institutions, uprooting trees, making craters out of roads to simply dropping bombs from military helicopters or fighter jets (17 photos)

Nablus

The largest city in the Palestinian Territories, also called the most patriotic by those who call it home. An ancient old city (casbah) gives this city a feel like none other. The constant rumbling of Israeli military tanks also makes it a hotbed of violent activity - resulting not just in clashes but also in funerals (33 photos)

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Copyright © 2003 Helga Tawil

	Palestinian Everydayness
	A photographic journey into Palestinian everyday life... pictures you don't see in the media, the stuff that's normal, beautiful, sad, filled with human history Traveling through the Palestinian Territories one is confronted with idyllic landscapes, the variety of natural wonders, the smiles of beautiful people, the new playgrounds children make out of destroyed cars, the vegetable and spice markets. Although there is no escaping the ugliness of politics, as seen in Israeli measures of security such as the "security fence" being built in the West Bank, the checkpoints and roadblocks, the destruction of institutions, there is still much beauty - indeed normalcy - in Palestinian life
		Gaza
	Although the most densely populated on earth with most of its inhabitants living in cramped refugee camps, the Gaza Strip has much beauty: the city markets, the children, the old men playing backgammon on the streets, the beach, the traditionally dressed Bedouin ladies (26 photos)
		Jerusalem
	The contested capital of the Holy Land, despite all the political ferocity surrounding it, still has pockets of splendor and serenity (24 photos)
		"Security Fence"
	"Security Fence". "Apartheid Wall". Whatever each side may wish to call it, there is no denying its affect on the landscape and people around it (12 photos)
		Graffiti
	Throughout Gaza City there is graffiti. Not just political messages, these are true works of art (16 photos)
		Rafah
	On the Southernmost tip of the Gaza Strip is the town of Rafah where over two-thirds of the population lives in refugee camps. While many aspects of Rafah are literally what one would expect hell on earth to look like, there is much beauty in its people (22 photos)
		Checkpoints and Roadblocks
	Both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip are littered with checkpoints and roadblocks. These take on different forms ranging from massive concrete-laden installations to a tank on top of a hill forcing people to walk through the beach (13 photos)
		The West Bank
	Hills, mountains, olive groves, bustling towns, idyllic villages, the natural beauty of the West Bank is awe-inspiring (29 photos)
		"Security Measures"
	The Israeli government and military often mask their violent actions under the guise of "security measures." This can mean just about anything, from bulldozing houses, destroying institutions, uprooting trees, making craters out of roads to simply dropping bombs from military helicopters or fighter jets (17 photos)
		Nablus
	The largest city in the Palestinian Territories, also called the most patriotic by those who call it home. An ancient old city (casbah) gives this city a feel like none other. The constant rumbling of Israeli military tanks also makes it a hotbed of violent activity - resulting not just in clashes but also in funerals (33 photos)
Info Copyright © 2003 Helga Tawil