Dynamic: Can you tell us how the idea came about to visit Ramallah?
Keren: I was in the Palestine Solidarity Society at Sussex University. We are part of a network of Palestine solidarity campaigns all around Britain, and we decided to actually go to Palestine. We were going to show solidarity with the Palestinian people, which have experienced brutal repression since the beginning of this uprising.
We also really hope to start a grassroots movement in our home countries. We had people from many different countries in this delegation. We are part of a large group of over 400 people and through sending students to Palestine, we hope to really jump start the growing movement to stop aid to Israel, to put sanctions on Israel, and force countries to intervene to protect the Palestinian people.
Dynamic: What happened when you got to Ramallah?
Keren: We arrived in Ramallah Thursday afternoon. The city was invaded the next day at 5 in the morning. I was staying with 3 girls in a house very close to Arafat\'s compound. There were some very severe battles. Tanks surrounded us all the time. Like everyone else in the city, we were stuck in our houses for the next three days. Most people were stuck much longer than we were. We weren\'t allowed outside. We kept the lights out. We stayed away from windows. The water was cut. The electricity was cut. Soldiers searched houses. In fact, they ransacked our house. Apartments were looted of money and goods. It was a frightening and stressful experience. People are still living under this same type of siege all over the West Bank.
Dynamic: Did you see any casualties during the conflict?
Keren: I was lucky not to see casualties, but after those three days, I was able to volunteer with an ambulance. Ambulances were the only vehicles that were able to move around the city. Even their movement was severely restricted. They almost weren\'t able to do their work.
Our role as international students was to be helpful to the people. We were able to deliver food and medicine to people throughout the city. People would call in orders and we would deliver.
We were witnesses to what I think is a policy of collective punishment. Like I mentioned the cutting of water and electricity. People can\'t leave their homes. There were arrests and distention of innocent civilians without charge. Many were detained for days.
Almost all the young men we met had been recently arrested. Most of them had been detained in the past three days. I met a family of the first women killed in the invasion. She was in a car with her family and her 2-year-old baby. I saw the car. It was riddled with bullet holes. I saw an American family living in Palestine who had lost their daughter. We were witness to a lot of tragedy.
Dynamic: Beside yourselves, was there any other international peace activists in the area?
Keren: We were a small group of ten, but we were part of a much larger delegation. There were hundreds of us, including Italians, French, and Swiss. They were mostly European. Part of this delegation (you might have heard of them) was inside Arafat\'s compound. They performed a really amazing direct action, standing with Arafat until he was freed.
Dynamic: We understand you were born in Israel, is that correct?
Keren: Yes.
Dynamic: What is your view on the Israeli peace forces, and the more broad international movement?
Keren: I am encouraged and amazed to serve in these territories. This is a very important movement in Israel. There are many people in jail for this, and I think it shows that Israel does have the strength as a society to refuse the forces of the far right that is trying to force them into an endless war.
It is also important to mention that there are Israelis and Jews throughout the world who really are trying to revive the entire idea of Zionism. I believe that for a 2 State Solution to work, Israel must be a speculative, democratic state with equal rights for all. Unfortunately, as it is now, Zionism just stands as a nationalist idea, but I do believe there is a strong hope growing, and a stronger peace movement in Israel.
Dynamic: Briefly what political lessons did you learn from all these experiences?
Keren: I have to say the most important thing for me was meeting Palestinians who were active in all forms of political resistance. Politically, we were able to bring the news of what we saw back here to Britain and hopefully to America as well.
Looking at the strength of the Palestinian people has been inspiring. They have such a strong society such a strong humanitarian group. They live such a strong intellectual life under this brutal occupation. It is truly amazing.
I think it is important to recognize that even though the army has pulled out of some areas of Ramallah, there are still atrocities being committed. It is by collective punishment that an entire population is being refused their basic needs.
Dynamic: Do you have any last thoughts for readers, visitors and lessons for the people building the peace movement?
Keren: I was very encouraged to see protests and demonstrations all over the world in support of Yasser Arafat and the support of Palestinians and in opposition to Israeli occupation. It\'s really encouraging to see that movement growing in the United States. It is absolutely vital to show that the American funding is not bringing democracy to the Middle East. As a Jewish person and Israeli, I would just like to say how inspired I\'ve been by living and working with Palestinians. They\'ve given me their hospitality, courage, and strength, and I think it shows how two peoples can live together in peace.
Keren Wheeler is a member of the Young Communist League, USA currently studying in Sussex, England. She recently volunteered in Ramallah, a Palestinian city still occupied by the Israeli Defense Force. Just after her arrival, Israel began to move tanks, troops, and helicopters into the area. During these attacks, Chairman Yasser Arafat was held for weeks, despite protests from the international community. The Heavy fighting also resulted in a siege at the Church of the Nativity that lasted for more than three months. In the following interview, Keren Wheeler answers questions from Dynamic, about her incredible experience.
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