This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/24/opinion/palestinians-israel-coronavirus.html

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Stay Vigilant, Says a Curfew Veteran Stay Vigilant, Says a Curfew Veteran
(about 2 hours later)
RAMALLAH, West Bank — As New York City was moving toward a full confinement mode, I got an email from the daughter of a Palestinian friend from the West Bank. She lives and works in the city and was looking for advice from a veteran of long-term confinements. “I was too young at the time of the Israeli military curfew in 2002 to remember,” she wrote, and then asked: “How did you all manage?”RAMALLAH, West Bank — As New York City was moving toward a full confinement mode, I got an email from the daughter of a Palestinian friend from the West Bank. She lives and works in the city and was looking for advice from a veteran of long-term confinements. “I was too young at the time of the Israeli military curfew in 2002 to remember,” she wrote, and then asked: “How did you all manage?”
In 2002, when my neighbors and I had our movement severely restricted by an Israeli military siege, I tried my best to continue living as normally as I could. It was springtime then, as it is now. I would look out the window and lament my inability to venture out to the lush hills all around covered with wildflowers. But the danger lurking outside my house back then was readily recognizable: armed soldiers enforcing the stay-at-home orders. Only Palestinians were under threat. While we suffered, normal life continued elsewhere, indifferent to what we were enduring.In 2002, when my neighbors and I had our movement severely restricted by an Israeli military siege, I tried my best to continue living as normally as I could. It was springtime then, as it is now. I would look out the window and lament my inability to venture out to the lush hills all around covered with wildflowers. But the danger lurking outside my house back then was readily recognizable: armed soldiers enforcing the stay-at-home orders. Only Palestinians were under threat. While we suffered, normal life continued elsewhere, indifferent to what we were enduring.
How did I survive that monthlong curfew?How did I survive that monthlong curfew?
By carefully organizing my day. By refusing to succumb to despair and warding off boredom. By keeping busy and dividing the day into distinct activities: reading, writing, cooking, exercising, listening to music, taking care of my garden pots and communicating by telephone with others.By carefully organizing my day. By refusing to succumb to despair and warding off boredom. By keeping busy and dividing the day into distinct activities: reading, writing, cooking, exercising, listening to music, taking care of my garden pots and communicating by telephone with others.
Looking inward helped me gain perspective on how completely the world around me was falling apart. I started to keep a daily journal. This self-imposed ritual enabled me to get a handle on what the changing times meant for me and my neighbors, what it could teach all of us about the ways we interact and the world in which we live.Looking inward helped me gain perspective on how completely the world around me was falling apart. I started to keep a daily journal. This self-imposed ritual enabled me to get a handle on what the changing times meant for me and my neighbors, what it could teach all of us about the ways we interact and the world in which we live.
A common crisis can bring out the best in people, as was the case in Ramallah in 2002 and as is the case today in so many communities dealing with the coronavirus. A common crisis reveals solidarity that few suspected existed before, and inspires acts of kindness. Unlike the Israeli guns that posed an equal threat to anyone moving outside of their homes without permission, the virus discriminates by age. The older you are, the larger the target on your back. No doubt, the young face drastic losses. With schools closed and final exams canceled, many will be losing a year and their careers will suffer. But to see less vulnerable young people help older, more at-risk members of the population is heartening.A common crisis can bring out the best in people, as was the case in Ramallah in 2002 and as is the case today in so many communities dealing with the coronavirus. A common crisis reveals solidarity that few suspected existed before, and inspires acts of kindness. Unlike the Israeli guns that posed an equal threat to anyone moving outside of their homes without permission, the virus discriminates by age. The older you are, the larger the target on your back. No doubt, the young face drastic losses. With schools closed and final exams canceled, many will be losing a year and their careers will suffer. But to see less vulnerable young people help older, more at-risk members of the population is heartening.
In Palestine, the degree of self-control among the population has been impressive. The coronavirus first struck in Bethlehem, the city most visited by tourists. In early March, Greek Pilgrims returned home and tested positive. The Palestinian Authority tracked down those who had been in contact with them and closed down Bethlehem to prevent the spread of the virus to other parts of the West Bank. The Palestinian Ministry of Health, supported by an NGO, the Palestinian Medical Relief Society, launched a massive information campaign of preventative measures. Initially there were violations and the virus spread in the town which reached 40 cases. Then several more cases popped up in other West Bank cities less frequented by tourists. The seriousness of the danger settled in.In Palestine, the degree of self-control among the population has been impressive. The coronavirus first struck in Bethlehem, the city most visited by tourists. In early March, Greek Pilgrims returned home and tested positive. The Palestinian Authority tracked down those who had been in contact with them and closed down Bethlehem to prevent the spread of the virus to other parts of the West Bank. The Palestinian Ministry of Health, supported by an NGO, the Palestinian Medical Relief Society, launched a massive information campaign of preventative measures. Initially there were violations and the virus spread in the town which reached 40 cases. Then several more cases popped up in other West Bank cities less frequented by tourists. The seriousness of the danger settled in.
In a culture where shaking hands is the usual mode of greeting, the practice almost immediately stopped. Mosques closed their doors to worshipers. From my house I can hear the call to prayer which now includes the words, “Do your prayers at home.” The degree of precaution exercised by the population reflected the awareness of the limitations of our health system. As one doctor put it: The Ramallah hospital barely manages in normal times, let alone during the outbreak of an epidemic.In a culture where shaking hands is the usual mode of greeting, the practice almost immediately stopped. Mosques closed their doors to worshipers. From my house I can hear the call to prayer which now includes the words, “Do your prayers at home.” The degree of precaution exercised by the population reflected the awareness of the limitations of our health system. As one doctor put it: The Ramallah hospital barely manages in normal times, let alone during the outbreak of an epidemic.
Like everyone else, I was closely following local and international news about the development of the pandemic. Yet my first reaction was denial of the enormity of the crisis. For instance, as Ramallah’s many cafes, restaurants, schools, colleges and the university shut down, traffic greatly diminished, and I felt a sense of relief that my city was returning to how I remembered it before the massive development of the past two decades.Like everyone else, I was closely following local and international news about the development of the pandemic. Yet my first reaction was denial of the enormity of the crisis. For instance, as Ramallah’s many cafes, restaurants, schools, colleges and the university shut down, traffic greatly diminished, and I felt a sense of relief that my city was returning to how I remembered it before the massive development of the past two decades.
But the reality that we face here and everywhere has now set in. The West Bank is under lockdown for two weeks.But the reality that we face here and everywhere has now set in. The West Bank is under lockdown for two weeks.
As the restrictions on our freedom of movement continue, one begins to marvel at how adaptable humans are. Activities and pastimes that felt indispensable are soon dropped without second thought. But human adaptability is both a strength and a threat. As we adapt to a narrowing of our lives, there are those who are watching and marking how far they can squeeze, making permanent what was supposed to be temporary after the crisis passes.As the restrictions on our freedom of movement continue, one begins to marvel at how adaptable humans are. Activities and pastimes that felt indispensable are soon dropped without second thought. But human adaptability is both a strength and a threat. As we adapt to a narrowing of our lives, there are those who are watching and marking how far they can squeeze, making permanent what was supposed to be temporary after the crisis passes.
That is was what happened in the West Bank after the 2002 siege ended. The strangulating roadblocks that Israel had placed as a “temporary measure” became a permanent feature of the landscape. Many measures in countries around the world, including Western democracies, that would have been unthinkable a month ago are being deemed necessary to curb the spread of the disease and introduced without resistance. Will they be rescinded after the threat subsides? That is what happened in the West Bank after the 2002 siege ended. The strangulating roadblocks that Israel had placed as a “temporary measure” became a permanent feature of the landscape. Many measures in countries around the world, including Western democracies, that would have been unthinkable a month ago are being deemed necessary to curb the spread of the disease and introduced without resistance. Will they be rescinded after the threat subsides?
Fear is a tyrant’s best friend. Even the liberal West must beware of those with authoritarian impulses taking advantage of this crisis to normalize practices people would resist in less dire times.Fear is a tyrant’s best friend. Even the liberal West must beware of those with authoritarian impulses taking advantage of this crisis to normalize practices people would resist in less dire times.
My advice to my young friend facing restrictions in New York? Make the best of a bad situation by discovering a capacity for self-discipline and self-reflection you did not know you had. Appreciate the many daily acts of selflessness being performed by your neighbors, and think about performing considerations and kindnesses for people more vulnerable than you. But at the same time, be vigilant. Note measures being taken now that would not be tolerated in normal times.My advice to my young friend facing restrictions in New York? Make the best of a bad situation by discovering a capacity for self-discipline and self-reflection you did not know you had. Appreciate the many daily acts of selflessness being performed by your neighbors, and think about performing considerations and kindnesses for people more vulnerable than you. But at the same time, be vigilant. Note measures being taken now that would not be tolerated in normal times.
The Covid-19 threat will pass, but what will follow? Unlike any other event during my lifetime, this pandemic serves as a reminder of our common humanity and shared fate. What will its legacy be for your generation? Never forget this moment in time when our collective well-being so clearly depended on the good will and behavior of others, and act accordingly.The Covid-19 threat will pass, but what will follow? Unlike any other event during my lifetime, this pandemic serves as a reminder of our common humanity and shared fate. What will its legacy be for your generation? Never forget this moment in time when our collective well-being so clearly depended on the good will and behavior of others, and act accordingly.
Raja Shehadeh is a Palestinian lawyer who lives in Ramallah and is the author of “When the Bulbul Stopped Singing: Life in Ramallah Under Siege” and “Going Home: A Walk Through Fifty Years of Occupation.”Raja Shehadeh is a Palestinian lawyer who lives in Ramallah and is the author of “When the Bulbul Stopped Singing: Life in Ramallah Under Siege” and “Going Home: A Walk Through Fifty Years of Occupation.”
The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips. And here’s our email: letters@nytimes.com.The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips. And here’s our email: letters@nytimes.com.
Follow The New York Times Opinion section on Facebook, Twitter (@NYTopinion) and Instagram.Follow The New York Times Opinion section on Facebook, Twitter (@NYTopinion) and Instagram.