Friday night I walked down to the Manara to see the demonstration. Palestinians of all ages stood in a group between the building where Stars and Bucks is and the Bank of Palestine cheering and chanting. It was cold but there were a few hundred gathered together, chanting in Arabic 'down with the regime' and 'freedom for Gaza and Jerusalem.' I could feel the energy in the air and I kept smiling. A woman handed out candy bars and the guy next to me passed me one. Other people threw candy in the air. Men waved large Egyptian and Palestinian flags. The fall of Hosni Mubarak has lit a spark but there's still a long way to go. A friend of a friend leaned over and said to me 'feel sorry for our country, they can't celebrate Egypt only, they have to do something for our country too.' My friend Tala says that no Palestinian with a brain is going to try to start a revolution the way the Egyptians did because it just won't work. A new government has to be put into place and it's going to take time. But after so much time of stagnant tension, there's truly a sense of hope in the air.
2 comments:
It's truly amazing what happened in Egypt. And despite some murky waters ahead, it looks like things have the potential to work out well. The place-holder military regime is working with representatives of the dissenters and the Muslim Brotherhood to come to terms on a new Constitution and political system. It's effects on other North African and Middle Eastern countries are already being felt. Very exciting. We're watching history being written right in front of our eyes. Our childrens' children will be learning about this in school. Let's just hope the transition to democracy will be as smooth as possible.
I know, it's awesome that we get to witness these events. It's sad that so many people are paying for it with their lives but the ripple has been felt and it's continuing to spread. Real changes are happening!
Post a Comment