The final push

So the time has finally come for me to pack up my bags and life here in Abu Dis. As regards timing, I'm just not sure. After things went nuts in Gaza it seemed a little uncertain as to what might happen here in the West Bank. In this small town it's hard to imagine little else happening save from an escaped goat or a couple of illegal ford taxi drivers crunching in to each other.

But of course a superficial peace belies a rumbling belly of discontent. The events in Gaza triggered a series of Fatah sponsored arrests of Hamas members, including here, a Sheikh and a local teacher. Locally employed people here are dubious as to whether the promised delivery of witheld tax revenues will finally be released by Israel, after months of half or no salaries.

And life continues. People still cannot reach Jerusalem, hospitals, family. Life remains stuck in the same rut which has affected at a psychological level almost every member here. There are still around 75 people from Abu Dis in prison with little access to health treatment, unable to see their families and unsure as to when they will be released.

And to to everyone here's dismay I am returning to England without a Palestinian husband. Ah well.

But the friendships which have been founded here will be long lasting. After all - you can't make a soldier treat someone like a human being, although you may try. And you can't tell Ehud Olmert that his intentions of the slow demise of the Palestinian people will never, ever work as long as Palestinians remain living on this soil. But you can share some time with people here, who need a break from their daily, routine life so much. And you can extend a hand and receive a thousand in return.

And you can return back to your home country and tell their stories. Which is what I intend to do. See you soon. Thanks so much for reading. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX