The emotional memory of the Nakba lives on in Aida's children

During his recent visit to the Holy Land, on May 13th Pope Benedict XVI visited Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem. The camp was established in 1950 following the 'Nakba' (catastrophe/disaster) of 1948 when 750,000 Palestinians fled or were expelled from areas that became part of the state of Israel. Two days after the Pope's visit to the camp Palestinian refugees across not just the West Bank but also the whole region commemorated the 61st anniversary of the Nakba, the consequences of which have persisted into three generations or more. Palestinians' right to return to their homes has fallen further down the scale of international political importance as the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians has deteriorated and become more complex over the decades. However the visit of the Pope was a deeply significant recognition of the refugees' largely forgotten plight. While the rawness of the Nakba may not be fresh in the minds of many of those who were not directly affected by it, it was clear during the Pope's visit that the Nakba is still a very live issue for the residents of Aida, including its children.

Expectation and excitement was building steadily in the hours before the Pope's arrival at the UN school in Aida. The sun was beating down and the seats in front of the stage were filling quickly. His arrival at 4:45 pm was accompanied by applause, handshakes, raised cameras and the nervous glances of men in dark suits. From the windows of the camp building overlooking the schoolyard children looked on with interest.

The standard round of speeches came from the politicians. The audience listened carefully to the words of Salaam Fayad and Mahmoud Abbas. Carefully chosen words that didn't offend too much and satisfied most, delivered in a solemn yet sincere way. Some planned words were omitted.

The mood of the whole event was lifted by the Dabke performance by the children of the camp. Their joy, hope and innocence was clear to be seen in their faces as they returned from the podium after shaking hands with this old man dressed in a strange white suit – faces of joy and pride that they had done a good job and some tinged with shyness amidst the clapping and approving faces of so many.

Later two young girls from the camp took the stage, Hala Mohamed Al-Kadi (10) and Yasmeen Emad Al-Azeraq (13). Their colorful dress and bright faces promised an uplifting addition to the Dabke performance. However the mood of the reception was jilted by the recitation of the Mahmound Darwish poem "Think of Others" by the two young girls. It was particularly striking that a 10 year old girl could convey the despair, longing and frustration of the Nakba so clearly and with such force in her voice, actions and eyes which soon welled with tears. The following is a translation of the poem the girls recited with such passion:

THINK OF OTHERS by Mahmoud Darwish
(Translated from Arabic by Ibtisam Barakat)

As you prepare your breakfast think of others.

Don't forget to feed the pigeons.

As you conduct your wars think of others.

Don’t forget those who want peace.

As you pay your water bill think of others.

Think of those who only have clouds to drink from.

As you go home, your own home, think of others.

Don’t forget those who live in tents.

As you sleep and count the planets think of others.

There are people who have no place to sleep.

As you liberate yourself with metaphors think of others.

Those who have lost their right to speak.

And as you think of distant others

Think of yourself and say

“I wish I were a candle in the darkness.”

The Pope's words that followed were important and positive. He supported the establishment of a Palestinian state and recognised the tragedy of the wall. However the most important and significant aspect was, like Ecumenical Accompaniers, his actual presence with the people who have been largely forgotten by the world.