Jerusalem, my enternal love
My family is from Jerusalem, a city that has been under occupation since forever by everyone, even the Israelis. I know some Israelis get angry when I refer to “East Jerusalem” (I know because in one of my recent columns in the Jerusalem Post Newspaper where I write now, some readers attacked me for using the phrase). It’s ridiculous, of course, and not all Israelis feel that way. But that extremism, and maybe driven by hatred, is there nonetheless.
Some Israelis insist that they have “united” jerusalem, although I am not sure if Jerusalem is really united at all. Israelis often claim that East Jerusalem, the Old City, was closed off to Jews, but that is not completely true, either. East Jerusalem was closed off to “Israelis” and anyone who carried an Israeli passport by the Jordanians, because Jordan and Israel, like most of the Arab countries from 1948 until 1967, were at war.
Similarly today, East Jerusalem is closed off to Christians and Muslims. It’s not the open city Israel claims it to be. It is closed only because of politics. Christians and Muslims who live in the West Bank and not allowed to enter the city. Even Christian and Muslim residents of East Jerusalem who do not have an ID issued by Israel who then leave the city are not allowed to return. It’s a political battle and its ugly and its filled with hypocricies and political anger from both sides. Israel frequently denies Palestinians from entering the city, too.
That said, to open the city, I’ve been taking my video camera to Jerusalem during my last two visits to document the beauty of the city, not just Arab East Jerusalem which will one day be free, but also Jewish Jerusalem, or West Jerusalem, which was once an Arab city but is today a city populated almost exclusively by Jewish Israelis. (My family is originally from Romema in West Jerusalem, off Jaffa Road. In West Jerusalem, there is a street there that once was a major thoroughfare that has been turne dinto a cul-d-sac called “Hananya Street” which is in honor of my family. It links off of the popular nightlife street called Emak Rafaim, which is beautiful, and means “street of ghosts.”) Many of the homes in West Jerusalem are referred to by Israelis as “that Arab home” not in a derogatory manner but to acknowledge the design of the home. My favorite restaurant, Caffitt, is located on Emak Rafaim Street. It’s a great place to hang out.
By the way, just because I mention these facts, they are not intended as anger against Israel or the Palestinians. Both sides have done some terrible things to each other. But the realities are the realities. One day Jerusalem will be a free city, truly free, when Palestinians and Israelis learn to live together. It will happen, someday. But until then, I have created my own memorial of photographs and video documentaries that you can watch online. If you are allowed to visit the city by the Israelis, you’ll see some wonderful remembrances. if you are denied entry into Jerusalem by the Israelis, well then, you can still enjoy the beauty of Jerusalem.
The web page for IMAGES OF JERUSALEM is www.ArabAmericanTVOnline.com. Click the IMAGES OF JERUSALEM link on the upper right hand corner of the web page, which is my archive of some 75 video documentaries I have produced on Arab World and Arab American life.
IMAGES OF JERUSALEM features several walking tours of the Souq in the Old City, interviews with Souq shop owners, and even an actual haggling between a customer and a shopkeeper. The tour of Jerusalem is a walking tour and I carry the camera around videotaping images. All of the videos are about 30 minutes long. I also have a 3 minute video clip set to music of me riding a camel at the Jaffa Gate.
I’ll be going back there in late November to do another Comedy Tour and the Israeli-Palestinian Comedy Tour “Search for the Funniest Palestinian Comedian” contest. (Right now, we’re going to focus on the Palestinian side but later will expand to the Israeli side.)
I know everyone will enjoy the videos regardles sof your politics. 
– Ray Hanania
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Thanls ME Faith for reposting on your site … what a wonderful gesture, as always on your part.
Ray Hanania
http://www.hanania.com
I’ve visited Jerusalem 3 weeks ago as part of a youth trip to Israel and the Palestinian territories. For pics see: . What struck me most in Jerusalem, next to the beauty of the city, was the political symobols in different neighbourhoods, of course Israeli and Palestinian flags are obvious, but also in the Armenian neighbourhood, there were a lot of posters commemorating the genocide. What I wanted to bring you attention to is a project by the MIT institute which is called ‘Jerusalem 2050′. They have created a competition for visions of a ‘just jerusalem’: http://www.justjerusalem.org/ . Thought this might be interesting for some members of MEY.
Best,
Erik (from the Netherlands)
Hm, think I didn’t get the linking system yet
Salaam. Ray, i have a question. I am a Palestinian visiting here, and i have an american passport. I really want to visit the jewish side of Jerusalem, if thats what people call it now… but my mom fears we will be attacked, lol. Sounds paranoid right? (she wears the Hijab) what do you think about this? do you have any suggestions of were to go to just have a good time and keep out of trouble? Any good restaurants you specifically liked? Another question, do you also have difficulties entering israel now? I only got a 2 month visa stay… and i don’t know if i should try to renew it or not, i fear i will be returned at the airport. What do you think? Thank you, i hope you get back to me.
I got so caught up in asking questions, i didn’t even comment on this beautifully written article. Good job Ray, I look forward to reading more.