Sisters are doing it for themselves

Back in Nablus now and at the Fire Station as the internet is still not working in the flat! Today has been spent picking olives in the village of Kafr Qilil just south of Nablus and close to the settlement of Barrack ( Not sure of spelling). It was quite but we were obscured from the view of the settlers by a bloody great hill so it was quiet except for a brief argument with the IOF which I think we won!

Just wanted to post a bit about the women in Palestine, I had and continune to have concerns about the role of women here and how they dont have the same rights and priveledges as men, a bit like to UK but a tad more extreme. However there are some extraordinary women here who not only bucking the trend but also making headways into the male dominated sectors and also in politics and NGO. But some of the most insprational are the young women working with ISM, taking on the main coordinators roles and doing the most fanstastic job. The main coordinator is B an Aussie woman of around 24 or 25 with no real political background but by god she a real terrier and negotiator when the need arises.

There is also L who runs a womens cooperative in Hebron and seels in the local market, smart, intelligent, passionate about womens rights and good comapny for a glass of tea and a natter whilst walking through the old souk!

The firefighters here are taking me out tomorrow night for a coffee and sheesha which should be good.

Hopefully the internet will be sorted tomorrwo and I can post in more detail. One week to go and I cant believe how quick this has gone.

Special love to Elz, Trace and Cheeseface for the support they have given over the last 3 weeks!

tata