Iraq Boreen

Last weekend in Nablus, we also visited a very small village called Iraq Boreen. It is a unique and beautiful village, situated on top of a huge rock overlooking Tel and the valley. From the village, the views are amazing of all of Palestine/Israel and the sea. Unfortunately, Iraq Boreen also suffers from its close proximity to an Israeli-Jewish settlement.

On Fridays, settlers from nearby walk on the hills which overlook Iraq Boreen, shouting slogans and attempting to provoke the villagers into a fight. One Friday in March, a Palestinian boy named Mohamed started throwing stones at the settlers after being insulted and provoked, and Israeli soldiers (who guard the village to 'protect' the settlers) shot him. His cousin Osaid, seeing him shot in the street, ran to try to drag him to safety. The soldiers shot him, too.

These two boys, young teenagers, are now considered martyrs to the Palestinian cause. Because one of them was a brother to a student at PEFE, Darin wanted to visit them. Around Iraq Boreen and Tel, there are numerous pictures of martyrs pasted on streets and hanging on signs. At Osaid's family house in Iraq Boreen, his picture was hanging outside and in the living room. His younger sister also had a picture of him hanging around her neck from a small string.


Osaid and Mohamed pictured as martyrs in Iraq Boreen

We sat with Osaid's family, and they offered us coffee and tea. Having recently been to 3omra in Saudi Arabia, which is a mini-pilgrimage, they also offered us holy water brought from Mecca to drink, called zamzam. Their generosity is overwhelming, particularly only 3 months from their son's death. We sat with them, Osaid's portrait hanging from the wall above us, watching over his family.


Poster from the Intifada, with Yasser Arafat
Inscription at top reads: "The Resistance and Martyrs of Tel"


Graffiti, Tel village

Imagine losing your son/brother in a senseless act like this, in the village where all your family lives and has built their lives. Imagine having neighbors such as the settlers, who believe themselves superior to you, and who are slowly trying to force you off the land; who provoke and harass you day after day. Try to imagine the deep frustration and sadness this would bring, and the despair. Imagine having the lives of your children cheapened, and knowing that your life is worth less than your Jewish neighbors. Again, this is the reality of the occupation.