Traveling by train from Dublin to Galway took us through the Irish countryside with hundreds of cows, sheep, stone walls enclosing beautiful plots of green pasture;
houses nestled together forming small villages; rolling hills; beautiful sites! The only downside to this travel was changing trains..lugging suitcases up and down stairs; the scenery more than made up for the struggle with luggage.My husband's known our hosts, Ted and Vi, since grad school days; attending their wedding; their daughter became the first baby he ever held; Ken and Ted earned doctorates in mathematics; became professors. They share a long history
When we "booked" our stay with them, I wondered out loud about the possibility of giving my Gaza report back in Galway. Vi's ingenuity and follow up put me in touch with Geraldine, an activist for Palestinian rights. Geraldine took charged and arranged for me to speak on August 20.
We arrived at Galway's train station and Ted was there to greets us; we loaded up his car with luggage and were on our way. Leaving the station I noticed a yellow poster on a lamp post...all I could read was "Gaza". This struck me as a good sign people in Galway had concern for Gaza. I didn't know what the poster said and hoped I'd see another one. When Ted's car stopped at a red light, I saw another yellow poster and began to read....United Nations, UNRWA delegate, Susan Johnson. The posters advertised my report back....200 posters...put up all over Galway! I was shocked! The reference to the United Nations seemed a bit much, a stretch; what we had was an UNRAWA letter of invitation. The posters were exciting.
Wednesday, Geraldine met us for lunch to reviewed plans for the report back. She told me Derek and Jenny Graham of the Free Gaza Movement would also be there Thursday night. This was exciting news. I hoped there would be time to talk with them. Geraldine kindly took us on a walking tour of Galway. We ended it at an Irish pub; enjoying a beer
.Speaking in a country I wasn't familiar with caused apprehensions. I knew the photos in my presentation were excellent and reminded myself, my Gaza story; what I saw, heard and experienced, had always met with a favorable response.
The room we used was very long and thin; not an easy room for a presentation. The borrowed projector was difficult to set up and focus; it took longer than I'd expected. When we were ready to begin the room was almost full, possibly fifty people. People continued to arrive and it became a standing room only crowd.
I began with a more detailed introduction than usual; including additional background information and a bit more about myself. I wanted to make sure the audience was as comfortable as possible with this American woman about to tell them the details of her trip to Gaza
I explained what we had to for entrance into Gaza. Egypt required we visit the US Embassy in Cairo to sign away our counselor rights. Adding insult to injury, the US charged each of us $30 for the privilege of signing: saying we knew our government wouldn't help us if we need them. The Irish audience couldn't believe it! Ireland doesn't treat her citizens that way! In fact many people said the Irish government was very helpful and supportive when they traveled to Gaza. I'm certain Israel's desire to keep internationals, especially Americans, out of Gaza led to the requirement. Egypt and the US generally respond positively to Israel's pressure.
Photos showing what remains of the American International School prompted a question as to why Israel would bomb a friendly site and a school, at that. Basicly, the IDF bombs what they want to bomb...even their friends.As for schools, many in Gaza were bombed, as well as hospitals and other public service buildings.
The sight of sprinklers
watering the school's grounds, brought laughter. Who else would have sprinklers going on the lawn of a destroyed building? And during the drought season!
At the end of the program, I was rather abruptly questioned about how I was chosen to be a UN delegate (she must have seen the poster and also missed my introduction). Again I explained I wasn't chosen, I voluntarily joined the delegation. We traveled to Gaza at the invitation of UNRAWA. What followed was a rather angry statement that the Irish were actively supporting Gaza and well informed about Israel/Palestine; I should really go back to the US and speak to Americans because they have limited knowledge of Palestine. I answered that I was in Ireland on vacation and grateful to have the opportunity to speak and had spoken often in the US. She then told about her extensive experience on behalf of Palestinians; trips to the West Bank and Gaza and the many ways she was involved. I was extremely impressed by her dedication and active participation in support of Palestinians. I wanted to talk to with her; find out more about her and what she was doing. Unfortunately, she left before I had the chance.
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