Response to Amiry and Hasan-Rokem

I really enjoyed reading Amiry's "Sharon and my Mother-in-law." In addition to the easy to read and fast paced style, I thought the concept was interesting. While anecdotal and somewhat journalistic (as in personal journal), it gave a unique perspective on Jerusalem through the eyes of a Palestinian. It was real and a fascinating look at the everyday life of normal people. I appreciate this perspective after the long and tedious historical one, and for me it brought to life some of the realities that Palestinians face- especially in the part about the Jerusalem ID and Passport (for Nura). It was also encouraging to read about Palestinians being able to make jokes and not take everything too seriously- it's just good to know that life isn't always terrible.

I also liked Hasan-Rokem's piece as well. Her acceptance of other views is admirable. She says, "Nothing in me wishes my kind of relationship to the city to be the only emotional option. There is room here for many loves. There is no room here for coveting, dispossessing and hatred" (54-55). I think that if everyone, or even most people, could take a similar view, the situation in Jerusalem and Israel would be very different. I also think that her focus on practical issues is good as well: "Maybe most important is recognition that the population of Jerusalem has real, concrete needs to be taken care of: schools, parking lots, respectful neighbors, freedom to live with all one's family members, the right to express one's cultural, religious, ethnic or national identity" (55). It is easy to forget that Jerusalem is a city where people live their every day lives, and to focus on the aspects that pertain to that makes a lot of sense.