The Road to Bethlehem: A Critical Examination of Palestinian Oppression
As you prepare your breakfast, think of others—do not forget the pigeon’s food. Mahmoud Darwish, Think of Others
Each year, the story of Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem is recounted as a journey emblematic of perseverance in the face of adversity. Their path, fraught with uncertainty and challenges, mirrors the daily struggles faced by Palestinians in the occupied territories. However, if this narrative were transposed to modern times and set within the context of the occupied Palestinian territories, it would reveal the harsh realities of systemic control, pervasive restrictions, and institutionalized subjugation.
Modern Bethlehem, situated in the West Bank under Israeli occupation since 1967, exemplifies the intersection between historical dispossession and contemporary control. For Palestinians, even their simplest journeys are fraught with uncertainty, delays, and indignities imposed through a labyrinth of checkpoints, barriers, and bureaucratic impediments. These structures transform routine movements into resistance and survival.
The Systemic Violence of Checkpoints and Barriers
As you return home, to your home, think of others— do not forget the people of the camps. Mahmoud Darwish, Think of Others
Palestinian life, much like Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem, is shaped by obstacles at every turn. The omnipresence of military checkpoints, with over 100 permanent installations across the West Bank, disrupts the flow of daily life (UN OCHA, 2020). These checkpoints are not merely logistical tools; they are instruments of surveillance and psychological control. Delays, interrogations, and invasive searches at these sites disrupt economic, social, and medical activities, thereby fracturing the rhythm of daily life. One woman recounted, ‘Crossing a checkpoint while heavily pregnant felt like begging for permission to exist’ (Amnesty International, 2019).
Humanitarian consequences often go beyond inconveniences, resulting in preventable crises. Palestinian women in labour or facing medical emergencies frequently encounter delays or an outright denial of passage, leading to preventable deaths and traumatic births in unsanitary conditions. Amnesty International (2019) describes these situations as ‘a direct consequence of a system designed to control and dominate Palestinian lives.’ These instances highlight the systemic devaluation of Palestinian lives, in which the infrastructure of control prioritizes dominance over humanity (B’Tselem, 2021).
The separation barrier, often referred to as the ‘Apartheid Wall,’ is a key feature of what Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch describe as an apartheid system. It acts as a modern counterpart to the difficulties Mary and Joseph might have faced if their paths had been obstructed by impenetrable walls and restricted crossings. Physically imposing and symbolically divisive, it carves through Palestinian communities, severing familial and social ties while annexing the land. It also isolates Palestinians from critical natural resources, such as water, leaving many dependent on limited and irregular supplies. The barrier frequently prevents access to springs and wells, which once sustained Palestinian villages, further deepening resource inequalities and exacerbating hardships.
Fragmentation as a Mechanism of Control
As you pay your water bill, think of others— those who are nursed by clouds. Mahmoud Darwish, Think of Others
Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem also resonates in the context of displacement caused by illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which exacerbated the fragmentation of Palestinian society. These settlements, constructed in violation of international law, encroach on Palestinian land, displace communities, and erode the territorial contiguity necessary for a viable Palestinian state. According to the Fourth Geneva Convention, Article 49, ‘The Occupying Power shall not deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies.’ UN Security Council Resolution 2334 (2016) further reaffirms the illegality of these settlements, stating that they constitute a ‘flagrant violation under international law.’ They serve as physical and symbolic extensions of occupation.
Accompanying these settlements is a network of settler-only roads and militarized zones, which further restricts the Palestinian movement. These exclusive infrastructures deny Palestinians access to critical resources like water and arable land while perpetuating a dual legal system. Human Rights Watch (2022) highlights that such policies ‘institutionalize systemic inequality, depriving Palestinians of their basic rights.’ For example, water allocations heavily favour settlements, leaving Palestinian communities to contend with inadequate supply and frequent shortages (Amnesty International, 2019).
Settlements also foster an atmosphere of violence and intimidation. Many settlers are armed militias who frequently confront Palestinians, leading to an escalation of violence. These armed settlers, often protected by the Israeli military, have been documented as carrying out attacks on Palestinian homes, farms, and individuals. To make way for these settlements, Palestinian homes are often bulldozed and entire villages are erased from the map, leaving families without shelter or a place to call home. As documented by Al Jazeera, many Palestinian farmers expressed the pain of losing their land to the settlements. One farmer lamented, ‘When they take our land for settlements, it feels like they are taking our lives too.’ (Al Jazeera, 2020)
These measures are part of a broader strategy to fragment Palestinian society, erode collective identity, and undermine social cohesion. This system of fragmentation, as outlined by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, meets the definition of apartheid under international law, as it enforces the systemic oppression and domination of one group over another. As noted by Amnesty International (2019), ‘the fragmentation of Palestinian territories serves to entrench Israel’s domination and oppression.’ Delayed journeys, disrupted livelihoods, and unfulfilled potential constitute structural violence designed to dislocate individuals both physically and psychologically. This fragmentation disrupts not only movement but also the fabric of life, entrenching systemic inequities and perpetuating marginalization (Human Rights Watch, 2022).
Reimagining the Nativity: A Landscape of Dispossession
As you sleep and count the stars, think of others— do not forget those who have nowhere to sleep. Mahmoud Darwish, Think of Others
If the Nativity story were set today, its iconic imagery would reflect the realities of life under occupation. Mary and Joseph might find themselves unable to reach Bethlehem, turned away at checkpoints, or displaced by settlement expansion. The stable might be replaced by a crowded refugee camp, shepherds would symbolize displaced farmers, and the wise men might find themselves detained at checkpoints. Even the promise of peace proclaimed by angels would struggle to resonate in a land scarred by systemic inequity and despair.
A Palestinian family, reflecting on the intersection of faith and occupation, remarked, ‘We celebrate hope, but it’s hard to feel it when we’re caged in our own land’ (Al Jazeera, 2020). This statement encapsulates the tension between resilience and repression, highlighting the ongoing struggle to assert humanity within a system that is designed to negate it.
Stories like that of Fatima, a teacher from Hebron, bring this struggle into stark focus. In an interview with B’Tselem, she described how the expansion of nearby settlements forced her family off their land, leaving them dependent on humanitarian aid. ‘They uprooted us from the place where we raised our children. Our memories are buried there,’ she said, underscoring the personal toll of dispossession.
The Call to Justice
As you think of others far away, think of yourself and say: If only I were a candle in the dark. Mahmoud Darwish, Think of Others
Despite these overwhelming challenges, the Palestinian experience, like Mary and Joseph’s perseverance, is defined by extraordinary resilience. Each act of survival, whether it involves crossing a checkpoint, rebuilding a demolished home, or planting an olive tree, becomes an assertion of identity and defiance. These acts, although often mundane in appearance, represent profound resistance against systemic erasure.
Cultural traditions also play an essential role in sustaining resilience. Weddings held in refugee camps, songs passed down through generations, and shared meals during Ramadan or Christmas embody the continuity of people’s spirit. Artistic expressions also serve as a vital medium for resistance. Murals depicting hope transform the separation barrier from a symbol of division to a canvas of solidarity. Palestinians reclaim narrative agency through stories, poems, and songs, ensuring that their voices remain indelibly present and globally resonant.
The resilience of Palestinians demands not only recognition, but also action. Resistance, in this context, is both a personal and collective act rooted in the unyielding belief that justice is not only possible, but also inevitable. Palestinians continue to endure and resist, despite a system designed to fragment their communities and suppress their voices. Their perseverance is a reminder of the profound strength required to maintain their dignity and hope under oppression.
This struggle is not limited to physical acts of resistance; it encompasses the preservation of culture, identity, and a vision for the future. Advocacy, education, and solidarity play vital roles in challenging the structures that perpetuate this oppression. Organizations such as the Defence for Children International – Palestine, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, and B’Tselem provide platforms for advocacy and raise awareness about these issues. Supporting their work is a way to contribute to the pursuit of justice.
Action begins with awareness. For those seeking to contribute to this cause, educating oneself through books such as The Question of Palestine by Edward Said or films such as Five Broken Cameras offers a crucial context. Amplifying Palestinian voices and supporting grassroots initiatives can also lead to meaningful changes. Understanding the depth of these injustices and taking meaningful steps to confront them moves us closer to a future where freedom, dignity, and equity are realities for all.
In their courage and determination, Palestinians embody transformative power of hope. Their struggle compels us to envision a world defined not by division, but by shared humanity and justice. As we reflect on their fight, we are reminded that justice is not simply a goal; it is an ongoing commitment that demands collective effort and unyielding resolve.
References
Amnesty International (2019) Israel’s Apartheid Against Palestinians: Cruel System of Domination and Crime Against Humanity. Available at:
https://www.amnesty.org
(Accessed: 25 December 2024).
B’Tselem (2021) The Occupation’s Impact on Palestinian Women. Available at:
https://www.btselem.org
(Accessed: 25 December 2024).
Darwish, M. (2010) Almond Blossoms and Beyond. Translated by M. Antoon and F. Elhassan. Interlink Books.
Human Rights Watch (2022) A Threshold Crossed: Israeli Authorities and the Crimes of Apartheid and Persecution. Available at:
https://www.hrw.org
(Accessed: 25 December 2024).
Said, E. (1979) The Question of Palestine. New York: Vintage Books.
UN OCHA (2020) West Bank Access and Closure: Impact of the Separation Barrier. Available at:
https://www.unocha.org
(Accessed: 25 December 2024).
Al Jazeera (2020) Christmas in Bethlehem: A Struggle for Hope Amid Occupation. Available at:
https://www.aljazeera.com
(Accessed: 25 December 2024).