The entrance to the Gaza Strip. Under Israeli military occupation since 1976, Gazans live as virtual prisoners, their every move controlled and monitored by the Israelis. Behind these fortifications are 360 sq miles of sand, overpopulated and economically not viable.
BURNING ROAD
Today Gazans lead the Palestinian movement opposing peace with Israel, in any form.
BARRICADE
Their resistance has become a way of life, their barricades symbolising the vast gulf between them and the Israelis. Two thirds of Gazans are refugees, their original homes in what is today the State of Israel. With nothing to lose many Gazans have lost faith in the secular politics of the PLO, believing their recognition of Israel was one compromise too far.
INTERVIEW
TAHER
ISLAMIC JIHAD SUPPORTER
The secular organisations failed to fulfill Muslim dreams. They used to say we will liberate Palestine from the River (Jordan River) to the sea. Step by step they compromised. They began to accept Israels existence, and say we must deal with Israel. This is the main problem which forced us to leave the secular organisations.
STRIKE
In protest at the PLOs participation in the peace talks strikes were called throughout the Occupied Territories. Such strikes have become an important gauge of the wider Palestinian sentiment.
GRAFFITI
But it is the writing on Gazan walls which highlights the fracture between the PLO and those who oppose peace. Graffiti is the key to Gazas pulse, communication without censorship. Everywhere there are references to the peace talks, none of it supportive. But the PLO denies the significance of its Islamic opposition.
INTERVIEW
DR ZACHARIA AGHA
LEADING PLO SUPPORTER (NOW IN MADRID)
All the Islamic groups dont exceed 30% of the total population. Of course every faction of the Palestinian people has the right to think, has the right to their own point of view. We respect all points of view, and we feel that opposition is very important to the Palestinian decision. This is democracy.
UNIVERSITY
But at Gazas Islamic University the relationship between the two groups is not so comfortable. The university has become the centre of the Islamic movement, denouncing the peace talks, and calling for more war.
LABORATORY
Here the classes are conducted under strict Islamic law. The campus is split into a section for men and a section for women. Traditionally the university was funded by the PLO. Since the university administration became active in Islamic politics the PLO has reacted angrily, and withdrawn their financial support. It is a move which has deeply angered many.
DR ADWAN
Dr Adwan, a political scientist, has had his salary cut by the PLO. He feels the PLO is alienating the people.
INTERVIEW
DR ARTEF ADWAN
POLITICAL SCIENTIST
For about twenty months I have not had any money from the PLO just because I am Islamic. I think such actions, and others similar to this are badly affecting the popularity of the PLO, and may affect the future of the whole Palestinian problem.
DEMONSTRATION
We in the HAMAS movement will never compromise with the Jews, will never back down, will never give up. No to the peace conference to sell the land.
The Islamic movement regularly holds loud demonstrations, this one in Gazas city centre. The PLO has long accused the military of turning a blind eye to the Islamacists, while brutally persecuting any PLO activity.
INTERVIEW
DR ZACHARIA AGHA
The Israelis want to create doubts among the Palestinians. Sometimes they wont attack one group but will instead attack the other. They do it in order that some people will accuse this group of being near to the Israelis.
MILITARY
It is the ancient nature of the battle between Jew and Palestine which makes peace so difficult for the young to accept. They are all too aware that any peace settlement will leave the Palestinians with vastly less than the historically had.
HOUSE EXPLODES
Israeli insensitivity has only helped to fuel the depth of Palestinian hate.
EXPLOSION
The homes of many Palestinians are destroyed for the crimes of one youth.
MAN THROWS STONES
Stones against dynamite. It is the futile and hopeless nature of their battle that is turning the Palestinians to God.
WOMAN & WASHING
One of Ayshas sons is in prison. The other was shot in a battle with the Israelis. Afterwards Israeli soldiers came, and knocked down most of her house. Only through Allah can she make sense of the tragedy that is her life.
INTERVIEW
AYSHA
I found more than 36 bullets in Mohummeds body. His stomach was completely open. Instead of crying and yelling, we said that Mohummed had become a martyr, and is sacrificed for God. We started singing, and even I his mother sang for him. Then I took some of his blood and put it on my head.
SET-UPS
Fias Abu Rahman, a lawyer and her leading PLO supporter, has spent his life defending Palestines desperate children. He understands what drives them to demand more than is on the Middle East peace agenda.
INTERVIEW
FIAZ ABU RAHMAN
LEADING PLO SUPPORTER
If they argue about the rest of the lands they can work to get them, but they must not obstruct any settlement in the present times. If they are eager to have the lost lands they can work and hope for them. But they must not impede an alternative solution.
INTIFADA
A generation of youngsters have spent nearly four years in battle with the Israelis. Hundreds have died. They understand little of compromise, and peace talks. The loss of their ancient land to Israel has deeply wounded their pride. It is something theyre unlikely to allow the world to forget in the near future.
ENDS
BURNING ROAD
Today Gazans lead the Palestinian movement opposing peace with Israel, in any form.
BARRICADE
Their resistance has become a way of life, their barricades symbolising the vast gulf between them and the Israelis. Two thirds of Gazans are refugees, their original homes in what is today the State of Israel. With nothing to lose many Gazans have lost faith in the secular politics of the PLO, believing their recognition of Israel was one compromise too far.
INTERVIEW
TAHER
ISLAMIC JIHAD SUPPORTER
The secular organisations failed to fulfill Muslim dreams. They used to say we will liberate Palestine from the River (Jordan River) to the sea. Step by step they compromised. They began to accept Israels existence, and say we must deal with Israel. This is the main problem which forced us to leave the secular organisations.
STRIKE
In protest at the PLOs participation in the peace talks strikes were called throughout the Occupied Territories. Such strikes have become an important gauge of the wider Palestinian sentiment.
GRAFFITI
But it is the writing on Gazan walls which highlights the fracture between the PLO and those who oppose peace. Graffiti is the key to Gazas pulse, communication without censorship. Everywhere there are references to the peace talks, none of it supportive. But the PLO denies the significance of its Islamic opposition.
INTERVIEW
DR ZACHARIA AGHA
LEADING PLO SUPPORTER (NOW IN MADRID)
All the Islamic groups dont exceed 30% of the total population. Of course every faction of the Palestinian people has the right to think, has the right to their own point of view. We respect all points of view, and we feel that opposition is very important to the Palestinian decision. This is democracy.
UNIVERSITY
But at Gazas Islamic University the relationship between the two groups is not so comfortable. The university has become the centre of the Islamic movement, denouncing the peace talks, and calling for more war.
LABORATORY
Here the classes are conducted under strict Islamic law. The campus is split into a section for men and a section for women. Traditionally the university was funded by the PLO. Since the university administration became active in Islamic politics the PLO has reacted angrily, and withdrawn their financial support. It is a move which has deeply angered many.
DR ADWAN
Dr Adwan, a political scientist, has had his salary cut by the PLO. He feels the PLO is alienating the people.
INTERVIEW
DR ARTEF ADWAN
POLITICAL SCIENTIST
For about twenty months I have not had any money from the PLO just because I am Islamic. I think such actions, and others similar to this are badly affecting the popularity of the PLO, and may affect the future of the whole Palestinian problem.
DEMONSTRATION
We in the HAMAS movement will never compromise with the Jews, will never back down, will never give up. No to the peace conference to sell the land.
The Islamic movement regularly holds loud demonstrations, this one in Gazas city centre. The PLO has long accused the military of turning a blind eye to the Islamacists, while brutally persecuting any PLO activity.
INTERVIEW
DR ZACHARIA AGHA
The Israelis want to create doubts among the Palestinians. Sometimes they wont attack one group but will instead attack the other. They do it in order that some people will accuse this group of being near to the Israelis.
MILITARY
It is the ancient nature of the battle between Jew and Palestine which makes peace so difficult for the young to accept. They are all too aware that any peace settlement will leave the Palestinians with vastly less than the historically had.
HOUSE EXPLODES
Israeli insensitivity has only helped to fuel the depth of Palestinian hate.
EXPLOSION
The homes of many Palestinians are destroyed for the crimes of one youth.
MAN THROWS STONES
Stones against dynamite. It is the futile and hopeless nature of their battle that is turning the Palestinians to God.
WOMAN & WASHING
One of Ayshas sons is in prison. The other was shot in a battle with the Israelis. Afterwards Israeli soldiers came, and knocked down most of her house. Only through Allah can she make sense of the tragedy that is her life.
INTERVIEW
AYSHA
I found more than 36 bullets in Mohummeds body. His stomach was completely open. Instead of crying and yelling, we said that Mohummed had become a martyr, and is sacrificed for God. We started singing, and even I his mother sang for him. Then I took some of his blood and put it on my head.
SET-UPS
Fias Abu Rahman, a lawyer and her leading PLO supporter, has spent his life defending Palestines desperate children. He understands what drives them to demand more than is on the Middle East peace agenda.
INTERVIEW
FIAZ ABU RAHMAN
LEADING PLO SUPPORTER
If they argue about the rest of the lands they can work to get them, but they must not obstruct any settlement in the present times. If they are eager to have the lost lands they can work and hope for them. But they must not impede an alternative solution.
INTIFADA
A generation of youngsters have spent nearly four years in battle with the Israelis. Hundreds have died. They understand little of compromise, and peace talks. The loss of their ancient land to Israel has deeply wounded their pride. It is something theyre unlikely to allow the world to forget in the near future.
ENDS