Palestinian daily life and the consciousness of struggle: part 2 of Boyan’s Israel/West Bank trip

“On the Barricades” s06e38

In this weekend’s release of “On the Barricades,” regular hosts Boyan Stanislavski and Maria Cernat speak with Youri Smouter of 1+1. The discussion is launched after Boyan’s return from a trip to Israel and Palestine, where he was with a group of journalists invited by an EU organization in the West Bank called EUPOL COPPS.

In this second release, we hear more of Boyan’s account of his trip, including the economic and daily reality of the Palestinians who have to pass through checkpoints at the massively intimidating wall separating East Jerusalem and the territory of the West Bank. Boyan shares some insights rarely discussed about the status and governance of the Palestinian territory– that most of it is heavily under the control of the state of Israel, a constant threat of violence– as well as giving a picture of the demographics and what is implied in terms of perspectives for resolving the conflict. Interestingly, Poland has a kind of legacy, based on non-interference, of being one of the handful of countries internationally who recognize the Palestinian state and authority. Boyan also shares his observations of a profoundly resolute social consciousness of resistance and solidarity, as well as optimism and belief in progress and a common goal, which holds up the struggle for Palestinian survival and liberation.