He could not find work in his profession because he has not been permitted to travel to Jerusalem, only ten miles away, for more than six years. The most visible indignity that the Palestinians have suffered is the sight of the new Israili settlements around Jerusalem. But we noticed that many of these houses looked empty and were completely shuttered. We were told that many were unoccupied, but belonged to Americans who rarely if ever came to visit their Jerusalem condos. Meanwhile, Palestinians within sight of these developments lived in the most crowded and squalid conditions.
Governments often promote tourism to promote understanding.
In the case of our pilgrimage it did just that. It increased our understanding of the Palestinian cause.