Later on, we hear from a Palestinian human rights organization that the students concern can be dealt with by a power of attorney measure which would make it possible for the Palestinians to reclaim, under special circumstances, the land that is sold. At the institute we brainstorm that such a piece of land could be used for designing a students garden with plants from the Bible and the Koran. That would be an attractive extracurricular activity. Moreover, it would make foreign involvement visible and direct. Jan Jaap says that it is now difficult to find ways of having real influence on the situation on the ground apart from the writing of protest letters and declarations.
People abroad tend to feel powerless and are even bored when they keep hearing stories of suffering.
That does not always mean that they are prejudiced against the Palestinian cause. He makes the case that it is indeed progress that now, after 52 years, the international community discusses the right of return without any inhibition. The youth are uncertain what to say. They have of course heard about the discussions abroad, but the situation on the ground only deteriorates. At bottom, we agree that it is easier for foreigners to relate to Palestinian youth when the youth are able to show ways how to get out of the situation rather than when they only tell about their suffering.