The ancient city of Nablus destroyed
saleh on November 24th, 2005I’ve just returned from the Palestinian city of Nablus. A city which has suffered terribly under the intifada from arial bombardments, tanks and on the ground Israeli millitary. Nablus is one of the oldest cities in the world, dating as far back as 9,000 years. It is also one of the largest cities in the West Bank with archaeological and historical importance. The Old City is particularly amazing with buildings belonging to different historical periods from Roman, Byzantine, Crusader, Islamic and the Ottoman time
Whilst there the oppurtunity arose to talk to a Nablus’s city Police captain “Before the Intifada Nablus was a beautiful, bustling & lively city attracting people from all over. The Nablus you see now bears no resemblenceto its former self. It is a destroyed city .”
Even now Israeli millitary enter the old city quarters of Nablus at night, making it unsafe for Palestinian police & residents. “In the last several years Palestinian Police have been unable to wear their uniform here.” Asked why he responded “The Israeli millitary would shoot, Palestinian police officers, on sight .”
Pre-Intifada Nablus had a thriving economy & a lively University, both were targetted by the system of Israeli closures and checkpoints. Goods and people were neither allowed in or out effectivly making the citizens of Nablus prisoners in their city & destroying all sources of income for its people.
As I joined the long queue at the Israeli checkpoint to leave the city I met a softly spoken & articulate Palestinian merchant, our conversation was brief but his words have stayed with me “The Intifada has destroyed us, no one in the world is is forced to live like we do”, the note of hopelessness in his voice & the sadness in his eyes is unforgettable
Even the museum in Nablus housing its ancient & valuable treasures was ransacked by the invading forces, we were shown the state it was left in by one of the administrators of a girls school who has been entrusted with its keys.
The purpose of my visit to Nablus was to find ways in which Zaytoun can support the cities regeneration through trade initiatives, more information on this soon.
