An Historic Day in Nablus, Palestine – Israeli Offensive Forces Remain Hidden*
By Genevieve Cora Fraser
NABLUS – Three days before the general election in Palestine - the first since January 1996 when Yassir Arafat was
elected president of the Palestinian National Authority - Abbu Mazen a.k.a. Abbas was to visit Nablus . He had waited
until the end of the campaign possibly because his nearest rival, Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi is well loved in this, his
mother’s native city. But on this day, January 6, 2005 , the Israeli soldiers stationed at the Howarra checkpoint were
unusually polite as people passed through without incident or excessive waiting as international television cameras
recorded the historic moment.
Nablus is both a valley and mountain community, with a 3,000-year Old City and modern market places and shops located in
the valley, and terraced homes and apartment buildings constructed along the twin North and South Mountains . Some
believe that the North Mountain is where Moses spoke to God and a delegation of Christians has set up residency on the
top of the mountain which is where they believe Christ will appear during the 2nd Coming. This is the home of the Good
Samaritan of the Bible, a city noted for its hospitality that nearly three years ago endured a 40-day siege by the
Israeli Offensive Forces during the Re-Occupation.
There are two major checkpoints guarding this home of nearly a quarter of a million residents, Howarra on the east and
Beit eba on the west. The western most region of the city is where the wealthiest members of the community have chosen
to build, the older sections and decades old refugee camps is where Israel typically chooses to stage their most brutal
assaults. With the exception of this historic day, Israeli Offensive Forces, as the residents call them, prowl the
streets looking for militants or the opportunity to raise hell just for the fun of it. Their tools are tanks, assault
helicopters, fighter jets and snipers stationed anywhere - in shops and homes, within terraced gardens and balconies –
everywhere, including at outpost vantage points atop the ancient mountains that historically served to guard the life
within the city.
Traveling along the streets uniformed Nablus police are stationed in clusters every few hundred feet, posters of Abbas
two and three stories high greet the view. Palestinian Authority soldiers also dot the landscape. It is a very special
day. Typically, city or national police daring to be seen in uniform are shot to death by the IOF. But despite their
absence from view, the Israeli presence is still felt. Surveillance is omnipresent in this city and so too is the
occasional collaborator, blackmailed into betraying the sacred trust of the people. Driving about, bullet pocked marked
shops and residences are easily spotted, along with ruins of recent attacks. The damage inflicted by F16 fighter jet
rocket attacks on Arafat’s residence in Nablus as well as the Nablus government authority building are a reminder to
residents of Israel’s overwhelming force that governs their lives. Today Rafedia Street is one of the few remaining
locations where Nablus citizens dare to relax and enjoy a stroll while shopping and visiting cafes and restaurants. But
the nights belong to Israel where sniper fire and the rumble and shelling from tanks and whirl of helicopter blades
could wake the dead and provide little rest or hope for the living.
But on this day attention is focused on Abbas who arrives at Al-Najah National University escorted by official cars,
ambulances sounding sirens and jeeps as his mud-caked but otherwise spotless black Mercedes enters the school courtyard.
Palestinian flags are everywhere strung from building to building along with giant posters that proclaim, “ABBAS – Let’s
make Election Day a National Festival Day. Uphold Palestinian Rights. Vote for Abbu Mazen!”
Abbas begins his talk flanked by Munib Masri, the richest man in Nablus who lives in a magnificent mansion on top of the
Altor (South) Mountain, the mayor of Nablus , Gasan Shakaa as well as the local Islamic Imam, the highest ranking
Christian churchman, and a member of the Jewish Samaritan community. Following the speech he will meet with businessmen
for lunch and then visit the Old City and the down-trodden refugee camps of the city.
“Brothers, Sisters,” he begins, “ Nablus is in my heart.” Abbas shouts this four times as the emotion of the audience
swells. “All have rights – Muslim Christian. We know how much you suffer. We know that the occupation tries to break
you, but we will break it like a rock. Palestine will be free. Jerusalem will be our capital. We don’t want settlements.
We don’t want walls. As for the refugees – they will come back. They will return. There will be NO resolution if any
man, woman or child remains within Israeli prisons. They say the militants are terrorists, but we will find them jobs
and help them to live normal lives in a normal society and no longer will they be forced to escape the wrath of the
Israeli Occupation Forces. All of you are the future of Palestine . With the Will of God we will raise the flag of
freedom all over Palestine .”
As the crowd filtered out of the courtyard following the speech, well groomed and exquisitely attired businessmen
mingled with men and women in jeans and leather jackets. Others wore colorful sweat shirts and many were dressed in
traditional Islamic garments. Some wore leather strings around their necks with photos of martyred friends and
relatives.
Basam Masri operates building material shops and is a prominent member of the Nablus community and as well as Fateh.
“Abbu Mazen is the choice of the Fateh organization,” he commented. “He will keep the Palestinian movement progressing
toward our ultimate goals. Everyone thinks he is the best person for the future of Palestine and the most acceptable
candidate for the world community. Abbas believes in a fair peace. He will stop the spilling of blood, but without
loosing our rights and our homeland.”
Fou`ad Sabbah imports spare parts for automobiles and other vehicles. According to Sabbah, “The economic situation in
Nablus is damaged. People have suffered for a long time. We believe we need change and Abbas is the perfect person to
improve the situation,” he said. “We need European and world pressure on Israel to change its policy and to return to
negotiations with Palestinians and to have Palestinians fight political battles not fight by spilling blood,” he
continued. “Palestinian children have the right to live as other children live throughout the world, in peace.”
Huda Laham, a 25 year old pharmacist said, “I missed Abbas’ speech but I will vote for him because I want a change. Her
friend Rawand Jamous commented that she will vote for Mustafa Barghouthi. “As an individual he could be described as the
direct opposite Abbas. He is fair minded and he is the principle of the Union of Medical Relief.” She stated that
Barghouthi has been central to providing direct assistant to the people of Nablus .
Maher Masri, the Economic Minister for the Palestinian Authority explained that he is neutral in terms of the
presidential election; however whoever is elected must fill the shoes left by Arafat while creating change that will
bring about final status negotiations. “A new course must be established for Palestine ,” he said. “The current economy
has been devastated by closures. The economy of the people is dependent on the ability of businesses and individuals to
move about freely. The wall and Israeli incursions are devastating our lives. Unless the restrictions are lifted by
Israel and the occupation ended, it will be very difficult for the Palestinian economy to recover.”
* I wish to thank Nablus residents Diana Salah and Rula Khaiat for their kind assistance in the preparation of the
article.