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Palestinian exile pleads for West Bank return

Thursday, 21 August 2008

EXILED Palestinian militant, Jihad Jaara, who played a leading role in the siege at the Church of the Nativity in April 2002 and currently lives on the Northside, has spoken out against his isolation from his home and family in Palestine.
In an exclusive interview with Northside People, Mr Jaara, now based near Howth, said that while the Irish people and the Government have been very welcoming, he feels like he is being held prisoner here.
"I have a wife and four children in Palestine,” said Mr Jaara.
“My son was born the day I was sent to Ireland and I have never seen him.
“There is no place like home and all I want is to be able to return to a free Palestine where we can control our own cities and see our children enjoy life like anyone else.”
Mr Jaara was sent into exile in Europe along with 12 other men following a 38-day stand off with the Israeli Defence Forces at the Church of the Nativity.
Over 200 Palestinians, including 50 armed fighters, fled to the church when Israeli forces entered Bethleham in April 2002 as part of a crackdown on suicide bombing.
Mr Jaara endured severe pain throughout the entire ordeal, suffering from smashed bones in his leg, and he had no access to proper food, electricity, medical attention or water.
“We were freedom fighters in Palestine,” he declared.
“We had to defend our communities; we did not have tanks or jet fighters.
“We took refuge in the church and negotiated a deal to get ourselves sent into exile rather than be detained by the Israelis; it was difficult and we lost some of our best men in that siege.
According to Mr Jaara, they have been broken up and sent all over Europe.
“We can still contact each other but we are unable to travel,” he stated.
“This makes me feel like Ireland is my prison. The treatment is very nice but at the moment my friend in Italy is unwell and I am unable to visit him.”
The Irish Government agreed to take Mr Jaara, along with Rami Kamel, as part of the deal brokered by the European Union to end the siege.
The pair originally lived in a safe house until Mr Kamel married an Irish woman and Mr Jaara was obliged by Islamic custom to move out. He said he is currently residing near Howth.
One of the conditions of the deal is that they can never return home without Irish and Israeli consent, Mr Jaara explained.
“I am 37 now and have been gone from my home for so many years,” he added.
“I would like to return to Palestine and my family.
“While I am in Ireland I am unable to work but I will never be a refugee; I will return to Palestine some day.”
As part of the deal made with the European Union to end the siege, all of the exiles were promised the right of return.
UN estimates currently place figures for Palestinian refugees and exiles at close to four million and Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas continues to negotiate with Israel for their right to return.
“I know I will return to the West Bank some day; it is only a matter of time,” added Mr Jaara.
“The wall they have built there makes the city look like a prison but it is my home.
“I have a job there, working in the Palestinian Preventive Security Service, defending my country and fighting for our freedom. I want to go back home.”

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