West Bank Resident's Existence Hangs in Balance: "They Consume, They Feast, They Sob, They Consume, They Feast, Then they Mourn"
Rewritten Article:
In a pristine abode that carries a sense of transient dwelling, Reem Redwan meticulously flips rounds of deliciously fragrant qatayef on her stovetop. The gentle hum of a TV from the adjoining room echoes, revealing an episode of a popular Arab series playing, around 6 pm on March 29th.
Banal, modest furnishings, and walls stripped of adornment reflect the temporary nature of her current residence—a cozy abode in the heart of Ramallah, part of occupied Cisjordania. She and her 16-year-old daughter Sewar have called this place home for three weeks, a far cry from their cold, two-room dwelling on the outskirts of the city, which had been their home for a year and a half. Beyond Gaza, where Reem spent most of her life, she shares the harsh reality with her close friends and kin who've been confined in Gaza: the relentless exodus and displacement.
"I am devoid of a home address. My past is lost, my future taken, I traverse the present like a vagabond. In such conditions, one tries to find solace in the remnants, yet I am bereft. To reminisce about the past only provokes pain," she laments, adding a touch of sweetened lemon water to her qatayef.
A witty banter permeates
The wisp of humor that manages to sneak through the layers of her sorrow echoes in her words.
Displacement and hardships in the West Bank
The West Bank has witnessed a torrent of displacement due to numerous factors, including military operations, settlement expansion, and home demolitions, which invariably lead to grueling living conditions for the displaced families. These families often grapple with accessing essential services like education, healthcare, and suitable housing. Despite its relative stability compared to Gaza, Ramallah still grapples with such issues.
In the West Bank, displaced families face numerous challenges daily. Their lives are marked by limited economic prospects, restrictions on movement, and the lingering psychological impact of living in a conflict zone. Despite their predicament, people like Reem refuse to lose hope and continue to strive for better days.
- Although Reem is currently residing in a temporary home in Ramallah, she reminisces about her past life in Gaza, where she experienced relentless exodus and displacement.
- Reem, while preparing qatayef in her kitchen on the 29th, shares a sense of humor as she laments about her current living conditions, reminding herself that laughter is a witty banter that permeates even the most challenging situations.
- Beyond Reem's personal experiences, the West Bank as a whole has been witnessing a torrent of displacement due to military operations, settlement expansion, and home demolitions, leading families like Reem's to struggle with limited economic prospects, restricted movement, and access to essential services.
- In addition to her home-and-garden pursuits, Reem demonstrates her knack for the food-and-drink industry by sharing homemade recipes for qatayef, bringing a taste of comfort and familiarity into her transient lifestyle.
- Despite the hardships she encounters, Reem continues to maintain a touch of elegance and decadence in her cooking and lifestyle, an effort to create a haven for herself and her daughter amidst the chaos and uncertainty of their displacement.
