The German President Joachim Glauck visits the West Bank

Education and gender equality -in focus for the German President on the West Bank

Photo credit: Katarina Reigo/EAPPI

Girls’ scouts waving Palestinian and German flags stand in two neat lines at the entrance, and everything is very punctual. It is what I consider typically German, in its well organized structure and German rather than English is the language of the day. It is a formal event, with high security. One of my colleagues is asked to show that his camera is just in fact a camera, by using the zoom. I have to explain what my binoculars are for. Our German colleague is very proud of how well organized it all is, and looking forward to hearing her newly elected President remark on his visit.

Then the press takes over like a bunch of bees, making it impossible to view the entrance of the two key players. The German national anthem is played, followed by the Palestinian. Out of the two it is the Palestinian I actually know how to sing. The speeches commence, with an abundance of compliments, expressions of welcome and gratitude and titles, everything to be repeated in German. Meanwhile the young girls are left standing in the gazing sun, as the audience sit in the shade with their back to the Palestinian people.

“Building this school is a sign from all the world that they support Palestine as a free country” said the Palestinian Minister for Education. She went on to mention the settler violence, the recent burning of Palestinian wheat fields, and the lack of freedom of movement symbolized by the checkpoints. “We hope to be able to build schools like this in Gaza and Area C, and that you will help us to put pressure on Israel.”

Photo credit: Emmet Sheerin/EAPPI

Yet from the German President Mr Joachim Gauck, there was little mentioning of the Palestinian situation. He praised the beauty of the village of Burin, how pleasant it is to open a school and observed that it was great weather for the occasion. Then President Gauck concentrated on the importance of education and gender equality. “Strong, educated, intelligent girls, will become strong, educated, intelligent women. Women who will build up tomorrow’s society and foster democracy and equality.”

According to the second in command in Burin’s village council, the German President had been advised three times not to visit the terrorist village of Burin. From that point of view, it was a diplomatic sign of support that he went through with the visit. However the visit in itself only lasted less than an hour. The girls’ sang some songs, and played some basketball, before a ceremonial buffet of Palestinian food. The Mayor of Urif, a neighbouring village on the other side of the settlement Yizhar, is standing hoping for an opportunity to talk to the German President. He has said he would like to tell about the problems last Saturday when 180 dunams of land was burnt by settlers, under the protection of the Israeli soldiers. Yet that opportunity does not present itself.

Photo credit: Katarina Reigo/EAPPI

My colleague, Evi Handke, who is German, reflected on the visit:

“It was a nice speech, focusing on the importance of education and gender equality. It wasn’t political his speech, and I expected a political speech when he is coming Palestine. Because it is a horrible situation, it needs a political solution, and that requires political attention. The speech could over all have been written for anywhere else in the developing world, where you want to promote education and gender equality. Only some small points focused on Palestine, such as Palestine having the highest literacy rate in the Middle East. “

“He mentioned before he travelled to Israel, how important the relationship between Israel and Germany is. I did not expect him to make the same comment about Germany’s relationship to Palestine, but as a friend of Israel I assumed he would say more about the difficulties of the people. Because I think that a friend has to say the truth, especially as a friend you have to criticize, because your opinion and input will be valued much higher.”

As the German President Gauck, and Prime Minister Fayyad leave in a motorcade back to Ramallah, we remain with the Palestinians. In the background, on the opposite hill, so does the settlement of Yizhar. 

Photo credit: Katarina Reigo/ EAPPI