An almost cosmic atmosphere enveloped Jerusalem that day. Crowds of residents roamed the streets, trying to hold on to the magic for fear that it would evaporate in the air. In all my life in Jerusalem, I have never encountered a similar atmosphere. I, too, a journalist for Davar newspaper at the time, walked the streets of the city to touch history.
The American Colony Hotel exuded an international flair more than ever. Crowds flooded into this exotic place looking to vent their tension and excitement. Is it real? Do the pictures from Washington herald a new era? The television set in the hotel lobby broadcast pictures of the historic meeting between Israeli and Palestinian representatives. Israeli military personnel mingled with the hundreds of guests from around the world who filled the lawn, which didn't look as green as it did in those moments before the signing.
The American Colony Hotel in Jerusalem,
In the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, Palestinian flags were entertained by the spirit of early autumn. The legendary editor Hannah Zemer suggested that I gather feelings from the field. of Jews and Arabs. That day it was super easy. Everyone spoke, either enthusiastically or in a hostile tone. They wanted to speak so that their words would appear in the annals.
I wanted to believe that this was a real spectacle taking place in front of us from the stage of history. Kenan inside me feared that we might be witnessing only an intermezzo, after which the madness would return to normal. Deep down, I prayed that wisdom among both peoples would prevail.
Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, photo: Gideon Markowitz
Everyone acted like the other day
In the days following the signing of the Oslo Accords, I visited several settlements to take a closer look at how Israeli-Palestinian reconciliation was received by its sworn enemies. I stopped in Hebron and entered the Cave of the Patriarchs, before Baruch Goldstein visited it. I was very surprised by the laxity of security all around.
Everyone mingled with everyone else and behaved like yesterday: uniformed people, settlers and Muslim worshippers. The reality is back to where it was before the agreement was signed. As if the historic reconciliation had never taken place. Or maybe they were early signs of normalcy.
Signing of the Oslo Accords, photo: Gideon Markowitz
The new reality was very prominent in the Jewish neighborhood of Hebron. Venom-dripping signs against the agreement have already been hung on every balcony. The heads of the Jewish Yishuv described the agreement as a betrayal of the Jewish people. The Jewish tourists from America did not stop nodding in agreement. It is clear that they agreed with Baruch Marzel, one of Meir Kahane's loyalists, who lived in one of the houses in the neighborhood. "Don't be in a hurry to rejoice, Daniel," he blurted out, "I promise you that no trace of this abominable and treacherous agreement will remain."
25 Years of the Oslo Accords
I often reflect on what remains of the Oslo dream. Could he have brought about the long-awaited reconciliation, or perhaps the leaders who signed it were naïve? Or is it an unsolvable conflict between two clans, Israeli and Palestinian, determined to fight to the last drop of their blood? What a pity.
Wrong? We'll fix it! If you find a mistake in the article, please share with us