I stayed in Amman for the first time in my life the week before the Allenby border shooting. It was strange to be in an Arab country not under occupation, but I also saw Palestine everywhere.
Palestinians in Nablus held a funeral procession for a Turkish-American activist killed by Israeli forces in Beita. Meanwhile, Israel continued to close its borders with Jordan for the second day in a row following a shooting at Allenby bridge.
Palestinians in Gaza are debating the prospect of using Israel’s Ramon Airport after plans for its use by West Bank Palestinians were scrapped last year. But this won’t ease travel restrictions for most.
Jordan has pledged to improve conditions at “the Bridge” following accusations it profits from Israeli restrictions on Palestinians, but analysts say such half-measures won’t matter while occupation remains.
“The night is filled with the anxiety that any interaction with Israeli security triggers. We leave all of our suspicious material on Palestine, human rights, and any evidence of an interest in justice in an extra bag in Amman to retrieve on our return, and arrive at Allenby Bridge at 7:30 am.” — Alice Rothchild on entering Palestine from Jordan.