Ellisiv, Norway

Before my departure, I felt that I knew a lot about the Palestinian-Israeli situation, but I understand now that I needed to see it with my own two eyes in order to be able to understand more of the condition. I still feel ignorant and wish my knowledge was better, but I believe that I can grasp more of it now.

My experience has overall been a good one. In some situations I reacted with disgust, others with tears, but mainly I think that I reacted with disbelief. To walk around in a refugee camp and watch wee girls shout “Hello, what is your name”? And knowing that they are bound to live in that camp for the rest of their lives is hard to take in. But to be able to witness their dignity, hospitality, warmth and happiness, is simply astonishing. I have never met a more open and kind people, a people that still has its dignity and kindness intact in spite of daily humiliations at the numerous checkpoints.