[L-I] Palestinians briefly emerge from curfew in Ramallah

Reuters. 12 June 2002. Palestinians briefly emerge from curfew in
Ramallah.

RAMALLAH -- Widad Karmi had to dodge between Israeli tanks and armoured vehicles
as she emerged from her house to buy food on Wednesday during a three-hour break
in a curfew imposed on the West Bank city of Ramallah.

"To Ramallah residents: The curfew is lifted from 8:00 to 11:00,"
military loud hailers declared in the morning as Israeli army vehicles
took up position in the city centre.

Watched by troops with rifles at the ready, 45-year-old Karmi and
thousands of other residents rushed to grocery stores and tobacconists
to stock up on food, water and cigarettes after two days under curfew.

"I ran out of bread. I don't have milk. I don't have enough food to feed
six mouths," said Karmi, referring to her six children aged between five
and 17.

"Every time they enter Ramallah I put this question to myself: How long
will we have to live like this? How long do they want to occupy us?"
Karmi said as she reached for vegetables.

Most businesses remained shut during the three-hour hiatus. Shops that
opened quickly drew throngs of locals who lined up for their turn. Some
glanced repeatedly at their watches, aware their window of opportunity
would soon close.

"Prepare small change to save time," a bakery owner, wiping his sweaty
face, told his customers. "Let's give everybody a chance to get some
loaves before the curfew is reimposed."

Then came the anticipated announcement, from soldiers in a roving jeep.

"Ramallah residents, we are imposing the curfew, effective now, until
further notice," one soldier called out, eliciting a new bustle as the
shoppers rushed to finish and leave.

"Stop asking me questions. I have to buy tomatoes and go home before
they shoot me," Karmi said, as she balanced a huge shopping bag stuffed
with produce and bread on her head.

-------------------------------------------
Macdonald Stainsby
http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/rad-green
http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/leninist-international
--
In the contradiction lies the hope.
                                     --Bertholt Brecht



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