Heatwave reminds Palestinians of not-so-distant shores

As temperatures in Palestine and Israel continue to rise to scorching heights, weather forecasters tell us to head to beaches and lakes, or seek respite under air conditioning. This week, temperatures are expected to reach 44 degrees centigrade in the shade, and the high humidity levels will make it seem even hotter. It is important for weathermen to remind people of the dangers of sun and heat exposure. In Israel, it is helpful to remind residents who are too busy to think of a beach trip, or who might even fail to notice the burning heat as they move from air-conditioned homes, to cars, to workplaces. But just across the land, sometimes only a couple of minutes drive away, the situation is completely different. In Palestine, an overwhelming majority do not have air conditioning at home or at work, not to mention that many do not even own a car, but rely on a tired public transport system. Meanwhile, a large portion of people who do have air conditioning would think ten times before turning it on, fearing they will fail to pay the electricity bill. The group hat suffers most is Palestinian laborers who work in Palestine and in Israel. Most laborers have no choice but to work under the heat of the sun for at least eight hours a day, added to the couple of hours it takes to cross military checkpoints. When forecasters tell us to go to the beach, it strikes a nerve which advocates of the two-state solution may have forgotten. If Israel ever agrees to the most ambitious Palestinian terms for a two-state solution, the West Bank will still be left without places to cool off in summer. Only a small minority of Palestinians can get permits to visit beaches in Israel, but the process is very complicated and the results are always unpredictable. If someone is lucky enough to obtain a permit, there are no guarantees that friends or family can join as the same old Israeli pretext of security reasons will be certain to nix your plans. Further, a visit to the beach in Tel Aviv or Haifa will cost a West Banker at least half of their monthly salary. When such visits do take place, Palestinians typically end up spending much more than they can afford to make the rare occasion worthwhile. Our single access to a body of water, the Dead Sea, is 423 meters below sea level, with average summer temperatures of 32-39 degrees centigrade, and 33.7 percent salinity. If this does not put you off, Palestinians still have difficulties accessing the Dead Sea coast, which lies under full Israeli control in the occupied West Bank. If they can manage to cross a military checkpoint erected almost daily on the road to the Dead Sea, they will have to be very eloquent negotiators to convince managers of the Israeli-controlled beach areas to allow them in. Entry fees for the Palestinians are different to those for foreigners and Israelis, and they are not allowed to stay in the evening. What is more, men are not allowed to access the area if they are not accompanied by wives or girlfriends, regardless of their age. Thus, the Dead Sea is not only not refreshing, but hardly a relaxing day trip. Despite the dire living conditions since Israel imposed a crippling siege in the Gaza Strip, at least Palestinians there can access the Mediterranean coast. Many will think twice, however, after continuous reports of fishermen and other day trippers being detained and fired on by the Israeli army, which imposes a naval blockade and a few miles nautical limit. So, Palestinians would appreciate it if weather forecasters could stop reminding us to go to the beach. We are sweltering, but our safety, dignity, and savings cannot afford such dreams.