IN STEREO

I’m in between. If [World Heritage status] will prevent Al-Makhrour from being confiscated, it’s OK. Now it’s agricultural land, [so it’s] OK. But in the future, in Beit Jala, there will be no land. So because of that, when they held the meeting here, I refused. A lot of people, when they understood what was going to happen, they refused. What about our future? I prevent the wall, but at the same time, it’s now under UNESCO control. So I’m in between two fires. The land is in my name; it’s for me – but in reality, it’s not. I can’t do anything on my land until I get permission from UNESCO. Until now, there is nothing [happening] in reality.

Just announcing that it’s cultural heritage. Let our lands come back to us, without any limitations. Not from the occupation, not from UNESCO. It’s our property, not theirs. So I’m free to do what I want on my property, until I do something that will affect you or others badly. So if I’m not approaching that, I’m free to do whatever I want. [If] there is life in that area, I think maybe it will help prevent it from being confiscated. It will be a little bit harder for them to [confiscate]. Because a lot of tourists who come there and know the area and know that they are saving that area – they reflect the real picture. – Issa A.