These following pictures were published this week from Martin Iqbal. He has gone to Palestine with Manal as part of our group. They both crossed the border last Saturday. Martin has been putting up many pictures of places they have so far visited, and of the village we will be staying. But these photographs really caught my eye. This model was made by a Palestinian man, called Sudki, who made the model whilst under Israeli detention(he is shown on the left in the bottom picture) It took him five years to make. His sentence was given to him for being politically active! He has used well over half a million coloured beads to painstakingly make this fabulous model which is now on display in a restaurant in Hebron.
Martin has kindly allowed me to share his pictures as long as I shared a link to his website. http://empirestrikesblack.com/
Methinks I will have to go and see this spectacular model myself….and check out the food…apparently the chicken stuffed with rice is something else. Yum!!!
shaking the shadows from the olive tree 
Amazing! Must have taken him some time.
Five years whilst he was detained Ruby.
Beautiful. Have a wonderful time, I spent 2 months in Bethlehem a few years ago and it was really great, such warm, generous, kind-hearted people and excellent food. Have you read any Mahmoud Darwish?
No……but I guess I should!
Can’t wait to go. xx
There’s an english translation of one of his collections called ‘Unfortunately, it was Paradise’, very accessible and poems for all humanity. If you enjoy the culture I am sure you will enjoy his poems and the people will appreciate your knowing of the work of one their great poets.
Thank you, will look that book up and read before I go.
Beautiful! I am sure that his faith and his dedication to his artwork kept him going through those years. Thanks to Sudki, Martin and you Lisa for sharing………