“Contradiction in Ramallah.”

Irrationality as a way to escape. 
Despite the overwhelming way  life is controlled here (by the Israelis mostly) there are many irrationalities. Things that do not match. Families have their baby born in another country if possible. So in one family the parents and children can have different passports and ID’s from each other with different limitations and privileges, to mention one. Although the Palestine Territories is not (yet) an official country, a lot of the land is privately owned. That makes some people very rich as the square meter price of the ground is very high. 
The currency is the Israeli shekel (again another way of the Israeli to keep control) There are banks that give loans so people can buy large cars. A bit of playfully working around the impossibility and the stressfulness of the situation can give life extra energy. In the quiet times

Exploitation

Ramallah -  A poster, close to Ramallah Municipal park, calls for adaptation of legislation for gender equal and minimum wage. Wages in Palestine are market-driven (supply and demand). The minimum wage which…
Khaldun Bshara – Ramallah Lab

Entering the financial district

Ramallah -  We are entering the financial district (in development). There are little houses with armed Palestinian guards around. I saw different sorts of armed forces. The police, the army but also…
Lino Hellings – Ramallah Lab

Contradictions

Ramallah -  A Palestinian supermarket with a poster of a solidarity concert and a "Palestinian & Proud" sticker along with an ice cream freezer full of Israeli products.…
Aya Tahhan – Ramallah Lab

Anarchists

Ramallah -  Anarchy symbol along with a graffiti opposing police power saying “think“.. Israeli Police or Palestinian Police?…
Aya Tahhan – Ramallah Lab

A Palestine numberplate

Ramallah -  Most Cars in Ramallah have Palestine number plates. And there are many. Huge cars as well. 4x4 and American pickup trucks. Get a loan at the bank and you can…
Lino Hellings – Ramallah Lab