Back in the year 2000, I embarked on a journey to Israel that would lead me into uncharted territory. My tour guides, well-meaning as they were, strongly urged me to steer clear of the West Bank, cautioning about the intense conflicts unfolding there. However, my adventurous spirit prevailed, and I was resolute in my decision to experience the so-called "conflict zone" first-hand.
My quest brought me to Jericho, a place vibrating with tension. The air was thick with the palpable presence of the military. Yet, amidst this backdrop of uncertainty, the heart of Jericho beat with the resilience of its everyday residents. It was as if they were weaving threads of normalcy into the chaos that enveloped them. Hundreds, perhaps thousands of ordinary people, navigating their lives against the turbulent backdrop, each one striving to etch out a semblance of normality amid the turmoil. The scene was both poignant and powerful, a testament to the human spirit's abi…