This is clip #4 of a 10-part series of interviews I did while producing our public television special Rick Steves’ The Holy Land: Israelis and Palestinians Today. Considering the impact of American policies on the daily lives of both Israelis and Palestinians, this is my attempt to introduce you to some people in both camps whose voices might otherwise not be heard.
Kamal Mukarker (kamal_mukarker@hotmail.com) was a wonderful guide and fixer for our film shoot — and is now a good friend. As we filmed in the lounge of our Lutheran-run hotel in Bethlehem, Kamal shared with us his take on life — and tourism — in the West Bank. Since working with Kamal, I’ve recommended many Americans to hire him for their own trips, and they’ve also had wonderful experiences. (I’d happily to pay the cost to hire Kamal for anyone in the Trump Administration who might like to balance their understanding of the challenges of this region by hearing the Palestinian narrative firsthand.)
Rick I’d be happy to introduce you to someone to balance your understanding of the challenges of this region by hearing the Israeli narrative firsthand.
Thanks Rick for all you do. I have truly enjoyed and been educated by your Holy Land Production as well as the Israeli and Palestinian interviews. I agree the U.S. has been a “stake holder” for many years with no visible, positive result. In 2015 we provided the Palestinians with $355 million and just recently another $221 million. In December, the UN security council passed a resolution demanding that Israel stop building settlements on Palestinian land. The US refused to vote on the resolution effectively allowing it to pass. Recently a poll stated that 65% of Palestinians do not believe in a two state solution. I often wonder if the US would be better off not meddling in the affairs of this region?
I toured with Kamal this Summer around Hebron and Bethlehem. He is extremely bright, insightful and in my opinion very moderate. I also toured with some excellent Israeli guides, particularly in the Golan. The special and the interviews do a fantastic job balancing the perspectives. Respectfully, those that advocate introducing you to someone who will “balance your understanding” are not actually advocating for balance, they are advocating for a one-sided perspective. This is a complicated place with complicated problems that do not lend themselves to the overly simplistic and binary worldview that one side is right and the other wrong. Israel has every right to defend itself. Period. But there is simply no legitimate argument that the humanitarian cost of Israel’s presence in the West Bank has been steep. Both sides in this conflict have made serious mistakes and the path to peace is not simple. For an excellent interview that balances perspectives between an Israeli and a Palestinian who are united in an effort to find peace, check out: http://thesunmagazine.org/issues/490/an_unlikely_friendship.
I happen to come across Kamal while visiting Isreal. I planned on just using my guide book but when I caught only part of what he said during a tour I was briefly listening in on, I had to book him for a private tour! I can not put in words how amazing he is. He offered the perfect mix of political and biblical information that helped me really understand. Things I could never have gotten from a guide book! Amazing person! Amazing guide! Make the most of your visit by booking this specific tour guide!!! I can not reccomend enogh!