In June 2009, while visiting family in the Middle East, my parents, brother and I crossed the Allenby Bridge checkpoint separating Jordan from the West Bank. I remember the experience very vividly. The crowded bus filled with helpless, frightened and above all, frustrated Palestinians. The initial stop and individual frisk we received from Israeli soldiers at the first screening 100 yards outside the compound. The watchtower and heavily armed soldiers dressed in Kevlar and their authoritative instructions to us upon exiting the bus. It was an intense and disconcerting experience but somewhat expected considering this was a militarily occupied land.
However, what struck me the most about my first adulthood crossing into Palestine was the 18-25 year old Israeli boys and girls working the various stations inside the terminal. This was the first layer of Israel's economy.
The sight made me wonder about the thousands of young (and old) stationed across the 700+ military checkpoints throughout the West Bank. What would happen to Israel's economy built on this security apparatus if peace were realized? Would there be new jobs for all these young people? It was clear to me that Israel's garrison state had become arguably it's greatest employer and economic driver.
Little did I understand how much this economy of "security" was intensifying. The short documentary, The Lab by Yotam Feldman, rekindled my memories at the bridge and questions further the incentive for a negotiated settlement in Palestine.
Israel has used the military occupation - and its innovation to maintain it - to become a world leader in weapon sales and "management" of conflict. Zionism aside, why should Israel forfeit the handsome and far-reaching rewards of this business?
Watch the Witness film on Al Jazeera to understand how Israel benefits economically from military occupation.
However, what struck me the most about my first adulthood crossing into Palestine was the 18-25 year old Israeli boys and girls working the various stations inside the terminal. This was the first layer of Israel's economy.
The sight made me wonder about the thousands of young (and old) stationed across the 700+ military checkpoints throughout the West Bank. What would happen to Israel's economy built on this security apparatus if peace were realized? Would there be new jobs for all these young people? It was clear to me that Israel's garrison state had become arguably it's greatest employer and economic driver.
Little did I understand how much this economy of "security" was intensifying. The short documentary, The Lab by Yotam Feldman, rekindled my memories at the bridge and questions further the incentive for a negotiated settlement in Palestine.
Israel has used the military occupation - and its innovation to maintain it - to become a world leader in weapon sales and "management" of conflict. Zionism aside, why should Israel forfeit the handsome and far-reaching rewards of this business?
Watch the Witness film on Al Jazeera to understand how Israel benefits economically from military occupation.
