Guardian's of Rachel's Tomb Photo

Photographer’s Note

At the edge of Ayda Refugee camp and backing onto the Palestinian cemetery one can find the mini-fortress encapsulating Rachel's Tomb. Moving across the little section of no man's land between the camp and the tomb is an interesting experience - something the residents of the camp would not be able to do - a place that becomes a flash point of stone throwing and the crowd controlling weapons of modern military/police controls. However, beyond the trepidation of crossing this ground without response but knowing that you are under constant armed observation, the interior of the tomb itself is a powerfully calming and religious experience.....or perhaps that should be, 'experience of religion'.

The tomb is a rock with eleven stones upon it, one for each of the eleven sons of Jacob who were alive when Rachel died in childbirth. Over time the rock was contained by a dome supported by four arches.

Today, the site is in the close proximity to the checkpoint from the Palestinian territories into Israel. The tomb has been enclosed inside a fortress, complete with guard tower (at the top of the picture on top of the tomb), soldiers and barbed wire. The much larger military complex around it has been the source of concentrated shelling and machine gun fire of Palestinian civilian areas during previous times of tension.....provoked by Palestinian small arms fire.

Rachel's Tomb is difficult to visit because of its location near the Israel/West Bank border, but many still manage to visit this important sacred site. Officially only bullet-proof buses are allowed direct access to Rachel's Tomb but I saw a very old bus arrive whilst I was there which i would question as to it being bullet proof!

On the outside this place is another sad testament to the conflict between the sons of Abraham. It never ceases to perturb me that the towering historical figures behind the three religions of this region-Moses, Jesus Christ and Muhammad-were all direct descendants of Abraham.

Anyway, these guys were very friendly, although there was a slightly more mixed reception from some of the pilgrims who arrived during my visit. These guys were out for a run and just returning to the canteen down the road. Walking back into normality and planting of the ordinary streets of Bethlehem after the enclosures of the Wall was a welcome relief.

faubry, BennyV, maloutim, stevev1, leo61, pauloog, omerozden, jjcordier, Angelillo, bogart, Isabelle, rigoletto has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

serp2000 (9355) 2009-03-07 3:09

Hello, Kev,
Good work! Fine composition and interesting note. Before I though, that palestinians have Kalashnikov guns only. Unfortunatelly, I can not visited Betlehem from Jerusalem last november. TFS!
Have a nice weekend!
Serghei

faubry (32277) 2009-03-07 3:13

its very sad those young boys in war.. crazy world!
strong contrast give deep and power here
congratulations
francine

jasmis (50142) 2009-03-07 3:56

Strong message sent. True photography in B&W.
Regards.

BennyV (4614) 2009-03-07 4:33

Hi Kev,

Great document of the times and world we live in. I like the contrast between the guys (their clothes, shoes and smiles) and the weapons they carry. A smile for you, a kill for next guy? Horrible, truthful, important photography. Thanks for sharing it here too.

Benny

Valerka (8159) 2009-03-07 5:08

Hello,On the outside this place is another sad testament to the conflict between the sons of Abraham. It never ceases to perturb me that the towering historical figures behind the three religions of this region-Moses, Jesus Christ and Muhammad-were all direct descendants of Abraham."
You've said it right.
I dare hope,one day all people there will restart learning how to love one another.
TFS
A great shot!
Valerka:)

"

pilpel-adom (3016) 2009-03-07 6:35

Hey Kev,
Nice documentary from Rechel's Tomb...I am so familiar with those company jogging sessions, which usually necessitate only one armed personnell, but these days and (at that hot spot) was wiser to carry all arms...It's truely sad, Kev, the daily life situation in this part of the middle east is so complex it will require real and brave leaders to solve...
Take care,
Chen

stevev1 (999) 2009-03-07 8:56

Hi Kev,

This is almost funny...no it IS funny. To see these soldiers walking around as if just coming of a beach (I imagine a Goan beach scene here) yet carrying their machine guns. The one raising his arm seems to be making a toast to yet another beach volleyball game won...pizza tonight guys?

The reality is somewhat more grim though, the humor becomes pitch black. I think it's a superb shot. And a glimps into the life of soldiers, praised by some, hated by others.

All the best
Steve

leo61 (43219) 2009-03-07 10:36

Hi Kev!
This is a very strong image.
Seeing them with shorts and T-shirts, I expected Nikons or Canons instead of guns....
Thinking about this never ending???? conflict,this looks more like a nice and sunny afternoon.
It`s an excellent exposure with perfect sharpness and great B&W contrast.
Reagrds,leo

Polonaise (5634) 2009-03-07 10:45

Dear Kev

This is the photo of the month…

This is the photo that it's able to change someone's political views… To turn someone's opinions upside down…

Those Jewish bandits in there, walking openly in the bright lights of the day… On the streets of Bethlehem where our Jesus Christ was born… Armed to the teeth…
Ready to kill anyone who wants to enter the temple (kids or no kids ?)…

It's amazing, man !!!!

This is the photo that should be included as a visible proof in defense of the Palestinian struggle for freedom…
No nation should allow such beastie occupants to walk the streets of their peacefull cities fully armed and nonchalantly dressed in the Nike runners and the t-shirts.
In the broad daylights !!!

Enough is enough…

Are they trying to impress the world with their occupying tactics, those Israeli thugs ?

What…?
To sneakily gather the Palestinian kids in the school and then kill all of them is not enough for those Jewish murderers…?

Long live Hamas… Long live freedom and democracy…

There…

……………..

Important photo, dear buddy..
Good photo… Good cause…

Love

george

[2] +

michelloupis (0) 2009-03-07 15:33

Hello Kev,

A brutal shot. A magnificent journalistic picture.

I look at it and I feel again what I have been feeling for a few years. Those people have lost reason. Those people have lost all common sense. Those people have lost total notion of reality. I don't take sides here. Both are guilty. Both have their venom of fanaticism. Both are completely at loss.

Thanks.

Regards

Nuno

pauloog (6374) 2009-03-07 15:36

Hello Kev,
A well executed view and an interesting scene. But so sad that religious places have to be associated with arms.
Regards,
Paul

jjcordier (24470) 2009-03-07 22:30

Kev
Cette photo est d'une incroyable force et mériterait la une des magazines d'information. cette opposition entre les tenues de plage et l'armement de ces gens est vraiment fantastique. Tout ça avec une magnifique qualité d'image.
Bravo!
JJ

Angelillo (9065) 2009-03-08 0:55

Hi Kev,

Impressive and a little bit sad shot! To see these young people, nice people and gentle as you say, in weapons it'very sad. But the shot is friendly, it's difficult to understand, but I think this the "true" of life, the contradiction... Interesting note, and artistic and documentary shot! Very very nice!

Greetings,
Angel.

Pentti (391) 2009-03-08 1:45

Hi Kev,
Superb shot. Important message.
Pentti

bantonbuju (48514) 2009-03-09 4:05

this REALLY LOOKS strange... the way these guys are dressed and the things they are holding in their hands - it is a peculiar combination...
there is some nonchalant touch in the way they are marching and it additionally adds to the peculiarity of this scene...

tc, j.

coco (27766) 2009-03-09 4:31

Hello Kev.

Strange scene.
Well, let me say, perhaps this is not the best picture of the day (I mean when you are looking for a "nice" or "beautiful" picture), but this is the best picture of the day. Why? Cause its meaning.

Also your note is wonderful.

Regards.

Isabelle (9014) 2009-03-11 12:24

I make mine Coco´s words, Kev. Excellent note.
Cant´imagine life like that...

tomescuc (2837) 2009-03-19 15:39

Great documentary image. The contradiction between their beach bum appearance and toting machine guns looks almost surreal.

Cristian

rigoletto (26100) 2009-04-11 5:05

LOLOLOL :))
Sweet summerwear and bitter rifleguns...
Who says that soldiers always need camouflage to kill...

Mmmm, it is still not so warm / not so cold here in Edremit, and i still definitely need to wear lots of military garments on my body, weighing half of what i myself weigh :S Not that an attractive subject maybe, but i would crave for a summertime in the army and walking around like that...
OK OK, i've not turned into a miiltaristic s*hit during the latest months, but i can almost feel myself in the photo. It looks so real, so different than what we see in the movies. I can almost say that those guys could be any friends of mine, rather than someones capable of killing someone else at any possible time... This really feels strange...
Important photo indeed. It makes me think bitterly...

ps: I guess, the "Istanbul Gang" should be busy enjoying a marvellous Bosphorus Day for the time being. No need to say that I hate them :((
(Still 35 days more in the army)...

BW,
Deniz

globalvillager (104) 2009-04-14 8:37

How interesting. You don't get to see this spot everyday. Machine guns are usually only associated with characters in military suit. These boys, with sporty modern clothing, chic glasses and trendy haircut seems contrasty with the 'toys' they carry. And are they carrying lunch box? But looking at the background, you know it is the Palestine. I love this picture.