The parallel holy

Dawn.com Published October 30, 2010
In this file photo taken on March 11, 2009, ultra-Orthodox Jewish men gather at a yeshiva, a rabbinical seminary, during celebration for the Jewish holiday of Purim in Jerusalem. During its six decades of existence, Israel has maintained a shaky alliance with its ultra-Orthodox Jewish minority that allowed most religious men to avoid military service, attend separate schools and receive monthly stipends to pursue Jewish studies instead of entering the work force.
In this file photo taken on March 11, 2009, ultra-Orthodox Jewish men gather at a yeshiva, a rabbinical seminary, during celebration for the Jewish holiday of Purim in Jerusalem. During its six decades of existence, Israel has maintained a shaky alliance with its ultra-Orthodox Jewish minority that allowed most religious men to avoid military service, attend separate schools and receive monthly stipends to pursue Jewish studies instead of entering the work force.
An ultra-Orthodox Jewish man prays as he is reflected in a prayer written in Hebrew in the Tomb of the Patriarchs, traditionally believed to be the burial site of the biblical Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and Matriarchs Sara, Leah and Rebecca, in the West Bank city of Hebron, Friday, Oct. 29, 2010.
An ultra-Orthodox Jewish man prays as he is reflected in a prayer written in Hebrew in the Tomb of the Patriarchs, traditionally believed to be the burial site of the biblical Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and Matriarchs Sara, Leah and Rebecca, in the West Bank city of Hebron, Friday, Oct. 29, 2010.
An Orthodox Jewish family gathers around their tent where they will spend the night, outside the Tomb of the Patriarchs, Friday, Oct. 29, 2010.
An Orthodox Jewish family gathers around their tent where they will spend the night, outside the Tomb of the Patriarchs, Friday, Oct. 29, 2010.
An ultra-Orthodox Jewish man sleeps in the Tomb of the Patriarchs, Friday, Oct. 29, 2010.
An ultra-Orthodox Jewish man sleeps in the Tomb of the Patriarchs, Friday, Oct. 29, 2010.
An Orthodox Jewish woman lights a memorial candle inside the Tomb of the Patriarchs, Friday, Oct 29, 2010.
An Orthodox Jewish woman lights a memorial candle inside the Tomb of the Patriarchs, Friday, Oct 29, 2010.
An Orthodox Jewish woman zips up her tent where she will spend the night, outside the Tomb of the Patriarchs, Friday, Oct. 29, 2010.
An Orthodox Jewish woman zips up her tent where she will spend the night, outside the Tomb of the Patriarchs, Friday, Oct. 29, 2010.
In this photo taken Monday, Dec. 21, 2009, concrete blocks surrounding an Israel army post outside Gaza Strip, near Kibbutz Nahal Oz, southern Israel.
In this photo taken Monday, Dec. 21, 2009, concrete blocks surrounding an Israel army post outside Gaza Strip, near Kibbutz Nahal Oz, southern Israel.
In this photo taken Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009, Israelis, Palestinians and International activists hold Palestinian flags during a march marking the anniversary of Israel's 2008 Gaza offensive, and calling for the end of the blockade on Gaza, at Erez Crossing between Israel and Gaza Strip.
In this photo taken Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009, Israelis, Palestinians and International activists hold Palestinian flags during a march marking the anniversary of Israel's 2008 Gaza offensive, and calling for the end of the blockade on Gaza, at Erez Crossing between Israel and Gaza Strip.
In this photo taken Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010, a section of Israel's separation barrier is seen on a hill between the West Bank village of Harbata and the Jewish settlement of Modiin Ilit.
In this photo taken Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010, a section of Israel's separation barrier is seen on a hill between the West Bank village of Harbata and the Jewish settlement of Modiin Ilit.
In this photo taken Monday, Sept. 27, 2010, an Israeli soldier takes off his camouflage gear during an army drill near Kibbutz Magen near the border with the Gaza strip.
In this photo taken Monday, Sept. 27, 2010, an Israeli soldier takes off his camouflage gear during an army drill near Kibbutz Magen near the border with the Gaza strip.
In this photo taken Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010, Israeli camping site at the Dead Sea beach of the Dead Sea with borders with Jordan in the east and with the West Bank and Israel to the West.
In this photo taken Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010, Israeli camping site at the Dead Sea beach of the Dead Sea with borders with Jordan in the east and with the West Bank and Israel to the West.
In this photo taken Sunday, June 13, 2010, a Palestinian man covers himself with a plastic bag as he sleeps on the ground after crossing from the West Bank town of Qalqilya to work in Israel, at the Israeli army's checkpoint near Kibbutz Eyal in central Israel.
In this photo taken Sunday, June 13, 2010, a Palestinian man covers himself with a plastic bag as he sleeps on the ground after crossing from the West Bank town of Qalqilya to work in Israel, at the Israeli army's checkpoint near Kibbutz Eyal in central Israel.
In this photo taken Tuesday, June 8, 2010, a Palestinian boy sits on a donkey near a section of Israel's separation barrier near the West Bank Jewish settlement of Beit Horon.
In this photo taken Tuesday, June 8, 2010, a Palestinian boy sits on a donkey near a section of Israel's separation barrier near the West Bank Jewish settlement of Beit Horon.
In this photo taken Thursday, May 20, 2010, an Israeli woman peeps inside model of a rocket, as she plays with her grandson at a playground in the northern Israeli Kibbutz of Maayan Baruch, along the border between Israel and Lebanon.
In this photo taken Thursday, May 20, 2010, an Israeli woman peeps inside model of a rocket, as she plays with her grandson at a playground in the northern Israeli Kibbutz of Maayan Baruch, along the border between Israel and Lebanon.
In this photo taken Thursday, April 1, 2010, concrete wall and barb-wire in the Jewish section of the West Bank town of Hebron.
In this photo taken Thursday, April 1, 2010, concrete wall and barb-wire in the Jewish section of the West Bank town of Hebron.
In this photo taken Saturday, April 17, 2010, a public toilet stands abandoned in the Southern Israeli beach of Zikim, along the border with Gaza strip.
In this photo taken Saturday, April 17, 2010, a public toilet stands abandoned in the Southern Israeli beach of Zikim, along the border with Gaza strip.
In this photo taken Monday, Jan. 18, 2010, fog surrounds a section of Israel's separation barrier between the Shuafat refugee camp and the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Pisgat Zeev in Jerusalem.
In this photo taken Monday, Jan. 18, 2010, fog surrounds a section of Israel's separation barrier between the Shuafat refugee camp and the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Pisgat Zeev in Jerusalem.
In this photo taken Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009, an Israeli paratrooper takes part in a military exercise in the Golan Heights near the northern town of Katzrin. Syria demands return of the Golan Heights, captured by Israel in 1967, while Israel also claims the territory.
In this photo taken Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009, an Israeli paratrooper takes part in a military exercise in the Golan Heights near the northern town of Katzrin. Syria demands return of the Golan Heights, captured by Israel in 1967, while Israel also claims the territory.
In this photo taken Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010, a mine field is seen near the Jordan River baptismal site of Qasr el Yahud, along the border with Jordan, near the West Bank town of Jericho.
In this photo taken Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010, a mine field is seen near the Jordan River baptismal site of Qasr el Yahud, along the border with Jordan, near the West Bank town of Jericho.
In this photo taken Tuesday, June 8, 2010, an abandoned building is seen near the Dead Sea, which borders with Jordan in the east and with the West Bank and Israel to the West.
In this photo taken Tuesday, June 8, 2010, an abandoned building is seen near the Dead Sea, which borders with Jordan in the east and with the West Bank and Israel to the West.
In this photo taken Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010, covered remains of a car in village of Ghajar between northern Israel and Lebanon, on the border between the two countries.
In this photo taken Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010, covered remains of a car in village of Ghajar between northern Israel and Lebanon, on the border between the two countries.
In this photo taken Tuesday Aug. 31 2010, a shirt lies buried in the sand on the Israel Egypt border near the southern Israeli Kibbutz of Nitzana.
In this photo taken Tuesday Aug. 31 2010, a shirt lies buried in the sand on the Israel Egypt border near the southern Israeli Kibbutz of Nitzana.
In this photo taken Monday, Jan. 18, 2010, an Orthodox priest blesses a pilgrim as they stand near a mine field, during a traditional Epiphany baptism ceremony at the baptismal site of Qasr el Yahud along Israel's border with Jordan.
In this photo taken Monday, Jan. 18, 2010, an Orthodox priest blesses a pilgrim as they stand near a mine field, during a traditional Epiphany baptism ceremony at the baptismal site of Qasr el Yahud along Israel's border with Jordan.
In this photo taken Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010, a matrace lies tossed on the hillside in the village of Ghajar between northern Israel and Lebanon, on the border between the two countries.
In this photo taken Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010, a matrace lies tossed on the hillside in the village of Ghajar between northern Israel and Lebanon, on the border between the two countries.
In this photo taken Monday, Jan. 18, 2010, Christian Orthodox pilgrims take part in a traditional Epiphany baptism ceremony at the baptismal site of Qasr el Yahud along the border with Jordan.
In this photo taken Monday, Jan. 18, 2010, Christian Orthodox pilgrims take part in a traditional Epiphany baptism ceremony at the baptismal site of Qasr el Yahud along the border with Jordan.
In this photo taken Wednesday, Feb 10. 2010, painted tires used by cyclists lie scattered on the ground near the West Bank town of Jericho.
In this photo taken Wednesday, Feb 10. 2010, painted tires used by cyclists lie scattered on the ground near the West Bank town of Jericho.
In this photo taken Monday, Dec. 21, 2009, a bomb shelter in the southern Israeli town of Sderot, near the Gaza Strip.
In this photo taken Monday, Dec. 21, 2009, a bomb shelter in the southern Israeli town of Sderot, near the Gaza Strip.
In this photo taken Saturday, Jan. 23, 2010, an Israeli couple sit on the Zikim beach, near the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon, along the border with Gaza. Hebrew graffiti on concrete panels reads ?No Entry?, ?Entry Forbidden?.
In this photo taken Saturday, Jan. 23, 2010, an Israeli couple sit on the Zikim beach, near the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon, along the border with Gaza. Hebrew graffiti on concrete panels reads ?No Entry?, ?Entry Forbidden?.

Though all countries are literally defined by their borders, few have had their history, society and national mindset shaped by their frontiers as much as Israel. With their barbed-wire coils, hills scarred by patrol roads and weather-beaten guardposts manned by young soldiers, the borders are perhaps the most dominant single feature of the country's landscape. - Photos by AP.

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Comments (5) Closed
syed nasir mehdi
Oct 31, 2010 03:36pm
What was the purpose of showing 25 odd photographs of Israel. A shirt in sand, worker sleeping under plastic, etc makes no sense. I wish if you had shown sufferings of Palestinians.
Recommend 0
Jimmy
Oct 31, 2010 04:19pm
Dear Nasir bhai, I believe it is important to see all sides. A friend of mine who is studying politics did not understand why he needs to do readings on "yin" and "yang" when doing a section on Asian politics-I told him it is likely because, in order to have dealings with other countries and cultures, one must be able to understand and empathise with the background, though processes and other factors which makes those cultures unique. I hope it was only my friend's youth that made him so thick in that regard-and not some deliberate ignorance.
Recommend 0
zohair
Oct 31, 2010 04:35pm
Good idea. Now we can see how Israelis are sleeping in tents by choice while Palestinians sleep under the sky and in constant fear of Israeli guns all their life.
Recommend 0
Ahmed
Nov 01, 2010 02:18pm
I agree with Jimmy. Reporting is supposed to be impartial and should show all sides of a picture. Furthermore, its not like Palestinian sufferings have not been shown before but this probably is the first time that im seeing the pictures of the above subject matter. It is important to be unbiased and neutral to make rational decisions n judgments.
Recommend 0
nazir
Nov 02, 2010 01:40pm
Totally irrelevant pictures
Recommend 0

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