Village fights for identity

Occupied Jerusalem: Residents of Al Ghajar village on the Syrian-Lebanese border have expressed their objection to Israeli or Lebanese control of their village, calling for reunification with their homeland Syria.

"It has become unbearable, we cannot keep silent, whether we struggle or die slowly away from the eyes of the world," said 60-year- old Umm Marwan.

Umm Marwan, who has never left her village for even one day, is extremely angered by the events taking place.

Al Ghajar is divided into two, one part in Lebanon and the other in Syrian territory occupied by Israel in 1967.

The village lies within a series of mountains separated by a river and beautiful green plains. Yet behind this breathtaking view there is a tragic story.

Centre stage

Although its population of 2,000 live quietly out of the limelight, Al Ghajar found itself in centre stage of world media attention when Israel agreed with the United Nations to withdraw from the northern part of the village but continue to occupy the southern part.

Benjamin Ben Eliezer, Israeli Minister of Housing and Construction, announced Israel's readiness to pay compensation to the villagers who leave their homes in Al Ghajar's northern part for the southern part, which is still under the Israeli control.

This decision was strongly rejected by Al Ghajar's residents who described it as catastrophe, refusing to abandon their Syrian identity.

Last week, they took to the streets chanting slogans against the decision and affirming their loyalty to Syria, rejecting both Israeli and Lebanese control.

In a telephone call, Adel Al Shamali, a 48-year-old teacher, said the village traced its history back 900 years.

According to a property register dating back 100 years ago, Al Ghajar belongs to Al Qunaitra Province in Syria, he said.

Divide

Al Ghajar's residents once marketed their agricultural products in Damascus and its students pursued their education at Damascus University and the young men served in the Syrian army.

"Syria, especially Damascus and Al Qunaitra, was the centre of our life," Al Shamali added.

The village has been divided since 2000 when Israel withdrew from South Lebanon, and then divided by the UN, which transferred two-thirds of the village to Lebanese control with the Blue Line running through the middle of the village.

Israel has tried to put the whole village under Lebanese sovereignty, but the residents refused, as this would mean separating them from their agricultural land, which Israel wanted to keep.

The village has since been put under siege. It is surrounded by barbed wire, and entering or exiting the village is through one gate, controlled by Israel.

An Israeli Army spokes-person explained to Gulf News: "The villagers have cooperated with Hezbollah, which made us step up security measures, to stop hostile Lebanese infiltrators."