An encounter with my cousins

While I was photographing alone at Akeldama (Jerusalem), a group of young students from Abu Tor decided to have some sport with me. For about 15 minutes, they begged me for money, played around with my tripod, tried to get into my pockets, talked about the Koran, asked me whether I was a Muslim, made obscene gestures, and thereafter started pelting me with stones from the area above the tombs.

After they'd thrown stones for about 10 minutes, I was able to make my way back upslope, without being seen. As I emerged atop the hill, they ran away, even as they continued throwing rocks. Each time I ran after them and aimed my camera, they quickly pulled up their shirts to hide their faces, exactly like the stone-throwers of Gaza shown on CNN. It was especially disturbing that these kids were so young, very well-dressed, and on their way home from school on a beautiful, peaceful warm afternoon (October 13, 2009).

Running away but still hoping to get in one last shot,
while his comrade hides behind the corner of a building.

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While I was photographing alone at Akeldama, a group of young students from Abu Tor decided to have some sport with me. For about 15 minutes, they begged me for money, played around with my tripod, tried to get into my pockets, talked about the Koran, asked me whether I was a Muslim, made obscene gestures, and thereafter started pelting me with stones from the area above the tombs. After they'd thrown stones for about 10 minutes, I was able to make my way back upslope, without being seen. As I emerged atop the hill, they ran away, even as they continued throwing rocks. Each time I ran after them and aimed my camera, they quickly pulled up their shirts to hide their faces, exactly like the stone-throwers of Gaza shown on CNN. It was especially disturbing that these kids were so young, very well-dressed, and on their way home from school on a beautiful, peaceful warm afternoon (October 13, 2009). How do we stop the process that begins with kids throwing rocks and ends with the rallying cry "Itbakh al-Yahud!" (and the sorry phenomenon of Jews burning Olive trees)? And don't tell me that these things aren't comparable.

Add a caption

While I was photographing alone at Akeldama, a group of young students from Abu Tor decided to have some sport with me. For about 15 minutes, they begged me for money, played around with my tripod, tried to get into my pockets, talked about the Koran, asked me whether I was a Muslim, made obscene gestures, and thereafter started pelting me with stones from the area above the tombs. After they'd thrown stones for about 10 minutes, I was able to make my way back upslope, without being seen. As I emerged atop the hill, they ran away, even as they continued throwing rocks. Each time I ran after them and aimed my camera, they quickly pulled up their shirts to hide their faces, exactly like the stone-throwers of Gaza shown on CNN. It was especially disturbing that these kids were so young, very well-dressed, and on their way home from school on a beautiful, peaceful warm afternoon (October 13, 2009). How do we stop the process that begins with kids throwing rocks and ends with the rallying cry "Itbakh al-Yahud!" (and the sorry phenomenon of Jews burning Olive trees)? And don't tell me that these things aren't comparable.

Ready...Aim...Throw!

How do we stop the process that begins with kids throwing rocks and ends with the rallying cry "Itbakh al-Yahud!" (and as a counterpoint, the sorry phenomenon of Jews burning Olive trees)?