I was waiting in line at the Bethlehem checkpoint to come back home to Tantur after a day of wondering around the House (beth) of Bread (lehem). In front of me were a few Palestinians, a couple from Canada, and a group of crazy, loud, middle-aged women from Ireland. One of these women even took the fan in her hand and started waving it front of everyone to help us cool off from the heat.
After 20 minutes of waiting to get through security, the Irish women spotted someone near the back of the line, and proceeded to clear everyone out of the way so this person could budge in front on them.
It was a young Palestinian man. He was in what could have been his PJs. An IV tube was attached to his arm which lead to a cooler that he was holding in his other hand. He looked like he was about to pass out. He was accompanied by an older Palestinian woman, likely his mother.
These Irish women, who had never been to Bethlehem before (and who later had to beg the Israeli guard to let them through because only one of them had brought their passport) went out of their way to help this man and his mother. When the Palestinian mom had problems going through security as the metal detector kept on going off, one of these Irish women helped her with the taking off of her jacket and cloak (as she was in full Muslim attire), helped her put her things on the conveyer belt, and helped her carry this large heavy gym bag past security (and I can tell you it was heavy as took a turn carrying the bag for them later!)
These Irish women unexpectedly and graciously helped a stranger. After they crossed the checkpoint, the Palestinian mom reached up, held the head of the one Irish Women who had helped her so much, and kissed her on both cheeks.
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