Forty-two years ago, in September 1982, the Sabra and Shatila massacre took place.
For 3 days, so-called “Christian” militias, supported by the Israeli army, massacred the camp’s civilian population 1. The exact number of casualties is unknown, but some estimate between 1,500 and 3,500.
Three years later, from 1985 to 1988, there was what came to be known as “the war of the camps”.
Forty-two years after the massacres, the Palestinian refugees of Chatila still lead a life confined to the shadows.
Against this backdrop of doom and gloom, and even if the young Palestinians feel and say they’ve been “dispossessed of everything, including their dreams”, life is stronger than death, growing intermittently, simply, quietly, stubbornly.
In the shadow of Chatila,
…children are born and grow up. Like all children in the world, they “do their homework” at home and project themselves into the future. Their horizons may be clouded by ruins, but their lives don’t seem ruined. The best guarantee of hope.
…young people are looking for work, training, organizing themselves and doing “odd jobs”, despite the fact that their refugee card is their only form of identification, prohibiting them from working in over seventy occupations in Lebanon and making travel almost impossible.
…couples love each other, have children they love, educate and send to school.
…the older ones ponder their entire history and compare the present with the days before they were deported 2.
The work presented here, the fruit of some fifteen years’ work, is intended to bear witness to the lives of Palestinian refugees in the shadow of a “civilization” that has forgotten them for decades.
I wanted to give names and faces to a population that is too often anonymously diluted by sterile statistics.
More images here.
Tarek Charara
——————————————————————————————-
1
The literature on the subject is vast and extensive. I have done my best to summarize the history of the Palestinian refugees up to the massacres and the war of the camps in my book ” In the shadow of Chatila “, available on this site.
2
Text by Joseph Canal
Text and images © 2001-2018 Tarek Charara/Kaleidos images.
All rights reserved.
Kindergarten
Shatila, UNRWA camp. Beit Atfal Assumood. The kindergarten. Beit Atfal Assumood a humanitarian, non-sectarian and non-governmental organisation was established in 1976 after the Tal Al Zaatar massacre. It provides services for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon and other disadvantaged people with other nationalities living in the camps or close to them.
Fetching water
Shatila. Camp of the ‘Nouriyyeh’, the Gypsies. There is no running water here, you have to fetch it in jerry cans…
For peace
Beirut, Lebanon. UNESCO center. The children of Shatila, wearing Palestinian keffiyehs, demonstrate against the foreboding war against Irak. One of the boys is holding a framed picture of president Arafat.
The road leading to the UNRWA camp
Shatila. All kinds of vendors occupy both sides of the entrance of the camp. Everything can be bought here: old & new clothes, 3rd or 4th hand electronic devices, pirated CD’s of all the latest hits and DVD’s of the latest movies can be found here.
The dentist
Shatila, UNRWA camp. Beit Atfal Assumood. The kindergarten. Beit Atfal Assumood a humanitarian, non-sectarian and non-governmental organization was established in 1976 after the Tal Al Zaatar massacre. It provides services for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon and other disadvantaged people with other nationalities living in the camps or close to them. The Shatila center has kindergarden classes and a dispensary. Dr. Ahmad Abu Rayya, the NGO’s dentist, treats Tarek, a pupil of the kindergarden.
Children help out
Shatila, UNRWA camp. A little girl is equalizing the fresh concrete in front of her house.
Dispensary
Shatila, UNRWA camp. Doctor Saleh Maalouf, head of the PRCS Health Center (PRCS = Palestinian Red Crescent Society) is welcoming patients. Here at the Shatila health center all day patients are treated regardless of their nationalities. The patient is treated for symbolic sums, one or two US$ – vaccinations are done for free. Serious cases are sent to one of the nearby PRCS hospitals, mainly the one in the “Bourj al-Barajneh“ camp. Blood sampling.
Mohammed Shawqat Abu Rudaina
Shatila, UNRWA camp. Mohammed Shawqat Abu Rudaina at age 28. When Mohammed was five years old, he witnessed the massacre of his father, his pregnant sister and her husband, and three other members of his family. It took him 22 years to overcome the traumas and regain his taste for life. He now wants to finish school and study. Mohammed is showing us the document from the Red Cross attesting the death of his father during the massacres of Sabra and Shatila in 1982.
Lunch
Shatila, UNRWA camp. The (Al) Hindawi family at lunch. From left to right: Ahmad, Jamal’s orphan nephew, Jihad and Nidal, Jamal, twin sisters Farah and Hanan and their mother Mona on the far right. Jamal is a marble polisher and runs a small food shop downstairs. Mona has no work and looks after the house.
Lunch
Shatila, UNRWA camp. With the (AL) Hindawi family. Mona and Jamal Hindawi are originally from Jaffa. Jamal is a marble polisher by profession, but often unemployed. Mona is a housewife and takes care of the six children that live with them. 15:20. Lunch of the Al Hindawi family on the living room floor. From left to right: Ahmad, Mona, Farah, Ilham and Jamal. Ilham and Ahmad are Jamal’s niece and nephew. Their mother died early and their father succumbed to a work accident. They were naturally adopted by Mona and Jamal.
Mohammed Shawqat Abu Rudaina
Shatila, UNRWA camp. Mohammed Shawqat Abu Rudaina at age 28. When Mohammed was five years old, he witnessed the massacre of his father, his pregnant sister and her husband, and three other members of his family. It took him 22 years to overcome the traumas and regain his taste for life. He now wants to finish school and study. Here we see Mohammed outside of his home.
The “Oud” player
Shatila, the “gipsy camp”. A “oud” player (oriental lute) entertains a few kids from the camp. The dewellings, made of corrugated iron, scrap wood and plastic sheets, are clean inside.
Afternoon
Shatila, UNRWA camp. With the (AL) Hindawi family. Mona and Jamal Hindawi are originally from Jaffa. Jamal is a marble polisher by profession, but often unemployed. Mona is a housewife and takes care of the six children that live with them. Every evening, Mona Al Hindawi helps her children with homework.
Jamal just woke up
Shatila, UNRWA camp. With the (AL) Hindawi family. Mona and Jamal Hindawi are originally from Jaffa. Jamal is a marble polisher by profession, but often unemployed. Mona is a housewife and takes care of the six children that live with them. Jamal Al Hindawi slowly emerges from sleep. (Turkish) coffee and first cigarette. The TV is already on. While Mona brings the boys to school, Jamal takes care of the twins, Farah and Hanan.
Umm Ali
Shatila refugee camp. Samira Abbas Hijazi, aka “Umm Ali“, is Lebanese and comes from the south of Lebanon. She was married to a Palestinian whom she lost during the “Tel el Zaatar“ massacres in 1978. Her daughter Zeinab, a young 17 year old newly wed, and her son-in-law are assassinated in 1982 during the Sabra & Shatila massacres. During the “Camp wars“ a few years later (1985-1987) she loses her son Ali, 10 years of age. Every time she talks about her memories, a surge of pain and tears appears, even 30 years after the events. Here one can see photographs of Zeinab and Ali. Today “Umm Ali“ lives alone in a one room apartment on the outskirts of the Shatila refugee camp, just a few meters from the UNRWA camp. She has no toilets or bathroom, nor kitchen. She earns her money as a cleaning woman in a kindergarten where she also has a small shop with sweets for the children. She earns 140 US$ a month. Her rent is 65 US$ a month.
Kindergarden
Shatila, UNRWA camp. Beit Atfal Assumood. The kindergarten. Beit Atfal Assumood a humanitarian, non-sectarian and non-governmental organization was established in 1976 after the Tal Al Zaatar massacre. It provides services for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon and other disadvantaged people with other nationalities living in the camps or close to them.
Childplay
Shatila, UNRWA camp. Beit Atfal Assumood. The kindergarten, two little girls play with their teacher, Ms. Maryam Shamieh. Beit Atfal Assumood a humanitarian, non-sectarian and non-governmental organization was established in 1976 after the Tal Al Zaatar massacre. It provides services for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon and other disadvantaged people with other nationalities living in the camps or close to them.
The “Cité Sportive” (Sports City) of Beirut
Beirut, Lebanon. Shatila is near to the “sports city” of Beirut.
Games
Shatila, UNRWA camp. Before or after school, the boys get together in one of the many game rooms in the camp. The “Ramallah“ school for boys becomes the “Hama“ school for girls in the afternoon. The order is changed every month. Here the boys are in one of the game rooms playing pool.
Teaching
Shatila, UNRWA camp. With the (AL) Hindawi family. Mona and Jamal Hindawi are originally from Jaffa. Jamal is a marble polisher by profession, but often unemployed. Mona is a housewife and takes care of the six children that live with them. Three years ago, Jamal Al Hindawi started to learn about computers. He managed, since then, to build computers from second or third hand pieces found at the flea market and tought himself how to use them. He has given himself the mission to teach the kids in the camp the basics of computers – the tool of the future according to Jamal.
Blood test
Shatila, UNRWA camp. At the PRCS Health Center. (PRCS = Palestinian Red Crescent Society). Here all day patients are treated regardless of their nationalities. The patient is treated for symbolic sums, one or two US$ – vaccinations are done for free. Serious cases are sent to one of the nearby PRCS hospitals, mainly the one in the “Bourj al-Barajneh“ camp. Blood sampling.
The elders
Beirut, Lebanon. Sabra. The senior men gather sometimes in a café to smoke the nargile (hookah). Here in the Sabra area, the “Abu Nader Al Salhan“ cafe.
6:15 AM
Shatila, UNRWA camp. With the (AL) Hindawi family. Mona and Jamal Hindawi are originally from Jaffa. Jamal is a marble polisher by profession, but often unemployed. Mona is a housewife and takes care of the six children that live with them. It’s 6:15 AM, Jihad and Nidal are getting ready for school. Their little sister, Farah, is still asleep.
Shatila, the “Nourieh” (Gypsies) camp.
Shatila, the “gipsy camp” below the Sports city of Beirut. The dwellings are made of pieces of corrugated iron, scrap wood and sheets of plastic. Sometimes an old sofa is used to keep the improvised roofs in place, but most of the time old tires and stones are used as weights.
The “Oud” player
Shatila, the “gipsy camp”. A “oud” player (oriental lute) entertains a few kids from the camp. The dewellings, made of corrugated iron, scrap wood and plastic sheets, are clean inside.
Teaching
Shatila, UNRWA camp. With the (AL) Hindawi family. Mona and Jamal Hindawi are originally from Jaffa. Jamal is a marble polisher by profession, but often unemployed. Mona is a housewife and takes care of the six children that live with them. Three years ago, Jamal Al Hindawi started to learn about computers. He managed, since then, to build computers from second or third hand pieces found at the flea market and tought himself how to use them. He has given himself the mission to teach the kids in the camp the basics of computers – the tool of the future according to Jamal. With a lot of patience and free of charge, Jamal gives one hour lessons in one of the UNRWA schools.
The dentist
Shatila, UNRWA camp. Beit Atfal Assumood. The kindergarten. Beit Atfal Assumood a humanitarian, non-sectarian and non-governmental organization was established in 1976 after the Tal Al Zaatar massacre. It provides services for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon and other disadvantaged people with other nationalities living in the camps or close to them. The Shatila center has kindergarden classes and a dispensary. Dr. Ahmad Abu Rayya, the NGO’s dentist, treats Tarek, a pupil of the kindergarden.
Narrow streets of Chatila
Shatila, UNRWA camp. In the streets of the Shatila camp, in front of the Al Hindawi family house. Early evening.
The dentist
Shatila, UNRWA camp. Beit Atfal Assumood. The kindergarten. Beit Atfal Assumood a humanitarian, non-sectarian and non-governmental organization was established in 1976 after the Tal Al Zaatar massacre. It provides services for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon and other disadvantaged people with other nationalities living in the camps or close to them. The Shatila center has kindergarden classes and a dispensary. Dr. Ahmad Abu Rayya, the NGO’s dentist, treats Tarek, a pupil of the kindergarden.
Third generation
Ghobeiri, Liban. Camp de réfugiés Palestiniens Chatila. Youssef Majzoub et sa petite fille Roseanne. Youssef est né en Palestine et Roseanne au camp de Chatila. Shatila, UNRWA camp. Yussef Majzub and his grand-daughter Roseanne. Yussef was born in Palestine and Roseanne in the Shatila camp.
Umm Ali
Shatila refugee camp. Samira Abbas Hijazi, aka “Umm Ali“, is Lebanese and comes from the south of Lebanon. She was married to a Palestinian whom she lost during the “Tel el Zaatar“ massacres in 1978. Her daughter Zeinab, a young 17 year old newly wed, and her son-in-law are assassinated in 1982 during the Sabra & Shatila massacres. During the “Camp wars“ a few years later (1985-1987) she loses her son Ali, 10 years of age. Every time she talks about her memories, a surge of pain and tears appears, even 30 years after the events. Today “Umm Ali“ lives alone in a one room apartment on the outskirts of the Shatila refugee camp, just a few meters from the UNRWA camp. She has no toilets or bathroom, nor kitchen. She earns her money as a cleaning woman in a kindergarten where she also has a small shop with sweets for the children. She earns 140 US$ a month. Her rent is 65 US$ a month. Here she’s with her grand-daughter, Aya. Aya and her mother live abroad.
Homework
Shatila, UNRWA camp. With the (AL) Hindawi family. Mona and Jamal Hindawi are originally from Jaffa. Jamal is a marble polisher by profession, but often unemployed. Mona is a housewife and takes care of the six children that live with them. Ilham and Ahmad Al Hindawi are doing their homework. Ahmad, who is in the “Ariha” (Jericho) secondary school, wants to be a lawyer for his country. He knows it is nothing but a dream and that he cannot be a lawyer in Lebanon.
Cleaning
Shatila, UNRWA camp. The camp is cleaned by specific UNRWA services. The bigger streets are cleaned every day. The smaller alleys every second day.
Selling birds
Shatila, near the sports city of Beirut. A Syrian of palestinian origin survives by selling birds captured in the wild.
Games
Shatila, UNRWA camp. Before or after school, the boys get together in one of the many game rooms in the camp. The “Ramallah“ school for boys becomes the “Hama“ school for girls in the afternoon. The order is changed every month. Here the boys are in one of the game rooms playing table soccer.
Beit Atfal Assumood.
Shatila, Beit Atfal Assumood. The kindergarten. Beit Atfal Assumood a humanitarian, non-sectarian and non-governmental organization was established in 1976 after the Tal Al Zaatar massacre. It provides services for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon and other disadvantaged people with other nationalities living in the camps or close to them. The Shatila center has kindergarden classes and a dispensary. The children are waiting for their turn to see the dentist of the center, Dr. Ahmad Abu Rayya, the NGO’s dentist.
Homework
Shatila, UNRWA camp. With the (AL) Hindawi family. Mona and Jamal Hindawi are originally from Jaffa. Jamal is a marble polisher by profession, but often unemployed. Mona is a housewife and takes care of the six children that live with them. Every evening, Mona Al Hindawi helps her children with homework.
The UNRWA camp
Shatila, The UNRWA camp is constructed on 40000 square meters. Because of the limited space, constructions have grown up to 6 storeys high. In the foreground, just below the Sports City, in the Hayy al Gharbi area, is the shantytown of the “Nouriyeh” (gipsies) camp.
Umm Ali
Shatila refugee camp. Samira Abbas Hijazi, aka “Umm Ali“, is Lebanese and comes from the south of Lebanon. She was married to a Palestinian whom she lost during the “Tel el Zaatar“ massacres in 1978. Her daughter Zeinab, a young 17 year old newly wed, and her son-in-law are assassinated in 1982 during the Sabra & Shatila massacres. During the “Camp wars“ a few years later (1985-1987) she loses her son Ali, 10 years of age. Every time she talks about her memories, a surge of pain and tears appears, even 30 years after the events. Today “Umm Ali“ lives alone in a one room apartment on the outskirts of the Shatila refugee camp, just a few meters from the UNRWA camp. She has no toilets or bathroom, nor kitchen. She earns her money as a cleaning woman in a kindergarten where she also has a small shop with sweets for the children. She earns 140 US$ a month. Her rent is 65 US$ a mo
Good grades
Shatila, UNRWA camp. With the (AL) Hindawi family. Mona and Jamal Hindawi are originally from Jaffa. Jamal is a marble polisher by profession, but often unemployed. Mona is a housewife and takes care of the six children that live with them. The after-noon. Jihad and Nidal are back from school. A bit of TV time with their parents before an afternoon snack. Mona is looking at the trimestrial grades. Jihad and Nidal are among the best students of their class.