From Switzerland to Hebron: Susan, the TIPH officer who dreams of PEACE: Susan is of Swiss German origin and followed Middle-Eastern studies. She has worked in Egypt for several months at a time. She says “I love all the variety of languages encountered throughout the Middle-East, I love the culture. My main interest lies in the process of PEACE BUILDING and in the different ways of getting there. Currently I am reading the Syrian author Khaled Khalifa and also Naguib Mahfouz. I try and read in Arabic but it is not easy. I have a whole bookshelf full of Arabic books!”.

After I finished my master, I did an internship for an NGO in Switzerland, focusing on helping migrants. Then I worked for “Peace Women”, an NGO also based in Switzerland which aims to increase the visibility of women promoting peace all over the world. Later on, I decided to volunteer in a camp for Lebanese refugees in Greece. “I guess I want to get all the experience I can get on the field”. Then I also went to Lebanon.

“So when I came across a role as an Arabic speaker observer with TIPH (Temporary International Presence in Hebron), it was like the Holy Grail for me”, she says. “TIPH has existed in its present form since 1997. It is an organization which observes and reports on breaches of the agreements between the Palestinian Authority and Israel on Hebron, as well as on violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law. The observers come from TIPHs five contributing countries: Italy, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey. TIPH presents its findings to the five contributing countries and to the Palestinian Authority and the Government of Israel.” Susan says that in her role as an observer for one year, one of the most important aspect is people skills, how to approach people in these quite special circumstances and make them feel at ease”. When asked if the “job” turned out to be what she thought, she says “I try not to have any expectations prior to assignments, this way I can keep an open mind and deal with the daily routine as it comes”.

I needed to learn the Palestinian Arabic as I learnt “Fosra”, the Classical Arabic. Palestinian Arabic or “Amia” is between Syrian and Lebanese Arabic and has its specific vocabulary. I am really pleased with the progress I made in 2 ½ month with the EC. When I came to Hebron, I was too shy to speak and now I am feeling so much more comfortable thanks to the lovely Marwa of the EC! When asked what she misses most about home, she says “it´s the people! When I told my family and friends that I was coming to Palestine, they were mostly curious but not really concerned as they knew that I was going with a serious and structured organization. Some of my relatives have already visited me and I hope that many more will do!

For the rest, when I accept a mission, I go with all my heart and I try not to look back.” What is the future for Susan after her mission next year? Perhaps the Red Cross, in the Middle-East or Switzerland, she does not k