Fatah Training in Bethlehem

I woke up to Azan Al-Fajr, the pre-dawn call to prayer, a beautiful resounding sound breaking the silence of Bethlehem.

Don and I arrived to Bethlehem yesterday,Sunday May 6th, and started our two day Fatah training. Fatah members came from Nablus, Al-Khalil, Salfit, Jericho, Ramallah and the surrounding areas. Many took a 4 to 5 hour trips to get here, having to wait at check points and go around certain restricted areas. They told us that the 'colors' of Dr Beck attracted them to the training, and the hope to learn a new framework that can help reform their movement.

This training was set up by our colleague Nafiz Rifaee, a Fatah leader, who believes that the integral approach we are offering, is key to solving the problems of the Fatah movement. The breakdown of communication between the leadership, the revolutionary guard and the young generation in Fatah contributed to them loosing the elections to Hamas. That and many other factors of course.

When they asked Don about ways to reform their party, Don said "you cannot afford to Reform, you have to Transform. You have to regain the hearts and minds of the Palestinians and regain the trust of the street and of the world."

Most of the young men who attended our January training came back this time. I was very happy to hear their positive feedback and how they are looking for ways to apply the Spiral Dynamics framework to communicate with the leadership. But what breaks my heart is to hear these spirited young men talk about the absence of opportunities for them. Most of them are graduating this year from college with no prospects for jobs or joyous anticipation to join the 21st century job market.

The young men kept quite when older attendees tried to take the stage and repeat some depressing facts about what they did, and failed. I looked at they young men and saw frustration on their faces. I asked Shadi, why don't you express your thoughts and stop the people in the room who want to drag you to past glories and missed opportunities. He wisely said that there is no point in putting energy into opposing what the others, and go into blame and be blamed debates. Instead, he wants to put his energy into creating a strategy and doing what is right to help his movement and country.

We're going back today for day two of the training that goes into practical steps they can take to help their movement emerge.

I just opened the sliding doors in my hotel room and a breeze carrying the smells of Jasmin and roses filled the room to the sounds of chirping birds. Oh, how much this town reminds me of Zahle, my childhood town in the Bekaa Valley. I feel like walking to the neighbor's house for morning Turkish coffee and the reading of the cup...