By Mark Thomas
Ebury Press, 2011
http://www.eburypublishing.co.uk/
Review by Ramona Wadi
Extreme Rambling combines a compelling travel narrative with humour and politics. Mark Thomas' feat of walking the separation barrier constructed by Israel - a combination of concrete wall, electric fence and wire is told with great clarity and poignancy, as readers grapple with an illustration of life on both sides of the barrier.
The book provides essential information which is hardly ever voiced whenever one speaks of the Palestinian -Israeli conflict and life in the West Bank. The Wall's construction usurps around 10% of West Bank territory and was deemed illegal in 2004 by the International Court of Justice.
From soldiers patrolling the wall, to families who lost loved ones from both sides of the conflict, memorials, and divergent opinions, it becomes clear that the Wall has created a separate culture of its own on both sides. It distorts perception of the conflict, even minimising the depth of hostilties for passive observers. The wall creates alienation, allowing the Israeli government to broaden its repression of Palestinians - an act which is detrimental to both Israeli and Palestinian citizens alike.
Even more crucial is the world's response to the conflict, which is in itself a contradiction manipulated by powerful interests. While European opposition to Israeli violence grows, Israel is isolating itself within the confines meant to isolate the Palestinians. However, it is worth remembering that, were it not for the world's superpower supporting flagrant abuses of human rights, the facet of superior isolation that Israel enjoys would become even more ephemeral than a political illusion.
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