M: Both of us came from Jerusalem though we met in the diaspora. We both were born in Jerusalem, maybe not far off from each other.

B: I always felt that Jerusalem was not a city where I was born in. I always felt that Jerusalem belongs to me and my family, Could you imagine that? Can you believe that someone who lives in El Cajon, California feels that Jerusalem belongs to him and his family? Maybe it comes from the fact that Seal of my great great grandfather who was the prince of the holy places in Palestinians still exists on gates of the Dome of the rock

M: If you and I had stayed in the Arab world we could never been able to gone back and visit. Now at least we go as tourists.

B: No we go as Americans.

M: No, as American tourists; as Palestinians we won't get the visa.

B: The truth is Jerusalem is not a city. This is how I look at it. Jerusalem is the mother of humanity. It really does not matter where you were born, for example a Palestinian like my son was born in Florida but he still feels like Jerusalem is his land.

M: Well, it's very simple. If you are an American and you are working abroad and you have a son or a daughter they are immediately an American citizen. That is the feeling that they are immediately Jerusalemites.

B: True, yeah, that's very true. My children have never been there but they have a strong feeling that they are from Jerusalem.

M: I was luckier than you. In 1998 after thirty-one years of absence I took my youngest daughter for a visit. In 1999 I took my son; in 2000 I took my eldest daughter. It was my dream in life to take them back and meet people. When I went back there were cousins that I had never seen. Thirty-one years I was kept outside.

B: Wow!

M: Thirty one years, 1967-1998. I have extended family all over, Jerusalem, Ramallah, Nablus, and all over the West Bank. It was great for my kids. It was an excellent experience. It made them feel much stronger, closer to the land than anybody else.