As Tourists enjoy their beer and time while celebrating the seventh high-spirited beer festival in a full swing, they confirmed their support of the Palestinian request.
Tourists participated in Oktoberfest with the town’s residents, who opened their arms for them, turning their houses into restaurants, sharing all the hand made products, including food, music, Palestinian embroidery and most importantly Taybeh beer.
Rand Hazou, who is a Palestinian-Australian theatre academic, practitioner and facilitator, told WAFA “this is the first time ever I visit Taybeh, it is fantastic. Of course there are a lot of stores here with local families, aunties and grandmothers produce food at home and they brought it so everyone can enjoy, but also I noticed that inside there is a crafts’ market with jewelry and embroidery and even local honey.” “Our government in Australia have said that they won’t vote for the Palestinian membership, but wherever you go inside Australia and talk to normal everyday people, just like everywhere else, there is a lot of support, there is a lot of sympathy for the Palestinian cause.”
Fillip from Germany who is for the second time in Palestine and first in Taybeh said he enjoyed his time and the Palestinian music. He told WAFA, “He is very interested in the Palestinian bid and yes Palestinians have the right to statehood.”
Ralina who is also from Germany and works in Jerusalem as a volunteer said this is her third visit in a row to Palestine because she likes it in Palestine. She told WAFA she heard about the festival from friend and she thinks such event promotes Palestinian economy. “I’m very supportive of the Palestinian bid and I hope it will get approved,” she added.
An Austrian told WAFA that this is his fourth visit to Palestine and his first to Taybeh. “I’m here for a beer. This festival promotes Taybeh economy.” concerning the bid he said, “It already was a success…I was at the Muqata by Yasser Arafat’s grave when it happened and I’m supportive of the bid.”
From the Kingdom of Kongo a participant said that this is his third time in Taybe. He said “I have been living in Jerusalem for four years; I’m enjoying my Taybeh beer.” When asked about the bid, he told WAFA, “I’m glad Palestine reached that level, I’m definitely supportive.”
From Italy, an exchange student who is for the first time in Palestine told WAFA, “the festival is fun. The Palestinian bid is a holy right of Palestinians to have their own state and I’m supportive, I think the majority of public opinion stands for the Palestinians.”
The Taybeh Oktoberfest is a two days festival filled with Palestinian music, culture, and of course, beer. This festival is an annual tradition that brings together thousands of visitors who set aside their politics in favor of beer.
The Taybeh brewery is owned by the Khoury family who operates the only Arab-owned micro-brewery in the Middle East.
