The Gaza Music Institute, in the Israeli-occupied territory of the Gaza Strip, was once a hub of the community, a place where Palestinians of all ages and interests could come to learn, practice, and perform just about any type of music, from traditional regional folk instrumentals to symphonic music. But today, with the Intifada raging, and Israeli restrictions of Palestinian residents growing ever more severe, the Institute has been hit hard. It is down to eight students, and the director is keeping the school running with money out of his own pocket. “Music has many lovers in Palestinian society,” he says, “but unfortunately the search for food has become the priority at this point in time.”