It was our sincere hope that the next time that you hear from us we will
have a more optimistic message to give you. Unfortunately, the events of the last weeks,
and especially those taking place during nighttime, increased the tension as well as our
pessimism. The past few nights were filled with the sound of missiles and tanks as well as
the screams of little children who could not understand what is happening around them. The
destruction of public facilities and private homes have reached unimaginable levels,
especially since Palestine has been in the process of developing its economic
infrastructure. The new Israeli policy of bombing residential areas in Palestine has
caused tens of families to flee their homes in order to save their lives and that of their
children.
Members of a family, whose children attend our Dar Al Kalima School in
Bethlehem and whose house was shelled in Beit Jala stayed with our colleague Viola in her
small apartment for the past few nights. This family, like many others, is scattered in
different homes. The only comfort they have during the night is to call each other every
hour in order to reassure themselves that every one is fine. The grandmother cries all the
time saying that her children have become refugees in their home, with no place to lay
their heads. Every night a new bombing and every night a new shelter. Each morning the
family rushes back to their home to see the damage caused by the last shelling. Majd, the
twelve-year old boy in this family, continuously watches television. Images of settlers,
especially from the neighboring Gilo Settlement which was built on the land confiscated
from the people of Beit Jala, shouting "Death to the Arabs", is a source of
great worry for Majd. In his innocence, he keeps asking his father WHY? At school, Majd
and his sister and brother sleep during the lessons unable to concentrate on what the
teacher is saying. The psychologist at the school says that Majd is experiencing a trauma,
which has caused distraction and emotional withdrawal. Majd is only one of the thousands
of Palestinian children suffering severe trauma.
The situation of these children is aggravated by the economic conditions
under which we are living now. Unemployment has risen sharply. Families are struggling to
survive and maintain their dignity, for they are finding it hard to meet their basic
needs. Today a family came to our school asking for financial help, as they are no longer
capable of paying tuition. The father, who works as a tour guide, said that the company he
works with has shut down its doors until further notice, since almost all groups have
canceled their trips to the region.