Life continues its miserable course, as much for our children as it does for us. School days depend on curfew. How can we to explain to our children that today they are allowed to go to school, but tomorrow you are forbidden? Children do not want to learn anymore as they have become so used to being imprisoned all the time. It is no fun to go to school because they can feel the teachers are tired and are just rushing to pass on information to them. The stress is too much for them all, they have become like machines, observing what is ‘taught’ regardless if they can concentrate or not.
Life continues its miserable course, as much for our children as it does for us. School days depend on curfew. How can we to explain to our children that today they are allowed to go to school, but tomorrow you are forbidden? Children do not want to learn anymore as they have become so used to being imprisoned all the time. It is no fun to go to school because they can feel the teachers are tired and are just rushing to pass on information to them. The stress is too much for them all, they have become like machines, observing what is ‘taught’ regardless if they can concentrate or not.
The Israeli soldiers continue to play their games with us; will they never tire? Curfew lifts are announced with sarcasm and disdain, and even when curfew is said to be lifted, it may not be. The opening of schools are dependent on T.V. announcements, usually the announcement of curfew lift is made late at night or early in the morning, when most citizens are asleep.
The current circumstances are affecting our children in such a negative way; they do not wish to go to school anymore and they feel abandoned by the world. Our children always ask the question, why is Israel forbidding us to study? Are we bad children? Did we do something wrong? Many more questions go unanswered.
We can’t understand why we have been kept for so long under invasion and curfew? It is bad enough to live under the siege which has been imposed for the last 28 months, forbidding us from traveling out of the city of Beit Sahour, but does the world really not understand that we are struggling for our very survival, resisting and opposing the most vicious and brutal Israeli occupation? We are fighting for our freedom, something some people in this world take for granted. What do we need to do to influence the international media to report accurately and fairly, telling the people in their countries about the killings, torture and arbitrary detentions which take place each day in Palestine? When will the leaders of those countries who pride themselves on their democratic values stand up and oppose the existing occupation and to bring the peace process back to reality, enabling us all to break through this madness? When will we hear ‘justice to all…’?
I know I burden you with our problems, but we watch closely on T. V. your demonstrations opposing a war against Iraq and for true justice for the region. We deeply feel all of those who go on the street to rally for us are our friends in solidarity, and we greatly appreciate the strong efforts they are making to fight for our freedom.
Your friends in solidarity
Suzan Sahori
