The siege imposed on each city still stands; free maneuvering is as restricted as always. Of course we can go to Bethlehem and Beit Jala and other nearby villages in the Bethlehem district, but this does not help the deteriorating economy. No one is allowed out to seek a way of earning a living and the economy is at its worst level ever
Since the withdrawal of the Israeli troops from only the district of Bethlehem, life has not really changed much.
The siege imposed on each city still stands; free maneuvering is as restricted as always. Of course we can go to Bethlehem and Beit Jala and other nearby villages in the Bethlehem district, but this does not help the deteriorating economy. No one is allowed out to seek a way of earning a living and the economy is at its worst level ever.
More and more needy families are approaching the Municipality in Beit Sahour asking for help; they need money to buy food or to pay off their basic bills, or to pay medical bills and school fees etc. The Municipality, with its increasingly high deficit, is doing its utmost to provide help through friends and international supporters.
Schools reopened today, our children are happy to go to school to be with their school friends again after a summer spent trapped in their homes. Some parents were able to afford to buy new school bags but most children are being sent to school with their old bags. The fact that not many could afford to buy all the equipment their children needs for the new year did not affect our children; hey were just to get of the house. They know that they are lucky because so many other children their age are still living under the Israeli invasion and brutal curfew.
It is incredible the power of understanding our children have towards the situation and the way they deal with this whole conflict; they are learning so much about the history of their land and about the what is going on everywhere in Palestine. My older daughter Salam (8) asked me, “Mama why is Marwan Al Bargotti still in prison?” I answered her “because he is fighting for our freedom”. You know what she answered? “Mama, but we are all now fighting for our freedom, why don’t they put us all in prison?” You tell me your reaction to what my daughter meant.
Each day more and more innocent Palestinians are murdered by the Israeli forces. What more proof do you need Mr. Sharon has no intension what so ever to make peace with us Palestinians? I do not know who said these words but they are really show the true nature of the Israelis who hate us so much: “A good Palestinian is a dead Palestinian.”
What is happening is inexcusable. The continued efforts of the Israeli authorities against us are nothing less than ethnic cleansing. We have now reached a stage where we have no more hope in achieving prosperity and justice for ourselves.
Suzan Sahori
International Public Relations Officer
Beit Sahour Municipality
