The winter storm has severely impacted the people of Gaza, many of whom are still living in temporary shelters since they have been unable to rebuild after the Israeli assault in July and August of 2014 that left over 2100 people dead and tens of thousands homeless.
An Orthodox Christian Archbishop heads the celebration of Christmas at St. Porphyrius Greek Orthodox church in Gaza on Jan. 7, 2015.(Photo: Ahmed Hjazy, Pacific Press/LightRocket, via Getty Images)
A Gaza mother and daughter at the Rafah border crossing. (Johnny Barber, PC, file) Courtesy Palestine Chronicle
Life in Gaza became impossible, to the extent that the UN Conference on Trade and Development released a report last September warning that Gaza could become ‘uninhabitable’ in less than five years, if current economic trends continue.
Last week a friend of mine was excited to celebrate “The Independence Day of Palestine” in Ramallah as the central and official celebration happens yearly. I felt indifferent and didn’t join the some who even mocked him. At the day of Independence Nov.15th he went early and came late exhausted:
-“How was it?” asking, almost knowing how it felt like when you walk a long way with a big hope and come back with nothing.
-“It was OK, but the zionist bastards spoiled it.” he replied dejected.
-“Why? How?”
The British taxpayer, yet again, picks up the tab for the wreckage left behind by Israeli war crimes. It’s a paltry sum considering the Israelis caused damage estimated at $6 billion.
by Stuart Littlewood
It has no nukes, no navy, no air-force, no tanks, no phosphor bombs, no subs, no guided missiles, no exits, nowhere to run… its people are terrorised, blockaded and exhausted… their homes are rubble… unemployment is the highest in the world and 73% suffer food insecurity… but suddenly
Palestinians hold their national flag as they ride boats during a rally to show support for activists aboard the flotilla (AFP Photo/Mahmud Hams)
‘No humanitarian crisis here’ say Netanyahu and Ya’alon as….
by Stuart Littlewood
Governments should support brave humanitarian voyagers and back their play in future
Welcome to the latest chapter in a long tale of unspeakable cruelty.
Israel has never renounced violence. It repeatedly wages war and unleashes its instruments of state terrorism against the Palestinians under occupation. It has flagrantly and repeatedly violated every agreement signed with the PLO. It has not even reciprocated the PLO’s recognition of Israel, nor has it officially acknowledged the Palestinians’ right to establish a Palestinian state.
Image: A woman stands next to a makeshift bed in Shejaiya, Gaza, as other people walk by. With a lack of shelter for the homeless many are resorting to living in unsafe buildings.
AFP editor’s note: This is a must watch video about the rights of Palestinians delivered by a Palestinian speaking with all the eloquence, intelligence, dignity and grace that we would applaud from anyone speaking for our own precious rights and freedoms. Those rights are no less precious for each and every Palestinian struggling against Israel’s oppressive and brutal policies designed to negate their very existence. – SK
