Voice From Gaza

3 Ds in Gaza (Desperate, Deprivation, Depression )

2009-12-17T02:26:00.000-08:00

Ayes Of Little Poor Girl Tells Her Story, Deir El Balah Refugees Camp

Pictures taken:

Ayman Quader

Gaza Strip, Occupied Palestine

Video: Christmas for Palestine

2009-12-16T10:44:00.000-08:00

When celebrating Christmas, it would be a good idea to think about the birthplace of Jesus. What is like in the Holy Land under occupation, injustice and racism? How does Christmas feel when the Holy Land is under siege? .

Smiles In Gaza as the Quest for Freedom Continues

2009-10-25T09:40:00.000-07:00

Smiles In Gaza as the Quest for Freedom Continues

(by Ayman Quader and Andrew Felluss)

Gaza City, Palestine – October 13th, 2009. Steadfast in their smiles of innocence, children of Al-Maghazi refugee camp, in the middle of the Gaza Strip, enjoyed the launching today of ‘Quest For Smile’, an after-school event of performance and entertainment organized in Gaza and sponsored internationally. The celebration was attended by an estimated 200 children, who eagerly immersed themselves in the festivities, sharing moments of joy and friendship, and forgetting awhile the recent violence that has plagued their place of residence.

Less than one year ago, during the 23-day assault on the besieged Gaza Strip, 3 children living in Al-Maghazi camp were killed, and over 30 were critically wounded. All of these children in the camp, which was established in 1949 to shelter refugees of the Palestine War, are recovering from the psychological trauma of the latest attacks.

The Quest For Smile event was organized by the Unlimited Friends Association in Gaza and co-sponsored by Artists Against Apartheid and No More Ignorance, both international arts activist groups. Funding for the event was provided by generous contributors through fund raising drives by the organizers and sponsors, and demonstrated the will of the international community to lend support for youth activities in Gaza.

The initiative also prompted the co-sponsors to draft a message to the children, who endure ongoing human rights violations, both as the subjects of recent violence, and through their inherited struggle as Palestinian refugees. In the message of solidarity, the co-sponsors strongly stressed that the children of the Gaza are not alone, and people around the world are actively supporting their quest for freedom and equality.

“No words can express joy experienced by these children during the event”, said one audience member, noting how the children couldn’t stop clapping and dancing with the costumed performers. The young audience enjoyed several activities and performances, including dancing, group games, a trivia contest, and others, as well as spending some leisurely time outside with friends.

Two of the children read aloud the ‘Message of Hope from Abroad’ that was sent from the co-sponsors, both in English and Arabic. During the reading, the children listened intently, as if the voices were coming directly to their ears from outside Gaza. This message had great influence on the children, who immediately reflected upon their situation. Ahmed, who is seven years old, said “I am here so as to practice my childhood that I am being prevented to do so. Therefore I join this event today to share happiness and play with my same aged children and friends”. Salwa, a 9 year old girl, was critically injured during the recent war on Gaza, narrowly escaping her house with her family before the main municipality was directly targeted and completely destroyed. She expressed her deep pleasure upon hearing the message, which reads:

Message of Hope from Abroad to the Children of Al-Maghazi Refugee Camp, Gaza:

Dear Children of Al-Maghazi, we are a group of artists and activists who wish to send you a message of hope from around the world. We come from many countries, and all support your struggle for freedom and equality.

When bombs fell on Gaza earlier this year, we wished we could take you in our homes, to protect you from the cruelty you were forced to endure. Still, you have endured: you are alive to hear this now, and we are in awe of your strength.

We want you to know that you are not alone, and we have not forgotten what has happened to the people of Palestine. We will not rest until you and your families are free, and allowed to live in peace.

We hope you have enjoyed today’s event, and we send our warmest regards to all of the performers, speakers and organizers who have shared this afternoon of smiles with you. We hope these moments of joy will be everlasting.

After listening intently to the message, the children directly signed down their names and ages as joyful witnesses, and taking their own copies of the document.

Here today, in this small refugee camp in the heart of Gaza City, this group of innocent children were overjoyed by a rare opportunity: a chance to “just be kids”. Day to day life in Gaza is trying, as basic human rights and sustenance are hindered as the collective punishment of the siege persists. But for an afternoon, this ‘Quest For Smile’ was a success.

Rhythms, music... over Israeli occupation...

2009-10-10T07:30:00.000-07:00

Rhythms, music...over Israeli occupation...

Ayman Quader

10 October 2009

Gaza, October 10, 2009 (Pal Telegraph)Still the people of Palestine live under the cruel Israeli occupation which creates severe suffering for the people. The suffering of the people living in the Gaza Strip has been greatly increased as the nearly 4-year brutal siege suffocates all aspects of life in the Strip. The situation on the ground is dire as 1.5 million residents of the Strip have been denied their basic daily life needs, food, and freedom of movement.

There have been, internationally and locally, many activities carried out by people who always love and express solidarity for the people of Palestine and the Gaza Strip. These activities reflect the kind-heartedness of those people to shine a light on the ongoing abuse of human rights on the Gaza Strip and attract attention to the situation there. Indeed, the act of non-violent resistance is very effective as a means of creating change and working for social justice.

In a recent article I wrote with my friend Sameh Habeeb, http://peaceforgaza.blogspot.com/2009/08/non-violent-action-in-gaza.html, we examined the non-violent activities that have been successfully launched in the Gaza Strip, focusing on the results of these efforts, which have helped to bring the situation of the Gaza Strip to the attention of the international community.

Once again the voices of people and artists are supporting the besieged Gaza in a unique event that will take place soon in Dublin, called, Two cities – One Concert . On 16th October, Dublin will extend the hand of friendship to the city of Gaza when a very special concert will be transmitted live from Tripod in Dublin and beamed LIVE to Gaza City – Two cities, One concert.

Great Irish musicians will join this concert to celebrate and raise voices toward what's going on in the Gaza Strip. Celebrated musicians Irish Liam Ó Maonlaí, Lumiere, Kíla, Naisrin and Zahara El Safty will be joined on the bill by Palestinian singer Shadia Mansour,

and Dublin based Discovery Gospel Choir, who will perform with renowned Iraqi/English Rapper MC Lowkey. A night of brilliant music with a big message, the concert will be broadcast live on a big screen in Gaza city allowing the people of Gaza to enjoy the concert in Dublin and they in turn will say something to the Irish audience.

William Nassar is a renowned Palestinian composer, songwriter and performer. He's been active in the struggle for Gaza through concerts, writing articles and demonstrations. He received the Order of Merit of the Palestinian Ministry of Culture

The organizers of this event stated that this evening will celebrate culture by the use of music to unite both the people of Gaza and the people of Ireland. Additionally, the organizers of the concert try to send a clear message that Gaza is not alone and there are many people around the world expressing solidarity with its people. The main goal of this concert is to raise funds needed for the rebuilding of the Gaza Strip.

In another step to show solidarity with the people of the Gaza Strip, there will be international groups marching to Rafah border in coming December. The great FREEDOM MARCH will include hundreds of international dignitaries and human rights activists who will come to Gaza to express comprehensive solidarity with 1.5 million Gazans living under the siege.

The March aims to strengthen international solidarity toward the daily Palestinian suffering and to put moral and legal pressure on the international community to take its responsibilities in alleviating the Palestinian tragedy, enable them to rebuild their own homes, and to live in peace & security.

To raise a voice is better than to keep passive. The resistance of the words is a very powerful tool for change. As we are people of Palestine living under the Israeli occupation, we have the complete right to resist and to gather international voices by the means of non-violent approaches. We will never give up till we are free.

=========================
Ayman T. Quader
Blogger Based on the Gaza Strip
Gaza Strip, Palestine
Mob: 00972599448628
E-mail: ayman.qauder@gmail.com
ayman.quader@yahoo.com
Skype: peaceforgaza
Facebook: ayman.quader
Web: www.peaceforgaza.blogspot.com
www.paltelegraph.com
http:picasaweb.google.com/ayman.qauder
=============================

Obama after Cairo

2009-09-28T11:15:00.000-07:00

Obama after Cairo

September 28

By Ayman Quader

Palestine, September 28, 2009 (Pal Telegraph)“It is the time to change” a statement that was spontaneously delivered when I followed Obama’s speech in Cairo University the last June. It was a speech full of encouraging words especially to the Palestinian people towards regaining part of their deprived rights. I strongly argued with my friends that the upcoming future will be partly bright to solve the Palestine-Israel conflict as Obama had raised the slogan Change We Need in his campaign. When it comes closer for the Palestinians, they were cautiously watching TVs during his speech in Cairo. We had amazingly been moved with the gentle and strong speech of Obama in Cairo. The supporters of Obama in his election campaign were massively raising Change We need flash cards sending massages to the whole world that justice and freedom will finally prevail. As for me, I directly uploaded Obama’s word and the audio and started listening to his speech once, twice..

Time has changed people even President Obama. My mind gets confused as to how people would dramatically change. Nothing has been implemented from Obama’s speech. Therefore we determined that it was just a speech with no action. We were considerably manipulated with Obama’s speech in Cairo thinking that the new American administration will be completely different from the previous one and actual actions will noticeably be taken.

In Gaza, everything was targeted, homes, schools and human beings. More than a thousand Gazans were savagely killed and thousands more were seriously wounded. Young children still feel unsafe and are suffering from severe psychological problems. The scenes of death means of Israelis will never leave from our minds.

Mohammed Abbas, the present of Palestine and Palestinian Authority and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu were invested by Obama to a summit with an obscure goal. Obama distanced himself from the injustice and the change he aspires to achieve in the middle east. Palestinians are being violated daily with a world that looks on in silence. Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem has also violated by Israelis and this is really black and dangerous indications for the future of Al-Aqsa.

People of Gaza haave been obfuscated from the promised change of President Obama’s position in the recent meeting in Washington.

All we need is our freedom and justice that must and will prevail one day.

Gaza to Obama: "Mr. President, our justice still denied, Our wounds are still open”

2009-09-26T06:05:00.000-07:00

Gaza, September 24, 2009, (Pal Telegraph)- Dear President Obama: Our wounds in Gaza are still open, our justice still denied. Israel's 23 day offensive (28 December 2008- 19 January 2009) has left our children afraid to return to school, and feeling unsafe in their beds.

The war, and the continued closure of the Gaza Strip, has undermined the capacity of mothers and fathers to act as protectors and providers. As a community, we will struggle for decades to live with the consequences.

Along with our children we feel that justice has been too long abandoned. For many reasons we Palestinians have felt that the world has ignored us. The international attention following the war on Gaza gave us hope. The investigation led by Justice Goldstone was a cause for optimism. We felt that this respected judge and prosecutor - who has served at the highest level and consistently demonstrated his independence in upholding the rule of law - was one of the few people who had the credentials and experience to take on this legally complex and politically charged mission. We came to believe that the world actually cared. The statement of your ambassador to the UN, Ms. Susan Rice, sent a different message: that the world, or at least the United States, does not care.

Ms. Rice suggested that the focus should be on the future and not the past and that the task at hand must be to cement progress towards the resumption of the Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations. This separation of justice and peace is misguided; the two are intertwined. If there is one thing that history teaches us, it is that when the powerful are allowed to escape accountability, they will continue to violate the law, and innocent people will pay the price.

In Cairo you said that "America will not turn our backs on the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity, and a state of their own." You also spoke of the desire for the rule of law and the equal administration of justice, stating that these "are not just American ideas, they are human rights, and that is why we will support them everywhere". These were welcome words, but they demand action. Accountability and criminal responsibility are fundamental components of justice. All those responsible must face trial; victims' rights must be upheld; suffering cannot be ignored.

President Obama, as you once said quoting Dr. Martin Luther King: ‘the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends towards justice, but it doesn't bend on its own unless each and every one of us puts our hands on the arc.'

Support the recommendations of the UN Fact Finding Mission.

Dr. Eyad El-Sarraj

President, Gaza Community Mental Health Programme

Participating in a Youth Conference

2009-09-20T11:09:00.000-07:00

Participating in a Youth Conference

Gaza, September 20, 2009 (Pal Telegraph)-The "Youth…. the Ability to Change" Conference has been held in Gaza City 17/9/2009. It mainly shed light on the ability of young people to create changes even in very harsh conditions.

On September 17, 2009 I participated in a conference called "Youth…. the Ability to Change", which was organized by the Catholic Relief Services – CRS - in GazaCity.

The conference has very clearly stressed the role of young people in making changes in any society. Most of the participants also were from young people who spoke about their own experience to the audience. Mr. Jung Geng, director of operations for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, UNRWA, spoke impressively about the crucial role that the Palestinian youth is playing in these rough conditions. He added that young people are the means of any change in any society as they are the most dynamic and vigorous group in the society. He expressed his belief that the youth of Gaza would be able to defend its legal condition, to get justice and to break the unlawful siege imposed on 1.5 million people. “The Palestinian people are being supported internationally - they are no alone", Mr. June ended his speech.

"No one can deny the role of young people in any society and they are the tools of development and of creating a change" - by this sentence I started my own speech. I then talked about three main initiatives that have been organized by group of young activists. Those people who believe in their just cause have the ability to make a difference. These three initiatives have appeared as a result of the ongoing drastic siege in order to shed light on the suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza.

The three initiatives I presented are:

~ Many Personal Blogs

~ The Gaza Concert - www.gazaconcert.com

~ The Palestine Telegraph - www.paltelegraph.com

I first talked about my own experience about my blog and how I have developed it day by day. The story of my first blog "Black Rain on Gaza" apparently impressed the audience strongly. My goal in this Blog is to bring the reality of what is going on the ground in Gaza to people who are eager to listen. Young people, women, old men, children… - everyone is suffering day by day. People around the world should know the day-to-day reality of our people here in Gaza. Therefore, the personal stories I regularly write show these sufferings and shed light on the ongoing crisis in Gaza.

Then I mentioned the well-known Gaza Concert that took place on November 27, 2008 in Gaza City. This concert was organized and supervised by group of young people who aspired to show the World the real face of the Gaza Strip. This concert is considered as a significant event of non-violent resistance.

Finally I talked about the first online newspaper, The Palestine Telegraph. The first English newspaper that tries to show the international community the reality of the daily suffering all over Palestine.

Branches of Olive Trees

2009-09-08T14:57:00.000-07:00

Branches of Olive Trees

Ayman T. Quader

9/9/2009

Gaza City, Sept. 9, 2009, (Pal Telegraph) It has been 9 months since the devastating War on the Gaza Strip, which left thousands of people either killed or wounded.

Today I was invited to take a Ramadan breakfast in my friend Jumaa’s house. He lives in Al Maghzi Refugee Camp where people still are suffering miserably from the impacts of the War on their houses and streets. Basically, most of the residents of the Gaza Strip are already refugees and during the War they were once again forced to evacuate their houses and flee. I asked my friend to take me around in the camps small pass-ways, as I wanted to be closer to the people actually living there. Indeed, this made me feel strongly how much the people in the Refugee Camp are still in real pain. In the middle of the Al Maghzi Refugee Camp there is still a completely destroyed building – impossible to ignore by the people living in the Camp. I found little children playing on the rubbles of this building which really made me sad. But THEY didn’t mind and seemed to be really happy.

We reached my friend's house after the round through the camps passages. My friend showed me several pictures he took during the War, showing what the people had to experience during the War. I saw four of the pictures he took: - a picture of a wounded little girl, a picture of smoke breaking out from a house, one of people sheltered in one of the UNRWA school and a forth picture… that I’ll describe separately:

In this picture I saw little kids carrying branches of olive trees. Those little kinds had to flee from their homes to one of the UNRWA school in the Al Maghzi Refugee Camp. I wished I could be there at that time to ask them why are they were carrying these branches?

It is well-known that olive branches are a symbol of peace. It seemed as if those kinds were trying to convey a message from the hardship of their condition at that time.

Kids of Gaza are still aspiring peace and stability - even in times of WAR!!!

it's appeared on the Pal telegraph

=========================

Ayman T. Quader
Blogger Based on the Gaza Strip
Gaza Strip, Palestine
Mob: 00972599448628
E-mail: ayman.qauder@gmail.com
ayman.quader@yahoo.com
Skype: peaceforgaza
Facebook: ayman.quader
Web: www.peaceforgaza.blogspot.com
www.paltelegraph.com
http:picasaweb.google.com/ayman.qauder

=============================

Gaza Fishermen - Daily Suffering with No Notice

2009-09-02T09:37:00.001-07:00

Gaza Fishermen - Daily Suffering with No Notice

Ayman Quader

2 Sep, 2009

Gaza City, Sept. 2, 2009, (Pal Telegraph) - Everyday in the news, I hear about the suffering of the Gaza fishermen - one was killed, others wounded, and the Israelis are firing on still others. And I wanted to shed a light on their pain.

I went to the main Gaza port. While I was there, I figured out how sad the sea and the fishermen are. Boats are stuck and fishermen are looking at the sea with no hope.

The Palestinian fishermen have been consistently harassed by the regular Israeli attacks on them, as they abuse the fishermen for pursuing their livelihood. Furthermore, they are prevented to work for far distances inside the sea. The allowed distance for them is just around 4.5 Km. Unfortunately, once they reach that distance, they find themselves under Israeli fire.

Around 3000 fishermen are now despondently jobless and in a real tragedy. The tragedy began with the complete blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip. The fishermen are prohibited from going to a deeper and richer area of fishing, and they have been dramatically affected with these restrictions from the Israeli navy forces. Indeed, they now have very low incomes with which to feed their families.

Ismael Kalilo is a 65-year old fisherman in Gaza City, who has spent 50 years of his life in the sea, and now lives in the Beach Camp. "I am totally satisfied to be a fisherman in Gaza, but completely exhausted by the conditions imposed on us."

The aged fisherman is also a father of 8. I asked him how he takes care of his dependents, and how he feeds them: "No one can bear the situation that the fishermen are living with. He should go to the sea and see how much they suffer. We were peacefully fishing before the time of the siege on Gaza, as we just depended on our livelihood. We have become unable to secure even the basic needs of our life.

I asked him about his own experience regarding the Israeli navy forces. He took deep breath, then pointed at his son to tell us the story. Ahmed is 24 years old, and is also a fisherman.

"I was with my boat about a year ago at Sudania coast, north of the Gaza Strip," he said. "With no alert and at 10 pm, I found that the Israeli ship started firing missiles toward my boat, exactly at my net. They ordered me to get back without my net. I tried to save my big net, which costs around $2000, but it was in vain. Then I found myself obliged after staying in the sea from 10am to 7am to get back home, and they took the net - including what I had fished. That even had increased our tragedy, as they took the net which we all depend on for fishing."

"We are passing through a rough time, and we are suffering," said Ismeal, as he took me to see the bullets still in the boats, the fishermen unable to get them repaired. "The siege has suffocated us for almost 3 years."

Ismeal finished his interview with me, calling upon all of those people who claimed humanity, to stand beside the Palestinian people, their besieged people in Gaza, and to take responsibility for ending this daily suffering.

Sourse: Palestine Telegraph

http://www.paltelegraph.com/palestine/gaza-strip/2098-gaza-fishermen-daily-suffering-with-no-notice

Non-violent action in Gaza

2009-08-28T01:15:00.000-07:00

Non-violent action in Gaza

Sameh Habeeb and Ayman Quader, 26 - 08 - 2009

If you are a young Gazan, how do you react to siege, blockade and war? It's time to hear about the struggle to be constructive in the midst of so much hatred and destruction, and to ask how long it can survive.

26 - 08 - 2009

he Gaza Strip has lost 1,400 lives and a further 5,000, mostly civilians, have been maimed and wounded in the latest attack waged by the Israeli government. This came on top of an illegal, yet relentless siege that has dragged on and on for over two years, preventing 1.5 million Gazans from having access to the basic necessities of life, and to the wider world. You might well ask how young people respond to this blockade. Some of course resort to violence. But others have chosen a different tack.

The right to resist derives from the basic values of justice and freedom. It is not confined to the use of force. Millions of people in this world believe in solving conflicts through peaceful means, without shedding blood and causing more hatred. One day this noble struggle could even replace the violence used by humanity against their fellow human beings. Rockets, guns, tanks - as decisive as they are today - have little to say to the wider cultural struggle for a civilised existence.

The first ‘Intifada' uprising was a Palestinian show-case for a unique kind of resistance in which heavily armed Israeli soldiers were confronted by children with stones. That intifada mutated through several phases before it helped us to secure the Oslo agreement in 1993. More and more Palestinians nowadays are revisiting a non-violent resistance that has emerged from their history if only because it has been so dogged by violent conflict and by war.

In the West Bank, the International Solidarity Movement inspired a non-violent movement of resistance in which locals only became involved when Israel started to build the annexation wall. The people of the Gaza Strip started their movement with a different sort of retaliation, this time against the blanket of silence which was the first stage of Israel's siege. Our response was ‘voices instead of bullets'. In the Gaza Strip, by mid-2007 we were engaged in numerous actions which drew international activist attention in our direction for the first time.

Sameh Habeeb, who was coordinator for the Popular Committee Against the Siege (PCAS) when Israel closed down all the border points, cut the electricity dead and with-held all fuel supply, remembers that moment as a turning-point:

"At first, there was just a stunned reaction of helplessness. We all rushed around wringing our hands about what could be done. We were entering an extremely challenging phase in which the question was: how to involve a wider public in our activities? Gazans are notorious for their loyalties and their endless capacity for confrontation. We thought we were in for a very difficult time indeed. But it turned out to be easy.

We realized that it was precisely at that moment, so in need of a clear way forward, that we must bring people onto the streets. We issued a call throughout Gaza to everyone who would listen. It took almost 5 days before any media outlets paid any attention to what we were saying. Then it started. Even the Israeli media were calling us to ask what was going to happen next. The Israeli government called on thousands of reserve soldiers who were promptly deployed along the borders with Gaza. We had promised some kind of action on a specific day - and as the day loomed, the Israeli media carried reports speculating on what might occur. Some predicted that tens of thousands of us would break through the borders with Israel."

The action day arrived and began early with massive media coverage from our side: ‘Human chain to challenge the siege.' Literally tens of thousands of people of all ages did indeed respond: schoolchildren, university students, labourers, women and children and many ordinary people hurried to the Salah El Din. The chain stretched from Rafah to Beit Hanoun and was around 36 kilometers long. The people went to the borders without guns in the manner of Ghandi to make a united protest. However, accorind to Al Jazeera, clashes erupted between youths and the soldiers who fired at them.

Since that memorable day, Jamal El Khoudary, chair of PCAS has launched numerous symbolic activities to end the siege. "Our approach to struggle has many means at its disposal. This is why Palestinian factions, political parties and individuals across the board participate in our actions. Through non-violent actions, we have been able to move the mainstream. However, you have to face the fact that you are always, at any minute, liable to be fired on." This is the price we have to pay to call attention to what is happening to us.

On January 26, 2008 the Palestinian International Campaign to End the Siege on Gaza, led byDr Eyad Sarraj, proclaimed an international day of action against the siege imposed on the Strip. It is important that there is an international response to this call, but at the core of this activity was the coming together of organizations working for peace and solidarity in Palestine, civil society bodies, and human rights advocates and Gazan academics, with Israeli peace activists also wanting to extend solidarity to the people of Gaza in numerous joint actions and events. On that day thousands of activists demonstrated on both sides of the borders between Israel and Gaza. More activists came to Egypt and tried to cross over to Gaza.

The campaign launched a call to gather a million signatures to end the siege of Gaza. Teams of volunteers grouped in villages, towns and neighborhoods of Gaza to collect these names. The aim was to present them to the United Nations, and two hundred thousand signatures had been secured when all this was brought to a rude halt by the Israeli war.

Dr Eyad Sarraj, who is amongst various callings, an international peace campaigner said on that day, "The principal goal of this demonstration is to join the hands of both Israeli and Palestinian peace activists who want to end the siege and all kinds of violence. The most decisive factor in breaking the siege will be through a change in Israeli public opinion." The slogans were: ‘No Movement, No Life' and ‘Humanity, Not Humiliation: Peace, Not Punishment'.

By late 2008 this movement of civic protest was growing new dimensions. Seeing the Palestinians so committed to such actions, international support of various kinds began to build. The Free Gaza movement managed to send three boats into Gaza surrounded by such a media fanfare that the Israelis were not able to touch them. The sea of Gaza has been under a blockade for many years: the last boat to arrive was 41 years ago. They made their fourth attempt during the attack on Gaza, and this time, the boat was destroyed. The crew and cargo of the fifth, Spirit of Humanity, have just been seized by the Israeli government who have imprisoned those on board, including the Nobel Peace prize winner, Mairead Corrigan Maguire, and sequestered or destroyed the toys, medicines and tree seedlings. But our message continues to spread.

Then there is the music. In the beginning of November 2008, the Popular Committee Against the Siege organized a candle-lit protest carried out by young children in Gaza City to protest at the closure of the power station providing electricity to the northern Gaza Strip. The protest started only minutes after the main Gaza power station shut down and the entire city was plunged into total darkness. Gaza's residents started marching alongside the children in the city's streets while the children held candles, singing in both, English and Arabic. Indeed, kids are the light of hope of Gaza, when they call for the freedom that comes through peaceful means. The people of Gaza are finding their own ways of struggling against this inhumane collective punishment.

Many people who don't know Gaza reckon that we live under some kind of Hamas-Taliban Puritanical rule. It is't true, and we are proud to have been involved in what we called the first ‘opera show' ever in Gaza, starring an Italian artist who was willing to come over on one of these boats. On November 27 2008, this concert, ‘Sing for Freedom', organized by a group of young people in the Gaza Strip, was a great success. The aim was to find a new way of breaking the siege, through a resilience that young people can discover together through song, dance, poetry, and hip-hop, announcing to their audience and to the world that their spirit is strong, and that they will never give up their demand to live in freedom, justice and peace in Palestine.

The First Opera Show

These are just a few examples of the kind of actions that show Palestinian aspirations for a dignified, thriving and humane life that we all hope to see one day. Many unanswered questions still fill our heads. Is this movement effective in challenging Israeli occupation? Should Gazans give up armed resistance? Will non-violent resistance bring back our rights? When if ever will Israel stop killing peace activists in Gaza and the West Bank? (The last victim was Basam abu Rahma, Basam who believed in non-violence, but who was met by death for his beliefs....)

Things are looking bad in the West Bank, where Israel has dealt a particularly bleak hand to President Abbas, who, after returning to the road map in the agreement in Annapolis, clamped down on all sorts of armed resistance with the help of Premier Fayyad. In the end, how was this received? His efforts were greeted by more settlement-building, more invasions and more arrests throughout the West Bank. And in Gaza? More and more people were beginning to look to non-violent resistance under their siege conditions: then came the last war. People are bound to argue for a return to armed resistance. What should one say in return?

We asked three of our acquaintances in Gaza to comment:

* Nadine Rajab, a 25-year-old human rights advocate, says, "As a Palestinian citizen living under siege and under occupation in Gaza, I think resistance has a few legitimate aspects: the general humanitarian dimension, the religious dimension and the national dimension. There are many legitimate means of non-violent resistance such as demonstrations, boycotting products and civil disobedience. But we should engage in both non-violent and violent resistance, because we are part of the society and it is our duty to do so."

* Muhammad Ghates, a 25-year-old young man working in the Gaza Strip has a different view. His brother was killed by the Israeli army in 2007: "Israel is a state that only survives on instability in the region. It has launched several wars against its neighbours since its establishment. Israel only agreed on peace after it was defeated by the Egyptians in 1973. Israel can be made submissive again through resistance and fighting. Maybe non-violent resistance can pave the way, but it can never be the decisive factor." Ghates believes that Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005 due to the heavy resistance of the Gazan people. He contrasts this with over four years of non-violent resistance in the West Bank that has come to nothing. It may have drawn worldwide attention to the wall issue, but this in turn has resulted in no identifiable pressure on the Israeli state, "My family is pro-resistance and my brother was killed while defending Gaza. We aspire to liberate our country through resistance and fighting as we are under occupation. When the Nazis were invading Europe, nations and populations had the right to resist. But our case is different: we are not granted that right. Our resistance is described as terrorism, regardless of the fact that we are under occupation. It seems Israel as a country only understands the language of power and blood not peaceful means. This was quite clear in their last bloody war on Gaza: everybody was under attack. My house too was damaged. It was a target though I'm a normal citizen and I have never lifted a finger against Israel."

* Another young 21 year-old student living in Al Nuserat camp in the middle of the Gaza Strip says, "Our peaceloving children insist on facing up to Israel, but in a different way. They have escaped into patriotic songs to sympathize with each other. Furthermore, they light candles to express simplicity and innocence. They also draw pictures and write words on walls to show the suffering e.g. even before this gruelling war I saw a picture of a Palestinian child who had written on his chest in Arabic letters, "I'm hungry". I do believe that the non-violent path of activism could be more fruitful than militant resistance."

source:

http://www.opendemocracy.net/article/email/non-violent-action-in-gaza

Ayman T. Quader

Blogger based on the Gaza Strip

Kidney-Patients Again in Suffering

2009-08-26T11:36:00.000-07:00

Gaza, August 26, 2009 (Pal Telegraph)- The siege on the Gaza strip is severely suffocating the people of Gaza in all walks of life. Now, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, there is a dire shortage of 80 essential drugs & 125 types of medical equipment. As the Gaza crossing borders are still routinely closed, medicine and equipment are prohibited entry to the Gaza Strip.

Officials in the ministry of health warn that 400 kidney patients are really suffering due to the lack of needed essential medicines. Additionally, regularly cutting electricity has been having a disastrous influence on the condition of these kidney-patients, as the power supply is too impotent to run the dialysis machines.

Ayman Quader

Ramadan in Fadel's Eyes by Ayman T. Quader

2009-08-24T09:49:00.000-07:00

Ramadan in Fadel's Eyes by Ayman T. Quader

24 August 2009

Gaza, August 24, 2009 (Pal Telegraph)- The holy month of Ramadan has come again, yet there is no progress in living conditions and the people of Gaza are being suffocated. Entering a taxi to catch a ride home after meeting a friend, a discussion between the driver and passengers caught my attention. Specifically, it was the following sentence: "The situation in the Gaza Strip needs a miracle."

It was just around a half-hour distance between Gaza and where I live, but the discussion taking place was serious. "I cannot bear the conditions in Gaza; I work from 8-to-8, but receive little money to feed my family. I try to do to my best to give them a decent life, but everything is in vain. I can see no progress in the horizon," said the taxi driver.

Wanting to know more, I entered the conversation by saying, "indeed, I was earning a living by working in Israel before the outbreak of the Intifada. Now everything is finished!!!" The driver added, "The siege suffocates us, in our home, in our living....in everything. Additionally, we have been turned into an independent but unproductive people. We are mainly dependent on the aid and food parcels that come from UNRWA and other associations from time-to-time."

Fadel Mosa, a taxi driver living in Al Maghzi refugee camp in the middle of the Gaza Strip, is the father of a family of six. Early in the morning every day, he gets in his rental car to gain a livelihood to feed his family. "I am 50 years old. Ten years of my life now went in vain." Fadel now gains just around 40 NIS ($14 USD) that could hardly meet the increasing daily demands of his family.

As we approached Al Nuseirat refugee camp, the discussion became more animated. The electricity of the camp had been turned off and the generators could be heard singing like that of a loud radio playing from a distant celebration. The sounds of generators, however, are no celebration. They are heard running because of the scheduled power outages due to a lack of fuel for the main power plant in Gaza. Fuel deliveries are limited and often prohibited by the Israelis.

Somberly, Fadel recollects that it is his camps turn for the power to be cut. "I don't want to go back home. The electricity is down and the weather is really hot in the summer season. The situation in Gaza does not exist in any other country in the world."

As we arrived in the main square of Al Nuseirat camp, the other passengers departed. In Al Nuseirat, people can buy and sell all sorts of things. Looking around, Fadel's eyes stopped on a vegetable cart. He queried, "How can I buy vegetables, but no oil to cook them?" Similar to that of fuel to run the power plant in Gaza, deliveries of cooking oil are often limited or prohibited by the Israelis.

Alas, it was my stop and the time spent with Fadel came to an end. With one last imparting thought Fadel said, "People are becoming more and more afraid of the unknown, of the future. Everyone outside Gaza should know what is going on here. The whole world should see!! All we need is our freedom; we need a better future for me and my children. We want a decent life. We want to live like other people".

The suffocation of the people in Gaza is not from the sweltering, summer heat. Rather, their suffocation is due to the illegal siege on Gaza, imposed by Israel and supported by the International Community. The unlawful siege effects the people in their daily life, causing dramatic pressures on every household that are exacerbated by an ever-increasing unemployment rate.

There is one shared dream among all living in Gaza-the opening of the four main border crossings linking Gaza with the rest of the world. Gazans during this Ramadan will be following the news moment-by-moment in hopes that their collective dream will come true.

http://www.paltelegraph.com/diaries/85-diaries/1976-ramadan-in-fadels-eyes-by-ayman-t-quader

=========================
Ayman T. Quader
Blogger Based on the Gaza Strip
Gaza Strip, Palestine
Mob: 00972599448628
E-mail: ayman.qauder@gmail.com
ayman.quader@yahoo.com
Skype: peaceforgaza
Facebook: Ayman Quader
Web: www.peaceforgaza.blogspot.com
www.paltelegraph.com
http:picasaweb.google.com/ayman.qauder
=============================

Severe shortage in the school supplies due to the ongoing siege on the Gaza Strip.

2009-08-23T11:56:00.000-07:00

taken by: Sameh Habeeb

The Gaza Strip, 23 August 2009, (pal telegraph)- Severe shortage in the school supplies due to the ongoing siege on the Gaza Strip.

Since the Israeli government has been declaring its discussion to impose the siege on the Gaza, all basic daily needs are being prevented entry in the Strip. All life sectors have been dramatically paralyzed. The education sector is strongly affected due to the drastic siege as there is severe shortage Necessities on the school supplies needed for students such as paper, notebooks, textbook and other facilities.

It is worthily mentioning that, 300 schools around the Gaza Strip were greatly getting damaged resulting from the recent Israeli's assaults ( 27 Dec. 2008) on the Strip. These schools are in strong need to be rebuilt again. These schools are in strong need of tens of thousands of cement and iron to get them rebuilt again.

Ayman Quader

blogger based on the Gaza strip

I live in a tent, with no privacy

2009-08-18T10:13:00.000-07:00

I live in a tent, with no privacy

And every time, she tries to understand what happened to her, she asks herself : what was my fault?, what’s going to happen to me in my tent?

Ilham, 30 years old, a mother of 6 , she lives in Al-atatra district , in the northern part of the Gaza strip. The Israeli war had a huge impact on her, it actually destroyed her house, her parent’s house and killed her brother.

Ilham and her family spent 25 days in one of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency’s schools (UNRWA), to take shelter from phosphorous missiles of death that was chasing all the population of the strip. She was saying: "Israeli armed forces bombarded our house with many missiles, destroyed its walls, set fire in its rooms, and spread darkness all around us (she meant the missiles fumes), to a point that we couldn’t breathe anymore… and after hours, during which we were facing death, the ambulance transported us to the hospital.

We moved to ASMA’A GAZA AL JADIDA school, looking for some security, since

We were fifty persons from different families, sleeping in the same room : men, women and children, I haven’t felt safe at all. I couldn’t close my eyes during the war and during all the period that we spent in the school, not mentioning the horrific sounds of the missiles and the rockets surrounding us from everywhere.

I’ve worn the niqab for several years, but when I found myself in the school with fifty other persons, most of them were men, in a room that didn’t exceed sixteen meters of surface, it forced me to abandon it. I lost my freedom during the war and even after it.

Now I live in a tent that doesn’t exceed eight meters, with no privacy. After being in that school, where I couldn’t even get the basic human needs, there was no water, the women had to go to the hospital of “dar Shefa” to take a shower.

we used to walk many miles each week or every other week, as a group of women, just for bathing, I had a feeling of humiliation and despair, especially when we were forced to leave the hospital, because of the high numbers of martyrs and victims, their bodies took over the whole place, moreover, the hospital is not a place for taking baths…In the war, my house was destroyed, all I own now is a tent that does not exceed few meters, my children and I sleep on the sand. My nights became like my days, everything has changed in my life after the 27^th of December 2008. All I kept now is memories on which I live me and my children, till this day, I feel deeply oppressed . What was my fault? And why do I live in this humiliation? Who could bear what we are all facing?

In another scene, Ilham was smiling, she remembered that her husband came back to her today, and brought a present, from the ruins of their house, after his daily trip there, wishing to salvage some kitchen utensils among the rubles. Today he came back with the food-processor, it was a gift from her brother, the one that just killed in the war. Despite all her sadness for his death, she was so happy to have it back, and she was also glad to prepare with it some food and cookies for her children… but cooking for her kids was just a dream, a dream that was never fulfilled, in Gaza there were no food and no electricity…

Ilham taps on her son’s (Samed) shoulder, one year and a half, while holding him with her other hand, as if she were apologizing for what is happening to him, and for being unable to ease his suffering and agony after he breathed white phosphor, which exhausted his little body, in front of her six years old sister Ryman, who got into the conversation, saying : “I miss our home, I want to play with the swing that my dad made for me, so I don’t have to play in the street…”

Memory Chasing Us

2009-08-09T11:21:00.000-07:00

TESTEMONIES OF GAZA WOMEN

Commentary and Photo by Ayman Quader

Memory Chasing Us

Gaza, August 9, 2009, (Pal Telegraph)This reminds me of the Palestinian catastrophe 1948 (Nakba 1948) but much more intensive; more cruelty and suffering. It has been 8 months since the 23 days of the Israeli assault over the Palestinian civilian people. Our writings reflect the pain reflected on the faces of the children, men and women The scenes of the massive destruction that resulted from the Israeli attacks hasn't gone away leaving people in a great ordeal.

Today while walking past my home, I met a woman called Rawia Hamda sitting on a piece of stone and looking sadly at her practically destroyed house. I took her aside and starting looking at her while she was in deep thought with her sons around her. Then I realized what was circling in her mind. I then decided to get this chance of writing about this women's suffering during the war as they usually shared these feelings only with their husbands.

"It is not that we are scared of poverty, but the destruction of our home. Our lives have been turned up side down after the Israeli war that took place in the Gaza Strip" Those were Rawai's words when I simply asked her WHY????...

This is the story of Rawia Hamda from Al Nuserat Refugee camp, in the middle of the Gaza Strip, where she lives with her family which includes her jobless husband, six sons and a disabled daughter.

As a Palestinian living on this narrow piece of land called the Gaza Strip, Rawia has her own experiences about the war as a woman. Rawia and her family dwell in a house that is no longer a home. The 'ceiling' is the sky. The roof is slowly being replaced with asbesto sheets except for the bathroom that is cover with a concrete roof.

"During the war there were daily bombings and attacks in our area. We never felt safe anywhere in our home except the bathroom because of the concrete ceiling".

"One of the most terrifying times occurred on the 14^th day of the war. We were trying to eat a fast lunch. I was surrounded by my family when there was the sound of a big explosion taking place just beside our home. We ran to take shelter in the bathroom as usual. After a while another explosion sounded. In terror, I took my young sons find another safe place. I later discovered that the house next to ours was hit by two F16 rockets and totally destroyed"

Rawia received a leg injury due to the flying shrapnel. Her house was partially damaged and it is now covered with shrapnel inside. Additionally, the nearby chicken farm that Rawia's family used to depend on was also damaged leaving the family without any source of income.

"The ferocity of the attacks and the scene of my evacuation reminded me of my grandmother's story of their evacuation in the year of 1948 but this seemed much worse."

Now Rawia is waiting to get her house rebuilt and to attempt to live a decent life with her family.

This is the story of Rawia, just one of the many stories our women have from the period of the war on Gaza.

French language

http://www.ism-france.org/news/article.php?id=12493&type=temoignage&lesujet=Incursions

=========================
Ayman T. Quader
Blogger Based in the Gaza Strip
Gaza Strip, Palestine
Mob: 00972599448628
E-mail: ayman.qauder@gmail.com
ayman.quader@yahoo.com
Skype: peaceforgaza
Facebook: Ayman Quader
Web: www.peaceforgaza.blogspot.com
www.paltelegraph.com
http:picasaweb.google.com/ayman.qauder
=============================

Vivid reminders of the war, Gaza

2009-07-24T13:47:00.000-07:00

Vivid reminders of the war, Gaza
STORIES NEED JUSTICE

COURT IS THE ONLY WAY TO JUSTICE
FROM MISSION ANNEXES TO GAZA

Name of Victim: Ahmed Fawaz Saleh

Age: 5 years old
Sex: Male
Date of Injury or Death: January 17, 2009
Place of Injury or Death: His house, In Jabalia, north of Gaza
Cause Injury or Death: Israeli missile pounding his house at the Barn Roundabout
Details of the last hours:
In Jabalia, north of the Gaza Strip, loud laughs and a lot of play noise came from a small house. Their mother looked at the faces of her four innocent children, the oldest was 8 years old. While trying to find a way to save them from the ongoing war everywhere on Gaza. She thought her sister's house, which was not far from hers, might be a safer place for her children, the pupils of her eyes. She actually took the first step to carry out her decision. She packed their clothes but no sooner had they stepped out of their room than the Israeli tanks centered on Al-Kashef hill in Gaza pounded their room andkilled two of her children. In a few minutes, the scene was the most excruciating one for the mother. Thesituation for the bereft mother was indescribable. She could hardly speak about her catastrophe after her son Ahmed, 5 years, and Fawzia, her only daughter, were killed. The other two children were under treatmentalong with their father. The aunt described the scene “my sister had exerted all her efforts to resist the plumes of smoke to find her little four children, but finally she collapsed in front of their torn bodies” With grief the mother remembers Ahmed, the youngest of the three sons, “He was quiet and obedient. He conceded to my instructions immediately. When I asked him to keep quiet or to stop playing with his sister Fawzia, he immediately complied” Like all Gazan children, Ahmed was afraid of everything the occupationforces did. He used to stick to his mother and pull at her dress's tail in fear of her leaving him alone.“Whenever he heard the sound of missiles and rockets, Ahmed cried a lot out of fear, grabbed his sister,Fawzia, and ran to me.” the mother says.
His Dreams:
Going to kindergarten was Ahmed's dream, “I will go to the kindergarten Mum with my cousin Abdullah…I will spend all my pocket money and bring you and Fawzia sweets every day.” The mother says “his dream will never come true…All alone I keep dreaming of them day after day…see them in my dreams play and laugh, but in fact they have gone leaving me all alone; and they will never come back again.”

Name of Victim: Maryam Nizar Rayan
Age:10 years old
Sex: Female
Date of Injury or Death: January 1 2009
Place of Injury or Death: Her house, In Jablia Camp, North Gaza Strip
Cause Injury or Death: Israeli F16 missile pounded her house
Details of the last hours:

Under a blue sky, Maryam Nizar Rayyan, 10 years old, played with her eleven brothers and sisters on the roof of their house, in the company of her father and his four wives. On the 4th day of the Israeli assault on Gaza, at the sky, but never expected that those planes came to put an end to her childhood as well as to the lives of many members of her family who were at home at that time. innocent Maryam heard the sound of the Israeli F16 planes and looked

On the 1st day of the New Year 2009, at 02:00 pm, Israeli F16 planes targeted the Rayyans's house with three missiles. The whole house was ruined and collapsed on the heads of its residents. Maryam was killed along with13 members of her family; the father and his four wives in addition to 7 of her sisters and brothers. No one of the family had survived but 3 brothers who were not at the house then. Maryyam and the other family bodies were picked up from under the rubble. Dr. Mu`awiya Hassanein (the manager of ambulance and emergency in Gaza) says, “Most of the bodies of the Rayyans were found distorted, which indicates how much violent the bomb was.”

More than 10 thousands mourners attended the funeral of the Rayyans the following day.” Maryam was loved a lot by her father who asked her mother to sew a beautiful dress especially for her. Maryam was over the moon with her new dress; she wore it every time she went to play outside her home. Amid all the girls of the district, Maryam attracted the attention of everybody by her innocence and beauty in that dress.
Her Dreams
Belal, Maryam’s Brother, remembers “Maryam was very polite; she called my wife as aunt and addressed the old with titles. She was very hard worker who taught her class mates some subjects, especially English, uponthe request of her teachers. Maryam spoke a lot with everybody, but I loved her talking about the big dream ofgaining her postgraduate studies she was the only one of the Rayyans' who wished to study medicine.”

Belal adds “Maryam, the promising pupil of the fourth grade, dreamt of a better tomorrow and future andeagerly awaited the moment she can go back to her school and kept saying “when I come back to school, I willdo this and that”. Yet, the occupation forces deprived her of her dream and from a peaceful life like all otherchildren across the world.”

Mona, Belal’s daughter, misses Maryam a lot; she talks to her mother about Maryam “May Allah rest her soul; she was so kind and patiently taught her friends. Maryam observed all prayers in the mosque of her district.
After Al-Asr (Afternoon prayer) she used to memorize the Noble Quran with her friends.”When the assault on Gaza came to an end, Mona went to the school for the first time after the death of Maryam and all her uncles. Standing before the pupils in the class, Maryam’s teacher could not control her tears and mourned her most promising pupil, Maryam.

there are plenty of such stories here in Gaza that needed your focus and needed justice as well.

It is really crime

2009-07-10T15:28:00.000-07:00

It is really crime when the children of Gaza still think of the cruel 27 Dec 2008 WAR on GAZA.

Actually they are talented children but in drawing the scenes of war and the prison.

Let the pictures speak……..!!!!!!!

Gazans aspire peace & stability, Israel aspires killing & instability

2009-06-29T11:45:00.000-07:00

A Diary form Gaza

Ayman Quader

29 June 2009

Gazans aspire peace & stability, Israel aspires killing & instability

6 missiles hit save area of Al Buraij camp, Middle of the Gaza Strip today noon (terrifying voice) Recalling the scene of the WAR on Gaza….. unhumanity

Today, at 3 pm in Gaza time, horrendous sounds heard in Jouher Al deek, east of Al Buraj Refugee of the middle area of the Gaza Strip. There were about 6 missiles fired form the Israeli side toward the people of Al Deek district causing dreadful feeling for all the people of the middle area as the voices were extremely high and audible and took them back 6 months ago.

The 23 nights of war haven’t been forgotten form the Children memory, specially the children of camps. Consequently, I saw some children started running to get a save place in their home recalling back the same sound of missiles during the while of war (27 Dec. 2008). Ghdeer is a young girl (10 years old) living in Al Buraj Refugee Camp couldn’t control herself when she heard the sound of missiles, I found her dramatically confused. I directly pointed out the reason but I wanted to ask her WHY???!!!! . she immediately replied it was the GAZA WAR coming back again. I took her aside and started talking to her as I always like to here from children. She told me her own experience in the day and in the nights of the war. She narrated her experience as if it is a play and needed to be dramatized. acutely I am younger than her but I have become assured that those days will never be forgotten from the children memory. IT WILL NEVER!!!!!!!!

"All we aspire is the prevail of peace and security not killing and fear" Ghadder ended her speech with me and she has left me thinking of the great sin that those young kids committed to merit the way they treated. What they needed was to grow up safely and in happiness.

photo: Sameh A. Habeeb

ِِArmy shell kills a 17-year old young woman, wounds her brother in Gaza

Palestinian Medical sources in the Gaza Strip reported Thursday that a 17-year-old girl was killed, and her 24-year-old brother was injured when the army fired an artillery shell at an area close to Juhr Ed Deek in Central Gaza.

File - Image by Palestine-Info

The slain young woman was identified as Hiyam Abu Ayish, 17, and her brother was identified as Husam, 24.

The sources added that the shell directly hit the house of Abu Ayish.

The Israeli army claimed that Palestinian fighters fired several homemade shells, and that it is most likely that a Palestinian shell struck the house of Abu Ayish.

Meanwhile, Israeli online daily, Haaretz, said that according to Dr. Muawiya Hassanen, an official at the Palestinian Ministry of Health, 3-yeard-old child, and three other relatives of Abu Ayish were also wounded.

Hamas sources reported that the slain girl is actually a 3-year-old child.

Palestinian officials in Gaza denied the claims of the Israeli military and said that the fighters targeted the army with RPG shells, but the house which was struck by a shell leading to the civilian casualties, was completely destroyed, and an RPG shells cannot cause this kind of destruction.

http://www.imemc.org/article/61025

========================

Ayman T. Quader
blogger based in Gaza Strip
Humanitarian, Child Relief Worker
Gaza Strip, Palestine
Mob: 00972599448628
E-mail: ayman.qauder@gmail.com
ayman.quader@yahoo.com
Skype: peaceforgaza
Facebook: Ayman Quader
Web: www.peaceforgaza.blogspot.com
http://picasaweb.google.com/ayman.qauder
=============================

THE DREAMS OF GAZA’S CHILDREN ….. A TRUE NARRATIVE

2009-06-21T07:54:00.000-07:00

THE DREAMS OF GAZA’S CHILDREN ….. A TRUE NARRATIVE

Ayman Quader

21 June 2009

Since the establishment of the Palestinian refugee camps in 1949 as part of the aftermath of the Palestine-Israel conflict, the Palestinian refugees have been gravely suffering and are considered the longest suffering from this injustice. They are denied the basic access to life itself. It is worth mentioning that the refugee camps were established as a temporary-living solution for the refugees after they fled or were expelled from their original homes. The living condition of the Palestinian refugee is seriously miserable and lacks the basic daily necessities of life which are needed for a healthy development. The Palestinian refugee problem is totally complex regarding the living conditions as the people live under the line of poverty and are struggling

The family of Al Aqra’a is a fatherless family living in Dair Al Balah Refugee camp in the centre of the GazaStrip. The long suffering of this particular family is representative of all living in these wretched camps. The situation of this family worsened a few years ago during a siege of Gaza as they lost their sole breadwinner and have been without any means of support since.

Ali Aqran, aged 9 , describes his living conditions as a living burial for him and his family. “We have been living under very harsh living conditions. As for me a 9 year old child what did I do wrong to be treated so cruelly”? The family of Ali consists of 5 people including the mother who struggling to get her siblings a decent life. They live in a structure that is not meant to be a home. The ‘house’ was built of different materials but does not include cement. The only concrete-roofed room was totally destroyed in the recent war on Gaza as this room was hit by a missile during one of the attacks. This room has become a room for the children’s pet cats, not suitable for humans. The rest of the ‘house’ is made of wood that is reinforced with broken asbestos sheets. It is unbearably hot during the summer months. The visitor’s room is sparely furnished with makeshift furniture of very poor quality.

Most families that lost the main breadwinner of the family lost the emotional support as well. The responsibility of sustaining the family and the increasing demands, in these cases, falls on the shoulders of the mother. They mainly depend of on the charities and the assistance from others.

Ali and his other two brothers usually sleep out of the room, under the sky as the only available hut is only for the mother and the sister. They do not have enough space to sleep inside so the available the space is reserved for the mother and the sister.

I asked Ali about his own personal childhood experiences during the recent war on Gaza. “we were passing through very critical condition during the time of war as we did not have any safe place any more.” He continued, “look! Look! Look! there is not strong roof that could protect us from the nearby Israeli fire and we were randomly targeted by the Israeli warships as we live near the sea”. Ali added that “we did not evacuate our house during the time day of the war as the UNRWA school shelters were faraway from our house so we kept close to each other. One day in the morning, dozens of shrapnel directly hit our house as well our neighbors and critically injured my friend Mohammed.”

When I asked Ali how he usually spends his spare time, he took a deep breath and replied “I do have spare time to play, but I do not have a space to play. As we are fatherless children, I always try hard to help my mother in taking care of my young siblings and our house”. I regularly go to the nearby sea and spend time their with my friends playing on the beach and walking. Sometimes, when we hear a voice of the Israeli warship firing its leads toward the fishermen, we run back to our homes” added Ali.

“I hope we could have spare time like any other young children in the world. I aspire as a Palestinian child to get my rights to play and to have fun like the rest of the world’s children. I hope that conflict, war, violence comes to an end and people live in a peaceful society. The nature of people should be the nature of freedom and security not the nature of killing, hatred, attack and destruction"

More photos from this narrative can be seen HERE

Yasser waiting the death

2009-05-30T10:56:00.000-07:00

Alert for action……Save Gaza children

Gaza, May 15, (Pal Telegraph) - Yasser Ahmed Al Swasi is a 12 year old child living in the Gaza Strip where the ongoing siege still suffocates 1.5 million Gazans. Gazans are not permitted to leave the strip, even for medical care denials are frequent. Yasser hasn’t left his own bed for two years, as he suffers critical health problems. Yassers' life depends on a respiratory machine, he cannot breathe on his own. The recent diagnosis of Yasser was quadriplegia, and punctured larynx. He has been transferred to an Egyptian hospital for an operation that will cost $150, 000. "The surgical operation will be performed by an American specialist doctor".
Inquiring about his condition out of curiosity, I asked him "How are you Yasser?" In a very tiny voice full of sadness he replied "I have no chance to live as I am bedridden since two years ago, and nothing changed". His condition is severe, due to paralysis he's unable to do anything without assistance. Moving closer to him, I can see his body keeps shaking. Yasser requires moment to moment care from his parents. The medical device which enables him to breath is powered by electricity. He ans his family live in constant fear of power cuts.
Yasser has not received any education since his accident, due to his bedridden status. "Yasser is my oldest son. He is so clever and he always keeps good reputation among his peers and the people around" said the father. "As all young children who witnessed the recent war in Gaza, Yasser struggled emotionally during the bombing and air strikes" his father added. During my visit, I noticed a completely destroyed home closely to Yasser's.
When the neighboring home was destroyed, Yasser was left without power for an extended period, forced to rely on backup generators to survive. "We were so scared of his health condition deteriorating during the war" said his father. His father nformed us his medical operation is so sensitive, and the operations necessary for improvement very costly. "No one helping us to afford this operation, it costs $150 000; I keep searching for associations to help us find funding to improve Yassers health condition" said the father.

=========================

Ayman T. Quader

Peace Activist

Humanitarian, Child Relief Worker

Gaza Strip, Palestine

Mob: 00972599448628

E-mail: ayman.qauder@gmail.com

ayman.quader@hotmail.com

Skype: peaceforgaza

Facebook: Ayman Quader

Web: www.peaceforgaza.blogspot.com

http://picasaweb.google.com/ayman.qauder

=============================

After baby Feras, child Yasser waiting death

2009-05-15T15:10:00.000-07:00

After baby Feras, child Yasser waiting death
Ayman Quader
15 May 2009

Inquiring about his condition out of curiosity, I asked him "How are you Yasser?" In a very tiny voice full of sadness he replied "I have no chance to live as I am bedridden since two years ago, and nothing changed". His condition is severe, due to paralysis he's unable to do anything without assistance. Moving closer to him, I can see his body keeps shaking. Yasser requires moment to moment care from his parents. The medical device which enables him to breath is powered by electricity. He ans his family live in constant fear of power cuts.

Yasser has not received any education since his accident, due to his bedridden status. "Yasser is my oldest son. He is so clever and he always keeps good reputation among his peers and the people around" said the father. "As all young children who witnessed the recent war in Gaza, Yasser struggled emotionally during the bombing and air strikes" his father added. During my visit, I noticed a completely destroyed home closely to Yasser's.

When the neighboring home was destroyed, Yasser was left without power for an extended period, forced to rely on backup generators to survive. "We were so scared of his health condition deteriorating during the war" said his father. His father nformed us his medical operation is so sensitive, and the operations necessary for improvement very costly. "No one helping us to afford this operation, it costs $150 000; I keep searching for associations to help us find funding to improve Yassers health condition" said the father.

To Whom it May Concern
Medical Report
The patient was transferred to the emergency department 18 months ago. At that time, the diagnosis was quadriplegia, punctured larynx and the patient required an artificial respiratory system.

After that period of observation, this diagnosis was confirmed: Quadriplegia, punctured larynx and the patient required an artificial respiratory system and X-rays were taken, medical examination, radiology on neck vertebrae and general X-rays. It was obvious that the second vertebra was broken due to abullet lodged in the patients neck.

The patient was admitted to the internal medicine department for treatment, critical observation, and for manual physiotherapy. What he now requires is an instrument to electrically stimulate the diaphragm and injection of stem cells in the spinal cord. The patient is still in the hospital undergoing medical treatment and physiotherapy.

The patient is under the care of: department of neurology, rehabilitation & physiotherapy department and intensive care department.
Dr. Mostafa Arafa, Hospital General Director: Hafez Mohamed Hafez

A child called Feras died 2 days ago due to Israeli siege. Yasser might face the same fate soon.
See the death of Feras here: http://www.paltelegraph.com/hot-topic/822-israeli-siege-kills-baby-aged-2

Story by Ayman Quader
PT reporter in Gaza

Ideal Israeli Soldiers; Not Only Killers But Thieves

2009-04-04T01:24:00.000-07:00

Ideal Israeli Soldiers; Not Only Killers But Thieves

Ayman T. Quader
April 2009

The old man sat in the light of a kerosene lamp and looked bleakly ahead. His wife sat in the opposite corner, crying loudly "They soiled our sheets, haram, haram, they broke our bed, fired guns in our bed' 'and', the old man said 'they took all our money. The day after we left we found a 100shekel note in the garden, that's all'

He was talking about the Israeli occupation of his house to a foreign photographer who had come to film the destruction in North of the Gaza Strip. Sa'ad Al Atar lived in a line of houses along a high ridge overlooking Gaza city in Atatra district. It was the part of Gaza nearest the Israeli border, and it also commanded long views of Gaza city, so it was bombed repeatedly in the first few days, and most of the houses were destroyed. Then the Apaches fired rockets at what was left and machine gunned anything that moved. Mr Al Atar stayed home with his family, even when machine gun fire came through the window and sprayed the wall behind them. The foreign Journalist put his fingers in the big holes in the plaster, but to him they were just dents in the wall; to Mr Al Atar they represented fear and salvation at the same time. But there was an even closer miss in the next dark room, where there were no lights. A row of smaller bullet holes at a lower level.

"We were eating our meal on the floor when these came. If we were sitting on a chair they would have gone through our heads. I am lucky that I cannot afford to put chairs in both my rooms" said Mr Al Atar.

What happened next? "The Israelis came and pointed their guns at us. they told us to get into the back room, where the shots had been fired, and to stay there, and they went on to the roof. They told us that if we moved, they would shoot us. They went upstairs, they stole my money, soiled the beds, left condoms everywhere. They fired holes in the bed - for what?' While people were dying they were making love with each other in our bed, and then they destroyed it. All our money was in the mattress, everything for the whole family, and they took it all. then after 3 days, they left. Just left"

His family of seven children and his wife listened in the gloomy light. "There is no glass in the windows, and we cannot afford even to buy plastic sheets' said Mrs Al Atar. "The UN gave us some blankets, but we have no money to repair anything and no one helps us. No one. And it is cold, even our clothes they cut up and soiled - look, look at these cuts, why, why they do this, why?"

They drank their tea in silence, the foreign photographer left, and the light went out.

Mrs. Al Atar

The Israelis have left us nothing, destroying our housed, stole our money and killed our young kids

We were all in one room when the bullets stated targeted us randomly

In an innocent softly voice, They have stolen my dreams and flee

pictures taken: Rod Cox

Waiting For The World To Answer

2009-03-27T01:15:00.000-07:00

Waiting For The World To Answer

Ayman T. Quader
28 March 2009

Taken by: Ayman Quader, AL Nuserat Camp, Middle of the Gaza Strip

It was an ordinary morning December 2008. Children were playing and having fun. They were digging between the rocks to get some space for their childhood.

This is the story of Ahmad , a little boy without sin who was killed on that morning. Ahmad was known among his friends as lively, bustling boy.

Ahmad and his family live in Al Zahra district in the middle of the Gaza Strip, exactly next to the building of the Civil Defense. On the morning of December 27th, Ahmad took his breakfast, put on his boots and went out to go for playing in his nearby garden.

"We are an extended family living in a house that comprises four floors. My family and I live in the second and my father in the first floor" says Ahmad’s father. When he noticed that Ahmad and his sister Mariam were going to play in the garden of the house, the father tried to stop him as the family was waiting for Mohamed, the older brother to take an early lunch. But his attempt was in vain.

"It was like an earthquake hitting our house and every thing was shaking" said the father. Doors and windows were broken, too. The Father tried to find out what had happened outside and searched for the source of the terrible noise he had heard. A cloud of smoke was covering the sun. “There was nothing else to do than to assure myself about the family as another explosion shocked the nearby building. I tried to make sure that everyone was inside the house, and then I convinced myself to feel safe.” Suddenly Mariam cried out: "Daddy, daddy, Ahmad, Ahmad…" The little girl Mariam broke out in tears, terribly afraid about her brother. "Her shouts froze my body" said the father.

Ahmad was found under the rubble of stones at the entrance of the house. The father immediately took Ahmad and rushed to search a car to bring him to the Hospital Shuhad'a Al Aqsaa. "While I was holding him, I realized that Ahmad was dead" said the father. Ahmad’s head was partially smashed; part of his brain on the ground and his back was filled with shrapnel. "I stood on the doorsteps, trying to understand the situation outside, searching for a car to drive my son to the hospital. I am a doctor myself, but now I could not help him any more" the father said. “When I left my home, I discovered that the Headquarter of the Civil Defense had been destroyed completely.”

"The sight at the hospital was tremendously dreadful when I arrived. It was full of dozens of killed and wounded young men on the floors". Ahmad was sent to the emergency department and although he still had some signs of life, after a while he passed away. At this moment, silence came over the father; there were no more words in him. Blood was everywhere and particularly the sight of young children who always are the symbol of innocence.

"I wondered what Ahmad and the other children might have done to be killed by this Israeli aggression. They always dreamed of safety and to live like any other child in the world" said the father.

While the father was sitting on a chair and thinking about the situation, his mind was busy at the same time with thoughts about his family living near the targeted building of the Civil Defense. Only when he arrived home later, he saw the massive destruction at the building of the Civil Defense. As he reached the house he was devastated to find out that most of his family members had been wounded in the attack. So the father decided to go back to the hospital to get news about his family. He found out that also Mohamed, the oldest brother, who was coming home at the time of the attack, had been wounded in his head as well.

The story of Ahmad in short sentences: by his father

Ahmad was a lovely little five-year old boy. His smiles will never be forgotten. He was the youngest brother and he was so clever. Any one who saw Ahmad immediately liked him. He was a very active boy. His favorite pass times were playing football, using the computer and take care of the birds. He left an empty space in our house - he was the most loved boy in our family. His sister Mariam will never forget Ahmad as she was with him in the last moments before he was killed. She said that she will stay waiting for her bother… Wait… and wait … and wait… - Waiting for the world to answer!!!

What was the sin that those young kids committed to merit the way they died? What they needed was to grow up safely and in happiness.

"We are not seeking to fight, to attack, to have weapons and all those means of death" were words always repeated by Ahmad before he was killed.

Marya before the bombing happened!

Innocent Ahmad days before he was killed!

Ahmad, an innocent killed by Israeli Army

Pictures taken my PT,http://www.paltelegraph.com/.

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Ayman T. Quader
Peace Activist
Humanitarian, Child Relief Worker
Gaza Strip, Palestine
Mob: 00972599448628
E-mail: ayman.qauder@gmail.com
ayman_aa1986@hotmail.com
Skype: peaceforgaza
Web: http://www.peaceforgaza.blogspot.com/
Http//picasaweb.google.com/ayman.qauder
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Gaza Concert

2008-11-18T03:13:00.000-08:00

Gaza Concert

From the heart of Gaza, Palestinian children and youth gathered to tell their stories to the world through songs and music calling for freedom and for ending the siege on Gaza. The concert call for better living conditions for the Palestinians who have been suffering for years and stereotyped in media.

http://www.gazaconcert.com/

When the Cupboard Runs Dry

2009-03-18T23:07:00.000-07:00

Ahmad Saud Basal

Ahmad Saud Basal is an eleven-year-old boy from Tuffah, a village in the middle of Gaza. He lives in a two room house along with five brothers and sisters, his parents and a grandmother. Times are tough, much harder than before. The 2 year-long siege of Gaza has been devastating, and its effects will continue to take a toll. Education; health care; transportation; the economy: every aspect of a normal society lies in ruins, the result of a campaign of collective punishment carried out in disregard not only of international human rights law but also the underlying values of every major religion.

Ahmad and his family aren’t starving. This isn’t Somalia. Gaza was never the so-called “Third World.” But hierarchies of suffering miss the point. Compared to before, when factories were open, when farms could bring their products to market, when students could study at night by electricity rather than by candles, life today has grown desperate. Unemployment has hit 80%. Skyrocketing prices for basic necessities-food, clothes, medicines-force people to survive hand to mouth. In such an economic crisis, parents-however reluctantly- must enlist their children as wage earners.

Beginning early each morning, Ahmad and his ten-year sister, Hadia, go to work with their father. The three of them sell tea in the street. For an eight hour day, each of the children earns between 6-10 shekels ($2-$3.50). Added to what their father makes, the family brings in $12 dollars a day, not much when meat cost $15 a kilo and fruit, which Ahmad hasn’t tasted in a year, $3 a kilo.

UNWRA food packages help but the rations, given out four times a year, are basic: 30 kilos of flour; 5 kilos of rice; 5 kilos of sugar; 3 kilos of lentils, 6 litres of oil; and sometimes, 5 250 gram cans of sardines. For a family of eight, this doesn’t go far.

Children like Ahmad represent the germ seed for the future. It is true that Palestinians have honed a collective resilience in the face of historic hardships. But this strength should not be sentimentalized. Children, who remain exquisitely sensitive to their circumstances and surroundings, need a healthy environment in which to develop and thrive, explore and play, hope and dream. The captivity imposed by the siege has robbed them of this freedom.
Restoring this freedom to Ahmad and helping him recuperate from the deprivations he has endured, remains a challenge that has only just begun.

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Ayman T. Quader
Peace Activist
Humanitarian, Child Relief Worker
Gaza Strip, Palestine
Mob: 00972599448628
E-mail: ayman.qauder@gmail.com
ayman_aa1986@hotmail.com
Web: http://www.peaceforgaza.blogspot.com/
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