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Emergency and Livelihood Support for West Bank Palestinians

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The continuing situation in the West Bank, where Palestinian workers, who once came into Israel daily to work and make a living, have been barred from entering Israel, has resulted in an unprecedented crisis of poverty, lack of healthcare, and increasing social strains in and between West Bank families.

As a concerned Canadian living in Israel, I have initiated a crowdfunding campaign to help two West Bank Palestinian friends find ways to support themselves financially.

Hassan and Ahmed, whose real names I am not liberty to divulge due to fear of retributiuon, used to work in my Jerusalem neighborhood prior to the Hamas onslaught. They support about two dozen people between them and are among the majority of West Bankers who have never had anything to do with Hamas or its ideology – and, like Israelis, woke up on 7 October to an entirely new reality.
In addition to being barred from entering Israel, their towns have been cut off for months by Israeli troops from key services in Hebron and Bethlehem – a situation that often leaves them unable to access necessary services, including public health, and forces them to turn to private doctors and hospitals when necessary.
In line with the ancient maxim “to save one life is to save the world,” a few families in our neighborhood have banded together to support these two famillies. We support them financially on a monthly basis, support that covers daily necessities, but not emergency situations or the development of ways to help them become self-sufficient.
For those needs we are reaching out to friends abroad on the following link.


Emergency aid and long-term income sustainability

We are now raising money for emergency aid, while continuing to support their attempts to develop long-term, local solutions to supporting their families.

Emergency health support. Hassan’s infant daughter was born with multiple health problems and has been in and out of hospital since birth. His older daughter has just undergone surgery that has been postponed for years because of lack of funds. Other than the cost of private health care, the lack of public transportation forces him and his wife to take expensive taxis back and forth from hospital.
Serious water damage in walls and ceiling of Hassan’s dwelling. The mold and mildew that have developed in their single room (the family of 6 live in one room!) and bathroom, may possibly have led to the newborn’s most recent hospitalization. This situation has become even more urgent seeing as their home must provide a healthy environment for their post-operative elder daughter when she returns from hospital.

Vegetable production on the plots of land they have available. Achmed has made good progress on his farm, which has begun to provide a very small income. Both he and Hassan still require money to invest in, and pay for, irrigation, plants and seeds and other supplies.

About the families

• Hassan has four small children, ages 4 months, 4, 6 and 8. He has a BA in physical education, but there are very few opportunities in the area for Phys Ed teachers and he was never able to find work in his profession. He is a hard worker and a wonderful father who is totally committed to his children, always looking for ways to ensure their future.

• Achmed is the head of an extended family which includes his three older children, two of whom are married, one with three children. Ahmed’s first wife died after years fighting an auto-immune disease, and he now has three young children, ages 7, 9 and 12, with his second wife.

What’s been done so far

With funds raised so far, Achmed has begun farming his land – he has planted trees, sabras (cacti with edible fruits), and other crops which have begun to generate a very modest income. He has also installed a watering system that should guarantee a sufficient supply of water for the dry months this summer.
Hassan too has begun farming his land and plans to develop his plot further when his family’s emergency health problems are somewhat looked after and funds collected can used for that purpose.

I know that many of you donate to urgent causes around the world. But please keep this in mind –
While all eyes have been on Gaza - from rich Gulf states to affluent donors in Europe and the Americas, the burgeoning crisis in the West Bank has been largely ignored by the world.
The support you can provide to the poorest of the West Bank’s Palestinian society can help avert a humanitarian catastrophe there.
I am hopeful that you will find it in your hearts to help. Even the smallest donation will be appreciated.
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    Co-organizers (2)

    Rachel Deitcher
    Organizer
    Vancouver, BC
    Arlene Zuckernick
    Co-organizer

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