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Ahmad — Bethlehem City, West Bank
“We are not asking you to help us with water but at least don’t be a partner with Israel in killing us”
Dear Governor Deval Patrick and colleagues,
My name is Ahmad Mansuor. I am 15 years old and I live between Beit Jala City and Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem City in the West Bank. From the window of my bedroom I look at an eight-metres concrete wall with a watchtower. Israel built this wall next to my house to take the only open space that we used to play in. Also, I can see a Jewish settlement behind the wall.
I am writing to you because I heard that you are coming to Israel to help them with water. I don’t know what kind of work you are doing with Israel over water but I’ll tell you that you are supporting the Occupation and violating human rights. Do you know that Israel steals most of the water and leaves almost nothing for us? Do you know that we don’t have enough water to take showers in the summer, to clean the house, to clean our clothes, and sometimes we don’t have enough water or clean water to drink because Israel doesn’t care about us.
We are not asking you to help us with water but at least don’t be a partner with Israel in killing us. Maybe you should come to visit us while you are in Israel to see for yourself. We are not that far. I live 7.5 km from Jerusalem.
I hope this letter reaches you before you come here.
Good luck,
—Ahmad
Hala — Bait Jibreen Camp, West Bank
“You are supporting a state that is killing us in so many ways”
Dear Governor Deval Patrick and colleagues,
My name is Hala al Azzeh. I am a 16-year-old refugee from Bait Jibreen refugee camp.
We heard from our friends in Boston that you are visiting Israel to collaborate with them on water projects. I just wanted to tell you that Israel is stealing our water from the West Bank leaving us with a little bit to use. Right now, water didn’t come to our house in the camp for over 25 days. Me and my brothers and sisters bring water with bottles from a small water resource near the camp waiting for Israel to give the Palestinian Authority water so that the PA can pump the water to us. However, water comes for short time because Israel gives us a little bit of water each time. But this is our water that they steal from us.
It is summer now and we really struggle with water. We advise you to rethink about your work with Israel because you are supporting a state that is killing us in so many ways. When I see a settler in Gilo Settlement near us enjoying the swimming pool, green areas, and a shower everyday and in the refugee camp we don’t have enough water to drink because this settler is using my water, I get angry. I even get angry when I hear that people from outside are coming to help them steal our water making our lives even harder.
Thank you for listening and I hope you really listen to what I am trying to tell you.
—Hala from Bait Jibreen Camp
Alaa’ — Aida Refugee Camp, West Bank
“All what we ask you to do is to educate yourselves a little bit about what Israel is doing to us”
Dear Americans,
My name is Alaa’ Abu Alia from Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem City, Palestine. This letter is for all Americans in the US.
We know that you support Israel and you’ll never support us, except a few of you who believe in our rights as humans. All what we ask you to do is to educate yourselves a little bit about what Israel is doing to us in terms of killing, stealing our lands, demolishing our homes, and of course stealing our water. They do all of that and more with a huge help and support from you. We don’t care if you support them, but don’t kill us because we have done nothing to harm you.
As you people say, have a good day.
—Alaa’