We are shocked and horrified by the outbreak of violence perpetrated by Hamas in Israel-Palestine over the past weekend. And we are horrified by Israel’s response, declaring war on and currently engaging in a bombing campaign against the civilians of Gaza who are already under Israeli military occupation. There is clearly no military solution to this intractable struggle, and no hope of safety or security in the region until the occupation ends with dignity and respect for all peoples. In the meantime, civilians – men, women, and children – are being terribly harmed.

In talking by WhatsApp yesterday with our friend Mohammed Sawalha, founder and director of PHF, who has frequently visited Northampton, we learned that the Israeli army is threatening to shut down supplies of food, gasoline, water, and electric power on the West Bank of Palestine. Further settler violence continues in the West Bank and Palestinians continue to be killed with impunity. People who live in Nablus are already cut off from neighboring towns and villages because of multiple military checkpoints, and have lost the freedom of movement which should be a human right in a democratic society.

This situation is particularly hard for the thousands of needy families in Nablus. Mohammed’s lifelong commitment has always been to help families, and particularly children, find solutions to the challenges of life. This week he has gathered the PHF community together to prepare themselves to survive the terrible outcomes of a potentially long-term siege. PHF is already offering workshops on first aid, inviting medical doctors to help with health care planning, rationing food and water, and focusing on the humanitarian needs of the community.

We can help Mohammed and PHF by providing financial donations to support these crucial humanitarian efforts. Gifts will immediately be put to good use in supporting the desperate needs of Palestinian families and their children, who are the most traumatized and in need of support.

If you’d like to find out specific ways you can help, please contact Katharine Baker at bakerkg@comcast.net.

Katharine Baker, Peter Titelman, Tom Weiner, Elliot Fratkin, Lois Barber, and Celia Miller

Western MA Friends of the Palestinian House of Friendship