As elsewhere in the world Christmas in Palestine has a special meaning of love, celebration and joy. There are a lot of big celebrations, especially for the tree lights in Bethlehem and in some other palestinian towns. On the 24th of December people gather in Bethlehem to see the scout group walking with their bands, to listen to music and partake in other traditions. This celebration continues until the next day with a scout show in the small villages and towns of Palestine. 

Because of Israeli aggression, unfortunately this year there won’t be any celebrations. Help us bring a little joy to the families in Palestine.

Who: Meet the family

In the picture above is my family, the Sayej family. My father, mother, sisters, aunts and my uncle and their kids. Your donations will directly affect families like the Sayej family all over Birzeit.

We decided to contribute to the Birzeit scouts as they are the most familiar to the families who are living in Birzeit. This scout group was founded at the end of the 80s by  active youth who believed in the importance of volunteerism and social activism. They have been increasing the solidarity among the residents of the town, and continue to do so until this day.

Each December 24th this scout group has a tradition to bring a little Christmas magic: They dress like Santa Claus, distribute gifts among the children while singing songs. All the kids that evening stay awake awaiting their gifts.  

This year there won’t be any celebrations to prevent people from gathering and being at risk of being struck by Israeli missiles. Also in solidarity with over 9000 kids who died under the rubble in Gaza.  So we decided to still give them a Christmas gift. To help them handle the winter season and to cover their basic needs even if it is for a short time.  

This is the Facebook page of Birzeit scouts, if you are interested to know more about 

https://www.facebook.com/BirzeitScouts/?locale=hu_HU

Why : 

What has happened since 1948? 

The story starts in 1917 with the Balfour Declaration, when the British Government promised to establish a "homeland for the Jewish people" in Palestine. With a lot of political, economical and military support from western powers Israel, a state founded on racist zionist ideology, declared independence on 14th of May 1948. Israelis call it “The War of Independence". Palestinians call it "Nakba" For the past seventy five years, Israel has been based on forced displacement, repression, violation of Palestinian rights, partial blockade of the West Bank and the entire Gaza Strip,including limiting the quantities of water, food, energy, electricity and quality of goods. All of this is a conscious attempt at the ethnic cleansing.

What happened on the 7th of October? 

Hamas decided to attack the observation towers and military gathering centres to express its rejection of the blockade and resistance to the occupation. As a result, Israel considered this movement to be the beginning of a war which they use as an excuse for genocide and ethnic cleansing of all Gazans. By describing Gaza and the Palestinian people as human animals and preventing them from accessing food, drinkable water, fuel, electricity and even the health sector.

Here are some more resources if you interested to learn more about the situation 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1u2gbWj1H5Iw5helzjxIePoMb7LFjx6gabagcEJzXCew/edit?usp=drivesdk

What your donation can do?

In parallel to rising prices and living costs, there are few employment opportunities and contempt for living conditions, many Palestinians have decided to work as construction workers and many handicrafts workers and go to work in Israel, Jerusalem specifically on daily contracts rather than fixed contracts, because of the high level of wages in those areas rather than working in the field which they study. Based on this around 38,000 Palestinians work in Israel to cover their life expenses and their family’s needs. Nowadays, and with the current  situation they are not allowed and all their permits were denied because they closed all the checkpoints when the war started and now most of them are unemployed. In addition, all the food prices went up.

The needs of a family based on 7 people in one house in winter per month  

• 25 - 30 euro per 7 - 10 days goes to electricity and heats
• 400 - 500 euro per month goes for food and with basics needs from vegetables, fruits, rice, beans, chicken and meet 
• 15 - 25 euro goes for water per month 
• 40 - 60 euro goes for cooking gas which also could use for heat as well 
• 75 - 100 euro goes for fuels for cars 

The funds raised during this campaign will be sent to the Bir-Zeit scout group who will distribute the money between the families who are most in need of money.

CTA:

Help us to draw a smile on innocent palestinian children's faces who are deprived of Christmas this year. Your contribution, no matter the size, will make this holiday brighter for those in need. 

If you can’t donate please help us by sharing this campaign among your friends, family, and on social media.