Help Empower Children Living Under Occupation
This month, as children around the world excitedly packed their backpacks for the start of the school year, Palestinian children faced a starkly different reality. For far too many Palestinian youth, the joys of childhood—sharpened colored pencils, laughter on swings, the warmth of new friendships—have been disrupted and overshadowed by war and occupation.
In Gaza, since October 7th, nearly 8,000 children have been killed, around 17,000 are unaccompanied and separated from their families, and countless are missing. In the West Bank, the situation grows increasingly dire as the number of Palestinian children killed or injured by Israeli forces and settlers has more than doubled–158 children have been killed and at least 1,400 have been injured, averaging five casualties per day.
At Combatants for Peace, we believe that every child in Palestine and Israel deserves to safely play, learn, dream, and live without fear. In these times of crisis, community and solidarity are crucial so CfP is working around the clock for a ceasefire for the children in Gaza and organizing for local and displaced children in the West Bank.
During Ramadan, CfP held an essential supplies drive for 68 orphaned Gazans who found refuge in SOS Children’s Villages. Last month, CfP visited 60 young students in Jubbet ad-Dib and provided them with school bags, stationery, lunch boxes, and the hope of possibility. CfP’s Israeli Executive Director, Eszter, reflected, “As a mother, getting my first child ready to start school this year was exciting - seeing her smile while shopping to buy her school supplies...But at the same time, knowing that our Palestinian neighbors in the West Bank often don’t have this opportunity, it is especially important for me to support them and give them even a small opportunity to succeed in school by providing these supplies.”
Throughout the Jordan Valley, the movement is working to create safe spaces for children amidst ongoing chaos. Last week, CfP visited al-Auja and Mu'arrajat, two Bedouin villages near Jericho plagued by severe settler violence. CfP activist Ahmed Helou who lives near the villages reflected, “More and more settlers are coming to the Jordan Valley and stealing the lands around the valley and water from the spring. Settlers throw stones at Palestinian cars and I feel scared to use certain roads at night.” Mia, CfP’s Israeli Campaign Manager, explained, “In al-Auja, residents can’t graze their sheep or collect water without facing violent attacks from settlers. In Mu'arrajat, violence has escalated and the attack on the local school has left many Palestinian children afraid to return to their studies. Our team listened to the needs of these communities and met with activists from ‘Looking the Occupation in the Eye’ to discuss how we can help protect the rights and safety of the residents and children who have been living in fear for a long time.”
Combatants for Peace is committed to protecting children’s rights and preserving their childhoods, and these are just a few examples of the movement's many efforts. With your generous support for Initiative 3 of Solidarity in Action, CfP can do even more for children in the West Bank and embody a bi-national community committed to their lives and futures. By empowering CfP to provide children with safe connections and tangible support, you will help uplift and empower the next generation of peacemakers.
At the start of this school year, let us take action for the sake of all children.