Letter of a palestinian girl

The letter tells how a palestinian thinks abt israel... why they hate israel... how is the war between israel n palestine unfair...

Source:BBC

Dear Anav

It is very kind of you to write from Sderot.


Mona has lost a grandfather and a brother in the conflict

Before I tell you about life in Gaza, I would like to tell you that I am originally from what is now the Israeli city of Ashkelon.

My family left with thousands of others after 1948 and my grandfather was one of many killed in fighting the Israelis.

My grandmother is still alive. She tells in detail how peaceful life was before the Israeli thugs attacked.

I grew up during the first Intifada [Palestinian uprising against Israeli rule 1987-1993].

I can't remember how many times the Israeli forces attacked my home, but I remember one time hiding under my bed, trembling with fear.

I have three younger brothers who are all at school. I used to have four - my brother Amer was shot dead by an Israeli soldier in 1992. He was 12 years old.

Scenes of blood and death are fixed in my mind. I have to say, Israel taught us how to hate it, no-one else.

Is life in Sderot a war-zone?! Then what words should I use to describe Gaza?

If you contrast the weaponry of Israel with Hamas - you see Hamas' resistance is symbolic, nothing more


Life in Gaza is like hell.

Israel killed more than 60 people in Gaza on Saturday 1 March alone. Many were civilians and children.

Are there any similarities between the power of the weapons that do this - and Hamas' home made Qassam rockets?

How many people have they killed since Hamas started launching them? How many houses have they destroyed?

If you contrast the two, I think you can see that Hamas' manner of resistance is symbolic, nothing more than that.

When Israel dismantled its illegal settlements and disengaged from the Gaza Strip in 2005, I was happy that I would finally be able to visit my friend who lives in the middle of the Strip whenever I wanted.

But Israel didn't leave us peace, it left us sonic booms. The occupation forces use this to shatter our nerves. The sound of the aircraft is so loud it can break windows.

How would you feel if someone else controlled your every movement? How would you feel if you didn't have the right to move inside your country; if you were prevented from travelling abroad for study; if the cost of food and fuel was determined by someone else closing your borders; if you spent most of your nights in darkness?

I had severe headaches last month because I spent several hours studying by faint candlelight.

Why are we punished with darkness? Why are patients prevented from having medicine?

It is our land and we have the right to dismiss anyone who shows aggression towards us.

Shelling has been going on while I have been writing this. I just heard my mother asking "What will happen tonight"?

I hope your night is quiet.

Warmest regards,

Mona.