Earlier this week, DNTA members heard first-hand the immense difficulties faced by the Palestinian residents of Balata Refugee Camp, the largest refugee camp in the West Bank.
Imad Zaki Haj, Chair of Balata Camp Services Committee and Nihaya Mousa Haj, an experienced English teacher who also works for the Balata Camp Services Committee, spoke to us by video conferencing from Balata.
They described how on a daily basis the Israeli occupation restricts and terrorises Palestinians in Balata, resulting in deaths, wounding and damage to property. This has only got worse since 7th October.
The Israelis try to deny basic human rights to Palestinians, such as the right to education and the right to free movement in their own land. Unemployment and poverty is endemic. The camp services committee tries to help where it can, by providing some level of education to children and welfare to the residents.
The incessant raids on the camp from the Israeli army and settlers have a devastating impact, particularly on the children and young people, criminalising many. 140 residents of the camp have been arrested since 7th October. They have also killed several Palestinians.
On 19 December, 80-year-old Palestinian grandmother Halima Abu Leil was shot in an Israel Defence Forces (IDF) raid on her neighbourhood in Balata. Video footage shows the IDF illegally using a Palestinian ambulance as cover to mount a raid into the camp and killing Halima in the street.
Imad and Nihaya’s talk demonstrated the great resoluteness of the people of Nablus under such extreme hardships and reinforces DNTA’s determination to provide solidarity to our twin city.