Jenin region: "I pray for you that you will be fine"

On Wednesday, October 18^th, an old acquaintance of mine, S.A., called at 14:30 in the afternoon from the area of Jenin.  He began by explaining that the army was making things difficult for the Palestinians everywhere, placing checkpoints all over and next to every village, and no one was allowed to go in or out.  Palestinian workers, who were still in Israel on Saturday October 7^th, were beaten by policemen or soldiers from the border patrol near Barta’a Checkpoint.   Anyone returning to his home in the West Bank was checked – something that has not been done for years.   No one can go to work, and the situation is difficult.  He then confided that the pictures of children who were killed are constantly in his mind.   When I explained that nothing like this has happened to the Jews since the Holocaust I felt that he did not understand what I was talking about.  I then understood that he was talking about the deal children in the hospital in Gaza!!   I don’t know where he gets his information and assume that he is only accustomed to viewing the damage that has been done by Israeli bombings in Gaza.

A week ago on October 11^th Mira, a 20-year old Palestinian woman who is from a poor family in the region of Jenin wrote me: “Hey, are you okay?  Hope you are well during these difficult events for all of us.  I hope you stay well.  My prayers are for you.