If these were “normal” circumstances, we could deal with it. I remember not long ago when we would complain because the power was out for 12 hours a day. Now I long for those days. These aren’t normal times, these are worse than even “shitty” times. This is no life.
Every day, every hour, I think: what time is the power coming, how long has it been off now? When will the water come?
The drinking water truck has stopped coming around. The people who purify the water can’t do so without electricity, and they can’t deliver the water without gas.
We’re not asking for a lot: water and electricity.
Who hears our voices? Does anyone?
This was the main message in our conversation, but of course other complaints escaped as well: how incredibly boring and disorienting it is to have almost entire days, every day, without power. No computers, can’t charge cell phones, no light, no contact from or to the outside world, no electricity to power space heaters for the few that have them, little means of getting to or from work (if fortunate enough to have work).
Then I see in the news about the critical effects on Gaza’s hospitals:
“More than 80% of patients in the Gaza Strip are threatened to terrible health status and possibility of death due to lack of electricity.
…some 404 of dialysis patients are at risk of death for their treatment is totally based on electricity, …100 children exist in special care are threatened to death .
…72% of the diesel storage has just run out from Gaza hospitals, …Gaza hospitals will be in a complete paralysis in case of not provided with more fuel.”
No life without water, electricity, not in an area rendered dependent on power and food aid, where even candles’ price soars.
Gulp. Fluorinated, chlorinated, otherwise poisoned water never tasted so good. At least we have it, at least it is WHO-acceptable, for whatever that is worth (95% of Gaza’s water is not).
In Gaza 
Slm3lek..this is my first visit to your blog..I’m from Africa..I have been wondering for many many years …that how is it…Palestinians have been suffering for so long…but yet most or many of Palestinians are not practising the Deen…how is it that for many many years…torture upon torture is being meted out to them….but they are not turning to Allah swt…how do we expect the help of Allah swt to come…why are we still following our enemies in the method we dress…eat….sleep….talk….study….go about in our daily lives….I wonder . . . .
I don’t buy it. Palestinians are human like anyone. They have been occupied and colonised. There are devout Christian, Jewish and Muslim Palestinians. I cannot believe a God would punish the whole for the weakness and lies of the few. The majority of Palestinians I’ve met (Muslim, Christian and Jewish) have been respectful, humanity-abiding civilians punished for none-other than their nationality.
I don’t buy the non-practising argument, for surely if that were true Canada (my own country), America and much of the Western nations would be doomed.
Additionally,I know Palestinians–Muslim and Christian–who have had the worst of the Zionist occupation thrust upon them and continue to be forgiving, God-loving people, better and more understanding than many I’ve met in my extensive travels. The God argument doesn’t work. Palestinians are not perfect, but the vast majority of God-fearing, God-loving Muslims and Christians I’ve met do not deserve the punishment of the Occupation.
Finally, for all who doubt: just go there. GO to occupied Palestine, be met with surprising welcome and trust and love. You’ll see things that shatter your reality. Just view the Palestinian reality, then deign to comment on what Palestinians “should or should not” do.
I agree with the above comments. Palestinians need normality, security, access to basic resources, electricity, water, schools, hospitals etc. Yes they have some of these things some of the time. They are continuously attacked, don’t have freedom of movement and are accused of being ‘terrorists’ if they deign to complain. I have not been to Palestine yet but I have talked to many Palestinians who are passionate about their country, angry about their treatment and fed up with their current conditions. In conclusion, give the Palestinians their homeland, right to return and end apartheid!
[…] fish hiya: no life In Gaza: 18 Feb 2012 – If these were “normal” circumstances, we could deal with it. I remember not long ago when we would complain because the power was out for 12 hours a day. Now I long for those days. These aren’t normal times, these are worse than even “shitty” times. This is no life. Every day, every hour, I think: what time is the power coming, how long has it been off now? When will the water come? The drinking water truck has stopped coming around. The people who purify the water can’t do so without electricity, and they can’t deliver the water without gas. We’re not asking for a lot: water and electricity. Who hears our voices? Does anyone? This was the main message in our conversation, but of course other complaints escaped as well: how incredibly boring and disorienting it is to have almost entire days, every day, without power. No computers,…more […]
[…] Over a month ago, when the situation was already grave after weeks without power, I wrote: […]
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