By: Stefia Hevenson – Belgium

Dear Israel,

I have visited Palestine for two weeks now and got the chance to meet these amazing people. One by one they have their own story. And even though they went through so much, they have become the most gentle people I ever met, with great dreams for the future and big hearts filled with love.

So I write you this letter because I’m afraid… I’m afraid that if you continue with your Zionist ideas, you will destroy an amazing culture. These people deserve to be free, to return to their lands and to control their own lives again because they have so much capacities. In the workshops, I met so many talented students with great ambition. It’s too bad that many of them never will get the chance to become who they are meant to be. Just because you are blocking them in every possible way. If they had the chance to change their situation, I know Palestine will become a great country.

Actually, Palestine is already a great country but no one knows about it because you are spreading so much fake news. Even your own citizens believe that Palestine is full of terrorists and dangerous people. It’s true that some people are angry with you. That makes sense if you force people out of their houses and kill their loved ones. The Palestinians have tried to offer peace more than once, but you didn’t accept it. I strongly recommend you to start looking for a way to live together peacefully, because the Palestinians are growing in number and in strength. The next generation is tired of living like this. You are making their lives as hard as possible, but as you can see, the Palestinians will not give up. They will keep existing to resist because that is the only thing they can do.

So Israel, you have this big army, sophisticated weapons and a lot of support of powerful countries. But the Palestinians have big hearts, strong beliefs, loyal families, gentle people and a lot of hope! And eventually the whole world will know the truth. I am sorry for you that you don’t see how wonderful these people are. I wish you could get to know them like I did.

I don’t blame anyone, but I really hope you solve this conflict soon. It is you who has the power to change the situation so take that chance. Make humanity proud and show the world you learned from your own history. And please, stop calling this a religious conflict because it is clearly not. Before you came, Muslims, Christians and Jews lived together in this holy land. I believe everyone can be free again and can live together in peace. It will not be easy and you will have to give up a lot of your power but I am sure it would be a great improvement for both Palestinians and Israelis.

Please think about it. Try to imagine a land without walls and fences, without being afraid of the other and without violence. A land where every religion and identity are respected.

Kind regards,

A concerned girl