Sophie had been working in the West Bank as one of a team of volunteer monitors – helping both to watch for abuses of the human rights of the Palestinian community and to reduce the likelihood of this by their presence. What she had to tell us was in some ways unexpected – and profoundly disturbing.  It is important to understand first that virtually every aspect of life there is ruthlessly controlled by the Israeli military.

The way this impacted on the daily lives of the Palestinians was vividly illustrated by her stories – the most worrying of which centred on the local High School, its remarkable head teacher and the pupils. What would we think if the education of our children was disrupted by tear gas or their school playground was surrounded by soldiers pointing loaded assault rifles at them as they played?

So – what can we do? Lots of things!  For example ; help with funding support by donating online at www.quakeronline.org.eappi

OR learn more from the Facebook page at EAPPI UK & IRELAND

AND  raise your concerns with MPs, MSPs etc. via www.writetothem.com