Bethlehem youth worker released from prison

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Munther Amira, Chairman of the Board of Directors Aida Youth Center, who was violently arrested in his home in Aida refugee camp, near Bethlehem on 18 December was released from prison on Friday night.

After more than two and a half months in detention, without being charged, he has finally been reunited with his family.

Upon his release, Munther spoke about the horrendous situation in prison. "It was hell", Munther commented on prison conditions, "not even animals can live like this". The food he and his eleven cellmates received was enough to feed only two people, there was no warm water, and nothing to help pass the long days.

Prisoners receive no news from outside, and have no information on why they have been imprisoned and for how long. On several occasions, guards entered their cells with dogs. One young man tried to commit suicide due to the hopelessness of the situation. "They oppressed and humiliated us, and buried any hope for life", Munther said.

The youth centre said in a statement: "Unfortunately, we have little news about Anas Abu Srour, the Center's Executive Director. Anas has been in prison for over three months now, without trial or charges. However, he has seen his lawyer on a couple of occasions, and wants his friends around the world to know that he is doing well, under the circumstances.

"Meanwhile, our team at Aida Youth Center has been working hard to keep our Center running as per usual, serving the local community. This is especially important as the situation in the camp has deteriorated, and families are struggling to make ends meet.
Thank you for supporting our Center, and for your help in getting Munther home.

Dafa Campaign 2024 and humanitarian aid

Due to economic hardship, many families in Aida camp and surrounding underserved areas were unable to buy winter clothes for their children. Aida Youth Center distributed 150 packs of winter clothes to struggling families. Each pack contained a winter jacket, warm shoes, a winter tracksuit, socks, a scarf and a hat.

As an increasing number of people are contacting the Center asking for support, they will be expanding our humanitarian aid in the upcoming months. They have already distributed 80 food parcels, as well as 20 heaters and blankets, and are looking for additional funding to support more families.

Trauma-sensitive Yoga

To help children in the camp cope with stress and trauma, Aida Youth Center has been organizing yoga classes that focus on processing complex trauma. Sessions are currently taking place multiple times per week. Several women from the camp are receiving training with the organization We the Mindful so that they can increase the number of sessions and support more children and youth through these difficult times.

Update on the the West Bank

Since 7 October 2023, a new catastrophe is unfolding for Palestinians. Whereas a full-scale genocide is unfolding in Gaza, Palestinians in the West Bank are also experiencing increasing hardship. The Israeli military and settlers have killed at least 394, including 100 children, and injured over 4,528 people in the West Bank. In addition, at least 7,120 men, women and children from the West Bank have been arrested and remain in prison without fair trials.

Palestinians in the West Bank are facing severe economic hardship caused by Israeli aggression and policies since October 7. As many as 195,000 Palestinian workers lost their jobs in Israel, since Israel revoked their permits and closed the border crossings. Meanwhile, the tourism sector in the West Bank, which accounts for 11% of the labour market, collapsed, and the construction sector declined by 35%. Lastly, Israel's decision to deduct the Gaza's share of the Palestinian Authority's clearance funds, and the latter's decision to not accept the incomplete amount, has resulted in a steep decline in the Palestinian Authority's already limited budget. The 200,000 employees of the authority now receive only 50 percent of their salaries.

As a result of these intersecting economic issues, total consumption decreased by 21% in the West Bank, with already vulnerable populations like refugees particularly affected. It is expected that this hardship will only increase, with unemployment rates expected to reach 29% in the West Bank in the upcoming months, and prices of basic items soaring.

After a short hiatus due to safety concerns following 7 October, Aida Youth Center has been continuing its Football Academy. In February, they hosted a tournament with the Aida Boys' School to provide a safe environment for playing together.

In partnership with the Red Crescent, Aida Youth Center has been organizing First Aid courses for camp residents. They are ensuring the community has the tools to take care of each another in emergency situations.

If you would like to support the work of the Aida Youth Centre see: www.aidacenter.org/support-us/