MyAdhan Blog

Link: SMS: Our hearts are with Gaza

Palestinians throughout the West Bank are expressing solidarity with the people of the Gaza Strip through SMS messaging. It is the least expensive means of communication, and does not rely on mobile phone signals not being crossed while trying to talk, nor does it require as much electricity. The intense Israeli blockade imposed on Gaza has wreaked havoc on the lives of the people, and many family members are stuck apart. For some it is their only form of communication. Popular messages include “God Protect Gaza” and “Save Our People in Gaza.” It may seem simple, but to many in the Gaza Strip this is one of the few ways of knowing that they are not living at the far edge of the earth, as the borders have remained closed and they go without proper medicines, water, electricity or fuel, many types of food, and personal supplies. Some of the solidarity campaigns are held through online chat rooms or through instant messaging. “Ah, you, from the heart of Gaza are the cowboy dancing on the Holy Land,” and simply, “Our hearts are with Gaza.” Palestinian researcher Nawaf Amir lives in the West Bank, not far in distance from his family in Gaza, but lifetimes away in his ability to see them. However, he said on Thursday morning that he still feels closely linked to them. He is one of the hundreds of people who are using SMS, IM, and chat rooms for communication. Amir told PNN that he lives through his family’s anxieties right along side them, and that by standing by his brothers in this way he feels a sense of relief. He says that these are creative means for all Palestinians to stand in solidarity and to express their anger over what is happening. Amir adds that these are the most basic things that we in the West Bank can do for the people of Gaza: short messages, art, poetry, prayer and fasting, marches and demonstrations. “The people are sacrificing their lives and we must invent new ways to bring the spirit of the people together as our cause is one in the same.”