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The Horizon Youth Development Foundation hosted a delegation of ambassadors and consuls accredited to the Palestinian Authority in the Khalayil Al-Lawz area of Bethlehem Governorate. The visit aimed to observe firsthand the reality faced by citizens, the repeated attacks and violations they endure from settlers, and the impact of these aggressions on the lives, security, and stability of the residents.
The delegation was accompanied during the tour by His Excellency the Governor of Bethlehem, Mr. Mohammed Abu Aliya, and representatives from the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Tourism. They closely observed the conditions experienced by the residents of the area and listened to testimonies from citizens about the attacks they face, and the accompanying restrictions on their lives, properties, and agricultural lands.
Dr. Mohammed Mahmoud Al-Fararjeh, Executive Director of the Horizon Youth Development Foundation, along with the foundation's staff and employees, welcomed the delegation. He emphasized the importance of the visit in conveying the true picture of what is happening on the ground and delivering the voice of the citizens to the international community and diplomatic bodies.
The Governor: Conveying the suffering of citizens to the international community
His Excellency the Governor of Bethlehem, Mr. Mohammed Abu Aliya, stated that the visit of the diplomatic delegation to the Khalayil Al-Lawz area is of utmost importance because it allows ambassadors and consuls to directly observe the reality experienced by citizens and hear from them about the nature of the attacks they are subjected to.
He added that what is happening in the targeted areas in terms of attacks on citizens, land, and property calls for a clear international stance. He stressed that diplomatic presence and direct observation of what is happening on the ground represent an important step in conveying the truth to the countries of the world and strengthening efforts to protect citizens and support their steadfastness.
The Governor affirmed that Bethlehem Governorate will continue to work with various local and international institutions and bodies to enhance the steadfastness of citizens in threatened areas and to highlight the challenges they face.
Rateb Obiayat: The presence of the delegation is a message of support for the people of the region
For his part, Professor Rateb Obiayat, head of the Breid’a, Hindaza, and Khalayil Al-Lawz Municipality, said that the visit of the diplomatic delegation represents an important message to the people of the region, especially in light of the continuous attacks and pressures they are exposed to.
Obaiyat explained that citizens in these areas are holding on to their land and their existence despite the difficult circumstances, pointing out that informing ambassadors and consuls about the reality on the ground and listening directly to citizens would convey their suffering to international bodies more clearly.
He stressed that the people of the region need more support and assistance, not only on a humanitarian level, but also through an international presence that contributes to protecting citizens and enhancing their ability to withstand and remain on their lands.
Ahmed Hannoun: The goal is to transform observation into an international stance
For his part, Dr. Ahmed Hannoun, representative of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, stressed the importance of the visit in familiarizing the diplomatic delegation with the reality of the conditions experienced by citizens in the region.
He said that observing the reality on the ground and listening to the testimonies of the residents give the delegation a direct picture of the extent of suffering experienced by citizens, stressing that the goal is for these observations and testimonies to be transformed into international positions and actions that contribute to protecting citizens and stopping the attacks they are subjected to.
Hannoun pointed to the importance of solidarity among official, private, and community institutions in supporting the steadfastness of citizens, and enhancing communication with international and diplomatic bodies to explain the Palestinian reality and convey the voice of those affected.
Al-Ufuq: International presence enhances citizens' steadfastness
For his part, Dr. Muhammad Mahmoud Al-Fararjeh, Executive Director of Al-Ufuq Youth Development Foundation, confirmed that hosting the delegation comes within the framework of the foundation's community role and its keenness to shed light on issues affecting the lives of citizens, and to enhance communication with international and diplomatic bodies.
Al-Fararjeh said that Al-Ofoq Foundation views this visit as an important opportunity to inform the delegation about the reality on the ground and listen to citizens, stressing that the foundation will continue to work to enhance the steadfastness of the local community and open channels of communication with various relevant bodies and institutions.
The tour included a number of sites in the Khalayil al-Luz area, where the delegation was briefed on the existing conditions and listened to citizens' testimonies about the attacks they are subjected to, and the resulting social, economic and humanitarian impacts.
The visit comes within the framework of enhancing communication with diplomatic missions, ambassadors, and consuls accredited to the Palestinian Authority, and informing them directly about the on-the-ground reality in the Palestinian territories. This strengthens the presence of Palestinian humanitarian and human rights issues in international forums.
At the conclusion of the visit, the Afaq Foundation for Youth Development affirmed its continued commitment to its societal and national role, working to convey the voice of citizens and enhance their steadfastness, in addition to supporting initiatives and events that contribute to conveying the true picture of the Palestinian reality to the international community.
