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Conflict in the Middle East
Original poster

My Palestinian Christian family has gone

105 replies

Theend123 · 22/10/2023 20:19

I am late to this and name changed as I frequently get accused of anti-semitism for just telling my family story.
I am of Palestinian Christian heritage, I have lived in the UK for most of my adult life and am agnostic because I have faith, but cannot believe in religion due to its destructive nature.
Until two weeks ago, I had 16 relatives living in Gaza, I believe I now have two: my father's cousin and her daughter.
I also have relatives in Bethlehem but the connectivity is bad and no-one wants to identify themselves.
It's heart-breaking on a personal level. My Palestinian relatives have suffered so much living in the Occupied Territories.
There is fault on all sides but I am rarely able to express my family's problems because they are not seen as being legitimately part of the region's natural order.

OP posts:
RandomMess · 22/10/2023 20:42

It's an utter shit show and has been for decades Sad

All about power and money and Willy waving Angry

So sorry for your loss and all those affected, nearly all are ordinary people wanting ordinary lives whilst politicians and terrorists play at being god.

Babyroobs · 22/10/2023 20:43

So sorry for your losses op.

InTheStars · 22/10/2023 20:43

I'm so sorry for your losses, OP 💐

Lavenderosa · 22/10/2023 20:45

The photos and films of dead, injured and grief-stricken people are heartbreaking and I'm so sorry for you that your own family are amongst them. Do you have a supportive network who will help you cope with this trauma?

Original poster
Theend123 · 22/10/2023 20:46

@JayAlfredPrufrock there have been talks but nothing ever comes of it. So entrenched. And, as a minority, we are rarely/never included. All talks get escalated up to US/Arab nations and it's so sensitive that no one wants to put a foot wrong.
I sometimes think: just give me a seat at the UN and I will just fillibust them into submission.

OP posts:
theduchessofspork · 22/10/2023 20:47

I am so sorry OP. The whole situation is just awful.

Original poster
Theend123 · 22/10/2023 20:51

@Lavenderosa my Palestinian diaspora mates are also suffering badly so we find grim solace (and much black humour) in each other. We've been here before. Sadly, we will likely be here again.

OP posts:
flufferknutter · 22/10/2023 20:53

I'm so sorry for your losses 💐

ThereIbledit · 22/10/2023 20:58

Oh my goodness I am so sorry to read this. I don't have a clue what I could possibly say that could comfort you but please know that I feel for you and I wish you grace for navigating this horror.

Please don't feel guilty for posting about your own family. The big scale losses are so hard precisely because all those people are somebody's loved ones.

Original poster
Theend123 · 22/10/2023 21:01

@Dablikeacrap do you find yourself endlessly trying to explain your heritage and getting nowhere?

OP posts:
TakeMe2Insanity · 22/10/2023 21:01

I am so sorry for your losses. Do you have family/friends around that you can grieve with? Sending you much love.

SeaPool · 22/10/2023 21:02

I am so dreadfully sorry for your losses and all the heartbreak you are suffering. I will be thinking of you.

WrongSwanson · 22/10/2023 21:03

I am so sorry, what an unimaginable loss.

I am appalled at what ordinary people get put through in the name of religion and politics

WrongSwanson · 22/10/2023 21:04

I am so sorry, what an unimaginable loss.

I am appalled at what ordinary people get put through in the name of religion and politics

feralunderclass · 22/10/2023 21:05

You are seen and heard OP, my heart goes out to you 💐

Original poster
Theend123 · 22/10/2023 21:06

@TakeMe2Insanity thank you. We are few and far between plus news is so slow to arrive. Luckily I have an amazing DP who is super supportive but inclined to go a little nuclear in blame. I can't fault him because he carries my anger which is an enormous relief.

OP posts:
sprigatito · 22/10/2023 21:07

I'm so sorry, and so angry for you. What's happening in Gaza is the culmination of decades of criminal cruelty.

anon0007 · 22/10/2023 21:08

Im so sorry op.

User562377 · 22/10/2023 21:12

I'm sorry op.

Thank you for telling us about your family. It is easy to become desensitised to big numbers on the news and and to forget that every person who has died is an individual with people who love them and mourn their loss.

I will remember your family in my prayers this evening.

ketchup07070 · 22/10/2023 21:13

Heartbroken for your people and your losses. I was listening to Sama' Abduhladi's Boiler Room Palestine set the other night and crying. Take care of yourself OP.

BananaPyjamaLlama · 22/10/2023 21:17

Sorry for all your losses. Thinking of you.
And to anyone else (one either "side") who has been personally affected by whats happening. x

Huwipulotu · 22/10/2023 21:20

The terrorism on BOTH sides is heartbreaking and unforgivable

weegiemum · 22/10/2023 21:39

It's heartbreaking.

I live in Scotland and have friends who are Israeli and also friends who are Palestinian. They know and love each other. What is happening is - well I can't think of a word for it. It's horrific! They both hope and pray for a 2 state solution. Sadly, both of the communities who believed in this don't live there any more.

I don't stand with Palestine. I don't stand with Israel. I stand with peace.

Toothyfruity · 22/10/2023 21:51

I'm so sorry. I can't even imagine the scale of your loss OP. My heart is breaking for you.

ssd · 22/10/2023 21:52

I am so very sorry op.