We in FoST Sweden recently got the following letter:
I’m writing to you from a bomb shelter in Israel. We’re two days into this new war with Iran, and all of us on the ground are feeling so much uncertainty – how many more nights will we spend running to take shelter? How many innocent Israelis, Palestinians, and Iranians will lose their lives in yet another war? When will we have normality and safety?
While there is so much uncertainty about this old-new reality, there are some things we do know for sure:
1. We don’t trust our extremist government or the Trump administration to act in our best interests. We have often been promised “total victory” only to see more bloodshed and catastrophe. Just eight months ago, after the June war with Iran, Netanyahu said Israel had achieved a historic win and eliminated Iran’s nuclear and ballistic capabilities. As our government embraces authoritarianism at home, especially towards Palestinians, it’s hard to believe it is fighting for democracy in Iran – which we know many Iranians under the tyranny of the Islamic Republic deeply desire.
2. Ordinary people pay the highest price in the end. While those in power make the choice to go to war, it is the people on the ground who must deal with the cost of this decision. None of us deserve to live in fear – of state violence, oppression, or a future of endless war. We all deserve hope for our future and real safety, dignity, and freedom.
For Bedouin-Palestinian citizens in southern Israel, this war is even more dangerous. In communities unrecognized by the government there is no electricity or running water, let alone safe rooms to go to when sirens sound. Our government’s racist policy has left tens of thousands of people completely vulnerable in this emergency situation.
Despite the last war with Iran laying bare how vulnerable entire communities are, our government has failed to act. So we’re stepping in, just like last time, to purchase and install mobile bomb shelters for unprotected communities.
All of us deserve a safe place to go when sirens sound, and we will not accept a reality where some people are left behind. Please consider donating to this campaign and helping us meaningfully change the reality on the ground for as many communities as we can.
Last June, we raised enough money to bring 20 shelters to communities in need – something no Israeli government has ever done. Help us continue to provide life-saving shelter.
We’re so grateful for your support throughout the difficult times and the rewarding ones. Thank you for sticking with us.
In solidarity,
Standing Together