This appeal was sent to SJJP members and supporters on August 6th 2008:

Rafah Children’s Project -- Urgent Financial Appeal

Scottish Jews for a Just Peace (SJJP) is appealing for funds to support a children’s project in Rafah, the largest settlement in the Gaza strip. Rafah is a sprawling, dusty, desperately impoverished camp of 130,000 inhabitants, subject to frequent incursions by the Israeli army and house demolitions (see http://www.un.org/unrwa/refugees/gaza/rafah.html).

A long-time contact of one of SJJP's members, a Palestinian activist in Rafah, has been working with children in his neighbourhood, organizing local volunteers to provide activities such as arts and crafts, traditional dancing, and outings. He recently contacted SJJP with a request for help: The group is planning a day-trip in the middle of August for 275 children to Gaza City, but unless it can raise funds to pay for three coaches - about £500 - the trip will be impossible.

We at SJJP see helping with this request as a small way to show solidarity for Palestinians in the Occupied Territories. Helping children enjoy a day out - children who live, effectively, in a war zone, subject to barely imaginable trauma and chronic stress - is a worthy goal in itself. It is also a way to communicate to children and their families in Rafah that they are not alone - that there are people who care about them and their future.

All funds will be strictly accounted for and will be exclusively used for the children’s project; any funds left over after paying for the buses will be used for snacks for the day, or arts-and-crafts materials for the kids. The project in Rafah, which has no political affiliation and has been supported in the past by UNRWA, is run by a young man who although having grown up under occupation still wishes for peace and justice between Palestinians and Israelis. Let us support his cause.

How To Help

1. Urgently donate money to the cause ­ please also send an email to rafahappeal@sjjp.org.uk to let us know how much you are able to give. The best way for you to donate money is by transferring directly into this Cooperative Bank account:
   • sort code 08-92-81
   • bank account 03101074
   To send cheques, postal orders or for other methods of payment, please email rafahappeal@sjjp.org.uk;
2. Please forward this email to anyone you think may be interested;
3. Circulate the appeal round any support networks.

Thank you!