IDF authorizes Ahmad to visit sea for first time | Machsomwatch
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IDF authorizes Ahmad to visit sea for first time

IDF authorizes Ahmad to visit sea for first time

source: 
Ynet
author: 
Daniel Edelson

Following article published in Ynet, IDF decides to overturn its decision preventing 15-year-old boy from West Bank from participating in 'fun day' at Israeli beach organized by Machsom Watch. Ahmad, who supports his family by selling goods at Hawara checkpoint, will be able to realize his dream, provide temporary respite from daily grind in West Bank

 

Sometimes dreams really do come true. The IDF decided to allow Ahmad Samir Said Najjar, 15, from Borin, to participate in Wednesday's summer camp organized by Machsom Watch. It will be young Najjar's first time seeing the sea.

This comes after the IDF refused Ahmad entry to Israel last month for "security reasons," according to the report first published in Ynet.

Original Report
 
IDF prevents Palestinian youth from trip to sea
 
Machsom Watch plans 'fun day' for 50 West Bank kids at Bat Yam beach, Civil Administration approves names of all but one, citing 'security reasons'. Organization recruits some local celebrities to sign petition to make 15-year-old Ahmad's wish come true
Full Story
 

This is the third year in a row that the women of Machshom Watch are organizing a "fun day" at the beach for Palestinian children. They are taking some 50 Palestinian children from the Nablus area on a day trip to splash around in the Mediterranean Sea for the first time in their lives.

Ahmad, who makes money selling bottles of water and sweets at the Hawara checkpoint, was among the children seeking to go on the trip. However, the IDF would not grant him entry permits into Israel.

Machshom Watch was outraged by the IDF's refusal and recruited local celebrities to their cause. Following Ynet's report, the IDF overturned their decision and decided to allow Ahmad to join his friends for a fun day at the beach.

The Najjar family's home was jubilant upon hearing that Ahmad will be allowed to go on the trip. The mother said that aside from the economic straits in the West Bank, Ahmad's situation was particularly dire. The burden of providing for the family fell on Ahmad's shoulders after his father underwent heart surgery that prevented him from working.

"We took him out of school in the sixth grade so that he could work and help support the family. It has been two years now that he leaves the house at 5am in order to sell gum and water at the checkpoint," the mother said.


Ahmad (L) and his friends (Photo: Yehudit Levin, Machsom Watch)

According to her, Ahmad never goes out to have fun or on trips. "He used to stand for hours under the sun because there was a period that we didn't have any food for days at a time. We didn't have any meat at home, and Ahmad would do everything possible. He worked morning to night in order to help us. I want everything to work out so that he can join the summer camp and have fun.

"Without this camp, I don't know if he will ever be able to enjoy life after all the suffering and hard work he has had to endure at his age," explained the mother.

Ahmad's mother expressed her gratitude to Machshom Watch for the effort they invested in ensuring that her son would participate in the "fun day" at the beach: "If they hadn't insisted and hadn't gone to speak with the authorities on his behalf, I don't know if he would ever be able to have a little fun. I hope he will enjoy himself and we will be happy for him."

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According to Machshom Watch Spokeswoman Raya Yaron, there is no doubt as to the reason for the IDF's change of heart. "We are very happy and have no doubt that the article (in Ynet) is what brought about the hoped for authorization. This is the power of the media. The strong ruling power in the state is the defense establishment, but today it turns out that the media is stronger than it," she explained.

Rahel Afek, one of the camp's organizers, described the development of affair. "We asked for authorization four times and were answered in the negative. One after I submit the final appeal along with the Ynet article did I receive a positive response," she said.

"One the one hand, it is very exciting and heart-warming. On the other hand, this is only one child among all the children in the West Bank. This is only one case. If only we could provide this for all of them. They are all children. They all deserve to see the sea, and they all deserve to lead normal lives. A Ynet article cannot be written about each and every one of them," she lamented.

Ali Waked contributed to this report