This world no longer feels like ours

Youssef Qadura, 24 years old, resides in the Badawi camp with his parents and four sisters. He says that he and his friends are completely overwhelmed and devastated by the images of Gaza. It is too much too handle, and difficult to put into words. The pain is apparent in his eyes.

-As a young Palestinian man living in Lebanon, I am shocked to witness international governments that claim to support the most vulnerable, standing against our brothers and sisters in Palestine”, he says.

Youssef is also worried how the situation will develop for the Palestinian refugees living without basic human rights in Lebanon.

-Witnessing the events in Gaza intensifies my sense of helplessness. We are not recognized as citizens in Lebanon, so what awaits us tomorrow, if there is a tomorrow? What is the fate of our rights? In the event of aggression against Lebanon, what will become of us?

Completely lost trust

After pursuing his studies in human resources in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Youssef worked with ANERA, and later served as a project assistant at UNRWA. He is currently seeking employment.

However, says Youssef - after October 7, the absence of solidarity with Palestinians led to a loss of confidence in the human condition, as well as a diminished belief in solidarity and international support. I have completely lost trust in those who globally advocate for human rights.

The family has relatives in Gaza and write to them every day. However, they only reply days later.

-My mother asked her relative, "How are your children?" to which she responded, "I don't know. I've scattered them in different places so that if there's an attack, they won't all die." This is unbearable for us to hear and experience.

A glimpse of light

Even if Youssef Qaduras’ faith in the international community is diminished, he can still see a few glimpses of light.

- NPA is one of the very few organizations that has demonstrated solidarity. Their support is not just a pretense; it is solidarity in action. I hope that NPA will continue to advocate for our needs and serve as a bridge between us and other international entities.

- What are the messages from young people to the people in power, both nationally and internationally?

- Human rights are universal, applying to all individuals. I implore the Norwegian government to remind all governments that we, too, are human beings deserving of these rights. To all politicians, we pose the question: "What are you waiting for to take action and protect the children who are dying in Gaza? We observe that the targets are predominantly children and civilians in Gaza. What are politicians around the world waiting for to extend their assistance?"

- And if you were to convey a message to Norwegian youth?

- As a Norwegian, you are born with access to all human rights and the tools to make your dreams come true. You have the ability to lead a positive life and engage with happiness; please be aware that others your age in Lebanon or Palestine are denied their basic rights. We urge you to support us; you can have an impact at the decision-making level. We hope that solidarity between Norwegian and Palestinian youth will endure, especially during these extremely challenging times. Staying informed about our current situation and sustaining an ongoing conversation is crucial for keeping us together as a collective capable of finding solutions, fostering empathy, exploring potential solutions regardless of scale, and promoting understanding.

Text by Cyril Bassil, NPA Lebanon