Children of the Middle East

Sample Letters
 

The situation of Children in the Middle East worries all of us, but not everyone feels comfortable writing letters to newspapers, human rights groups, church leadership or parliamentarians urging them to take a stand.  It really is easy – and satisfying!  To help, you will find set out in these pages some really useful tools.

First time letter writers may find Take-a-Pen’s letter writing guide particularly helpful.  All letter writers may gain some ‘inspiration’ from the following sample letters written by other people, which are presented for you to adopt to your own words, style and thinking.

In addition, click here to see a separate list of short extracts from letters other people have written which you may find helpful.
 

312 Laurier Avenue East

Ottawa, Ontario K1N 1H9

Canada

Dear Amnesty International Canada:

Two and a half years of escalating terror attacks in the second Palestinian Intifada have caused irreparable damage to the quality of life in the Middle East in general, and to the living conditions of Palestinian and Israeli children in particular. Because of your organization is known for its reputation for fairness and justice, I am compelled to ask you: How much longer must these children be subjected to this needless abuse?

As a concerned Canadian citizen, I have watched in horror as the BBC broadcast its news reports of Islamic Jihad-sponsored “summer camps” where young Arab children receive paramilitary training. I have read about the extremist indoctrination programs that begin when these children are still toddlers: throw a pipe bomb and receive a dollar (the currency may vary, but the theme doesn’t); glorify violence and kill willingly; celebrate those who became suicide bombers; become a suicide bomber, ensure your own immortality and bring honor to your family.

How can the Arab children of this generation possibly build a better world for themselves? What is in store for future generations of Arab children? How will the Israeli children be able to trust their neighbours enough to work towards a mutually beneficial solution? Most importantly: how can we, as civilized people, support a society that encourages children to die?

The United Nations Declaration of the Rights of the Child (1959) defines the rights of children worldwide. Please take a stand against those guilty of indoctrinating children to embrace violence and hate their neighbours. The Palestinian leadership must be brought to account for exploiting children for political gain. The future of these children is in our hands.

Yours truly,

(Name and Address)

Name of Editor

Address of newspaper

RE: “Title, author and date of article”

After two and a half years of escalating terror attacks, the quality of life and living conditions in the Middle East have been irreparably damaged. And yet, in your recent article “Title, author and date of article”, you fail to mention the impact of terror on Israel, on Israelis, and more specifically, on Israeli children.

As a concerned citizen, I have watched in horror the BBC’s news reports of Islamic Jihad-sponsored “summer camps” where young Arab children receive paramilitary training. I have read about the extremist indoctrination programs that begin when these children are barely toddlers: throw a pipe bomb and receive a dollar (or whatever the going rate is); glorify violence and kill willingly.  

How will the Arab children of this generation possibly build a better world for themselves or for future generations of Arab children? How will the Israeli children be able to trust their neighbours enough to work towards a mutually beneficial solution?

Since 1948, the world has sat in judgment against Israel. What I find most surprising is the fact that the world has not judged the families and supporters of Arab suicide bombers who kill innocent Israeli children who are on their way to school or are preparing for their Sabbath. The world has also failed to judge the clerics who call for jihad against innocent civilians. And, surely, the world has not judged all those people who dance in the street each time a bus or a pizzeria in Israel explode in flames and more innocent children are killed.

I – and others – have noticed that when the innocent children are Israeli, it doesn’t make for a very interesting story. Can you tell me why that is?

Yours truly,

Name and Address

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