Adjustments in the Horyzon projects in Palestine

The violence between Israel and Palestine has been escalating again for over a year now, and a ceasefire or even a solution to the decades-long conflict still seems a long way off. The humanitarian situation, particularly in the Gaza region, but also in the West Bank where Horyzon is active, has worsened this year. Additional parties and countries are involved in the war, further aggravating and complicating the situation. The civilian population in Israel, Palestine and Lebanon continues to suffer.

Despite the difficult circumstances, the two Horyzon projects in the West Bank are able to continue for the most part. In the reintegration program, for example, physically and mentally impaired people continue to receive support. However, there has been a shift in priorities: Since the outbreak of war in the fall of 2023, there has been an increased focus on psychological first aid and the services have been extended to all people, not just young people. Demand is high - both among refugees from Gaza and residents of the West Bank. In regular group therapy sessions, those affected can talk about their experiences and receive support in dealing with their psychological stress. They learn coping strategies and individual discussions help them to master the challenges of everyday life. In the long term, traumas should also be dealt with, but this is a major challenge due to the ongoing violence and the current war situation. A significant limitation is the tense security situation: as it is difficult for specialists to reach various locations in the West Bank, many therapies continue to take place online.

In Horyzon's second Palestine project, the "Joint Advocacy Initiative", exchanges between European and Palestinian young people also take place exclusively online. Travel to Palestine is currently not possible. However, the fact that discussions can still be held has great added value for both sides, especially in the current war situation. The olive tree campaign organized within the "Joint Advocacy Initiative" is also still an important part, and this spring the 47,250 olive tree seedlings that were donated in 2023 were finally distributed and planted. Over 800 farming families received the seedlings and thus benefited from them. However, as no international helpers, on whom the project would actually rely, were able to arrive for the spring planting season or the current olive harvest in the fall, the project has increasingly worked with local volunteers and people from the villages.

The situation remains extremely demanding, challenging and stressful for the project participants and also for the local employees in the Horyzon projects. Horyzon stands by its employees and provides them with support through regular exchanges. Horyzon also remains active in Switzerland and is involved in the "Forum for Human Rights Israel/Palestine".