Dear Children of Gaza,
I am sorry.
The world sees your tears; it hears your cries; it sees your bodies piled in the rubble; the world witnesses, but still it continues.
We hear about your dreams and aspirations: to learn, to travel, to visit your beaches with clear blue water, or play in playgrounds with swings and slides. To become astronauts, teachers and doctors. And every day we see how those dreams are no more.
You may ask the world, where were these international values of freedom, justice and equality when the world could not even protect the right to life for a Palestinian child?
You may ask the world why there was swift action when trade routes and economic interests were at risk, but deafening silence when 10,000 children were killed. When your mother's hearts were torn and your fathers clung and kissed your lifeless bodies farewell.
You may ask the world, will this ever end? Will I ever go back to school? Will I ever sleep in my own bed again? Will I ever feel safe? Will I even live?
The world might not like your questions but you deserve your answers. The world cannot pretend it does not know because we hear, we see and we know because of the power of your heroes. Those every day heroes who pulled out their cameras and risked everything, including the lives of their own families to show the world your stories.
The world sees your innocence and bravery, your suffering and endurance, and despite the horror, you still continue with the world on your shoulders. Whilst we raised our voices, filled the streets and called for an end. It was not enough.
When the world should have been your inspiration, you became ours.
I am sorry.
As of Friday 26/01/24 over 13,000 children in Gaza have been killed. We will never forget them.
#LettersToGaza
Naz Shah MP
@NazShahBFD