we are not numbers

emerging writers from Palestine tell their stories and advocate for their human rights

Every day, the farmer counts his goats on the besieged farm. / He says he counts them to guard / against the dogs / that lurk.

Using canines to intimidate, injure, and torture Palestinians is government-sanctioned terrorism against civilians.

This heinous war has affected pets like my cat just as painfully and negatively as it has affected Palestinians.

“The cat became nervous because of the sounds of war and started attacking our family.”

They may be slow and old-fashioned, but they are essential for survival.