Palestinian financial crisis: Kholoud

Poor Hamas! Its government is helpless because of increasing pressure from the West.

MEET THE PANEL Name: Kholoud Age: 24 Lives: Ramallah Works: Translator

What the west doesn't realise is that such pressure only punishes the Palestinian people. Cutting aid is especially painful.

The West also doesn't understand that Palestinians don't hold their breath waiting for help from the international community, because we know that the United States controls it.

I haven't been paid for several months so my family of five depends on my father's salary. My mother, who is a secretary at Bir Zeit University, also hasn't been paid for several months.

I live in a village and we show solidarity by collecting donations for each other.

I didn't vote in the last elections, but I respect the choice of those who voted for Hamas.

Why doesn't the West respect our democracy? Does it think that resistance and democracy are incompatible?

Calls for Hamas to recognise Israel are used by Israel to its advantage. Israel will always make more demands.

The situation will get worse in the coming months, but Palestinians are always optimistic.

Yesterday a Palestinian was killed by Israelis in my street. Today there is a wedding party in the same street. This is our life.