A village primary school in Palestine will receive funding for a new library from a group in Watford that is working to alleviate suffering in the region.

The school, in Broqeen, will be helped by the Watford Friends of Salfeet, following the recent visit of one member to the district.

Keith Douglas was in Palestine for three weeks, between March 20 and April 14, and despite the hospitality of his hosts, he said the region's population were "desperate to survive".

He said: "It's a nightmare. This is a nation that is having its nationhood being stolen from under its feet."

Salfeet is a district in the West Bank area of Palestine, with almost 40,000 people living in 20 villages.

The Watford friends group, a non-party political, multi-age, multi-faith organisation, started one years ago to establish a link with Salfeet and inform people in Watford about the political situation in Palestine.

Keith, 62, from Claremont Crescent in Croxley Green, will describe the conditions he faced at a meeting of the group tomorrow.

He said: "Every village has visits from the (Israeli) army, three or four times a week. It's very, very bad.

"The behaviour of the forces is really very reminiscent of fascistic operations that you can imagine.

"They invent rules as they go along.

"But the difference with fascists is Israel has the cover of a thin layer of democracy. They have a parliament and political parties exist, but you can see what is underneath and it's rather nasty.

"They've got their best friend of the USA as cover. It's designed to keep information away from the public.

"They have no border with a country other than Israel. They're trapped. Most wealthy people have fled. What's left is people desperate to work, desperate to survive."

Despite political problems, however, Keith described the people in Salfeet as "wonderful".

He said: "They're very hospitable. They have a terrific culture and are very well educated. They're hanging onto their educational traditions.

"It makes you feel rather ashamed of our government that supports Israel. While Israel is getting billions and billions of aid from the USA, Palestine are powerless. There aren't really two sides. There's one side and Palestine.

"If action is not taken soon, there won't be a Palestine to defend."

For more information about the Watford Friends of Salfeet, telephone chairman Clive Swan on 07766 452665.