Daily life in the occupied Palestinian territories — in pictures

Mohammed, 38, from Al Fakheet, slaughters a goat as his son watches. Mohammed says: 'I once saw on the news that the government of Israel gives money to their farmers. I want my government to help farmers, too' Photograph: David Levene

Hajah herds her sheep. Al Fakheet, home to 15 families who are dependent on herding to sustain their livelihood, is located in Area C of the West Bank, where Israel maintains military and civil control Photograph: David Levene

Yasser lives in Al Fakheet with his mother, Fatmeh, his wife, Hajah, and their seven children. He says: 'I live in Area C, so the Palestinian Authority can't come here. I need a government that can protect me, I need help to support my family. If a state means that the government can help me, then it s a good thing. If not, nothing will change' Photograph: David Levene

Hajah with her daughter, Yasmeen, in Al Fakheet Photograph: David Levene

Ba'araa, nine, in Al Fakheet Photograph: David Levene/David Levene

In East Jerusalem there is a severe shortage of classrooms for Palestinian students. At the Al Itam Basic Boys School B in the old city, learning conditions are cramped Photograph: David Levene/David Levene

Students at the Quaker-administered Ramallah Friends School started Palestine's first and only Model UN club two years ago. Its members have participated in global Model UN debates Photograph: David Levene

Areen Bahour, 17, is chairwoman of the club. 'I have aspired to lead this club because I believe the UN has the power to change so many problems in the world,' she says Photograph: David Levene

A woman hangs out clothes to dry at Al Walaja in the West Bank Photograph: David Levene

Basem Ja'abari, 18, from East Jerusalem, is learning a range of professions but doesn't yet know what he wants to do with his life. His family's home was recently demolished. He says: 'In the future, I just want to be able to stay in my own house and not have to worry' Photograph: David Levene

Boys hang out in Hebron old city Photograph: David Levene

Badia Dwaik, co-founder of the group Youth Against Settlements and a tour guide for the Israeli human rights group Btselem, is leading a campaign to open Shuhada Street. Once the heart of Hebron's economic and social activity, the street is now accessible only to settlers. 'I don’t want a Palestinian state that is isolated from Israel or vice versa. We are all equal' Photograph: David Levene

Boys pass the time in Hebron Old City Photograph: David Levene

Hamdi Dwaik owns a small bakery in the old city of Hebron, which has become a ghost town due to the closure of Shuhada Street. He says: 'How can we think of a state when our lives are controlled by checkpoints from Hebron to Jerusalem?' Photograph: David Levene

Passports are checked at the arrivals hall at Istarha border crossing Palestinian checkpoint, Jericho Photograph: David Levene

Noor Al Aqra, 25, has her passport checked at the Palestinian checkpoint, Istarha border crossing in Jericho. Noor is from Nablus but now lives in Amman with her husband. She says travelling back to visit family is very hard Photograph: David Levene

Fadi Owaiwa came to the Istarha border crossing to pick up his mother, Zakia, sisters, Rose and Rawan, and nieces and nephews, Hatem, Alma, and Hanan, who were visiting family in Jordan. 'I don't know if a state will make travelling easier but of course we dream to have our own state, to be independent and free,' he says Photograph: David Levene

Construction of the wall around Al Walaja Photograph: David Levene

Mazen Saadeh, 51, lives in Bir Zeit, West Bank. The artist, novelist and restaurant owner says: 'I didn't choose my Palestinian identity. I lived in different countries. I came back to Palestine but discovered it's not my Palestine, my Palestine is behind a wall' Photograph: David Levene/David Levene

Boys play in Hebron old city Photograph: David Levene

With high unemployment rates, many young Palestinians are not optimistic about the future. Moaz Dabbagh, 16, from East Jerusalem, hopes that classes at the Al Itam vocational school will help him to find steady work in carpentry Photograph: David Levene

Women walk outside Jerusalem old city Photograph: David Levene

Muna Mushahwar, 33, lives in Beit Hanina, East Jerusalem. She is a doctor at Hadassa Hospital, West Jerusalem. 'We just want our human rights, to have a country and our land, and to be able to say "I am a Palestinian" and not feel threatened' Photograph: David Levene/David Levene