Palestine Voice: Issue 3 Summer 2019

PALESTINE VOICE

ISSUE 3 SUMMER 2019

IN THIS ISSUE: Bethlehem Link 2019 l GAZA Film Q&A l Colouring in l and more!

INTRODUCTION

DEAR READER,

We’re very excited to be publishing our third edition of
Palestine Voice and are extremely grateful for all the support,
encouragement and feedback. We have been very busy the past
few months putting on events, collaborating with others and
planning for the next few months!

On 14th May, the eve of Nakba Day, we collaborated and rides from bouncy castles and sumo wrestling to
with Kensal and Kilburn Better 2019 and hosted a cupcake making and a magician show. Once again,
panel discussion entitiled ‘“The Palestinian Nakba: thank you to all those who attended and volunteered!
Past, Present and Future”.
We finally saw our Bethlehem Link project flourish
The following day we hosted a panel discussion in Arabic when a group of 11 to 15 year olds from the Ghirass
with live audio translation, entitiled “The Palestinian Cultural Centre arrived in the UK for a two week
Cause: From the Nakba to the Deal of the Century”. exchange programme. The group performed dabke
dance everywhere from West Wittering beach to
We also held a fundraising Iftar for Gaza at the Grenfell Tower. The group visited schools in London
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Ealing. We were honoured as well as a boarding school in Gloucestershire and
to have Abdulaziz Abu Sharkh and Safa performing. carried out dabke and drumming workshops at the
The fundraising iftar was attended by distinguished schools. They also performed at PalExpo and on the
guests MP Rupa Haq, Mayor of Ealing Dr. Abdullah Southbank as part of the Shubbak Arab Arts Festival.
Gulaid; councillor Dr Aysha Raza and Lousie Regan.
A huge thank you to everyone who attended and who Please read more about our events, activities and
generously bid in the auction! projects in this magazine and get in touch if you have
suggestions or would like to collaborate or become
The PCF team organised a BBQ Eid festival on Sunday involved.
9 June. This was an entertainment-filled day enjoyed
by the local community. We had a range of activities In Solidarity,

RAZAN SHAMALLAKH
Programme Director
Palestine Community Foundation

Front cover photography by Stephanie Claire, taken at Shubbak Festival 2019.
Written and edited by Razan Shamallakh, Natasha Regan and Omar Aziz

2 PALESTINE VOICE Issue 3 Summer 2019

CONTENTS

FIND IN THIS ISSUE

4 PCF AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

5 AN IFTAR FOR GAZA
6 PALESTINIAN NAKBA:

Past, Present and what the Future holds (panel discussion)

7 THE PALESTINIAN CAUSE: From the Nakba to the Deal of 10-13 WHEN HAKAYA
the Century (A panel discussion) CAME TO TOWN!

8-9 PHOTO GALLERY FROM OUR BBQ EID FESTIVAL 2019 18-19
10-13
BETHLEHEM LINK: A cultural exchange touring dabke PALESTINE’S OLYMPIC FLAG BEARERS
around the UK
22-23
14 WE ARE NOT NUMBERS by Ahmed Miqdad
15 EXCLUSIVE PALESTINE VOICE
16-17 PALSOC 100! Student Advocates for Palestine 2019/20 INTERVIEW WITH GAZA’S DIRECTOR
18-19
PHOTOGRAPHERS OF PALESTINE: This season’s snaps
20-21 PALESTINE’S OLYMPIC FLAG BEARERS by Natasha Regan
GAZA - film by Gary Keane and Andrew McConnell
reviewed by Omar Aziz

22-23 EXCLUSIVE PALESTINE VOICE INTERVIEW: Omar Aziz talks
to Andrew McConnell, Director of GAZA (2019)

24-25 RUN THE WALL by Lewis McNeil

26-27 PALESTINE IN THE DIARY: Upcoming events for Autumn

28-31 GRAVEYARD OF NUMBERS by Wafa Abu-Shamais

32 COLOURING PAGE

33 Presenting the PCF COLOURING BOOK

34 TAKE THE PULSE OF PALESTINE

35 GET INVOLVED

PALESTINE VOICE Issue 3 Summer 2019 3

Who are PCF and what are our aims?

WE ARE PALESTINE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION (PCF),

an NGO aiming to promote Palestinian culture
and justice and strengthen the community around
Palestine in the UK. We are a space for Palestinians
and non-Palestinians alike to unite, whilst discovering
and sharing the cultural, political and social life of
Palestine.

We aim to stand out by first and foremost, building a community. We want to bring people in the UK from all
walks of life together under the Palestinian flag. This is regardless of nationality, ethnicity, religion, culture
or gender; whether you’re a well-versed activist or an individual just wishing to find out more.

PCF hopes to become an information hub for people who wish to work together to promote the human
rights of the Palestinian people. We will promote knowledge and awareness of Palestine, from information
on human rights violations to the steps of traditional dabke dances.

PCF Aims and Objectives:

• Raising awareness of the Palestinian issue and

highlighting human rights abuses

• Acting as a point of contact and facilitator

regarding all Palestinian related activities

• Educating people on the Palestinian issue

through lectures, workshops and publications

• Promoting Palestinian culture through sharing

music, art and food

• Campaigning for the right of self-determination

and right of return of the Palestinian People

• Mobilising international condemnation of the

Israeli occupation through BDS

• Strengthening the Palestinian community in the

UK by buillding relationships across the country
and throughout the diaspora

• Empowering and supporting livelihoods of

Palestinians in Palestine and across the diaspora
through our initiatives which highlight their skills
such as photography, embroidery and Arabic

• Effectively coordinating and collaborating with

national and international organisations to
achieve these aims and objectives

4 PALESTINE VOICE Issue 3 Summer 2019

AN IFTAR FOR GAZA

Alice Watts- MAP representative On 2nd June we held a fundraising Iftar for Gaza at the
Fundraising auction DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Ealing. We were privileged
Guests socialising to have Abdulaziz Abu Sharkh performing on the qanun
and Safa reciting melodically from the Quran.
Hand embroidered tatreez items up for auction
Louise Regan, ex President of Abdullah Gulaid; councillor Dr
the National Education Union, Aysha Raza and activist and
NUT Section, warmed the spoken word artists Mizan the
event with her words: Poet and Usaama Minhas.

It’s the most wonderful You can watch a video of the
place and they are the event at palestinefoundation.
most wonderful people org.uk/events
that I have ever met. If I
had to choose one country, Thank you so much to everyone
the country I would choose who attended and who
to go to and the people I generously bid in the auction.
would choose to see are Collectively you managed to
the Palestinians. Because raise £2,300 for Medical Aid for
they are so welcoming and Palestinians (MAP).
warm, despite everything
that they face, MAP’s local team in Gaza,
as well as their medical
There from Medical Aid for volunteers sent out to the
Palestinians (MAP) to shed region, work tirelessly to
light on their incredible work support hospitals and medical
was Events Manager Alice workers responding to the
Watts who outlined the three current crisis. They have
programs the money raised reported seeing horrific
would fund: breast cancer injuries, primarily to lower
support; zero stock and limb limbs, as well as appalling
reconstruction. loss of life. Supporting the
heroic efforts of medical teams
Also in attendance were MP working to save lives and
Rupa Huq; Mayor of Ealing Dr. limbs, MAP are vital charity.

Prayers before breaking fast Rajab Shamallakh, Chairman of PCF, Safa and Abdelaziz Abu Sharkh performing
with Sarah Glubb and Emma Choli

Head to www.map.org.uk for more info and ways to donate.

PALESTINE VOICE Issue 3 Summer 2019 5

The Palestinian Nakba:

Past, Present and Future. A panel event.

On Tuesday 14 May, the eve of Nakba Day, when Palestinians mark the anniversary of the
displacement of 600,000+ people from their towns and villages, PCF collaborated with Kensal
and Kilburn Better 2019 to host a panel discussion to a rapt audience in north west London.

We are so proud that our advisor to the Russell of Birmingham, spoke about her
history is written on our Tribunal on Palestine, own experiences growing up in
dresses, on our embroidery, which met in Cape the city of al-Khalil – Hebron – in a
on our food, on our Town in 2011. Russian-Palestinian family and the
maramia, on our zaatar, emotional and psychological effects
on everything in our life, Yana Shabana describes her childhood in the “You need to put out apartheid can have on children. To
there is a detail you can see segregated city of Hebron / al Khalil of your minds the which she stressed we don’t even
Palestine in,” rang the words experience of black know the extent of.
of PCF Chairman Rajab people in South Africa
Shamalllakh, introducing as being the measure Growing up in Hebron she passed
our organisation. of what apartheid is,” the Israeli settlement, H2, in
he explained. Whilst the middle of her city every day.
Dr Ghada Karmi, eminent author it led to the legal “Growing up under apartheid did not
and physician, then took to the definition of apartheid, make any sense to me as a child.
floor, rebuking her designated brief the legal definition It bred in me a sense of inferiority.”
to cover Palestine’s “past”, stating: doesn’t need a replica She compared the paved sidewalks,
“We are all the past the present of South Africa to apply. polished streets, benches, beautiful
and the future. In the Palestinian houses and “insanely green lawns”
case, the past is the present, that’s speech to the attentive audience: There are three constituent parts to of the Israeli settlement to her
the problem.” “I don’t think we will ever forget the definition of apartheid, he went own neighbourhood and asked her
Palestine. We’ll always dream that on to explain. These are: mum why she couldn’t have water
She stressed that no matter the day of return is as close as ever.” i) At least two distinct racial groups balloon fights and bubble baths
where anybody in the room stood ii) Inhuman acts committed against too. She remembers a childlike
on Israel-Palestine, she knows “The right of reciprocation is the subordinate group frustration at God, wondering
everybody can empathise with spinal cord of the Palestinian iii) Such acts are committed “Why do you send all the rain
the experience of ordinary people question.” systematically in the context of clouds to the other side and not my
who have terrible things happen an institutionalised regime of neighbourhood?”.
to them. domination by one group over
another. The floor then went to questions
Recalling her displacement from from the audience, which included
Jerusalem as a young girl in 1948, Whilst the tribunal found the crime “what does a one state look
she said that “leaving meant leaving of apartheid apparent in Israel, like to you?” and “has the Great
everything I knew. Everything”, from the Nation State Law passed by March of Return been worth it?”.
the family dog to her nanny Fatima. Netanyahu’s government in 2018 A concluding point concurred by
“All I could remember was fear, fear, makes Israel’s apartheid regime much of the audience and the panel
fear.” Dr Karmi’s family travelled evident and undeniable. was giving wide support to the BDS
to Damascus and on to London. movement.
Speaking of her life in London, she
explained how her family did not Echoing Dr Ghada’s
consider themselves immigrants, concluding statement,
and did not even purchase a fridge, Machover urged:
because “they were going home
soon” and this displacement was Human rights lawyer Daniel Machover “If we move towards equal Event Dinner
temporary. 71 years on, Dr Ghada speaks on the apartheid framework rights, we obviously demolish
is still here. “The story of the the whole pillars of this A short film of the event is
Palestinians is waiting to go home,” He described the Great March of apartheid system. If anyone available on our YouTube channel.
she told the audience. Return, the weekly protests that in this room thinks that
have been taking place in Gaza for there’s any other progressive
She ended on the only solution she over a year now, as “the brainchild way of resolving it other than
can see to the conflict, “the people of the Palestinian people,” coming Israel than dismantling this
who inhabit that country now have “from all walks of life: refugees, apartheid regime then I don’t
to live together, but on the basis of civil society, organisations, know where they’re living,
equality.” churches, mosques, writers, because that’s the starting
authors, tribal chiefs, women’s point … The demolition of
Dr Asad Abushark, Professor of organisations, lawyers, doctors, this unequal and deeply
Linguistics and Spokesperson for universities, academics.” discriminatory structural
the Great March of Return, who has racism that exists
recently left Gaza in order for his Solicitor and co-founder of in Israel.”
son to pursue further education in Lawyers for Palestinian Human
Ireland, delivered an impassioned Rights, Daniel Machover, Finally, Yana Shabana, former
summarised his experiences as an English Lecturer at An-Najah
University in Nablus and now a
PhD candidate at the University

6 PALESTINE VOICE Issue 3 Summer 2019

THE PALESTINIAN CAUSE:

From the Nakba to the Deal of the Century. A panel EVENT.

On 15th May 2019, the 71st anniversary of Dr Asad Abushark addresses the audience
the Palestinian Nakba, Palestine Community
Foundation hosted a panel discussion in Adorned in the the kuffiyeh, the audience stands for
London, entitled “The Palestinian Cause: the Palestinian anthem “Fida’i”
From the Nakba to the Deal of the Century”.
PCF Chairman Rajab Shamallakh introduces PCF
Discussion took place in Arabic with live audio translation. as an organisation

Hosted by journalist and television presenter Wijdan Finally, time for iftar!
Alrubaiee, the panel featured insight from Dr Asad
Abushark, International Spokesperson for the Great March
of Return; lecturer, author and political analyst Dr Ibrahim
Natil and journalist and political analyst Mr Akram Arallah.

After standing for the Palestinian anthem, Rajab
Shamallakh, PCF Chairman, launched the event by
introducing PCF’s achievenments so far and current
projects.

Audience members, who represented a mix of Arabic
speakers, Palestinian and non-Palestinian alike,
expressed a range of responses and opinions, some
questioning the unity of those working for the Palestinian
cause, of the lack of effective leadership.

Mizanur Rahman, British Bengali activist for Palestinian
rights, asked “What can people in London do to challenge
Trump’s deal of the century?” Dr Abushark’s response was
to “continue the demonstrations, continue the pressure on
Parliament in the. Support BDS. Get people to understand
that this deal threatens peace. We need to move at all
levels.”

The concluding comment of the night came from an
audience member calling for the Palestinian and Muslim
community in the UK to elect Palestinian representation in
Parliament. And on that, the event concluded for iftar.

PALESTINE VOICE Issue 3 Summer 2019 7

BBQ Eid Festival - 9th June 2019

PCF throw an Eid Festival in Ealing: Palestine Style!

On Sunday 9 June, PCF hosted a BBQ Eid Festival for the west London community.

With every type of entertainment represented, from bumper cars and sumo wrestling to cupcake making
and calligraphy, hundreds of guests and families enjoyed a wonderful day out, and celebrated Eid,
Palestinian style! The heavens may have opened half way through the afternoon, but that was never going to
stop the fun. Zako the comedy magician entertained little ones by pulling a Palestinian flag out his hat, and
the day culminated the only way it could, in giant group dabke sessions, music blaring.
Special shout out to our incredible volunteers, including a Spanish group from College for International Co-
Operation and Development (CICD) who travelled all the way down from Hull for the day to help out!

8 PALESTINE VOICE Issue 2 Spring 2019

PALESTINE VOICE Issue 2 Spring 2019 9

Bethlehem Link

A cultural exchange touring dabke around the UK

Introduction to Bethlehem Link

This July, PCF was honoured to host Hakaya,
a dance group from the Ghirass Cultural
Center in Bethlehem, to the UK for two
weeks of performances, workshops and
activities. From classroom discussions to
performances in front of hundreds of people,
everywhere the group of seventeen teenage
dabke dancers, singers and drummers went
they brought smiles to faces with their talent
superseding all expectations.

This cultural exchange was an opportunity for the in Bath. Having heard that Hakaya had been invited to
British public to take a brief glimpse at the wealth of perform in Westminster Abbey but knowing many of the
talent found among the young generation in Palestine, children were living in refugee camps with no hope of
away from political debate. Offering a rare chance for affording airfares, she took it upon herself to try and raise
people in the UK to meet and see young people from the funds. Nina brought the first group over in 1998 and
Palestine in person and decide for themselves whether in 2003 the Bethlehem Link was officially registered with
this generation deserves a better future than the one the Charity Commission.
currently set out for them.
Ibtisam Ilzoghayyer and the Ghirass Cultural Center
The rich cultural heritage of the Palestinian people Determined to create a safe space for youth in the West
shone brightly in the UK for two weeks culminating in a Bank and an environment in which they may maximise
momentous performance at the Shubbak Festival on the their potential during the first Intifada, Ibtisam founded
final day in the heart of the capital. Let us tell you about the Ghirass Center in 1994. She has worked relentlessly
Hakaya’s journey… to keep it surviving despite enormous difficulties she
has faced living under occupation. Simply put, without
History of the inspired passion and dedication of Ibtisam, this vital
Bethlehem Link lifeline which connects Palestinian youth to their heritage
The charity was set up by Nina Bevan in 1997 following and gives them a safe space to play and flourish would
her trip to the West Bank where she established a link not exist. For more information head to
between the Ghirass Center and St Gregory’s College www.ghirass.org

Bath Westonbirt school

10 PALESTINE VOICE Issue 3 Summer 2019

Monday to Thursday their own dance workshops
(1-4 July): Westonbirt and performances.
Girls’ Boarding School,
Gloucestershire One afternoon Mrs Allen
led a class on comparing
Arriving late to Heathrow cultures, with the
Airport on Monday 1st July Palestinian teenagers
after a 20 hour journey and Westonbirt students
from Bethlehem, crossing discussing everything from
checkpoints and Israeli their family lives to the
passport control into Jordan food they love, illustrating
and then a flight via Vienna, that there is far more
the group were keen to which unites them than
meet their host families and that which divides them. Hakaya beach
finally get some rest.
On Wednesday afternoon Friday + Saturday (5-6 Sunday 7 July:
After a well deserved rest Hakaya gave an July): Historic town of Bath Pal Expo, London
Hakaya were driven out exhilarating performance and West Wittering Beach
Tuesday morning through to an excited audience at Palestine Expo is the
the English countryside to Westonbirt, with two other After a busy few days in biggest event of its kind
Gloucestershire where they local schools being bussed Gloucestershire the group in Europe, providing a
stayed at Westonbirt School in for the show. Met were driven to Bath for a platform for organisations
for three nights. Thanks to with whoops and cheers tour around the town with concerned with the
the cooperative staff there, after each routine, the Nina Bevan who founded Palestinian cause to come
the group from Bethlehem Westonbirt crowd really Bethlehem Link in 1997. By together and promote
were able to experience gave Hakaya the warmest Friday evening the group their work, for individuals
life as a student at a of welcomes to the UK. A were relieved to be back at to experience a world of
prestigious British boarding big thanks to Mr Ahmed their host families’ homes Palestinian history and
school, taking part in for facilitating Hakaya’s for some Arab home culture and to be educated
classes in between giving stay there and making it cooking. Who from a panel of high profile
such a success. can blame them?! speakers from around the
world. The event proved
Westonbirt cookery class Westonbirt performance Whenever given the to be a rich immersive
chance, Hakaya are proud experience which would
to show off their rich never have materialised
cultural heritage, and it without the hard work and
was no different when they dedication of Friends of Al
reached West Wittering Aqsa’s team.
beach. There cannot be
many times a British beach No one will dispute
has had a Palestinian that Hakaya’s three
dance group spontaneously performances throughout
burst into performance for Sunday both in the central
sunbathers with singing display area and in the
and music, but this was upstairs performance
certainly one of those hair- room brought electrifying
raising moments. Palestinian energy and
A fantastic afternoon at the spirit, with it spilling over
beach was had by all. into people’s social media
posts and comments.

Westonbirt performance

PALESTINE VOICE Issue 3 Summer 2019 11

Monday 8 July: the students. The St Ann’s
St Ann’s School, Hawiyya students’ enjoyment was
Workshop and blatant in their clapping,
Grenfell Solidarity head nodding, laughter
After the crowds of Pal and dancing in abundance,
Expo on Sunday, Monday giving Hakaya reassurance
brought new experiences they had certainly found
for the group. They were them entertaining.
driven to St Ann’s
School in Hanwell, a After time to play and Grenfell performance
special needs school picnic in a west London
where students with park, Hakaya were driven like neither group wanted them through the timeless
complex and severe to the next experience the workshop to end. unifying power of music
learning difficulties lined up. and dance.
are supported by an Awaiting them at the A big thank you to Hawiyya
impressive array of patient dance studio in Kensington for giving up their evening, If ever there was a moment
and sensitive staff. Aldridge Academy were it was certainly one of of realisation that the world
With understanding members of the Hawiyya Hakaya’s highlights and it is alive with the potential
and constant smiles, dabke group, ready to was a real privilege for all of being other than it
Hakaya gave a signature swap moves. Beginning currently is, it was here.
with some of Hawiyya’s of us to witness
Pal Expo Social Media Posts the exchange To top things off, grime
own material, Hakaya of skills and legend, local resident and
performance to a hall picked up their routine to smiles between erudite scholar Lowkey
full of St Ann’s students. 47Soul’s infectious rhythms all the talented gave the Hakaya group a
Just as the staff had with seamless effort individuals walk around the Grenfell
hoped, Hakaya’s dancing, and unwavering smiles. involved. site. Taking it upon himself
drumming and singing, as Likewise Hawiyya were to explain the situation
well as the live music by evidently determined to But it was not to them in Arabic and
keyboardist Maher, learn as much as possible over…In return the relationship between
provided a wealth of from the Bethlehem for being able to certain businesses
sensory stimulation for teenagers and it seemed use the recently involved in the Grenfell
renovated tragedy and their ties to
facilities of Israel’s occupation. It was a
Kensington long day for all involved but
Aldridge it was more than worth it. It
Academy’s dance left everyone feeling deeply
studio, there was moved, inspired
no better way to and hopeful.
give back than to
perform for the Grenfell tower
community in a
show of solidarity.
Situated beneath
the site of Grenfell
Tower at the
Wall of Truth
Maxilla Space,
Hakaya gave a moving
performance to Grenfell
residents. It was a powerful
moment of reflection
and symbolism. Two
proud communities rich
in culture, both seeking
justice, transcended the
situation imposed upon

12 PALESTINE VOICE Issue 3 Summer 2019

Hakaya workshop Palestine from the food to Friday 12 July: some of Hakaya being
religion, but also to hear Shopping and BBQ overcome with emotion
Tuesday + Wednesday their experiences of living when presented with their
(9-10 July): under occupation. When After an immensely busy certificates in front of the
Stanhope School asked his favourite thing two weeks Hakaya enjoyed crowds. Founder of the
about the UK, 15 year old a well earned relaxing Ghirass Center
The following two days Ahmed responded ‘the couple of days before their
saw Hakaya give the sense of freedom that I final performance on the Ibtisam Ilzoghayyer
students of Stanhope do not feel back home in South Bank. On Friday they also received a trophy,
Primary School a variety Palestine’. explored Kingston and did just a small gesture
of performances and some shopping and in the towards recognising her
workshops in-between Thursday 11 July: Our evening a host family held momentous achievements
classes with the students. Lady of the Visitation a BBQ. and commitment to
The Stanhope pupils School + Sightseeing improving the lives of young
enjoyed the performances Saturday 13 July: Palestinians in Bethlehem
so much they could be Performances and Bushy Park over the years.
seen swapping moves workshops filled the day
with Hakaya during their with the primary school On Saturday it was time In the evening Hakaya
lunch break, with one pupil students at Our Lady of to reconnect with nature, and all those involved in
insisting they ought to copy the Visitation School. The petting the deer of Bushy Bethlehem Link enjoyed a
him trying the ‘worm’ on school cannot wait to host Park, followed by dinner at final BBQ at a host family’s
the hot playground tarmac! Hakaya again over the their host family’s home. home before wishing each
coming years! other farewell.
On Tuesday afternoon the Sunday 14 July:
teenagers from Bethlehem In the evening they had the Southbank Performance Shukran to everyone who
were given the chance to chance to explore London, supported Hakaya and we
discuss their experience getting to see Big Ben If you were there you will cannot wait to host them
growing up in Palestine (albeit with the scaffolding), not need to be reminded, again in the very near
in a year 5 class. The the London Eye and the but for those who were future. Keep a look out for
Stanhope students were other classic sites. not…imagine a glorious more exciting projects on
inquisitive to hear about summer’s day on the the horizon!
the rich culture of South Bank of the river
Thames, an outdoor stage, Bushy Park
an overwhelmingly large
and excited audience
and 45 minutes of live
music, enchanting vocals
and exhilarating dabke
from some of Palestine’s
talented teenagers. The
performance at Shubbak
Festival, London’s festival
of Arab culture, was a
wonderful way to finish
Bethlehem Link, with

Stanhope Shubbak festival

PALESTINE VOICE Issue 3 Summer 2019 13

PALESTINE POETRY

WE ARE NOT NUMBERS

We are not numbers, We are not numbers,
We are the stars We are the martyrs
In the dark sky, Who irrigate land with blood
To liberate the stolen land.
That lead to the straight path. We are not numbers,
We are not numbers,
We are the moon We are justice
During the bleak nights To the oppressed
In the time of prejudice.
That lights the dark world. We are not numbers,
We are not numbers, We are the curse
We are the olive tree That chases the occupiers
Who have settled Palestine.
That lives in the barren dessert We are not numbers,
Which gives light and fire But we are the difficult number
To burn the oppressors. That none can divide or subtract.
We are not numbers, We are Palestine.
We are the Kuffeyia

Which decorates the shoulders
Of rebels and patriots.

Writer: Ahmed Miqdad

AHMED A. MIQDAD
is a Palestinian teacher and writer. He received his MA in Methodology and Curriculum from the
Islamic University of Gaza. He has published three poetic books Gaza Narrates Poetry, When Hope
Isn’t Enough and Stolen Lives along with a short novel Falastin.

His purpose in writing is to spread the awareness and knowledge about the Palestinian cause
worldwide through literature till the freedom of Palestine. He also intends to show the crimes of the
Israeli occupation and the long-time suffering of Palestinians.

14 PALESTINE VOICE Issue 3 Summer 2019

PALSOC 100!

Student Advocates for Palestine 2019/2020

PCF facilitate Yana Shabana from Hebron to speak with The Palestinian cause has a long and But this year we want to offer even
York University PalSoc about children in aparthied proud history of international student more. We are working on an exciting
solidarity, and often student groups array of events to collaborate with
UCLan students perform phsyical theatre on campus to push the boundaries of imaginative students, from a Palestinian music
mark the UN’s International Day of Solidarity with the and creative campaigning. Student tour and a photography exhibition to
Palestinian People societies are an integral part of the panel discussions with world leading
community of groups working on the academics.
King’s College London Action Palestine enjoy dinner with frontline confronting new challenges
Dr Ghada Karmi following her Israeli Apartheid Week talk in the fight to defend Palestinians There are currently active Palestine
around the world. But for what they advocacy societies across 49 UK
have in energy, enthusiasm and universities. This is a wonderful
innovation, student groups often lack figure but with over 100 universities
in time and resources. This is where in the UK, we want to see one at
PCF step in. every UK institution. If you would like
help setting up a society or know
Are you an individual who wants someone who would, get in touch
support setting up a society? A with us.
member of a modest group which
requires information, resource packs We have Freshers Fayre resource
and support setting up events? boxes prepared and waiting for
Or perhaps the chair of a well- you full of lots of eye catching and
established society who simply wants useful campaigning materials
help booking speakers from further including stickers, ‘postcards against
afield for an upcoming event? In each apartheid’ factsheets, booklets,
case we are here to help you. posters and more. Get in touch to
receive yours.
Last year we worked with students
across the country from Bristol all
the way to Aberdeen, organising
petitions, assisting with acts
of creative resistance, sharing
resources, putting on talks and
screening films with live Q&As.

Freshers Fayre resource boxes
include campaigning materials

Head over to www.palestinefoundation.org.uk/project/student-advocates-palestine to find the application form for assistance,
or contact our Programme Officer Omar Aziz [email protected] for an SAP starter pack.

#PalSoc100 #StudentAdvocatesforPalestine #SAP

PALESTINE VOICE Issue 2 Spring 2019 15

Photographers of Palestine

This Summer in Stills

See the full profiles of the photographers and their contact information at palestinefoundation.org.uk/project/photographers-palestine

16 PALESTINE VOICE Issue 3 Summer 2019

Photographs by Gaza based photographers Mariam Abu Dagga and Sanad Abu Latifa. #PhotographersOfPalestine

PALESTINE VOICE Issue 3 Summer 2019 17

Palestine’s Olympic Flag Bearers

Whoever gets chosen to carry the 1996, it still sent only six in 2016 some
twenty years later, and Palestine has yet to
Palestinian flag at Tokyo 2020, here are take home a medal.

the footsteps they’ll be following… Ahead of another Olympic year in 2020,
another chance for Palestine to remind the
What an honour to step out into the opening world proudly of its existence on a global
ceremony of an Olympics, among the most stage, we take a look at the six athletes who
spectated events on earth, carrying the have had the honour of bearing the flag for
flag for your country. What an even greater Palestine at an opening ceremony.
honour when your land is a disputed
territory, and your people’s sovereignty has In examining these individual’s narratives
been challenged for over 70 years. Next every four years over the past six Olympics,
year’s 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo will we also trace the broader story of how the
be the nineteenth since the Nakba. Palestinian situation has evolved over the
past two decades, along with the myriad of
Palestine however, has only competed in the challenges athletes living under occupation
past six Games, having been recognised by have to endure and overcome.
the International Olympic Committee (IOC)
in 1995. Whilst the partially-recognised state We look forward to championing Palestine’s
has sent more athletes to compete each 2020 flag bearer and competitors in Tokyo
year since its initial two in next summer.

1996, ATLANTA Majed considered 2000, SYDNEY
Arafat a hero and
“I shall run for that peace – so his job was “The dream has become a reality.”
peace and only peace.” a true honour. The Second Flag Bearer(s): Samar Nassar, 100m
It was Arafat
The First Flag Bearer: Majed Abu Maraheel, himself who breaststroke (Swimming) and Ramy al Deeb,
10,000m, distance runner (Athletics) personally handed 20km walk (Athletics)
him the folded
Majed Abu Maraheel, from the Nusseirat camp in flag he carried There is duplicitous information on which of the
Gaza, was 32 years old when he competed at the for Palestine two sportspeople representing Palestine in Sydney
Atlanta Olympics, and father of five children. “My at the opening carried the flag at this Olympics, or whether in fact
goal is not to win the gold, but to let the world know ceremony. they did it together. If you can recall, please get in
that there is a Palestine,” he stated ahead of the touch and help us piece together the puzzle!
competition, acknowledging his outsider chance. Mayada in 2016
22 years old Samar, a graduate in molecular
Previously working as a labourer in Israel, tending Majed was eight years old at the time of the Munich biology who lived in Jordan, cried as she was
flowers in greenhouses, Majed used his daily Olympics, when Palestinian gunmen killed eleven chosen to carry the flag for Palestine. “I never
commute as his training, jogging the 20 kilometre Israeli athletes and officials. Speaking in ‘96 about believed I would represent my country in an
journey each morning from Gaza City to the this, he said, “We were at war then. They killed us; international championship or go to the Olympics.
checkpoint at Erez. we hijacked them. They occupied us; we despised The dream has become a reality.”
them. But that was a very black era. Now we’ve
Working across the border was a fact of life for many turned the page and there is peace. And I shall run Meanwhile Ramy stated, “It was a wonderful
Palestinians during this time, by the mid-1980s 43% for that peace – peace and only peace.” opportunity; I have dreamt of it all my life… and
of the Gazan workforce were engaged in labour in I thank God that this dream has come true.” He
Israel. As a result, the first Intifada in the late 80s A popular local figure, cheered on by children as added that his participation during that period was
and early 90s drew parts of the Israeli economy to a he trained along the streets of Gaza, Majed had not solely to reap world medals but a period of
halt and since then, Israel has largely replaced the no coach, next to no training facilities and wore enhanced presence of Palestine in international
Palestinians it used as a source of cheap labour with knockoff tennis shoes on his feet. It wasn’t until he forums and the affirmation of Palestinian rights to
migrants from developing countries. competed in the Arab Games in Cairo that he’d ever participate and raise the flag.
even ran on a first-class track. He almost missed the
Majed himself took no part in the Intifada when it 10,000-metre race there after spending three nights This particular Olympics, which took place
erupted in Gaza in 1987, choosing instead to focus detained at the border, arriving with mere hours to in September, happened to coincide with the
on sport. And yet still Majed could not evade the go and an hour of sleep from three days. “If I had to start of the Second Intifada, presumably giving
violence. Whilst running to the beach one summer crawl around that track on my hands and knees, I Palestinians more to think about than a sports
morning in 1991, Majed was caught in the fire would have done so to carry my flag,” he said. competition.
between Israeli soldiers and children throwing
stones. He was shot in the arm, crushing his bone A fund providing financial aid to Olympic Samar Nassar
and leaving behind a six-inch scar. Majed feared he participations covered his expenses for Atlanta, but
wouldn’t run again, but thankfully, these fears were did not extend to the pre-Olympic training he hoped
unfounded. to attend in Morocco.

By the time of the 1996 games, Majed was no longer In Atlanta, Majed finished 21st in the 10,000m race
a labourer but rather working as part of the special and so did not advance to the final.
security team that guarded President Yasser Arafat.

18 PALESTINE VOICE Issue 3 Summer 2019

2004, ATHENS 2008, BEIJING 2012, LONDON

“The situation in Gaza doesn’t allow us to “I feel a freedom when I start running. “I am the first Palestinian athlete who
prepare properly for medals” If I don’t train, I feel like everyone else in the Gaza Strip.” qualifies with his own sweat”

The Third Flag Bearer: Sanaa Abu Bkheet, The Fourth Flag Bearer: Nader Al-Massri, The Fifth Flag Bearer: Maher Abu Remeleh
800m, middle-distance runner (Athletics) 5000m (Athletics) (Judo)

The first woman to carry the Palestinian flag at Growing up, kids would shout “Run Nader Run!”as he Jerusalemite judoka (now there’s a tongue
the Olympics, as well as Gaza’s first Olympic pounded along the streets of Gaza. Committing himself twister) Maher Abu Remeleh broke the
athlete, Sanaa’s story echoes what we heard to the sport, in 1999 he flew on an airplane for the first streak by being the first Palestinian flag
in 1996, participation was symbolic, and time, competing in an 8km race in snowy Belfast. bearer to come from a discipline outside of
chances were hampered by limits to training athletics. Even more significant than that, he
opportunities compared to other professionals. “When I was young, was the first Palestinian Olympian to qualify
for his spot on pure merit, outside of special
“My participation was symbolic, because the before I had a family, invitation from the IOC which invites people
situation in Gaza doesn’t allow us to prepare to compensate for difficult conditions in their
properly for medals,” Sanaa told the BBC, I’d even run when there home training countries. “It’s a great feeling,
describing the sand track she trained on, the was an Israeli invasion because I am the first Palestinian athlete
lack of competition and the mere month of who qualifies for the Olympics with his own
international training she was sponsored for. or bombing in Gaza sweat,” Remeleh remarked on this feat.
She did not own a pair of running shoes until a
few months before Athens, when a European City,” Nader said on He fell in love with judo after going to
TV crew bought her a pair of trainers after training with his father as a kid. “The will
filming a story about her. “I’m faster barefoot, the escapism he finds was always there. I knew he’d be a famous
but you are always getting stickers in your champion and raise the bar for the sport,”
toes,” she commented. through running. “I feel his father told CNN.

Added to that was the gendered dynamic of a freedom when I start Maher worked all day in his father’s shop
living in a conservative society, although the before training at night in a run-down sports
sheer doggedness athletes tend to possess running. If I don’t train, I club in East Jerusalem. This has been a
was enough to overcome this element: “when reoccurring trait with Palestinian Olympians,
I persisted, people accepted me and began to feel like everyone else in “As Palestinians we can’t afford not to work,”
encourage and support me.” Maher commented. Though his less than
the Gaza Strip.” professional training conditions undeterred
Describing the moment she carried the flag him, “it does not
for Palestine, she said “It was such a beautiful Nader Al-Massri matter to me
scene, because as soon as everyone saw the where we train.
Palestinian flag, they began clapping.” Nader has had to spend a career alone, with nobody at Determination,
will power and
Since the siege has been implemented on the his level in the small enclave. He trained in trainers with strength are the
Gaza strip Sanaa has been unable to compete most important
internationally again. holes in the sides, running along war damaged roads, or things to me.”

Sanaa Abu Bkheet else the broken and unfinished sand track at Gaza City’s Maher lost in the
second round to
Yarmouk stadium. Even the time he saved up enough Belgian judoka
Dirk Van Tichelt,
from his salary for new shoes, he couldn’t find any for who went on
to win Bronze
sale in Gaza. medal at the
2016 Olympics. Maher Abu Remeleh
Denied exit after exit for competitions and even training
opportunities, Israeli human rights agency Gisha
successfully campaigned for Nader to be allowed an exit
permit to compete at Beijing, though Director of Gisha
Sari Bashi stressed “you shouldn’t have to be an Olympic
athlete to exercise your right to leave Gaza.”

If he could only safely train consistently outdoors for
a few months, Nader believed he could lose at least a
minute off his time. He reported that Chinese experts
who saw him run in Beijing told him if he could stay with
them to train for a year or two, he could be world record
marathon potential. A theory never tested.

Since the Beijing games, Nader went on to win the first
ever Gaza marathon in 2011, which stretched the whole
of the Strip, tip to toe, as well as the Palestine Marathon
in 2015, the only time runners from Gaza were allowed
out of the Strip to attend.

2016, RIO DE JANEIRO Associated Press how she was compelled to contribute Mayada Al Sayad
to a different narrative, because “We mostly just hear
“We mostly just hear bad news from there” bad news from there,” as well as hoping more women of
Arab descent would follow his footsteps.
The Sixth Flag Bearer: Mayada Al-Sayad,
marathon (Athletics) A disparaging article in The Times of Israel from that
year describes half of Palestine’s Olympic team at Rio
A dual German and Palestinian citizen, Mayada as actually German. One curious case was 55-year-
spent every summer at her family home in old equestrian Christina Zimmermann, a German
Palestine and chose to compete for them at the businessman, which garnered great attention after he
Olympics, becoming the first woman to qualify decided to compete for Palestine following a friendship
for Palestine on merit, as well as its first female with a Russian rider with a Palestinian father, who
marathon runner. She said it was not political suggested he compete for them.
reasons which compelled her, but rather purely
sport. And yet perhaps the power of Palestinian Mayada finished 67th out of 157 in a time
representation crept in for her, as she told of 2:42:28.

Piece by Natasha Regan, Head of Media and Communications at PCF

PALESTINE VOICE Issue 3 Summer 2019 19

GAZA

A Film by
Gary Keane and
Andrew McConnell

Review by Omar Aziz

Programme Officer at PCF

Nothing is more eloquent than the voices of those who endure and try valiantly to survive.
Nothing is more important for us than to listen to them carefully, to grasp their suffering,
to learn from their testimonies about them and about ourselves, and to use this under-
standing to bring their tragedy to an end. Noam Chomsky

Gary Keane and Andrew McConnell have customers and is loved throughout Gaza; the possibility of freedom by encasing
produced something the world has been Ali a flamboyant theatre director who the Strip in a watery fortress. For
waiting for - a film which pierces through captivates audiences with emotionally young Ahmed ‘the sea can’t be trusted’;
political obfuscation and unapologetically loaded performances; Karma a nineteen- ‘sometimes we lose our nets…there are
presents the everyday life of Palestinians year-old student and musician whose days when we only eat salt’ as there are
on the ground in Gaza through their cello is ‘a translator’ to what she feels; a barely any fish left to catch in the area
eyes. The result is a film which shatters busy paramedic who worked 52 nights in Israel permits to Palestinians. Nets come
misconceptions and vividly illuminates the a row without seeing his family as well in empty.
humanity that has survived there against as Mohammed Bakr and his 40 children,
all odds. A humanity the world has turned who lost four sons in an Israeli missile While for Karma ‘being by the sea
a blind eye to whilst Palestinians in Gaza attack on the beach in 2014, among other comforts me, it gives me a sense of
have pleaded with the outside world to characters. freedom…but at the same time it’s a
find theirs. reminder of our miserable reality. We can
By turning the cameras inward this film see the vastness of the sea but to us it’s
Gaza has been under Israel’s military siege reveals a world truly saturated in colour, closed. There’s an invisible border’. In
for 12 years since Hamas were elected unlike the black, white and grey opposing another scene a fisherman warns how
to govern the area in 2006. During this narratives of confusing political dialogue approaching three nautical miles means to
time Palestinians in Gaza have suffered surrounding the enclave. Not only does risk being shot by Israeli forces, sprayed
at the hands of three Israeli assaults in colour permeate through Andrew’s with sewage or simply ‘humiliated,
2008, 2012 and 2014. Since March 2018 masterfully framed vistas of Gaza’s stripped naked and left in the sea’. All
Palestinians in Gaza have protested their seascapes or the warm orange sunsets the time an Israeli gunboat lurks on the
imprisonment on Friday each week as part cascading over fishermen’s boats on horizon shattering any fleeting Palestinian
of the Great March of Return, with over 200 the Mediterranean, but such colourful daydream of illusory freedom. Despite
Palestinians having been killed and tens cinematic displays of the natural landscape having surfed in Gaza in 2010 and 2012,
of thousands injured in the protests by are also skilfully interlaced with personal director Andrew McConnell asserts ‘he
Israeli fire and tear gas. Clearly a political scenes of Gaza’s citizens revealing the wouldn’t want to go in that water again
solution is long overdue, but the directors deepest tones from the complex palette of today’ after Israel’s deliberate destruction
explicitly ‘did not want to make a political human emotion. of Gaza’s sewage treatment facility.
film’ instead choosing to turn the cameras
inwards towards the people on the ground Take for instance the serenity of the Similarly, even the tenderest sunset
and hear their stories. romantic seascapes juxtaposed to the cannot alter the bleak reality that the sky
bleak reality of the people’s lives on holds the worst threat of all to Gaza’s two
Doing this they present a spectrum of the sea shore. GAZA exposes how for million citizens; a site of constant withheld
characters: Ahmed a taxi driver from Palestinians the sea itself both feeds the terror, the locus for deployment of Israel’s
Cairo who sings and jokes with his imagination and offers hope yet stifles airstrikes which were responsible for the

20 PALESTINE VOICE Issue 3 Summer 2019

massacre of 512 children in six weeks of It is hard to not pick up on a motif running been professing immense humanity in
2014. In one scene young children listen throughout the film; the feeling that spite of the injustice inflicted upon them,
intently as a plane passes on the horizon, Palestinians there are trapped not just in in spite of the systematic dehumanisation
and they are depressingly able to discern space but also in time. Ali describes how of them by the Israeli government and in
its powerful rumble as that of an ‘F-16’ he’s seen men ‘for fifteen to twenty years spite of our ignorance of their suffering.
fighter jet whilst mimicking its ‘boom, playing backgammon’, the paramedic But with members of the Knesset
boom’. The same plane responsible for so describes how ‘for more than ten years like Ayelet Shaked referring to Gaza’s
many children’s deaths in 2014. these young men have had no future, no children as ‘little snakes’ and Naftali
hope…today, tomorrow and yesterday are Bennett calling for regularly ‘mowing the
GAZA reveals truths no doubt all the same’ another describes feeling lawn’ of Gaza via aerial bombardment,
uncomfortable for many viewers and like a car with flat tires, ‘you can’t move Palestinians require more than simply our
critics, resulting in suggestions Gary and forwards or backwards’. awareness of their suffering.
Andrew are guilty of propaganda and
manipulation. But such accusations ought Andrew explains what he saw whilst Similarly they do not want our pity,
to be worn with pride by the directing duo. filming, ‘From day to day you see so many something Karma makes abundantly clear:
For they indicate how their audience has people sitting around playing backgammon, ‘people from the outside countries…the
been forced to confront their own inner you see youth especially, nothing to do, only thing they give us is sympathy and it
misconceptions and preconceived biases, nothing to fill their time with. There’s 70% bothers me so much. They only see the
with denial inevitably being the first hurdle unemployment amongst the youth. And if side they want to see. They should look
to overcome before the unravelling of you travel through Gaza you just get a sense deeper.’ What GAZA makes unmistakably
subconscious victim blaming and before of people in limbo, people waiting…you clear is it is us who must now find our own
the acceptance of a newfound reality can’t help but have it come through [in the humanity by responding to that which we
can prevail. film] and it’s the reason young men will go witness. Choosing to act. Recognising that
and throw themselves at a fence because Palestinians are waiting for the world to
Despite accusations of ‘manipulation’, I think they’re just so disillusioned and respond to their suffering.
when asked about the massacre of 2014 hopeless that they don’t see any options.’
Andrew confirms he was on the ground Clearly time is being stolen from the GAZA’s importance lies in that it has proven
throughout and has ‘about 120 hours of Palestinians in Gaza in a cruel and violent to us what we all suspected deep down,
footage from it…much of it a lot worse way, their lives expendable and cheap to but have been unable to witness firsthand
than that displayed in the film’ and yet Israel under the collective punishment of or perhaps not needed to confront. That
he has only included about six minutes’ its siege, even with one million of Gaza’s beneath the destruction, misery and despair
worth. Perhaps six minutes footage of the citizens being children. imposed on the people of Gaza there already
aerial bombardment of a civilian population exists another world, a better world, one
who have lived through three separate Whilst Andrew explained the intention alive with the potential of being other than
massacres over the last decade is all of his film was to see Gaza ‘through the it is. The Palestinian people are a people in
that can be withstood by establishment eyes of the ordinary people on the ground, waiting, waiting for us, waiting for change,
critics before they rapidly descend into through their daily lives’ he is reluctant to waiting for justice. They continue to call out
questioning the integrity of the film over say his film attempted to ‘humanise’ the to us from the darkness and the time for
the barbaric reality of the actual situation. people of Gaza, and rightly so. The people ignoring them is over.
Either way brace yourselves for more of Gaza do not need us to validate or
critics in denial, the US and Israel releases authenticate their humanity and we have Find out where GAZA is screening at
are yet to come… no authority to do so; they have evidently facebook.com/GAZAdocumentary

PALESTINE VOICE Issue 2 Spring 2019 21

Exclusive Palestine Voice Interview

Andrew McConnell Director of GAZA (2019)

“Shatters misconceptions and vividly illuminates the humanity that

has survived there against all odds” Palestine Voice

“A poetic and humane documentary“ The Times

“A compassionate human document“ The Guardian

“A striking piece of film-making, beautifully shot“ The Observer

“Rich in poignant detail“ Financial Times

“Eye-opening“ Daily Express

This August Omar Aziz sat down with Andrew McConnell, one of the directors of GAZA (2019) which
premiered at Sundance earlier in the year, before its first showing at the Curzon Bloomsbury Bertha
DocHouse cinema in London. Turn to his review on page 20.

Omar: So what did you set out to achieve with people talk for themselves. And so I hope we’ve backgammon for 15-20 years’. And I was just
this film and do you think you’ve achieved it? achieved it, I think from the reactions we’ve had wondering was that something you wanted
around the world, from when we first started to deliberately show, time being stolen from
Andrew: We set out to show people another side showing this in Sundance at the beginning of the Palestinians in Gaza, or was it inevitable when
of Gaza, because everyone is familiar with Gaza, year and now this release, all the reactions have you speak to people on the ground.
if you ask anyone in the world almost and they been overwhelmingly positive, and people have
will have heard of Gaza. And it will immediately said thank you for making this film and it really Andrew: To be honest it wasn’t something
conjure an image of conflict and destruction shows the side we didn’t understand. which came up in the discussions in the early
rubble, war, all of these things. But that’s only discussions, I think it comes out through
one part of the story, a small part of the story. Omar: When I watched the film, I really got spending time on the ground and filming with
And to understand a place and a situation you a sense that time was being stolen from these people. Because so very often they have
need to see all sides to the story and so we felt Palestinians in Gaza, and there were some quite nothing to do. From day to day you see so many
what better way to understand a place than strong quotes which I found really powerful. people sitting around playing backgammon, you
through the ordinary people, who beyond these see youth especially, nothing to do, nothing to fill
news headlines, and just look at the place One of them, the paramedic ‘for more than ten their time with, 70% unemployment amongst the
through the eyes of the ordinary people on the years now these young men have had no future, youth, and if you travel through Gaza you just get
ground through their daily lives. no hope, they wake up in the morning with a sense of people in limbo, people waiting. So it
nothing on the horizon, nothing to live for today, comes across, it wasn’t necessarily something
I think it’s incredibly powerful to not make a tomorrow and yesterday are all the same.’ we targeted, but you can’t help but have it come
political film, to avoid that and just go and let the Another one Ali says ‘I’ve seen men playing through and it’s the reason young men will go

22 PALESTINE VOICE Issue 3 Summer 2019

and throw themselves at a fence because really Andrew: That was as a photographer…I’ve minutes and think that’s terrible, oh those poor
they’re so, I think they’re just so disillusioned probably spent altogether about a year in Gaza people, and then forget about it. And people
and hopeless that they don’t see any options. and we’ve definitely noticed change. When may think ‘oh that’s terrible we support change
And for sure some are will to sacrifice their we first went in the blockade was about three in Gaza, an end to this blockade’, so she’s
lives because they really don’t see that they years old and there really was a sense that getting at the point that in the western world
have a future. they would beat this, it sort of brought people people pay lip service to crises like Gaza but in
together, there was great hope in fact that this actual fact people pay very little and don’t really
Omar: What do you want people to do after was soon be over and that they would beat it care that much at all.
they’ve watched your film, if anything. together. Last year you really feel - what the
blockade is now 12 years old? - there’s no Omar: Is there anything notable that’s
Andrew: Hmm good question…I hope that they longer that sentiment that this will soon be happened to the characters since you shot
would just pause, reflect, on what’s happening over and people are resigned now to the fact the film?
there and feel more aware. And perhaps follow that this may go on indefinitely and you sense
up in some way, look more into Gaza, more that hopelessness. It’s one of the paradoxes Andrew: Mahmoud the surfer has left - he now
into the situation and if that could evolve into, I of the film that in one sense there’s great joy lives in Sweden, Ahmed the taxi driver has left,
don’t know, some sort of action. To feel a sense within the character of the Palestinians and yet he’s returned to Egypt, He was born in Egypt I
that they understand the situation more, the that is very often a surface joy that you see. think. Karma is still trying to get out but hasn’t
situation isn't just black and white I hope they been successful yet. Ahmed and his family
would feel more comfortable in what Gaza is as Omar: A means of survival perhaps? who live in the shack by the beach with his 40
a place and what and who the people are. kids, the Qatar Foundation built them a 5 story
Andrew: There’s definitely a survival instinct apartment block where they all live. I was very
Omar: So over the 5 years of making this film, but it’s definitely a part of their character too. surprised when I heard that, know they really
were you going back and forth to Gaza each But it comes out for the foreigners and they were in a pretty bad state in the home they had.
year or…? make you feel really welcome, I sometimes
wondered are we seeing the whole picture Omar: What tips would you give to filmmakers
Andrew: I went into Gaza 3 times, from 2014 to here, are we seeing the full character. So I wanting to help the Palestinian cause?
2015, and 2018 last year. think that’s one of the things, some people
come away from the film feeling really hopeful, Andrew: There’s certainly scope to produce
Omar: Did you notice a change…because I it’s quite a tough watch towards the end, and more from Gaza, whether by going there, or
remember a quote in the film where he says others say what hope is there really? perhaps by supporting young film makers on
some thing like, ‘over the last four years the ground. Everywhere you turn in Gaza it
people have stopped smiling, there’s not as Omar: And what do the Palestinians in Gaza seems there’s a photographer or filmmaker.
much laughter in the street…’ want from the outside world? I noticed there’s A real burgeoning scene there, that you see
another quote from Karma who says ‘they only in the documentary One Day in Gaza, the BBC
Andrew: I’ve noticed a change in that time. The give us sympathy, it bothers me so much,’ what documentary, put together by a lot of footage
first time I went was in 2010 is it she’s getting at there do you think? taken inside Gaza. There’s drones everywhere,
people producing real nice content. I think
Omar: Was that as a photographer? Andrew: I think what she’s getting at there the situation needs to be talked about more.
is that people see Gaza on the news for five There’s stories around every corner in Gaza.

Directors Andrew McConnell and Gary Keane

To find out where you can watch GAZA head to www.gazadocumentary.com

PALESTINE VOICE Issue 3 Summer 2019 23

RUN THE WALL by Lewis McNeil

11 half marathonS 11 DAYS 231km

WHY RUN THE WALL? 11 half marathons, 231km and 315,000 steps with one mission in mind...
to tell the personal stories of those who live under occupation every day.
The idea came after reading Mark
Thomas’s book ‘Walking Israel’s You know when you have this idea in your On day five I was introduced to a whole
security barrier for fun’. It captivated head and you want to make it happen new level of fear. Our route ran alongside
my mind for weeks and suddenly it but you doubt it will never really come to the Israeli settlement of Kedumim and
clicked, why not run the wall. The run fruition? Well I found myself thinking the on this day I would be running with 12
would begin at Jalameh checkpoint and same. I remember sitting at the departure runners from Right To Movement. By
finish at Metar checkpoint. My mission gate saying ‘What have I done, this is crazy.’ chance, the previous day we were driving
was simple, to meet people along the In fact, I was so worried I called my life back from a meeting with Dr Kaldun,
way and listen to their stories of living insurance to make sure I was still covered! Executive Director of the UNWRA hospital
under occupation then come home and in Qalqilya. We discovered Israeli settlers
tell them. Just planning the run itself I was under no illusions about how difficult waiting at bus stops carrying guns and
brought home the hidden and tragic running through an occupied land would after debating with the group it was
effects of the Israeli occupation. be. Each day brought its own risk and by agreed this was simply too dangerous.
day two I had already been pulled over The insanity of it all was the safety of the
THE WALL by soldiers asking what we were doing. Palestinian runners was compromised

It’s 8 metres tall at its highest point LEWIS MCNEIL, 32, is from a small town in
and 708km in length. Yet the green line Scotland north of Aberdeen. After leaving school
put in place by the United Nations to he travelled the world and spent some time
separate the land belonging to both working in South Africa. He now has a family with
Israel and Palestine, is near half this two young boys and works in the travel industry.
distance. Ask yourself why? This is no Three years ago he became a Christian. He says
accident, in fact Israel built 85% of the his faith has played a big part in raising awareness
wall inside Palestine resulting in a land of Palestine. “Simply ignoring an injustice on this
displacement of which 15% of Palestine level is impossible. To me Jesus has put this on
now belongs to Israel. Simply put, this my heart and I shall not rest.”
was a land grab. The wall not only stops He has been to Palestine four times in the last two
Palestinians from entering Israel but years. “My ambition is to connect school children
it severely restricts movement within from Scotland and Palestine, educating them in
their own land. different cultures and ultimately raising awareness
of Palestine and the occupation. I’m currently
RIGHT TO MOVEMENT discussing this with my son’s local school.”

Without the help of Diala Isid who
co-leads Right To Movement Palestine
this run would not have been possible.
The running group aim to create
a running culture in Palestine and
raise awareness of the restrictions
imposed on Palestinian life due to the
occupation. They also established the
Palestine Marathon back in 2013 which
now attracts over 7,000 participants.
The race is now organised by local
governance.

THE SUPPORT GROUP

After finalising a route, a support group
was needed. I was incredibly fortunate
and blessed to have a friend of mine
Trevor express an interest in coming
along and shortly after his brother-
in-law Guy who once worked as the
deputy director of UNWRA in Palestine
wanted to come on board. They made
this run achievable and without their
gracious support I don’t think I would
have made it through each day.

24 PALESTINE VOICE Issue 3 Summer 2019

merely for wanting to run in their crossing. The gate is opened and closed
own land. And if the brutality of this at the discretion of the soldiers and
occupation was ever in doubt it was leaves farmers unable to tend their
made abundantly clear when I was land resulting in severe consequences,
introduced to Aseel and Amir on the not just for their crops but also their
run, the victims of a brutal attack from livelihoods. He shows us around the
soldiers only a few weeks before incredibly fertile land in which they
whilst crossing through a checkpoint grow crops and finishes by treating us
on the way to a wedding. The thing that to breakfast, deep inside the farmland
gets me every time is this story is not and under the cover of tarpaulin to
rare, in fact the similarities amongst avoid being spotted by soldiers. Give
everyone in Palestine are frightening. the context of where we were this
Everyone has a story to tell. breakfast will no doubt stand out as an
unforgettable experience.
Let me introduce you to a farmer we
met named Saleh, a self-confident Some of you may have read about
easy-going guy, a gentle spirit at heart. Jabal al-Baba bedouin camp, located
He greets us warmly and tells us that just outside Jerusalem. The camp was
when Israel built the wall it cut right set up in 1948 and has 63 families.
through his farmland. Soldiers now Their story is shocking and difficult to
control a gate that allows him across comprehend so let me just list what
but there is nothing official about this they are up against:

• 52 of the 63 homes have been demolished by Israel in the last three years

• The Woman’s Centre and medical clinic have been demolished four times

• The kindergarten has been demolished four times, the last time in August
2018. It looks pretty but the building is made of chip board, anything else and
it will face immediate demolition

• Some houses have been demolished over ten times.

• Israel carries out weekly checks on the camp to make sure
they are not building. These visits are carried out by both soldiers and drones

To me, after my first visit to Palestine in 2017, it opened my eyes and to simply
not act on what I had seen was not an option. In the words of Archbishop
Desmond Tutu ‘If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the
side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you
say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality’.

There were so many more people we met and the plan is to continue to tell their stories including hosting a
number of shows over the next few months, first up in Aberdeen on 23rd September with Leeds and Glasgow
being finalised for November. If you would like to find out more about the run, including the daily blog then visit

www.lewismcneil.wixsite.com/mysite.

PALESTINE VOICE Issue 3 Summer 2019 25

Palestine in the Diary:

Upcoming Events in Spring/Summer 2019

SEPTEMBER Friday 27th September
Palestine Reception and Auction for ABCD Bethlehem (Action around
FRIDAY Bethlehem Children with Disability).
Prizes include Arsenal tickets and a magnum of Lebanese wine. Venue:
27 Our Lady of Victories, Kensington High Street. 6:30 – 8:30pm. Tickets £25.
abcdbethlehen.org.
SATURDAY
Monday 23rd September
28 Palestinian Refugees and the Culture of Return (Talk) at The World
Transformed in Brighton.
SUNDAY Speaking: Dr Mezna Qato, Akram Salhab, Professor Karma Nabulsi, Omar
Shweiki, Alia Al Ghussein. With a traditional Palestinian breakfast served.
29 9am – 10:30am.

OCTOBER 27th September (running till 7th December)
Anamorphosis: Notes from Palestine.
Exhibition by Amsterdam based Indian artist Praneet Soi. The Mosaic
Rooms, Kensington.

Saturday 28th September
On Akka’s Shore.
Artist Umama Hamido performs this live art piece which combines
film, text, sound and rap. Scenes slip between Akka in Palestine, a
Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon, Hamido’s cith of birth, Beirut
and London, their current home. The Mosaic Rooms, Kensington.
Performances at 7:30 and 9:15.

Sunday 29th September
Marcel & Rami Khalifé.
Revered oud player Marcel Khalifé reinvents his much-loved music with
his son Rami and French jazz drummer Aymeric Westrich. 7:30pm to
10:30pm at the Barbican Centre, London EC2Y 8DS. Tickets £20-£40 plus
booking fee.

SATURDAY Saturday 5th October
National Student BDS Conference 2019.
05 Hosted by PSC at the University of Manchester Students Union.
More info at palestinecampaign.org.
THURSDAY
Thursday 10th October
10 Brent Friends of Palestine public meeting on Gaza.
Talk and Q&A from Dr Swee Ang Chai (surgeon, author and
THURSDAY founder of MAP). Short film from Palestine Trauma Centre.
7:30pm to 8:45pm at the Granville Centre, Carlton Vale, London
24 NW6 5HE.

Saturday 12th October
09:30-17:30 256 Holloway Road, N7 6PA, London.
PSC Solidarity with Palestine: Next Steps for Trade Unions

Thursday 24th October
Just Cycle departs! (running till 3 Nov)

26 PALESTINE VOICE Issue 3 Summer 2019

NOVEMBER Saturday 2nd November
Anniversary of the Balfour Declaration.
FRIDAY Keep an eye on our pages as we hope to
arrange a talk or screening to mark this
15 occasion.

THURSDAY 15 - 29th November
London Palestine Film Festival returns
21 for another year.
Venues across London. palestinefilm.org.uk
FRIDAY
Thursday 21st November
29 Brent Friends of Palestine public meeting
and AGM.
DECEMBER With a speaker from Jewish Voice for
Peace UK and Q&A. At the Granville Centre,
SUNDAY Carlton Vale, London NW6 5HE. 7:30pm to
8:45pm.
01
Friday 29th November
MONDAY International Day of Solidarity with the
Palestinian People.
09 Look out for student action across the
world!

Sunday 1st to Monday 9th December
Amos Trust Bethlehem Christmas
Carol Service Tour as part of the
Ahlan Gaza campaign.
At St James’ Piccadilly in London on
2nd December, also travelling through
Cheltenham, Canterbury, Bristol,
Leeds, Manchester, Leicester and
Birmingham.

More info from amostrust.org

PALESTINE VOICE Issue 3 Summer 2019 27

SHORT STORY

Graveyards of Numbers By Wafa Abushmais

In the press conference, a team of four advances in medicine and technology, purposes to prevent inappropriate use or
the need for organs and tissue is vastly disclosure. Excuse me, and thank you.”
doctors in white coats stood outside in greater than the number available for
front of the hospital main gate. The head transplantation. Transplantation gives Dani was released from hospital and went
of the hospital took one step forward to hope to thousands of people with organ back to normal life. His regular monthly-
the platform with his mouth close to the failure and provides many others with check up showed remarkable progress
microphone and his eyes facing a bunch of active and renewed lives. I can tell you and his doctors expressed relief for two
enthusiastic reporters. He said: that Dani’s transplants have been very main reasons: the chance for rejection
successful. Heart and cornea transplants was diminishing, and the speed towards
“Transplantation is one of the most are not science fiction anymore, “Looking recovery was accelerating.
remarkable success stories in the history behind” with the best cardiologist, and
of medicine. However, despite continuing ophthalmologist. It has been a month now Dani kept telling his doctors, mom, dad,
and Dani is in perfect condition. The good and everybody who visited him that his
WAFA ABU SHMAIS is an news is that there have been no serious vision was ok except for the pictures that
English lecturer at An-Najah side effects.” kept crossing his eyes every now and then.
National University in Nablus. At first, the doctor ignored his complaint
She studied at Southern “Could you brief us on the patient case assuring him not to worry as all organs
Illinois University where she before the operation?” A reporter asked. were performing their biological functions
majored in teaching English as expected and as usual.
as a Foreign Language. Her “Well, Dani had a horrible car accident,
previously published work and when he got to the hospital he was Dani’s continual complaint of headaches
includes the book Soldiers in almost dead with severe damages in his and trouble sleeping confused his doctors
My House and the short story heart and eyes. and consequently they referred him for
In My Father’s Garden. counseling.
“Sir, but some people in our country are
against organ donations for religious “I keep on seeing pictures.” He told his
reasons.” Was neither a question nor a psychiatrist.
statement that came from the back from
one of the reporters? The doctor went on, “What kind of pictures? Can you describe
anyway: them to me?” His doctor repeatedly
asked him.
“I believe that if organ transplant is going
to save the lives of people as a final resort, “Well, I’m afraid I can’t. I don’t get full hold
provided that viable organs are available, of them. Sometimes they come in swift
doctors should opt it.” flashes. They look like shadows of things
and figures I can’t describe. They make me
The only question that the doctor was not feel strange and uncomfortable.”
prepared to answer dealt with the source
of the organs. Yet, the very same question “Ok, Dani. I don’t want you to worry.
These problems with sight could be
came from an elderly woman. ”And Sir, minor side effects of the transplant and
what is the source of organs in your can be corrected later. Let’s focus on the
hospital’s bank? Donations through living transplants. Try to recall and retrieve all
wills? Organ trafficking in black market? the experiences that you had before the
Or purchase from poor people? Or...?” car accident and after the operation.”

“I am sorry I can’t reveal relevant “That’s what I am trying to do myself.”
information. Only health care providers
are allowed to share protected health “Fine. Let’s schedule weekly meetings.
information of organ donors for treatment Will a Monday be ok with you?”

28 PALESTINE VOICE Issue 3 Summer 2019 PALESTINE VOICE Issue 1 Winter 2018/19

“No problem.” transplanting a donated heart. The waiting -What do you want me to do?
list of people looking for donors was
In the first two sessions, Dani felt unease long which meant they will keep him on -Nothing you are not sure or willing
talking about his life and family. Dani, life-sustaining machines until a heart is to share with me. Have you noticed
22, is an only child for a mother who is a found. I refused the idea as I thought that any changes lately? I mean after the
university teacher and a father who is a those machines were not prolonging his transplant.
military officer. On the day of the accident, life rather they were prolonging his death.
his father told them he was deployed to I believe that now and after so many years -Well, I have been seeing pictures of
serve on the checkpoints in the West Bank. of his death I have changed my thoughts things and shadows of people. But the
Dani took his father’s car and was on his and, I guess you can say, I am regretting doctors said it was nothing to worry about.
way to meet some friends. On the way, he the whole thing. The popularity and quick It could be blurred sight which could be
met a friend and agreed to race the distance spread of organ donation and trafficking corrected later.
to the movie theater. He was going very fast. attracted my attention and as a result,
That was what he could remember before I became interested in transplants and -What kind of pictures? And how often do
losing control of the car and going off the following stories of patients who have you get them?
road colliding into an electricity pole on undergone organ transplant. So, you see,
the side of the road. When he was taken to my son’s life could have been saved. -The intensity has increased lately. They
hospital, he was unconscious. are annoying sometimes.
-Wow, your story touched me. So what you
One afternoon, Dani received a telephone are doing is personal or part of research? -The reason behind my question is that
call. It was from a woman who introduced science says that the cellular memory in
herself as Rachel, 57, a freelance medical -Yes, I guess you can call it research organ transplants indicates the presence
reporter. She said she wanted to meet though I don’t work for any agency or of a combination of nerve cells which
him concerning an important topic that institution, rather I am doing it for me. can function as independent brains
concerns him. in themselves. Many recipients have
-How can you help me? reported a change in their personalities
They met in a small café. She told him she by acquiring memories, experiences, and
was interested in following up transplant -I am not sure exactly, but I know a lot even emotions of the dead donors. The
patients. She stunned him with the about the topic. My concern is heart memories are stored in the nerve system
amount of information, facts, and statistics transplantation. I have done a lot of study of the organs in what is known as cell
she had about the topic not only locally but and read so many research. I have also memory.
also worldwide. gathered so many stories from patients
with hearts, livers, brains, and corneas -Do you mean that there is evidence that
-I heard you’re having some problems that once belonged to other people. I the donor’s state of mind and emotions
adapting after the transplant and you were would love to listen to your story, your are transmitted to the recipient?
referred to counseling. reactions and feelings after the transplant.

-And how did you know that?

-Let’s say through my personal contacts
at the hospital.
-How does knowing this concern you?

-Well, it’s a long story. I started as an
opponent to organ donations for religious
reasons. I believed that if God’s will
mandated that man’s life on earth was
doomed to end, then man shouldn’t
interfere and prolong it. But later, I
changed my mind. My only son, who is
the same age as you, died five years ago.
Actually, he decided to end his life with his
own hands and he committed suicide. He
was a drug addict and always expressed
his opinion of being a loser not worthy
of life. I never bothered him saying this
until the day he dropped himself from the
third floor of our building and fell down
on an iron bar that penetrated his body
and heart, and he entered into a state
of comma. At the hospital, the doctors
told me that they could save his life by

PALESTINE VOICE Issue 3 Summer 2019 29

What was shocking was that Dani told
Rachel that a picture of a man in military
uniform holding a machine gun was
insisting on appearing in his dreams.

-Yes. That’s why I need you to try and and more than once found himself driving Rachel said:”I have been following the
concentrate not only on the pictures but his car into the West Bank and going news for a long time now. I tried to put
also changes in behavior, preference, into a farm for olive trees that belonged many aspects of the story together in
likes and dislikes etc, that you have been to Palestinians. Moreover, he developed order to put the pieces of the picture
having. It is well documented that one of cravings for foods he never liked before. together. The topic of the “Graveyards
the most powerful ways in organ donation He even started dressing differently of Numbers” has been a hot topic in
is word of mouth from those who have preferring shirts and pants with colors that the Palestinian media. In addition, I
been personally touched by donation or he never wore before. learned that on the day of your accident
transplantation. a young Palestinian was killed on the
Although he noticed he became angrier, checkpoints in the West Bank. I believe
-You mean that my heart is largely on many other occasions, he observed what completed the scenario was the
affected? a certain kind of affection for children. A quick availability of the organs that were
flash of happy childhood experiences of transplanted in your body. As we know,
-Heart transplants are said to be the him playing with a child on a swing under organs are scarce. Many people who
most susceptible to cell memory where a tree crossed his eyes many times. would benefit from receiving a transplant
organ transplant recipients experienced do not get one easily as priority goes to
a change of heart. Tell me Dani, do you or -Recollections of people, places and events rich, celebrities and military members. My
your family have any information about the are crucial, Dani. The transplanted organs information on the topic states that most
donor of your organs? may respond and recognize people and of the organs that are available come
places familiar to them. from deceased donors. Usually people fill
- I guess my parents know. They told me out a card agreeing to donate all or some
not to worry. But, what kind of information -To tell you the truth, yesterday, and for no of their organs if they die to a friend or
do you want? obvious reason, I drove up to a checkpoint relative who needs an organ. Doctors will
between Arab cities. When I went home not take organs from consenting dead
-Well, things like the source for example. and tried to sleep that night, I kept on people whose families object even though
Was it one or more donors? Things like having vivid nightmares about a killing. I the law permits retrieval.
attitudes, habits, age, nationality, race, had dreams of seeing hot flashes of light
gender or religion could be very helpful. directly on my face. I am trying to get hold Countries with a transplantati
of some detailed description of the killing on program have a broadly accurate
-No, I have no idea, sorry. or the killer. description of organ retrieval in practice.
In cases in which the deceased or his
-It would be good to know. Information like -Ok. Try to remember things and put family makes a refusal, either formally or
this might be of great help in explaining details together. Things like names, informally, organs will not be retrieved.
the strange things and changes happening words, faces, and clothes might be good Moreover, nearly all countries have, in
to you. Don’t worry. We can get access to clues. I think it is time to know about your practice, a ‘double veto’ system. Even if the
such information through you from the heart donor. No one should deny your family or the deceased wants to donate, the
hospital. right to get access to such information. deceased's objection will veto retrieval. I
am done with my investigation, and I think
Weeks later, Rachel and Dani met more A week later, Dani told Rachel that now I can tell you story.” Rachel went on:
than once. Rachel was thrilled at the he went to the hospital and asked for
information he told her. He said he has information about the donor. He also “The story begins as usual; a young
been seeing the letters “J, A, M, A, L” told his father that the possibility that the Palestinian kisses his three- year old son,
repeatedly, but not knowing what they donor might have been killed, could be hugs his wife who hands him a bag of
meant. He also noticed that he has the reason behind the nightmares and sandwiches and off to work as usual. He
acquired love for nature and olive trees strange feelings he has been having. crosses an Israeli checkpoint to get to his
nearby farm to pick up olives as usual.
After one of the soldiers checks his ID, he
walks straight away from the soldiers and
as usual says:”Thanks God.”

However, the other side of the story
tells that on that particular day and after
the young man was a few meters from
the soldiers his eyes fell on a 20 JD bill
on the ground. He slowed down and
intended to pick it up. Before he did so,
he thought of turning back and having a
look at the soldiers only to assure them
that he only wanted to get something
from the ground. The minute he turned,
the soldiers opened fire in his direction
and the bullets passed very close to
his ears and deafened them. His body
mesmerized and the blood in his veins

30 PALESTINE VOICE Issue 3 Summer 2019

froze. He raised his hands in the air organs from dead Palestinians without you donated his organs. I am the recipient
and tried to explain to them his good their own or their families consent, of those organs and I am here in order
intensions of only getting the money and which are also performed by a team of to thank you. I am grateful for him and
nothing more: the best specialists not only in Israel his family. And if I may ask what is your
but also in the world, the doctors, relation to him?
“Sorry I had no idea it belonged to you. ironically, will get neither gratitude
Take it. I don’t want it. Don’t kill me please.” nor recognition for doing a marvelous -You mean Jamal? He is my husband.
He started to shout. job in organ retrieval and theft. There
will be no gratitude or reference to the Dani was shocked as he remembered
“Don’t kill me. I don’t intend to harm you” team as such procedures are classified seeing the letters of the name Jamal in
were the words that the people behind “strictly confidential”. After the surgical one of his dreams.
heard of him before the soldiers rained operations, the bodies are either sent
him with their hungry bullets which to their families to be buried in their -Your husband?
penetrated his body and covered his graveyards or sent to be buried in
sandwiches with blood. special cemeteries. These cemeteries -Yes, and that is our son. But wait a
are what have become known as minute. My husband did not die. He
Tens of people standing at the checkpoint “Graveyards of Numbers.” was killed. Your army killed him. He
waiting for their turn to pass rushed to the was killed in cold blood by one of your
man and wanted to offer help. The soldiers Dani and Rachel met upon Dani’s soldiers at the check point. He was going
forbade them and opened fire towards request. ”You said you wanted to meet to our olive farm where he works. He
them. People withdrew back for fear for me. You said it’s urgent.” was a good man and a kindhearted father
their lives. A military ambulance came and and never caused harm or threat to any
took the dead body away. -Yes, I need you to do me a favor. Will of your soldiers. You are saying that they
you go with me to the West Bank? killed him, stole his organs and donated
It has become the story of the daily life of them to you? God is almighty. But where
Palestinians when soldiers open fire at -The West Bank? Your enemy’s zone? is his body? Why didn’t they hand us his
unarmed people. The alleged justification body till now?
for human rights watch is always ready: -My enemy’s zone? To my utter
the soldiers were attacked by terrorists surprise, I discovered that my donor is -Wait a minute. You are saying he was
carrying guns and knives, and the killing a Palestinian. I got his family name and killed by our soldiers?
was self defense. address, and I intend to pay his family
a visit. -Yes, they not only killed him and
Since people are enchanted by stories of confiscated his body, but also stole his
crime, the family of the killed man leaked -What? Visit his family? You must be organs and used them to save the lives of
the story of the killing of the innocent man out of your mind. your people. Don’t you think that because
to the international media and, as usual, you are powerful and we are powerless
the incident was condemned by people -It is the least I can do to say thank you you have right to do such things. Return
from the five continents, refused by human to the family of the one who saved my his arm or leg or any part of his body
rights and animal welfare organizations, life. I would like to get to know about back to me. I and his son want to pray
documented by the UN, and justified as the one whose heart is in me. I want to for him, greet him and bury him near
self defense by Israel, as usual. know about his life style, state of mind, us. I know that his body must have been
After a while another related story floats attitudes, likes and dislikes, etc,. I hope distorted, decomposed or maybe eaten
to the surface. The family of the dead these things will be a relief to me. What by beasts, but I still want to visit him in
young man claims his body and the do you say? a grave nearby and hug the earth that
Israeli authorities refuse to hand it in, -Well, I don’t know. covers him.
again as usual.
-I believe that going with me is going to After Dani and Rachel left in utter
Incidents like this happen every day in be beneficial for you too as well. I guess confusion, they started a long journey of
different place in Palestine in which the this is encouraging. more investigation. They discovered that
bodies of Palestinians killed by soldiers Jamal’s body was buried in one of the
are taken to a hospital in Israel. And there, -Ok. I guess you are correct. secret cemeteries called “graveyards of
specialists remove organs depending Sometimes it needs courage and numbers”, and that his tomb was given an
on their condition leaving the dead body adventure to know the truth. Let’s identification number.
empty in some cases. On the one hand, arrange for a visit.
the pile of bodies with missing organs One afternoon, Dani received a telephone
mounts up, and on the other hand, ears A week later, Dani and Rachel were in call from Rachel who told him it was
are deliberately deafened on the demands his car heading to the donor’s village urgent that they meet. After minutes she
of the families to retrieve the dead bodies in the West Bank. As the car stopped broke the silence:
of their beloved ones to bury them in in front of a small house, a woman
their own graveyards. Instead, a lot of followed by a three or four years -Here are the findings of my research that
bodies are dealt with in an innovative and old child appeared. Dani and Rachel your heart will have to embrace and deal
unprecedented way. “After your transplant stepped of the car and greeted the with.”
operation, Rachel continued, I attended the woman in a friendly way. The woman,
press conference about the success of the suspicious of them, didn’t greet them She stopped, sighed for a while, then
operation when tribute and gratitude were back. Dani started: uttered what Dani’s heart could not
made to the team of the best specialists, stand: the soldier who shot Jamal at the
not only in Israel but also in the world, who -I understand your worries, but let checkpoint was your father.
did a marvelous job in organ transplant. me tell why we are here. Last month
However, in operations of removing someone from your family died and

PALESTINE VOICE Issue 3 Summer 2019 31

COLOURING IN -

Woman in traditional tatreez thobe (embroidered dress)

32 PALESTINE VOICE Issue 3 Summer 2019

The Palestine Colouring Book

Please enjoy colouring in the sample page
from our beautiful and brand new 24 page
Palestine Colouring Book.

We created the book to encourage Palestinian children
across the diaspora to engage with, learn about and
become closer to the culture and history of Palestine.

The pages in the book range from traditional scenes, such
as a Palestinian wedding or buying fruit at the market,
to nature such as the fig and orange trees, to celebrating
Palestine’s historic towns and their sites, including
Jerusalem’s Masjid Al Aqsa or Bethlehem’s Church of the
Nativity. The pages are calling to be splashed to life with
colour, for adults and children alike!

We’re proud to have supported Palestine’s creative industry
through this project as the illustrations were all hand
drawn by artists based in Ramallah and Jerusalem.

One of the artists who contributed to the Palestine
Colouring Book, Sultan Nabeel from Ramallah, began
drawing at ten years old. He’s excited about the book,
hoping it will enable Palestinian children of the diaspora
to better get to know Palestine, and “everything cool
it has to offer”, as well as to become motivated to
someday visit it themselves.

He feels that if children of the diaspora can better
engage with Palestine, “they will never forget their
homeland”. He said it will also allow them to “assess the
situation for themselves rather than just via the media”.

His favourite illustration in the book is of the map of
historic Palestine decorated with the pattern of the
kuffeyeh and thobe. “I know it might be cliché but it’s a
representation of two beautiful things [which represent
Palestine], combined with our map.”

We’re excited to have so far received requests to stock
the book in Bristol’s Palestine Museum, London’s
Mosaic Rooms, Al Saqi Bookstore and Cafe Palestina
and even as far as Jerusalem’s The Educational
Bookshop. We hope to see it on more shelves soon.

The book costs £3 plus postage for individual sales, or we can make bespoke arrangements with bookstores,
Arabic schools, educational centres and so on. Email [email protected] to place an order.

PALESTINE VOICE Issue 3 Summer 2019 33

Since February we have been collating the most important stories concerning Palestine from
international media sources and presenting them in a digestible weekly news summary.

This project has developed quickly into
an extremely important and popular
campaigning tool, informing individuals
on what’s really going on behind the
scenes of the silence of the mainstream
media and empowering individuals with
the perfect document to share among
their peers.

Consequently each week we have more
and more MPs, MEPs, Lords and Ladies,
councillors and lobbying groups asking
to sign up and receive it.

We know keeping up local and national
affairs alone is hard enough with people
generally working longer hours and
leading busier lives, and that’s why we
want to save you time and energy by
delivering everything you need to know
straight to your mailbox.

You may feel you keep up with the
general goings on of the Palestinian
world, but we can assure you there will
be stories you need to know which have
slipped beneath the radar. We want this
newsletter to reach millions of people
each week, making it an unavoidable
source for the powerful, giving them no
excuse for mere ignorance to inform
their decision making.

As we all know peace may only be
achieved through justice, and justice may
only come about through understanding.
So help us share the truth about
Palestine so that everyone may have a
greater understanding and bring us one
step closer to achieving justice.

Even if you know what’s going on, others around you won’t. Sign up and share it each week here:

www.palestinefoundation.org.uk/home-2/pulse-of-palestine/

34 PALESTINE VOICE Issue 3 Summer 2019

GET INVOLVED WITH PCF!

Submit a piece for the next edition of Palestine Voice to
[email protected]

Last call for our Just Cycle bike ride in Palestine this October.
Email [email protected] for more information

Sign up for our monthly email newsletter and our weekly
Palestine Pulse

Request a free pack of resources from us for your Palestine
organisation or event from [email protected]

Buy our Palestine Colouring Book.
Email [email protected] to place an order

Contact us if you would like to be featured in our new project,
focusing on the experiences of Palestinians of the Diaspora.
To be featured in our series please drop an email to
[email protected]

Follow us on:
Instagram @palestinecommunityuk
Twitter @PalCommunityUK
Facebook facebook.com/palestinefoundationuk

PALESTINE VOICE Issue 3 Summer 2019 35

[email protected] palestinefoundation.org.uk
0300 777 1 777 @palestinecommunityuk
/palestinefoundationuk /palcommunityuk
36 PALESTINE VOICE Issue 3 Summer 2019