The Palestinian martyr

Her smile wont be seen anymore.

Her name is Sawsan Ali Mansour, 18 years old, she was executed yesterday at Beit Exa military checkpoint by Zionist occupation soldiers, she was killed because she is Palestinian.

Finding a sense of connection

It’s difficult in the UK sometimes, as a single woman in my late 30s with no intention of ‘settling down’, it can be difficult to connect with people who maybe don’t fully understand how I’ve chosen to live my life. But in Palestine there were times when it felt more difficult, I have to admit. Palestine is a family-centric culture, which has its lovely side – children are doted on, and there’s much evidence of love between siblings. But, it was sometimes difficult to connect.

However, there were some lovely moments. Dima talked to me about how she wondered what we would get from our visit – wasn’t it a bit unequal? She felt that we were giving our time, and would take back a message (which I hope we are), but what would we get in exchange? I felt like crying – being with people like her, who are daily facing the most extreme oppression with dignity and still able to express love and fellow-feeling was such a privilege. In the UK, we face our own struggles, smaller maybe, but knowing their example must inspire us to do as best we can. Dima, you might not feel like you have given me anything, but I have part of you in my heart forever – this is your true gift.

Another interesting moment was when I was chatting to a woman with whom I thought I didn’t have much in common, but as we talked about the occupation we got on to a story that really spoke to me. I was a passenger for her daily commute, and she talked about the times she’d been stopped, when she’d seen people shot, her fear at the beginning and the end of each day – I was getting used to hearing about this kind of thing. But then, somehow, we moved on to her sister, and she explained that her sister had asked her to accompany her niece to see a consultant who needed to examine the niece because of a serious gynecological complaint. Her sister was unable to accompany her daughter because she had just had a new baby, and because the hospital was in Jerusalem it would take all day to get through the checkpoints etc.. The teenage girl didn’t want to go with her dad, because of the nature of the illness. I could immediately imagine my sister asking me to do this, if my own niece were referred to a London hospital. I’d immediately be able to say ‘yes’, the only hassle would be getting time off work. For a Palestinian auntie it’s not possible – auntie is not a close enough relationship for her to be allowed into Jerusalem, though the niece has a permit to go to hospital there. To this day I think the situation is unresolved – the family will probably wait until the mother feels she can leave her baby for a day. Something that is so natural for me – to fill in for my sister when her kids need it, so impossible for a Palestinian.

Our experiences as women allow us to connect, when we listen to each other’s stories and try to understand each other’s point of view; these are just two special moments from my trip. I would also like to mention the friends I made there – I hope to say more to each of you soon!

Ruba, Afnan, Ronza and Andy (the women)
Husnain and Mike
Amer talking about his refugee camp at Asker

Impressions of Jerusalem

An important part of our trip to Jerusalem was getting there. Because of the wall, although the Mount of Olives is almost next door, a journey that should be 15 minutes is at least 2 hours – and we went when there was no queue! There's the drive to the 'international terminal' to cross the wall first, where we had to say goodbye to our Abu Dis friends – they can't go through unless they get special permission. Our host told us of the one time recently when his family did get permission (through an Eid lottery). Husbands, wives and children had to queue separately, and the youngest children were so traumatised, separated from their parents, waiting to meet the scary soldiers, that in the end they gave up. The impact of the wall and the checkpoints in terms of family separation and access to emergency care is enormous, but I think this video of people waiting to get through a checkpoint simply to go to work is pretty powerful.

After saying au revoir to our friends we went through the 'terminal', which reminded me of the set up back home for getting sheep and cattle into trucks before they go to the abattoir. Though there was no-one much going through (it was nearly lunchtime), we waited and waited for a red light to go green, and two people could start the process, and then again, and two more etc. Once all out the other side we caught a bus to Damascus Gate, basically coming back the way we'd driven in the morning, but the other way.

View from Damascus Gate

Damascus Gate

A new profession - scarf carrier!

In Jerusalem, the impression of the old city is of a spectacularly beautiful city, a little similar to old, old towns on the Med, and wonderful to walk around because traffic only operates outside the walled city (except the cleaning vehicles – see pic below). The atmosphere is incredibly tense though – there are Israeli soldiers on nearly every street, and settlers wander around, some of them armed also, we thought. Settled buildings are draped with Israeli flags, to show off the settlers' triumph. Palestinians walk hunched and without the smiles we had been greeted with elsewhere.

A shopper keeping out of the rain.

A T-shirt to suit any taste available here!

We visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and saw the Via Dolorosa, Armenian Church, Ottoman era school, the view of the Dome of the Rock. A couple of us chose not to visit the Wailing Wall, as the number of cadet soldiers almost filling the plaza was so chilling.

But, the most important place we went to was the amazing Al Saraya Centre, where we heard about the kind of activities that they do to build up the resilience, especially of children who are subjected to settler attacks and harassment. We were all so impressed with the Centre's range of activities and the quality of support they offer. Read more in this Medical Aid for Palestinians article.

So another day of mixed feelings – the stark evidence of oppression so disturbing, and the dignity of those trying to survive and overcome it so inspiring.

For Palestinian Women: Happy Strong, Courageous, and Bright Women's Day

Today is internaitonal women's day and I want to take this chance to give my gratidude for every Palestinian woman. While international women's day is widely celebrated, Palestinian women are mourning today. A 50 year old woman was brutally killed by the Israeli Army in the old city of Jerusalem this morning. The Israeli government was always clear about their merciless attitude towards Palestinian women. The Israeli minister of justice, Ayelet Shaked was very forward when she called for the genocide of Palestinian women and mothers.

Women in Palestine have to go through all kinds of opression. They are not only carrying the burdens of male-dominated societies, they carry the heavy burden of the occupation that deprives many mothers from their children, many girl from their fathers, and many women from their own natural self discoveries as humans and as women.

However, Palestinian women have always been the backbone for they are the ones who always stood their ground. They have grown in the frames of occupation and managed to be successful, bright and strong. Palestinian teachers like Hanan al-Hroub who was nominated for the top 10-finalists for the Steve Hawking prize this year. Women like Samiha Khalil, who was a great political figure in the Palestinian history and managed to create association for girls deprived of families are the ones who give us hope as women every day. Our thank yous go to our mothers, grandmothers, sisters, daughters, wives, and ourselves.

Join us in CADFA on the 13th of March for a great joint women event.

Palestinian women in the International Women's day ...!

On the occasion of International  Women's Day March 8: 67 arrested since the occupation 15 thousand women and ten prisoners have given birth within the prison, such as Lena Jerboni .





Authority Prisoners Affairs issued a report on the occasion of the eighth of March, International Women's Day which stated that the number of Palestinian prisoners woman in the prisons of Hasharon and Damon reached 57 Palestinian female dispensers: 33 captive in Hasharon Prison and 24 captive in the Damon prison.

The report of the Commission that 13 captive minor (less than 18 years), detention in prisons, the youngest captive Dima Wawi 12-year-old detainee population of Halhul on 02/08/2016,





In addition to minors : Sajida Hassan, Nevin Jabari, Rama Djaabis, mlak Suleiman, Kariman Sowaidan, Aestbrq Noor, Nourhanne Awad, lma Bakri, marah Bakir, hadia Ibrahim, Mannar Shweiki and Ceyhan Taqatqa.The report pointed out that the nine female prisoners are infected dead by Israeli soldiers when they were arrested weakness: lma Bakri, Nourhanne Awad, Aestbrq Noor, Jasmine Zaru, Esra Djaabis, Amal Taqatqa, Abla nothingness, Helwa Hamamrah, Shorooq Dwayyat.And that two girls prisoners in administrative detention, namely: Sana Abu Sunaina Goblet names,and two presoners from gaza.There are nine mothers in the ranks of the prisoners are sublime Mhaherh, Helwa Hamamrah, Haifa Abu Sabih, Nasreen Hassan, Eman Cango, Temara Abu Sabha, Amira Hamidat and Amira Salah.The Commission reported that since 1967 amounted to cases of Palestinian women detained 15 thousand cases, and that 10 prisoners have given birth to their babies inside Israeli jails.The oldest Palestinian prisoners Lena Jerboni who spent 14 years in Israeli jails that our demand  for freedom and justice and the demise of the occupation of our lives and meeting the aspirations of the Palestinian people to live in free and independent state,and she called to attention to the women prisoners at all levels.For its part, it sent the MP captive Khalida Jarrar from Hasharon Prison where they sit there is a message to the Palestinian people and the world, on the occasion of International Women's Day, quoted by the Commission's lawyer Hanan Al-Khatib ,said the letter:Greetings to all women of the world in the International Women's Day which falls on 8-3 every year and greet each free world and free Palestine.

On this day , a palestinian woman killed  in Jerusalem's Old City, Where the forces of the Israeli army opened fire on Ms. Fadwa Ahmed Mohammed Abu Tir, 50, from the town of Umm Tuba, in Wad Street in Jerusalem old, and was seriously injured, and after that was prevented from providing primary her aid, she was transferred to an Israeli hospital it has been announced her martyrdom.

Look out for the CADFA women's stall every Saturday at the Brunswick Centre!

Every Saturday you will find our stall in the Brunswick Centre in Central London, selling Palestinian pottery, olive oil and embroidery.

A great place to find presents for your friends, friendly faces and people to talk about Palestine and women's links work.

We hope (if you are in London) you will come along, or even better that you'll offer to help!