Defend the Rescuers

Some of us are currently working on setting up a blog called Defend the Rescuers, as part of  a new International Campaign of Solidarity with Palestinian Emergency Workers. It’s a work-in-progress but I wanted to tell you about it. You can see what emergency workers face in Gaza in the following short film, “One of…” made by Emad Badwan, which won the World Health Day Short Film Competition. It features footage taken by my colleague Alberto of the shooting of medic Hassan, with a voice over by my colleague Eva.

Emad asks us the question – What if it was “one of” your family that needed emergency help, or whose work it was to try to deliver this help? This is 22 days telescoped into a few minutes. This is what we witnessed.

May 25: Back home in England

Mona Samouni - both parents lost, but still someone to love

I’m back in the UK. It is nearly a year since I left here to be part of making the FreeGaza project happen, pretty much expecting to end up in Israeli prison – the one thing that didn’t happen! Instead, we reached Gaza and it became inextricably part of my life. I don’t really have the words to thank you all, old friends and new both, for the emotional, financial and political support you have given both me and my Gaza friends over this year.

April 16: Visiting Al Assria Cultural Centre

Right to Return mural in Al Assria Centre, Jabalia camp

In one of my last Gaza days I went to visit the Union of Health Work Committee‘s Al Assria Cultural Centre . I’d meant to get there ages ago, on request of Sheffield Palestinian Solidarity Campaign, who have been supporting various projects Al Assria have run for years now, but the Israeli attacks had gotten in the way.

April 20: Kafka’s Border

Rafah Border: the wrong side of the fence

This is an excerpt from a post I wrote in September 2008…

The outdoor restaurant overlooking the sea has been nicknamed “Casablanca without the alcohol” by Dr Bill. Here, we internationals and Palestinians alike sit, looking out over the moonlit water, sharing argeelah and rumours about the Rafah border. Will it open? If so, when? And for who? People tell each other about what documents they have obtained, what connections they have made, which consulate may be arranging a visa for them.They show pictures of the husbands, wives, children, lovers who are waiting in other lands.