The Forum believes in promoting a just society, with freedom, mutual respect and the prevention of wrongs of any kind – and by all parties – being of utmost importance
The Forum initiates and participates in activities to express its solidarity with disadvantaged and assailed populations and support their struggle
Delivery of Relief Assistance
ֿDuring the month of July 2021, the Forum delivered aid to the Bedouin communities in Tubas, Humza and Masafer Yatta.
The communities of shepherds in the Jordan Valley, in South Mt. Hebron and other areas in the Palestinian Authority, are routinely harassed by the settlers; they are vacated time and again from their lands by the Civil Administration and the IDF, while their homes are torn down and their property confiscated.
The aid included vital equipment and supplies PCFF distributed in Israel for the villages and families whose homes were demolished several times this year by the IDF and Civil Administration and access blocked thereto. The supplies and equipment were designed to arrive before Eid al-Adha – the Festival of the Sacrifice, to provide relief to the residents during the holiday.
Providing the aid was made possible by the collection initiative of Ihab Mazalha and Yehudit Harel who were joined by dozens of volunteers who collected, sorted and organized hundreds of boxes of equipment and vital supplies, thus expressing solidarity and faith in a shared destiny by both nations.
The supplies that left from Tel Sheva to South Mt. Hebron were organized and funded by the residents of Kuseife and Tel Sheva, primarily Amal and Dalal, and another shipment left from the collection point in Kafr Qara, Wadi Ara.
Solidarity Visit to Bardala
Following the destruction of the reservoir in Bardala by the Israeli army, the Israeli alumni from the Narrative Project “Parents to Youths” went to the village to show their support of the locals and their friend Ahmed who lives in the village. The group also toured villages in the area and saw the harsh distress with their own eyes – the result of the wrongs and harassment that the Palestinians endure in the northern Jordan Valley.
Ahmed and his wife were so moved by the visit and asked the alumni to share what they saw and heard in order to raise awareness of their situation.
Eyal, a group member, shared his feelings and summed up: “More visits and joint activities are vital. The Palestinians deem it very important that there are Israelis that ‘see’ them and are willing to do for them, and for us, the Israelis. It provides important information and hope that perhaps we can help even in the slightest.”
Solidarity Visit to Tubas
A delegation of the Palestinian and Israeli members of The Parents Circle – Families Forum visited the Bedouin communities in Tubas, in the northern Jordan Valley.
Mr. Mahdi Kadri, Head of the Local Council of Bedouin Communities provided an overview of the events and described the harsh life of the Palestinians in these communities. He also talked about the daily harassment by the settlers that take on the shape of organized terrorism.
The Nicaraguan ambassador in Palestine, invited by the PCFF, talked about the importance of freedom and living in peace. He pointed out the wrongs that the Palestinian people are subject to under the Occupation, the constant fear and insecurity, especially in these vulnerable Palestinian communities.
The co-general directors of the PCFF, Mr. Osama Abu-Ayash and Mr. Yuval Rahamim, sought to encourage and reinforce the residents. They promised to do their utmost to provide material assistance and endeavor in the media to draw public attention to the continued wrongdoing towards the local population. The prolonged expulsion and persecution create an obstacle to peace and further distance the chance to end the conflict and eventuate reconciliation among the nations.
Solidarity Visit to Bardala
Following the destruction of the reservoir in Bardala by the Israeli army, the Israeli alumni from the Narrative Project “Parents to Youths” went to the village to show their support of the locals and their friend Ahmed who lives in the village. The group also toured villages in the area and saw the harsh distress with their own eyes – the result of the wrongs and harassment that the Palestinians endure in the northern Jordan Valley.
Ahmed and his wife were so moved by the visit and asked the alumni to share what they saw and heard in order to raise awareness of their situation.
Eyal, a group member, shared his feelings and summed up: “More visits and joint activities are vital. The Palestinians deem it very important that there are Israelis that ‘see’ them and are willing to do for them, and for us, the Israelis. It provides important information and hope that perhaps we can help even in the slightest.”
Olive Harvest at At-Tuwani village in South Mount Hebron
Dozens of PCFF members and alumni from the Narrative Project took part in an activity to show their solidarity with the residents of At-Tuwani in south Mount Hebron and assisted with the farmers’ olive harvest. Forum Co-General Directors Osama Abu-Ayash and Yuval Rahamim said: “The reality in the Territories is unbearable and no less deplorable is the Israeli government and authorities’ inadequacy to bring the price tag offenders to justice. As sons to bereaved families, taking part in the harvest is not only a display of solidarity with the farmers given the settlers’ violence, but an expression of our belief that out of this violence and pain a true partnership, hope and peace can grow.”
The Forum will continue to provide support to afflicted families, to residents whose rights were deprived in any way, in the future as well.
