The Prospect for Change in Palestine in 2021

Summary:

Join us for this upcoming installment of Miko Peled’s ongoing webinar series. “The Prospect for Change in Palestine in 2021” highlights the incredible work of three Palestinian activists, journalists, and organizers: Rafat Abu Aish from Al-Naqab, Baha Hilo from Bethlehem, and Khaled Farrag from Jerusalem. Each is working to build a movement for material change in their individual communities through a diversity of tactics and organizing structures. As 2021 approaches and the official leadership among Palestine sits idly by or even worse, collaborates with Israeli security forces, the strength and popular support behind grassroots Palestinian activism becomes all the more critical. We will check in with all three of these remarkable men to learn about their respective projects, how they all tie together to clear the path for a free Palestine, and the greater prospect for change in 2021. 

Guest Panel:

Rafat Abu Aish is an Al-Naqab bedouin Palestinian journalist, activist and citizen of the state of Israel. Rafat was one of the main organizers of the protest against the Israeli government’s ethnic cleansing program called “The Prawer Plan” and has been arrested dozens of times by the Israeli authorities for his activities. 

Baha Hilo is a native Palestinian born and raised in the town of Bethlehem, and a graduate of Birzeit University with a degree in Sociology. He has worked with different humanitarian, human rights and advocacy groups including the UN, the YMCA/YWCA and Badil Centre for residency and refugees rights. His work experience also included working with the National council of the YMCAs in Sri Lanka and Silver Bay association in NY. Since 2013 he has been focused on education on Palestine through an initiative called “To Be There”, were he coordinates the different educational visits, including the annual Olive Harvest, Olive Planting, Palestinian Land Day, summer study programs, and Christmas in Palestine. 

Khaled Farrag is a general director and co-founder of Grassroots Al-Quds since 2010, working in general administration, strategy, and development of the organization and partner organizations & movements. Since 2013, Khaled has been an active member of the founding team of the campaign, “Urfod” (refuse), calling to end the mandatory army service imposed on the Palestinian Druze minority in the 1948 areas, and reconnecting the Druze population to their Palestinian identity. Khald studied Law at the Hebrew University and graduated from the United World Colleges network in Norway.

FURTHER READING/RESOURCES:

How you can help:

Consider a donation or olive tree sponsorship to Foundation Plant een Olijfboom, which stands for a just peace in Palestine and Israel with equality for all civilians, including Palestinian refugees.

Consider a donation to the Jobs for AlNaqab fundraiser for Haraba, a team made of seven Palestinian Al-Naqab/Bedouin community activists, who care about society and believe by creating job opportunities in desert tourism, we can help people have a better life.

Al Naqab:

Interview with Rafat Abu Aish on The Miko Peled Podcast

Report on the Demolition and Eviction of Bedouin Citizens of Israel in the Naqab (Negev) – The Prawer Plan

On the Map: the Arab Bedouin Villages in the Negev-Naqab

Film: “Not On Any Map” about an unrecognized village inside Israel

Collection of Statistical Data – Discrimination in Numbers: The Bedouin Community in the Negev/Naqab

West Bank:

Video: Baha Hilo (To Be There) on Israeli wall and settlements

Visualizing Palestine: The Israeli ID System

To Be There was established in 2013 in Bethlehem by a small group of colleagues and friends native to Palestine. Combined, we have over 15 years of experience in working with internationals from around the world including tourists, academics and researchers, film and documentary makers and other media agencies. We also have considerable experience in working with and for local and international NGOs

Jerusalem:

Article: Meet the new face of Israel’s growing military refuser movement

The Electronic Intifada: I won’t hold a weapon against my people: Druze refuse to serve in Israel’s military

Article: In Israel, Questions Are Raised about a Forest that Rises from the Desert