in solidarity

Dear Mona, You don't know me - but I have just read your wonderful book, From Gaza with Love. It was given to me as a present last month by my dear friend Julia South from Sheffield. Julia is part of the Sheffield women's organisation (UK) which raises funds for Palestinian women's scholarships. I think perhaps you know her from your visits to England. I am copying this message to her. I wanted to tell you how important your book has been to me and how moved I was to read your blog. I am so amazed by your commitment and resilience in the work you do in Gaza and the ability you have - when things get very very hard - to continue to work and to believe that justice will prevail. I have been active in Palestinian Solidarity work now for almost ten years and am a member of the Brighton and Hove PSC. I am also a feminist and a socialist so have been sympathetic for many years before that. What your book brought home to me was the courage and strength that is demanded - but also what terrible atrocities you have had to endure in Gaza especially during the Israeli Cast Lead operation - for yourself and as a doctor. Reading about your bravery, and your resistance redoubled my own commitment to the campaign in Brighton where I live. I visited the Occupied West Bank in 2004 with a political tour group but have never been to Gaza. I have an older male friend, in Brighton however, who went on the convoy to Gaza a year or two ago taking supplies from Brighton and we have very occasionally met Palestinians who have been able to get out of Gaza. But my real reason for writing now is to tell you about how I incorporated extracts from your blog into a lecture I gave last week at the University of Sussex (although now retired, I am still attached to this university as an honorary professor). I was invited to give a special lecture to 170 first year undergraduate History students (so mostly young people of 18 or 19 years of age. The subject was left open for me to choose - the series was called "The History of Now" and guest lecturers were asked to talk about what kind of history they thought was important or interesting or significant. For ages I felt quite blank about what I could offer them, but I was reading your book and it came to me! My specialism is the value of using personal testimony in History, using oral history, diaries, letters and other personal writing (I am an archivist by profession). I would give them a lecture on the use of personal testimony in history-writing using the very ordinary diary of a woman in Britain during the heavy bombing of Britain during the Second World War but I would bring it up to date with the account of another woman - YOU - living through bombing in present day Gaza. This enabled me to show the students maps and photos of Gaza and describe the Occupation, the history and the extent of the Israeli military onslaught on such a densely populated and small strip of land. I wanted to demonstrate that 'History' isn't safely in the past, but is going on now. Your personal testimony (I read three extracts from your book and described who you were) is a powerful way to illustrate the terrible experiences that the Gazan people have endured, and I hope brings home to quite young people in this country the terrible injustice of the situation. I was a little nervous after the lecture about the reactions both of the students and their regular tutors who were also present. They were too shy to ask many questions at the time. However soon after, some of them emailed me to say I had opened their eyes and they thought the lecture inspiring. Their main tutor told me that in the seminars they held afterwards , they had had to discuss what I had said. She said the seminars - were the best and liveliest she had ever had - the students were so full of questions and ideas. So thank you dear Mona for your eloquent blog which first inspired me and then my students - I hope I will at least have introduced some of the students to the issues about Palestine - I am sure most of them would not even have known where Gaza was before. I hope my lecture sent them to their books and the internet to find out more. I gave out your blog address in a handout together with details of your book. If you ever able to come to England again and it is possible for you to visit Brighton in the south of England, you would be most welcome. I would love to meet you and I would ask my PSC group to support you with travel costs. I know your access to the internet can be intermittent and that you are very busy with very important work so please feel under no obligation to reply. In sisterhood and solidarity, Dorothy

please help Akram and another 35 cancer patients from unneccessary death

Dear friends
Akram Abu seefan , palestinian from masmia village inside historic palestine and currently is living in Nussierat refugees camp, alongside of 34 patients diagnosed with chronic myeloid Leukaemia , could not get thier treatment , for the last almost 3 month
please help us to help them .
see the details in the atttached link
or contact lydia for furthur details
Mona





From: Lydia de Leeuw



Link to blogpost: http://asecondglance.wordpress.com/2012/03/13/failing-gazas-patients-the-story-of-akram-abu-sefan/

Rachel will stand strong in our consience and heart

Dear Cindy and Craig

i have no words to say just tearful eyes,and a modest messege of love to both of you on this day , Rachel is alive in my heart and hearts of thousands and thousands of people , who struggle hard against injustce , your lovely daughter became an icon of solidarity and work for peace and justice , i love you both and thinking of you on this special day

yours sincerely

Mona

with great love and respect, i am sorry

Dear Friends , sisters , brothers and cmrades
iam realy sorry for not writing regularly , to update you about my life in gaza , i was surprised to see the huge number of your comments ,that have not read ,i told you earlier on , i had a technical proplem with my blog , a friend helped me to sort it out , still i have so many issues on top of my head , both general and personal , would not like to bother you by it , i donot claim to be a VIP , yet iam surrounded by huge woring daily issues ,while living torn a part, between my life in gaza and my grown up children in the UK , I donot surprise you by saying i love my children so much , but those who are young will not understand me , older people mothers and fathers will understand ,that kids are kids even if they are fully grown up individuals , in mothers eyes they are kids , did i make you laugh ??
i have read all your comments , and highly appreciate it even those harsh ones ,last year 2 major incidents occured to me , i lost my yunger brother , at the age of 52 , it was a sudden unexpected death, also a very close relative was very unwell.
i love you all , and your comments encourge and inspire me, to continue writing, and also to continue working hard , for peace and justce , for women, health and children rights .
i love you all
and have a good day
ps
facebook will never make a substitute for blogs
my book based on my blogg 2006-2010 was out last october , the proceed will be for women education in palestine

please listen to BBC Todays Programme-

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/b01d0ky2

Gaza material starts 2hrs 21 mins 30 secs in to programme

starts with John Humphreys intro, then Israeli, then Mona

it will be online for another 5 days

thanks again Mona!!!!

greg

>
> Another great job dear Mona. Keep up your significant contribution towards
> the freedom and prosperity of the Palestinian people. God bless you. Can
> you please send me the link to the interview. Kind regards, Basil
>, March 14, 2012 11:00 AM
> Subject: BBC Today programme
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Dear Mona
>
> I just wanted to
> say thank you very much for your wonderful interview on the Today
> programme (BBC Radio 4) on Monday. The Today programme is notorious for
> presenting events in Palestine and Israel from an Israeli perspective, so
> it was
> amazing to hear three minutes of airtime in which the audience was told
> about
> the situation in Gaza from a Gazan's point
> of view. This was a first, and it was a hugely important achievement. The
> Today programme is presented by the BBC as its flagship news and current
> affairs
> programme, and it sets the agenda for the rest of the day's news. It
> reaches six
> million listeners a week. To hear the Palestinian perspective on the Today
> programme, and put articulately and intelligently, is of a significance
> that
> can't be underestimated.
>
> My job at the
> Palestine Solidarity Campaign is to monitor the UK media and lobby for
> change.
> We've been working hard on the Today programme for a year, and this is the
> first
> time we've seen any kind of result. Thank you again for informing UK
> audiences
> of the truth of Israel's occupation and the
> consequences faced by Palestinians.
>
> Best
> wishes
> Amena
>
> Amena Saleem
> Fair News -
> Monitoring the Media's Coverage of Palestine and Israel
> Palestine Solidarity
> Campaign
> T: 020 7700
> 6192
> E: amena.saleem@palestinecampaign.org
>>
>
>

Urgent Appeal for Solidarity from Gaza

Dear Mona

We are contacting as many people in power as we can to tell them of the murderous attacks on Gaza. Unfortunately the Israelis are getting the story of the rockets being fired into Israel into the media. We are hearing of terrified Israeli children, but not so much about the children of Gaza.

I heard you on the radio this morning. You were very good and I'm sure you brought the situation to many people who were not aware of it.

We are thinking of you and your family all the time. Mohammed tells us that the attacks around his home are very bad too.

With all our love

Rachael and Paul


On Mar 11, 2012 13:37 "Mona Elfarra" wrote:






Gaza 10th of March 2012-11 am

Urgent Appeal for Solidarity from Gaza

The Israeli army continues its military attacks against the Gaza Strip. The attacks started Friday, March 10 at 5:30pm. I heard the first terrible explosion as I drove back to Gaza City from Khan Younis. There was a lot of smoke, shattered windows, and a fire in this blue car that was targeted by a missile from an Israeli drone. These offensive acts, though supposedly targeting Palestinian armed resistance men, are illegal according to international law. Every human is entitled a trial.
As usual, the entire civilian population including women and children, pays the highest price and bears the brunt of this terrible situation. Already several children have been killed, one was on his way to school when he was hit by shrapnel.

Our concern is not just the attacks but also the lack of medications and supplies. If Israel continues this operation, the number of causalities will increase. The toll is 16 dead and 30 injured until this minute.

Gaza's population already lives in a dire humanitarian situation. We are still under Israel's military occupation and the internal conflict between Palestinian political groups is not solved. But worst of all, the governments of the world are silent and indifferent.




We at the Red Crescent Society of the Gaza Strip and the Middle East Children's Alliance appeal to the international community, and to our friends and supporters to spread the word about what is happening now in Gaza and pressure your governments to stop these attacks soon.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is on the verge of collapse, the military attacks continue while we lack electricity and our medical facilities and hospitals have little amounts of fuel to operate their backup generators. We have insufficient medications. 186 basic medications are lacking in our pharmacies. Besides the insufficient medical supplies, children in the special neonatal intensive care units as well as renal dialysis patients are in great danger due to the power outage. Our cancer patients are dying unnecessarily, unable to have their treatments. Our diabetic and asthmatic patients, as well as many others with chronic illnesses who need their medications regularly cannot get it. The list of the victims is too long to mention.

Please act immediately to stop this attack against Gaza population. You have been always great supporters and showed your solidarity, at the most difficult times.

Yours sincerely

Dr. Mona ElFarra

Vice President, Red Crescent Society for the Gaza Strip


Director of Gaza Projects, Middle East Children's Allianc





















































































--

Happy International Woman"s Day -Gaza Style

just heared that the fragile cesfire started , i dont like this word , it is not accurate ,it is not a war between 2 equal powers!!!!!!!, but so much releived that the assault is over.and iam alive and strong and will continue ....... .


Happy International Women's Day from Gaza



March 08, 2012




Dr. Mona El-Farra

From Gaza I send my warmest greetings to all of my friends and comrades, both here and abroad. On this occasion a message of love and yes, a call for steadfastness is in order. I send this message while Gaza is drowning in darkness, with no petrol, no internet, and most importantly none of the many basic medications, let alone ongoing medications needed for cancer patients and the treatment of several chronic illnesses. Hospitals and medical facilities are struggling hard to continue to provide meaningful services in such circumstances, and the burden is heavy.

As a woman living under the occupation, I can clearly see the impact these conditions have on the Palestinian population in general and women in particular. Despite the fact that many women provide for their families with very little resources, suffer from high unemployment and a general lack of security and safety, struggle against the daily unending Israeli siege and occupation, they still try in a multitude of ways support their families. Being a woman here can be like being a patient without a doctor. The best case scenario is the patient is strong, full of hope for a better future, and blind enough to the barriers to support their family that they continue to fight. These patients play dual roles, as we continue to contribute in the public sector, in different fields such as health, education and agriculture.

Women represent 51% of the Palestinian population, 12% of Palestinian working forces , 40% of university students, and 7% of families are headed by women. Women in Palestine know the meaning of solidarity more so than men, as we comprise a gender that globally does the heavy lifting for little of the credit and less of the rewards.

It is March in Palestine, and in March we celebrate many holidays: the day of Palestinian dignity, the land day, Mothers' Day and International Women's Day . On this day, I ask myself as well as you, "What sort of women do we need in Palestine?" I will begin to posit an answer: A woman that takes active part in all of our life aspects whether they be social, political or cultural. Women that go out from their homes to work in the fields of education and politics. Politically, women have proven, time after time, to be next to men in the resistance to the occupation, and may be ahead of men in many ways. Women that never give up to the different social strains and obstacles, women that do not surrender to the stereotypes that makes her either a sex object or a piece of property, to be hidden away and used as a backdrop.

I invite you to add your own answer and amplify it from the rooftops.

Palestinian women must be in the front of our resistance, the first line of reason and dignity. To achieve this it is important to spread awareness locally as well, so that we may make the necessary social change and allow the space for the proper empowerment for the many women who will lead us in the future here at home.

Charles Malik, the Lebanese philosopher stated once, " The fastest way to change society is to mobilize the women of the world." This is what we are doing. This is part of our work on the ground , of our resistance to Israeli apartheid, of our constant struggle against the sexism that rules the order of the day. It is in this spirit that I offer my respect and appreciation to all the women of the world, those who paid and still paying a price toward freedom and independence that we have waited too long for.

Let us stand together. Let us strengthen our links of solidarity. Let us birth a world that bears the weight of our dreams of freedom.

From Gaza, with love I wish you a happy International Women's Day.

Mona ElFarra

be part of the change you want to make in the world

Gaza Marathon -1st of march 2012

Solidarity and Joy during the Gaza Marathon



March 01, 2012

It is such an usually cold, stormy and rainy day in Gaza. But despite the weather, 2000 children from UNRWA (United Nations Relief Work Agency) schools started out on the Second Gaza Marathon at 6:30am this morning. The marathon route stretched 42 km from Beit Hanoun in the north to Rafah in the south. There were 70 international runners who joined in solidarity with Palestinians. The end point was Rafah Beach where the participants were received by the cheers of the crowd and the UNRWA officials.the finish line to cheers from the crowd.

I was one of the MECA team in Gaza that took part in the marathon. We walked for 4 km and met many internationals from Spain, UK, USA, Fance, and Belgium. The whole atmosphere was one of solidarity and joy. I was so pleased to see children, especially girls, having fun. The children were all so excited and tired but happy. Around 2000 children age 12-15 took part in the marathon. We stayed until the end cheering and encouraging the runners.

Mohammed Majdalawi, another member of the MECA team in Gaza commented that "The Gaza Marathon went great and MECA is honoured to have taken part and to continue to work for a better future for all of Gaza's children."

Lots of smiles at the closing ceremony! Palestinian children.















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Happy International woman"s Day

Happy International Women's Day from Gaza



March 08, 2012




Dr. Mona El-Farra

From Gaza I send my warmest greetings to all of my friends and comrades, both here and abroad. On this occasion a message of love and yes, a call for steadfastness is in order. I send this message while Gaza is drowning in darkness, with no petrol, no internet, and most importantly none of the many basic medications, let alone ongoing medications needed for cancer patients and the treatment of several chronic illnesses. Hospitals and medical facilities are struggling hard to continue to provide meaningful services in such circumstances, and the burden is heavy.

As a woman living under the occupation, I can clearly see the impact these conditions have on the Palestinian population in general and women in particular. Despite the fact that many women provide for their families with very little resources, suffer from high unemployment and a general lack of security and safety, struggle against the daily unending Israeli siege and occupation, they still try in a multitude of ways support their families. Being a woman here can be like being a patient without a doctor. The best case scenario is the patient is strong, full of hope for a better future, and blind enough to the barriers to support their family that they continue to fight. These patients play dual roles, as we continue to contribute in the public sector, in different fields such as health, education and agriculture.

Women represent 51% of the Palestinian population, 12% of Palestinian working forces , 40% of university students, and 7% of families are headed by women. Women in Palestine know the meaning of solidarity more so than men, as we comprise a gender that globally does the heavy lifting for little of the credit and less of the rewards.

It is March in Palestine, and in March we celebrate many holidays: the day of Palestinian dignity, the land day, Mothers' Day and International Women's Day . On this day, I ask myself as well as you, "What sort of women do we need in Palestine?" I will begin to posit an answer: A woman that takes active part in all of our life aspects whether they be social, political or cultural. Women that go out from their homes to work in the fields of education and politics. Politically, women have proven, time after time, to be next to men in the resistance to the occupation, and may be ahead of men in many ways. Women that never give up to the different social strains and obstacles, women that do not surrender to the stereotypes that makes her either a sex object or a piece of property, to be hidden away and used as a backdrop.

I invite you to add your own answer and amplify it from the rooftops.

Palestinian women must be in the front of our resistance, the first line of reason and dignity. To achieve this it is important to spread awareness locally as well, so that we may make the necessary social change and allow the space for the proper empowerment for the many women who will lead us in the future here at home.

Charles Malik, the Lebanese philosopher stated once, " The fastest way to change society is to mobilize the women of the world." This is what we are doing. This is part of the work of the Middle East Children's Alliance, of our resistance to Israeli apartheid, of our constant struggle against the sexism that rules the order of the day. It is in this spirit that I offer my respect and appreciation to all the women of the world, those who paid and still paying a price toward freedom and independence that we have waited too long for.

Let us stand together. Let us strengthen our links of solidarity. Let us birth a world that bears the weight of our dreams of freedom.

From Gaza, with love I wish you a happy International Women's Day.

Mona ElFarra


.
























.








.

urgent Appeal From Gaza

Urgent Appeal for Solidarity from Gaza
gaza 11-3-2012 4pm


The Israeli army continues its military attacks against the Gaza Strip. The attacks started Friday, March 10 at 5:30pm. I heard the first terrible explosion as I drove back to Gaza City from Khan Younis. There was a lot of smoke, shattered windows, and a fire in this blue car that was targeted by a missile from an Israeli drone. These offensive acts, though supposedly targeting Palestinian armed resistance men, are illegal according to international law. Every human is entitled a trial.


As usual, the entire civilian population including women and children, pays the highest price and bears the brunt of this terrible situation. Already several children have been killed, one was on his way to school when he was hit by shrapnel.


Our concern is not just the attacks but also the lack of medications and supplies. If Israel continues this operation, the number of causalities will increase. The toll is 16 dead and 30 injured until this minute.

Gaza's population already lives in a dire humanitarian situation. We are still under Israel's military occupation and the internal conflict between Palestinian political groups is not solved. But worst of all, the governments of the world are silent and indifferent.


We at the Red Crescent Society of the Gaza Strip and the Middle East Children's Alliance appeal to the international community, and to our friends and supporters to spread the word about what is happening now in Gaza and pressure your governments to stop these attacks soon.


The humanitarian situation in Gaza is on the verge of collapse, the military attacks continue while we lack electricity and our medical facilities and hospitals have little amounts of fuel to operate their backup generators. We have insufficient medications. 186 basic medications are lacking in our pharmacies. Besides the insufficient medical supplies, children in the special neonatal intensive care units as well as renal dialysis patients are in great danger due to the power outage. Our cancer patients are dying unnecessarily, unable to have their treatments. Our diabetic and asthmatic patients, as well as many others with chronic illnesses who need their medications regularly cannot get it. The list of the victims is too long to mention.


Please act immediately to stop this attack against Gaza population. You have been always great supporters and showed your solidarity, at the most difficult times.


Yours sincerely


Dr. Mona ElFarra


Vice President, Red Crescent Society for the Gaza Strip


Director of Gaza Projects, Middle East Children's Alliance

Gaza this morning

Gaza this morning –19th of August 2011-8am
8am
Shattered glass , destroyed a big building (city library under construction) close to Rosy women beauty center, where I can see many broken windows, and people cleaning the rubble and the shattered glass, while I was on my way to check on the red crescent society, which is close to Arafat police headquarters building. It was not hit, as I have heard in the local radio news last night. I have received a phone call from a friend in the north (Beit Hanoun and Jabalia); he says there is continuous (artillery shelling) in the north and east of Gaza.
I do not know what is next! Is it an alarming attack? Is it a start of large scale operation against Gaza? I cannot predict or analyze but it is pretty obvious that the Israeli government intends to divert internal turmoil into Gaza civilians under the immoral pretense of security, they hit targets and terrify civilians, my main concern now is how to coordinate with other health providers, the emergency health services, while we lack basic medications and supplies in most of the health facilities
I could not sleep last night so many people in the city could not, I was thinking Israel will never be secure or safe by hitting Gaza or building more settlements or confiscate more land. Our Palestinian cause is a noble cause that is based on justice and rights as guaranteed by so many UN resolutions, unless the world really has been changed into a big jungle, where the most powerful controls, as the world seems so now. But this is not the end of the battle towards peaceful just world, the continued movements against injustice in many Arab countries will make the change, and inside Israel itself, too.
ps
Theresa I have mentiones in my previous release
Theresa, a master student in Public Health, has finished gathering data to implement family planning program. She will write a recommendation for the Red Crescent Society on how to implement joint husband-wife counseling.
.

Gaza under Israeli military attack

Gaza -August 18th -1am
Dear Freinds
I am ok.
They have started shelling Gaza City and different parts of the Gaza Strip. The first attack was so close to my building, the F16 hit Almuntada; they have also attacked the north of the city. Already 6 people have been injured and one killed(6 were killed few hours earlier on ). I can hear and see the emergency vehicles on their way to the site of the shelling. My computer is not working so I am using Theresa’s laptop - bad timing. It is sad to see the families below the building in panicking and running outside of the sea resort. The second shelling was against the police building (Arafat police headquarters), so close to the Red Crescent building. The operation is expected to be accelerated and the UN has evacuated its employees. I am trying to calm down while receiving many calls from friends and family checking on me. I have asked Theresa to leave to the west bank tomorrow; she was due to leave on Sunday. I am relieved it is the end of her visit, and she has accomplished her practicum.
Netanyahu exports the internal Israeli political turmoil to an external situation.

With love and solidarity
Mona

Bello Ciao- The Vic I Know

Bello Chio- the Vic i know -1975-2011


With deep sadness in my heart I write. I am sad and shocked that Vik has been taken from our world so soon and so tragically. I am appalled that such ignorant brutality and violence still exists in Palestinian society.
Vik you were dedicated, full of humanity, and fun. Your love for life, music and laughter meant that your presence always created a nice atmosphere, for our youth and children in different occasions. You shared our lives in Gaza for more than 2 years, you danced Dabbka , you would always reach out and shake hands with little boys and girls in the streets, you would play football with them. You were there in our funerals as well as our weddings. and more than that your daily protesting as member of the ISM alongside with Palestinians, on the borders against the buffer zone that was created by Israel, where Farmers were unable reach their land ,
Viktor you were always there with the ISM and Palestinian people, in peaceful protests against the occupation. Calling for justice, peace and a free Palestine,
I have known Viktor for more than 2 years. When he arrived to Gaza with the free Gaza movement Boats in August 2008, and since has stayed in Gaza during the siege and the ongoing different atrocities by the Israeli occupation. He was a radical real revolutionist comrade, on another occasion we met at al Aqsa hospital in the middle camps when Bianca, a member of the ISM, was shot by the Israelis in another peaceful protest against the buffer zone, he was so angry and showed his anger in a very open way. An angry young man, with smiling, beautiful, and peaceful eyes.
In my apartment in Gaza city, we had a light dinner with friends, and he was so happy and sang the nice famous Italian song Bella Ciao he translated it ,I felt empowered and inspired by him. We all sang it together.
Vik (VITTORI ) made thousands of children, youth and men happy , able to continue and steadfast against the occupation and siege , he will always be remembered by us in Palestine , he had a good time with us in Gaza, he was always smiling and happy, and above all worked according to his beliefs.
As a mother I am at loss for words. My thoughts and prayers go to his family.
My comrade, friend, and brother you will always be in my heart.

From Gaza with love
Mona Elfarra

i will reply in time

hello Dear freinds, readers,comrades brothers , sisters and all of you who are following my blog
thanks for responding to my writing, unfortunetly i have not read it , till this morning (it is completely technical error), for sure i will respond to all , but at the moment, iam ill with this silly allergic bronchitis , it makes me feel imprisoned , with all those directions of bed rest , AB, diffrent home remedies, and the cough is so strong, persistent and annoying .
please give me some time to heal , as iam on sick leave , and for somebody who is up and about like me , it is simply killing to be in bed !
love
Mona

Happy International Women's Day

The 100 hundred year anniversary comes this year, with the Motto of the duty of men and women, to work to end the violence against women and girls of the world. While Palestinian women still face all sorts of violence as the Israeli occupation continues to harass both men and women in Palestine, it is the women who bear the brunt of it. Women are facing increasing rules inside the family and the society as men’s mass unemployment in Gaza causes their proud role in the family to deteriorate. The burden is heavier when the husband is absent, a political prisoner inside Israeli jails or killed by the continuous military attacks. Besides the violence of the occupation, the harassment and constraints imposed by a very traditional society treat her as an unequal person, depriving her of her chances to be a free individual who can decide, achieve and contribute to the progress of the society and the world.
Despite this traditional and political backdrop, many women managed to get educated and find work, fighting daily for their rights. Education has played a great role, helping our women to recognize their rights and work to achieve them. This is no more evident than for those Palestinian women who have got jobs and achieved to some extent economic independence and above all to be better individuals for their own benefit and the society.
The different programmes run by Palestinian NGOS target women in a holistic approach, focusing on health, health education, legal aid, sports, nutrition, psychological support and counseling; but above all, awareness! With education, awareness is the other step towards enlightenment,
On International Women’s Day, I send a message of solidarity, love and appreciation to the women of Egypt and Tunisia, who were hand in hand with men to achieve the great change in their country, and I will them on to continue until they achieve all their political rights, towards a democratic, just and free society.
Happy International Women’s day from Gaza – Palestine.
Mona ElFarra
From Gaza With Love

be part of the change you want to make in the world

Gaza again and again

Back to Gaza, Back to Walking
22-1-2011

Walking during the early hours of the morning this Friday, the town
has not awoken yet, but a few children are playing on the side of the
road. Some are young girls, smiling, who invite me to join them to
play hopscotch. These are girls that are happy playing with little
boys, yet soon in a few years they will be forced to be covered.
Mixing with boys is one of the great, great taboos. Whether it is
because of tradition or religion, it does not matter.

Quite simply, they cannot practice their right to choose what to wear-
all are asked to surrender to the rules of the tribe, like herds of
sheep. Voices of difference or dissent are asked to shut up when the
current is running so strongly in the other direction.
I was thinking deeply of the years when the grandmothers of these
children walked to schools uncovered, during the Sixties and the
secular era of Nasser- how Gaza has changed.

All of a sudden I could hear and see two Israeli gunboats on the
horizon, just like two ugly protruding eyes on a huge face. It
reminded me of Orwell’s 1984, where Big Brother controls and watches
over you at all times.

What do we expect next as Palestinian people? I thought deeply about
this. Where is the outlet, the solution to this big dilemma?
Politicians seems to insist on a constant deadlock, and in the West
Bank, Israel proves every day that she is not a partner in peace, as
she steals more and more land and continues building new settlements.
In Gaza, Hamas rules while Israel controls our borders and continue
their daily attacks. Military attacks that are unheard and unseen by
many in this world, yet we live under this siege daily. The worst is
the constructed division between Hamas and Fatah, and the lack of
Palestinian unity. This affects ordinary peoples’ daily lives, from
the food we consume to the medicine we need. The other aspect which
people feel is the lack of any promise or inspiration on the political
horizon.

As for me, I remember my friend’s inspiring words, “When things seems
so bad, try to focus on small successes.” I thought of the work of the
Middle East Children’s Alliance(MECA), the Maia projects(water purification system for children in gaza schools ), the psycho- social
support for children, with their love for art programs, and their
chance for self expression. I am determined to continue helping and
empowering people with steadfastness. There are thousands of women
and children, courageous people who are living under such harsh
conditions, who need these programs and the love and support they
offer.

With love I send my message, with great conviction that the remedy for
Palestine is unity. Unity is the first step towards a clear strategy
to determine for ourselves what we need next for our future. I
believe strongly that this unity exists in the growing global
solidarity movement that stands with Palestinians for peace and
justice and against oppression wherever it exists, including within my
own land.

With your solidarity and support, we in Gaza will continue. It is a
long term battle, but one day we will all prevail.