Two days before Graduation day at Al Tafawk, soldiers prevented two of the teachers and a group of 16 children from getting to the Kindergarten. As there was no fuel to be bought for the minibus they were making the dangerous journey on foot when a group of about 14 armed Israeli soldiers stopped them on the street. They were all held there for several hours, sitting in the hot sun.

This week was a special one for many of the children at Al Tafawk Kindergarten as they celebrated their graduation.

It is sunflower season. 

Many of us will have seen these fantastic flowers standing tall in our gardens, their faces turning towards the sun. 

In Jenin, in the northern West Bank, they once grew sunflowers too. In Gaza, there were fields of flowers stretching towards the light.

Thank you for joining us and coming out and supporting.

Our next demo is August 22nd at 12pm
The Atkinson Theatre, Lord Street

Based on diaries and e-mail correspondence that architect Suad Amiry kept from 1981 to 2004, Sharon and My Mother-in-Law evokes the frustrations, cabin fever, and downright misery of daily life in the West Bank town of Ramallah

Today brings some wonderful news for the older students of Jenin Refugee Camp.

Around 150 girls and boys have successfully passed the exams needed to apply for courses at the Arab American University. This is an extraordinary achievement.

Dear Catholic Clergy, fellow members of Catholic Peace Movement Pax Christi, my fellow campaigners for justice for all, my family and friends,

Last Thursday, Liverpool members of Pax Christi staged a call outside BBC Radio Merseyside, for the urgent release by Israel, of kidnapped Gaza Hospital Director, Dr Hussam Abu Safiya.

The journey to Al Tafawk Kindergarten begins before sunrise for both the children and the staff and their journey is not an easy one.

When families were still living in the camp, most children could simply walk to the Center on their own. Today, the residents of the camp remain displaced, having been expelled by the Israeli military.

This week, the children of Al Tafawk marked Eid al-Adha, though the celebrations were subdued. At this time of year, children would usually receive toys as gifts, enjoy a feast of lamb, and gather with family and neighbours. It is a time of giving, sharing, and generosity.

A useful resource - “Palestine News is an independent publication produced by a group of journalists with decades of commitment to the Palestine movement. Our group is not allied to any political or religious organisation and is funded by voluntary contributions.”

And here we are again

I am sure, like me, you are all grateful to be gathered again amongst friends, it is getting harder, almost by the day, to stand up for what we believe, but we are here so – thank you.

Help Support Jenin's New Al Tawfawk Children’s Centre (after Israel's military destroyed the first one).

Daughters of Palestine: A Memoir in Five Generations by Leyla K. King