Palestinian Mission UK: We mourn our dead on Nakba Day

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We mourn our dead on Nakba Day Prof./Amb. Manuel Hassassian Today is Nakba Day and the killing fields of Gaza where 58 Palestinians were shot dead yesterday, make every Palestinian remember what this means more acutely than ever.  70 years ago 750,000 Palestinians were forcibly expelled from their homes by Zionist terror groups, creating the world's longest running refugee problem. Israel declared statehood amid this violence and ethnic cleansing. We were forced out of our cities, town and villages, 400 of which were utterly destroyed. 4 million acres of our land was stolen. Yesterday, the protestors who were  shot dead and maimed in Gaza are a product of this injustice. 80% of the 2 million Palestinians in Gaza are refugees and their descendants from 1948 as well as from Israel's invasion and occupation of what was left of historic Palestine in 1967. They live in 25 mile long piece of land. It is known as the biggest prison in the world. What makes a young Palestinian walk to a fence manned by Israeli snipers when they know they may lose their life? Is it, as the Israeli messaging is saying with the endlessly repeated mantra, that  Hamas is inciting them do so?  Or, is it not about, 70 years of oppression, dispossession and occupation? About a failed peace process which Israel sabotaged at every turn and used as a cover to build more illegal settlements and steal more land? Or about 11 years of a crushing blockade which makes life a misery. What makes that Palestinian walk to the fence? Isn't because he/she has no hope, no future, no dreams, nothing to live for? The opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem at this highly sensitive time was the final straw. The shiny barbarism of Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu pontificating about peace and freedom was beamed across the world while images of dying Palestinians, articulating their alienable right to returnm provided the starkest contrast for all to see. The Palestinians in Gaza are one of the most desperate examples of Palestinians under oppression. Today, on Nakba day, their voices are only being heard because they gave their lives. They have spoken for Palestinians everywhere. On Nakba Day, it is the 7 million refugees we remember. They live in 58 refugee camps, in blockaded Gaza, the occupied West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.  No matter what Israel and the US do or say, the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people can never be taken away. They will one day return to the land they were violently wrenched from as enshrined in UN resolution 194. The Great March of Return in Gaza was a symbolic metaphor for this. The Arab and Islamic world has unequivocally condemned the killings yesterday. The EU has also made condemnations. The British government, however, said it was 'concerned' for the loss of life and disproportionate use of force.  When will Britain unequivocally condemn Israel's actions and force it to comply with International law? The UK cannot ignore its historic responsibility to Palestinians. It should now make good and make this the last Nakba where young lives are lost.

Palestinian Mission UK: Statement by Dr. Erekat on the release of the UN Commission of Inquiry Report

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Statement by PLO Executive Committee member Dr. Saeb Erekat on the release of the UN Commission of Inquiry Report On this day, we have received the conclusion of the work and submission of the report of the Commission of Inquiry mandated to investigate violations of international humanitarian and human rights law in the occupied State of Palestine, including East Jerusalem, and particularly in the Gaza Strip. The State of Palestine will review the findings and recommendations of the Commission with the highest consideration, in line with its staunch commitment to ensuring respect for these esteemed bodies of international law. As we begin to do so, we urge the international community to recall that the only true path to peace lies in ending the Israeli occupation that began in 1967, and in ending crime and the impunity with which it continues to be perpetrated against our people.

via Palestinian Mission UK : Bethlehem delegation visits Bath & London - 3rd-8th March

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BETHLEHEM DELEGATION VISITING BATH & LONDON - 3rd - 8th March A trade delegation from Bethlehem will be visiting Bath, Bristol and London next week and is keen to meet anyone who may be interested in exploring potential import/export opportunities with the biblical birthplace of Jesus. The visit is being arranged by the Bethlehem-Bath Links charity, with support from Business West and the London and Bath Chambers of Commerce.  The delegates arrive in Bath on Tuesday 3rd March for two days and then visit London for a series of meetings before heading back to Bethlehem on Sunday.   The delegation, led by Fayrouz Khoury from the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce (second from left), will exhibiting at the Bath Business Expo at the Assembly Rooms from 1000-1500 on Wednesday 4th March, where Bethlehem-Bath Links will have a stand. The Palestinian Ambassador to the UK, Prof Manual Hassassian, will be meeting the delegation at the Expo in the afternoon. The delegates, who represent a range of business interests, would like to meet anyone interested in: travelling to Palestine/Jordan/Israel with Golden Gate Tours of Bethlehem, which specialises in Holy Land tours and holidays to the region importing olive and tea tree health and beauty products made by Raed Cosmetics      in Bethlehem, which are currently sold across the Middle East importing hand-made designer aluminium jewellery from Bethlehem's Iyad Jewellery exporting UK cosmetics or domestic cleaning products to Jala Care in Palestine discussing trade or any other links with the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce To meet the delegation at the Bath Business Expo please register for free entry and email megan@bethlehem-bath.com to register your interest 'OPEN BETHLEHEM' FILM + KEN LOACH - Wed 4th March - 6.30pm - Chapel Arts On Wednesday 4th March there will be a public screening of the feature documentary   'Open Bethlehem' at Chapel Arts, with a Q&A with Ken Loach and the film's director Leila Sansour afterwards.Tickets £9/£7 from Chapel Arts or Bath Box Office on 01225 463362. "One of the most remarkable and moving documentaries I have seen about this unreported story – the tragedy of the Palestinians encapsulated in the life of one family and one town"  Jon Snow, Channel 4 BUSINESS WEST EVENT - Thursday 5th March - 1000-1230 Business West will be holding a welcome event for the delegation at Leigh Court in Bristol on Thursday 5th from 1000-1230.  Any West Country companies interested in arranging an informal meeting with the delegation to discuss potential import/export opportunities are invited to attend by emailing sarah.hildersley@businesswest.co.uk YOUNG GREETINGS CARD ENTREPRENEUR Joining the Bethlehem company directors on their UK visit will be 24 year old Maysa Alshaer, who won the recent 'Young Palestinian Entrepreneur' competition sponsored by Bethlehem-Bath Links and Wataniya Mobile. Maysa's greetings card company has proved such a success that she has received interest from Egypt and other Middle Eastern counties, so she is looking to scale up her business to meet demand. The University of Bath Innovation Centre will be giving Maysa one to one entrepreneurial advice while she is in Bath and further online support when she is back in her home town of Jenin in Palestine. If any greetings card or design companies would like to invite Maysa to visit their businesses in Bath, Bristol or London during her visit to the UK, please email megan@bethlehem-bath.com SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Sponsorship of the delegation's visit is available. Benefits include displaying your company banners at the Bath Business Expo, the Business West event and the screening of the 'Open Bethlehem' film at Chapel Arts with Ken Loach,including a verbal thank you on the night and complimentary tickets. For further details please email megan@bethlehem-bath.com. Alternatively please kindly make a donation at www.justgiving.com/b-bl or post a cheque made payable to 'Bethlehem-B&NES Links' to: Kieran Fitzpatrick Treasurer Bethlehem-Bath Links 30 Gay Street Bath BA1 2PA UK or email peter@bethlehem-bath.com for further details. A gift aid form for UK taxpayers can be downloaded HERE.  This can increase the value of donatons by 25% Your support would be very much appreciated Copyright © 2015 Bethlehem-Bath Links Ltd, All rights reserved.

Palestinian Mission UK: Open Bethlehem: A Documentary Feature By Leila Sansour

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"Powerful" Time out . "Absolutely essential viewing" Edinburgh Reporter . "Undeniably potent and poignant" Radio Times.  "Mischievous and Witty" Paul Laverty  "Amazing" Irvine Welsh . "Beautiful and moving" Avi Shlaim.                                                                   No Images? Click here

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Dear Friends, Please find a list of Open Bethlehem screenings ‎for the months of March and April both in the UK and internationally. We have screenings coming up in London, Norwich, Bath, Coventry, Sheffield, Dubai, Brussels and many more. Please share with your friends and help us educate people about the situation in Bethlehem. To organise your own screening please visit:           https://www.ourscreen.com/film-details/173303  or email Frank Smith franksmith@munrofilmservices.co.uk 01 March - Derby Quad  -  Screening and Q&A with Director                 BUY 02 March - Norwich Cinema City - Screening and Q&A chaired by Sally-Ann Wilson, CEO of the Public Media Alliance                             21.00 BUY 03 March - The Courtyard, Hereford Borderlines Film Festival) and Q&A                                                                                                           20.00 BUY 04 March - Bath Chapel Arts - Screening and Q&A                             18.30  05 March - London ICA : Screening and Q&A chaired by best selling author, Louisa Young                                                                             20:30 7 March Exeter University: Screening and Q&A                                    14:30 08 March - Stratford Upon Avon Picturehouse - Screening (via Ourscreen.com – this screening will go ahead if enough tickets are booked. Spread the word!)                                                                         18.00 BUY 09 March - Hackney Picturehouse - Screening (via Ourscreen.com – this screening will go ahead if enough tickets are booked. Spread the word!)                                                                                                           18.00 BUY 09 March - Exter Picturehouse - Screening (via Ourscreen.com – this screening will go ahead if enough tickets are booked. Spread the word!)                                                                                                           21.00 BUY 10 March - Coventry Showcase - Screening and Q&A with Director        PM 12 March - Sheffield Church - Screening  13 March - Salisbury Studio Theatre - Screening                                     PM 14-23 March - Screenings in UAE and Q&A with director Watch out for dates  18 March - Leicester Pheonix - Screening and Q&A                        PM BUY 18 March - Aberystwyth Morlan Centre - Screening                    19.00 INFO 23 March London Ritzy (Screening (via Ourscreen.com – this screening will go ahead if enough tickets are booked. Spread the word!)    18:00 BUY 23 March Liverpool Picturehouse at Fact  (Screening (via Ourscreen.com – this screening will go ahead if enough tickets are booked. Spread the word!)                                                                                            18:00 BUY 25 March - Aberystwyth Arts Centre - Screening and Q&A with Director (The Wales One World Festival)                                                   20.15 BUY 26 March - Rhosygilwen, Pembrokeshire - Screening and Q&A with Director                                                                                         20.00 BUY 28 March - Stratford East Picturehouse - Screening                    13.00 BUY 29 March Brussels Screening and Q&A with director                             PM 30 March - Hackney Picturehouse - Screening (via Ourscreen.com – this screening will go ahead if enough tickets are booked. Spread the word!)                                                                                                           18.00 BUY 30 MarDuke of Yorks, BrightonScreening (via Ourscreen.com – this screening will go ahead if enough tickets are booked. Spread the word!)                                                                                                                     BUY 31 March - Brecon at the Muse - Screening                                             PM 8 April - Gloucester Guildhall - Screening and Q&A with Director             PM 12 April - Sheffield Showroom - Screening and Q&A with Director                                                                                                         Late afternoon TBA 21 April - Swansea Taliesin Arts Centre - Screening and Q&A with Director                                                                                                          TBA INFO 22 April - Milford Haven, The Torch - Screening                            TBA INFO 08 May - Grimsby Oasis Wintringham - Screening                        TBA INFO

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Palestinian Mission UK: British Parliamentarians; “shared determination to speak out on the injustices in Palestine”

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British Parliamentarians; "shared determination to speak out on the injustices in Palestine" 18.1.2015 - Ramallah, Palestine - A delegation of senior British Labour Members of Parliament met with Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah in Ramallah on the last day of three-day visit to Palestine.  The Prime Minister praised the British Parliament for its historic vote to call on the British government to recognise the state of Palestine in October 2014. He told the delegation that "We count on you to take a lead, Britain has an historic responsibility". He briefed the MPs on Palestine's plans regarding the International Criminal Court and the United Nations Security Council.  He stressed that it was now "time for all the international community to be involved not just the Americans." The Rt Hon Liam Byrne MP, the shadow Secretary of State of Universities and Gavin Shuker MP, the shadow minister for international development were on a fact-finding visit organised by Medical Aid for Palestinians  (MAP) and the Council for Arab-British Understanding (Caabu). Both MPs recently voted in favour of Palestinian Statehood in the British Parliament.  Liam Byrne MP said: "There is a shared determination to speak out on the injustices in Palestine. We need to be better at building bridges, not building walls. The conflict in Gaza has given this issue a new profile in Europe and particularly in Britain, over the next few years it will only get bigger and bigger. Gavin Shuker MP said: "Travelling to the West Bank secured in me a sense that this is the right time to go further in terms of recognition and supporting the two-state solution, the key moment is now" The delegation has had meetings with diplomats, UN agencies, local and international Non-Government Organisations. They visit Palestinian communities under threat of displacement and home demolition in the Jordan Valley and also at the village of Al Walajeh.   Notes for Editors:// -The delegation also met with the Assistant Minister on European Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,  Ambassador Amal Jadou.  -Photos of the visit are available - see below - -For additional comment please contact - Chris Doyle +447968040281 .

Palestinian Mission UK: Palestine's Disabled Children - UK Charity Founder awarded MBE in New Year's Honours List]

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PRESS RELEASE - MBE AWARDED TO FOUNDER OF ACTION around BETHLEHEM CHILDREN with DISABILITY (ABCD) FOR 30 YEARS OF WORKING WITH DISABLED CHILDREN N PALESTINE It is with great pleasure that we announce that Val Jourdan, Founder of Action around Bethlehem Children with Disability (ABCD) has been awarded an MBE in the New Year's Honours for her services as "Founder, Action around Bethlehem Children with Disability, Palestinian Territories, for services to improving the lives of disabled children in the West Bank" This is a wonderful accolade for her work as Founding Trustee and for ABCD too. Georgina Mortimer – Chairman ABCD, UK Registered Charity 1097623 Contact details bethlehem@btconnect.com tel 0208343 4246 31st December 2014 Val says: "I am, of course, hugely honoured to receive the MBE , but I do so on behalf of all those who have worked for our charity Action around Bethlehem Children with Disability – (ABCD) since our foundation in 1984 and none more so than our Chairman, Georgina Mortimer. The aim of ABCD is to improve the quality of life for those children in Palestine suffering from physical, mental and psychological disabilities regardless of faith, race or creed. We have worked continuously with the same local partners, The Bethlehem Arab Society for Rehabilitation, (BASR) and in particular with their Children's Co-ordinator Rima Canawati, who is herself blind. Together with the BASR we have helped create day care centres reaching out and bringing grass roots treatment alongside helping fund staff training programmes in Community Rehabilitation and paramedical skills. Our work continues to increase as the needs of children in the West Bank grow day by day. With 30 years in the field we are now able to use this extensive experience to help further afield. Our latest projects are establishing rehabilitation services in two refugee camps in Northern Palestine and of course we could do more if further funding was available. Our Patrons give us very special support, as do our Trustees past and present who have contributed brilliantly over the years adding many, many various talents to the success of the charity. I would like to dedicate this award to all those who support ABCD, also to the many organisation and individuals who so generously fund our work. If you are hearing about ABCD for the first time, I will feel heartened that the award of the MBE has put me and ABCD in touch with you, as without you and all our supporters nothing can be achieved." Val Jourdan - Founding Trustee