Palestinian
Children come to Chester to tell their stories and share their lives.
A
group in Chester is giving Cestrians a chance to meet and talk to
young Palestinians about what it is like to live and go to school in
the West Bank. The public meeting will be held in the POP-UP Gallery
next to Alexander's in Rufus Court, Chester CH1 2JW, from 4pm on
Sunday 12th October (next Sunday) Entrance to the meeting is
absolutely free, but there will be Palestinian Snacks and a hearty
English Stew available for which donations are requested. The
Children are mainly between 13 and 15, and they very much hope to
meet children of their own age as well as adults.
The
Group also includes Adam Halabiyeh, 18, who, with a friend Johar, was
shot in the legs multiple times by Israeli Soldiers on his way home
from Football training. When asked where he had come from, and he
said 'football training', they broke both boys' knees. They were held
in an Israeli Detention Centre for four days, then treated at the
family's cost in Jordan, as no hospital in Palestine could treat
their injuries. On his return, Adam was arrested and imprisoned for
three months. Once again, after a campaign by Camden-Abu Dis Twinning
group, who have organised this visit, he was released without charge.
Adam
cannot play football any more, but the other boys will play five a
side against a Lache team at 'Goal' in Bumper's Lane at 13:00, and
other teams (age about 14) can contact Rod Cox if they would like to
play (Rod@cape.uk.net).
Rod
Cox, of Chester Friends of Palestine said: "The devastation of
Gaza outraged everyone. But the Humiliation and suffering in the West
Bank, of teenagers especially, continues quietly and gets daily
worse. Israel imprisons children without trial or charge in violation
of the Geneva Conventions, and ignoring the world's condemnation. In
Football their Government's Apartheid Policies of discrimination
against Palestinians is also illegal, and a particular target of the
Kick Racism out of Football campaign instituted by the English FA."
"There
are always voices to be heard making excuses for Israeli behaviour,
but it is rare for people to be able to meet and talk directly with
Palestinians, so we hope as many as possible will take advantage of
the opportunity."
The
Mayor of the Town is also on the tour, and with excellent
translators, the organisers hope that he, Adam and the Children from
this Jerusalem suburb of Abu Dis will be able to answer everyone's
questions, and everyone will have the chance to meet and talk with
them while sharing a mint tea or Humous Dip.
