It was the year of lockdown, of finding new ways to engage, to tell stories and to fundraise. As we look ahead to 2021, we’re going to first look back at the year we’ve just left behind — a year of creative fundraising and emergency appeals, of presenting webinars and publishing books, of cementing old friendships and fostering new ones. This is the Amos staff team’s review of 2020.

“Last Monday was International Women’s Day, a global day intended to celebrate women. Just 8 days ago. Karin Joseph writes about a very difficult week for women in the UK.

“In a year when most of our friendships have been ‘remote’ ones, it’s hard to think of a more opportune or important time to build friendships with the people of Palestine.” Amos trustee Madeleine McGivern writes about making friends in Palestine.

“India is burning. Coronavirus is spreading throughout the country with renewed and devastating force. At the time of writing, daily infections are surpassing 360,000, and the total death toll has now passed a grim milestone of 200,000.” Karin Joseph writes about the current situation in India.

“In Europe, if you mention the word apartheid in South Africa almost everyone expresses their disagreement with it and how much they have been against it. If you mention Black Lives Matter in the UK, almost everyone is supportive of the civil right movement. But when it comes to us Palestinians, there’s only silence.” Ahmed Masoud writes about the current situation in East Jerusalem.