Aida refugee camp lives in the shadow of the Israeli separation wall. The camp is over crowded, with no space for children to play. Young people vent their frustration by throwing stones at Israeli watchtowers and into the neighbouring army camp.
Israeli soldiers respond with tear gas and sound bombs, arresting children and firing rubber bullets and live ammunition.
“Young people in Aida Camp believe it is normal to throw stones, to inhale tear gas, to hide from soldiers but this is not normal. We have to let them see what normal life is and to know what they should aspire to.” Abdelfattah Abusrour, Director of Alrowwad Centre for Culture & Arts.
Amos partner, Alrowwad teaches ‘beautiful resistance’ inspiring young people to channel their activism into creative non-violence using music, dance, drama, film and photography.
Our range of resource and fundraising packs, blog posts, downloads and products have been produced to help you find out more about Amos Palestine Justice.
“My current work is an echo of my exiled self. The employment of digital windows and messages is emblematic of my artistic method. My screen connects me to the world but detaches me from it. Although I no longer live in Gaza, I am still affected by feelings of isolation and captivity. My artwork is a dialogue with a new reality and a pursuit of an evasive happiness.”
Picasso stated: “Every act of creation begins with an act of destruction.” This is horribly true of Maha Daya’s paintings which document the consequences of Israeli warplanes’ strikes on Gaza. There is no beauty or life in these haunting artworks. The buildings have not collapsed. They are defiant and resilient and refuse to fall. They are monuments to injustice and devastation.
“Mohammed’s characters feel anonymous. The figures appear of varying origins — endless and with infinite colour. They are shadow characters with no rights in soil, sea, or sky. The displaced and alienated move through hazy colour spaces as if from a dream. They are escaping a brutal and painful reality in a desperate search for peace.”
At precisely 1 am on 16th May 2021, Israeli jets bombarded a densely populated residential area in the centre of Gaza City. Zainab was trapped under the rubble of her apartment block for 12 hours. She lost 22 members of her family in the attack. At the launch of her exhibition, she said, “I hope that you will not praise my paintings or document my achievement with joy. Instead, I hope you will help me spread my cause and raise my voice to hold this occupier to account.”
Mahmoud uses medicinal blister packs to construct intelligent, sophisticated and meticulous architectural cityscapes. The symbolism of the impact of the ongoing conflict in Gaza and its affect on mental health is profound. A recent report by Save the Children stated that over 80% of children in Gaza suffer from mental health problems.
“While our expertise is in arts and culture, the harsh realities on the ground have made relief work an unavoidable responsibility.” In this month’s Stories of Hope, we hear from Ribal Alkurdi, Executive Director at Alrowwad Cultural Centre, who explains why they feel compelled to undertake food programmes in Aida Refugee Camp.
Amos Trust is not an aid organisation. But how can we stand in solidarity with people in Gaza and the West Bank if we do not do all that we can to support them when we see so much suffering? 92% of homes in Gaza City have been destroyed or badly damaged and the infrastructure has been completely obliterated. Further north, in Jabalia, Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahia, the devastation is even worse. Please help.
Our second book of poetry, prose, creative writing and reflection is now available. ‘Seeds Of Hope: More Thoughts and Reflections from Amos Trust’ has contributions from Zena Kazeme, Arundhati Roy, Ben Okri, Cornel West, Angela Davis, Robert Cohen, Maya Angelou and our partner Abdelfattah Abusrour. “What a wonderful collection of writing — rich, deep, broad, funny, touching, angry, and, most importantly, encouraging.” Brian Eno — producer, musician, writer and artist.
Amos Trust
7 Bell Yard, London
WC2A 2JR
UK
Telephone:
+44 (0) 203 725 3493
Email:
[email protected]
Registered Charity No.
1164234
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