Skype links with Abu-Dis

Saoirse, Lucy, Hajar, Eloise, Sorcha and Ryan meet at the CADFA office for the Skype call to Abu-Dis

Skype call

Yesterday, the youth links team met to catch up with the young people from Abu-Dis via a Skype call. It was lovely to speak to some of the young people we had met earlier in the year and find out what everybody had been up to since the visit in June. We found the discussion very shocking, they told us that due to the Military rule on Palestinian streets, it isn't safe for young people to stay out with their friends. Their parents are often worried about them and won't risk letting their children out after school times. Unfortunately, due to this a lot of the people who took part in the exchange visit in June weren't able to make it to the CADFA friendship house for the Skype call. 

Saleh told us about his experience at a refugee camp where he spends some of his weekends to visit his family. Israeli soldiers often invade the camp on weekends with explosives and the camp is crowded with over 20,000 people living in it. 

Young people in Palestine are not able to peacefully protest against the occupation. All four of the boys we spoke to yesterday had been shot with rubber bullets (which may not sound dangerous but in some cases can kill people.) Fortunately the boys were lucky and were not severely hurt by the rubber bullets. For these young boys, just getting to and from school is a struggle. 

UN Children’s day – Protect Palestinian children

Today is UN Children’s day and the CADFA youth links team have recognised it by organising a demonstration/protest. The day acknowledges universal children’s Human Rights, the right to education and the right to family life. 

Since 1st October 2015, 17 children have been killed in Palestine and many injured by the Israeli army. 2,500 have to go through at least one checkpoint a day on their journey to school. Palestinian children’s education is often disrupted by tear gas fired by Israeli soldiers and 133 children have been arrested since 1st October. CADFA youth links team are calling out for protection of the Palestinian children and the rights they are entitled to. 

The youth links team work together to build friendship links between British and Palestinian young people as well as promoting Human Rights and International Law in Palestine. CADFA hold exchange visits where Palestinian children are given the opportunity to share their own experiences and stories. The group’s aim is to inform and educate people about the abuse of Human Rights in Palestine. The team’s blog is youthcadfa.blogspot.co.uk or you can contact CADFA on Facebook or twitter CADFA (Camden Abu Dis Friendship Association)

#CADFA #YouthlinkswithPalestine on the streets

CADFA Youth Links Demonstrations/Protests

Beth handing out leaflets on child imprisonment and Ryan with a petition to the Foreign secretary collecting signatures on Church Street, Stoke Newington

Ryan again collecting signatures for the petition in Kentish Town. Sorcha and Bea holding up a banner "End the violence. Stop the killings. Human rights for Palestinians."

The CADFA youth links team have recently taken part in a number of protests/ stalls in the streets, protesting against the killings, woundings and arrests of young people in the West Bank and the arrests of hundreds of them including the brother of one of our friends. We invite other young people to join us!