Public Events Speaking Tour 2023
Light in Gaza: Writings Born of Fire brings together sixteen essays and poems by twelve Palestinian writers. The book includes political essays, personal narratives, economic analysis, and poetry. The book is edited by American Friends Service Committee staff Jehad Abusalim, Jennifer Bing, and Mike Merryman-Lotze and published by Haymarket Books.
The Israeli arms companies that will profit from the latest assault on Gaza
Weapons and surveillance manufacturers have an interest in maintaining Gaza as a playground for any technology Israel wishes to test on Palestinians.
Republished from +972 Magazine
Witnessing the latest attacks on Gaza: An interview with AFSC Gaza staff members Serena Awad and Ali Abdalbari
On Aug. 5, 2022, Israel launched another military assault of Gaza. Over three days, the attacks killed at least 47 people—including 16 children—and injured over 300.
In this interview, Gaza Program Officer Serena Awad and Program Coordinator Ali Abdalbari share their experiences from the escalation—and how communities have worked to recover since then.
In photos: Providing school supplies for children in Gaza
Earlier this year, AFSC supporters like you donated to help purchase school supplies for children in Gaza. Thank you to everyone who has made a gift so far!
55 years after Six-Day War, we must move beyond partition and Apartheid
This week marks 55 years since the Six-Day War in 1967, when Israel occupied the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Gaza, and the Syrian Golan.
Helping children in Gaza get ready for school
In May 2021, Israeli air raids destroyed many homes and schools in the Gaza Strip. The attacks came as the COVID-19 pandemic was already preventing many students from attending school.
National study shows many Americans oppose Gaza blockade
Every year, the U.S. wastes $3.8 billion dollars sending weapons to Israel and funding its military. With U.S. taxpayer funds, thousands of Palestinians have been killed or displaced. Countless homes, hospitals, schools, and other institutions have been destroyed.
Apartheid in Israel and Palestine
Israeli, Palestinian, and international human rights organizations have all described the situation in Palestine and Israel as one of Apartheid. This is a reality that must be understood and addressed.
5 ways you can support Palestinians in Gaza
“We can’t give Gaza only seasonal attention,” AFSC's Jehad Abusalim said in an interview. “The violence continues. Ending the political isolation of Gaza and trying to make Gaza a place we can imagine living in is our mandate.”
Update: Humanitarian response in Gaza
Thanks to supporters like you, we're providing aid to elderly Palestinians and their families whose homes were destroyed or severely damaged in the attacks on Gaza.
A Ceasefire is Not Enough: Voices from Gaza
For eleven days in May 2021 the Israeli military bombed Gaza, killing at least 242 Palestinians including 66 children. A ceasefire has been reached, but as Refaat Alareer outlines in this clip, the cost for Palestinians in Gaza in terms of loss of life, destroyed homes, and suffering has been enormous.
Refaat: Ending the bombing is not enough
Refaat Alareer, a professor and author at Islamic University, guides students through the violent attacks on Gaza. Join Alareer and take action today.
Asmaa on the economic devastation of the Israeli attacks on Gaza
Asmaa discusses the destruction of infrastructure by the Israeli attacks on Gaza. The detrimental effects have impacted civilians' attempt for job opportunities. Take action today. Tell Congress to call for an immediate, complete, and unconditional end to the Gaza blockade.
A cease-fire is welcome, but it isn't enough
AFSC staffer Jehad Abusalim, who is from Gaza, shared this statement in response to recent news.
The Gaza cease-fire is no excuse for the world to look away
I celebrate the cease-fire with ambivalence. That’s because, even though it puts a temporary end to the spectacular violence of the past 11 days, it will not end the everyday violence in Gaza and across the occupied territories that has been going on for 73 years.
Facebook Live: Updates from Gaza
Hear Updates from Palestinians living in Gaza. Connect with Actions you can take to Support.
Challenging Narratives about Gaza and Violence
This article was first published in June 2018. It was edited and updated on May 17, 2021.
This Must End
A Letter from Gaza as Israel's bombs fall.
Connecting in Crisis: Perspectives from Gaza and Jerusalem
This week dozens of Palestinians, including nine children, have been killed by an Israeli bombing in Gaza. This tragic event comes as the latest in a series of escalating acts of violence during he month of Ramadan as Palestinian communities have been threatened with forced displacement and increasingly restrictive treatment, particularly in Jerusalem.
Congress Members Call on Israel to Provide Covid Vaccines to Palestinians
On March 15, 2021 Rep. Mark Pocan and Rep. Andre Carson led in the sending of a letter to Secretary of State Blinken requesting that the State Department take action to ensure that the Israeli government provide COVID-19 vaccines and facilitate vaccination programs for Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza.
The Dreams of Youth
The stories linked below provide glimpses into the lives of four young people currently living in Gaza.
Humanitarian aid is not enough to bring peace to Palestine
While the Biden administration has indicated it will restore critical humanitarian funding for Palestine, we need political action to bring lasting peace with justice.
غزة: إعادة تخيل حدود الممكن - دعوة لتقديم ملخصات
The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) seeks abstracts for an anthology tentatively entitled – “Gaza: Reimagining the Boundaries of Possibility.” Writers from Palestine are invited to submit essays for this anthology.