In my first month of European Voluntary Service, I spent time considering which projects in the youth centre and in the local community needed additional support and where I would spend my working week. During this time I also thought about combining my greatest passion, humanitarian issues, with in my opinion, the best vehicle to inspire people, cinema. My plan is to screen a wealth of films, focusing on a variety of topics which will encourage responsible citizenship and compassionate young adults. I hope to develop this by working with other clubs in the youth centre to have a programme of events for each topic.
The first topic is one that is personally very close to my heart, and a subject which receives very little media attention despite continual violations of international law and human rights abuses. Palestine.
On the 30th March every year people from all over the world remember Palestine. 'Land Day' commemorates the events of 1976, when many people will injured and even killed during marches against plans for the explanation of illegal settlements. In Darchabeb, Kalaa Kebira, the young people created a mural in their football grounds to mark this day. Listening to the music of British political rapper Lowkey, it was such a happy moment for me to share with such inspiring young people.
We then screened the movie 'Miral', based on a true story about the life of Rula Jebreal growing up in Palestine, followed by a discussion about peoples feelings about the film. The screening of the film picked up a lot of local press attention thanks to my mentor Jalel Babay.
The next film we screened was 'The Lemon Tree' directed by Israeli Eran Riklis. Another emotional highly film about a widow who fights to keep her grove of lemon trees when it is threatened by the Israeli Security Forces. Both films offer insight into the daily struggles of Palestinians at the hands of their occupiers, and everyone was extremely touched by the stories and powerful imagery.
In my experience in Scotland, it's near impossible to mention the issue of Palestine in any governmental body without fear of being labelled as anti-Semitic or extremist. I've found that in the youth centre, we are fortunate that we can discuss this issue, with peace in our hearts and not aggression, only hoping for a better future for Palestinians.
I hope to learn from the local youth about issues which they are passionate about, I'm sure we will continue to find similarities between us.
Existence is resistance. Long Live Palestine.
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