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Ibdaa and Meca continued on page

MECA Launches the Maia Project

n September 2009 MECA launched the Maia Project, a long-erm initiative to address one of the most harmful features of

he Israeli Occupation and the blockade of Gaza: The systematic

denial of clean, safe drinking water. Israel has appropriated wa-

er and water sources for Jewish citizens inside Israel and illegal

sraeli settlements in the West Bank. Israel denies materials, fuel,

nd permits to maintain and expand Palestinian water systems.

And military attacks predictablyand often deliberatelyde-

troy wells, water tanks, pipes, treatment plants, and sewage

ystems. Widespread poverty prevents people from purchasing

lean water or repairing their wells and plumbing. In Gaza, es-

ecially, the poor quality and inadequate quantities of water con-

ributes to serious health problems.

The Maia Project began when children at the UN school in Bu-

eij Refugee Camp, Gaza were given the opportunity to hold an

lection to choose one thing they most wanted for

heir school: They chose to have drinking water. MECA provid-

d the funds to build a water purication and desalinization sys-

tem for the school in 2007. A year later, MECA helped cons

a system at the UN school in Nuseirat Refugee Camp. E

unit provides drinking water for 2,000 students and staff. Th

to generous contributions from hundreds of MECA suppor

four more units are in progress, and more will be installe

funds are raised.

winter 2009

the

MAIAProjectBringing clean water

to the children of Palestine

Ibdaa and MECA:Creating SolidarityBy Ziad Abbas, MECA Associate Director,Co-Founder, Ibdaa Cultural Center, Dheisheh Reugee

Camp, Palestine

Over the years that Ibdaa and MECA have been working togeth-

r, many people have asked me why the two organizations have

uch a strong partnership, and how this partnership developed. It

s unique and could, perhaps, serve as a model for other interna-

ional solidarity organizations.

The Ibdaa Cultural Center started in 1994 as an initiative by refu-

gees to form a youth dance troupe to build a new generation of

eaders and tell the stories of Palestinian refugees. Today, Ib-

daa has two multi-story buildings, providing vital educational

and cultural opportunities for thousands of children, women

and youth. In these fteen years of growth and change, Ibdaa

has come to know the real meaning of solidarity through our

relationship with the Middle East Childrens Alliance. Thbecause MECA has never come with a separate agenda. T

always supported the leadership of Palestinian refugees, lis

ing and responding to our requests to help meet our commun

needs, and stood behind us in support of our political strugg

MECAs relationship to Ibdaa dates back to early 1988, be

either organization existed. I met Barbara Lubin during her

trip to Palestine, and each time she brought a MECA del

tion from the United States to Palestine, I would host the

Dheisheh. We raised awareness about refugee rights and g

people from the US the opportunity to see a refugee camphear directly from camp residents about their lives, hopes,

dreams. In 1989 MECA supported the creation of a commu

run clinic in Dheisheh that was established by local activ

Other international funders preferred to work with well-es

lished NGOs rather than grassroots, community organizat

Already I could tell that MECA was different.

Barbara and I had a strong friendship and, even more than

we shared a similar political vision, which centered around

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Dear Friend,A year ago, in November 2008, Israel unilaterally

broke a ceasere with Hamas when it entered Gaza

nd killed six Hamas ghters. The next day, it im-

posed a suffocating blockade of Gaza, sealing all

outes in and out. Little or no food, medicine, fuel,

arts for water and sanitation systems, phones,

aper, glue, shoes, schoolbooks, or much else got through. On

December 27, 2008, when Israel began dropping bombs on

he people of Gaza they were already starving. By the time the

round invasion ended three weeks later, 1,400 people, includ-

ng 400 children, were killed, an estimated 4,247 homes and

00 of Gazas 2,000 wells

were destroyed, along with schools, hospitals, UN buildings,

actories, farms, power plants and water treatment facilities.

The assault on Gaza nally woke people up. Many who had ig-

nored or avoided the issue of Palestine spoke out for the rst

ime. There was a new level of outrage, as reports and photos

ame out of dead children, disguring injuries from white phos-

horous and DIME weapons, the destruction of whole communi-

ies, and escape routes blocked.

Eight months later the UN Goldstone Report was released

oncluding that Israel violated international human rights and

humanitarian law and committed actions amounting to war

rimes, and possibly crimes against humanity. The report waspredictably either condemned as being biased against Israel or

ommended for being even-handed because it includes charges

gainst Hamas too. Roberts Fisk writes in The Independent of

London Israeli government ofcials announced that their in-

vestigations were a thousand times fairer than the Goldstone

nvestigation. Barrack Obamas UN ambassador, Susan Rice,

ondemned the Goldstone investigation with the pathetic (and,

gain, typical) remark that our view is that we have to remain

ocused on the future. The US Congress voted 344-36 in fa-

vor of a resolution calling on the President and the Secretary of

State to unequivocally oppose any endorsement of the Goldstone

Report. The Palestinian Authority went out of its way to further

weaken its credibility and support among the Palestinian popula-

ion when it reversed its demand that the International Criminal

Court investigate allegations of war crimes committed by Israel

n Gaza. This was after intense lobbying by Israel and the US,

acked up by Israeli threats to scuttle a lucrative telecommunica-

ions deal the PA was counting on.

The Goldstone Report, and all the focus on Gaza over this past

year, has created opportunities to educate people and build a big-

ger, stronger, long-term movement for justice in

estine. But we have to get people to see the bi

picture. What happened in Gaza last winter has b

happening to Palestinians for more than sixty y

In fact, eighty percent of the people in Gaza be

to families who were driven out of what becam

rael in 1948. But watching the news shows, R

ert Fisk points out, Youd think that history beyesterday, that a bunch of bearded anti-Semitic Islamist lun

suddenly popped up in the slums of Gaza . . . and began

missiles into peace-loving, democratic Israel, only to meet

the righteous vengeance of the Israeli air force.

Israel inicted major assaults on Gaza in 2004 and 2006. It

responsible for the 1982 massacres in the Sabra and Shatila

ugee Camps in Lebanon, and pre-state militias perpetuated

1948 massacres in Deir Yassin, Tantura and elsewhere du

the massive ethnic cleansing that established Israel as a Jew

majority state. While the homes of families in Gaza were

ing attened by bombs, the homes of families in East Jerusawere demolished because of court orders. Many were alre

refugees from 1948 or 1967. Farmland stolen to build the W

and farmland decimated by tanks is part of a policy to des

Palestinians means of survival and ties to the land. A young

shot by rampaging West Bank settlers is as much a victim o

Israeli government as a boy shot by soldiers in Rafah.

On December 31, 2009, hundreds of activists from more

twenty-ve countries will join the Gaza Freedom March, o

nized by the International Coalition to End the Illegal Sieg

Gaza to mark the one year anniversary the Israeli attacks

demand an end to the illegal blockade. Participants will m

alongside the people of Gaza from the southern border

Egypt to be joined by Israeli and Palestinian activists at

northern border with Palestine/Israel.

The international academic and cultural boycott of Israe

growing. Activists have been deshelving Israeli produc

Trader Joses and creating parodies of pro-Israel propaga

Well-known actors and writers denounced Israels attemp

use the Toronto Film Festival to burnish its image. Europ

labor unions and local governments are cutting ties with Isr

companies. And Sister City initiatives are underway fromlando to Sacramento.

One year later, the outrage Gaza ignited is showing sign

becoming a political movement that could one day end Is

apartheid and the brutal its military occupation of the West B

and Gaza. Its up to us to keep it going.

Letter from Barbaraby Barbara Lubin MECAs Executive Director

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It Will Take More Thana Wall to Silence Us

by Jamal JumaCoordinator o the Palestinian Grassroots

Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign

My friend and fellow organizer Mohammad Othman, a 34-year-

ld Palestinian human rights advocate, was detained by Israel on

September 22 while returning home from meetings with Norwe-

ian government ofcials. I suspect he was not surprised. A few

months earlier, Israeli soldiers at a checkpoint within the West

Bank had taken him aside and threatened him with arrest. Were

oing to arrest you, one said, but its difcult with you because

ll you do is talk.

As a grassroots leader, this chills me to the bone. If talking is a

rime, if urging the international community to hold Israel ac-

ountable for theft of our land is a crime, then we all are vulner-

ble. Israeli authorities are increasingly imprisoning and abus-ng Palestinians - not just Mohammad Othman - for speaking out

broad about hardships faced by Palestinians.

ts the Jim Crow South in the wild West Bank. There are more

han 11,000 Palestinian prisoners, many of whom are held for

months or years in administrative detention without charge or

rial. 28 Palestinians from the West Bank village of Bilin - also

osing land to the apartheid barrier - have been arrested in night-

ime raids since June and 18 of them remain detained.

As for my friend, Mohammad Othman, he has spent much of

his time since September 22 in solitary connement. His deten-

ion has already been extended four times and an appeal rejected.

Strikingly, Israeli authorities have yet to bring evidence or charg-

s against him in the military court. Perhaps this is because, as

he soldier at the checkpoint admitted, Mohammad is guilty only

f talking; of speaking out against injustice.

Mohammad hails from the impoverished village of Jayyous. He

peaks tirelessly about the high-tech fencing that steals his fami-

ys land. Mohammad has chosen against great odds to speak out

because the life of his community is at stake. He has discov

he has a powerful voice. International visitors are riveted w

Mohammad describes how Israeli diamond mogul, Lev Lev

is building an illegal settlement on his village land.

Mohammad met last month in Norway with the Finance Mi

ter and representatives of the Norwegian State Pension Fun

convince them to follow their own human rights guidelines

investment. Less than two weeks before Mohammads ar

the Finance Minister announced the Pension Funds $5.4 mil

divestment from Elbit, an Israeli company that provides secu

equipment for the Wall and builds the drones that have ki

innocents in Gaza.

To date, this was one of the greatest successes of the camp

to divest from Israel for failing to abide by international

Mohammad was a national hero returning home, only to be

tercepted by an Israeli government that while losing the m

battle abroad still exercises ultimate control over our lives.

The ull text o this article can be ound on the Hungton Post

website.

Mohammad Othman explains to a MECA delegationhow the Wall is choking o Palestinian agriculturalvillages, orcing people to fnd work in the new Israelindustrial zones.

Ellen Davidso

Since September 22, Mohammad Othman, an organizer with the Palestinian Grassroots Anti-

Apartheid Wall Campaign (www.stopthewall.org) and a leader of the international Boycott

Divestment Sanctions (BDS) Campaign, has been detained indenitely by Israeli authorities.

Mohammad has taken MECA delegations of North Americans on tours of the Apartheid Wall,

we have supported his youth organizing work, and we have worked with him in the US-Pales-

tine Youth Solidarity Network. We urge you to, please, visit freemohammadothman.wordpress.

com to demand Mohammads release and to leave a message of support and solidarity.

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Ibdaa and MECA, continued from page 1

Palestinian right of return and empowerment of local leader-

hip in marginalized communities in Palestine and the rest of

he world. Barbara came to Dheisheh Refugee Camp and stayed

with us during curfews and heavy invasions. She showed the

eople the depth of her commitment by sticking with us through

he worst.

n 1994 my friend Khaled Al-Sai and I took on the ambitious

roject of starting a dance troupe for boys and girls in Dheisheh.Though Khaled was a teacher, neither of us had done this kind of

rtistic work with children before. We began with a training about

lections and democracy. We gave examples in history of demo-

ratic move-

ments and

aught how

n election

works. Then

he children

lected f-

een boys and

fteen girlswho would

be part of the

dance troupe.

Khaled and

, along with

hirty chil-

dren, poured our hearts into creating a dance show that depicted

he history of Palestinian refugees. We called this theatrical dance

iece Al-Khaima, The Tent, and encouraged the children to be

proud of their history and to tell their story to the international

ommunity. For three years we were in the streetswe didnthave buildings. We practiced in the classrooms of the school and

met in peoples houses.

n the rst three years, the young dancers traveled to France,

raq, Sweden, Belgium, Denmark, and Holland. In each country

hey mesmerized audiences with their dances and moved them

with their eloquent words. The children were the ambassadors

or Palestinian refugees, traveling around the world and sharing

heir history. It was the rst time a childrens dance troupe from

ny of the fty-nine Palestinian refugee camps traveled abroad.

After returning from our rst trip, we organized a performancet Bethlehem University for our own community. The parents

many of whom were initially opposed to the idea of boys and

irls dancing and traveling togetherstrongly encouraged us to

ontinue working with their children. At that performance we

nnounced the launch of a new organization called Ibdaato

reate something out of nothingthat would serve the children

f Dheisheh.

n the summer of 1997 we organized another memorable per-

ormance at Bethlehem University, this time for a MECA del-

egation from the United States. Fifteen minutes into the s

Barbara came over and told me I want to bring this d

troupe to the United States. Though we had accomplish

lot against the odds, this idea seemed crazy. By now I k

how difcult it was to take twenty children to Europe and

idea of going all the way to the US seemed impossible. Be

she left Palestine, Barbara spoke with me again and prom

to work on this idea and, still unbelieving, I thanked her

said we were ready.

It took two years to organize the trip, but in October 1

Khaled and I arrived in New York with twenty children f

ABOVE: Ibdaa Dance Tours 1999, 2003, 2005:

MECA sponsored the only US tours o Ibdaas youth da

troupe, which have introduced US audiences to the sto

o Palestinian reugees, armers, and prisoners through

ditional olkloric dance (debka) and theatrical choreophy. Ibdaa dancers met with children and youth rom m

ginalized communities in the US and learned how their

and struggles are intertwined. Proceeds rom and the t

helped build the Ibdaa Guesthouse, and the new six-s

Women and Childrens Center

BELOW: In 2006 MECA secured a grant rom the Mo

Foundation or Ibdaa to build a playground or its kin

garten and preschoolthe rst and only playground in

camp where 6,000 children live.

Photos:

S. Smith P

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Dheisheh Refugee Camp. We stayed

n the US for six weeks and in each

ity we performed and raised funds

or Ibdaas work, while also meet-

ng with schools and community

roups to teach them about life in a

Palestinian refugee camp and learn

bout life in their communities. Dur-

ng this tour, and the 2003 and 2005

ours, MECA created the possibility

or refugees to build relationshipswith other marginalized communi-

ies. The dancers performed twice

n Alcatraz Island in programs or-

anized by Indigenous people. They

had deep discussions with students at

school in Albuquerque who faced

ppression as illegal immigrants.

They performed in Houston at a joint

benet for Ibdaa and two grassroots or-

anizations run by refugees of Hurricane

Katrina.

Meanwhile, the Ibdaa Cultural Center

ontinued to expand to meet many needs

n the community. One project made it

ossible for young people to connect with

Palestinian refugee youth in other places

or the rst timethrough the Internet.

But some opposed our work because of

ur support for the right of return; because

boys and girls, women, and men were

working together; and

ecause they were jeal-us of Ibdaas success

nd growth from a local

nitiative to an organi-

ation On August 24,

000, arsonists burned

down the computer lab

nd childrens library.

The young people lost

heir connection to their

riends in other refugee

amps. MECA was one

f the rst organiza-

ions to respond and

help Ibdaa rebuild.

The relationship be-

ween MECA and Ib-

daa continued to grow.

The funds raised on

hree US dance tours and additional contributions from MECA

upporters, made it possible for Ibdaa to build infrastructure and

Photo: Ellen Davidson

Sports are amo

the most popu

activities at Ibdproviding a res

rom the harsh

realities o lie

and an avenue

young people t

have un, enga

with one anoth

and excel. Ther

is no space in t

crowded camp

sports activitie

the children and youth on Ibdaas teams play in the eldand halls o surrounding towns and villages. MECA pro-

vides unds or equipment, trainers, and transportation

two ootball (soccer) teams or boys, a young womens v

leyball team, and three basketball teams or boys and g

Ibdaa is proud to have established the rst womens bas

ketball and volleyball teams in a Palestinian reugee cam

This year, the basketball team won the 2009 champions

Mural inside Ibdaa Guesthouse. This our-story build

houses a computer lab, ofces, ten guest rooms, a m

purpose hall and restaurant. When I was young I went to

same location each day and stood in line with hundred

children waiting to receive a hot meal rom the United

tions. I elt deeated by this daily humiliation. With u

rom MECA and others Ibdaa destroyed the old building

built a new place or children to come with dignity and

ativity to learn and teach, and generate a strong and un

commitment to a uture o peace and justice.

Photos: Ibdaa

Oral History Project: In 1

Ibdaa began an Oral His

Project, but was told by

eral unders that it shoul

be a priority. MECA re

nized the importance o

work and provided und

to bring children and t

elders together to le

about their history as r

gees and to visit their o

nal villages, rom which t

were expelled in 1948.

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6/86 MECA NEWS

develop new and important projects. MECA and Ibdaa shared

vision for social development through focusing on childrens

nd womens rights. MECA stood in solidarity with the Pales-

inian struggle and with marginalized people in the Palestinian

ommunity in ideological and concrete ways.

Over many years MECA has supported many Ibdaa programs in-

luding the kindergarten and childrens library; youth programs

ike the dance troupe, media training, sports teams, and oral his-

ory; and womens leadership training. MECA made it possible

or an Ibdaa delegation to participate in the historic 2001 Dur-ban Conference on Racism in South Africa, and helped Ibdaa

reate income-generating projects like the womens embroidery

ollective, the

uesthouse, and

he restaurant.

These investments

nabled Ibdaa to

row to meet the

needs of our com-

munity and gave us

he space to dream

up new projects for

Dheisheh residents

nd the wider Pal-

stinian commu-

nity.

Over time MECA and Ibdaa have became real

artners, helping each other grow and develop.

MECA supports Ibdaas work on the ground in

Palestine and Ibdaa supports MECA in educat-

ng people in the US. Together we are work-

ng to create a new generation of Palestinianeaders and an informed public in the United

States.

Today Im proud to say that, after 15 years

f working with children and youth, I have

tepped back from Ibdaa in order to encourage

he development of new leadership: Hazem

Alqassas, Areej Jafari, and others who grew

up through Ibdaas programs. As the Associ-

te Director of MECA in the US, I know that I am still con-

ributing to the work of Ibdaa, while my colleague Josie Shield-

Stromsness, a MECA staff member is working with Ibdaa on the

round in Dheisheh Refugee Camp.

After all these long years, MECA and Ibdaa have created a mod-

l for a solidarity relationship that others should learn from and

eplicate. This relationship can show how grassroots initiatives

hat are born and grow up in the alleyways and streets of a refu-

ee camp can be an inspiration for local communities in other

arts of the world.

Scholarships: In 2003 and 2004 Ibdaa asked

MECA or help with a very important project

higher education or its youth leaders. Five

promising students came to complete their

education in the US, ree rom the obstacles o

occupation. Ahmad Jabr, Rashed Abu Alia, an

Jehad Al-Shamarkheh have completed their

studies, and Keyan Daoud and Ahmed Al-Ghrwill graduate in December. Now, MECA suppo

Ibdaa and the wider Palestinian community

with 100 scholarships or students at univers

ties in the West Bank and Gaza. Ibdaa is one o

the organizations that assists MECA in nding

applicants.

MECA has unded media training work-

shops or youth at Ibdaa, donated med

equipment, and supported digital story

telling and music workshops or youth

rom all over the West Bank. In 2010 Ibdwill create a proessional quality audio

production studio, thanks to a very gen

erous git rom MECA supporter Scott

Handleman. to provide training or you

people in Dheisheh and specially desig

intensive trainings or Palestinian yout

coming rom other areas.

When the Ibdaa youth dance troupe r

traveled abroad in 1994 they brought traditional Palest

ian embroidery to sell in France. In 1997 Ibdaa womensprogram started an embroidery collective so that wome

could get paid air wages or their handwork, have their

own source o income, and help support their amilies. A

rst, Ibdaa sold just a ew pieces at a time to internation

visitors and to dance troupe audiences. MECA and an-

other organization helped market the embroidery outsi

Palestine, and there are now 100 women in the embroid

collective and Ibdaa has added a small sewing worksho

nish the pieces.

Photos: Ibdaa

Photo: Uda Olabarria W

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1101 8th. St. Berkeley, Ca 947

A Life-Saving Gift for the ChildrenYES! I want to help meet the basic needs o children in the Middle East and givethem opportunities to learn, play, and envision a better uture.

Here is my special contribution to help MECA:

Install water purifcation systems in Gaza schools Support community arts, sports, and media programs

Deliver medical aid to Palestine and Iraq Provide scholarships or Palestinian students

[ ] $250 [ ] $100 [ ] $50 [ ] $25 [ ] $ ____________

[ ] My check payable to MECA is enclosed. [ ] Please charge my credit card in the amount indicated above.

Card #: _______________________________________ Exp: _____________________

Signature: _____________________________________________________________

Name: ________________________________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________________

City, ST, Zip: ____________________________________________________________

Email: _________________________________________________________________

MECA is a 501(c)3 exempt organization. Your git is tax-deductible as a charitable contribution.

www.mecaorpeace.o

Scholarships for Palestinian Students

In 2009 MECA provided full or partial scholarships for

100 Palestinian students studying at eleven universities in

the West Bank and Gaza Strip. These young people are Pal-

estines next generation of teachers, dentists, nurses, engi-

neers, translators, and much more. Their scholarships are

provided by two funds established by supporters, the Elly

Jaensch Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Tree of LifeScholarship Fund. In addition, MECAs Ramzy Halaby Ed-

ucation Fund provided scholarships for Keyan Daoud and

Ahmed Al-Ghrouz, who will graduate from US universities

in December 2009.

I would like to thank MECA for the scholarship and

for your care for the students in Gaza, especially in this

difcult nancial period caused by the war and siege.

The scholarship comes at a great time for me because

I couldnt afford the tuition to continue my studies this

year. I love to work with people and to help them andthis is the reason that I am studying in the Medical

College. Im happy because I can be a volunteer in Al-

Taher Center now and help my community while I con-

tinue my studies.

-Taghreed Al-Amawi,22-year-old medical student at Al-Azhar University, Gaza

MECA Supports Boycott DivestmentSanctions (BDS) Campaign

In 2005, a broad coalition o Palestinian civil society organization

called upon people o conscience all over the world to impose

boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel, similar to thos

applied to South Arica in the apartheid era. These non-violent

principled measures should be maintained until Israel meets its

obligation to recognize the Palestinian peoples inalienable rightto sel-determination and ully complies with the precepts o

international law by:

1. Ending its occupation and colonization o all Arab lands and

dismantling the Wall;

2. Recognizing the undamental rights o the Arab-Palestinian

citizens o Israel to ull equality; and

3. Respecting, protecting and promoting the rights o Palestinianreugees to return to their homes and properties as stipulated in

UN resolution 194.

For more inormation and how to get involved: www.bdsmove-

ment.net, endtheoccupation.og, http://www.quitpalestine.org/

8/8/2019 meca news11-09

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101 8th. St. Berkeley, Ca 94710

SAVE THE DATE:Sunday, February 28, 2010

Robert FiskRobert Fisk brings his incom-

parable insight, encyclopedic

knowledge of modern Middle

East history, his analysis of West-

ern imperialist adventures, and

his renowned razor-sharp wit to

bear on current events in the re-

gion.

Fisk has lived in and written about the Middle East f

more than thirty years. He is the Middle East correspon

dent for The Independent of London and the author of v

books, including Pity the Nation: Lebanon at War. Th

Great War for Civilisation: The Conquest of the Midd

East, and The Age of the Warrior: Selected Writings

He is the winner of numerous journalism and human righ

awards, including the 2006 Lifetime Achievement Priz

from the Lannan Foundation.

Location, ticket prices, & more information coming soon

Saturday, December 12th Only, Noon-6PM

St. Johns Church, 2727 College Avenue, Berkeley

Hundreds of beautifully crafted items including Tatriz (Palestinian Embroidery);

Hand-blown Glassware from Hebron; Carved Olive wood; Painted Ceramics;

Organic, Extra-Virgin Olive Oil; Olives; Olive Oil Soap; Scarves, Shawls, and other

Textiles; Calendars and Cookbooks; Honey; Jewelry; Childrens Clothing and Dolls

from Gaza, and much more!

And dont miss the tasty homemade Palestinian food

& Middle Eastern music too!

For more inormation & directions at:

www.mecaforpeace.org