As the New Year begins, OneVoice Palestine has picked up where it left off- saying what needs to be said in places where ordinary people’s voices are often unheard.
OVP visited Asskar Al jdeed refugee camp in Nablus to speak to people about the most difficult taboo issues surrounding the final status topic of borders. OVP partnered with Al-Safeer and attracted young adults to come and speak about an issue that lies at the heart of Palestinian dreams and aspirations.
The event was led by Mohammed Asseda, one of OneVoice Palestine’s Nablus-based Youth Leaders, who was initially confronted with a disillusioned and suspicious audience. Most participants walked into the room feeling that there was no partner for peace on the other side, and questioned whether a two state solution really was a viable option.
Mohammed took his time and walked through the practical realties of the situation, answering each of the member’s questions in turn, and giving them a full chance to air their worries and fears. Over the course of two hours the mood in the room moved from pessimistic apathy to realistic urgency, and an understanding developed of the need to move towards a two state solution immediately- as every day the conflict persists, the Palestinians suffer further under the hardships of occupation.
Every person in attendance signed up for more information about OneVoice, and they were eager to have more town hall meeting opportunities, so they could hear more about the other taboo issues, have their say, and build consensus around a common approach.
This is just one of the town hall meetings that OVP have been running up and down Palestine, engaging the grassroots who are living under occupation and continuing to build momentum for the establishment of a sovereign and independent Palestinian state, living in peace alongside Israel.
