May updates from ICAHD UK

NAKBA event, London & nation-wide events coming up, plus important community news...

Nakba is Arabic for 'catastrophe' - the word used to describe the destruction and displacement of Palestinians as a result of the creation of the State of Israel in 1948. Nakba day falls on May 15th, the same day war criminal Tzipi Livni (a member of Knesset during Operation Cast Lead - which killed 1417 palestinians and injured more than 5000) has been invited as a distinguished guest to a Jewish National Fund event. Join us on May 15th in solidarity with Palestine and in protest of this war criminal's visit - see here for details of PSC's planned event that we'll be joining (exact venue to be announced).

You can also find a new ‘Nakba’ phone app by Jewish activist group ‘Zochrot’ (Jewish for ‘remembering’) detailing some of the destruction of Palestinian land and communities. Another reference to have at your fingertips when joining protests and actions this coming week.

There is currently a critical exhibition in London at Goldsmith’s University comprising of conversations between Edward Said and Jean Mohr in Palestine and for the first time being shown with their accompanying set of photographs entitled ‘After the Last Sky’, from 1986. These are also interspersed with contemporary photographers from Palestine – Ahmad Daghlas, Arine Rinawi, Fadi Arouri, Hatem Moussa and Muthanna Al-QadiOn. This is only on until June, so this month is your last chance to see it!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bethlehem Unwrapped Auction | Weds June 4th, 7.30pm Anyone who managed to get to Bethlehem Unwrapped over the Christmas holidays will undoubtedly recall the striking 8 metre high installation of 'the wall' in St James’ Picadilly’s forecourt. Now is your chance to own a piece of this artwork. This collaborative graffiti wall is in itself a piece of protest art (with messages of hope left by up to 30,000 visitors from all over the world - see above), and at this event sections of it will be auctioned in order to raise funds for Bethlehem’s Holy Land Trust.

For those of you who missed our sneak preview at ICAHD UK’s 2014 conference this year, the Bethlehem Unwrapped documentary will also be premiered on the night.

Head to St Luke's Church, Hillmarton Road, London N7 9RE on Weds June 4^th at 7.30pm. The nearest tube is Caledonian Rd, with the entrance fee as a voluntary donation.

Plans for our Sponsored Walkthis autumn are well underway. We will be staying and walking in a National Trust location in the Devils Punchbowl area in the Surrey Hills, described as one of the Seven Wonders of the South! So please save the date, get signed up, and help us fundraise much-needed finances as part of our 10^th year. Please note that due to the cosy size of the hostel (see above) we have chosen to stay in this year our places are limited, so book early to avoid disappointment. Special guest speaker tba, details coming soon. For now please find our flyer here .

^th anniversary conference, which will follow soon.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Visit Israel/Palestine with ICAHD UK The 2014 Rebuilding Camp and Study Tours are booking up, but there are still spaces for you to join.

Did you know... ICAHD is the only organisation (that we know of) to rebuild a Palestinian home and hand over the keys in the space of 2 weeks? To do this, we work with many local Palestinians, Israeli's and volunteers from all over the world in learning, constructing, and creating a new home from the rubble that we start with. No previous building experience necessary, there'll something for everyone on this 2 week camp. This year is our 12th annual Rebuilding Camp, and it takes place from 3rd - 18th August. Find out more and watch a video from last year here .

Our in-depth Study Tourwill run from 10th - 20th November, and will give you a fundamental insight into current daily life for Palestinians, considering integral topics such as water, womens issues, education, health, refugees, house demolitions and displacement. There is no better way to find out more, as this long list of recommendations will show.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- With thanks for your ongoing support, from the team at ICAHD UK.