UNISON recently hosted a delegation from Ramallah in the West Bank region of Palestine.

UNISON regional secretary Patricia Mc Keown and UNISON’s community and voluntary branch helped in  lobbying to ensure Visas delegation.

The main reason for traveling was to participate in the annual anti racism world cup tournament, part sponsored by UNISON, held in Belfast. The event was packed with 150 international visitors and over 1000 locals over three days. The Palestinian team stole the show with their political accounts and silky football skills which ensured them the winners trophy and the praise of the other participants.

At Galway House around 40 activists from the broad Palestinian solidarity movement made their way into the hall to show solidarity, share ideas and exchange contact information between groups and individuals. It was a unique event, facilitated by UNISON, which saw the rare occurrence of many of the solidarity groups coming together as one.

The audience was first addressed by Halla Shaobi who gave a startling account of the social impact of Israeli occupation and the devastating effects of the apartheid wall on communities and families. She also outlined the dramatic affects on women living under occupation, the reality of double and triple citizenship, and even the deaths of children born at check points, where passage to hospitals is refused by Israeli soldiers.

Hanna Qassis finished his bachelors degree in business administration from Birzeit University and is currently working on a masters degree in international relations. He is also the vice president of the Birzeit athletic, social and cultural club.

He gave an in depth analysis of the nature of the conflict at both community and political level and thanked those present for their continued support for justice and peace in Palestine.

Raya Ziadeh, was born in 1983. Her father is a refugee from the village of Falojeh. Her mother is from Hebron. She finished a BA in marketing from the Arab American University of Jenin. Raya previously participated in the European Voluntary Service, where she worked with marginalized children in France; thus enriching her understanding of justice and equality in the world. Raya’s insight into NGO’s and civil society had a resonance with our own bureaucratic struggles in terms of funding and allocation of services and resources.

Despite, or most likely because of they’re youth, all of the speakers were capable of giving a profoundly interesting insight into the realities of occupation in Palestine and were clearly in touch with the needs of they’re communities as evidenced by the work they do on the ground.

Speakers from the floor, including UNISON, IPSC, Friends of Palestine, Palestines child, and others were very willing to share experiences of Palestine and they’re understanding of international solidarity work. The Palestinian delegation were keen to emphasise that the greatest asset in the hands of the Palestinian solidarity movement at present was the Divestment, Boycott and Sanctions campaign. They were also very pleased to hear that UNISON and ICTU were amongst the first in the trade union movement to give BDS its full support. And further emphasised the hope and solace the Palestinian people take from the international solidarity movement, which makes it possible for BDS to spread.

Ramie Abu-Zahra’s Family is from Nablus, Palestine, and he was born and raised in Michigan. He attended the University of Michigan to study mechanical and industrial engineering and now works in Virginia. He and his family are involved in Pro-Palestinian solidarity groups in the US. He has also been back to Palestine several times to visit family and friends.

His account from the perspective of a Palestinian-American was very interesting: “I struggle as a Palestinian-American trying to balance both identities and especially in dialogue with people about the conflict. With the US being an influential player in the situation, it is disheartening to see how biased our media channels are, and how much that influences popular opinion.”

As the session closed and we broke for some food, refreshments and informal networking it was clear that the links forged by UNISON and others would resonate for some time.

With delegations from the trade union movement to Palestine being prepared for later in the year, further flotillas planned, and much more solidarity work in tow, UNISON international solidarity activists can be proud of the they’re impact in terms of peace and justice in Palestine.