A Bedford group that is twinned with a village in Palestine is welcoming a group of teenage visitors from the occupied West Bank.
Bedford Friends of Al Walaja is bringing the group to Bedford on Thursday, 16 July, as part of a tour of East Anglia arranged by Camden Abu Dis Friendship Association (CADFA).
“The tours are a chance for Palestinians to get away from the restricted lives they lead at home, and for them and the British people they meet to learn more about each other and the different lives they lead,” said an organiser.
Tickets to the meeting are free, but must be booked via Eventbrite.
Read: Bedford Friends of Al Walaja hosts talk by Palestinian visitors
Previous visitors have been from the village of Al Walaja, but on this occasion, all of the teenagers will be from the West Bank, an area of Palestine that has been under illegal Israeli occupation since 1967.
School demolished
Since the visitors arrived in the UK, Bedford Friends of Al Walaja has been told that 46 demolition and stop-work orders have been issued for homes, shops and residential units in the area.
A message, seen by the Bedford Independent, stated: “The land for the school was donated by the people of Al-Walaja, who built it through their own efforts and currently leased to UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East).
“In 2006 the school received a stop-work order, but that decision was later cancelled.
“Yesterday, the Israeli authorities issued a new demolition order agains the school.”
Sharing their experiences
Bedfordians will have the chance to meet and welcome the group at a free public meeting at the Friends Meeting House on Lansdowne Road on Thursday evening.
During the meeting, the teenagers will be greeted by Mohammad Yasin MP and will speak about their lives and experiences in the West Bank.
“Everyone is welcome to the event at the Friends Meeting House,” said one of the organisers, Rob Wall.
“It is an opportunity to find out first-hand what life is like for young people in Palestine.”
There will be a chance to talk informally to the visitors over refreshments, and there may be a demonstration of traditional dabke dancing.
You can book free tickets at the Eventbrite page here.
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