U.S. Movement to Save Palestinian Villages

Summary

The most effective way to keep Palestinian villages standing may be to bring Palestinian children to Congress on International Peace Day. When we brought 3 children last year with their Pinwheels for Peace, a senior Senator met them, tweeted to keep their villages standing, then met with the Prime Minister of Israel to express concern. Help bring Pinwheels for Peace to more villages in the West Bank and Gaza and help bring Palestinian children to Congress again this year.

$80,225
total goal

$16,892
remaining

375
donors

3
monthly donors

3
years active

Challenge

A crisis of demolitions is underway in the West Bank. Since January, the Israeli Army demolished more Palestinian homes and barns that in all of last year, terrifying neighborhoods. As human rights groups sounded the alarm, Rebuilding Alliance brought UN-Habitat to meet with 25 Senate and House offices and an advisor to President Obama. Constituents called Congress to press them to make calls to keep Palestinian villages standing. But it has not been enough. Presidential leadership is needed

Solution

Children in Palestine are joining children worldwide in a moving art project called Pinwheels for Peace. Designed by two teachers in Florida for International Peace Day, each child writes what peace means and draws what peace looks like, making a pinwheel that turns in the wind. Their messages touch hearts, reminding adults of our responsibility to realize their goals. Of all our work to engage Congress to keep Palestinian villages standing, this program has been most effective.

Long-Term Impact

Giving Palestinian children a voice, acknowledging their hopes for peace- this must be taken very seriously. Social worker Fatma Nawaja joined our program, along with a psychologist for support, because the children are traumatized and Fatma found that Pinwheels for Peace open a path for much-needed counseling. Children will know their vision of peace matters when Americans, President Obama, and Congress take notice and intervene to stop the bulldozers to keep Palestinian neighborhoods standing.