We always knew we would go back! In March we will be joining Team Amos (Paul's 3^rd time, Sarah’s 2^nd) to run the 2023 Palestine half marathon in Bethlehem. This time Paul will be easing down a bit and doing the half rather than the full marathon. Sarah is still aiming at the half marathon - a distance she last ran in 2017 - in Palestine!

This marathon was first run in 2013 to raise awareness of the fact that you can't run 26 miles around ‘the Little Town’ without going through a checkpoint, a refugee camp or literally hitting the huge and oppressive wall of separation! There is no marathon quite like it!

It’s a chaotic, joyful, moving, hilly(!) and poignant celebration that half of Bethlehem either run or watch! It is also a sobering reminder of the way their freedom of movement has been so utterly restricted. We can return home at the end of it - most Palestinians have no such escape from the ongoing despair the Israeli occupation and oppression causes.

We would like to raise money to support Amos Trust’s local and international partners in the West Bank and Gaza who work for a just peace, reconciliation and full equal rights for all Palestinians and Israelis. (See below for more details). We are also quite simply running alongside the Palestinian people to raise awareness of their plight and the stress and despair they have lived under for so many years.

The three partners we are supporting are:-

Alrowwad Cultural and Arts Society

It is 75 years since over 750,000 Palestinians were forced from their homes, their right to return denied. Today Palestinians are still denied their rights. Amos Trust partner Alrowwad Cultural and Arts Society works in Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem. Alrowwad believes in the cultivation of creativity as an alternative to violence in the fight against injustice. They call it ‘beautiful, non-violent resistance’.

Rebuilding Hope – with Holy Land Trust

Rebuilding Palestinian homes that have been demolished by the Israeli Defence Force in the West Bank is a powerful challenge to injustice and a profound act of solidarity. Amos Trust works with our partner Holy Land Trust to rebuild demolished homes in the West Bank, taking volunteers from the UK to work alongside the family and the community.

Wi’am’s Peace Garden

Situated next to a main checkpoint, and overlooked by a military watchtower and the Separation Wall, Wi’am Conflict Resolution Centre in Bethlehem provides an unusually peaceful place
through its cultivation of community gardens complete with children’s play area. The centre aims to strengthen local communities and to support them in tackling increased family breakdowns and community tensions created by the occupation and lack of freedom.

www.amostrust.org/palestine-justice/

Thank you for supporting us.