Tishreen Association organized in extension to its youth programs, an educational activity in partnership with the Qalansuwa Youth Club, which was themed around Housing and Land issues, in light of the demolitions of houses in Qalansuwa by Israeli authorities. The activity, which was held at the “solidarity” tent, focused on the roles that the youth can play in response to racism and violations of human rights that they face. More importantly, the youth were given the space to discuss what actions they would take in response to the ongoing confiscation of Arab land, and the ongoing threats of demolition orders looming over Qalansuwa.

With the participation of over 40 young men and women in the activity, the discussion of methods of resisting these practices were fluid and productive. Effectively, the participants were divided into groups of 5, each of which examined a text of law related to confiscation of land and transfiguration of property owners, in order to discuss their knowledge of these laws, and the impact of these laws on Palestinian Citizens in Israel. Each group then presented these laws and their implications to the rest of the groups.

Following this activity, the discussion was focused on the central and effective role of the youth at imposing a defiant speech in response to these practices, while also working on raising awareness amongst school students regarding the importance of these matters and the collective responsibility to address these practices.

In light of these discussions, the groups came out with several practical steps to be pursued, most important of which is establishing an active youth movement in the triangle to counter racist schemes, educate and spread awareness regarding the right of land and housing, in addition to networking through constant activities in the field.

In regards to boosting joint work to face racist policies, the youth expressed the importance of conducting joint meetings periodically, in order to discuss prevalent issues, continue field and awareness activities as well as organizing more of such initiatives in the region .

This joint activity & group guiding were organized in cooperation of the following parties : Mr. Majd Nasrallah ( general director of Tishreen Association), Mr. Wahbe Natour (director of the Youth and extracurricular education department in Qalansuwa) , and Ms. Jumana Ashqar ( Youth project coordinator at Tishreen association ).