HAHRP

The Health and Human Rights Project (HaHRP) a subcommittee of American Jews for a Just Peace, was first started in 2003 to organize delegations to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Working with Physicians for Human Rights Israel, the Palestinian Medical Relief Society, and other NGOs, delegates have the opportunity to work in medical settings and to interview Jewish Israeli activists and Palestinian activists from a variety of civil society organizations. Delegates then return to their home communities with added knowledge and credibility and a commitment to share their experiences with US and Canadian audiences.

The Health and Human Rights Project (HaHRP), a project of American Jews for a Just Peace (AJJP), announces its next delegation to Israel/Palestine, and we encourage all who are interested to apply!  Write to healthandhumanrights@gmail.com for an application.

Who:    Approximately 15 people interested in traveling, meeting, and/or working in Palestine for two weeks and bringing their experiences home to work for justice in their own communities.

What:

A 10-14 day program organized with Lubna Alzaroo, Hannah Mermelstein, and Mahdi Sabbagh,  during which we will meet with Palestinian community leaders, activists, doctors, lawyers, farmers, families and more.  For 10 days, we will travel in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and inside Israel, deepening our understanding of Israeli apartheid in all of these areas through meetings with Palestinian and Israeli people.  While we are unable to travel in Gaza as a group, we will attempt to have contact with colleagues there through video conference.  For 5 days afterwards, health workers will have the opportunity to work directly with Palestinian and Israeli practioners in clinics and workshop settings.  We encourage everyone - health worker or not - to stay an extra few days if you are able, as our travel time together will be quite packed.  We are happy to help you design an itineary for your free days in order to make the most of your time there. 

When:

June 30 -July 9 or July 14, 2012 

Why/History:

 We started the project 9 years ago, organizing yearly delegations to lend our support and expertise in the medical field, document facts on the ground, and work in coalition with the Palestinian Medical Relief Society and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel.  Over the years we have broadened our scope to include meeting and working with Palestinian and Israeli human rights activists and participating in international solidarity work with Palestinian people and organizations.  We have been asked to join in Palestinian-led nonviolent resistance on the ground; to witness daily life under occupation and share our experiences with our own communities; to participate in the growing global movement for boycott, divestment, and sanctions against Israel; and to amplify Palestinian voices in the West, where they have historically been silenced. As such, we have designed the trip to facilitate relationships between North American activists and Palestinian and Israeli activists on the ground that can inform and strengthen our work at home for peace and justice.

Application:

Costs:

$1300 + airfare   

(All accepted participants will pay a $350 non-refundable registration fee.  This fee will go towards funding for the trip organizers and materials.  Upon arrival, participants will pay $950.  This covers all lodging, transportation, food, and tours for the 10 days we travel together.  Any additional time, including health work, will be on participants to cover.  Costs will be less during those days, as you will not be traveling as much.  All participants are responsible for their own airfare, which may range from $1,000-$1,500 round trip.)

Delegation members are encouraged to fundraise before and after their trip, both for their own expenses if needed, and to help fund HaHRP (contributions above our basic costs are welcome!) 

We look forward to hearing from you!