Palestine solidarity groups in London and around the country were proud to host Nawal Slemiah, founder and director of Palestinian embroidery cooperative Women in Hebron, to discuss the importance of cultural resistance and women-led initiatives in Palestine as part of resistance against military occupation, racism and apartheid.

In London, Manchester and Birmingham, Nawal visited various groups such as student societies and trade unions to share the history of her cooperative, as well as her personal perspectives and experiences living under the onslaught of an illegal occupation and apartheid.

It was also the perfect opportunity to showcase her beautiful and unique work as part of Women in Hebron that have recently become popular and favoured amongst visitors, international activists and locals alike. Meeting new groups and individuals to provide support for her work, the gatherings, spanning over the course of ten days were well-attended and intimate, with question and answer sessions allowing for discussion on topics ranging from illegal settler violence, to the inspiration behind the products she creates.

A unique embroidery cooperative priding itself on honouring the role of women in Palestinian society, Women in Hebron specialise in creating pieces that not only display the beautiful culture of Palestine, but embody the spirit of sumud — steadfastness — in the face of the racist military occupation. Since its foundation, Women in Hebron have proven to be a unique source of income, education and empowerment for the local women of the village of Idna.

Founded in 2005 as part of the Idna Cooperative, Women in Hebron’s presence in the Old City serves as a unique outlet to this day, promoting culture and resistance in an area of the city subjected to illegal settler and military violence on a daily basis.

Activists from several Palestine solidarity groups in London, including ISM London, gathered as part of the Open Shuhada Street global day of action. The following is a report by a JFJP activist.

On 25th February, in concert with activists from all over the world, we gathered in London to tell people about the oppression of Palestinians in Hebron.

We joined the supporters of Al Haq who filed a claim for judicial review before the High Court of England and Wales challenging the government of the United Kingdom over its failure to fulfil its obligations under international law with respect to Israel’s activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT). We all met outside the Royal Courts in London. The Al Haq supporters had decorated the railings with Palestinian flags and banners saying Free Palestine and End the Siege of Gaza.

We came with leaflets, sandwich boards and posters with pictures of the ghost town that is now Hebron.

People came from far and wide to support our call. A member of the Christian Peacemaker Teams who had worked in Hebron came all the way from Hastings in the South Coast, supporters came from all four corners of London and decked out in their sandwich boards, which said ‘Open Shuhada Street’ and on the back ‘End this brutal occupation’, we leafleted passers by and used the opportunity to tell them exactly what was happening in the prison that is Hebron.

A group of senior citizens were amazed to hear that people could not access their homes, except through their roofs, and took our leaflets to read more.

We were photographed by Arabic television and by freelance photographers. Abe Hayeem from Architects for Peace and Justice in Palestine, was interviewed by one of the Arabic stations and we hope that the pictures and the interview will reach a large audience in the Middle East to show the world that the people of Hebron are not forgotten.

After the protest outside the court ended, we went to leaflet the London School of Economics, where we were well received by all. One of our number is an activist in Kings College London and he took material to circulate to students there. In the evening leaflets were circulated at Essex University.

I find that people usually throw leaflets away but our leaflets were closely scrutinised. The level of awareness of the discrimination and apartheid in Hebron is extremely limited. We hope that our protest opened some minds, even if the street still remains closed.

Open Shuhada Street London

• Open Shuhada Street to Palestinian movement and commerce
• Full civil and human rights for all Israelis and Palestinians
• End the occupation

See the Open Shuhada Street website for more details.