It looks like some kind of peace deal might be on the horizon for Gaza. Whatever happens, Palestinians need so much assistance to keep going and then one day rebuild their lives. They face a long and weary road ahead, but we can be there for them and help light the way.
Even if a peace deal comes about, it’s still worth staying engaged with what is happening, keeping an eye on how it’s all going. Lots of details need to be worked out. So, if we don’t like what we see, we can write to our local MP, sign petitions, go on marches, attend vigils and support charities. Ideally, the Palestinians will one day determine their own future without the help of others.
When we look back on this period, maybe we can say we did something to help. I have read that there are approximately 51 million adults in the UK aged over 18 and over. Think of what could be achieved if 51 million people took advantage of living in a democracy. That’s a lot of letters to MPs! A lot of signatures on petitions! A lot of people on marches!
So, what am I doing?
I have been on a vigil with Women in Black, have signed numerous petitions, have donated to Oxfam’s ‘red lines’ campaign, written a short blog about Gaza vigils for this website, and am running my own fundraiser for Medical Aid for Palestinians.
Because of my interest in flowers, the fundraiser is based on an Instagram page that features photos of posies. It’s called A Posy for Palestine.
So far, the posies have been created by me, friends, family, neighbours, and members of gardening groups. Where possible, I have provided information about the flowers that have been picked for the posies. Occasionally, I comment on an issue, such as the deaths of journalists reporting on what is happening in Gaza. You might like the posy that I created for the journalists who have died – see the pink germaniums in an inkwell.
A fundraiser like this on its own can only make a small contribution, but it makes me and Team Posy feel a bit less powerless, and it’s raising money for a great charity that can help Palestinians on the ground. As the writer Arwa Mahdawi wrote in an article for The Guardian, lots of good changes have come about because of small acts of activism. She’s right.
If you would like to create a Posy for Palestine, then message me via this site or my Instagram page. It would be lovely to hear from you.
Arwa’s article (entitled ‘Please don’t succumb to hopelessness over Palestine. Your voice can still make a difference’) appeared in The Guardian on Tuesday 2 September. If you have time, do look at the posy of yellow roses, Verbena bonariensis, and Hidcote lavender that I created for her.
Link to Instagram page, A posy for Palestine: https://www.instagram.com/aposyforpalestine/
Link to my JustGiving page https: www.justgiving.com/page/annabel-rutherford-aposyforpalestinefundraiser?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=EM
Finally, I realise people are always being asked to donate money to good causes, so a very small donation would be very welcome. If you don’t feel able to donate, liking the photos on the Instagram page and sharing the page would be great. Simply talking about Gaza with friends and family and taking steps such as signing petitions is another way to show support.
Thanks very much!
Ado/Annabel x
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