Latest news with #AFSC
Scoop
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Yousef Aljamal. The War On Memory, And Writing Through A Genocide.
Sitting opposite me in my black leather captain's chair, looking more like a bouncer than a writer, was Yousef Aljamal, co-author of Displaced in Gaza – stories from the Gaza Genocide. His eyes had the strangest mix of distance, sadness, humour and intelligence. I asked my first question. He just looked at me. He said nothing. I know his writing; he is a fine writer. That's what I asked about first: 'I see writing as fighting. Is that how you see it?' After an awkward pause (I think he was assessing me), he said: 'I see writing as an act of resistance, because in times of oppression and injustice, writing is a means of fighting back and resisting, but also documenting and remembering and healing.' The war on memory Yousef, a Palestinian refugee from Gaza, currently living in Turkey, is Coordinator at the Palestine Activism Program at the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC). He holds a doctorate in Middle Eastern Studies. In 2023 Israel targeted and killed his friend and mentor Refaat Alareer, one of the great storytellers of Palestine (which is precisely why he was targeted). With Israel having killed more writers and journalists than any regime in history, Yousef has a vital role to play. 'When there is a war on our memory, writing and documenting is the way to keep the memory alive. There are many stories that have been lost throughout history because they have not been documented. I've seen this in the Maori history in this country. So it's very important that we keep the memory alive and we document the stories of people on the ground in Palestine who have been subjected to Nakba all the way to today, where a genocide is unfolding in Gaza.' Yousef personalises the most terrible word in the world I have never interviewed anyone who has lost so many friends, colleagues and family. It made visceral for me that word we hear a lot these days: genocide. It was a tough thing to sit and listen to – but Yousef delivered his message with genuine thoughtfulness. 'I just want people to imagine the magnitude of the genocide in Gaza by giving two examples. One: I have lost a total of 40 members of my family. Forty. Killed in Gaza. Two: starvation. I want you to imagine starvation. There are no aid distribution centres left in Gaza, there are kill zones. They are killing Palestinians while they are lining up to receive aid. 'There is no cash in Gaza and everything is crazy expensive. A sack of flour, we're talking about 25 kg of flour, costs $1,000 US dollars. So there is this level of desperation while thousands of aid trucks are at the border but not allowed to enter Gaza. Israel has redefined savagery and brutality.' Writing and the battle for truth We in the West have lived for decades with a crushing anti-Palestinian narrative, a fictionalising of what is really happening in Palestine. Yousef sees his writer's work as providing a truth serum. 'The US-Israeli storytelling was preparation for genocide. They had many plans over the years: they always wanted Gaza without Gazans. The propaganda that followed October 7 against the Palestinian people was unprecedented, and it was so scary because I knew that this language and this discourse used to describe Palestinians as human animals and to say that there should be no water, no fuel and no food for the Palestinian people in Gaza, that this language would definitely lead to a massacre and bloodshed and genocide in Gaza. And it happened.' Bringing Palestinian voices to New Zealand Sitting on my couch listening to the interview are human rights activists Don Carson, Donna McKenna and John Minto. John led the famous 1981 anti-South African Springbok rugby tour campaign that brought New Zealand to civil strife but ultimately led to the long overdue ending of New Zealand's alignment with the racist apartheid regime. Decades later John is working alongside Maher Nazzal as co-chair of Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa. PSNA have funded Yousef's tour and hosted him. 'We see our role in PSNA as bringing Palestinian voices to the fore,' John says. 'There is a wall of silence with our mainstream media. So the tour is part of addressing that – bringing Palestinian narratives to New Zealanders. There's been this real sea change which has happened over the last 18 months where so many people's eyes have been opened to the reality of what Israel is and its blind race hatred of Palestinians.' Don Carson, an old colleague of mine from our Radio New Zealand days, chips in: 'The fundamental thing is that Yousef speaks with a personal knowledge of what life is like in Gaza and the connections of people and family in Gaza. Yousef also has a unique understanding of the New Zealand environment because of his long-established contacts in this country.' Yousef visited 10 centres, including Whangarei, Whanganui, Katikati, Tamaki Makaurau, New Plymouth, Tauranga, Thames, Hamilton, Christchurch and Wellington. The New Zealand 'Street' is with Palestine 'I met with the Green caucus and the Labour caucus, and I met with Te Pāti Māori MPs – people from different political parties of the opposition,' Yousef says. 'who expressed absolute support for the Palestinian people in their struggle. We're navigating ways to materialize this support and this solidarity into actions that will hopefully contribute to changing the injustice taking place in Palestine. The solidarity was overwhelming, and I hope to see a real translation of this solidarity into concrete actions very soon. 'Change is slow, and building a movement takes time but the people – the New Zealand streets – are with us.' If I must die I'll give the last word not to Yousef but to another writer, his great friend, the poet Refaat Alareer whose poem If I Must Die has become a monument to resistance to the US-Israeli genocide. He wrote it to his daughter – about his kite – and released it the month before he was assassinated by an Israeli missile strike. If I must die, you must live to tell my story to sell my things to buy a piece of cloth and some strings, (make it white with a long tail) so that a child, somewhere in Gaza while looking heaven in the eye awaiting his dad who left in a blaze – and bid no one farewell not even to his flesh not even to himself – sees the kite, my kite you made, flying up above and thinks for a moment an angel is there bringing back love If I must die let it bring hope let it be a tale. Rest in peace, Refaat. Arohanui. Thank you so much Yousef Aljamal and the great people of Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa. Eugene Doyle Eugene Doyle is a writer based in Wellington. He has written extensively on the Middle East, as well as peace and security issues in the Asia Pacific region. He hosts the public policy platform
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mother detained by ICE granted asylum, but will remain in federal custody
DENVER (KDVR) — A Honduran woman who entered the U.S. in October 2023 was granted asylum on Thursday, but she is to remain in federal custody, for now. Carla Azucena Medina-Hernandez has been held in the Aurora Contract Detention Center by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for months. She appeared in immigration court on Thursday, where she was granted asylum by an immigration judge. What happens to migrants after they are taken into ICE custody? However, that didn't spell her immediate freedom. Instead, the federal government is reserving its right to appeal the case after the judge's written decision is filed in court. The process requires that Medina-Hernandez remain in custody for another 30 days to allow the federal government's appeal. Medina-Hernandez, a nurse with over 12 years of experience, was detained by ICE in October 2024 while she was working as a DoorDash delivery driver and attempting a delivery at the Buckley Space Force Base in Aurora. 'Medina attempted to enter Buckley Space Force Base, Aurora, Colorado, without authorization, Oct. 23, 2024,' ICE told FOX31. 'Buckley Space Force Security Forces notified U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Denver who arrested her on scene.' The American Friends Service Committee, which is helping fight Medina-Hernandez's legal battle, said the mother of two was taken into custody following 'a racially charged encounter' at the base. Criminal charges filed in an April 2024 incident were dismissed in October 2024. ICE plans to double the number of jail beds in Denver due to increased arrests in Colorado The mother has lived in Colorado since October 2023, and according to the AFSC, was paroled into the U.S. through the CBPOne program with her husband and their two children. She was seeking asylum and had filed her case within the one-year deadline, according to AFSC. Jennifer Piper, a member of the AFSC, said the government's reserving its right to appeal Medina-Hernandez's asylum is just a way to punish people further, but added that Medina-Hernandez's husband, Pablo Acosta, wanted to focus on the positives. Acosta has been raising money for the legal bills incurred by the case. 'In a little under one month, we collected what we needed to pay the immigration attorney,' said Carla Medina's husband through a translator. 'On behalf of Carla and the kids, we are so grateful, because after 7 months of detention, our family is going to be able to reunite.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Jordan Times
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Jordan Times
Prince El Hassan inaugurates regional conference on climate justice in Arab world
HRH Prince El Hassan Bin Talal, President of the Higher Council for Science and Technology (HCST), on Monday inaugurates the regional conference titled 'Climate Justice in the Arab World: Where Do We Stand?' (Petra photo) AJLOUN — HRH Prince El Hassan Bin Talal, President of the Higher Council for Science and Technology (HCST), on Monday inaugurated the regional conference titled 'Climate Justice in the Arab World: Where Do We Stand?' The three-day event, held in Ajloun Governorate, is organised by the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC – Quakers) in partnership with the Royal Academy for Nature Conservation. In his opening remarks, Prince El Hassan called for redefining 'scarcity' as a driver of regional solidarity and cooperation, highlighting the Arab world's 'acute vulnerability to the impacts of climate change.' He also stressed that climate justice cannot be realised if communities are seen merely as recipients of aid, underscoring the need to empower people and foster dialogue to translate knowledge and expertise into community-led local action. Prince El Hassan also urged for an integrated resource management approach, linking water, food, energy and ecosystems, as a path toward sustainable outcomes that bolster both climate and food security. He also called on Arab governments to adopt this model as a regional policy. Highlighting the need for collective knowledge-sharing among Arab states, Prince El Hassan emphasised the importance of inclusive dialogue, good governance, and a holistic vision to balance human development with environmental protection and ensure a better future for the next generations. He also renewed his call to establish a regional socio-economic council that can reshape Western perceptions of the Levant (Mashreq) and represent the region internationally in ways that reflect its real needs and promote integration based on equity and mutual respect. AFSC Regional Director Khaled Kooz said that achieving climate justice in the region is inseparable from realising human justice. He noted that populations most affected by war and conflict in the Arab world are also the most exposed to the impacts of climate change. Kooz also stressed the need to link human rights and environmental justice, noting that protecting human rights must be a priority in all development and environmental initiatives. He added that the conference is part of AFSC's broader 'Regional Dialogue' programme, which aims to build bridges among diverse communities and promote shared understanding of key regional issues. He emphasised that the complex challenges facing the region require collective, cross-border solutions rather than isolated efforts. The conference gathers experts, researchers, academics, environmental activists, and civil society representatives from Jordan, Palestine, and Lebanon. It features discussions on climate change, environmental justice, historical and political contexts, and the role of active movements working on environmental and climate issues in the Arab world.
United News of India
03-05-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Pakistan conducts Abdali surface-surface missile test in wake of heightened tensions with India
Islamabad, May 3 (UNI) Amid escalating tensions with India after the Pahalgam terrorist attack, Pakistan has reportedly conducted a successful testing of its Abdali surface-surface missile, which is said to have a 450-km range. The test was part of the Pakistan Armed Forces' Indus drill, to ensure operational readiness in wake of any attack. 'The launch was aimed at ensuring the operational readiness of troops and validating key technical parameters, including the missile's advanced navigation system and enhanced manoeuverability features,' said the military's official media-wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a press release, Dawn reports. It noted that the launch was a part of 'Ex Indus' and was witnessed by the commander of the Army Strategic Forces Command (AFSC), senior officials from the Strategic Plans Division and the AFSC, as well as scientists and engineers from Pakistan's strategic organisations. President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza and the services chiefs extended ntheir congratulations to the participating troops, scientists, and engineers, as per the ISPR statement. 'They expressed complete confidence in the operational preparedness and technical proficiency of Pakistan's Strategic Forces to ensure credible minimum deterrence and safeguard national security against any aggression,' the statement added. Pakistan has engaged in panic-driven-reckless aggression after Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave the Indian military complete operational freedom to take retaliatory steps in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were gunned down in a brutal assault overseen by handlers in Pakistan. Apart from conducting frequent military cross-fire, Islamabad has hurriedly intensified its naval drills in the Arabian Sea, conducting more missile tests, and has frequent warnings of 'nuclear retaliation' against New Delhi in case of any attack, attempting to maintain a tough posture.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Volunteer reflects on 54 years of dedication at Armed Forces Service Center in MSP Airport
The Brief The Armed Forces Service Center opened nearly 55 years ago, and is currently located inside the C concourse at MSP. AFSC is a Minnesota nonprofit that serves the military, but is not connected to the military. Jeanne Morford recalls volunteering the first day the so-called "military lounge" opened. FSC was open 24 hours a day for more than 49 years up until the pandemic. More volunteers will allow the center to be open to more veteran, retired, and active-duty military members. ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - Every week, Jeanne Morford makes her way through Terminal 1 at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, and retired Sgt. Major Vic Gage does the same. Instead of flying, their destination is the Armed Forces Service Center- a place for new military recruits, veterans, retired service members and their families to relax while traveling. "I often hear is that they say, 'Wow, this is the nicest USO we've seen.' And I said, 'Well, we're not a USO, we are a Minnesota nonprofit that we serve the military, but we're not connected to the military in any way.' And they're very impressed," says Morford. The backstory In 1969, Nancy Purdum- Hall's mother, Maggie Purdum, had the idea of creating a private space for traveling members of our military. During the Vietnam War, Maggie's son Scott told her about sleeping on the floor of an airport and using his duffle bag as a pillow. "This is a 40 some year old Wayzata housewife trying to get a chunk of the airport from a, you know, some big deal people? And she was working on it and working that one back away and don't take no for an answer," says Nancy. "She was about to give up when he was killed, and with him came a note. It said 'don't give up.'" Scott's mom didn't give up. A few months later on Nov. 22, 1970, the first military lounge opened. Morford recalls serving hot dogs and organizing pool tables, and playing cards for traveling members of the military. Now two locations later the space has expanded. Food, showers, bunks for rest offer everyone from new recruits to veterans a comfortable place while traveling. "We are very strict about knowing what time they need to get up, because we don't want them to fall asleep and miss a flight," says Morford. "I guess I've always admired people who are in the military and I wanted to do something to help, to show my appreciation for their service, and that's why I got involved and stayed involved." What you can do Volunteers for AFSC must be at least 21 years old. A designated parking area and an airport badge with background checks are included in the process. Volunteer Duties include: Welcoming traveling military guests Checking eligibility identification Limited food preparation Offering center amenities Light housekeeping Other miscellaneous activities Find more information on volunteering here. What's next The goal of the AFSC is to get back to keeping the doors open 24 hours, but more volunteers are needed to do so. "It's not uncommon if you've got 20 young recruits coming through that, you know, many of them haven't, haven't flown before. Or if they did, they were with mom and dad that were kind of shepherding through the airport. So it's just an extra level of, of kind of security for them that they've got somebody very knowledgeable with getting them getting their boarding passes, helping them get through security, helping them find their way around the airport," says AFSC president, Rick Dale. "It's not uncommon for some snafu to take place. A name doesn't match up with a boarding pass or orders, and our volunteers have done it long enough that they know how to work with the airlines to basically get the young person off to wherever they're going, East Coast or West Coast for their basic training." AFSC is located at MSP Terminal 1 on the second floor at the end of Concourse C. For more information on the AFSC click here: The Source The Armed Forces Service Center.
