The Arab Educational Institute (AEI) held a series of public meetings in partnership with the Women’s Activity Association (WAA) as part of the Early Warning and Response System (EWRS) project funded by the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) on Tuesday, 8/6/2021, Thursday, 10/6/2021, and Saturday, 12/6/2021, in the Crescent Hall Palestinian Red / Old City and Sharek Center / Hebron Municipality.
The AEI Director Mrs. Rania Murra welcomed the participants and presented the concept of the Early Warning and Response System (EWRS), explained its importance and how it works to provide personal protection for each individual in those areas.
She discussed some of the social issues that the area suffers from and the keenness to find ambassadors’ within those areas to achieve civil peace through the EWRS project, which aims to strengthen the steadfastness of the people to control safety.
The Director of the Red Crescent Center Mrs. Nisreen Abdeen praised the importance of working with the EWRS and recommended maintaining the early warning system in order to enhance the resilience of the people in the area.
The theatrical play (Mina and Fina) was performed which tackled social issues and dealt with the society’s view of working young girls and women. The play also tackled the challenges that women face during their work in the field, the violations of the occupation, and the suffering of the people of those areas at the occupation military checkpoints. The play ended with an open ending in order to give women the opportunity to solve the problem as a form of training.
After the theatrical performance, Community Development Expert Mrs. Andaleeb Al-Atawna asked a series of questions to the attendees and the early warning team members to learn about the most important challenges and possible mechanisms of cooperation and support to facilitate the work of field teams.
The participation and interventions of the women of the early warning and response team members were positive and encouraging, as many women praised the importance of the EWRS, as it has become a way of life and an approach that accompanies them in all their societal issues. One of team members confirmed that she was able to convey the idea to the women of the region to avoid falling into danger. This is the case of Iman Abu Hadid’s daughter when she crossed the Abu Al-Rish checkpoint (the container). The Israeli soldiers searched her along with her bag, so that the girl noticed when one of the soldiers put a knife, she quickly pulled out her bag and exposed them in front of those at the checkpoint.
One of the women further added that, after discussion with the early warning team members who live near her, she was able to protect her son, who was subjected to many attacks while passing through the old city barriers. The woman alerted her son to contact a family member before entering the checkpoint, so that they, in turn, photographed him during his crossing to document the violation, which pushed the soldiers on duty to turn away and stop hurting him.
One of the women added that through receiving the training, she worked on preparing a group on (WhatsApp) that included a group of young boys and men of the region to communicate with each other in order to warn each other to avoid danger and when any member of their area was attacked or violated, so that the event could be dealt with quickly and effectively.
One of the interviewees, a doctor from the region, expressed his willingness to receive early warning and response groups in his clinic located in the Ras region for any training or activity during the project.
Everyone praised the importance of working under the EWRS in the areas of Hebron H2, targeted by the project to maintain civil peace and provide the necessary protection. There were also recommendations for awareness-raising sessions and workshops for women and men in those closed areas by working with psychologists and ensure their presence in partner centers as well as persons with disabilities who suffer from both. It was further recommended to work with them and provide protection and support, as they are exposed to various forms of attacks and pressures, both societal and psychological.
The series of public meetings are implemented by the Arab Educational Institute (AEI), and in partnership with the Women’s Activity Association (WAA), represented by the Chair of the Administrative Board, Mrs. Maysoon Qawasmeh, funded by the Women’s Fund for Peace and Humanitarian Action (WPHF), and in cooperation with the partner institutions, the Association of Youth and Childhood Dreams represented by its Executive Director, Mr. Al-Jabari and the Women of the Regime Group represented by Mrs. Safa Amrish and the Hebron Municipality Community Center/ participated, represented by its director, Mr. Omar Al-Rajabi, and in the presence of a number of partners and support institutions including the political guidance represented by Captain Basil Shawabkeh, Captain Hamza Khalawi, Major Radi Khaddour and Major Ahmed Halahleh, and on behalf of the General Intelligence, Mrs. Nada Khalil Abu Sneina, and Mrs. Nisreen Abdeen, the Director of the Red Crescent Center, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Jalal Abido, Head of Planning Department.
