Palestine Solidarity

Republica have been long standing supporters of the free Palestine movement and continue to stand in solidarity against the military occupation upheld by Israel.

A group from Republica first travelled to Palestine in 2007 alongside our friends from the Easton Cowboys, and several trips have been made since. Including a men’s section trip in 2015, and groups of women in 2014 and 2017.

On each occasion we have been hosted in Palestine by Hamed, the co-founder of the Hebron International Resources Network (HIRN), a volunteer organisation which works to fund housing and education for the most vulnerable Palestinians. Hamed has repeatedly been the groups’ guide and host, showing endless hospitality and wisdom, and helping us to get to grips with the reality of life in Palestine. You can find out more about HIRN here: https://www.amostrust.org/palestine-justice/partners/hirn/

And of course it wouldn’t be a Republica trip without football! From an impromptu match against the Palestinian national team on the 2014 trip, to games against a group from Hebron University who had never kicked a ball before, to matches in refugee camps; repeatedly, football has proven an excellent way to break through cultural and language barriers, and to connect with Palestinians. The value of being able to share the simple joy of football is articulated by our friend Peace (from the Easton Cowboys):

“You can’t underestimate how isolated Palestinians feel; how un-cared about,” he says. “It’s good for them to feel as if like ­minded people care – if you go over there to do stuff, volunteering… anything, it’s almost seen as political, but we’re just a bunch of footballers. It’s showing support at a different level.”

Over the years, the Palestinian trips have been accompanied by a pledge to spread the word of the illegal occupation of Palestine, and a promise: “we will share your story’. Staying true to this, Harry Hoare, who travelled to the West Bank in 2014, made a film about the trip Balls, Barriers and Bulldozers, exploring the physical and cultural boundaries to women playing football in the West Bank. And subsequently to the 2017 trip, a follow up film “Around the wall: Bend it like Bethlehem” was put together by Blue, from Republica. Both films have been featured in the Leeds Palestinian Film Festival and screened at various other locations.

You can watch ‘Around the Wall’ here: https://vimeo.com/283301221

You can learn more about the 2014 trip here: https://thebristolcable.org/2016/01/more-than-just-a-kickabout/

You can learn more about the 2017 trip here: https://thesetpieces.com/latest-posts/womens-football-club-yorkshire-went-secret-tour-palestine/ ; https://www.redpepper.org.uk/the-beautiful-game-under-siege-womens-football-in-the-west-bank/