Hebron- ( 16/5/ 2010), PRCS organized a ceremony in Hebron to mark World Re Cross Red Crescent Day (May 8). The event took place in the Hebron Rehabilitation Committee (HRC) plaza in the old city of Hebron and was attended by Dr. Younis Al Khatib- PRCS President, the Head of the PRCS Hebron branch, Samih Abu Aisheh, Pierre Wettach the Head of the ICRC delegation in the Palestinian Territory, Dr. Ali Al Qawasmeh the Head of the HRC, the representative of the governorate of Hebron, Marwan Sultan, the representative of the Hebron Municipality, Eng. Kamal Dweik and representatives from governmental and civil society organizations in the Hebron district as well as members of the general public.
In his speech, Dr. Al Qawasmeh saluted the initiative of the PRCS for choosing to hold this ceremony in the old town of Hebron and drawing together its members to organize the activity in this location. Such an initiative shows support for the steadfastness of the residents of the old town.
He also acknowledged PRCS services and programs in the Palestinian community both in Palestine and throughout the Diaspora. He pointed out that PRCS along with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have been instrumental in alleviating people’s suffering and in helping to heal their wounds.
In his address, Mr. Sultan highlighted the fact that this occasion coincides with the 62nd commemoration of Al Nakba Day which calls for our continued steadfastness and resistance against occupation. He gave thanks, on behalf of the people of Hebron, to the PRCS for the significant services it provides and for the fruitful cooperation with other local institutions. According to Sultan, the symbolic location of this ceremony, in the vicinity of the Ibrahimi Mosque is confirmation of its [the Ibrahimi mosque] Arab and Muslim identity.
Eng. Dweik gave a preview of the different types of services provided by PRCS and ICRC, such as prisoner visits, caring for the vulnerable groups, tending the wounded, and he outlined how every Palestinian home benefits from those services.
This was affirmed by Mr. Wettach who said that PRCS and ICRC are exerting immense efforts to make the voices of war victims heard, to provide protection for civilians, and to guarantee respect for humanity in the Palestinian territory in general, and in Hebron in particular. He continued by saying that International Laws are being challenged by Israeli occupational activities such as the building of settlements and the erection of barriers and road blocks as well as restrictions on urban planning, construction and mobility, thus adversely effecting social development in the OPT.
Dr. Al Khatib drew attention to the suffering of the people of Hebron, where 400 Israeli settlers control the lives of 200,000 Palestinians. He pointed out that PRCS is doing all it can to alleviate their suffering and to heal their wounds.
He mentioned that the first event to commemorate the birthday of Henry Dunant marking the World Red Cross Red Crescent Day was in 1948 (the year of our Nakba), and that it is as if this world movement is telling Palestinians that it will not rest until its freedom and sovereignty are achieved.
Dr. Al Khatib added that Henry Dunant’s ideas are representative of the humane and religious heritage of all the people of the world. Respect for human dignity is the foundation of the International Red Cross Red Crescent movement and provides the building blocks for international human rights laws. He stated that Hebron is continuously being violated by the Israeli occupation and its settlers at a time when the city, its civilians, medical teams, and cultural and religious heritage should be protected under International Humanitarian Law.
Finally, Dr. Al Khatib described how PRCS has and continues to symbolize the unity of our people over many years and the hope that the two parts of our country are once again united.
The ceremony, which was preceded by a large procession from the old City Hall plaza and a youth marathon that started at the Ibn Rushd School plaza as well as a children’s marathon that started at al Ya’cobiye school, included numerous entertainment and cultural performances, such as a satirical skit by the Hebron Volunteer Committee about the harsh conditions in the old town. An open day for children in which PRCS volunteers organized entertainment and fun activities for around 700 children also coincided with the ceremony.
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