'Hope and life in Palestine' in pictures

The packed room saw photos of 'hope and life' in Palestine in an attempt to show the peaceful resistance Palestinian people exercise every day.

Hamde Abu Rahma began photography after his cousin, Bassem, was killed by occupation forces at a peaceful demonstration in his West Bank village.

The death of Bassem Abu Rahma was captured in the Oscar-nominated documentary 5 Broken Cameras.

	Abu Rahma, an outspoken critic of the occupation, held several talks across Scotland and England [Craig Brown]

Since 2005, weekly demonstrations have been held against the Separation Wall in Bil’in, a small village in the West Bank.

These peaceful demonstrations are often accompanied by international and Israeli solidarity activists who march against the barrier that runs through the village.

On the other side of the wall lies the Israeli settlement of Moddin illit, which is illegal under international law.

The esteemed photographer from Bil’in had attempted to gain a visa to the UK for over two years, and finally reached an agreement with the government in the wake of protests over his treatment.

Last year, he was refused entry to take part in an Edinburgh Festival Fringe event who claimed he had provided no financial information, despite having proved the festival was financially sponsoring him.

Arriving in the UK on 1 August, Abu Rahma’s tour started in Edinburgh where he was greeted with Palestinian flags and supporters.

Abu Rahma, an outspoken critic of the occupation, held several talks across Scotland and England, with feature photos from his book, Roots Run Deep, revealing what life is like in his homeland.

In his final exhibit in London, Abu Rahma was joined by Mahmoud Zwahre, from the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements.

Zwahre focused his speech on the peaceful, non-violent, ways to resist the occupation, with focus on the popular Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement.

He emphasised the need for a collective understanding and humanity across all people.

“We are humans before we are Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh or Buddhist,” he went on to say.

The event, hosted by activism group I Acknowledge Apartheid Exists told The New Arab: “We really to hope the event was beneficial to everyone who attended. It was organised at short notice, but regardless, it was an amazing experience.

“We would also like to remind people that Gaza is under siege” they continued.

Abu Rahma returns from the UK with expectations of being interrogated by border forces in Israel. Since being here, his home in Bil’in has been raided by occupation forces.

	Pictures Craig Brown