Video conference with ORSCP delegates in Rafah.

Four Olympia-Rafah Sister City Project delegates have just arrived in Rafah in the Gaza Strip where they are working to build connections between our two communities. On Tuesday, November 29th, the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people, please join us for an exciting live video conference from Rafah where we will hear from and ask questions of our delegates and also of residents of Rafah. This is a free event open to the public.

WHY NOVEMBER 29th? The United Nations General Assembly in 1977 declared November 29th to be the "International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People" (resolution 32/40 B). It was that day in 1947 that the Assembly adopted the resolution on the partition of Palestine (resolution 181 (II)).

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT Help us show our solidarity with our friends in Rafah. We want to fill the room with people wishing them well as they continue to live under a tight military occupation that controls all aspects of life. Many people believe that the occupation of Gaza ended this summer with the pullout of Israel's 8,500 illegal settlers. Gaza remains a prison with closed borders. The Israeli military holds tight control over airspace and port access and all routes in or out of the area. The Israeli government continues to control Gaza's telecommunications, water, electricity and sewage systems and the ability of people and goods to enter or leave the area.

Sister city relationships can trump these obstacles. In spite of the billions of U.S. tax dollars that fuel Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories, people from Olympia and Rafah continue working together in friendship. You can be a part of this during the November 29 video conference. See you there!

More information here.