DNTA Convener's Report 2022

Covers April 2021 – March 2022

Presented at the DNTA AGM on 23^rd June 2022

You can also read this as a PDF: DNTA Convener's Report 2021-22

Hello Everyone,

I am writing this report fresh from our first public outing since Covid. We had a really successful stall at Westfest and a big thank you to everyone who participated.

We are slowly bringing our AGMs back to the normal time of May-June in line with the financial year.

The situation in Nablus at the moment is tense. The daily brutalities of the occupation mean Palestinians continue to be harassed, arrested and killed by the occupying forces and by illegal settlers. Despite this our relationship with our twin city remains strong. We are undertaking a number of joint projects and initiatives building friendship, understanding and solidarity between the people of Dundee and our sisters and brothers in Nablus. This work will, hopefully, be further enhanced by an official DNTA trip to Nablus in November this year. We will of course, give a full report back early next year.

Tree Campaign 1,000 Trees for the Nablus Area

This has been the main focus of our work this year. Following an idea by our treasurer, Mohamad Issa, we initiated a Britain-wide campaign to promote the planting of trees in Palestine. As you know, farmers often have their olive trees destroyed by gangs of illegal settlers in a bid to drive Palestinians off their land. Trees have a great cultural, economic, environmental significance. Groups across Britain have taken up the campaign in one form or another. DNTA has already funded 800 trees in the surrounding areas of Nablus. We will, with your continued support, reach our target of 1,000 by the end of the year. £5 buys a tree and ways to donate can be found on our website.

Recognition of the State of Palestine

The historic decision by Dundee City Council to recognise the State of Palestine continued to create waves. It was warmly welcomed in Nablus and has been cited in the House of Commons during a debate on Palestine.

Zoom Talks

These have continued throughout the year and have been well attended.

Hands Up Project

Nick Bilbrough founded the Hands Up Project which is a charity trust. It connects children around the world with young people in Palestine by means of online interaction, drama and storytelling activities. He described the project and showed a short play written by children in the Askar Refugee Camp (in Nablus).

Witness to the olives

Maggie Foyer talked to us about her experiences accompanying Palestinian families as they harvest their olives in fields near to Nablus. This can be a challenging time and international observers can make a big difference.

Graduate Women Scotland East

Mary, Arlene and Rasha attended a very fruitful meeting with this group and discussed building links between them and a similar women’s group in Nablus.

Dundee Women’s Festival 2022

Heather Massoud from Zaytoun discussed the importance of buying Zaytoun products and the amazing role Zaytoun plays in supporting the Palestinian economy and providing a lifeline for Palestinian farmers.

Thank You

Finally a big thank you to all who have continued to support the work of DNTA this year. Particularly Dundee City Councillors, Dundee Trades Union Council, our partners and friends in Nablus, the outgoing committee, our members and the wider Dundee community.

Without you our work would not be possible.

Mary McGregor
Convenor

Committee Members 2021-2022

Arlene Rashwan Membership Secretary Christine Issa Minute Secretary & Event Organiser Florence Germain Event Organiser Ian Borthwick Lord Provost (ex officio) John Davidson Committee member Mary McGregor Convener and Press Officer Marysia Kobylaska O'Sullivan Committee member Mike Whitehead Secretary Mohamad Issa Treasurer Nick Steff Press Officer Ruth Baillie Vice-Convener Vanessa Stark Committee member

Committee Members 2021-2022

Arlene Rashwan		Membership Secretary
Christine Issa		Minute Secretary & Event Organiser
Florence Germain		Event Organiser
Ian Borthwick		Lord Provost (ex officio)
John Davidson		Committee Member
Mary McGregor		Convener and Press Officer
Marysia Kobylaska O'Sullivan		Committee Member
Mike Whitehead		Secretary
Mohamad Issa		Treasurer
Nick Steff		Press Officer
Ruth Baillie		Vice-Convener
Vanessa Stark		Committee Member