Palestine forum sheds light on Gaza

On July 7, the ANSWER Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) and the Palestinian American Women’s

Dr. Mona El-Farra discusses conditions for Palestinians in Gaza. July 7, Los Angeles. Photos: Ian Thompson

Association hosted a very successful Los Angeles public forum entitled “Crisis in Palestine,” featuring guest speaker, Dr. Mona El-Farra.

Dr. El-Farra is a Palestinian physician in Gaza. She is a health development consultant for the Union of Health Work Committees and vice president of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society in Gaza. 

The Los Angeles forum drew more than 125 people, including many from the Arab American community, who filled the hall on the University of Southern California campus. The forum was part of Dr. El-Farra’s U.S. tour to raise consciousness about Palestine and to help her work assisting Palestinian children in Gaza. More than $7,000 was raised by the generous attendees.

Short introductions were given by Muna Coobtee of ANSWER Coalition and the Party for Socialism and Liberation, and Samera Sood of PAWA. Both talked about the work being done in Southern California to support Palestine. Then, Dr. El-Farra presented a powerful slideshow of Palestinian women, men and children who suffer under Israeli occupation. Many photos displayed horrific images of demolished homes and bombed-out buildings, illustrating the difficult living conditions in Gaza.  

She talked about the tribulations Palestinians face at checkpoints. These stops are one of the many ways the Israeli military enforces apartheid in historic Palestine. Palestinians can only pass through the checkpoints if they possess “correct” documentation. They are

Activists and friends with Dr. El-Farra.

often held at the checkpoints in the boiling sun for hours. This makes the daily lives of Palestinians an exhausting struggle. Last year, dozens of Palestinian women gave birth at checkpoints in Gaza, unable to get to a hospital. Many of the babies were stillborn. Some new mothers came back to homes that had been demolished by Israel’s racist occupying army.

Dr. El-Farra also discussed the health conditions of children living under occupation. She explained that 42 percent of children in Gaza under age five suffer from iron deficiency and anemia. Forty-five percent suffer post-traumatic stress disorder, due to the constant military actions of the Israeli Occupation Forces.

Dr. El-Farra also stressed the unbending will of the Palestinian people to overcome these obstacles. She articulated Palestinians’ collective determination to liberate their homeland and win the inalienable, legal right of return.

The Party for Socialism and Liberation stands in solidarity with our Palestinian sisters and brothers. We uphold the just struggle for the right of return and demand unconditional self-determination for Palestine.