We Cannot Heal Until We Are Free

Healing our Homeland is a movement to liberate Palestine that will lead the way to our collective liberation and healing. When we say homeland, we mean all of our homes, all of our communities, all the lands of God (SWT). We believe that once Palestine is free, it will lead the way to freedom throughout our world. InshaAllah. 

We begin by, resisting by all means, divesting from oppressive systems and institutions, unlearning colonial conditioning and aligning our actions with our values. True healing comes only when we find liberation. We cannot heal while we are being starved, displaced, tortured and murdered. 

 

Liberation is Required

We know that we cannot truly heal while in a constant state of oppression. We are healing from the colonization of our lands, minds, bodies and souls. Palestine has been illegally occupied by the Zionist entity for multiple generations. In the besieged city of Gaza, the people are in a perpetual state of violence and trauma, with no end in sight.  When a society undergoes collective punishment, they undergo collective trauma. We cannot end the occupation alone, but we can begin by taking intentional action. Our collective intention to act towards collective liberation and healing is powerful.  We are Healing our Homeland of all forms of oppression, misogyny, discrimination, violence and injustice. 

Why are we focused on Gaza?

The genocide against the Palestinian people has been rapidly escalating for the past 17 years.  Since 2007 the Gaza strip has been under a complete military blockade, enclosed by an apartheid wall and blocked by land, air, and sea. The freedom of movement – among all basic human rights – has been completely stripped away. Since October 2023, the occupation forces have murdered over 180,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and over 1.8 million Palestinians have been forcibly displaced. The occupation prevents the entry of food, water, medicine, gas or any essentials of life.

In 2021 alone, the merciless and illegal occupation forces murdered 248 Palestinians, including 61 children, and injured 1900 people in Gaza. At least 1200 homes and buildings were destroyed and another 15,000 were partially destroyed. Over 100,000 Palestinians in Gaza were displaced in 2021. In 2014, Apartheid Israel murdered over 2,250 Palestinians in Gaza, 500 of whom were children and left 11,000 wounded. At least 20,000 buildings were destroyed by the Apartheid state. This describes more recent of the many attacks on the indigenous people of Palestine since 1948. The bottom line, the people in Gaza are being exterminated and too many are suffering. The empathy, resources, and support to end the occupation is long overdue.

“Peace starts within our own hearts and minds, the world around us will never reflect peace unless we have it within us.”

Malak Mattar, a Gaza based artist & the creator of the masterpieces you will find throughout our website.

From Palestinian Women to Palestinian Women

Palestinian women are faced with systemic and structural violence by the ongoing occupation. They are denied basic human rights such as freedom of movement, access to education, economic opportunities, and reproductive health.

Palestinian women face gender-based violence at the hands of Israeli occupation forces and from Palestinians themselves. While gender-based violence impacts women globally, we know that gender-based violence rises with colonial violence. And there is no shortage of colonial violence in occupied Palestine.

The disproportionate impacts on women and children under genocide requires more than just prayers for change but action to resist the attempt to destroy our indigenous social and political life. We know investing in women and children is essential to achieve liberation. 

We know that investing in women and children is essential to achieve liberation.

Societies that prioritize, elevate, and empower women and children create resilient communities, just societies, stable economies, and long-lasting, positive change. Gender equality and the empowerment of women and children is essential in any movement of liberation. Societies excel when women’s rights are upheld and valued.

There are one million children living in the world’s largest open-air prison – the Gaza strip. Prior to October 2023, every child in Gaza 14 or older had experienced four major attacks that left thousands martyred and countless injured and traumatized. These are generations of children who are growing up with no education, no security and never having the chance to plan for their future. They need safety and hope. There is no doubt that the children of Gaza need ongoing psychological and social support. We are committed to empowering women and children to realize their full potential and become capable leaders for future generations.

Articles to reflect on (all prior to October 2023)