ON St David’s Day, Radnor Palestine Links hosted a group of Palestinian youngsters who are touring England and Wales on a trip organised by CADFA – Camden Abu Dis Friendship Association.
For ten days, these four boys and six girls, aged 13 to 16, and their four adult leaders, are enjoying a respite from the horrors of Israeli settler violence that they experience in their home towns in the West Bank – Assawiye, Abu Dis, Jenin camp, and Beit Leeed ad Al Wlajeh.
By the time they reached Knighton they had already been greeted by Mark Drakeford, First Minister of the Senedd, and visited Newport.
Arriving in Presteigne they met children of their age at John Beddoes School and then spent an hour with the Scouts in Knighton, sharing snacks, playing games and exchanging stories.
They then had supper in a nearby house, with local people who brought food to share. The next day, Saturday they met community groups in Craven Arms, before going on to Chester.
Despite the difficult situation, with the ongoing war in Gaza and armed settler violence in their villages in the West Bank, these children are getting a breath of fresh air and a wonderful welcome from the people they are meeting.
They have been fed with welsh cakes and lava bread and reciprocated with hummous, pitta bread, and dates.
Everyone joined in their Palestinian dabke dance and some singing.
They were relieved to know that so many local people have been protesting on their behalf to try to get a permanent cease fire in Gaza and an end to the settler violence in their area.
