On October 1st, 2024, a distinguished delegation from the state of Michigan, USA, headed by His Excellency Mr. Abdullah Hammoud, Mayor of Dearborn, conducted a pivotal meeting at the headquarters of the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD). The visit aimed to fortify international support for the Palestinian cause amidst ongoing regional challenges, considering in particular the implications of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) crisis, for Jordan and Palestinians in the region.
The meeting brought together representatives from Jordan’s most prominent civil society organizations committed to the Palestinian cause: Medical Aid for Palestinians (Map Jordan), the Arab Group for the Protection of Nature (APN), and Tawoon (The Welfare Association). These organizations, each with a long-standing history of advocacy and service, provided a detailed analysis of the situation on the ground, highlighting the impact of the Gaza conflict on Palestinian communities both regionally and globally.
MAP provided critical insights into the health challenges facing Palestinian refugees, particularly in Jordan. The organization presented its ongoing work in providing medical services, addressing the acute healthcare needs of the displaced population, and tackling systemic barriers in accessing healthcare for vulnerable Palestinians. They emphasized the dire consequences of the current financial shortfall at UNRWA, which has severely hampered the provision of essential medical services.
APN brought to the forefront the severe ecological and agricultural devastation caused by the wars on Gaza and current genocide, discussing its efforts to restore agricultural resilience in Palestinian territories and support food security initiatives. The organization underscored the need for urgent international attention to the environmental impact of the war, stressing the intersection of ecological destruction and human rights violations.
Tawoon (The Welfare Association), a major player in regional humanitarian efforts, elaborated on its role in supporting education, economic development, and cultural preservation within Palestinian communities. They highlighted the importance of sustained international advocacy and the need for coordinated efforts to ensure the protection of Palestinians’ historical and political rights.
ARDD, as the host of the meeting, presented its extensive work in advocating for the rights and dignity of Palestinian refugees particularly through the development of the Question of Palestine program at the Renaissance Strategic Center (RSC). The program provides a platform for critical reflection and a localized knowledge production on the most compelling socio-political and historical issues of the Palestinian question and the Palestinian refugee crisis. Within this framework the program supports access to legal aid for Palestinian refugees.
During the meeting, the Michigan delegation, which represents the largest Arab-American community in the United States, expressed deep concern for the ongoing humanitarian and political crises impacting Palestinians. H.E. Mr. Abdullah Hammoud reaffirmed the delegation’s commitment to forging lasting partnerships between the Arab-American community in the United States and Jordanian organizations working on the Palestinian cause. He emphasized the importance of developing a nuanced understanding of the complexities on the ground in order to facilitate more effective advocacy within U.S. institutions. The delegation highlighted the importance of their visit in strengthening their knowledge of the condition of Palestinians and the impact of the Gaza war on the whole region with on-the-ground data, to better strategize and represent the interest and most pressing issues for the Arab Community in USA during the current election campaign.
The discussions further explored avenues for future collaboration, focusing on creating stronger ties between these civil society organizations and international stakeholders. The potential for cooperation between MAP, APN, Tawoon, ARDD, and the Michigan delegation was seen as an important step in enhancing the reach of their efforts. This cooperation aims to raise awareness in the United States about the plight of Palestinians, while also supporting the work of local organizations in delivering much-needed services.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to establishing a framework for ongoing dialogue and cooperation, which will enable to advocating for the rights of Palestinians and their call for justice.
