1 January 2025
The past year has been one of the most difficult for Palestinians in living memory. It has seen an unprecedented Israeli military bombardment and blockade of Gaza as well as the systematic destruction of hospitals and healthcare. Palestinians in the occupied West Bank have faced increased Israeli military violence and restrictions, and conflict in Lebanon posed further threats to Palestinian refugees.
Despite the huge professional and personal challenges faced, MAP’s local teams have remained dedicated to supporting those in need. Below are their wishes for the new year:
“I hope to see an immediate and permanent ceasefire in 2025. Everyone in Gaza wants to see this. I want to see that all the crossings are opened again so enough medical, food and aid supplies can be delivered, and that people’s dire life conditions can change.
“People have been suffering for so long; they have lost family, friends, neighbours, homes and belongings – so much. I wish for people to have a safe place to live and to be sure that no one will harm them again. For children and students, I wish that they can resume their studies and sustain a normal life. I wish for access to electricity and so many other basic things. I hope that we at MAP will be able to keep growing and building on our work to provide essential support, enhance access to medical care and other services, so that we can keep making a real difference for people in Gaza.”
“I could never have imagined the extent of the destruction and violence that I have seen in Gaza or in the West Bank in the past year. Despite this, I remain optimistic as I see the increase in solidarity with Palestinians across the world and I know that it is only a matter of time that Palestinians will enjoy justice. My wish for 2025 is justice for Palestinians.”
“My hope for 2025 is that families in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon can finally live in peace, and that we see an end to Israel’s military attacks. I hope children can be happy again and go back to school to build a better future.”
“Hope is the light that guides us through the darkest of times. Despite the hardships that we endured this year, and the injustices that we experience every day, hope remains our greatest strength, to keep us going, remind us why we keep trying, why we keep supporting one another, until the day that light shall again prevail. We hope that 2025 will carry more hope and less tragedy and suffering for every Palestinian, for you all, for the whole world”.
“My wish for 2025 is that the war on Palestinians in Gaza comes to an end and that Palestinians feel safe once and for all. I hope that people are given the chance to grieve the killed, the injured receive proper medication, and all the displaced have a dignified return home. My hope is for a year that brings a sign of hope for a better future for Palestinians in Gaza.”
“I think October 2023, was the last time I felt happy. I know that most people around me feel the same. In the past 14 months, we learnt that our lives as Palestinians have no value, and according to the UK government, human rights are not part of Palestinians’ rights. My only way of coping was working at MAP and making sure that Palestinian voices are heard and amplified. My wish for 2025 is for Israel’s war on Palestinians to come to an end, and that MAP can continue being a lifeline to others, supporting our communities to find life and dignity again.”
“This past year has been the hardest of my life. As we approach 2025 while others countdown to celebrations, we, as Palestinians, will count down to bombings and mourn the loss of more innocent lives, bracing for what another year might bring. My wish for the new year is simple: freedom and justice for all Palestinians enduring this unending nightmare. These are the words I will carry into 2025 – if I survive to see it – because they are the only words that truly matter.”
“My wish is that our colleagues and all Palestinians living under occupation and as refugees realise their right to freedom.”
We at MAP would also like to reflect on the huge outpouring of global support for the Palestinian people over the past year. MAP’s supporters have been incredible, donating, joining and hosting events, and campaigning for the rights and dignity of Palestinians living under attack.
As ever, we at MAP are grateful for your continued and steadfast support which we hope will continue into the new year.
Thank you to everyone who has supported MAP throughout this difficult year. We look forward to a safer and more peaceful 2025.
Photo: MAP team members responsible for Gaza’s poliovirus campaign monitoring in September 2024.
