Running for rights in Palestine

8 April 2016

The 484km separation wall, ID restrictions, checkpoints and the stifling blockade of Gaza mean restrictions on movement are a daily struggle for Palestinians living under Israel's 49-year occupation.

‘Everyone has the right to freedom of movement’

Article 13 of the UN Declaration of Human Rights

For the last four years, the Palestine Marathon in Bethlehem has allowed people from around the world to run alongside Palestinians in solidarity and support for Palestinians’ right to movement.  The struggle to find a contiguous 42km marathon route in which Palestinian runners can participate without crossing a checkpoint or the separation wall means that participants must loop around an 11km course. Starting next to the church of the nativity in the centre of Bethlehem, it wends its way past the looming wall and its watchtowers, and the Palestinian refugee camp of Aida.

This year, among the 4,400 runners were twelve intrepid individuals who had journeyed from the UK to take part and raise over £6,000 for MAP’s medical programmes across Lebanon, the West Bank and Gaza. The bright sunshine in Bethlehem this year contributed to a party atmosphere, with old and young runners, people with disabilities and parents pushing prams mixing with athletes taking part in the 10k, half- and full-marathon races. Those without the energy to run cheered along the route, giving runners the last bit of momentum needed to climb the hill to the finish line.

The MAP-Amos Trust runners before the race

Last year the men’s marathon was won by Olympic runner Nada Al-Masri from Gaza. This year, in a sad reminder of the importance of this race’s message, he and over 100 other runners from Gaza were denied permits to travel to take part, including two members of MAP staff. The UN’s coordinator for humanitarian aid in the occupied Palestinian territory welcomed the marathon but expressed his disappointment on the inability of many Gazans to take part, saying: "As many of us join this celebratory event, we remain acutely aware of the many barriers to freedom of movement faced by Palestinians every day. I am sorry to hear that Gazan runners have not been granted permits by the Israeli authorities to participate."

Also among the participants was breast cancer surgeon, UK MP, and former MAP medic Dr Philippa Whitford. Dr Whitford was in Palestine on a medical delegation with MAP, performing breast cancer surgeries alongside the Palestinian team at the Augusta Victoria Hospital in East Jerusalem, and educational seminars on breast cancer treatment in Gaza.

If you are interested in taking part in next year’s race for MAP, or any other fundraising challenge events, click here to get involved!