Norwegian People's Aid has worked activly in Palestine since 1987, having opened a local office in Gaza in 1996. The work
is finances mainly from NORAD. NPA co-operates with serveral local partners in fields like: environment, mental health care,
sexually transmitted diseases/AIDS, health education,, advisory services for women and adocacy of women's rights, cultural
activities for children and young people, childrens literature, and special measures for the partially blind.
NPA in Palestine
Norwegian People's Aid has worked actively in Palestine since 1987, having opened a local office in Gaza in 1996. The work is financed mainly from NORAD. NPA co-operates with several local partners in fields like: land and resource rights, right to participate in the civil society for women and refugees, democratic working right, youth and their right to participate and violence against women.
NPA Palestine also have program for emergency aid focusing on education and agriculture. These projects started after the second intifada in 2000. Ministry of Foreign Affair funds the projects.
- Talk peace with Obama, Jens
Ahead of US President Barack Obama's visit to Norway Norwegian People’s Aid and AUF requested Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg to put peace in the Middle East on the agenda when meeting with the president.
NPA congratulates Mohammed Omer with the Ossietzky prize
“The Ossietzky prize is a big recognition of the job Mohammed has done, and Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) congratulate him with the prize he receives for his journalistic and photographic work in Gaza”, says Secretary-General in NPA Petter Eide.
NPA supports a third way for Goldstone
“Norwegian People’s Aid’s (NPA) partners in Gaza are now extremely worried that the Goldstone report will be put aside. This would mean violations of their rights committed in the occupied territories yet again are documented, but get no consequences for the perpetrator. Thus make it easier for the occupying powers to commit new war crimes,” says Petter Eide, Secretary-General at NPA.
The Israeli election
Yousef is NPA's finance officer in Gaza. These are his views on the Israeli election.
Stars performs for Gaza
The staff of the Norwegian National Theatre came together on short notice to arrange a show in support of the people in Gaza. 34 actors, 20 musicians, 36 singers and one circus performer moved the audience to both laughter and tears.
Still waiting in Jerusalem
A team from Norwegian People’s Aid, led by Secretary General Petter Eide, travelled to Jerusalem yesterday in the hope of getting into Gaza as soon as possible. – We are far from the only humanitarian organisation waiting for Israel to open the borders and the frustration amongst aid workers here is considerable, says Eide.
NPA car hit by missile in Gaza
Friday night a drone missile hit a NPA car that was parked outside the house of NPA employee Mahmoud Hamada. Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs characterizes the attack as a violation of humanitarian law, according the Norwegian broadcasting NRK.
Stop Israeli war crimes
Statement from Norwegian People’s Aid: Israel’s current attack on the Gaza Strip is now into its tenth day. After several days of airborne attack, Israel has now commenced an invasion with ground forces.
The Norwegian Church criticises Israel
In a letter to the Israeli Embassy the Norwegian Church Counsil states that "Israel’s use of military power in Gaza in recent days is creating a totally unacceptable and immoral humanitarian situation".
New year in Gaza
It is really very sad and painful to start New Year writing about disastrous, miserable and mad war being launched against the Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip.
Civilian life under fire
NPA partner Democratic Worker’s Rights Center (DWRC) is in this text sharing a glimpse of the life of civilians in Gaza under Israeli fire.
Eid Greeting from Gaza Jail
It's shame to the world: Gaza is still under the siege and blockade. Gaza children can't be happy during next week's feast, Eid al-Adha.
Gaza back to the Stone Age
Palestinians in the Gaza strip; the most densely populated area in the world are now deprived from the basics of living.
The Forced Starvation Diet of Palestinians
"Amidst extreme poverty, daily survival allows no luxuries." Mohammed Omer Al Moghayer comments the situation in Gaza.
The Free Gaza Movement arrives
On Saturday 23rd August 2008 just before sunset the two Free Gaza boats “SS Free Gaza" and "SS Liberty” arrived and moored in the Gaza wharf. International activists in human rights from 17 nations have arrived into Gaza in one of the most emotional events in the Gaza Strip since 1967. Its estimated that over 40,000 Gazans were in their reception.
One journalist's story: from triumph to torture
In an article for the Guardian, John Pilger describes presenting a top journalism award to a young Palestinian, Mohammed Omer, and how, on his return home to Gaza, he was seized by the Israelis, who demanded the prize money and tortured him.
Demands explanation from Israel
Norwegian Peoples Aid has requested an explanation from Israel for the unacceptable treatment of Mohammed Al Mughayer at Allenby crossing last Thursday, 26th. of June 2008.
Calls for an immediate ceasefire
– Israel must stop its attacks on the Gaza Strip. A ceasefire must be put in place with immediate effect, says Norwegian People’s Aid Secretary General, Petter Eide.
Norwegian investments contribute to collective punishment
Norway has invested 107 million Norwegian Kroner in an Israeli corporation used by the state of Israel to afflict collective punishment on the Palestinian population in Gaza. Norwegian People’s Aid demands that Norway withdraw from the corporation.
–Egypt shows solidarity
–By allowing Palestinians to cross the border at Rafah, Egypt is giving a clear invitation to the world community to show a wholly different level of solidarity towards the Palestinians of the Gaza Strip. Norway must follow suit, says Secretary General of Norwegian People’s Aid, Petter Eide.
No to increased trade with Israel - let Gaza live!
– Norwegian People’s Aid condemns Israel’s closure of the Gaza Strip and the collective punishment of the population by cutting gas and electricity. Collective punishment is a clear violation of international law. Israel is still the occupying power on the Gaza Strip. It is high time due that the international community holds Israel responsible for collectively punishing 1,5 million people, says Finn Erik Thoresen, Secretary General in NPA.
Solidarity with the Palestinian people
The staff of NPA Rwanda took the challenge and arranged a collect in the office in solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Purple lines
For quite sometime I was preventing myself from writing thinking that what is happening in Gaza is a minute incident that will rapidly come to an end. Nonetheless, things sustained and it seems that they will never end.
Women and Participation
I was invited yesterday to participate in an open meeting of one of our projects which is Women and Participation in the middle area of Gaza. The meeting was to evaluate the status of the neighborhood committees and to discuss whether those committees are meeting the demands of women in the middle area or not.
Palestinian workers
We are very close to the 1st of May, which will be the international Labour Day. Some local servants, municipality employees and governmental employees went on strike, as they did not receive their salaries for elongated periods.
The Forced Starvation Diet of Palestinians
"Amidst extreme poverty, daily survival allows no luxuries." Mohammed Omer Al Moghayer comments the situation in Gaza.
Spirit of giving
Sometimes you feel lonely, desperate, frightened and unhappy; every one of us has a dark moment made him feeling miserable. Let me talk about myself for example; two weeks ago I had experience of all those feelings, when I lost my faith in humanity and solidarity between human being, until I had a unique experience with humans. I want to share this experience with you.
The dreams of the white sail
After putting the final touches to the formation of the national unity government, which came following a series of grief and haunting incurred by the Palestinian people suddenly the Norwegian government sail lifted over the ship announcing its readiness to lift the siege which has been imposed on our land to lead the list of countries of the world and lead the Arab countries also.
Call for international recognition
The European network SOLIDAR is calling for international recognition of the new Palestinian government.
New Hope: A Palestinian diary
While I was walking in the main market in a refugee Palestinian camp, (where I live –Bureij camp), a woman stopped me and asked "Are you working with Norwegian People’s Aid?” “Yes”, I replied. “Why you don't ask Norwegians to help my daughter to get into Israel to have her medical treatment?”
About alleviating suffering
On 22 February, I went to visit the sites of one project in rehabilitation of agricultural sector in Palestine which is funded by Norwegian People’s Aid in the eastern part of Gaza city. I was accompanied by the site agronomist from our partner organization (Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committees) PARC.
What does power mean now?
Wadad finds it hard to understand that Palistinians fight among themselves over power, while the real power to affect the lives of the Palestinians lie with Israel.
Sovereignty over the water's surface
"This occupation swallowed all the lands, freedom and the Palestinian youth", Ashraf writes in his diary. Ashraf works at NPA's Palestine office in Gaza.
NPA in Palestine
Please stop fighting or our hearts will stop
Rawia Al Wari works for NPA in Gaza. Here are her touching diary notes about how the insurgesies affect people and the children in perticular. This is her cry for the world to react.
Youth protest against Israel
Three young Palestinians from Gaza were not allowed to leave Gaza to attend a youth conference in South Africa hosted by NPA.
"My... my... my legs."
In Gaza City, where many businesses have closed their doors, and the rest that remain open are struggling. Al Shifa Hospital is by far the busiest place all over. In the intense heat of Gaza's hottest summer days, dozens of men, boys, and journalists, hang out at the entrance of the hospital, waiting for the Red Crescent ambulances to unload the latest casualties which mostly arrive as small body parts... arms, legs, fingers, and even in some cases, not knowing, and wondering in horror, what body parts are left behind.
Together for Palestine!
The situation in Palestine is particularly difficult this summer. In solidarity with the Palestinian people, Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) and the Norwegian Federation of Trade Unions (LO) are launching a common appeal for financial support.
Charity bread never meet the need
In his tiny, hot Variety shop in the middle of Gaza City, 47 year old Ramadan Al Batriki is wiping the dust off rows of sunglasses and bright packages of eau de cologne. T shirts, baseball caps and souvenirs are not in great demand now, but he arranges the Kaffiyah and sweeps the floor, throwing a glance outside, hoping to see a customer or two. "Nobody coming! You may as well come out and sit here with me”, says his neighbour Abu Salman, 42, wryly. “People can’t even afford to buy food, so why do you think they would be buying sunglasses and caps?
Situation in Gaza dramatically worsens
”In only 48 hours 35 people have been killed and many more wounded,” notifies Gudrun Bertinussen, the local representative of Norwegian People’s Aid in Gaza. – Yesterday Israel said it was to further intensify attacks. All checkpoints out of the Gaza Strip are now closed. Jebaliya, north of Gaza City, is the largest refugee camp in the whole of Palestine.
The Face of Crisis
"Five shekels worth of bread, please! Five shekels worth! Please!"
– When will we be allowed to fish again?
– A wooden boat is like a fish: if it lies too long on the beach, it dies. Mohammad Mohamed Al-Zeq lovingly but sadly strokes his fishing boat. For four whole years it has been lying with its belly in the air on a beach in Mawasi, a beautiful little coastal community way down south in the Gaza Strip.
The Shout Behind the Veil
Finally there is something more numerous than bullet holes on the walls of Palestine: political posters. Candidates, slogans, party logos, plus a surprising number of this sudden crop of posters in the Gaza Strip which have been made and put up by student organizations and youth groups. Young people aged 18-25 are 30% of the population in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and are determined to make their voices matter in the 25 January Parliamentary elections. While some posters endorse a specific party, they all have a common theme of "Change—NOW."
From Mjøsa to Gaza
“Back home in Norway, we’re quick to complain about everything and nothing. I’m embarrassed. What we’ve experienced here on the Gaza Strip today is indescribable. All the same, the Palestinians are smiling and welcoming wherever we go. That’s by no means a matter of course!”
Election Observer to Rafah South in the Gaza Strip
Inger Sandberg from NPA has been participating as an international observer in the palestinian elections. Here is her report from the election.
APPEAL – four years of the Intifada
Nils A. Røhne, Head of International Department, Norwegian People’s Aid This speech was given in front of the Norwegian Parliament September 28 th 2004, on a solidarity meeting in Oslo, Norway, to mark the starting date of the Intifada.
Report from NPA office in Gaza
This is just to provide you with brief update on the situation in Gaza and NPA office in Palestine.
International silence on palestinian prisoners
International agencies denounce the silence of the International Community to the humanitarian demands of Palestinians prisoners
New book from NPA: The fight against injustice
NPA has been involved in humanitarian work with the palestinianse since the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982. This book contains articles written by NPA emplyees in Lebanon and Palestine, our partners and norwegian and palestinian journalists.
Why did Norway abstain from voting in the UN?
Yesterday, Monday December 8, Norway abstained from voting on a resolution in the UN's General Assembly to ask The International Tribunal in Haag to consider if the Israeli wall on Palestinian territory is legal. To our great surprise, Norway abstained from voting.
