Perspectives.
In the lead up to the release of Walk Free’s Global Slavery Index, our team was invited to meet with a number of groups across Palestine and Israel to better understand the complexities and intergenerational impact of conflict and political instability on vulnerability to modern slavery.
We met with several groups working to promote human rights, including
@unhumanrightsopt , the refugee-run Noor Society for People with Disabilities, Noor Women’s Empowerment Group, Hebron International Resource Network,
@sawa.organization , and
@encounterprograms , among other locals. It was incredibly valuable to listen, observe, and learn from these inspiring groups.
Before these important conversations, we explored the contentious wall that separates Israel and the West Bank. In Israel, the wall is seen as a fence to protect national security, while in Palestine it is considered a structural symbol of division and dispossession – and part of a land grab that split their country.
The wall was declared a breach of international humanitarian laws by the
@internationalcriminalcourt in 2004.
The two views of the wall, which in some places reaches almost 8 metres in height, also differ aesthetically. On the Israeli side, the wall often appears shorter, and is painted white or covered in beautiful rendered stone. On the Palestinian side, the bare concrete has been spray painted to feature social commentary by international and local street artists like
@banksy , lushsux,
@taqi_spateen , and “Issa”. However, controversy also surrounds the political art, as some locals consider it fetishises the Palestinian struggle.
What is clear is that action is needed to combat modern slavery in every place in which it occurs, in every country in the world. Conflict, political instability, and disenfranchisement leave marginalised groups more vulnerable to modern slavery: in Palestine, in Yemen, and recently in Ukraine.
We look forward to returning and continuing to learn from these vibrant communities.
