Time with friends

Dear friends,

Today I hosted a small group of friends visiting Palestine for the first time. They came to my beloved city, Bethlehem, with only a few hours for me to show them the most important and beautiful sites of life and struggle here. Between recounting history at the apartheid wall, checkpoint 300, the Aida refugee camp, and a visit to the old city, I also shared my own personal history of transformation alongside the chronicle of our collective. As we have sharpened our politics and adapted to the ever-changing context around us over the years, it has been the consistent support of friends, family, activists, and strangers that has allowed us to do this critical work. It is the commitment of everyday people that has made it possible to carry out our work of supporting local communities, advising and uplifting international organizing efforts, carrying out our research, preparing reports, organizing campaigns, and much more.

Though this work in Palestine is never easy, it has been exceptionally difficult over the last two years with the genocidal attacks on Gaza and ever-increasing violence in the West Bank. Having international visitors tour the city with me today felt strange after many years of minimal tourism and international solidarity, which have impacted the city's economy and that of the Good Shepherd Collective. It has been difficult to request donations amidst the slew of worthy causes, but in order to continue on, we need your support. To uphold our commitment to building our work on individual contributions, rather than relying on large grants, we must be willing to ask for help when needed.

Would you consider becoming a monthly donor of the Good Shepherd Collective to support our work, or making a one-time donation if you are unable to make a monthly contribution? It is the contributions of $5, $15, and $20 a month that allow us to try to build something sustainable. US donors who wish to make a tax-deductible contribution can now do so through this portal.

Whether or not you can contribute today, thank you for your support.

Until liberation and return,

Lara Kilani