#FOA25 drew to a close on 17th and 18th December with a bustling Palestine-focused Pop-Up event in London. The event took place at a prime location in Shoreditch.
Visitors were welcomed in by the beautifully calligraphed shopfront. Local residents, tourists and Londoners from as far away as Sheffield flocked to the shop and left feeling inspired to campaign more actively for Palestine in 2023.
The weekend-long event included activities and attractions that appealed to all ages and backgrounds. Friday and Saturday night featured a lively networking event, spoken word and motivational talks by FOA volunteers. During the day Palestine-themed arts and crafts sessions were enjoyed by adults and children, and virtual reality tours of Al-Aqsa mosque proved extremely popular.
FOA merchandise was a huge hit, with word travelling fast and people rushing to the shop to snap up the remaining items. On Saturday and Sunday the shop was bustling with people wanting to learn more about FOA’s work and snagging limited edition FOA t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies and joggers. By the end of the weekend everything had sold out, showing people want to demonstrate their support for Palestine.
One particular highlight was the exhibition gallery featuring Injustice Illustrated, one of FOA’s most popular resources. This informational booklet highlights the wide range of injustices faced by Palestinian men, women and children under Israel’s illegal occupation and apartheid, including issues related to water, education and healthcare. Hundreds of copies of Injustice Illustrated were distributed, and there was demand for the Injustice gallery to tour the UK.
The weekend also marked the launch of FOA’s new website, which features a new educational hub, useful downloadable resources for distribution, template letters and Tweets, as well as FOA’s new merchandise shop.
Overall the weekend was a fantastic success, with incredible turnout and strong support from all those who attended. It was a fitting way to conclude FOA’s Silver Anniversary celebrations, and there was a real sense of individuals coming together to campaign more actively for Palestine in 2023. It was a memorable and enjoyable weekend and has inspired many to take action to stand up against Israeli occupation and apartheid.
As we head into 2023, take this opportunity to get involved with #TeamFOA. All ages and backgrounds warmly welcome. Email us at volunteer@foa.org.uk or reach out to us via social media to find out more.
