PALESTINIAN aid workers have shared their Christmas messages for peace.

Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) is a British charity that offers medical services in the West Bank, Gaza and Lebanon.

It advocates for Palestinians’ rights to health and dignity and PCS Leeds reps held an outdoor collection for it in March after HMRC blocked them from holding one on-site. 

MAP’s Gaza director Fikr Shalltoot said: “This has been a painful, horrible year, both as for me as director of MAP in Gaza and as a Palestinian.

“I never felt like what is happening in Gaza could happen in any place in the world, not did I imagine it would continue for the last 14 months with the world watching and still not doing enough to stop it. It has been a very difficult year.”

West Bank office director Aisha Mansour said: “While we see the results of Israeli incursions in our West Bank towns on the news, seeing it in person is different.

“Despite this situation, I remain optimistic as I see the increase in solidarity with Palestinians across the world and I know that it is only a matter of time [until] Palestinians will enjoy justice.

“My wish for 2025 is justice for Palestine.” 

Aseel Baidoun, advocacy and campaigns senior manager in the West Bank, said: “I think October 2023 was the last time I felt happy. I know that most people around me feel the same.

“My only way of coping was working at MAP and making sure that Palestinians’ voices are heard and amplified.

“My only wish for 2025 is for the Israeli war on Palestinians to come to an end, and we at MAP can continue being a lifeline to others and support our communities to find life and dignity again.”