Home, resistance and change

On May 14, 1948, the State of Israel was established. The following day, May 15, is remembered by Palestinians as the Nakba—the Catastrophe.

This year, it has been 77 years of displacement, loss, and struggle under occupation for the Palestinian people. Generations have grown up in exile, yet the dream of return remains alive. Palestinians in the diaspora still hold onto the hope of going back home—and continue to resist every attempt to erase their identity and history.

Laila Abuqatma is one of thousands who carry this legacy of resistance and remembrance. Born and raised in Yarmouk refugee camp in Syria, she is originally from Beer Alsabee, (today's Be’er Sheva)—the hometown her grandfather was forced to flee in 1948, a place she has never seen, but one she still calls home. She has initiated The Norwegian People's Aids womens group and SHAMS cultural centre in Bergen, and worked to promote Palestinian culture since arriving in Norway in 2015. 

Yonatan Shapira, on the other side of the story, is a Jewish anti-Zionist, former Israeli Air Force pilot, and conscientious objector who refused to take part in the oppression and the attacks against Palestinians. Since co-authoring the “Pilots’ Letter” in 2003, he’s become a global activist for Palestinian rights.

He has joined the Free Gaza flotilla, Co-founded Jødiske Stemmer - Norwegian Jews against the Genocide, and uses music as a form of resistance and healing.

This is a conversation about homeland, resistance, and the power of human choices. It is not just a political discussion—it is a deeply human exchange about dignity, responsibility, and the belief that we can make a change.

**

14. mai 1948 vart staten Israel oppretta. Dagen etter, 15. mai, vert markert av palestinarar som Nakna - katastrofen. I 77 år har det palestinske folket levd med fordriving, tap og okkupasjon, men håper om å vende heim lever vidare. 

Laila Abuqatma, fødd i Yarmouk-leiren i Syria, er aktivist, initiativtakar til Norsk Folkehjelps kvinnenettverk i Bergen og grunnleggar av SHAMS kultursenter. I denne samtalen møter ho Yonatan Shapira, ein jødisk eks-pilot og anti-sionist, som har via livet sitt til å kjempe for palestinske rettar. Dette er ein samtale om heim, motstand og menneskeleg ansvar.

The conversation is in English and lasts for 1 hour, before we take questions.

Free entry. 

Arrangør: Jakob Sande - senter for forteljekunst og Palestinakomiteen Sunnfjord.