Sat Sep 07 00:00:00 UTC 2024: – Lesley Kavanagh became a human rights monitor in the West Bank after hearing about rights abuses on the radio
– Kavanagh underwent rigorous training before being sent to the West Bank to work with Palestinian communities
– Monitoring work was paused after a Hamas attack, but volunteers have since returned to rebuild relationships
– Volunteers experienced harassment from Israeli settlers in various areas, including being spat on and verbally abused
– Kavanagh witnessed daily humiliation of Palestinian boys and men in the old city of Jerusalem
– Israeli authorities have strict restrictions on Palestinian access to Al Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan
– Kavanagh also interacted with Israeli peace activists who oppose the occupation of the West Bank
– Despite challenges, Kavanagh was in Jerusalem for Easter and experienced a missile barrage while volunteering
– Kavanagh acknowledges the difficulty for families of volunteers during tense situations

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