Defending Hope in Gaza is an exhibition of beautiful yet disturbing images documenting the impact of Operation Cast Lead on the people of Gaza. The exhibition shows how the people of Gaza are bravely struggling to survive, while the work of human rights defenders is severely restricted by limitations on freedom of movement.The Exhibition opens on Monday 11 January and will run until 22 January.

Full Text of Media Alert

Defending Hope in Gaza Filmbase - Curved Street, Temple Bar Opening Monday 11 January 2010 – 06.30pm

Speakers: Proinsias De Rossa MEP and Khalil Shaheen of the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

Defending Hope in Gaza is an exhibition of beautiful yet disturbing images documenting the impact of Operation Cast Lead on the people of Gaza. The exhibition shows how the people of Gaza are bravely struggling to survive, while the work of human rights defenders is severely restricted by limitations on freedom of movement.

One year ago, on 27 December 2008, Israel launched Operation Cast Lead, a violent incursion into the Gaza Strip, which they stated was a response to rocket attacks against Israel. This resulted in the deaths of over 1,400 Palestinian people, most of them civilians. The people of Gaza remain traumatised by the events of the 23-day offensive and many are living with serious long-term injuries. In the aftermath of the destruction, human rights defenders in Gaza continue to defend the hope of the Palestinian people for a future based on peace and justice.

The photographs in this exhibition have been provided by the Ma'an News agency, the Palestinian Centre for Human rights and Palestinian/Jordanian photo journalist Eman Mohammed . The exhibition will run from 11 January to 22 January 2010

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT : Jim Loughran Head of Communications - telephone number 00 353 1 212 3750 mobile 00 353 1 (0)87 9377586 – e-mailimloughran@frontlinedefenders.org

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