Note: The message you received yesterday, "A message
of hope" was one of four messages lost in cyberspace due to a glitch in
the server system (so many of you did not receive a message from me since 14
December). I put these messages on my blog
and this message below on new year day is also posted at
te blog ere (should you like to kindly share):
As in other years, there is the good and the bad that
happened in 2025 but the intensity of both is what is rather unusual. And while I do wan to briefly look back and
look ahead, my own new year will be to push even harder to live the present.
The past it is said is done, the future is a succession of presents (our work).
The word 'present' in the English language refers to a gift. Words with dual
meaning sometimes carry wisdom of the ages. In Arabic the world Al-'hader (the
present in the sense of
time) is rooted in the immersion in the situation (not a
mere presence but a deep mindfulness (popularized also by Buddhist monk Thích
Nhất Hạnh). AI tells me that "The
idea that the Chinese word for "crisis," 危机 (wēijī), combines
"danger" (危, wēi) and "opportunity" (机, jī)
is a popular concept, especially in Western culture after being used by John F.
Kennedy, reflecting a philosophical view that challenges in crises present
chances for positive change or pivotal moments. While the character wēi clearly
means danger, jī (or 機) originally meant "crucial point" or
"incipient moment," not necessarily "opportunity" in
isolation, but its use in 机会
(jīhuì, meaning opportunity) makes the combined
interpretation resonate, highlighting that a crisis is a turning point with
potential for both threat and benefit". So while I will recap 2025 and
look forward to 2026, please note I keep this mindfulness (present, alhader). I
also humbly think that this combined with having people around and caring for
people is the best gift (present) we can give ourselves. The two aspects are
what makes life worth living even in very difficult circumstances. In this recap of what happened I cover both
good and bad issues and at the end give predictions for 2026.
*2025 in Palestine and globally*
According to official statistics (those issued death
certificates) 22,900 Palestinians were killed in 2025 (70,355 since 7 October
2023). 57,800 were injured in 2025 (171,064 since 7 October 2023). But
demographic data published in respectable journals suggest the numbers are two
to three folds more (due to destruction of health care systems and premature
deaths due to diseases and starvation resulting from the Israeli blockade and
denial of entry of humanitarian aid. 70% of the casualties are children and women.
Gaza's medical system neared complete collapse due to damaged facilities,
supply shortages, and attacks on healthcare infrastructure resulting in severe
public health crisis escalated, with outbreaks of infectious diseases and the
re-emergence of poliovirus type 2 after being eradicated for 25 years. >95%
of buildings and other infrastructure were destroyed in the Gaza Strip. Almost
2 million people are homeless. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued
an opinions finding Israel's presence in the occupied Palestinian territory to
be unlawful and in breach of the prohibition on racial discrimination and
apartheid and emphasizing its ruling of plausibility of genocide ongoing and
that Israel must allow humanitarian aid. Israel broke every ceasefire it had
done not just in 2025 but in its short colonial history since 1948. Just since
declaring the last ceasefire with the resistance movement in Gaza (the
Trump/Netanyahu “peace plan”), Israel violated it hundreds of time. Over 1045
Palestinian civilians were murdered by the apartheid regime forces here in THE
WEST BANK. Over 2500 were injured and over 65,000 were made homeless in the
West Bank (ethnic cleansing homes destroyed).
The Israeli army is the largest terror organization on earth. The
fallout from the genocide accelerated globally. Masks fell from many people.
Millions became awake and once you open your eyes to colonialism, genocide,
ethnic cleansing and see that the western governments support this because
politicians are bribed and/or blackmailed. You cannot unsee it. So the work for
peace and justice globally accelerated leveraging Palestine as it provided the
Achilles heel of western hypocrisy and will help undo imperialism and
colonialism in our time.
In our Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and
Sustainability (PIBS) at Bethlehem University and despite the political and
economic instability:
with the help of volunteers and supporters around the
world, we had a very productive year. Our work is a form of resistance
including in challenging the genocide and ecocide. In a few weeks you will
receive our annual report but briefly we: 1) Conducted over 25 field trips
across the West Bank despite closures, 2) Curated and expanded our collections,
3) Published 20 research papers (and assisted in 7 others), with a specific
focus on the environmental and social impacts of ecocide, scholasticide, and medicide
in Gaza, 4) Reached thousands of youth through our Mobile Museum, on-site
gardens, and interactive workshops, 5) Facilitated lectures and seminars for
over 11,000 adults worldwide on environmental justice and human rights,
6) Provided material and strategic support to communities
in the West Bank and Gaza, bridging the gap between science and survival, 7)
Worked to bridge science-policy gaps regarding climate resilience and the
sustainable use of natural resources in a conflict zone, 8) Represented
Palestinian environmental interests at major regional and international
conferences on biodiversity and climate action, 9) Finalized construction for
the new museum and are preparing for a grand opening in 2026, 10) Launched projects
including the Hima structure (supported by National Geographic) and a national
Seed Bank, 11) nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, highlighting the global
importance of environmental resistance.
As we look to 2026, we still face many dangers: 1)
Regional and global conflicts created by greed of imperialists and colonizers
ranging from Venezuela to Palestine to Kashmir to Taiwan (the threat of a
nuclear exchange is significant), 2) threats of climate change, pollution and
overexploitation of natural resources, 3) Racism and dehumanization of
immigrants and indigenous people, 4) Dictatorships, right wing and fascist
movements... and much more. But there is a global uprising (intifada) which
will accelerate due to loss of jobs especially for young people. The transition
is not easy but is inevitable. This brings me back to mindfulness and what the
Buddhists say: to have joyful participation in the sorrows of this world. Thus,
Jessie and I and the other volunteers will take a walk around the garden today
and maybe do some planting and weeding and tending to the wounds of mother
earth (wounds inflicted by fellow human beings). If you like to join us in the
present today or tomorrow do email us at info@palestinenature.org
Happy and peaceful new year 2026 to you and yours.
Love
Mazin & team
Palestine Museum of Natural History
Palestine Institute of Biodiversity and Sustainability
Bethlehem University Occupied Palestine
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