Letter from Bethlehem: Mazin Qumsiyeh

 Three years that changed the world: On 3 October 2026, Israeli forces bombed one of the few remaining buildings in Gaza instantly killing two mothers and two daughters: Maysaa Khader Ibrahim Abu Daoud and her daughter, Maria (both Christian) and Dr. Yasmin Al-Boubo (Khamis) and her daughter Halloum (both Muslim). Three years of accelerated genocide will be marked 7 October. The murderous campaign to ethnically cleanse our country still goes on. The satellite images alone prove the this. We must now reflect on our changing world and act.... read more at

https://popular-resistance.blogspot.com/2026/10/three-years-that-changed-world.html

At our institute (palestinenature.org), in those three years with our volunteers and staff we: built new facilities (the new natural history museum, seedbank, peace garden), published over 70 papers (focusing on the ongoing destruction but also on resistance and resilience initiatives), implemented over 100 workshops for environmental stewardship (especially among children), gave talks to thousands, conducted hundreds of interviews in media outlets around the world, received many awards and grants, and engaged in direct conservation and community service efforts (e.g. our work in Al-Arqoub communities). This is our flourishing OASIS OF HOPE in Palestine! Come join our growing family: You can volunteer remotely or in person and/or you can also donate (see palestinenature.org). Follow our activities on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PIBS.PMNH

New plant named after me in their words to "show appreciation for Palestine"  
Silene qumsiyehii (Caryophyllaceae: Physolychnis): a new species from West-Central Mexico
https://abm.ojs.inecol.mx/index.php/abm/article/view/2655
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/415048710_Silene_qumsiyehii_Caryophyllaceae_Physolychnis_una_nueva_especie_del_centro-occidente_de_Mexico  

Stay Humane, act, and keep hope and Palestine alive

Mazin Qumsiyeh
A bedouin in cyberspace, a villager at home
Professor, Founder, and (volunteer) Director
Palestine Museum of Natural History
Palestine Institute of Biodiversity and Sustainability
Bethlehem University
Occupied Palestine