Jamilla Hashem

Community Social Work in Palestine: From Resilience to National Resistance, can be found on the Bristol University Digital Press website, which is a digital journal focused on scholarships that address global social challenges and is committed to providing open access scholarship as an integral aspect of addressing global challenges. In his article, Faraj critically examines the limitations of Western social work educational paradigms in addressing the complex challenges faced by Palestinians living under occupation. Published in October 2022, the article underscores the increasing relevance of integrating Palestinian liberation into social work practice, particularly in light of the ongoing struggles faced by Palestinians, notably those in Gaza. Drawing on his own experiences as a Palestinian refugee and grassroots work, Faraj highlights the discrepancy between grassroots initiatives and the rigid structures of mainstream social work education. By advocating for the incorporation of Palestinian liberation into social work practice, Faraj emphasizes the profession's role in confronting systemic injustices, advocating for policy changes, and standing in solidarity with oppressed communities, in this case, Palestinians living under occupation.

Faraj's research is grounded in his firsthand experiences as a Palestinian living under occupation and his work with grassroots organizations. He supplements his analysis with various scholarly articles investigating grassroots movements, histories of occupied Palestine, and decolonial social work practices. While scholarly literature provides valuable insights, further knowledge can be gleaned by amplifying voices beyond academia, including grassroots activists, community organizers, and Palestinian refugees, to gain a nuanced understanding of local contexts and alternative approaches. By actively seeking and incorporating these diverse perspectives, social work practitioners and scholars can develop a more comprehensive understanding of why Palestinian liberation is integral to social work education and practice.

Social Work for Palestine serves as a platform for social workers to align the liberation of Palestine with the ethical principles of the Social Work profession of transcending geographic boundaries to challenge social injustices on a global scale. This platform emphasizes its unwavering commitment to standing in solidarity with the Palestinian people, advocating for their freedom from imperialism, colonization, and apartheid. It asserts that the struggle for a free Palestine is not merely an extraneous issue but is deeply ingrained within the core principles of Social Work. By providing critical resources and calls to action, Social Work for Palestine empowers social workers to take proactive measures where traditional structures of the profession are lacking, reflecting the responsibility and urgency for social workers to address the systemic injustices faced by Palestinians.

This platform elevates the ethos of the Social Work profession by positioning advocacy for Palestine as a pivotal focus point within the broader context of international social justice and liberation movements. By centralizing the fight for Palestinian freedom within the principles of Social Work, Social Work for Palestine challenges conventional boundaries and advocates for a more robust, engaged, and borderless approach to dismantling systemic injustices.