Tag: Waterloo Region Friends of Palestine

Film: The Voice of Hind Rajab, Princess Original Cinema at 7pm Friday 30 January 2026

Dear Waterloo Region friends of Palestine,

WRFP is privileged to share our first film showing of 2026 with partner, Princess Cinema.

A shattering film using only sound and humanity; screened on the 2nd anniversary of the murder of 5 year-old Hind Rajab.

The voice of Hind Rajab is the voice of Gaza itself, a cry for rescue the entire world could hear, yet no one answered.

On January 29, 2024, a five-year-old Palestinian girl named Hind Rajab and six members of her family attempted to obey an evacuation order by Israel’s military before their home in Gaza City was to be bombed. The Israeli military shelled and shot at the fleeing vehicle, killing Hind’s family and trapping the young girl in the wreckage. Hind was able to place a call to the Palestinian Red Crescent begging for help as darkness falls. She waited 3 hours for an ambulance to be granted permission by the Israeli military to come to her only to have it shelled by a tank just as it reached her. The two paramedics were murdered — as was Hind herself.

Instead of directly depicting this horrific action, the director, Ben Hania, centers the drama within the offices of the Palestinian Red Crescent in the West Bank. The film chronicles the efforts of the call centre dispatcher to maintain an open phone line with Hind while negotiating safe passage for the rescue ambulance with Israel’s uncaring military.

In a bold and inspired move, the director utilizes the actual audio of Hind’s phone calls in the film, a choice that refocuses the line between fiction and documentary, yet never feels exploitative. The film was made with the support of Hind’s mother and the real-life dispatchers who tried to coordinate the rescue effort. The Voice of Hind Rajab is heartbreaking but it is also unflinching portrayal of genocidal intent and the dangers of humanitarian aid work in middle of military fire which targets civilians and civil society. The film is a memorial to a young, innocent life extinguished by a brutal genocide.

The film will be introduced with opening remarks by Robert Massoud, founder of Zatoun.

In deference to the film’s subject it will not be followed by the usual conversation / Q&A.

Tunisia, France, USA | Kaouther Ben Hania | 89 minutes | Arabic with English subtitles

Awards and reviews:

The Voice of Hind Rajab  was awarded the Grand Jury Prize at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival in 2025. It received the longest standing ovation in the festival’s history (24 minutes).  Director Ben Hania said in her powerful acceptance speech: “The voice of Hind is the voice of Gaza itself, a cry for rescue the entire world could hear, yet no one answered. Her voice will continue. Her voice will continue to echo until accountability is real, until justice is served.”

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has 98% based on 49 critics reviews. The website’s consensus reads: “Incorporating real-life elements that are as difficult to witness as they are impossible to forget, The Voice of Hind Rajab is a harrowing docudrama that makes a powerful appeal to humanity.” Metacritic assigned the film a score of 85 out of 100, based on 14 critics, indicating “universal acclaim.”

“Not a day has gone by that I haven’t thought of Hind and the life that she was denied. Ben Hania’s film asks you to do the same: to remember her smile, her voice, her love of the sea, and her.”  rogerebert.com.

The film is Tunisia’s entry for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards on March 15, 2026.

Hope to see you at the film on Friday, 30 January 2026 (extra showings on Saturday and Sunday).  Please share with family and friends.  Princess Cinema needs our support to encourage screening of more films on or about Palestine.  Thank you.

In solidarity and peace,
Irene, Robert and WRFP

Film: The Voice of Hind Rajab "I'm so scared... please come" Gaza: January 29 2024 Hind Rajab 3.5.2018 29.1.2024 Friday January 30 ~ 7:00 pm Doors open at 6:30pm Princess Original, Waterloo 6:45pm remarks by Robert Massoud, founder of Zatoun Extra showings: Saturday, Jan-31 @ 4:30pm & Sunday, Feb-01 @ 2:30pm (illustration of a young girls face, with flowers in her hair)

Movie: The Encampments, Princess Twin Cinemas, 6:30pm Tuesday 30 September 2025

Join us for the premier screening in our community of The Encampments. This 2025 movie is a documentary on the anti-genocide movement and the challenge of protecting the call for free speech. It is a US movie that shows thew student encampment initiative that was ignited by Columbia State University and spread quickly to many universities including University of Waterloo. Following the movie there will be a discussion and opportunity for questions.

Admission : Regular prices for tickets, get yours early in September, they will be available on line at the Princess website.

Zatoun | Palestine in a bottle | Fair Trade Extra Virgin Olive Oil | experience ~ learn ~ share | www.zatoun.com info@zatoun.comZatoun Olive Oil will be available at this event supported by Waterloo Region Friends of Palestine.

Not since the Vietnam War students rocked the world to end the genocide in Gaza | The Encampments | Tuesday, Sept-30 ~ 6:45 pm | Doors open at 6:15 pm | Princess Twin Cinema, Waterloo | Introduction by Robert Massoud, founder of Zatoun & screening followed by conversation | Presented by Princess Cinema in partnership with Waterloo Region Friends for Palestine (WRFP) | Supporters: Canadian Voices for Palestinian Rights (CVPR), Independent Jewish Voices (IJV) Waterloo, KW Neighbours for Palestine, Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM), Sporas and Zatoun | Available for purchase: Zatoun, olive oil from Palestine, T-shirts, kuffiyehs & books | Advance tickets online at www.princesscinemas.com - please purchase early

Not seen since the Vietnam War, a student movement which rocked the world.
The genocide in Gaza ignited the passion of a generation of students.

The Encampments is a 2025 American documentary film about the 2024 Palestine solidarity campus encampments at Columbia University and other university campuses during Israel-Gaza war.

The Encampments is lauded for “its sense of contemporary and historical detail, owed to both footage shot by the filmmakers, as well as by the protesters themselves.” The Columbia Daily Spectator called the film a “testament to the strength of the community born within the student-led pro-Palestinian movement at Columbia, and how hope and belief can grow, even in the face of institutional backlash” and offers an “insightful and intimate look into what happened within the gates, well beyond mainstream coverage.” Also, from Hyperallergic, the online arts magazine, The Encampments “extricates the movement from the grips of mainstream and conservative media narratives and places it back in the hands of its organizers.”

The encampments and the students challenged the big money donors, politicians, administrators and police as had not been for two generations. Relying on false accusations, trumped up charges, student expulsions and intimidation and brutal police force, the establishment was left naked for all to see.

Film will be followed by conversation / Q&A with members from local universities.

USA | Workman and Pritsker | 85 minutes | English

an online comment:

The students always lead the way. Will we be brave enough to follow their example? We must, or any of us can be the next person to be disappeared by our government for voicing dissent.

The Encampments is one of the most vitally important docs I can remember. Citizens of America (and the world) must watch this to see what our universities, police and government are doing to suppress peaceful cries for justice. The footage that was captured is stunning. This is what actual journalism looks like.

Don’t be afraid to speak up. You’re not alone. We need everyone in this fight. Please watch this film.

Hope to see you at the film, please share with family and friends. Princess Cinema needs our support to encourage screening of more films on or about Palestine. Thank you.

In solidarity and peace,
Irene,
Waterloo Region Friends of Palestine

Urgent Meeting of WR for Palestine, 6pm on Tuesday 5 August 2025

🚨
For two years Canada has lied about their arms trade with Israel- and now we have the proof.

Join us on Tuesday, 5 August 2025 at 6:00pm for a critical community meeting to plan our next steps. Register now via link in bio.

This is your chance to get informed, get organized and take action. This is our chance to demand a two-ways arms embargo on Israel once and for all.

Arms Embargo Now Urgent Community Meeting The time to act is now. For two years Canada lied about sending weapons to Israel -- now we have the proof. Join us to get informed, get organized and to take action. Tues, Aug 5th @ 6:00 Register for Location Link in Bio Palestinian Youth Movement Neighbour

Stop Starving Gaza — KW Emergency Protest at Waterloo Public Square at 6pm on Thursday 24 July 2025

Gaza is being starved to death!

The past few months have pushed our people to the edge — children are dying from hunger and dehydration, families are being wiped out under siege and bombing, and exterminated by a lack of food, water and medical care. This is a murderous genocide, and starvation has become an intentional weapon used by Israel. This inhumanity must be stopped through world protests and actions, we will honour our responsibility to bring this to an end.

JOIN US on Thursday 24 July 2025 at 6:00pm in Waterloo Public Square to demand an immediate lift of the siege! 🇵🇸

Palestinian Youth Movement KW Emergency Protest Stop Starving Gaza Now! Thursday July 24 6:00pm Waterloo Public Square 75 King St S, Waterloo , ON N2J 1P2 (background photo of aid workers carry boxes)

Organizers:

International Palestinian Children’s Day, 11:00am, Saturday 5 April 2025 at the Kitchener Market

What: International Palestinian Children’s Day Waterloo Region Friends of Palestine (B&W woodcut of an olive tree)
When: 11:00am on Saturday 5 April 2025
Where: Kitchener Market
Location: 300 King Street East, Kitchener, OntarioMap
Contact: wrfriendsofpalestine@gmail.com

Waterloo Region Friends of Palestine writes:

Dear Friends of Palestine,

Always amongst the debris are hidden gems that call for celebration. This week amongst the ongoing carnage of Israeli’s maniacal genocide, we have a moment of brightness, a key to Palestinian liberation that will be the prize of Palestinians. International Palestinian Children’s Day is on Saturday 5 April 2025, it is a mouthful that is easily missed, but, the children of Palestine need to be celebrated and it will be a joy this weekend to shine the spotlight on them, as we also remember their suffering.

A young Palestinian child wearing a lab coat with a stethescope around his neck smiles at the camera. The background shows apartment buildings blasted to rubble.
Future health care worker
We will be celebrating their spiritual fortitude, their cultural strength and their physical and mental courage. They have been born into a world of chaos and genocidal occupation and still, like a tree growing out of a rock, the children have thrived, learned, loved and played, they have dreams and visions for the future. These children are the future leaders of Palestine and they will liberate Palestine and the world one day. It is in the eyes of this future health care worker that leadership to a better place is the vision and the focus, he and his peers will arrive at a place of justice, dignity and liberation for all.

This Saturday, join the Walk with Grief to lift your spirits, in addition, come to the table for International Palestinian Children’s Day that is just inside the market (Upper level), bring your children, they can colour pictures, write notes to the children of Gaza, share in the candies and other treats available for children.

Do not miss the moment, International Palestinian Children’s Day (IPCD), bring yourself, bring your children to celebrate the future leaders of Palestine.

Please join us at the Walk for Grief, this Saturday at 11am at Kitchener Market. Also, join us inside the market (upper level near front door) 7:00am to 2:00pm.

irene and WRFP

Waterloo Region Friends of Palestine
Instagram: @wrfriendsofpalestine

Grief Walk for Palestine, at KW Farmer’s Market, every Saturday at 11am

B&W silhouette map of Palestine, with 90° rotated letters "KWPALESTINE"
What: Grief Walk for Palestine
When: Every Saturday at 11:00am
Where: Kitchener Farmer’s Market
Location: 300 King Street East, Kitchener Map
Online: @KWPalestine on Facebook
Additional links: https://linktr.ee/kwpalestine

Every Saturday at 11am there is a grief walk for Palestine from the Kitchener Farmer’s Market. Organized by KW Friends of Palestine

BW illustration of a First Nations man wearing a ceremonial headdress and a Palestinian man wearing a keffiyeh, both dancing on a line of barbed wire. There is a red highlight on the headdress.
From KW in support of Palestine

(Edit: Saturday, not Sunday)