To those who endured, to those who stood their ground, to those who dared to imagine a different reality— we greet you with solidarity and gratitude. To the organizers, the dreamers, the ones who refused to look away or give in, we start this year by honoring your resilience and your belief in people power and in the possibility of a more just world.

Looking back on 2024, we hold both deep grief and unwavering determination. The genocide in Gaza has shaken us to our core, yet it has also reinforced our resolve. It was a year of contradictions—relentless destruction and violence, yet also moments that proved change is possible. The unequivocally brutal genocide in Gaza and the subsequent aggression in the West Bank, which continue to escalate, stand as grim examples of this reality. At the same time, we have witnessed the fall of Assad’s dictatorship, the return of refugees, and the release of detainees. Even in these long-awaited shifts, our hearts remain heavy for those still missing, still imprisoned, and those who did not live to see this day.
Justice is never easily won. It is forged in moments of defiance, in communities coming together against all odds, in the certainty that no oppression lasts forever. And while grief has shaped much of this year, so has the undeniable power of collective action.
If Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria have taught us anything, it’s that oppression is not permanent. The real question is: what are we doing now to build power for the fights ahead?

This year reinforced a truth we’ve always known—fighting for justice is valuable in itself, even when change feels out of reach. The fight isn’t just about hope for a better future; it’s about knowing, with certainty, that we are on the right side of history.

We have seen examples of unbelievable determination and incredible organizing in Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria this year. Grassroots groups and volunteers stepped up to meet people’s basic needs. Boycott campaigns against companies supporting the Zionist occupation gained momentum and even transcended borders. Rights-based campaigns were led by collectives in adjacent countries and the diaspora. We’ve also seen community-led campaigns take action on health, education, and labor rights across various countries and contexts. These wins aren’t just moments to celebrate—they are a call to action. They remind us that real change happens when people come together and organize for the long haul.

At Ahel, we are proud to have stood alongside communities in their struggles for change and justice. With a dedicated team and the trust of the people we work with, we’ve supported grassroots campaigns and watched organizations adopt community organizing as a strategy for change. This year, our team has chosen to share reflections and highlights from our work—moments that proved, once again, that people power is invaluable in creating change.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who was with us on our journey through the past year—our partners, our advisory board, whose guidance helped us through our leadership transition, and the trainers, facilitators, and organizers who poured their energy into building skills, connections, and movements.

As we enter 2025, civil society organizations face a choice: How can we redefine our roles to step up and build real, lasting power in our communities? How do we create strong organizing spaces in our neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces—spaces that can resist oppression and push for real change?

This coming year must be one of action. We are ready to work with those who share this vision. Together, we will refuse to accept defeat and build new paths toward justice and freedom.

Reem Manna
Executive Director – Ahel

 January 2025