Non-Violence in Hebron Receives "Alternative
Photo: Right Livelihood via TT

Non-Violence in Hebron Receives "Alternative Nobel Prize"

Nowhere is the situation as tense between Israeli settlers and Palestinians as in Hebron. But Issa Amro's activist group YAS works tirelessly year after year with non-violent methods against occupation, and is therefore among this year's Right Livelihood Prize winners.

The 44-year-old Amro was, more than 15 years ago, involved in founding YAS (Youth Against Settlements) in Hebron, which, aside from Jerusalem, is the largest city in the West Bank. The group's non-violent tactics against the brutality of the Israeli occupation have drawn attention worldwide and inspired similar work elsewhere.

In the Palestinian city of Hebron, extreme Israeli settlers have settled in the heart of the city. The city's former main meeting place, the once thriving market street al-Shuhada, is now blocked off and deserted. Palestinians call it "Apartheid Street", and YAS holds regular actions in the hope of reopening it.

Right Livelihood is also described as "the alternative Nobel Prize", and was created in 1980 to honor fighters for social justice and the environment.

Besides Issa Amro, this year's winners also include Joan Carling from the Philippines, Anabela Lemos and the Justiça Ambiental movement from Mozambique, as well as the British Forensic Architecture.

The awards will be presented at a gala in Stockholm on December 4.

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AuthorTT News AgencyEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for our readers
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