Keeping our history and culture alive


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The Friends Meeting House in Al Jiftlik is the oldest building in the Jordan Valley, dating back to the days of Ottoman rule. Its renovation is a celebration of generations of Palestinian heritage in the valley.

We have spent 10 months rebuilding the house using entirely traditional building methods, with mud brick walls, hay and clay domed roofs, and wooden arched doors and windows. We have renovated both the interior and exterior areas, including seats made from stones and mud, and a mud brick fireplace.

We have also added a kitchen, bathroom, electricity and a water supply. This gives us the opportunity to:

  • prepare a meal in the house every day, which any local Palestinians or visiting internationals are invited to share in.
  • collect information and resources for Jordan Valley Solidarity and the communities we work with
  • hold meetings and workshops
  • have a base for supporters who want to stay with us in the valley for one day, a few weeks, or even a few months.

In the spirit of our motto ‘To Exist is to Resist’ the renovation work on the house has provided training in the construction and laying of mud bricks, provided a focus for communities to work together, and stands as a direct challenge to Israel’s illegal occupation of our land.

We would like to thank all the international volunteers who have worked with us on this project.

We have twinned the house with the Quaker’s Friends Meeting House in Brighton UK, which has been home for Brighton Jordan Valley Solidarity since we began working with them in 2006, and where we have met many new supporters and friends over the years.