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Our Story

Since its original founding in 1978, Palestine Aid Society of America (PAS) has provided humanitarian support to Palestinians living abroad, often emphasizing organizations that support women and children.

PAS is a secular, grassroots, US-based, tax-exempt [501(c)(3) corporation; EIN: 38-2381291], non-profit organization.

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Our Humble Beginning

Palestine Aid Society was established in 1978 in response to the tragic Tel al-Zaatar Refugee Camp Massacre. Our founding mission was to empower the surviving women by providing them with a path to financial independence. It has been our privilege to support these women by helping showcase and sell their exquisite Tatreez handmade embroidery, a craft they create with immense pride and dedication.

Since our inception, we have proudly hosted an annual Tatreez Sale nearly every December, celebrating the artistry and resilience of these women while continuing to raise awareness and funds to support their survival.

1976:

Tel al-Zaatar Refugee Camp Massacre killed 2,000-3,000 Palestinians, mostly men. Volunteers in different US cities rallied to raise money to support the survivors, mostly women and children, to relocate and rebuild their lives.

1980:

Within a couple years, we established seven committees in various cities. These committees met in Detroit, Michigan, held the first PAS national convention, and elected the first PAS national executive committee members. Since then, PAS held biannual conventions in various US cities.

1982:

We opened our first office in Detroit, Michigan, in response to Israel’s invasion of Lebanon and the ensuing Sabra and Shatila massacre of 3,000 Palestinians.

1989:

In response to the first Palestinian Intifada in the West Bank and Gaza, we opened a national office in Washington, D.C.

1993:

The Oslo I “Peace” Accord was signed resulting in a handshake agreement between PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin on the White House lawn. By then,…

Our activities included:

  • Establishing 19 chapters; 17 in the USA, 2 in Canada
  • Growing membership to a peak of 4,000 members
  • Opening 3 offices in Washington, D.C., Detroit, and New York
  • Sponsoring numerous projects in the occupied Palestinian territories and Lebanon
  • Building cultural alliances and coalitions with progressive organizations in the USA
  • Annually, taking 2 to 3 US delegations of various professionals to Palestine, including attorneys, journalists, educators, and civil rights activists
  • Hosting biannual conventions in various US cities
  • Holding numerous cultural and educational activities

Changing the Landscape

The pair of Oslo “Peace” Accords in 1993 and 1995 dramatically changed the political landscape and negatively affected Palestinian organizations, including PAS. The US government advocated for and exerted pressure on local organizations and European allies to channel all funds to the new Palestinian Authority. This, coupled with deep Palestinian disappointment with the terms of the Oslo Accords, had a detrimental impact on Palestinian American activism and organizations.

9/11/2001:

The massive attack on the World Trade Center and Pentagon generated an attack on the Arab and Muslim American communities. This created fear among our community and strongly hampered its activities, especially in the area of fundraising. PAS suffered greatly diminished support for an extended period.

2017:

Trump’s “Muslim Ban” at the outset of his first term made things more difficult for Palestinian activists and organizations, especially in the area of fundraising, because it stoked fear and animosity in the community.

The Comeback

2017 - 2023:

Despite the setbacks, building on our history, reputation, and experience, PAS continued to fundraise, hold a variety of cultural and educational events, and build progressive coalitions in order to advocate for peace, justice, and freedom for the Palestinian people.

October 2023 - Present:

Gaza Genocide. After Israel launched its genocidal war in response to October 7th, we have doubled and tripled our efforts and have worked diligently to support our people in Gaza. We have also partnered with other major organizations like UNRWA USA and Anera to secure the delivery of desperately needed humanitarian aid to Gaza.

We are determined to not only maintain and grow PAS, but also to collaborate with other sister organizations who are doing critical humanitarian work in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon, in order to help the victims of Israel’s aggression and crimes against humanity.