As part of its ongoing efforts to raise international awareness of Palestinian digital rights, the Palestinian Vision Organization organized an advocacy tour to Germany with the participation of the youth group Hirak. During the visit, the delegation met with the Ambassador of Palestine to Germany and a number of European institutions and organizations working in the fields of media, human rights, and the digital sphere.
Over the course of several days and through a series of meetings held in Berlin, Hirak members presented the reality of the digital violations faced by Palestinians — ranging from content restrictions and removal on social media platforms to mass surveillance and the use of artificial intelligence technologies against them. Participants shared their lived experiences as Jerusalemites and showcased visual and media content that shed light on these issues.
The program included a meeting with H.E. Ambassador Laith Arafeh at the Palestinian Embassy in Berlin, where he emphasized the importance of conveying the Palestinian narrative to European public opinion and highlighted the role of youth in defending digital rights as an integral part of the Palestinian struggle. A dedicated discussion session was held with the group, focusing on ways to strengthen cooperation and open new horizons for advocacy at the diplomatic and media levels.
The tour also featured an interactive meeting with German university students, during which an open discussion was held on the state of digital rights in Palestine and the challenges Palestinian youth face in communicating their narrative in the digital space. This dialogue contributed to enhancing cultural and knowledge exchange and offered fresh perspectives on the Palestinian cause from a youth-driven lens.
Additionally, the visit provided an opportunity for in-depth discussions with European organizations on mechanisms for protecting digital rights and potential avenues for joint cooperation to confront discriminatory policies. The meetings also helped establish communication channels with organizations interested in advancing digital justice and freedom of expression. Many of these institutions expressed strong interest in the content presented during the sessions and emphasized the importance of highlighting digital violations from a credible, lived Palestinian perspective.
The Palestinian Vision Organization affirmed that this advocacy tour is part of its ongoing efforts to empower Palestinian youth to become storytellers of their own realities and ambassadors of their cause. It aims to expand global awareness of the digital landscape in Palestine, thereby strengthening international solidarity and creating opportunities to influence and change policies related to digital rights.
The Hirak project seeks to enhance knowledge and develop the tools and skills of young leaders from Jerusalem, enabling them to improve conditions within their communities. Participants in the project undergo a comprehensive training program that includes capacity-building sessions aimed at fostering active youth participation in societal development. The training covers a wide range of topics, including critical thinking, debating, research skills, advocacy, active citizenship, social justice, international humanitarian law, and human rights.
