BETHLEHEM, West Bank / PNN / 

The Popular Committee of Aida Refugee Camp participated in the annual Humanity Festival in France from Sept. 10-13, 2026, at the invitation of L’Humanité, the French newspaper affiliated with the French Communist Party.

The committee was represented by its chairman, Saeed Al-Azza, who took part in the festival’s opening ceremony and held meetings with French and Palestinian political and community figures.

The Humanity Festival is an annual political, cultural and social event organised by L’Humanité. It brings together political figures, representatives of parties, civil society organisations, trade unions and other institutions from France, Europe and other parts of the world.

During the opening ceremony, Al-Azza met with Fabien Roussel, secretary-general of the French Communist Party and head of L’Humanité, and Hala Abu Hashira, the Palestinian ambassador to France. They welcomed his participation and highlighted the importance of Palestinian representation at the event.

Al-Azzha used the festival to present Palestinian perspectives on the political and humanitarian situation, including conditions facing Palestinian refugees and residents of refugee camps.

During the four-day event, he also took part in meetings, panel discussions and lectures with political parties, mayors, institutions and organisations supporting the Palestinian people. Discussions covered developments in the Palestinian issue, living conditions in the Palestinian territories and refugee camps, and the challenges facing the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA.

The meetings also addressed concerns over what Palestinian representatives describe as efforts to undermine the refugee issue and the right of return.

Visit to Noyon

As part of his visit to France, Al-Azza spent two days in the city of Noyon, where he met members of the municipal council and the twinning committee.

During a meeting with the mayor and members of the twinning committee, Al-Azza briefed French officials on developments in the Palestinian territories and discussed humanitarian and social conditions in Aida camp.

The two sides also discussed potential projects under the existing cooperation and twinning relationship between Noyon and Aida camp.

Among the proposals was support for university students from Aida camp. French officials expressed interest in the proposal, and part of the needs raised during the meeting received an immediate response, according to the Popular Committee.

The committee said the response reflected the longstanding cooperation between the two sides.

Visit to Grigny

Al-Azza also visited the French city of Grigny, where he met municipal officials and members of the city council.

The meeting focused on recent developments in Palestine and conditions facing Palestinian refugees and refugee camps, with particular attention to the humanitarian and social situation in Aida camp.

Al-Azza presented proposals for future social and development projects aimed at supporting residents of the camp and strengthening cooperation between Grigny and Aida.

The proposals included initiatives for young people and children, as well as educational and community development programmes.

The two sides also discussed possible assistance for university students from Aida camp amid difficult economic conditions facing Palestinians. French officials expressed interest in continuing cooperation in this area, according to the committee.

Focus on Practical Support

The Popular Committee said the visit provided an opportunity to strengthen international cooperation between Aida camp and French municipalities, institutions and civil society organisations, particularly cities involved in twinning and cooperation programmes with the camp.

The committee said the meetings also provided an opportunity to present the concerns of Aida camp and Palestinian refugees to French and European political and civil society figures.

Discussions included calls for practical measures in support of Palestinians, including boycotting Israeli products and urging governments and decision-makers to reconsider existing trade and military agreements with Israel.

The visit also opened discussions on projects supporting Aida residents, particularly in education, university scholarships, youth programmes, children's initiatives and community development.

The Popular Committee thanked L’Humanité, the French Communist Party, the municipalities of Noyon and Grigny, twinning committees, and French organisations and supporters for their reception and continued solidarity with Palestinians and residents of Aida camp.

The committee said it intends to strengthen these relationships and develop them into concrete cooperation programmes that benefit camp residents, particularly amid the difficult conditions facing Palestinians.