A Lifetime of Calling for Peace in Palestine

Said Abdelhadi’s story, like the genocide in Palestine, starts in 1948 when his parents were forcibly displaced from their hometown of Walajah (seven kilometers south-west of Jerusalem). The couple left for Jordan thinking the move would be temporary. It has now been 76 years. His mother passed away before she could return to her homeland. Abdelhadi credits his activism to his mother and her passion for Palestine. Because of the Nakba, she did not have the chance to complete her formal education. However, she was sure to instill a strong sense of curiosity and a love of  learning in her children.      

Though such visible support for Palestine may be  new to Saskatoon, it certainly is not new for Abdelhadi, who is a husband, father, research scientist, and activist living in the city. As a Palestinian born and raised in Jordan, he was taught perseverance, persistence, and possibility at an early age. “I know Palestine from my mom’s tears and my dad’s stories,” he explains. Growing up in Jordan meant not discussing politics and not criticizing the government. 

 

Remembering Palestine, half a world away 
The fifth of eight children in a family of farmers, Abdelhadi attended post secondary school to expand his knowledge of agricultural sciences and technology. In 2010, he completed his master’s degree in agriculture from the University of Alberta and continues to work in the field today as he supports farmers and growers with expansion and strategies to increase yields.

While in school, he continued to educate himself on the situation in Palestine through conversations and extensively reading books on the topic. As information and fresh perspectives became more accessible, he sought out sources beyond what mainstream media allowed for a well-informed perspective. But this is his history. He knows the truth from his mother’s own tongue.

“I know Palestine from my mom’s tears and my dad’s stories,” Abdelhadi explains.

Abdelhadi met his wife in Jordan, and they connected over their shared cultural values and passion for Palestine, Together they have one son. After his undergraduate degree, he lived in different parts of the Middle East for work, including Dubai and Saudi Arabia. Arriving in Canada in 2003, he initially landed in Montreal and briefly lived in Toronto before moving to Edmonton for eight years. Abdelhadi has now been settled in Saskatoon for more than a decade, where he and his family have built a community. And while the weather may have taken some getting used to, he notes that the beautiful long, dry summer days balance out the bitterly cold winters.

Despite making a home here, he has never forgotten where he comes from. His parents constantly reminded him, “Wherever you go, never forget Palestine, our land, our house, our life.” And Abdelhadi has taken that to heart. 
 

Conviction to stand on his own
When he first arrived in Saskatoon, he did not know many people, and as such, much of his resistance work has been done alone. In 2023, Golda, a film depicting the actions of fourth Prime Minister of Israel, Golda Meir, during the October war of 1973, was being screened in Saskatoon. Abdelhadi protested the showing by himself, Palestinian flag in hand, and shared his insights with anyone who would listen. Some folks stopped and asked questions while others ignored him, but he persisted. He was clear in his message and shared what he had learned from his experience, his parents, people he had met, and books he had read.  “She is not a hero, she is a criminal. She is the Prime Minister of the occupation,” he says.

Though it can be frustrating repeating the same messages, Abdelhadi knows there are many who don’t know about Palestine and the Nakba, and learning from him may be the first time they’re encountering that information. If there is an opportunity to share his knowledge, he takes it. 

He had been following the official Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) Facebook page and in late 2022 saw that a chapter was starting up in Saskatoon. When he joined, the chapter initially consisted only of four people. One of their first actions as a group was a banner drop showing their support on International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on University Bridge. Now an integral part of CJPME – Saskatoon Chapter, Abdelhadi  works with the group, spreading awareness for and teaching about Palestine through marches, rallies, vigils, fundraisers, and events. 

Abdelhadi knows there are many who don’t know about Palestine and the Nakba, and learning from him may be the first time they’re encountering that information. If there is an opportunity to share his knowledge, he takes it. 

In rain or shine, rallying for Palestine 
Every Sunday, the group holds a ceasefire rally from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Staples and Winners parking lot on 8th Street. The rallies are open to anyone interested in participating and more information can be found on their Instagram. Supporters have been dedicated and consistent, showing up on the hottest and coldest days of the year.

They also host other acts of resistance in many other forms. The chapter has engaged in artistic activism, hosting film nights and discussions, and co-sponsoring a local theatre production of a play about Rachel Corrie, a young American woman who was killed by an Israeli bulldozer in 2003 as she protected Palestinian homes from demolition. They have also gone through official governmental channels, creating petitions and demanded action from local politicians. The group has not received support from their local Members of Parliament and their requests to meet are consistently denied. However, the group is not discouraged, and they have no plans of slowing down. Abdelhadi strives to reach more people around the city and share dependable sources of factual news and information. “Some people think that everything started on October 7, 2023 […] it started 76 years ago.”

“Ceasefire today, liberation tomorrow” read a sign at their first rally of 2025. Their work is not done. Boycott, protest, share, resist. Free Palestine.

Abdelhadi is pleased that support for Palestine has grown in this community and globally since October 2023. Though this work has been ongoing for nearly eight decades, the renewed rise in support is encouraging. He wants people to know that the chapter welcomes anyone at any time. It is never too late to learn and people from all walks of life have shown their support. Some come out every Sunday with their flags waving and buttons shining, some honk in solidarity as they drive by. Others have found the group on social media, where they have grown to several hundred followers. 

However, Abdelhadi can’t help noticing that, after more than a year of resisting, protesting, and advocating, some are burning out from the  frustration and mental exhaustion of the organizing and protesting only to face government inaction. There are people he used to see come out to events consistently who no longer do. But this only stregthens CJPME’s resolve. At their annual meeting, they reflected on their ongoing work and strategized for the upcoming year.

“Ceasefire today, liberation tomorrow” read a sign at their first rally of 2025. Their work is not done. Boycott, protest, share, resist. Free Palestine.

To find out more about CJPME - Saskatoon, visit their Instagram @cjpme_saskatoon_ or on Facebook @CJPME.Saskatoon.