In April 2024, Climbers For Palestine brought together over 1,000 climbers from more than 25 countries and 6 continents to participate in the Climb The Wall challenge. Collectively, they aimed to climb 768 km, the same length as the 'Apartheid Walls' Israel has built around and within the occupied territories of the West Bank and Gaza.
Possibly the largest and longest collective climb-a-thon ever, the global climbing community united in solidarity with the people of Palestine to raise over $85,000 for aid relief in Gaza. Participants logged their climbs over the 3 week climb-a-thon, totalling an impressive 366 km of ascent (just under half the target) - a demonstration in itself of the vastness of Israel's oppressive steel and concrete curtain.
Wadi Climbers (community climbing group based in Ramallah, Occupied West Bank) joined Climb The Wall, and were motivated by the global solidarity to climb even during the hardest of times:
"It is our first climbing trip in Bethlehem since the war started. We felt we should encourage ourselves and the people to go out and climb, cross the checkpoints and roam our land…let's break the wall and end the occupation one day. Our hearts and minds are with our people in Gaza."
About Climbers for Palestine
Climbers for Palestine (CFP) is a community uniting climbers against the illegal occupation and genocide in Palestine. By connecting with the Palestinian community through climbing, CFP aims to highlight the effects of the occupation, and to challenge decades of demonization and dehumanization of the Palestinian people.
The Climb The Wall (CTW) campaign exemplified this mission, bringing together climbers of all levels and backgrounds, from climbing professionals and seasoned activists to first-time climbers and newcomers to the Palestinian cause, to climb alongside the Palestinian climbing community and support their liberation.
Climbers for Palestine on why we are climbing: "We are climbing the wall in solidarity with Palestine, and people from around the world, against the ongoing bombardment, genocide and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Gaza."
The CTW Challenge
Inspired by the 'Run the Wall' campaign organized by Right To Movement and Amos Trust, 'Climb The Wall' manifested into a three-week climb-a-thon, starting just after Eid, with three main objectives:
Unite the climbing community in visible solidarity with Palestine.
Collectively climb 768 km in vertical height, representing the cumulative length of the 'Iron Wall' surrounding Gaza (60km), and the 'Apartheid Walls' which surround and separate the Occupied West Bank (708km)
Raise over $50,000 for urgent aid relief in Gaza, supporting three aid agencies: Medical Aid for Palestinians, Palestine Children's Relief Fund, and Rafah Tents.
The bulk of the participation took place at the 100s of group meet ups, pulled together by local organisers and around 40 climbing affinity groups and clubs. These took place inside and out, with over 60 climbing gyms and numerous outdoor venues playing host to CTW events. Despite some groups and organisers facing anti Palestinian lobbying, their collective action in bringing the climbing community together was key to the success of the campaign.
Thomasina Pigeon (pro climber, coach, and Climb The Wall organiser) on why she got involved in Climb The Wall:
"Climbing taught me that the type of world I want to live in, is one that supports life rather than denies it. It's shown me that freedom is the ability to move and live safely without violence. And if we pay attention, climbing shows how the larger system works to reinforce injustice, inequality and dispossession. This is why I stand with Palestine."
Additional CTW Information
For more information, including awards, donations and further quotes contact: [email protected]
Website
Interactive Map of CTW Climber Locations
Additional CFP Information
For more information, including ongoing and future campaigns, contact: [email protected]
Comments
Nice write-up. Just imagine if UKC had done a news story and placed this at the top of the home page...
Yes just imagine, they could run more politically charged articles that would drive people like me away who come here to get away from the news. I've no issue with the Palastinians or any national group for that matter but I'm glad you're not on the editorial team here.
Yeah except this isn't general news. It's a story specifically about climbers, getting together globally to climb, in solidarity with Palestinian climbers, and in the process raising a really impressive amount of cash for humanitarian aid, which I don't think is too controversial to say is urgently needed. As such it's also a positive story in contrast the doom and gloom of global news and a fine example of our what our community can achieve.
I also like to shield myself from the constant barrage of news but would be very happy to see this featured as a story on this site.
Would you prefer it was just articles like "Hexes: still worth carrying?" forever? Personally, I think offering solidarity to climbers in another country who are being locked up and tortured is something worthwhile. But, it seems like there's plenty of sand left for you to bury your head it, so go right on ahead!
Anybody fancy a climb for peace in general or is it only the insta cool conflicts that get a mention?