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MEet NAsser
“My name is Nasser Najjar I was formerly the Head of Communications for the International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza. I also served as a Production Manager for the United Nations, a Researcher for Human Rights Watch, now my one and only job is trying to save my family. I consider myself a hard-working father, partner, and a proud West End resident involved in various human rights activities and social justice events. My only job now is trying to save my family
—Nasser Najjar
A former Spokesperson and Head of Communications for the International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza, Palestine, Nasser also served as Production Manager for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and was a Researcher for Human Rights Watch. Nasser has also worked for many years as a freelance news producer and reporter for media outlets around the world including USA Today, Almonitor and the Washington Post.
Meet Razan, Nasser’s little sister
Razan Najjar is a social worker in Gaza. Nasser says she is the strongest one in the family. She has a big heart. She worked at an orphanage in Gaza before it was destroyed several months ago. Nobody has a clue what happened to the orphans she had been helping because no one has been able to return amidst the violence.
Razan is a lover of cats. She had three, but had to part with two of her best animal friends since October because there was not enough food. One of them is called BoBo, who has one eye. He was among the two she had to let go.
Razan has a sense of humour and resilient spirit that is unparalleled.
Meet Lina, Nasser’s older sister
Lina is a doctor in Gaza. She was working at a hospital ER until she had to flee to Rafah to save her and her daughters two months ago. She said she felt guilty having to leave her patients behind to save her daughters.
Lina Najjar, 54, (sister of Nasser Najjar) with her mother Khadijah Najjar in Gaza, before the Israeli invasion.
“My older sister, Lina has a very soft voice and genuine eyes that fit her job as a pediatrician.”
— Nasser Najjar
Nasser’s Nieces
Nasser’s niece Malak is 15 years old. She is a straight-A student who used to love Snapchat in her free time. She hasn’t been able to attend school, or see her friends in months.
Nasser’s other niece Jodi, is 11 years old. She is Nasser’s brother’s daughter. She has never met her father because he was exiled by the Israeli occupation to Turkey before she was born.
Alaa, Nasser’s eldest niece was the first granddaughter of the Najjar family. She graduated from Law school last year and ran her own natural makeup business before October.
From left: Nasser’s two nieces Alaa Najjar, 21, Jodi Najjar, 11, Razan Najjar, 30 (nasser’s sister) and Malik Najjar, 16, (Nasser’s other niece) in Gaza pre-conflict.
From left: Malik Najjar, 16, Alaa Najjar, 21, and Razan Najjar, 30 (nieces and sister of Nasser Najjar) in Gaza pre-conflict.
Nasser’s Parents
Both Nasser’s parents are in their 80’s, and in need of urgent health support.
His father Mohammed had heart surgery two months ago and is in need of emergency evacuation due to complications he has endured amidst a collapsed health system.
His mother Khadijah has been without her medication for over three months.
“My family raised me, shaped my personality and created who I am; My family made me the person who worked for the Red Cross, the United Nations, and Human Rights Watch. My family made me the person who made you laugh and stand with you when you needed a shoulder to cry on. Please help me to save my family.”
—Nasser Najjar
Their Story
Nasser’s parents, Mohammed and Khadijah Najjar were displaced for the first time in 1948. They lived their childhoods in two different refugee camps in the Gaza Strip.
After both parents got their diplomas, his father from Egypt and his mother from Jordan, they travelled to the United Arab Emirates seeking jobs so that could assist their family members and send money back home.
When the two of them met at a friend’s house in the 1970’s, they fell in love at first sight.
When they had a family, their first priority was to instil a deep value for education among their children and provide as many opportunities for them as possible after the suffering of land loss they endured in their own childhood.
Little did they know, this would not be the last time.
“If there was one feature that can describe my parents, they were very kind and genuine despite all the trauma they went through.
They were loving, caring, and giving, and not once did they yell or mistreat any of us.”
—Nasser Najjar