The Jerusalem Legal Aid Center received the Rev. George Rigas Award for Courage in Peacebuilding, as a result of its legal interventions in protecting the “right to housing” in the occupied territories. This award reflects deep appreciation for the long-standing efforts made by the Center over the years to prevent the demolition of buildings and property in the occupied territories.

The award was officially presented during a special ceremony held in Pasadena, California. Attorney Bahar Mirhosseini, a friend of the Center and a human rights activist, received this award on behalf of the Center.

It is worth noting that this award is given annually to institutions and individuals working in the field of human rights, as a recognition of their dedication to achieving peace and justice, and in honor of the memory of Reverend George Rigas, who was a strong opponent of the American wars in Vietnam and Iraq.

While the Jerusalem Center for Legal Aid and Human Rights considered this award as an international recognition from a country that maintains its support for the Palestinian cause, such as the United States of America, this helps the Center shed light on the crime of forced displacement and helps facilitate the spread of the Center’s message and gain new supporters to support the basic rights of the people.