Israeli Apartheid Week 2022
#ArtAgainstApartheid
Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW) is a tool for mobilizing grassroots support on the global level for the Palestinian struggle for justice.
This year, IAW carried the motif, #ArtAgainstApartheid. Herein, we shed light on the role of culture, and art in particular, to decolonise our minds in our collective struggles against cultural appropriation and oppression.
From 21 March to 10 April 2022, the Palestine Solidarity Alliance, together with numerous organisations affiliated to the South African BDS Coalition, engaged in a series of events and discussions to raise awareness about the plight of Palestine and build long-term campaigns against apartheid Israel.
(adapted from bdsmovement.net
#UnitedAgainstRacism
IAW started on the 21st of March 2022 in South Africa and ran up until the 10th of April. Various events were organised during the week by different Palestinian solidarity organisations, centred around the global theme. This year the theme aims to showcase the role of art and culture in resistance. The aim is to highlight the way in which art has been used in resisting colonial and occupying forces, particularly through dance, music, poetry, theatre, and story-telling. As the Palestine Solidarity Alliance we organised three events that shed light on pertinent issues in Palestine today.
Stories from In Detention
The event was held at the former Women’s Jail in Constitution Hill and focused on political prisoners and detainees. In it, we highlighted the stories of political detainees in South Africa and those in Palestine, both under an Apartheid system.
The programme was facilitated by Seadimo Tlale, and featured stories from South African Apartheid-detainees, Zubeida Jaffer and Prema Naidoo.
From Palestine, we received inputs from Ra’ed Abu Hommus, Meyyassar Attiyyati, Neta Golan, and an anonymous detainee from within an Israeli prison.
Poetic Resistance
This event explored the role of art and culture in resisting occupying, colonial, and oppressive forces. Poets highlighted the struggles of the people of Palestine and drew parallels with the struggles faced by people here in South Africa, during Apartheid and currently.
The programme was facilitated by poet and creative Shari Maluleke and featured poets such as Zohra Saloojee, Zaharah Msomi, Zama Madinana, Karabo Word, Raees Noorbhai, Miguel Chicane, Sunny Morgan, Allan Horowitz, Sarah Lubala, Vikram Kershan, Frank Meintjies, Lara Reddy, Ayesha Kajee, Okuhle Esethu, and Hassan Lorgat
Picnic for Palestine and Movie Night
We had a Picnic for Palestine and a Movie Night at Marks Park in Emmarentia. The PSA Youth League collaborated with PSC Wits to host the event, with a range of pop-up stores present. It was a beautiful, sunny day for a picnic and families came through with gazebos and chairs to enjoy the sunshine, good music and pop-ups.
We were joined by vendors such as Zaytun who sold Palestinian items and keffiyehs, Scroll It ice cream and noodle bar, Buns & Bowls, Dhodats Burgers, King Arabic Sandwich, and Delightful Donuts.
Festivities continued into the night when we screened the Palestinian drama film ‘Omar.’
Additional events under the SA BDS Coalition
Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia – Demonstration Against Xenophobia
South African Investment Conference – Demonstration Against Odious Investments and Israeli Imperialism
One Democratic State Campaign – A talk on the meaning of the Apartheid framework
Don Mattera Annual Lecture – The Child in 2030
Student Collaboration: Building Student Solidarity
Boycott PUMA Protest
Palestinian BDS National Committee – International Webinar
Imperialism, War, and Racism – The case of Ukraine, the Middle East, and Palestine
Pinkwashing Discussion
Sophiatown Tour & Poetry Evening
Murals and Painting
Global Zionist IOF recruitment activities and lawfare cases against them – Virtual Webinar
PSC Lawfare case against Zionist Mercenaries
Making Palestine the Issue: Pre-Khutba talk at mosques around the country
Workers Struggles and Solidarity in South Africa and Palestine
Sophiatown Tour & Poetry Evening
The plight of working class women in Palestine
Palestinian Cultural Evening – Poetry, Food, Art, and Music
Pinkwashing Discussion
The legal implications of Israeli Apartheid
Building Student-Worker Solidarity
Balloon release
Picnic for Palestine & Film Screening: Omar
Student Solidarity Webinar
Mural Painting
Solidarity Rally
Student Solidarity WEbinar
Movie Screening: Born in Gaza
Fast & Vigil
Student Solidarity Webinar
Youth Solidarity Building: South Africa, Palestine, Puerto Rico
Student Solidarity Webinar
:aunch of the Nelson Mandela University Palestine Solidarity Organisation
Israeli Apartheid as a Human RIghts Violation
Mural and Painting
Silent Protest
Poetry event and struggle songs
Watermelon symbolism demonstration and face-painting
Junior football tournament for Palestine
#RunWalk4Palestine
#HikeForPalestine
Under the banner of the South African BDS Coalition, numerous organisations from across the country arranged events in solidarity with the people of Palestine.
These events mobilised people from diverse sections of society, where awareness was raised, networks formed, and programmes developed.
Overall, we witnessed a successful week of campaigning and strategising to build a stronger, more united movement in the fight against racism and apartheid Israel.
Youth Round Table with Muna El-Kurd
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