Seeking Mandela: Peace, Justice and Equal Rights for Palestinians

SPHR 2010 National Conference

Start Time: Friday, May 7, 2010 at 6:30pm
 End Time: Sunday, May 9, 2010 at 4:30pm
 Location: Vancouver, BC

Featuring keynote speakers Kogila Moodley and Heribert Adam
Authors of the book Seeking Mandela: Peacemaking between Israelis and Palestinians

Keynote Address: May 7th, 2010 at 6:30 PM.
Admission: Minimum $10 dollar donation.
Location: University of British Columbia, Wood 2

Conference Registration fee is $25 including admission to the Keynote event.
Register here: http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dDJUNncxWE5uQXhHYUhQQm1rY0hIOEE6MQ

Schedule – Saturday 8-May- 2010

  • 10:00 am – Introductions
  • 12:00 pm – Lunch
  • 1: 00 pm – BDS
  • 3:00 pm – Communications
  • 4:30 pm – CPCCA and Anti-Semitism

Schedule – Sunday 9-May- 2010

  • 10:00 am – Interactive Hostility Workshop
  • 12:00 pm – Lunch
  • 1: 00 pm – SPHR Board Meetings and Elections
  • 4:00 pm – Closing Remarks

Facebook Event Link: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/event.php?eid=109549899081227&ref=ts

May 8th Workshops:

Boycott, Divestment and Sanction: Political, Economic, Cultural and Educational
The BDS movement have been gain great momentum for the past decade. Many successes have been achieved on all fronts (political, economic, cultural and educational). From unions in Canada and South Africa, to educational institutions in the United States and companies and banks in Europe. This workshop will focus on the importance of the BDS movement as a tool to affect a change in the solidarity movement and pressure government to under the gravity of Palestinian human violations under the hands of the Israeli Apartheid regime.
Speakers: Hanna Kawas (Chairperson of the Canada Palestine Association), Mike Krebs (Boycott Israeli Apartheid Campaign) and Sid Shniad (Independent Jewish Voices).

Location: Irving K. Barber Learning Centre Room 155

Opening new lines of with university administrations and Politicians
SPHR at UBC has been very successful in deal with the university administration. This communication is very important and provides an atmosphere of cooperation whereby Palestinian human rights can be reported without feeling alienated or censored. This workshop will focus on how UBC was able to work with the administration and how this could be replicated in other campuses in Canada.
Speakers: Libby Davies (Member of Parliament for Vancouver East)
 Location: Irving K. Barber Learning Centre Room 155

Anti-Semitism and Israeli Apartheid Week:
Israeli Apartheid Week has received a lot of criticism from various groups and politicians who would like to stifle free speech and the promotion of Palestinian Human Rights. Working towards this end, a few politicians (succumbing to pressure from the notorious Israel lobby in Canada) formed the Canadian Coalition to Combat Anti-Semitism in a quest to make illegal the work of SPHR and Palestinian solidarity groups in Canada under the cloak of fighting anti-Semitism. This workshop will address this and will place Israeli Apartheid Week within its proper context to demonstrate that Israeli is indeed an Apartheid state and criticizing it does not constitute anti-Semitism.
Speakers: Mordecai Breimberg and Brian Campbell
 Location: Irving k. Barber Learning Centre Room 155

May 9th Workshops:

How to deal with hostility on campus?
Hostility against Palestinian solidarity groups on Canadian campuses have been increasing in the past few years. They range from accusing activists of being anti-Semites, to aggravating and provoking activists, and could reach physical assault. Campuses are a place where constructive dialogue is supposed to occur. This workshop is going to focus on this phenomenon and address methods on how to deal with dissenters and those who oppose the Palestinian solidarity work.
Location: Irving K. Barber Learning Centre Room 155

Who is Promoting Racism?

By Hanna Kawas
RE: Whose Interests are you Serving?
The following open response was sent to Manitoba MLA Heather Stefanson on April 14, 2010, answering her form email sent to those concerned about her motion “Denouncing Israeli Apartheid Week.”

Open Response to Manitoba MLA Heather Stefanson:

I just received the email, sent on your behalf, regarding the “debate” you say you are interested in having in the Manitoba Legislature. A reasonable and informed debate, you further state. However, given your statement (1) last month when this issue first came up, we seriously question any possibility of an open debate when certain parties have already said that Israeli Apartheid Week is something we should “condemn.. and eliminate”. We and many other concerned people in Canada have long called for an open and transparent debate on Canadian foreign policy in the Middle East and particularly on Israel/Palestine. However your party, the PC Party, nationally and now provincially, is instead singling out a small group of students for expressing an opinion you do not agree with. If any students feel unsafe on campus, it is these brave students who are trying to speak truth to power about what is really happening in Israel/Palestine and why Canadians should be concerned and are now being met with legislative censorship, intended to set a chill on campus activities.

As I said in my first email, let’s have a full debate. I even offered a few points for discussion that you refused to answer. When Palestinian Christians need special passes to pray in Jerusalem at Easter, when tens of thousands of Palestinians are facing expulsion from the West Bank for not having the correct Israeli Military permits (passes), then we say the time is ripe for Canadians to stand up and call on all levels of our government to question this uncritical support for Israeli government policies. We find it deeply offensive that you have labelled the students organizing IAW and all people in Canada asking these questions as being the “scourge of racism”(1). They represent a growing sector of the community (including many Jews and Semites) who serve no political lobby group, have no hidden political agenda and are simply working for what they feel serves the search for a genuine peace in Israel/Palestine. Some MPs in the House of Commons recognized this fact and that is why a similar resolution there was defeated last month. We can only hope that the Manitoba Legislature will have the same insight and dedication to genuine and open free speech.

Hanna Kawas

(1). http://www.heatherstefanson.com/news_det.asp?ID=706
See also: https://cpavancouver.org/Jason_Kenney_is_Promoting_Racism.doc

From: Kathleen.Cook@leg.gov.mb.ca
To: hkawas@msn.com
Date: Wed, 14 Apr 2010 11:18:28 -0500

Subject: RE: Whose Interests are you Serving??

Please see below a response that I am sending on behalf of Heather Stefanson.

Thank you for your recent letter to my colleagues and I regarding our proposed resolution, entitled “Denouncing Israeli Apartheid Week.” I am pleased to respond on behalf of our Leader, Hugh McFadyen, and my colleagues in the Progressive Conservative Caucus.

It is important to note at the outset that a resolution provides for an hour of debate in the Manitoba Legislature. It is not legislation, and thus would not have the effect of making Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW) illegal. Therefore it does not infringe on anyone’s right to freedom of speech, but allows us, as legislators, to express our views and the views of our constituents on the subject.

Our primary concern with Israeli Apartheid Week is its divisiveness, and the fear and anti-Semitism that it engenders on Manitoba university campuses. We believe everyone should have the right to feel safe on our campuses and that no individual group should be marginalized.

As the sponsor of this resolution, I am using my right of free speech to denounce hate, fear, and divisiveness on our university campuses. I believe that there are other, more effective ways to have a reasoned, respectful and informed debate on this subject.

Sincerely,
Heather Stefanson, MLA Tuxedo

Whose Interests are you Serving?

By Hanna Kawas. The following message was sent on April 12, 2010 to Manitoba MLA’s regarding a motion condemning Israeli Apartheid Week, to be debated on Thursday Apr. 15th, 2010.

Dear MLA:

It has come to our attention that a private members motion is expected to be introduced in the Manitoba Legislature later this week. This motion will reportedly call for censoring a student activity on campuses called Israel Apartheid Week, and is an attempt to use political office to stifle legitimate debate and criticism of Israeli government policies. A similar motion was already defeated in the House of Commons last month on March 11, as it became obvious to many it was a serious infringement on Palestinian human rights and the right to freedom of expression. We urge you to follow the example in the House of Commons and add your voice to those who said no to such abuse of office and censorship. We thank you and we hope you will take the path of standing up for justice and free speech.

Regards,
Hanna Kawas
Canada Palestine Association

Links to a series of open letters sent to Ontario MPPs, who regrettably did pass such a motion (introduced by MPP Peter Shurman) prior to the one defeated in Ottawa, can be found at www.cpavancouver.org I draw your attention to the questions below that were raised in my response to MPP Shurman, which were never answered. They are just a few of the pivotal points to be considered and answered before entering into any debate and vote, especially if you wish to serve your constituents, humanity and the truth.

  • The Israeli “Law of Return” applies only to Jews (Israelis or not) and does not apply to the twenty percent of Israeli citizens who are non-Jews, mainly Muslims and Christians. Is this law democratic or discriminatory?
  • The “Absentee law” was used to rob the Palestinian people of their land when Israel was established, and now there is confiscation (robbery) of much of the West Bank land for illegal settlements, roads, the separation (Apartheid) wall and Israeli military bases. Are these actions democratic or are they part of the Ten Commandments “Thou shall not steal”?
  • The Jewish National Fund JNF and its affiliates that control 93% of the total area of Israel does not lease or sell to Christian and Muslim Palestinians. Is this the democratic principles you are talking about and how would you describe these practices?
  • What is the name of the Israeli Jewish author who wrote the book “Israel: An Apartheid State” in 1987?
  • Is a state that allows for discrimination against women democratic? See: Invoking Rosa Parks, Haredi Women Move to Back of the Bus http://www.forward.com/articles/13821/
  • A recent poll in the Jerusalem Post found that 50% of “Jewish Israeli schoolchildren” are against equal rights for Arabs, http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=170735. Do you think this has to do with their education at home, or school or the Israeli society in general?
  • And finally, I might ask you to give only one quote from any Anti-Apartheid South African leader to prove your assertion that “it is also offensive to the millions of black South Africans oppressed by a racist white regime until the early 1990s”

Easter Appeal to Ms. Cheri DiNovo, Ontario MPP and United Church Minister

By Hanna Kawas.

Let Palestinian Christians Worship this Easter with No Apartheid Passes

I have followed with dismay the role you played, perhaps unwittingly, in the destructive Ontario Legislature motion on Feb. 25, 2010 regarding Israeli Apartheid Week. You were quoted in The Star as saying that the word apartheid is “inflammatory” and ”used inappropriately in the case of Israel”, and that “Apartheid does not help the discussion”.

It was painful to hear these words from a NDP legislator and especially after we knew you are also a United Church Minister.

Last August, the United Church Conference passed a resolution that legitimized Israel’s ethnic cleansing of Palestinians (Christians and Muslims), supported the discriminatory nature of Israel and annulled the right of Christians and Muslims in the Holy Land. The resolution 1(g) called for:

”The recognition by the emergent State of Palestine of Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state within safe and secure borders.”
This was then followed by a contradictory clause about “equal citizenship rights, protections, privileges and responsibilities for all”, rendered meaningless however by the earlier section.

It is outrageous in the first place to recognize any modern state as a religious entity, which excludes others and makes them feel unwanted. What is more outrageous is to then tell those excluded people they must also recognize their own oppressors. It smacks of a sense of cultural superiority and accordingly racism.

This United Church resolution and then your support for the legislative resolution that intended to silence students on university campuses, who want to explain and raise awareness about the injustices the Palestinian people are facing, are a betrayal of the Palestinians and especially the Christian Palestinians.

We are aware of the bullying role of the Zionist leadership, who forced themselves on the United Church conference at times uninvited. However, we believe that succumbing to such pressure is unethical and unprincipled and does not provide any spiritual or community leadership. Consequently, Zionist officials have openly bragged about their role in influencing church policies (see: http://www.cjc.ca/2009/09/03/the-united-church-conference-a-first-hand-account/).

I do not know if you are aware of the book “The unHoly Land” by Reverend Dr. A.C. Forrest, the former editor of the United Church Observer. You might learn about, Zionism, some of the Zionist slanderous tactics and also about his courage, commitment to the truth, his dedication to humanity and the teachings of his church. Here is a quote from his book: “I have found no way to criticize the policies of the State of Israel, or question the philosophy of political Zionism, or tell my readers what the facts of the Middle East are, and escape slander and libel from the Zionist-Israeli community.”

As a Palestinian Christian who has been the victim of Israeli Apartheid and experienced it first hand, I support the many anti-Apartheid South African leaders who have stated clearly and categorically that Israeli Apartheid is worse than South African Apartheid. A relevant example now is that Palestinian Christians (and Muslims for that matter) are not allowed freedom of worship at their holy places by the Israeli government. Please note the call by Palestinian Christian leaders this Easter to abolish the Israeli permits needed to go to the Holy Sepulchre Church in Jerusalem in the article entitled “Palestinians Demand Entry to Jerusalem without permits during the Holy Week of Easter”. http://www.imemc.org/index.php?obj_id=53&story_id=58203

I challenge you along with your fellow United Church members to do something in solidarity with your Christian brothers and sisters.

Many Palestinian Christians feel incredibly frustrated and betrayed by Canada’s mainstream churches. Many Western Christians will state they are trying to address the church’s history of racism and abuse against Jewish people. But this motivation cannot be used as a convenient smokescreen, which it often is, to participate in the oppression of yet another people, in this case the Palestinians. The guilt of western Christians must not be another burden for the struggling Palestinians to have to bear.

I urge everyone to act now to concretely support the Palestinians, in ways the Palestinians say are important, and to show courage and leadership on this issue. Please do not repeat the mistakes made by Western churches in the horrific oppression of our indigenous sisters and brothers in Canada. This time there is no chance to say you did not comprehend the magnitude of what was unfolding.

History will not be kind – Justice delayed is justice denied!

Hanna Kawas
Chairperson, Canada Palestine Association

Open Reply to Mr. Shurman, Ontario MPP, Regarding “O Canada or O Israel?”

By Hanna Kawas. The following letter was sent to Ontario MPP Peter Shurman (Thornhill), in response to his reply to O Canada or O Israel?

Open Reply to Mr. Shurman, Ontario MPP

I appreciate your courtesy in answering my letter “Is It O Canada or O Israel?”, but I am baffled by your response and your logic. If you are truly concerned for your constituents, you will not hide the truth from them.

Regrettably, as in the debates around your original motion in the Ontario Legislature, you did not substantiate any of your statements in your email. You call for meaningful dialogue that is not prejudicial. I agree that dialogue should not be prejudicial, but I don’t agree that the documented and scientific term “Apartheid” meaning separation is “prejudicial”. However, what is prejudicial is one of the parties believing that they are a superior race and that God gave these superior rights and powers to them. Dialogue should be conducted among equals and with people who believe in equality and human dignity. I also agree with you that this dialogue should not be confined only to campuses, it should include all sectors of the Canadian society, including the Canadian media that does not care to present the Palestinian point of view, nor their suffering nor their “cries of hope”. Have you seen any of the Canadian media report the “cry of hope” of the Christian Palestinians (Dec. 2009) to end the suffering, oppression and occupation of their people?

Perhaps the Ontario legislature should condemn the corporate media for being biased and one-sided towards Israel?!

You repeat in your email that “apartheid is prejudicial to any meaningful dialogue”, that it is “wrong to ascribe such a term to the State of Israel” and that you “reject the use of the word ‘apartheid’ with respect to the democratic State of Israel.” However, again, with no documentation to back your claims.

I tell you, as the victim of Israeli discriminatory polices, Israel is an apartheid state, Israel is not a democracy and exposing Israeli ethnic cleansing and war crimes against the Palestinian people is the duty of every decent human being.

Again I am willing to publicly debate with you and document what I am saying. Are you willing to debate these issues? I offered that in my first open letter, but neither you nor any of the members of the Ontario legislature who voted for your motion responded positively.

Here is a concrete public offer. I am the co-host of the radio show called Voice of Palestine in Vancouver, and we are offering you a segment of 25-30 minutes to explain your position. We broadcast every Tuesday evening for one hour – pick any Tuesday most convenient to you. If you do not feel comfortable with such an interview, we welcome your written response to the questions below and we will publicize them both on the radio and the Internet. Here are some of the questions I would be raising in any interview:

  • The Israeli “Law of Return” applies only to Jews (Israelis or not) and does not apply to the twenty percent of Israeli citizens who are non-Jews, mainly Muslims and Christians. Is this law democratic or discriminatory?
  • The “Absentee law” was used to rob the Palestinian people of their land when Israel was established, and now there is confiscation (robbery) of much of the West Bank land for illegal settlements, roads, the separation (Apartheid) wall and Israeli military bases. Are these actions democratic or are they part of the Ten Commandments “Thou shall not steal”?
  • The Jewish National Fund JNF and its affiliates that control 93% of the total area of Israel does not lease or sell to Christian and Muslim Palestinians. Is this the democratic principles you are talking about and how would you describe these practices?
  • What is the name of the Israeli Jewish author who wrote the book “Israel: An Apartheid State” in 1987?
  • Is a state that allows for discrimination against women democratic? See: Invoking Rosa Parks, Haredi Women Move to Back of the Bus
  • A recent poll in the Jerusalem Post found that 50% of “Jewish Israeli schoolchildren” are against equal rights for Arabs. Do you think this has to do with their education at home, or school or the Israeli society in general?
  • And finally, I might ask you to give only one quote from any Anti-Apartheid South African leader to prove your assertion that “it is also offensive to the millions of black South Africans oppressed by a racist white regime until the early 1990s”

Awaiting your reply,
Hanna Kawas

Subject: RE: Is It “O Canada” or “O Israel”?
Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2010 15:56:01 -0500
From: peter.shurman@pc.ola.org
To: hkawas@msn.com

Thank you for your email regarding the resolution that I presented and debated with my fellow MPPs in the Ontario Legislative Assembly on February 25th.

Please allow me to remind you of two things.

Firstly, my job as the MPP for Thornhill is to take positions on issues that are of importance to my constituents. I would also add that sometimes we will agree and sometimes we won’t.

Secondly, my argument is a simple one, even though others wish to expand upon it further. Simply put, I argue that the use of the term, “apartheid” is prejudicial to any meaningful dialogue before that dialogue even begins. Until all sides are represented in discussions on campuses and elsewhere, it is clear to me that the current starting point is not a level playing field.

Our objection is not to the discussion of the problems in the Middle East; it is that we reject the use of the word “apartheid” with respect to the democratic State of Israel.

The word, “apartheid” is assumptive and declaratory and assumes certain things. It is wrong to ascribe such a term to the State of Israel.
I stand by the resolution and maintain my motivation for bringing it forward.

Peter Shurman MPP (Thornhill)