On May 15, 2019, we held a Nakba commemoration & community gathering at ArtRage gallery.
Every year on May 15, Palestinians and their allies around the world mark the Nakba, or “catastrophe” in Arabic, referring to the violent expulsion of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from their homeland to establish the state of Israel. Between 1947 and 1949, at least 750,000 out of 1.9 million Palestinians were made refugees beyond the borders of the state. This violent expulsion came after several decades of colonization.
Our program included a presentation by Batoul Mufreh, an SU International Law student from Jerusalem, on housing discrimination and displacement in East Jerusalem followed by discussion. View the presentation recording here.
“No Good Morning, No Good Night” Presentations
Thanks to everyone who joined us in Cazenovia and in Syracuse for our two No Good Morning, No Good Night events in Fall 2018. Each was an informal presentation and discussion with Julia Ganson, Julia Fuleihan, Mary Kuhn, and Ron VanNorstrand about their recent visit to the West Bank, and their account of occupation, oppression, and popular resistance to the ongoing Nakba in Palestine.
Following the Great March of Return protests in Gaza between March 30, and May 15 (Nakba Day), 2018, Palestinians in Gaza have continued to protest at the Israel-Gaza border fence every Friday against the forced displacement of their families from their homes in 1948.
At least 154 Palestinians have been killed in these protests, and over 16,000 wounded, by Israeli military fire.
Our public presence aims to stand in solidarity with Gazans who continue to demand their internationally-recognized right to return to their homeland, and those who have died for the cause.
More info on the Great March of Return & ongoing protests in Gaza at https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/04/gaza-protest-latest-updates-180406092506561.html
Ice Cream Social Fundraiser for Gaza
On July 12, 2018 we hosted an ice cream social at Pebble Hill Presbyterian Church to benefit the Middle East Children’s Alliance, which provides aid to families in Gaza, and the Women’s Boat to Gaza. This comes on the heels of the Presbyterian Church (USA), whih represents nearly 1.5 million people in the US, voting overwhelmingly in support of justice for Palestinians.
Nakba Commemoration: Building Support for Palestinian Rights in CNY
On May 15, 2018 the Justice for Palestine committee organized a demonstration outside the Syracuse Federal Building to commemorate the Nakba. Nabka, or “catastrophe” in Arabic, refers to the violet expulsion of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from their homeland to estalish the state of Israel. Over 60 people called on NY Senators Schumer and Gillibrand to denounce the killing of dozens of nonviolent protestors in Gaza. In addition to heartfelt speeches from members of Jewish Voice for Peace, Veterans for Peace, and the local Palestinian community, the event closed with traditional “dabke” dancing to celebrate Palestininan culture and resistance.
Protesting Syracuse University Hosting Israeli Consul General
On April 24, 2018, students, community members, and members of the Justice for Palestine committee protested a visit by Dani Dayan, Consul General of Israel, at Syracuse University. The visit of the Israeli representative came during an ongoing escalation of Israeli military violence against civilians peacefully protesting in Gaza. Since the Great March of Return began on March 30, 2018, Israel has killed over 40 protesters, including the journalists Ahmed Abu Hossen on April and Yaser Murtaja, who were both wearing vests with the word PRESS printed in large letter across the front when they were killed by sniper bullets.
Solidarity with Gaza #GreatReturnMarch
On March 30, 2018, 30,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip began six weeks of sit-ins and demonstrations to demand their internationally recognized right of return to the villages they were displaced from in 1948. Israel met them with brutal force and 100 snipers, killing 18 Palestinians and injuring more than 1,400. The Israeli military used drones to drop tear gas over the encampments of the demonstrators, where entire families were gathered, and prevented medics from evacuating the injured. Following May 15 (Nakba Day), 2018, Palestinians in Gaza have continued to protest at the Israel-Gaza border fence every Friday against the forced displacement of their families from their homes in 1948. At least 214 Palestinians have been killed in these protests, and over 18,000 wounded, by Israeli military fire.
We held demonstrations every Thursday until October 2018, standing in solidarity with Palestinians asserting their right to freedom, justice, equality, and life.
More info on the Great March of Return & ongoing protests in Gaza here: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/04/gaza-protest-latest-updates-180406092506561.html
Screening Radiance of Resistence: Rana Nazzal
On March 21, 2018, Justice for Palestine and International Solidarity Movement (ISM) hosted a screening of Radiance of Resistance. This film features Ahed Tamimi, the teenage activist held in an Israeli military prison from December 2017 until July 2018, along with her cousin Janna Ayyad. Rana Nazzal, a Palestinian memer of ISM who trained and provided orientation to ISM volunteers in Palestine, talked about ways to support the nonviolent Palestinian resistance and how to volunteer in Palestine with ISM.
Boycott, Divest, Sanctions rally in Albany
June 15, 2016 New Yorkers from all over the state, incuding members of the Justice for Palestine committee gathered in Albany to call upon Governor Cuomo to rescind his unconstitutional executive order against the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement for Palestinian human rights. On Sunday June 5, Governor Cuomo issued an executive order requiring the state to blacklist and withdraw investments in companies and organizations that participate in boycotts or divestments from Israel’s human rights abuses. The order has been met with criticism as an unconstitutional infringement on political speech to put pressure on the Israeli government to respect Palestinian rights. Over 200 people rallied outside the governor’s office and delivered a petition signed by 12,000 people.
Israel: A Colonial Settler State?
Monday, October 1, 2012 Westcott Community Center, 826 Euclid Ave., Syracuse
Israeli activist and scholar Jimmy Johnson discusses the question of whether Israel is a colonial settler state, drawing comparisons with the United States and other such states. Thanks to Nick Papatonis for his efficient and timely videography and posting!
http://www.youtube.com/embed/DCju2Zn1zpQ?rel=0
Rabbi Brian Walt on Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions to End Israel’s Occupation
Wednesday, June 20 2012 at ArtRage Gallery, Syracuse
Rabbi Walt was one of the founders of Rabbis for Human Rights-North America and served as its first executive director from 2003-2008. In 2009 in response to the Israeli attack on Gaza, Rabbi Walt co-founded Taanit Tzedek — Jewish Fast for Gaza. He is a frequent speaker and blogger on questions such as: Can one be a supporter of the state of Israel while disagreeing with many of its government’s policies? Can one be pro-Israeli and also pro-Palestine?
http://www.youtube.com/embed/4rz6l0p1bQw?rel=0
Justice for the Palestinians
Protest in Support of Land Day
Friday, March 30, 2012
Intersection of Erie Blvd. E. and East Genesee St., Dewitt
See the Photo Gallery on Flickr
Video from Move Over AIPAC Demonstrations
by Ava and Keren Carmeli Interviews with participants of AIPAC’s annual policy conference in DC, May 2011. http://www.youtube.com/embed/N0PPTvAEYGI?rel=0
Commemorating the Nakba (Catastrophe)
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Ahmed al Hindi, Shaw Dallal and Dana Olwen shared stories of their families connection to the Nakba, the uprooting and displacement of 750,000 Palestinians as the state of Israel was created in 1947-48, and their thoughts on the current state of the conflict. Hear the stories of local Palestinian-Americans whose families were displaced in 1948 when the State of Israel was created and 750,000 Palestinians were displaced.
http://www.youtube.com/embed/TYGG1tlEbuk?rel=0
See the Photo Gallery (photos by Ava Carmeli)
Standing with the People of Egypt
February 4, 2011
About 100 people came out on very short notice to stand (and march) in solidarity with the people of Egypt’s courageous resistance to the Mubarak dictatorship. The Peace Council calls for the US government to cease all funding to the Mubarak regime and use its full diplomatic and political pressure to push for Mubarak’s immediate resignation and the beginning of a true transition to democracy.
Post-Standard Article and Photos
YNN-TV Story
EMERGENCY DEMONSTRATION Protests the Israeli Attack on Humanitarian Flotilla for Gaza
June 2, 2010
Syracuse’s First Public Al-Nakba Commemoration
May 16, 2010
Nakba in Arabic means “catastrophe.” When capitalized Nakba refers particularly to the events of 1947/48 when over 650,000 Palestinians were driven from their cities, towns and villages in what then became the State of Israel. CNY Working for a Just Peace in Israel and Palestine recently organized Syracuse’s first public commemoration of the Nakba. On May 14 ArtRage showed the 200-minute long documentary, “Al Nakba.” On May 16, also at ArtRage, over 40 of us heard four local Palestinians share their own and their families’ painful and fateful Nakba experiences. It was important yet painful to hear the stories from Dr. A.G. Musa, Dr. Yousef Abu-Sbaih, Rev. Hani Khoury, and Najah Zaaeed. Let’s make the commemoration a “first annual.”
Dr. A.G. Musa speaks at the first public Nakba commemoration in Syracuse, NY on May 16, 2010.
News Coverage of Syracuse Area Efforts to End the Siege of Gaza
Post-Standard article, Dec. 31, 2008
News 10 Coverage of Dec. 30, 2008 Protest
Post-Standard article, Jan. 10, 2009