5th Annual Israeli Apartheid Week

5th Annual Israeli Apartheid Week

* Actions and Callouts

***** March 1-8, 2009 - 5th Annual Israeli Apartheid Week ******

Israeli Apartheid Week 2009: NEW Video Trailer!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2Owx2j_fcs

Despite the on-going attempts by university administrations to silence and repress Palestine solidarity activism on campuses, Israeli Apartheid Week 2009 promises to be more successful than ever.

Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW) is taking place in more than 40 cities across the globe (the number of cities is growing daily). This year, IAW happens in the wake of Israel's brutal military assault on the people of Gaza. In Toronto, the birthplace of IAW, a full week of lectures, films, and actions will make the point that these latest massacres further confirm the true nature of Israeli Apartheid. The theme for IAW 2009 in Toronto is "Standing United with the People of Gaza", events will take place at the University of Toronto, Ryerson University and York University. IAW 2009 will continue to build and strengthen the growing Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement at a global level.

We are very proud to announce our two Toronto keynote speakers for IAW 2009:

- Omar Barghouti is an independent Palestinian researcher, commentator and human rights activist. He is a founding member of the Palestinian campaign of boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) to force Israel to uphold international law and universal human rights. He holds a bachelor's and master's degrees in electrical engineering from Columbia University, NY. He contributed to the philosophical volume, "Controversies and Subjectivity" (John Benjamins, 2005) and to "The New Intifada: Resisting Israel's Apartheid" (Verso Books, 2001). He advocates an ethical vision for a unitary, secular democratic state in historic Palestine.

- Ronnie Kasrils was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, 1938. Grandparents Jewish immigrants from Czarist Russia (Lithuania). Joined ANC 1960 after Sharpeville massacre. This led to a lifetime of political activism. Was a member of ANC's military wing at its inception in 1961. Became chief of military intelligence, operated from exile in neighbouring African states and clandestinely in South Africa. For many years member of both ANC and Communist Party national executive committees. Appointed deputy minister of defence in South
Africa's first democratic government (1994-99); Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry (1999-2004); Minister Intelligence Services (2004-2008). Has retired from government and devotes himself to writing, lecturing and Palestine solidarity. Autobiography "Armed & Dangerous" (publisher Jonathan Ball, Johannesburg). Married to a fellow struggle veteran and has two adult sons.

Each evening of IAW 2009 has a specific theme and expert speakers on different topics. Mark your calendars with the different topics for each evening:

ALL EVENING EVENTS BEGIN AT 7pm @ Ryerson and the University of Toronto St.George Campus (http://toronto.apartheidweek.org/) ALL DAY-TIME EVENTS BEGIN AT 12:30pm @ York University (http://toronto.apartheidweek.org/node/147)

Monday, March 2: Resisting Apartheid: Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions
Our keynote speaker, Omar Barghouti will launch Israeli Apartheid Week 2009.
Library Building Room: LIB072
Ryerson Univesity
350 Victoria St.

Tuesday, March 3: Education Under Occupation

A panel discussion on the challenges faced by students in Palestine and by indigenous students here on Turtle Island as they fight for their right to education while living under occupation. Featuring: Thaer Aliwaiwi, Yafa Jarrar and Karolyn Givogue
Walberg Building, Room 116
University of Toronto
184-200 College Street
Hosted by SAIA- UT, a working group of OPIRG – Toronto

Wednesday, March 4: Gaza: Breaking the Siege

A panel discussion focused on the recent military assault and on-going Siege on Gaza. Speakers will provide historical background information and commentary on the current situation in Gaza. Featuring: Laila El-Haddad and Jon Elmer
Walberg Building, Room 116
University of Toronto
184-200 College Street
Hosted by SAIA- UT, a working group of OPIRG – Toronto

Thursday, March 5: Globalization, Labour and Poverty in Palestine and First Nations communities in Canada

A panel discussion on the economic situation in Palestine and Canada's financial and military ties to Israeli Apartheid. Speakers will also draw links between Apartheid in Israel and the economic exploitation of First Nations communities in Canada. Featuring: Leila Farsakh, Robert Lovelace and David McNally
Koffler Institute Room 108
569 Spadina Avenue
Hosted by SAIA- UT, a working group of OPIRG – Toronto

Friday, March 6: Turtle Island, South Africa to Palestine : The Struggle Continues

The final night of Israeli Apartheid Week 2009 will focus on lessons from South African Apartheid and the on-going struggles of the
Palestinian people and indigenous people on Turtle Island. Featuring: Mike Krebs and Ronnie Kasrils
Ted Rogers School of Management, Ryerson University - TRS1067
575 Bay Street

Saturday, March 7: International Women's Day - Rally and March

Rally: 11am OISE Auditorium, 252 Bloor St. West
March: Join the Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid and allies as we march under the banner "Standing United with the Women of Gaza". Contingent will meet at 12:45pm at the corner of Bloor St. West and
Bedford Rd (next to OISE). Look for banners and Palestinian flags!

Full schedule with speakers' biographies is available at
www.apartheidweek.org

Israeli Apartheid Week Toronto is organized by: Students Against Israeli Apartheid U of T (a working group of OPIRG), Students Against Israeli Apartheid York, and Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights Ryerson.

Israeli Apartheid Week Toronto is endorsed by the following organizations:
* Canadian Arab Federation
* Palestine House
* Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid
* Caribbean Studies Student Union (UofT)
* Equity Studies Student Union (UofT)
* Health Studies Student Union (UofT)
* CUPE Ontario International Solidarity Committee
* CUPE Local 3907
* CUPE Local 3903
* CAW Sam Gindin Chair in Social Justice and Democracy
* Not In Our Name: Jewish Voices Opposing Zionism
* Critical Area Studies Collective (UofT)
* Centre for Middle Eastern Studies
* No One Is Illegal
* Ontario Coalition Against Poverty
* Always Question (UofT)
* Canadian Forum for Justice and Peace in Sri Lanka
* Barrio Nuevo
* NOCOPS (Newly Organized Coalition Opposing Police in Schools)
* Women in Solidarity with Palestine
* Common Cause
* Faculty for Palestine
* Palestine House Youth Program
* Filipino Canadian Youth Alliance-Ontario
* Toronto Women's Bookstore
* SPHR National
* Latin America Solidarity Network

To ENDORSE Israeli Apartheid Week in Toronto, to make a DONATION or GET INVOLVED with the organizing please email saia@riseup.net.