Activism and BDS Beat 12 October 2012
We the undersigned, as Palestinians living in historic Palestine and the diaspora, in the spirit of past statements, and in light of recent controversies, write to reaffirm a key principle of our movement for freedom, justice, and equality: The struggle for our inalienable rights is one opposed to all forms of racism and bigotry, including, but not limited to, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, Zionism, and other forms of bigotry directed at anyone, and in particular people of color and indigenous peoples everywhere.
We oppose the cynical and baseless use of the term anti-Semitism as a tool for stifling criticism of Israel or opposition to Zionism, as this assumes simply because someone is Jewish, they support Zionism or the colonial and apartheid policies of the state of Israel - a false generalization.
Our struggle is anchored in universal human rights and international law in opposition to military occupation, settler-colonialism, and apartheid, something people of conscience of all ethnicities, races, and religions can support.
Finally, we call on people around the world to join us in a morally consistent stance that opposes racism and bigotry in all forms. An ethical struggle for justice and equal rights in any context entails zero tolerance for racial discrimination and racism anywhere.
Signed (in order of signature):
- Abir Kopty
- Danya Mustafa
- Nadia Hijab
- Shirien Damra
- Omar Barghouti
- Noura Erakat
- Remi Kanazi
- Andrew Kadi
- Dina Omar
- Sandra Tamari
- Maath Musleh
- Suleiman Hodali
- Dana Saifan
- Jess Ghannam
- Sami Kishawi
- Dalia Almarina
- Haidar Eid
- Samee Sulaiman
- Lubna Hammad
- Issa Mikel
- Dina Zbidat
- Esmat Elhalaby
- Linah Alsaafin
- Ramzi Jaber
- Randa May Wahbe
- Hilda Massoud
- Falastine Dwikat
- Jamil Sbitan
- Beesan Ramadan
- Alaa Milbes
- Tanya Keilani
- Adam Akkad
- Budour Hassan
- Ahmad Nimer
- Fajr Harb
- Susan Abulhawa
- Amira Dasouqi
- Lubna Alzaroo
- Samah Sabawi
- Ismail Khalidi
- Annemarie Jacir
- George E. Bisharat
- Sara Jawhari
- Amin Abbas
- Ali Abunimah
- Camillia Shoufani
- Dena Qaddumi
- Ramzi Kanazi
- Alaa Yousef
- Najwa Doughman
- Amal Atieh Jubran
- Mahdi Sabbagh
- Rania Jubran
- Amar Husain
- Omar H. Rahman
- Yazeed Ibrahim
- Zachariah Barghouti
- Nadine Darwish
- Rinad Abdulla
- Sana Ibrahim
- Rana Libdeh
- Huwaida Arraf
- Basil Farraj
- Riham Barghouti
- Jalal Abukhater
- Grace Said
- Wafai Dias
- Huda Asfour
- Musa Al-Hindi
- Halla Shoaibi
- Nada Elia
- Shafeka Hashash
- Linda Sarsour
- Nour Joudah
- Fadi Quran
- Rafeef Ziadah
- Muhammad Jabali
- Haneen Maikey
- Diana Alzeer
- Mouin Rabbani
- Zaid Shuaibi
- Sari Harb
- Suzy Salamy
- Diana Buttu
- Maryam Zohny
- Vivien Sansour
- Noor Fawzy
- Jackie Salloum
- Hatem Bazian
- Awad Hamdan
- Ahmed Moor
- Zahi Damuni
- Irene Nasser
- Sanah Yassin
- Sumia Ibrahim
- Hazem Jamjoum
- Selma Al-Aswad
- Dina Odetalla
- Ghassan B. Zidan
- Suheir Tannous
- Rasha Makhoul
- Nadia Saah
- Hana Awwad
- Salma Abu Ayyash
- Fatin Jarara
- Tamer Nafar
- Raneen Jeries
- Abbas Hamideh
- Tariq Shadid
- Abdelnasser Rashid
- Dina Kennedy
- Hani al-Masri
- Raja Zaatry
- Nadim Nashef
- Miryam Rashid
- Nada Khader
- Amani Barakat
- Leena Barakat
- George S. Hishmeh
- Kareema Saab
- Christopher Hazou
- Tahani Salah
Note: Late arriving signatures have been added since initial publication.
Comments
The struggle for Palestinian rights is incompatible with any for
Permalink Rima Merriman replied on
The struggle for our inalienable rights is one opposed to all forms of racism and bigotry, including, but not limited to, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, Zionism, and other forms of bigotry directed at anyone, and in particular people of color and indigenous peoples everywhere.
Equal Rights and Justice!
Permalink Gerard Barron replied on
Equal Rights and Justice!
not that i need to say it…
Permalink Benjamin Doherty replied on
…but I recognize the majority of names on this list.
Adding my signature
Permalink Ghassan Yonis replied on
Assuming I can add my signature in the comments section: G.B. Zidan
Adding my signature
Permalink Susana Khalil replied on
Venezuela- Palestine.
Canaán Association
Ageed!
Permalink Amani Barakat replied on
Ageed!
Would love to sign on
Permalink Selma Al-Aswad replied on
Assuming it is open for other Palestinians to sign on: Selma Al-Aswad
Hear hear
Permalink Blank replied on
Diaspora Jews/Israelis and Palestinians are brothers/sisters, and are much more closely related than people would care to admit. I pray that one day that we can overlook our differences, recognize our similarities, and live together in a land we both hold dear.
That would be truly wonderful
Permalink Jackie replied on
That would be truly wonderful.
impressed
Permalink anoncomment replied on
This is a really impressive, thoughtful statement. It stands as a testament to the strength and the courage of Palestinian solidarity movements. As an ally, all I can say is thank you for putting this out there. Although it may seem that such a statement would be obvious and thus rendered unnecessary, I think every movement would do well to realize how important it is to be unrelentingly aware of even marginal forms of racism or bigotry hiding in their midsts. This statement does just that. Bravo. And thank you.
Well said
Permalink Rob replied on
Not Palestinian, but cosigned, in spirit.
Signatory
Permalink Abbas Hamideh replied on
Including the Right of Return of all Palestinian Refugees to their ancestral homeland Palestine!
Ancestral homeland
Permalink Blank replied on
I am Jewish (but not religious) and consider the land of Palestine/Israel to be my ancestral homeland, as well as that of the Palestinians. There needs to be a realization that the Palestinians aren't going anywhere, and neither are we (Israelis). Together, we will build the best country that ever lived. <3
We're bros and sis on this earth
Permalink Valerio Evangelista replied on
I totally agree with this statement. We should try - no matter how difficult - to think, speak and act as brothers and sisters. Ma ana ajmal min salam; hevenu shalom aleinu.
Consider me as a co-signer
Permalink Valerio Evangelista replied on
Of course you can consider me as a co-signer
Awesome people with an uplifting message
Permalink Jinjirrie replied on
With such resolve, the Palestinian movement for justice and rights shines.
You have my complete admiration and solidarity.
Signature
Permalink Tariq Shadid replied on
I don't know if adding my name here in the comments section is the proper way, but I hereby endorse this statement and ask that my name be added to the signature list.
Idea & Signature
Permalink Basema Salman replied on
I definitely endorse this clear uplifting statement and I believe it might be a good idea to ask not only all Palestinians to add their signatures so that the world can hear and see Palestinians, but also send it to the UN General Assembly, just to jog their memory of their role and why they existed in the first place!
My question; where & how can I add my name to signatures list?
My Signature
Permalink Tamer Nafar replied on
I agree
Racism
Permalink Leila replied on
I love the irony of the anti racist statement which is only signed by Palestinians.
nothing ironic about it. it's called solidarity.
Permalink A non-Palestinian (Jewish) ally replied on
There is nothing ironic about this statement. If this is to be a solidarity movement not just *for* Palestine, but also *by* Palestinians, then this statement has to come solely from the same people leading the movement. Their voices must be the ones to shine through and articulate a vision and a path for the solidarity movement. We do not get to dictate to Palestinians what their movement should look like, and vice-versa, Palestinians do have a responsibility to articulate a vision for those involved in solidarity work. This statement does just that. If you fail to understand this basic fact, then you fail to understand what it means to do solidarity work. If that is so, then perhaps you should also save yourself the trouble of commenting on work whose basic principles you find so elusive.
Hypocrisy
Permalink Miss Costello replied on
Isn't it just?
Naturally there is not space,
Permalink Robert replied on
Naturally there is not space, or need, to name every form of bigotry in such a declaration. But I am left with a burning question.
Are we to infer that committment to "freedom, justice, and equality...opposed to all forms of...bigotry" includes bigotry and discrimination against gay and lesbian peoples? This would be truly radical, and monumental, coming from Palestinians, particularly given what is known about the tremendous suffering of gay people in Palestinian society and, extended, within the larger Arab world...a fact, I might add, which Israel and its supporters use politically against the Palestinian cause in the west.
I recognize that even if that degree of freedom from discrimination and bigotry is intentionally embedded in this statement, some, or many, may believe this is not a right time, or support could be lost, for directly addressing this form of discrimination. But as Martin Luther King famously put it:
"On some positions, Cowardice asks the question, "Is it safe?" Expediency asks the question, "Is it politic?" And Vanity comes along and asks the question, "Is it popular?" But Conscience asks the question "Is it right?" And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must do it because Conscience tells him it is right."
I think this applies.
Bravo
Permalink Brotyboy replied on
This is what needs to be said along with any statement supporting Palestinian and Human Rights. The sooner people realise that anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and Zionism are all part of the problem, the better.
Saor Alba Gu Brath
Saor Palestine Gu Brath
Thank you, so very much.
Permalink Emma Rosenthal replied on
Thank you, so very much.
Add my name to the statement
Permalink Saeb Shaath replied on
Indeed ‘’Our struggle is anchored in universal human rights and international law in opposition to military occupation, settler-colonialism, and apartheid’’ please do add my name to the statement. ....Saeb Sha'ath
Please include me as a co
Permalink Dr. Bill Dienst replied on
Please include me as a co-signer.
Do add my name to the statement if you may.
Permalink Saeb Shaath replied on
long over due
Freedom for the people of Palestine
Permalink Dr. Dileepkumar K. V replied on
The People of Palestine are so RIGHT that the world cannot get them LEFT aside. Let Israel be there. So, Palestine. Both the nations are the part of the HISTORY of HUMANITY. Let a hundred flowers blossom.
Agree - but...
Permalink Erni replied on
I’m a dear friend to the Palestinian peoples struggle and totally agree to the statement. But I’m also agreeing with ´Robert` that it have to "include bigotry and discrimination against gay and lesbian peoples". Think I can say this as I am clear ´normal´ straight person.
Let Palestine flourish.
Permalink Jill Rowan replied on
With you from afar. (Scotland) Let justice prevail. Please, (if you can) add me to your list. Jill Rowan.
add my name
Permalink Elisabeth Southorn replied on
an american in solidarity, add my name Elisabeth Southorn
Human rights for ALL
Permalink Renata Cobbs-Fletcher replied on
More people must be educated and learn about the tremendous human rights violations taking place against the Palestinian people. We must all stand against apartheid, oppression, racism, and human rights violations. In the US, we must diversity the knowledge and the movement regarding Palestine. Too many people of color simply don't know what is happening, and how aligned the Palestinian struggle is to their own. The word must not only be spread, but must be communicated differently/by different advocates. Other marginalized and oppressed people in the US DO and WILL care, but are simply disenfranchised from common issues and ignorant to the facts and the relevance to their own everyday lives. We must both change the message and also the messenger! Too many are largely left out of the US movement due to elitist language and actions that disconnect oppressed populations from one another.
Please add the name of this
Permalink Alexandra Bogoria replied on
Please add the name of this citizen of the world in Solidarity.
Adding my signature
Permalink Grace Ghunaim replied on
I assume that by adding my comment I will be adding my signature to this statement
I go along!
Permalink Yasar Abu Ghosh replied on
A very finely articulated statement. A missing one, indeed... This should serve the effort to decolonize the Palestinians in Western imagery that still looks through the fact that we have become citizens of their societies as well as we have inalienable rights to our homeland. Please consider me I ago along with this statement and signing it!
How many anti-racist statements do you need to make?
Permalink Naseer Ahmad replied on
Is there a limit, seeing as how you made another one previously against Gilad Atzmon, and before that, Israel Shamir? Now it's about Greta Berlin? I'm sure this will go over well in the rarefied lite circles you move in, but not perhaps in the refugee camps or the concentration camp known as Gaza.