IAW-organizer Eman Sourani: ‘We expect one thing: action’

On March 12, students in Gaza are slated to mark the international Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW) with activities that aim to empower the BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) campaign against Israel. In their own week of action, organized by PSCABI¹ together with ODSG² , PACBI³ and the BDS group in Gaza, the Gaza contributions feature a promising program of speakers, musicians, activists and writers from a variety of backgrounds, who are active for the Palestinian cause.

There will be discussions and movies, as well as artists performing live music in the Golden Media Building opposite Al-Azhar University in Gaza, which is where the activities are planned. The program also includes live connections through Skype with PSA (Palestine Solidarity Alliance) activists Naazim Adam and Siphiwe Thusi from Soweto (South Africa), as well as with world renowned personalities such as Ahdaf Soueif, Susan Abulhawa, Samah Idriss, and Farid Esack. For more details about these prominent speakers, see this link.

The remaining guest who will be connecting to Gaza through Skype is Palestinian surgeon, musician and activist Tariq Shadid (Doc Jazz), who will be speaking to the IAW gathering from the West Bank, where he happens to be scheduled to be on the jury panel of Palestinian TV talent show ‘Ghaneeha’ at that time. The time schedules of all speakers, and all other activities, can be found here.

Tariq was fortunate enough to obtain an interview with one of the organizers, 22 year-old student Eman Sourani, for the Musical Intifada. In this engaging conversation, Eman managed to convey the dedication and enthusiasm of the people who are representing the IAW in Gaza.

Tariq Shadid: So you are one of the people who put together this wonderful program?

Eman Sourani: Indeed I am a member of the Steering Committee of PSCABI (Palestinian Students’ Campaign for the Academic Boycott of Israel), and a member of the IAW Organizing Committee. The program is indeed gorgeous, as we now have the final schedule for the events that include the launching of the first musical collaboration between Pal and SA musicians. Activists on both sides have been working on this for months. It is titled THE NEW BLACK. The video itself is an analogy between apartheid SA and apartheid Israel. Besides that, we have interviews with remarkable personalities from different countries.

TS: Yes, I read about that music video, that is so exciting! Really looking forward to that. How is the IAW going so far?

ES:  And as I follow the events of the Israeli Apartheid Week, I am truly impressed with the number of conscious people who are participating worldwide. This is the time to unite together for justice and freedom in Palestine.

TS: Indeed it is. Do you think music can play an important role in that?

ES: The cultural boycott is a vital means to put pressure on Apartheid Israel, and to display international solidarity with the Palestinians. Music is part of the cultural discourse, and can play a great role in implementing that goal.

TS: Do you feel that the IAW plays an important role in mobilizing the Palestinians, or do you feel that its role is more directed at the participation of the international community?

ES: I believe that the starting point begins from Palestine. But, as was the case with South Africa, pressure from the international community is highly needed.

TS: Your invited speakers will be speaking through Skype. Can this be followed by people through the internet, or only by those who are present at the meeting in Gaza?

ES: It’s only with people in Gaza, because it needs a lot of advanced technical equipment that isn’t easily available in Gaza, or costs a lot of money. We are just a bunch of volunteers, you know. In fact, if things go smoothly without a power cut then we’re already in heaven!

TS: I can imagine! Is there awareness about the IAW among the population in Gaza?

ES: Yes, there is. We are trying to get the media very much involved, as well as university students.

TS:  As I understand, you have experience with such activities. Weren’t you also involved in organizing last year’s IAW?

ES: Yes I was, and it was so successful. We had interviews with Illan Pappe, Rafeef Ziadah, Omar Barghouthi, Lubna Masarwa and Ramzy Baroud.

TS: Such an impressive line-up ! You really are dedicated to getting the word out, and calling people to action, that much is clear.

ES: The Palestinian identity is a great responsibility, and the Palestinians are no longer silent. Israeli Apartheid week is an action that gives a chance to you and me to know and educate people about the facts of segregation and separateness that Palestinians are enduring under the policy of apartheid. When people worldwide are in solidarity we expect one thing: action.

Join the Facebook group of PSCABI and also join their FB event of the Israeli Apartheid Week in Gaza !

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Footnotes:

1 : Palestinian Students’ Campaign for the Academic Boycott of Israel

2 : One Democratic State Group

3 : Palestinian Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel