by SONJA KARKAR
It is very strange how Palestine comes up when one least expects it, even when one is immersed in it day after day.
Activists talk a lot about raising awareness and finding ways to spread the message of the Palestinian struggle for freedom and justice. Ever new and innovative actions are dreamt up and implemented, always in the hope of garnering attention and maybe even grabbing headlines.
There is no doubt at all that in the last ten years there has been an incremental increase in people’s awareness of Palestine, particularly with the global BDS boycott, divestment and sanctions movement’s many campaigns and successes against Apartheid Israel. Companies being boycotted have become almost household names – Caterpillar, Veolia, Motorola, Ahava, Elbit, Max Brenner, Aroma, Danone, Lev Leviev diamonds – thanks to the tireless efforts of activists around the world.
Cultural boycotts have the support of some big-name celebrities such as Roger Waters who wrote in The Guardian last year that he endorsed the Palestinian-led global BDS movement. (1) He is not alone: joining him are well-known authors, film-makers, musicians, singers, dancers and artists many of whom are actively speaking out in support of Palestinian human rights and not simply avoiding Israel. From all over Europe, more than 250 academics protested to the European Commission over Israel’s participation in the EU- funded research consortia (2), and in January, leading scientists made headlines when they criticised the participation of a London university and the Natural History Museum for taking part in a joint project with Ahava Dead Sea Laboratories. (3)
But there are other ways too that Palestine makes a mark on people. Perhaps too subtle for most activists, but nonetheless also powerful even if they take their time to surface.
In 2005, Women for Palestine organised a large Palestinian embroidery exhibition, first in Melbourne and then in Adelaide, Australia. The exhibition itself was a sell-out with all but the displayed museum pieces snapped up by people who knew very little about the political issues, but who were interested in finding out something about a people and society long demonised. Naturally, every embroidery piece was accompanied by information on its significance in Palestinian society and the region from which it hailed. Lectures and guided tours gave context to Palestinians and their place in history before the creation of Israel and since.
Australians for Palestine for more
(Thanks to Ingrid B. Mork)