Overview

2017 marks 100 years since the signing of the Balfour Declaration. It also marks a 100 years of Palestinian popular struggle for justice and freedom- a struggle rooted in international resistance against state sanctioned violence and institutionalised racism everywhere. As we see the criminalisation of indigenous struggles, Black and Muslim/Arab communities, refugees and migrants- we choose to join one another in resistance. This Israeli Apartheid Week opening plenary brings together veteran activists from the anti-apartheid struggle, Black Lives Matter and Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions in dialogue to mark our collective resistance at present: to learn from each other and build our movements stronger.

Speakers: Farid Esack & Aja Monet Farid
Chair: Professor Karma Nabulsi

Esack is a South African Muslim liberation theologian at the University of Johannesburg. Esack is known for his opposition to apartheid, his appointment by Nelson Mandela as a gender equity commissioner, and his work for interreligious dialogue. From Miami, USA, a voice of truth and gentle strength, Harry Belafonte has called Aja Monet “The true definition of an artist.” Of Cuban-Jamaican descent, Aja is an internationally established poet, performer, singer, songwriter, educator, and human rights advocate. Aja is also a member of the Black Lives Matter Movement and Dream Defenders.