The event brings
together members of the academic and labor delegation who visited the West
Bank and the 1948 areas of Palestine. Each delegate came to bear witness to
the political and economic realities confronting Palestinians as a result of
Israel’s occupation of their homeland and to build working relationships and
solidarities with Palestinian scholars, artists, and activists consistent
with their 2005 call for “a campaign of boycotts, divestment and sanctions
(BDS) against Israel until it complies with international law and Palestinian
rights” (BDSmovement.net). The
delegates, including two SFSU faculty members, experienced and witnessed the
realities of Israeli apartheid, racial discrimination, ethnic cleansing, and
undermining of Palestinian rights. The event provides a brief reflection on
those experiences and a public reaffirmation of our support for resolute
actions in support of the academic and cultural boycott of Israel. Speakers include Rabab Abdulhadi (Race and
Resistance Studies), Joanne Barker (American Indian Studies), and Jaime Veve
(Labor and Social Justice Activist).