Press Releases

Find below some of our archived press releases.

Press Release - December 29, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Humanitarian Tragedy Unfolding in Gaza

Press Release - December 28, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Toronto Set for Demonstrations Condemning Gaza Raids

Israel at 60: Six Decades of Ethnic Cleansing is No Cause for Celebration
Toronto's Palestinian Community Announces A Week of Events to Commemorate Al Nakba

(May 5, 2008 – Toronto) Throughout the month of May, celebrations are being held in Jerusalem and around the world to mark the 60th birthday of the State of Israel. In Toronto, the main "Israel at 60" celebration is being promoted with the slogan, "Let's party like it's 1948!". For Palestinians and people of conscience, this party coincides with Al Nakba – "the catastrophe" – and it is no occasion for celebration.

Sixty years ago, from 1947 to 1948, over two-thirds of the Palestinian population was driven from their land to make way for the state of Israel. Over 500 Palestinian villages and neighborhoods were destroyed. Today, over 7 million Palestinian refugees live in exile, denied their right to return to their homes and homeland. In the Gaza Strip, where the majority of the 1.5 million residents are refugees, Palestinians live under siege, denied electricity, food, medicines and other essential supplies by Israeli military closures and blockades. Those who live under occupation in the West Bank and those who remain in Israel must resist ongoing efforts to displace them, and the kind of systemic discrimination and dispossession and resisted by black people under South African apartheid.

This year in Toronto, May 8th will launch a week of events to commemorate Al Nakba, organized by the city's Palestinian community and a coalition of social justice activists. The week will open with a press conference, and include film screenings, educational events, and a performance by Palestine's premiere Hip Hop crew DAM! A march and rally will be held on May 10th, calling for an end to Israeli apartheid and for full recognition of the fundamental right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties, guaranteed under international law and UN Resolution 194. The Toronto events are part of a year-long series of Nakba commemoration events being coordinated across the globe.

Calendar of Nakba Commemoration Events in Toronto
Most events are open to the media.

** For a full calendar of Nakba events taking place internationally, see: http://www.badil.org/Publications/badil-nakba-60-info-packet/events.htm **

Event: Toronto Al Nakba Press Conference
Date: Thursday, May 8th, 2008
Time: TBA (647) 831-5516 to confirm
Place: TBA
Al Nakba survivors recount their experiences. Speakers will include Palestinian refugees and community supporters. Organized by Palestine House.
Media Contacts: Dr. Farid Ayad, Palestine House: (905) 270-3622
Naji Farah, Nakba Survivor: (416) 739-6270

Event: Anti-Apartheid Picket of Chapters/Indigo Bookstore
Date: Friday, May 9th, 2008
Time: 5 pm
Place: Outside the Chapters/Indigo store at Bay and Bloor
The majority owners of Chapters Indigo founded 'Heseg', a scholarship program for individuals who want to join the Israeli military.

Event: NAKBA MARCH AND RALLY
Date: Saturday, May 10th, 2008
Time: 1pm
Place: Queen's Park
A commemoration of 60 years of ethnic cleansing and dispossession, demanding an end to Israeli apartheid and the recognition of Palestinian refugees' right to return to their homes and homeland.
Media Contact: (647) 831-5516

Event: Film Screening: "1948" (1998)
Date: Sunday, May 12th, 2008
Time: 7 pm
Place: TBA
A deeply moving documentary record of the Nakba by Palestinian film-maker Mohammad Bakri.

Event: Hip Hop Against Apartheid: Palestinian Hip Hop crew DAM! play Toronto
Date: Thursday, May15th, 2008
Time: Doors at 8 pm; show at 9 pm.
Place: The El Mocambo, 464 Spadina Avenue
DAM! (aka Da Arab MCs) close their first North American tour with an all-ages show in Toronto. Also featuring Invincible and a B-Boy battle. Tickets are $15 and are available in advance at the Toronto Women's Bookstore 73 Harbord Street.
Media Contact: (647) 831-5516

Event: Reel Activism Film Screening: Arna's Children (2003)
Date: Friday, May 16th, 2008
Time: 7 pm
Place: Bloor Street United Church, upstairs Chapel
Description: Documentary about Palestinian children of the Intifadas directed by Danniel Danniel. Organized by the Social Justice Committee of the United Church.

Event: Youth Day: Popular education workshop about Palestine
Date: Saturday, May 17th, 2008
An exciting and fun introduction to Palestine for youth! Facilitated by the New York based Palestine Education Project (PEP).

END

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MEDIA ADVISORY
- For Immediate Release -

Students Against Israeli Apartheid (SAIA) present the fourth annual Israeli Apartheid Week to commemorate 60 years of ethnic cleansing, exile, and segregation for the Palestinian communityÂ Â Â Â Â

WHAT: A week-long series of educational events intended to inform students and the public at large about Israel's apartheid policies vis-Ã -vis Palestinians. Events include: lectures, movie screenings, information pickets, a rally against the siege of Gaza and a cultural night. The week concludes with a day-long high school conference held by the newly formed HAIA (Highschoolers Against Israeli Apartheid).

This year Israeli Apartheid Week is being held in at least 19 cities around the world, including Toronto, Montreal, New York, Washington D.C., London, Oxford, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Tulkarm, and Qalqilya. Many cities are participating for the first time.

PLEASE NOTE: The complete schedule of Toronto Israeli Apartheid Week events is attached below and available on our Web site: http://www.apartheidweek.org/toronto.html

WHEN: February 3-10, 2008Â

WHERE: Ryerson University, York University, and the University of Toronto; see the schedule below for exact locations.Â Â

WHO: In Toronto, IAW is organized by Students Against Israeli Apartheid (SAIA). SAIA is a cross-Canada network of students working to raise awareness about Palestine and Israeli apartheid, and to sever ties between our campuses and Israel's state policies.Â Â

- 30 -

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Saron Ghebressellassie (SAIA - Ryerson University): (647) 831-5516
Golta Vahid (SAIA - University of Toronto): (416) 616-2136
Â

ISRAELI APARTHEID WEEK TORONTO EVENTS

Monday, Feb. 4th
Â
7pm Main Lecture: INTRODUCTION TO APARTHEID
**Ryerson University
Â
Featuring:
- Saron Ghebressellassie
- Clayton Thomas Muller
- Azmi Bishara (Video broadcast of his address to Israeli Apartheid Week in
South Africa)
Â
Tuesday, Feb. 5th
Â
2:30pm Panel: 60 YEARS OF EXILE
York University
Room: RS 137
Â
7pm Main Lecture:Â APARTHEID AND THE CURRENT CONTEXT IN PALESTINE
**U of T St. George Campus
Bahen Centre: 40 St. George
Room #: 1180
Â
Featuring:
- Toufic Haddad
- Salmah Wakim
- Khaled Moummar
Â
Wednesday, Feb. 6th
Â
10am - 6pm CHRY Anti-Apartheid Radio (full day of programming)
York University 105.5 fm radio
www.chry.fm
Â
2:30pm Panel: BDS MOVEMENT AND ACADEMIC BOYCOTT OF ISRAELI APARTHEID
York University
Room: RS 203
Â
7pm Main Lecture: GENDER AND APARTHEID
**U of T St. George Campus
Bahen Centre: 40 St. George
Room #: 1180
Â
Featuring:
- Audrey Huntley
- Waffa Hasan
Â
Thursday, Feb. 7th
Â
2pm Film Showing: "Occupation 101"
York University
Â
7pm Main Lecture:Â BOYCOTT, DIVESTMENT AND SANCTIONS MOVEMENT AGAINST ISRAELI APARTHEID: LESSONS FROM SOUTH AFRICA
**U of T St. George Campus
Bahen Centre: 40 St. George
Room #: 1180
Â
Featuring:
- Salim Vally
- Katherine Nastovski
- Heather Kere
Â
Friday, Feb. 8th
Â
7pm Main Lecture: NAKBA AND THE RIGHT OF RETURN
**Ryerson University
Â
Featuring:
- Ward Churchill
- Mohammad Ali Khalidi
Â
Saturday, Feb. 9th
Â
9am - 2pmÂ Highschools Against Israeli Apartheid (HAIA) FOUNDING CONFERENCE
OISE 252 Bloor Street
*Note this conference is for high school students only*
Â
2pmÂ Demonstration:Â 'BREAK THE SILENCE: END THE SIEGE ON GAZA'
Meet at the The Israeli Consulate, 180 Bloor Street West. We will be marching
east along Bloor and south on Yonge up to Dundas Square.
Organized by Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid (www.caiaweb.org)
Â
8pmÂ Closing Evening Social Event : VOICES FOR PALESTINE: RESISTANCE TO RACISM AND APARTHEID
Steel Workers Hall at 25 Cecil St. (off Spadina/South of College)
Â