Palestinian BDS national cttee to participate in South Africa tribunal on apartheid in Israel

BDS National Committee to participate in South Africa session of Russell Tribunal on Palestine – Cape Town, 5-7 November 2011

Live webcast begins 8am local time Saturday 5 November: http://www.russelltribunalonpalestine.com/en

Representatives of the Palestinian BDS National Committtee (BNC), the broad Palestinian civil society coalition that leads the BDS movement, will participate in the Third International Session of the Russell Tribunal on Palestine in South Africa next month. Rafeef Ziadah, Jamal Juma’ and Ingrid Jaradat will appear as expert witnesses testifying about Israel’s apartheid policies against the Palestinian people.

The Russell Tribunal on Palestine is a public awareness tribunal set up by international civil society to investigate violations of international law perpetrated against the Palestinian people.

The upcoming session of the Russell Tribunal on Palestine will investigate the question: “Are Israel’s practices against the Palestinian People in breach of the prohibition on Apartheid under International Law?”

Jamal Juma’, coordinator of BNC member organisation Stop the Wall, will discuss measures designed to segregate Palestinians.

“Whereas international institutions and governments fail to take action in support of justice and equality for the Palestinian people, the Russell Tribunal will raise awareness about the urgency of holding Israel accountable for its violations of international law,” said Juma’.

“This tribunal will serve as an effective tool with which to educate a wider public about the nature of Israel’s system of oppression of Palestinians and will help to mobilise support for popular resistance and the BDS movement,” he added.

Rafeef Ziadah, representing the Palestinian Trade Union Coalition for BDS (PTUC-BDS), the largest Palestinian trade union coalition and a member organisation of the BNC, will give evidence on the exploitation of Palestinian labour.

Ingrid Jaradat will discuss Palestinian identity and Palestinians as a distinct racial group for the purposes of the definition of apartheid.

Others due to attend include Stéphane Hessel, Alice Walker and Ronald Kasrils, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. more

The Palestinian BDS National committee (BNC)
media@bdsmovement.net
www.bdsmovement.net

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