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African Heritage Delegation to Israel/Palestine
July 16 - 29, 2011
Partners and allies of interreligious peacemakers in African communities, Palestinian and Israeli peace and justice movements and beyond, have invited us to organize this delegation.
In a 2007 letter to Black America on the rights of Palestinians, more than 40 African-American activists called for a:
It is time for our people to once again demand an end to the silence about the injustice suffered by the Palestinian people as a result of the Israeli occupation.
This delegation is the result of this call and ongoing efforts by the African American community, ifpb works with local and national organizing partners to attract community leaders, activists, religious leaders, artists, educators, and other representatives of African communities.
A delegation of African heritage will visit Israel / Palestine within two weeks and meet with representatives of Palestinian and Israeli civil society, human rights organizations, activists and others. The individual meetings will also be attended by African heritage communities in Israel/Palestine, colored Jews (Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews), Palestinian refugees and others whose unique experience will contribute to the educational and activist goals of the delegation.
The objectives of the delegation:
Sharing experiences from the fight for Black Power, civil rights, the fight against apartheid and racism, the fight for justice in the United States with those conducting similar campaigns in Palestine / Israel.
Encourage African-American leaders who have field experience in Israel / Palestine and can push for change when they return home.
The U.S. delegation also works in other communities opposed to war, peace and justice in the United States.
Video: Why We're Sending this Delegation & What We Need to Make it Happen
Why an African Heritage Delegation? Why Now?
The delegation will raise awareness, heighten activism, and further link struggles between African Heritage communities in the US and those working for justice in Israel/Palestine. Given the racism directed towards Palestinians and other communities of color in the Middle East, the growth of the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement, and the mounting relevance of an Apartheid analogy to Israeli policies, voices of African Heritage communities are increasingly important to strengthen and support struggles for justice in the Middle East.
This program is built upon existing efforts within the African Heritage communities and will strengthen work focusing on Apartheid in Israel, justice in Palestine, and the growth of boycott, divestment and sanctions campaigns nationally. Nothing can do more to amplify such voices than an on-the-ground experience which will allow participants the chance to develop strong and lasting relationships with Palestinian and Israeli activists.
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