Sixth Al-Awda Convention – A Major Step Forward For The Right to Return
Movement
"Palestine: 60 Years of Forced Exile - Time for Return!" was the guiding theme of the Sixth Annual International Al-Awda Convention on May 16-18, 2008 in Anaheim California. Thirty organizations came together to host this historic event as well over 1000 Palestinians and their supporters converged from various parts of the US, Canada, Europe, and Palestine. The largest Al-Awda convention in the US to date marked the 60th year of the Nakba and reaffirmed its unity, commitment and dedication to the struggle to Return.
Participants took part in a week-end of commemoration, education, discussion and organizing, resulting in a plan of action to carry us through the coming year and beyond. The convention culminated with a mass rally in solidarity with Palestinians in the homeland and the shatat (exile) around the world.
We have emerged from our coming together united, stronger, and eager to carry out our goal of realizing the inalienable Palestinian Right to Return. The convention once again reaffirmed its commitment to Al-Awda's points of unity.
Convention Opening
The high pre-convention anticipation opened to a full house of members and supporters on Friday May 16, 2008 with a minute of silence in honor of Palestinians who were martyred in the 1948 era and since. This was followed by welcoming remarks by Dr. Zahi Damuni on behalf of the convention's host
committee .
A screening of the "Sons of Eilaboun" By Hisham Zreik was received enthusiastically and the entire convention was deeply moved by the voices of Palestinian refugees demanding justice and the right to return.
"Life Under 60 Years of Occupation" was a special presentation by three Palestinian women, Lena Meari, Himmat Zu'bi, and Haneen Zoabi in which each speaker discussed a different aspect of the ongoing racist Zionist policies and practices related to land, housing, education, marriage, movement, etc.
Oral History readings featured actors Lucy Der-Tavitian and Nasser Faris, who were able to bring to life the narratives, histories, and lives of Palestinians before, during and after the Nakba.
One of the highlights of the evening was the world premiere of the Video Quilt to Mark 60 Years of Palestinian Nakba. The Video Quilt, a project of Al-Awda Media Center, is a unique interactive video presentation. It shows Palestinians and their supporters from around the world reaffirming the
Palestinian right to return to their original homes and lands. It is an ongoing project of the Media Center. The film was greeted with vigorous applause and great pride. The first edition may be viewed at
http://al-awda.org/video
Powerful statements of solidarity were presented by Richard Becker of the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition, Paul Hershfield of the Campaign to End Israeli Apartheid, and John Parker of The International Action Center.
Sana Ibrahim, a student at California State University at San Bernardino, addressed and welcomed the attendees on behalf of the students who have been active with the host committee.
The opening events of the convention were concluded with a speech, followed by a question answer session and book signing, with Exeter University historian Ilan Pappe. Pappe emphasized the importance of the right of Palestinians right to return to their homes and lands and the necessity to
dismantle the racist nature of the Zionist state.
Saturday May 17, 2008
The first full day of the convention began with a brief critical assessment of activism for the return presented by Dr. Jess Ghannam where he described a re-birth and renaissance of activism for Palestine and Palestinian justice since the creation of Al-Awda in 2000. He discussed the progressive
emergence of a global coalition in support of Palestinian Right to Return and to self-determination since the inception of Al-Awda.
This was followed by discussions of Youth Organizing for the Return with Ziad Abbas from Dheisha refugee camp, a Prisoner campaign by Addameer attorney Dr. Anan Odeh, and a discussion of Culture and Resistance by community organizer Michel Shehadeh.
Ramzy Baroud, Palestinian-American journalist, former Al-Jazeera Producer and author of the "Second Intifada", discussed the issue of Palestinian unity as a prerequisite to any debate on the future of Palestine and the direction of the Palestinian struggle. This was followed by speeches entitled "Toward a Democratic, Secular, Multicultural State" by Professor of English and Comparative Literature Dr. Saree Makdisi and "One State: A Solution Whose Time Has Come Again" by Dr. Ghada Karmi. Both speakers discussed their views on the significance and relevance of their vision of a
one state solution. Each presentation was followed by lively discussion. The morning session ended with book signings.
Before a sell-out attendance, lunch keynote speaker Dr. Salman Abu Sitta, founder and president of The Palestine Land Society and former member of the Palestine National Council, discussed his recollections of the Nakba and the critical importance of rebuilding the Palestine National Council as a
representative body for all Palestinians including those living in the shatat (exile). Dr. Abu Sitta's speech was followed by a book signing of "The Return Journey" atlas which he authored, as well as the updated map he provided to the convention and which shows all the villages and towns
destroyed with the occupation of Palestine from 1947-48 to the present (including the 1967 occupation). Copies of this map may be obtained from Al-Awda at http://al-awdacal.org/shop.html
The Saturday afternoon lecture sessions began with an incisive and analytical discussion by professor of Political Science at California State University, Stanislaus and visiting professor at UC, Berkeley, Dr. As'ad AbuKhalil on the 60th year of al-Nakba. He spoke about new dangers in the
Arab world, including how Zionism has won allies among Arab regimes. He was followed by Ta'ayyush al-Watani al-Dimocraty party politburo member Haneen Zoabi on the role of Palestinian women in the struggle to return.
The afternoon session was concluded by an Al-Awda activist panel which reviewed progress, showcased achievements, and presented proposals for further growth and development, with requests for donations and other support.
Discussion of the Al-Awda Media Center project was presented by Dr. Ahlam Muhtaseb. The Palestine Library project was presented by Al-Awda member Freddie Santistevan and Dr. Jess Ghannam discussed Al-Awda's Refugee Support programs. "Twenty Five Thousand Tents - Maybe More", which focues on the narrative of Palestinians stranded in no-man's land in Tanaf detention camp
between Syria and Iraq was then shown. This production of this film was supported in part by Al-Awda's Media Center and Refugee Support Programs. It highlighted the importance of the integrative nature of Al-Awda's Media Center and Refugee Support Projects.
A photographic exhibit, by Naim Farhat and organized by Dr. Fayeq Oweis, entitled "Waiting to Return" depicting life in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon was on show throughout Saturday. Film viewings were also presented throughout that day including: the premiere of "Forced Exile and Odyssey" about the work of world-renowned Palestinian artists Ismail Shammout and Tamam Al-Akhal; "The Presence of Absence in the Ruins of Kafr Bir'im" (2006), followed by discussion with film-maker John Halaka; "Confronting the Wall: Art and Resistance in Palestine" (2006 - Alan Craig); and "Driving to ZigZigland" (2006, feature film) which was followed by discussion with its
maker Nicole Ballivian.
A discussion of "Palestinian Embroidery" was presented by Nisreen Malhis.
Saturday Banquet
The Saturday Banquet and Fundraiser drew more than 600 participants who heard Bishop Atallah Hanna and Chief Justice Dr. Sheikh Taiseer Al-Tamimi give passionate speeches about the Right to Return and the unity of the Palestinian people in their struggle to return. Both speakers received
spontaneous standing ovations from the attendees. An excerpt of Bishop Atallah Hanna's speech may
be viewed at http://al-awda.org/bishop.html
Each table at the banquet had a listing of some of the villages and towns that were destroyed and/or occupied in 1948. Many of the attendees showed their support for Al-Awda's work by donating to Al-Awda in the name of a Palestinian village or town of origin. A listing of all such donations will
soon be posted to http://al-awda.org and in the next issue of Until Return - To be added to this listing, simply donate to Al-Awda in the name of a destroyed and/or occupied Palestinian village or town by following the directions posted at http://al-awda.org/donate.html
Sunday May 18, 2008
The last day of the convention began with a members' meeting where a number of decisions were taken by the attendees for the coming year. These decisions included holding a youth training conference; developing and enhancing connections internationally to other Al-Awda and Right to Return groups; working toward a meeting to be held in a refugee camp in Palestine or neighboring Arab country; and extending the work of Al-Awda's Media Center (for example by working to develop a weekly television program); Palestine Library by accumulating more books, recruiting support from
Palestinian authors and donors; and Refugee Support by increasing the material and broadening the educational aspects of these programs.
The convention culminated with a historic mass rally to mark 60 Years of Palestinian Nakba and Struggle to Return in the "Little Gaza" district of Anaheim. Speakers included Dr. Sheikh Taiseer al-Tamimi and Bishop Atallah Hanna as well as several of the organizational representatives of the host committee. All of the speakers passionately urged the continuation of the struggle to return.
Conclusion
The message of the Sixth International Al-Awda Convention was resolute and powerful. Together more than 1000 members and supporters marked the 60th year of the Nakba and reaffirmed their unity, commitment and dedication to the struggle to return - Until RETURN!
For convention photos, see: http://www.al-awda.org/conventi
First edition of the Video Quilt: http://www.al-awda.org/video
Al-Awda Sixth Convention Host Committee
The Palestine Right to Return Coalition
PO Box 131352
Carlsbad, CA 92013, USA
Tel: 760-685-3243
Fax: 360-933-3568
E-mail: info@al-awda.org
WWW: http://al-awda.org
Al-Awda, The Palestine Right to Return Coalition (PRRC) is the largest network of grassroots activists and students dedicated to Palestinian human rights. We are a not for profit tax-exempt educational and charitable 501(c)(3) organization as defined by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of the United States of America. Under IRS guidelines, your donations to PRRC are tax-deductible. To make a donation, please go to
http://www.al-awda.org/donate
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