Palestinian Media Center In Europe Palestinian Media Center In Europe
A major national conference on the world-wide campaign for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against organisations profiting from the Israeli occupation of Palestine has taken place at the University of Sydney. The conference and workshop were sponsored by The Department of Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Sydney, and a range of pro-Palestinian organisations including the Australia Palestine Advocacy network (APAN).
Held at a time when support for Palestine is growing in the community, the Sydney event was the largest Australian BDS conference to date. Around 200 participants from around Australia, New Zealand and overseas heard a wide range of presentations on topics such as cultural boycott, BDS and churches, antisemitism, the Israel lobby, BDS in different national contexts, Indigenous solidarity with Palestine, and BDS in unions and politics.
The fact that the conference went ahead unchallenged is clear indication that BDS is gaining support and recognition as a form of peaceful protest despite the international trend of repression, censorship and efforts to discredit it.
In keeping with the international BDS campaign, the overriding concern was with human rights, international law and justice for the Palestinians suffering under a 50 year brutal occupation, illegal settlement and siege of Gaza.
One of the Sydney University organisers, Dr. Nick Riemer said “I’m especially pleased that there was an atmosphere where non-academics felt able to engage with the academic papers without inhibition. It was encouraging to see so many people ready to bring critical reflection to bear on political action for a better world.”
“The tone and intellectual calibre of the presentations and discussions serve to refute the scurrilous allegations made even before the conference began by representatives of pro-Israel organizations” said Associate Professor Peter Slezak of the University of New South Wales, one of the conference organisers.
For further information phone:
• Michael Shaik: 0431 573 368.
