Leading Gazan academic Dr Salem Gharbia will speak in Derry at the annual Think Left Conference.
“Dr. Gharbia who has lived in Ireland for the last ten years has endured a year of hell as his home place, Gaza has been destroyed in a genocidal Israeli onslaught,” say Think Left.
“The meeting, titled “Rally for Free Palestine – 76 Years of Genocide and Resistance”, aims to shed light on the ongoing plight and the indomitable spirit of Palestinians who have endured decades of oppression and dispossession.
“Salem Gharbia will give unique insights from Gaza. A personal view of the appalling tragedy visited upon its people.
“For over seven decades, the Palestinian people have faced systematic efforts to erase their identity, culture, and existence.
“From the Nakba of 1948 to the present-day genocide in Gaza and the brutal illegal occupation of the West Bank, the Palestinian narrative is one of enduring hardship and relentless resistance against settler colonialism.
“There are clear connections between the Palestinian experience and the experiences of people in Derry.
“State killings, repression and resistance have created a shared bond of struggle.
“Salem will be joined on Saturday evening by Bloody Sunday families campaigner Kate Nash, Derry IPSC Chair Catherine Hutton, Jewish Anti-Zionist activist Becca Bor and TD Richard Boyd Barrett.
“We are privileged to have Kate Nash from the Bloody Sunday March Committee on the panel.
“Kate has been a tireless advocate for justice to be served on the British Parachute Regiment and those who gave their orders for the Bloody Sunday massacre.
“Her insights and experiences will provide a powerful perspective on the parallels between the struggles for justice in Ireland and Palestine.
“Catherine Hutton from the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign will add her experience and knowledge to the panel.
“Catherine has been involved in promoting Palestinian rights and raising awareness about the ongoing conflict through her work with IPSC.
“Becca Bor, representing Jews for Palestine-Ireland, will illustrate how the disaster that has befallen the Palestinian people began in 1948 with the creation of the State of Israel.
“People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett has been outspoken in his support for Palestine over many years and has challenged the Irish government in the Dail for its failure to proactively sanction Israel for apartheid and genocide.”
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