Much of the panel discussion revolved around the need to challenge and rewrite the historical narratives of Palestine.
Students and academics gathered to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Al-Nakba, when the international community allowed the start of a decades-long genocidal campaign against the Palestinian people which continues to this day.
The forum was chaired by SRC Global Solidarity Officer Jasmine Al-Rawi and the panel included Palestinian activist Ban Hasanin, USyd academics Dr. Nick Riemer and Dr. Lucia Sorbera, and UNSW academic Dr. Peter Slezak.
The vast majority of the lecture hall was filled, — the increased interest around Palestinian issues is a testament to the active efforts by the SRC and Student for Palestine this year.
The event began with an Acknowledgement of Country delivered by Al-Rawi, who directly connected the Palestinian liberation struggle with that of First Nations people in Australia in terms of land rights and equality.
Panellists shared their different pathways to becoming activists on this issue, and that diversity was an expression of the wide-ranging support this movement has globally. Hasanin discussed her personal experiences of “living in a state of catastrophe every day” because of what has been done to her people and argued these events were necessary because “we can commemorate this event in ways they [people in Palestine] cannot.”
Riemer centred his activism on Palestine being a “litmus test for progressives.” He articulated that “[because] there is an intense pressure on the left not to do anything about Palestine,” those who join the cause are also likely to push for anti-racist and anti-colonial causes more broadly. Sorbera agreed, remembering her experience in Italy during the 1970s, where all left-wing activism included an anti-Zionist element — something which has been lost today.
Read the article by Angus McGregor in Honi Soit.