5th Annual Israeli Apartheid Week

***** March 1-8, 2009 - 5th Annual Israeli Apartheid Week ******

Israeli Apartheid Week 2009: NEW Video Trailer!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2Owx2j_fcs

Despite the on-going attempts by university administrations to silence
and repress Palestine solidarity activism on campuses, Israeli
Apartheid Week 2009 promises to be more successful than ever.

Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW) is taking place in more than 40 cities
across the globe (the number of cities is growing daily). This year,
IAW happens in the wake of Israel's brutal military assault on the
people of Gaza. In Toronto, the birthplace of IAW, a full week of
lectures, films, and actions will make the point that these latest
massacres further confirm the true nature of Israeli Apartheid. The
theme for IAW 2009 in Toronto is "Standing United with the People of
Gaza", events will take place at the University of Toronto, Ryerson
University and York University. IAW 2009 will continue to build and
strengthen the growing Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS)
movement at a global level.

We are very proud to announce our two Toronto keynote speakers for IAW 2009:

Omar Barghouti is an independent Palestinian researcher, commentator
and human rights activist. He is a founding member of the Palestinian
campaign of boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) to force Israel to
uphold international law and universal human rights.

He holds a bachelor's and master's degrees in electrical engineering
from Columbia University, NY. He contributed to the philosophical
volume, "Controversies and Subjectivity" (John Benjamins, 2005) and to
"The New Intifada: Resisting Israel's Apartheid" (Verso Books, 2001).
He advocates an ethical vision for a unitary, secular democratic state
in historic Palestine.

Ronnie Kasrils was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, 1938.
Grandparents Jewish immigrants from Czarist Russia (Lithuania). Joined
ANC 1960 after Sharpeville massacre. This led to a lifetime of
political activism. Was a member of ANC's military wing at its
inception in 1961. Became chief of military intelligence, operated
from exile in neighbouring African states and clandestinely in South
Africa. For many years member of both ANC and Communist Party national
executive committees. Appointed deputy minister of defence in South
Africa's first democratic government (1994-99); Minister of Water
Affairs and Forestry (1999-2004); Minister Intelligence Services
(2004-2008). Has retired from government and devotes himself to
writing, lecturing and Palestine solidarity. Autobiography "Armed &
Dangerous" (publisher Jonathan Ball, Johannesburg). Married to a
fellow struggle veteran and has two adult sons.

Each evening of IAW 2009 has a specific theme and expert speakers on
different topics. Mark your calendars with the different topics for
each evening:

ALL EVENING EVENTS BEGIN AT 7pm @ Ryerson and the University of
Toronto St.George Campus (http://toronto.apartheidweek.org/)
ALL DAY-TIME EVENTS BEGIN AT 12:30pm @ York University
(http://toronto.apartheidweek.org/node/147)

Monday, March 2: Resisting Apartheid: Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions
Our keynote speaker, Omar Barghouti will launch Israeli Apartheid Week 2009.
Library Building Room: LIB072
Ryerson Univesity
350 Victoria St.

Tuesday, March 3: Education Under Occupation
A panel discussion on the challenges faced by students in Palestine
and by indigenous students here on Turtle Island as they fight for
their right to education while living under occupation.
Featuring: Thaer Aliwaiwi, Yafa Jarrar and Karolyn Givogue
Walberg Building, Room 116
University of Toronto
184-200 College Street
Hosted by SAIA- UT, a working group of OPIRG – Toronto

Wednesday, March 4: Gaza: Breaking the Siege
A panel discussion focused on the recent military assault and on-going
Siege on Gaza. Speakers will provide historical background information
and commentary on the current situation in Gaza.
Featuring: Laila El-Haddad and Jon Elmer
Walberg Building, Room 116
University of Toronto
184-200 College Street
Hosted by SAIA- UT, a working group of OPIRG – Toronto

Thursday, March 5: Globalization, Labour and Poverty in Palestine and
First Nations communities in Canada
A panel discussion on the economic situation in Palestine and Canada's
financial and military ties to Israeli Apartheid. Speakers will also
draw links between Apartheid in Israel and the economic exploitation
of First Nations communities in Canada.
Featuring: Leila Farsakh, Robert Lovelace and David McNally
Koffler Institute Room 108
569 Spadina Avenue
Hosted by SAIA- UT, a working group of OPIRG – Toronto

Friday, March 6: Turtle Island, South Africa to Palestine : The
Struggle Continues
The final night of Israeli Apartheid Week 2009 will focus on lessons
from South African Apartheid and the on-going struggles of the
Palestinian people and indigenous people on Turtle Island.
Featuring: Mike Krebs and Ronnie Kasrils
Ted Rogers School of Management, Ryerson University - TRS1067
575 Bay Street

Saturday, March 7: International Women's Day - Rally and March
Rally: 11am OISE Auditorium, 252 Bloor St. West
March: Join the Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid and allies as we
march under the banner "Standing United with the Women of Gaza".
Contingent will meet at 12:45pm at the corner of Bloor St. West and
Bedford Rd (next to OISE). Look for banners and Palestinian flags!

Full schedule with speakers' biographies is available at
www.apartheidweek.org

Israeli Apartheid Week Toronto is organized by: Students Against Israeli
Apartheid U of T (a working group of OPIRG), Students Against Israeli
Apartheid York, and Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights Ryerson.

Israeli Apartheid Week Toronto is endorsed by the following organizations:
* Canadian Arab Federation * Palestine House * Coalition Against Israeli
Apartheid * Caribbean Studies Student Union (UofT) * Equity Studies
Student Union (UofT) * Health Studies Student Union (UofT) * CUPE Ontario
International Solidarity Committee * CUPE Local 3907 * CUPE Local 3903 *
CAW Sam Gindin Chair in Social Justice and Democracy * Not In Our Name:
Jewish Voices Opposing Zionism * Critical Area Studies Collective (UofT) *
Centre for Middle Eastern Studies * No One Is Illegal * Ontario Coalition
Against Poverty * Always Question (UofT) * Canadian Forum for Justice and
Peace in Sri Lanka * Barrio Nuevo * NOCOPS (Newly Organized Coalition
Opposing Police in Schools) * Women in Solidarity with Palestine * Common
Cause * Faculty for Palestine * Palestine House Youth Program * Filipino
Canadian Youth Alliance-Ontario * Toronto Women's Bookstore * SPHR
National * Latin America Solidarity Network

To ENDORSE Israeli Apartheid Week in Toronto, to make a DONATION or GET
INVOLVED with the organizing please email saia@riseup.net.