Apartheid-Free Newsletter: October 2024
“A Normal Day After the Decolonization of Palestine” by Ahmed Hmeedat
Dear Apartheid-Free Communities,
Over this past month, Israel has waged a brutal bombing campaign against Lebanon, and as a result, over one million Lebanese people have been displaced from their homes. As we near a full year since the genocide in Gaza began, let us remember that what we are witnessing in Lebanon, Palestine, Israel, Syria, and Yemen would not be possible without the U.S.’s continued unconditional support for Israel. We must commit ourselves to action. Find resources below to help you and your communities live out the Apartheid-Free pledge, and remember to register for our in-person Apartheid-Free Convening on December 7th, where we will strengthen our joint efforts and continue to build the movement to end Israeli apartheid.
Featured Resource: Overcoming Pledge Barriers in Churches
In this resource, we have highlighted some common concerns that people have encountered when presenting the pledge to their churches, as well as some taking points on how to respond. Please share this resource with anyone you know who is in the process of joining the Apartheid-Free network. If you have additional questions or concerns that you’d like to talk with someone about, please email them to info@apartheid-free.org.
Apartheid-Free Actions and Events
Christian Zionism and the Israel Lobby: A Conversation with Ilan Pappe
Sat, Oct 5 at 12 pm ET
Join Palestinian Christian Alliance for Peace (PCAP) and Friends of Sabeel North America (FOSNA) for “Christian Zionism and the Israel Lobby: A Conversation with Ilan Pappe,” on Saturday, Oct 5 at 12 pm ET. Register here.
One Year of Genocide, One Year of Resistance National March at the White House
Sat, Oct 5 at 4 pm ET
Join 60+ organizations in the streets on Oct 5 at the White House at 4 pm as we join the masses across the world for this international day of action! View and share the flier here.
Voices from the West Bank: Stories of Resistance and Protection
Sun, Oct 6 at 6 pm ET
Join FOSNA for an enlightening and powerful event with Amira Musallam and Mel Duncan where they will share their personal stories, shed light on the Kissiya family struggle in Beit Jala, and provide updates on the current conditions in Palestine and Israel with the UCP assessment report. Register here.
October 6, 7, 8 Vigil
Nonviolence International invites people and communities around the world to remember and renounce the horrors of occupation, war, and genocidal attacks in Palestine/Israel on October 6,7, 8, 2024 by wearing a black cloth/ribbon/arm-band well as organizing community vigils, walks, and humanitarian efforts. Read the toolkit here.
Webinar on Divestment and Boycott by the JPI Community
Tue, Oct 8, at 1 pm ET
Join the Alliance’s Justice for Palestine and Israel Community as they host a webinar on Divestment and Boycott. This webinar will provide information on the why and how of boycott and divestment. They will be joined by Dr. Dov Baum, Director of the Action Center of Corporate Accountability at American Friends Service Committee. Register here.
A Discussion with Al Jazeera Producers of The Night Won’t End
Wed, Oct 16 at 8 pm ET / 5pm PT
Watch the film in your own time, and then join AFSC’s Palestine Activism Team on Wednesday, Oct 16 for a discussion with the team behind the new Al Jazeera Fault Lines documentary ‘The Night Won’t End.‘ Register here.
Every Friday at 12 pm ET
Join AFSC staff every Friday to hear updates from Gaza. Then, take action with us as we contact our elected officials and call for an immediate cease-fire, arms embargo, and humanitarian access to Gaza. Our elected officials need to keep hearing from us. Register here.
Catch up on the most recent Apartheid-Free Webinars
Divest from Apartheid featuring Omar Barghouti, Rama Ali Kased and Dov Baum. This is a great resource that contextualizes this exciting moment in the divestment movement, celebrates our recent wins, and offers useful resources for engaging in the work of divestment.
Medical Apartheid in Palestine featuring Yazid Barhoush and Dr. Alice Rothchild. In this webinar, they discuss how Israel has implemented a policy of medical de-development on Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian Territories, including Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem.
Israeli Apartheid in the News
Remember the human cost of this conflict: Community Peacemaker Teams
“The very places meant to nurture and educate children become sites of violence and fear, further undermining the educational process and leaving students traumatized…Education is a fundamental right; every child deserves to learn in peace, free from fear.”
South Africa’s Presidential Address to the United Nations at the 79th General Debate
In this speech, Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa, reflected on South Africa’s history of apartheid and pledged to not be silent about the current genocide in Gaza. He called for an immediate cease-fire and the release of all hostages.
More News
- Middle East Eye, “UK: Labour Party bans words ‘genocide’ and ‘apartheid’ from conference“
- Tribune, “Israel’s water policies in Palestinian territories amount to ‘territorial apartheid’: UN rapporteur”
- OHCHR, “UN experts warn international order on a knife’s edge, urge States to comply with ICJ Advisory Opinion”
- Human Rights Watch, “World Court Findings on Israeli Apartheid a Wake-Up Call“
- Mondoweiss, “Interfaith delegation shows solidarity with Palestinians facing Israeli apartheid, violence, and displacement”
- Middle East Monitor, “UN Rapporteur says Israel ‘militarisation of water’ part of ‘water, territorial apartheid’ policy“
- Haaretz, “War, Apartheid, Dehumanization: Polls Reveal Bleak Parallels Between Palestinians and Israelis“
- Palestine Chronicle, “Israel Lobbying US Congress to Pressure South Africa to Drop ICJ Genocide Case – Report“
- Middle East Monitor, “Everyday apartheid: Palestinian kids harassed on first day back at school”
Upcoming Dates for Organizing
The following holidays and events provide us with opportunities to organize actions. While we have listed many dates, feel free create an event around the days that best align with your community. Visit our Take Action page for ideas and inspiration on how you can take action for Palestine and live into the Apartheid-Free pledge.
- Rosh Hashanah: Oct 2–4
- World Teachers Day: Oct 5
- World Communion Sunday: Oct 6
- UCC PIN created a liturgy for commemorating this day, view it here.
- One year since the Oct. 7th attack on Israel / One year since the genocide in Gaza began: Oct 7
- World Mental Health Day: Oct 10
- Yom Kippur: Oct 11-12
- Indigenous Peoples’ Day in the United States: Oct 14
- Sukkot: Oct 16-23
- World Food Day: Oct 16
- Global Media and Information Literacy Week: Oct 24-31
- Disarmament Week: Oct 24-30
- United Nations Day: Oct 24
- Anniversary of the Kafr Qasim Massacre, 1956: Oct 29
Inspiring Actions From the Community
Send photos from your communities to info@apartheid-free.org to be featured in the newsletter.
Trinity United Church, Vancouver, proudly proclaims their Apartheid-Free commitment! Download the yard sign template they made here.
Photos from the “Silence is Complicity” event featuring guest speaker Rev. Munther Issac, hosted by Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Chruch and co-sponsored by several Apartheid-Free Communities! Photos by Peg Hunter.
Apartheid-Free Continues to Grow
As of the first of October, 397 communities have signed the pledge! Welcome to Apartheid-Free!
- Christians For a Free Palestine, Canada
- FOSNA Claremont
- FOSNA Pittsburg
- Raleigh United Mutual Aid Hub
- Soulful Home Society
- Students for Justice in Palestine, University of Pittsburg Our first SJP!
- Border Patrol Victims Network
- WILPF Triangle NC
Is your community, congregation, or solidarity organization actively fighting against racism, bigotry, and apartheid? If so, join the movement by signing the Apartheid-Free pledge – a powerful statement of dedication to fostering an inclusive and equitable society.