What a fantastic idea!
A huge key that weighs approximately a ton and symbolizes the right of return for Palestinian refugees was transported from the Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem to the Berlin Biennale in Germany.
The key, which is nine meters long and has inscriptions in several languages, started its journey in March when it was dismounted from its place on top of the camp gate.
The steel key was made by Palestinian refugees at the Aida Social Youth Center in Bethlehem. For center manager Monther Amayra, displaying the key in Berlin gives Palestinians a chance to communicate their aspirations to the world.
“This is an excellent opportunity for us as refugees and as the makers of the Right of Return Key,” he said.
“It is a major event expected to receive more than two million visitors who will be acquainted with the demands of the Palestinian people, on top of which is the right of return.”
The key is presented as “a symbol of peaceful resistance” while teaching Palestinian history. It has already been invited to tour other cities. Please bring the key to America!
(Hat tip Karen Platt)
A whole host of international treaties & conventions recognize the Palestinians right to return including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination & the International Convention on Civil & Political Rights. The Right of Return for refugees is GUARANTEED under Humanitarian & Human Rights Law & countless UN resolutions. UN has affirmed the right of return through its Resolution 194 on no less than 122 occasions.
Ideal for Sculpture by the Sea http://www.sculpturebythesea.com
Anyone supporting the right of return of Palestinians, the large majority of whom were born in their hosting countries who have also made a point of insuring they live a miserable existence with few rights and many restrictions, is saying that Israel, the single Jewish country on this planet, will no longer exist. Now that is just not right, and you know it.
The Berlin Biennale started on April 27.
The Berlin daily Der Tagesspiegel had just this to say about the key on April 26:
“It’s a symbol of the longing of the Palestiniens for freedom of movement and a state of their own.”
This sentence avoids mentioning “return” and shows how difficult it is in Germany to go against the official pro-Israel policy and side with the Palestiniens.
Please do, indeed. We need it on a college tour, and as many grade schools as we can get it into and in every Holocaust memorial and museum. Create a mini one like the traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall. Let the Nakba be as common knowledge to Americans and the world as their most cherished days of observance.
The time is definitely now.