To cap Israeli Apartheid Week at Ohio State University, the Committee for Justice in Palestine (CJP) created a paradoxically beautiful mock-up of Israel’s barbarous Apartheid Wall. The art for liberation festooning it included yearning visions: the Dome of the Rock, “disappearing Palestine,” and a nod to Michelangelo’s Pietà.
Students and other members devoted hours throughout the day to talk with passersby about freeing Palestine from the illegal Israeli Occupation. I snapped a few photos of the animated conversations, particularly of visitors who lingered during the 3-4 hours I was there:
Steve Palm-Houser’s excellent report in the Examiner describes the event–complete with a six-minute video sketch of Israeli apartheid by Jeff Halper of Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD) and a poignant analysis by Belal Daoud, Mondoweiss contributor, who reminds us:
“Palestinians and Israelis are closer to each other than anybody imagines — in culture, in food, in everything,” Daoud said. “But this wall was created to divide and breed mistrust between these two peoples. If you want this to end, let the people work together, see each other, talk to each other, live with each other. If that happens, and you allow everyone the same rights, then the extremists on both sides will just fizzle out.”
That humanity inspired this day of connection.
(First photo by “Alex,” who queried “Israeli Apartheid” but promised to read more and kindly offered to snap a group picture; the rest by Susie Kneedler.)
Thanks to Connie Hammond and Annie Robbins.
Fantastic stuff. I look forward to meeting many of you in Columbus soon!
Yes, Pamela, thanks for coming: we can’t wait!
“To further protect itself against long range missiles from anywhere, I propose Israel builds a concrete dome to shield its citizens against grave and omnipresent danger.” – Vladimir ‘Crimeariver’ Putin
Great article and pictures Susie. CJP OSU – what a great group!!
Susie thank you so much for sharing. What a great group and effective strategy. Visual with important information.