Fourth Bil'in conference on grassroots popular resistance in April 2009
02/02/2009
Dear Friends,
In the wake of the Israeli atrocities in Gaza it is vital that we continue to resist against the Israeli occupation. This February has marked the fourth anniversary of the weekly non-violent protests against the construction of the Apartheid Wall in Bil’in.
Bil’in has become a symbol both of the theft of land across Palestine and of the power of non-violent grassroots movements in building local and international resistance to Occupation.
We invite you to participate in the fourth Bil’in conference on grassroots popular resistance in April 2009.
The International Conference will be held on the 22nd, 23rd and 24th of April
The aims of the conference are:
- To show internationals real life examples of the struggles and suffering of Palestinians
- To extend the Popular non-violent struggle
- To strengthen the relationship with the international solidarity movements and to find new ways to strengthen and support the popular struggle
WHEN: 22-24 April, 2009
WHERE: Bil’in village, elementary school building, Palestine
COST: Accommodation per night is 20 Euros, plus conference registration of 30 Euros. Register for the conference
Many thanks for all of your work,
Bil’in Village Popular Committee Against the Apartheid Wall and Settlements
DAY 1: Wednesday, 22 April 2009 (Panels)
Welcome speeches 9:30-10:45
- Eyad Burnat head of Bil’in Popular Committee
- Salam Fayad, Prime Minister of Palestine
- Luisa Morgantini, Vice President of the EU Parlament
- Mairead Maguire, Nobel Peace Prize
- letter from Jimmy Carter
Saving Jerusalem 10:45-11:30
- Rafiq Al Hussaini, Representative of the Palestinian President’s office and Secretary general of Jerusalem Capital of Arab Culture 2009
- Atallah Hanna, Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Church of Jerusalem
- Um Kamel al Khurd, activist with the Sheik Jarah popular committee
Break 11:30-11:40
Panel 11:40-12:40
10 minutes for each of the Heads of Delegations, including Adar Grayevsky, activist from Israeli Anarchists Against the Wall
Break 12:40-12:50
Promoting a Culture of Resistance 12:50-14:35
- Zico Tamela, International Officer of SATAWU, South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Durban, SA)
- Iman Hammouri, Director of the Popular Art Center and Steering Committee Member of PNGO (Jerusalem)
- Haidar Eid, Associate Prof. of English, Al-Aqsa University, Gaza, and member of PACBI’s Steering Committee (via video conference)
Lunch 14:35-16:00
Examples on the ground of popular nonviolent resistance in Palestine 16:00-17:15
- Raid Salah, Representative of the Islamic Movement (48)
- Abdullah Abu Rahma, Coordinator of the Bil’in popular committee
- Ahed Al Hawaje Coordinator of the Naalin (Ni’lin) popular committee
- Mahmud Zawahre, coordinator of the Maasera popular committee
- Fathi Khderat, Coordinator of the Jordan Valley Campaign
Break 17:15- 17:30
Panel of representatives of Palestinian Political leaders on the future of Popular Nonviolent Resistance 17:30-19:30
- Rafiq al Natsha, one of the Fatah leaders
- Abed Elrahim Mallouh, Deputy Secretary-General of the Popular Front of Liberation of Palestine
- Mustafa Barghouthi, Secretary general of the Palestinian National Initiative, Mubadara
- Qais Samaria (abu Leila), Secretary general of the Democratic Front of Liberation of Palestine
- Basam Salhi, Secretary General of the Palestinian Popular Party
- Samir Ghousha, Secretary General of the Palestinian Liberation Front
Presentation: Apartheid under Construction. The cantonization of Palestine 19:30-20:30
- Mustafa Barghouthi, Secretary general of the Palestinian National Initiative, Mubadara
Cultural Event and Open Space for sharing materials of the organizations that are participating in the conference 20:30 -22:00
DAY 2: Thursday, 23 April 2009 (Workshops & Fields Trips)
Workshops (4 parallel workshops) 8:30-10:00
The BDS movement: challenges and perspectives
Coordinated by: Lubna Hammad (Adalah-NY), Muhammad Jaradat (Badil), Omar Barghouti (PACBI)
Corporate Responsibility for Violations of International Law - Campaigns and Initiatives
Coordinated by: Shawan Jabarin, General Director, Al-Haq, Michael Sfard, Israeli legal counsel to Bil’in Village Council, Merrav Amir/Dalit Baum, Project Coordinators, Who Profits? Exposing the Israeli Occupation Industry
Spreading and supporting the Popular nonviolent resistance (Bil’in)
Coordinated by: Eyad Morar (Abu Ahmed) Head of the popular committee of Budrus, Fathi Khderat, Coordinator of the Jordan Valley campaign
Building an international movement in solidarity with Palestine
Coordinated by: Luisa Morgantini, Vice-President of the European Parliament
Field Trips to Locations 10:30-all day
- Hebron
- Beit Lehem
- Al Quds
- The Jordan Valley
- North West Bank
DAY 3: Friday, 24 April 2009 (Reflections)
Presentation of the final agreements of the workshops 9:30-11:00
All the participants will have the opportunity to present their opinion and vote the conclusions of the different workshops through a participative methodology
- Spokesperson of the BDS movement: challenges and perspectives workshop
- Spokesperson of the Corporate Responsibility for Violations of International Law - Campaigns and Initiatives workshop
- Spokesperson of the spreading and supporting the Popular resistance workshop
- Spokesperson of the Building an international movement workshop
- Final discussion and agreements
Training for Internationals: preparing an action 11:30-12:30
Final demonstration against the Wall and settlements 12:30
FAQ
How can I pay for the conference?
The conference Steering committee does not accept credit cards and personal checks, please bring cash only.
How do I get to Bilin village?
You need to get to Ramallah, from Ramallah there are services that can take you to Bilin either by waiting in the van to fill up and the price in this case is NIS 5 five Shekels or by taking a Taxi to the village and this will cost in between NIS 40-60. When you get to Ramallah, ask about « Mujma’ Al Mantiqa Al Gharbiya » means the services station for the Western Areas. You can also call one of the drivers for Bilin, his name is Khaled Burnat (0546 246 833).
What kind of accommodation is available?
All accommodation will be in Bil’in with host families. Showers will be available in the houses. It is 20 Euros per person per day and this price include dinner and breakfast and all lunches will be available at the conference site.
Contacts
For any questions about the conference or your registration to the conference, please write to Bil’in Popular Committee: committee@bilin-village.org or call 059-910-7069 or 054-725-8210.
Conference Registration
Please fill out the form below to help us offer you our best welcome at the conference.
