The campus critically explores a Seemingly Never-Ending Conflict

Written by Kelsey Rideout

While imposing blame for the ongoing conflict on either state remains a heavily sensitive and controversial task, IAW seeks to raise awareness regarding Israel’s large-scale acts of violence and deliberate segregation in defiance of international law. In 2008-2009, Israel’s attack on the Gaza Strip killed approximately 1,400 Palestinians, and resulted in major shortages in food and humanitarian aid. In the last few years, Israel has initiated the construction of a major barrier consisting of high technology concrete fencing that spans over 400 km along the Palestinian territory of the West Bank. Following the International Court of Justice’s ruling that the wall is illegal, Palestinians have called upon international organizations across the world to impose boycotts, establish divestment initiatives and institute sanctions against Israel, known as the BDS movement. Along with the support of many renowned critics including Noam Chomsky, Naomi Klein, and Desmond Tutu, IAW aims to promote the BDS course of action.
On the U of G campus specifically, several individuals from organizations collaborated to organize IAW and reiterate this message though lectures, films and various public outreach actions.

Photo courtesy.

Guelph Peace Alliance member Drew Garvie explained how he responds to claims that the word “apartheid” is inappropriate and exaggerated by demonstrating how the term was attributed to Israel’s actions against Palestine by those who’ve lived through brutal apartheid systems themselves. 
“People like Desmond-Tutu, Nelson Mandela, and Ronnie Kasrils…risked their lives in order to defeat racist segregation and now view the situation in Palestine as analogous as or worse than the oppression under which they suffered,” said Garvie.
Professors are also taking an active role in participating in IAW. Dr. Michael Keefer from the School of English and Theatre Studies at the U of G gave a lecture on Tuesday night entitled the Attack on Palestinian Human Rights in Canada. Keefer expressed his steadfast support for IAW and why it is important for students and Canadians at large to engage with this week’s events.
“IAW is important because this is an issue that Canada is involved in,” said Keefer. “What is happening in the occupied Palestinian territory is atrocious. The unfortunate fact is that Canada is very distinctly a part of what is going on in Gaza. It’s personally legitimate for people to say it is appalling that the Palestinians made a horrible mistake in electing Hamas, but to say…we will cut off your food supplies and clean water for your kids…is monstrous. Canada was the first nation to join in that blockade in 2006. What that means is Canadians need to be brought to an understanding of what’s happening here, and…return to the tradition of moderate responses as opposed to extremist responses, and return to a tradition of peace making.”
While the topic of Israeli Apartheid may appear overwhelming in its scope, some events are using creative platforms aimed to establish a unique way for students and community members to learn about the subject. On Thursday Mar. 4 at the Carden Street Cafe, an IAW event will explore a riveting movement presently taking shape to denounce injustices and oppose the West Bank barrier. Entitled ‘Art as Resistance,’ the event will feature a presentation with live-poetry and music to illuminate how the Israeli Apartheid is being resisted through artistic measures. As the West Bank barrier has been unexpectedly transformed into the world’s largest canvass, this event will explain why local and international artists have sought to beautify the barren concrete wall in order to voice their opposition. 
Depending on religious, political and geographical affiliations, individuals across the world hold conflicting opinions in regards to Israeli-Palestine relations. Regardless of how you may already view this issue, participants believe IAW remains an essential opportunity to create meaningful dialogue, establish critical outlooks, and engage with a complex conflict that continues to instigate widespread suffering while sabotaging any progress towards establishing global stability.