CONFRONTING

ISRAELI APARTHEID
CONFERENCE 2014
LOCATION:
The University of Sheffield
Students Union
Western Bank, Sheffield,
South Yorkshire, S10 2TG
DATE:
Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th
of October 2014
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BUILDING THE STUDENT
MOVEMENT FOR PALESTINE
(WELCOME PACK)
Since student activists for Palestine met at Confronting Israeli Apartheid
conference, last year, weve seen a year of great successes, with the
student movement going from strength to strength, especially in the field
of BDS. There have been a number of universities who have hosted
successful BDS campaigns that resulted in divestment from company
complicit in the Israeli occupation.
Despite these successes, the situation in Palestine remains grim. Israel is
still sustaining its illegal occupation, its deadly siege on Gaza, its
discrimination against Arab-Israelis in pre-1948 Palestine and its
blatant disregard of the rights of the Palestinian refugees outside
Palestine.
It is more important than ever to help amplify the voices of Palestinians,
whose resolve and steadfastness in the face of such relentless oppression
remains our inspiration. We believe that building a student movement
that raises awareness about Palestine and campaigns to end injustice is
an essential step towards liberation.
2 www.studentpalestinesolidarity.org.uk
OVERVIEW
CONFRONTING ISRAELI APARTHEID CONFERENCE - 2014
CONTENTS
PAGE
Welcome To Sheffield
Travel Information
Maps Of Sheffield & Students Union
Conference Itinerary
Program
Food Information
Internet Connection
Contact Information
3 www.studentpalestinesolidarity.org.uk
WELCOME
TO SHEFFIELD
Sheffield is located in South Yorkshire, and is
Englands fourth largest city. It is known as
the greenest city in Europe, as well as the
safest major city in England.
There are two universities in Sheffield,
University of Sheffield (UoS) and Sheffield
Hallam University (SHU). The conference will
take place at the UoS students union.
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The UoS Students Union has been rated by the Times Higher
Education Student Experience Survey as the best students union in
UK for 6 years in a row due to its inclusivity, diverse activities and
modern facilities. We are excited to meet you all in such a vibrant
and motivating atmosphere
TRAVEL
INFORMATION
Follow signs to tram stop. Take Blue Line tram
(Malin Bridge) to UoS tram stop. Walk for 3
min to students union!
Take Bus no. 51 or 52 to UoS Students Union.
Bus stop is exactly outside Students Union
Taxi ranks are available outside train station
Use Attached Maps or GPS (S10 2TG) to reach
to UOS students union (25 minutes walk)
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On Saturday 11
th
of Oct, members of
Sheffield organizing team will be at the train
station main hall to meet and escort arriving
activists to the conference venue. They will
collect activists at four time-slots: 8:00-8:30,
8:30-9:00, 9:00-9:30 and 9:30-10:00am. If you
would like to be escorted, please find them
near main entrance at train station (look for
people with Palestinian scarf/sign).
Other ways to arrive to UoS Students Union:
MAPS
Map of central Sheffield
Map of the University of Sheffield campus
Map of the University of Sheffields Students Union
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Level 2
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Level 3
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Level 5 Level 4
Discovery Rooms
CONFERENCE
ITINERARY
(SATURDAY)
12
Saturday 11
th
of October, 2014
Time Session Venue
9:00 10:00 Breakfast (coffee/tea and refreshments) SU (Fusion)
10:00-12:00 Palestine 101, BDS, Activism (Opening Session) SU (Foundry)
12:00 14:00 Morning workshop sessions (Mobilising on
Campus/ Winning the case for Palestine)
SU (Foundry), SU
(Studio), HI
(F-20,24,28,38,41 & 30)
14:00 15:00 Lunch
15:00 17:00 After noon workshops (Winning the case for
Palestine/ Mobilising on Campus)
SU (Foundry), SU
(Studio), HI
(F-20,24,28,38,41 & 30)
17:00 17:15 Coffee Break SU (Fusion)
17:15 - 18:15 Open Mic Session SU (Foundry)
19:30 23:00 Social SU (Interval Caf)
www.studentpalestinesolidarity.org.uk
SU: Students Union
HI: Hicks Building
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Sunday 12
th
of October, 2014
Time Session Room
10:30 11:00 Breakfast (coffee/tea and
refreshments)
SU (Discovery Rooms)
11:00-11:30 Opening Speech SU (Discovery Room)
11:30 13:30 Morning workshops SU (Discovery Rooms)
OCT (MR1,2,3)
13:30 14:30 Lunch
14:30 16:30 Afternoon workshops SU (Discovery Rooms)
OCT (MR1,2,3)
16:30 17:30 Closing session SU (Discovery Rooms)
www.studentpalestinesolidarity.org.uk
CONFERENCE
ITINERARY
(SUNDAY)
SU: Students Union
HI: Hicks Building
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10:00am 12:00pm
Opening Session
This session will introduce participants to the Palestinian struggle, Boycott,
Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement and student activism through four
themed talks:
Palestine 101, with Abdel Razzaq Takriti, University of Sheffield
Introduction to BDS, with Rafeef Ziadah, War on Want
BDS as an international movement, with Juman Abujbara, Students for
Palestine Southampton
Student activism, with Malaka Mohammed, Sheffield University SU
Chaired by: Khalid Omari, Sheffield University Palestine society.
www.studentpalestinesolidarity.org.uk
PROGRAM
(SATURDAY - MORNING)
15
12:00pm 2:00pm and 3:00pm 5:00pm
Workshop 1: Mobilising On Campus
An introductory workshop created to provide the opportunity for
participants to discuss and share key skills and tools we can use to build
effective campaigns on campus. Areas covered include BDS, coalition-
forming and building a presence on campus, and making use of social media.
Workshop 2: Winning The Case For Palestine On Campus
Exploring how to effectively communicate about Palestine and the
Palestinian struggle for self-determination on campus. This will include
addressing the core aspects of the apartheid analysis, the international law
framework and BDS.
Two workshops will run in both the morning and the afternoon workshop sessions.
Participants are encouraged to attend one workshop in the morning and the other in the
afternoon.
www.studentpalestinesolidarity.org.uk
PROGRAM
(SATURDAY - AFTERNOON)
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11:30am 1:30pm (Attend one workshop of your choice)
Starting a Palestine Society
Workshop looking at how to establish a Palestine solidarity group on university
campuses, and empower newly formulated Palestine society committees.
Speakers: Khalid Omari (Sheffield University Palestine Society) and
Hassun El Zafar (Sheffield Hallam University Palestine Society)
Countering Opposition and Normalisation
Interactive workshop analysing attempts by Israel and its supporters to undermine the
solidarity movement via dialogue, Pink-washing, Faith-washing and less visible aspects
of apartheid. This workshop seeks to examine and develop strategies to help
activists successfully counter this opposition.
Speaker: Hilary Aked (London Palestine Action and Real Student Rights)
Combating Lawfare Tactics
Exploring legal tactics employed by anti-Palestine groups to shut down BDS debate and
activism in student unions and tips on how best to combat it.
www.studentpalestinesolidarity.org.uk
PROGRAM
(SUNDAY - MORNING)
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11:30am 1:30pm
Building Connections with Palestine (non-BDS)
Looking at how to build meaningful connections with peers in Palestine via Palestine
scholarship campaigns, twinning initiatives with Palestinian universities etc.
Speakers: Malaka Mohammed (Education Officer at Sheffield University Students Union) and
Sarah El-Alfy (Education Officer at Goldsmiths Students Union)
Working with Local Activists & After University Activism
The aim of this workshop is to help in building useful connections between student
solidarity activists on campus and non-student activists in local communities. Options to
stay involved in the solidarity movement after graduation will also be explored.
Speakers: Adie Mormech (Manchester Palestine Action) and (London Palestine Action)
Working within Student Unions & Operating within NUS
The aim of this workshop is to discuss how to gain support within student unions, and how
to translate existing support into action. Following this summers commitment by the
National Union of Students to adopt a Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions policy against
Israel, strategies on how to galvanise this support will be developed.
Speakers: Malia Bouattia (NUS Black Students Officer) and Areeb Ullah (Vice President Education at
KCLSU)
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PROGRAM
(SUNDAY - MORNING)
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2:30am 4:30pm (Attend one workshop of your choice)
Academic Boycott & Timeline Exercise
The aim of this workshop is to discuss the key concepts in campaigns that seek to
pressure UK universities to sever ties with Israeli academic institutions due to their deep complicity with
Israels military and violations of international law.
Speaker: Abdel Razzaq Takriti (Lecturer at University of Sheffield)
How Can We Develop Divestment Campaigning In The UK? & Timeline Exercise
The aim of this facilitated discussion is to discuss the key concepts in divestment
campaigning and how we can work together to overcome the legal, technical and political obstacles that
have so far prevented the UK student movement from building successful divestment campaigns.
Speaker: Pdraig Duirnn.
Corporate Complicity & Timeline Exercise (x 2)
Detailed insight on running corporate boycott campaigns on campus against university contracts with
companies that profiteer from Israeli Apartheid e.g. HP, G4S, Veolia etc.
Workshop will give participants opportunity to plan their own campaigns.
Speakers: Juman Abujbara (Students for Palestine Southampton), Areeb Ullah (KCLSU),
Michael Deas (Boycott National Committee), Hammad Haq (Nottingham Palestine Society)
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PROGRAM
(SUNDAY - AFTERNOON)
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PROGRAM
(SUNDAY - AFTERNOON)
2:30am 4:30pm
Arms Trade Research Links & Timeline Exercise
Addressing campaigns against university research links with arms companies that
help develop arms and facilitate arms trades and development research, as well as
how academic boycott could be incorporated within a more arms trade-specific
campaign. Timeline exercise will give participants opportunity to plan their own
campaign.
Speaker: Sam Robinson (Campaigns Against the Arms Trade)
www.studentpalestinesolidarity.org.uk
FOOD
INFORMATION
Students union shop (Closes on Sunday)
Located on level 3 (same floor as main
entrance)
Sells sandwiches, drinks and other
refreshments
Does not sell bottled water (free water cooler is available in
activities zone near SU shop
Interval Cafe
Located on same floor
Sells food
(H,V)
and drinks
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West street restaurants
Located in West street (extension of
Glossop road, 5 min walk from SU)
A variety of restaurants
(H,V)
including
Kebab shops, Turkish, Indian and
Chinese restaurants
Glossop Road
Falafel King
(H,V)
(2 min walk from
SU), Pizza and vegan/organic shop
The students Union is under Eduroam WIFI network coverage. Any university
student in UK who is signed up with eduroam in his/her university, should in
principle- be able to connect to eduroam anywhere in the UK.
To connect to eduroam, type your username followed by @youruniversitydomain.
Example, for a student from University of Sheffield,
User name: abc123@Sheffield.ac.uk
Password: password
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INTERNET
CONNECTION
www.studentpalestinesolidarity.org.uk
CONTACT
INFORMATION
Khalid Omari organizing team (Sheffield) 07526175155
Hassun El Zafar organizing team / travel to union (Sheffield) 07944451236
Abdullah Geelah accommodation (Sheffield) 07957450965
Michael Deas organizing team (London) 07500877276
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My homeland
My homeland
The youth will not get
tired
Their goal is your
independence
Or they die
We will drink from death
But we will not be
slaves to our enemies
We do not want
An eternal humiliation
Nor a miserable life
We do not want
But we will return
Our great glory
The sword and the pen
Are our symbols
Not talking nor
quarrelling
Our glory and
covenant
And a duty to fulfil it
Shake us
Our honour
Is an honourable
cause
A raised flag
O, your beauty
In your eminence
Victorious over your
enemies

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CONFRONTING ISRAELI APARTHEID CONFERENCE - 2014
My Homeland
By: Ibrahim Touqan

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CONFRONTING ISRAELI APARTHEID CONFERENCE - 2014
Endorsements
Across the world, the spark of radical
change always emerged from the students,
and we count on the student movement in
the UK to take a lead on Palestine. By
organising on the basis of principles, and
mobilising others for the Palestinian cause,
this conference can make a huge
contribution this year and the years to
come- I wish it great success!
- Karma Nabulsi, Oxford University
Students continue to be at the forefront of various struggles for justice and
equality, and solidarity with Palestine is no different. Developing our shared
abilities and taking action through boycott and divestment strategies are vital
steps to take the fight against Israeli apartheid to the next level.
- Ben White, Journalist
I wholeheartedly applaud this student initiative
which could not be more timely and important. Our
young people are the future, and their mobilisation
into an effective force is essential in our struggle
against injustice. I wish the conference every
success and look forward to hearing more of your
work and achievements.
- Ghada Karmi, doctor, author and academic
While the national demonstrations may have come
to an end and the media may have shed their focus
from the people of Gaza still rebuilding their
livelihoods after this summers assault, the networks of
solidarity built between students and communities
need to expand, campaigning on-the-ground cannot
relent, and a whole new generation of young people
now raised with Palestine imprinted on their
consciousness must be mobilised towards fighting
against Israeli apartheid and colonialism. The
Confronting Israeli Apartheid national conference
can ensure that.
- Malia Bouattia, NUS Black Students Officer
On our campuses, we need our
Palestine societies to continue the
impressive work they have been
doing for years. However this
should not be limited to just raising
awareness about the situation in
Palestine but also investigating
whether student unions and
universities have contracts with
companies complicit in the illegal
occupation of Palestine.
In our communities, we need to
make sure local shops are not
selling goods sourced from illegal
settlements.
Conferences like the National
Palestine Student Conference are a
great opportunity to mobilise
students into making a real
difference.
- Zarah Sultana, NUS NEC
There can be no doubt which side history
will look back on as being right, and the
extent of collusion and complicity in
colleges and universities across the UK with
Israels occupation of Palestine will be
remembered with shame. But managements
arent ever going to change unless we make
them, and it is our job to build a student
movement for Palestine that nobody can
ignore. This conference is vital to making
that happen.
- Gordon Maloney, NUS Scotland President