From May 25-27, the ANSWER Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) and the Party for Socialism and Liberation participated in the Fifth Annual International Al-Awda Convention held in Anaheim, Calif. It was sponsored by Al-Awda, the Palestine Right to Return Coalition.
A large delegation of ANSWER activists, along with PSL representatives, attended the three-day convention entitled
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The convention came at a critical time this year, as the dire conditions of Palestinian refugees was highlighted by the intense Lebanese Army shelling of the Palestinian refugee camp, Nahr Al-Bared, in northern Lebanon. Also, the 59th anniversary of Al-Nakba (Arabic for “the Catastrophe”) took place this year on May 15. This anniversary marked the date when 150,000 Palestinians were expelled from Palestine by terror squads in order to create the Zionist state of Israel.
On Friday, May 25, the first night of the convention, there was amazing testimony from a dozen survivors of Al-Nakba. The survivors told the convention about their memories of the brutality of the Zionist terror squads that petrified the Palestinian towns and villages. One survivor, Mrs. Suheila Nasir, recalled that in her town of Beit Jala, the decapitated heads of Palestinians massacred at Deir Yassin were displayed for all to see. They were meant to terrify Palestinians into fleeing their homes and land.
The Palestinian survivors, along with 750,000 others, were forced out of their homes in Palestine in 1948. They thought that they would return once the Zionist violence had subsided. None imagined that they would still be unable to return after 59 years of suffering. The number of Palestinian refugees worldwide is now over six million.
The plight of political prisoner Sami Al-Arian, himself a Palestinian refugee, was highlighted at the convention. Al-Arian is being detained by the U.S. government after being acquitted by a jury of false terrorism charges. His daughter, Leila Al-Arian, attended the convention to appeal for support for her father’s case and to promote a new film documenting the case, “U.S.A. vs. Al-Arian.”
Refugee support
The Saturday morning session opened with a series of panel discussions that demonstrated some of the projects that exist in support of Palestinian refugees, including health services for the refugees and inhabitants of Gaza.
The Palestinians in Gaza are facing heavy repression by Israel and United States. These countries and many others have prohibited even the most basic necessities like medicine and food from entering the area for over a year. Israel also regularly targets Palestinian civilians for assassination or imprisonment.
Dr. Jess Ghanam reported on the acute crisis in health services and upcoming projects to increase healthcare access
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Elias Rashmawi, leader of the Free Palestine Alliance and member of the ANSWER National Steering Committee, spoke eloquently about the political necessity of raising the right of return and the general situation facing the Palestinian movement today.
The afternoon sessions were filled with a variety of workshops. This included a workshop for students in which PSL members participated. The workshop stressed the need for community members to get more involved in supporting the work of students on local campuses, especially in light of the repression they face for putting forward a pro-Palestinian message.
Another workshop on coalition building featured Richard Becker, ANSWER Coalition West Coast Director and member of the PSL. Becker spoke about the success ANSWER and allied forces, such as the National Council of Arab Americans, have had in integrating the Palestinian right of return into the anti-war movement. He made clear connections between the struggle of the Palestinian and Iraqi peoples for freedom from occupation and imperialist domination.
The convention continued with a banquet and an exceptional night of Palestinian culture. It featured speakers and musicians highlighting the rich cultural heritage of the Palestinian people.
One of the keynote speakers, author and professor, Dr. Nassir Aruri, explained the U.S. role in promoting Israel as a regional watchdog for imperialist interests. The other keynote speaker, Dr. Jamal Zahalka, a Palestinian member of the Israeli parliament, presented facts and persuasive arguments debunking the myth of Israeli democracy. He also spoke on behalf of his colleague and comrade, Azmi Bishara. Israel is persecuting Bishara without cause for his advocacy of equality and Palestinian rights.
Dr. Zahalka also spoke last week at a special ANSWER forum in Los Angeles.
The cultural festivities ended with the violinist, Dr. Nabil Azzam, who led his orchestra and singers in patriotic songs that had most of the crowd signing along.
The PSL was pleased and proud to participate in the convention. We hope that everyone will join us in building solidarity with the Palestinian struggle.
On July 7, ANSWER and the Palestinian American Women’s Association will host a special Los Angeles forum with a guest speaker from Gaza—Dr. Mona El-Farra—who will talk about the health conditions facing Palestinians in Gaza.
There, and at many future events, we will continue to advocate for justice and the Palestinian right to return.
