A statement by Palestinians: The struggle for our inalienable rights is one opposed to all forms of racism and bigotry

October 12, 2012 by abirkopty 1 Comment

We the undersigned, as Palestinians living in historic Palestine and the diaspora, in the spirit of past statements, and in light of recent controversies, write to reaffirm a key principle of our movement for freedom, justice, and equality: The struggle for our inalienable rights is one opposed to all forms of racism and bigotry, including, but not limited to, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, Zionism, and other forms of bigotry directed at anyone, and in particular people of color and indigenous peoples everywhere.

We oppose the cynical and baseless use of the term anti-Semitism as a tool for stifling criticism of Israel or opposition to Zionism, as this assumes simply because someone is Jewish, they support Zionism or the colonial and apartheid policies of the state of Israel – a false generalization.

Our struggle is anchored in universal human rights and international law in opposition to military occupation, settler-colonialism, and apartheid, something people of conscience of all ethnicities, races, and religions can support.

Finally, we call on people around the world to join us in a morally consistent stance that opposes racism and bigotry in all forms. An ethical struggle for justice and equal rights in any context entails zero tolerance for racial discrimination and racism anywhere.

Signed (in order of signature):

Abir Kopty
Danya Mustafa
Nadia Hijab
Shirien Damra
Omar Barghouti
Noura Erakat
Remi Kanazi
Andrew Kadi
Dina Omar
Sandra Tamari
Maath Musleh
Suleiman Hodali
Dana Saifan
Jess Ghannam
Sami Kishawi
Dalia Almarina
Haidar Eid
Samee Sulaiman
Lubna Hammad
Issa Mikel
Dina Zbidat
Esmat Elhalaby
Linah Alsaafin
Ramzi Jaber
Randa May Wahbe
Hilda Massoud
Falastine Dwikat
Jamil Sbitan
Beesan Ramadan
Alaa Milbes
Tanya Keilani
Adam Akkad
Budour Hassan
Ahmad Nimer
Fajr Harb
Susan Abulhawa
Amira Dasouqi
Lubna Alzaroo
Samah Sabawi
Ismail Khalidi
Annemarie Jacir
George E. Bisharat
Sara Jawhari
Amin Abbas
Ali Abunimah
Camillia Shoufani
Dena Qaddumi
Ramzi Kanazi
Alaa Yousef
Najwa Doughman
Amal Atieh Jubran
Mahdi Sabbagh
Rania Jubran
Amar Husain
Omar H. Rahman
Yazeed Ibrahim
Zachariah Barghouti
Nadine Darwish
Rinad Abdulla
Sana Ibrahim
Rana Libdeh
Huwaida Arraf
Basil Farraj
Riham Barghouti
Jalal Abukhater
Grace Said
Wafai Dias
Huda Asfour
Musa Al-Hindi
Halla Shoaibi
Nada Elia
Shafeka Hashash
Linda Sarsour
Nour Joudah
Fadi Quran
Rafeef Ziadah
Muhammad Jabali
Haneen Maikey
Diana Alzeer
Mouin Rabbani
Zaid Shuaibi
Sari Harb
Suzy Salamy
Diana Buttu
Maryam Zohny
Vivien Sansour
Noor Fawzy
Jackie Salloum
Hatem Bazian
Awad Hamdan
Ahmed Moor
Zahi Damuni
Irene Nasser