Palestine Memorial Week to be held across UK

As the Palestinian cause continues; the suffering of its people gets longer. Activities of solidarity grow day by day. More people are learning about Palestine. Whilst, Israel carries on with its apartheid and grim racist policies against Palestinians. In the United Kingdom, a number of organizations work tirelessly to lobby the politicians and mobilize the people for the sake of Palestinian cause.

The Palestinian Return Centre (PRC) is one of those organizations. Its core intrest is Palestinian Right of Return. It is an independent consultancy focusing on the historical, political and legal aspects of the Palestinian Refugees. The organisation offers expert advice to various actors and agencies on the question of Palestinian Refugees within the context of the Nakhba - The catastrophe following the forced displacement of Palestinians in 1948 - and serves as an information repository on other related aspects of the Palestine question and the Arab-Israeli conflict. It specialises in the research, analysis, and monitor of issues pertaining to the dispersed Palestinians and their internationally recognised legal right to return.

PRC started to prepare for the second Palestine Memorial week in the United Kingdom and Europe. The annual event will be held from the 15th to the 22nd January 2011. The event commemorates the memory of Palestinian victims of the Nakhba since 1948 until now. It also coincides with the 3rd anniversary of the onslaught in Gaza 2009.

A key event on board of the week is a conference titled, “The Ongoing Nakhba Conference”, which will highlight on the latest developments passing the Palestinian cause. The conference will look at the Nakhba as a real and contemporary issue and not an event consigned to Middle East history.

Some high profile guests will participate in the event, highlighting the far-reaching consequences of the apartheid wall, settlements, and house demolitions on Palestinian communities and the impact on the peace process. Case studies from refugee camps will be examined with representations by some Palestinian refugees.

Speakers will include Phyllis Starkes, Labour Party Politician and Former MP and Mads Gilbert, a Norwegian doctor who worked mid of Gaza war 2009. Dr. Salman Abu Sitta, Author of Atlas of Palestine and prominent Palestinian historian. From the Occupied territories, Mustafa Barghouti, Politician and activist, candidate for presidency, will focus on The Wall A symbol of Apartheid and Segregation. From the UK, Ben White Free lance journalist and author who write frequently for the guardian will talk about apartheid within Israel.

Additionally, Dr. Hosam Hafez, a Syrian Legal Expert will focus on Palestinian Rights under international law. Dr. Paul Larudee, Founder of Free Gaza Movement and Human Rights Activist, will explain about the activism efforts in regard of Palestinian cause.  Rawan Al Damin, a filmmaker and director of AL nakhba film produced by Al jazeera will speak about the Nakba and Media.

A number of activities will be held in a 7-day week of events in parallel. A number of organizations to prepared a set of activities in various British, Irish and Scottish cities. Irish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Goldsmith Palestine Society, Bristol-Gaza link, Reading Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Morning Star Newspaper, Mediterranean Resources Network and Exeter Palestine Society.

Activities will include Exhibitions prepared by PRC that covers a variety of issues like the Apartheid Wall, Palestinian detainees, Gaza War and the Palestinian Nakhba 48. A film screening will take place at participating cities titled “AL Nakhba” directed and prepared by Rawan al Damin, produced by Al jazeera Satellite TV.  A key event will take place at Hyde Park Speaker Corner on Sunday 16th of January.

Participating cities will include London, Limerick, Belfast, Galway, Dublin, Cork, Reading, Bristol, Brighton, Glasgow, Exeter, Leeds, Hudresfield, Ipswich and South end. More cities and towns to be announced later on.

To know more about Palestinian Return Centre (PRC) visit:

http://www.prc.org.uk