The following report is translated from Pour la Palestine, the website of Plate-Forme Charleroi-Palestine:
“Sol, sol, sol, … solidarité avec les femmes, du monde entier!”
(“Solidarity with the women of the whole world!”)
These were the words that resounded at the opening session of the Vie Féminine week of study on Tuesday, 4 July. Hundreds of women of diverse origins, including many young women, attended the annual meeting in Namur, Belgium.
This year, the theme of the event is “Weaving solidarity in an increasingly sexist and racist society.” Plate-forme Charleroi-Palestine participated with a stand with information on Palestine, the BDS campaign and the boycott of Israel, and was met with a warm reception.
The campaigners particularly drew attention to the recent arrests of Khalida Jarrar, member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, and Khitam Saafin, president of the Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees, and to the boycott of Israel.
A number of women stood to take a photo with signs in French and English demanding the release of the two Palestinian leaders and showing support for the BDS campaign.
Plate-forme Charleroi-Palestine published copies of the report by Richard Falk and Virginia Tiley, “Israeli practices towards the Palestinian people and the question of apartheid,” and distributed copies; they also distributed their “Boycott Guide” as well as stickers for sticking on Israeli apartheid products for sale.
Below are the photos calling for the release of Khalida Jarrar and Khitam Saafin, by Myriam De Ly of Plate-forme Charleroi-Palestine:
