Video: The Palestinian Cause, the Prisoners’ Movement and the Case of Ahmad Sa’adat

On Sunday, 16 January, the Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network hosted a webinar for the International Week of Solidarity to Free Ahmad Sa’adat and all Palestinian Prisoners. The webinar provided an overview of the case of the imprisoned General Secretary of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and his leading role in the Palestinian prisoners’ movement and liberation struggle from behind Israeli bars.

Jakob of Samidoun Stockholm presented an overview of Sa’adat’s imprisonment and ongoing struggle, from his election as PFLP general secretary to the efforts of the Palestinian resistance to secure his release in a prisoner exchange. He invited those watching to get involved and join Samidoun and other organizations in working for a liberated Palestine.

Khaled Barakat, Palestinian activist and writer and coordinator of the follow-up committee of the Masar Badil, provided a thorough historical look at Sa’adat’s life and struggle, particularly some of the less-frequently discussed aspects of his organizing in the 1980s and 1990s, his steadfastness under interrogation, his role in the underground organizing of the PFLP, and his confrontation with the Palestinian Authority, not only when he was arrested in 2002, but his ongoing rejection of the path of Oslo. He provided insight into Sa’adat’s leadership and character, inside prison and in the larger Palestinian liberation movement. He provided a detailed examination of how the Palestinian Authority’s “security coordination” with Israel and its role as an agent of imperialist powers serves to support colonialism in occupied Palestine, including the development of this over time.

The event concluded with an informative question and answer period discussing topics like campaigns to boycott Israel, the future of a liberated Palestine and the potential of building upon the unity of Palestinians throughout occupied Palestine and in exile and diaspora.

Watch the full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3z8HiOShJc

Organizations are invited to endorse, organize events and take action for the International Week of Solidarity to Free Ahmad Sa’adat and all Palestinian Prisoners. To find out more about how you can get involved, email samidoun@samidoun.net.