Phalapoem editor , 5/04/25
Rafah before and after Israeli war on Gaza
They drop their bombs with godlike ease,
Across the skies, across the seas.
No trial, no law, just smoke and flame,
Each crater carved without a name.
But steel can’t kill what truth ignites,
Nor silence voices robbed of rights.
For every blast that scars the land,
A thousand rise with open hand.
You can strike the earth, ignore the cries—
But justice travels farther than your skies.
Background
Since the war began, close to 20000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza by Israeli occupation force, sparking international demands for a ceasefire.
In Gaza’s crucible, a saga of despair,
Oppressed and aged, history’s brutal snare.
Zionist forces wield an iron grip,
Silent voices silenced, innocence they strip.
Years of blockade, poverty’s cruel vice,
Struggle’s tale, where hope pays the agonizing price.
Buildings crumble, chaos unfurls,
Unconditional support, deadly whirls.
Seventy-five years, the struggle persists,
Gaza stands unyielding, clenched fists.
In echoes of sorrow, resistance prevails,
A tale of survival, fierce endurance sails.
Netanyahu’s brutal war decree,
Palestinians marked like Amalek, unfree.
Ceasefire denied, Gaza’s torment roars,
Authority banned, resilience soars.
Defiance stands ‘gainst pressure’s weight,
In the struggle, hope refuses to abate.
Israeli police arrested the internationally renowned feminist Palestinian academic Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian at her home in Jerusalem on Thursday on charges of incitement to violence. Shalhoub-Kevorkian, who holds both Israeli and U.S. citizenship, was suspended by Hebrew University last month after saying in an interview Israel was committing genocide in Gaza, though the university later reinstated her. We speak with anthropologist Sarah Ihmoud, who describes Shalhoub-Kevorkian as a mentor and inspiration to her and many others. “We hold the Hebrew University of Jerusalem responsible for the arrest and detention because of its persistent and public repression of her academic freedom, which led directly to yesterday’s arrest,” says Ihmoud, who teaches at College of the Holy Cross and is co-founder of the Palestinian Feminist Collective. “We see this as yet another example of Israel attacking Palestinians wherever they are, whoever they are. It underscores that no Palestinian is safe under Israel’s racist apartheid rule.”
Phalapoem editor, 1/04/25
(Scene: A ruined street in Gaza. The air is thick with dust and grief. Handala, the barefoot 10-year-old Palestinian boy with his back always turned to the world, stands amid the rubble. He does not turn around when Donald Trump arrives, escorted by cameras and advisors. Trump, dressed in his usual suit, surveys the destruction with a businessman’s eye, calculating profit, not pain.)
Trump:
So this is Gaza, huh? What a mess. But don’t worry, I have a vision—hotels, casinos, golf courses, the best, really. We’ll make Gaza the Riviera of the Middle East! And, of course, no more Palestinians. They have no right to be here.
Handala: (without turning around)
You look at destruction and see real estate. I look at it and see my people’s graves. You talk about a “Riviera.” I talk about a homeland.
Trump:
Oh, come on, kid. This place is a disaster. It needs development, investment. We’ll clear it out—new roads, luxury apartments. Think about it—no more rubble, just resorts. I’m a businessman, and I know how to make a place great again.
Handala:
Clear it out? You mean wipe out the last traces of my people? You want to build towers on the bones of murdered children. Tell me, did you even blink when your bombs crushed their tiny bodies?
Trump:
Listen, war is messy. But we have to support Israel, our greatest ally. They have the right to defend themselves!
Handala:
Defend themselves? Against babies? Against starving families? You cry for your Israeli prisoners but feel nothing for the thousands of Palestinian prisoners, rotting in dungeons without trial. Your justice is like your hair—fake and falling apart.
Trump:
Look, I make tough decisions. I cut spending for Americans, but Israel needs our help. Billions in aid, top-of-the-line bombs. I call that smart policy.
Handala:
Smart policy? You cut school lunches for your own children but pay for missiles that tear Palestinian children apart. You deport pro-Palestinian protesters but protect pro-Israeli ones. Your “freedom” has a price tag, and we all know who pays it—with blood.
Trump:
Well, if people protest too much, they should leave. America stands with Israel, no question about it. And if you people can’t live in Gaza peacefully, maybe you should leave too. There are other Arab countries, you know.
Handala:
Where should we go? My grandparents were forced from Yafa. My parents were pushed into Gaza. Now you want to shove me into the sea. Tell me, if a thief steals your home, do you pack your bags and thank him—or do you fight to return?
Trump:
Life isn’t fair, kid. Some win, some lose. That’s history.
Handala:
History remembers, Mr. Trump. And history does not forgive. One day, these ruins will speak louder than your towers. One day, my people will return—not as your workers, not as your tenants, but as the rightful owners of this land.
(Trump scoffs and turns away, uninterested in the words of a barefoot child. But Handala remains where he is, unmoved, unwavering—just as he has always been, waiting for justice that will one day come.)
This gem came actually came through another one, as it was Nabila Mango who took me to the fundraiser where Chris Gazaleh was a guest speaker. Nabila is the founder of Aswat ensembles and a pillar in her community for doing good. I was sold from the moment I saw the photograph of the mural he had created overlooking one of the busiest freeways in San Francisco. It stretches across the exterior of the apartment building on 23 Elgin St. next to Octavia Boulevard connector to highway 101.
The gorgeous and proud mural
Deserves a close up
Or two!
The description that came to mind as I was listening to Chris speak was what “an amiable and principled fellow”… an old soul, as they say with a young spirit who beautifully expresses his vision through graffiti art. I have a soft spot in my heart for graffiti art as it is central to Palestinian art and resistance, especially in the camps and that’s the subject of another post that is sure to come your way one day!
Once I sat down and interviewed Chris, my impression was confirmed, and I saw where it all came from. Chris was a delightful combination of youth and wisdom. The youth was there in his ever-ready smile and his love for hip-hop, graffiti art and the spoken word as a way to express himself and give voice to issues of identity and social justice. His wisdom showed in his love of stories and he grew up with stories of his grandparents and great grandparents and how they lived, both in the U.S. and in Palestine too.
What Chris was doing when I met him for the interview
The pen nib as a symbol of the voice art gives
I especially loved when he spoke of how his grandfather travelled from Palestine to the United States to work for seven years in order to keep his US citizenship, having been born in America. He said that his grandfather was told that if he also served in the US military, then that would expedite his citizenship status. His grandfather of course did both and was placed in the mail room as he had worked at the post office when he was in Palestine. He did such a fantastic job that he was promoted above some of the men who had mistreated him for his different appearance. He had stood his ground and defended himself. Much later on, he said that he forgave them as they were not raised to understand what was out there in the world and therefore they were not able to accept differences better, so what they did was out of not knowing vs. any mean intent. Chris has both his grandfather’s goodness of heart and strength of character and his love of Palestine and of the U.S., so the legacy lives on, strong.
His sedo grandfather
His sedo in a younger photo
His sedo as a young man
His great grandfather far left and other sedo far right
His other sedo
His mama
The other significant part to Chris’s story and his art, is that he started very young. He mentioned how his parents divorced when he was five years old and he used art as his therapy to transcend difficult times. In Middle School, he had more Arab school mates and that made him more aware of his identity. Then, he became interested in hip-hop and was inspired by listening to Arabic hip-hop in particular which gave him a greater appreciation for the language and a deeper connection to his roots. At the age of twenty one, Chris decided that he wanted to focus on visual arts and started doing murals, sketches and paintings, and with that he took on another artistic form in his toolkit of creative expression.
Chris’s principles shine through in the way that he decides whether he wants to work with someone or not. He considers why he is being asked to do the work and then, what it would be used for prior to saying yes to ensure that the project is aligned with his values. That’s why I was honored when he accepted my request to create pieces to give very special, gifts-of-a-lifetime to loved ones celebrating their Palestinian identity, strength and beauty.
At Reem’s California for community mural
And an art piece at Diyafa restaurant
Edward Said mural, one of the first
Strong statements of pride in identity and roots
Getting back to Chris and how he creates – as he prepares to start a piece, he thinks of the message he wants to send out and how he wants people to feel looking at it. Then he starts to put together symbols and a structure to represent characters that connect us beyond our daily lives and where an image can carry multiple meanings. And since his art is political, it’s challenging to choose the images and symbols that will carry positive meanings and stand against the onslaught of criticism from opposing viewpoints.
He sometimes starts an art piece with a quote and sometimes he draws shapes that become faces then he draws movements around them as if it’s the world and things around them or it can be part of their inner world so it’s their thoughts and busy minds coming out of their head. That last bit was said with a soft chuckle. The principles spoke loud and clear in how Chris expressed more than once that he had always wanted his art and message to be out there, rather than his name.
Such gorgeous sense of color
And movement
The bold black and whites
What imagination
And, creativity
I just want to keep looking at it!
Chris spoke of his upcoming visit to Palestine with eyewitness Palestine, which he is so excited to be embarking on soon, and also of his earlier visits to Palestine. Recollecting on his very first visit in 2007, he could clearly recall how the country had changed him, and the distinct impression that Palestine and it’s people had made on him as he prepared to leave. He was very sad to have the freedom to leave while others were stuck in such a horrible situation of oppression under the occupation. He also envied them that they could stay and live there in beautiful, beloved Palestine. I loved a story Chris shared of his next visit where he was hanging out in his cousin’s video store, playing with the young boys from the neighbourhood. He let them win a few times, then he won too and through it all he was struck by their politeness and courtesy towards him. They were by no means entitled nor spoiled as he described himself as a kid and many other kids with privileged lives of freedom and safety. One boy came back and gave him hot chocolate as a gesture of thanks and welcome. It was touching to hear Chris describe how moved he was by the boys generosity, knowing that he had so little money. It was clear that while the boy might have been poor in material possessions, he was rich in heart and was being true to his Palestinian and Arab roots of being hospitable .
Speaking of being touched, Chris had an honesty and openness of soul that truly spoke to me. It’s part of what makes his art so good. Its vibrancy overflows, whether with bold whites and blacks, which I absolutely love, or with strong colors. Yes, a talent comes with practice and dedication, and there is plenty of that in his story, but it also comes with the courage to speak ones truth beautifully and steadfastly. I wish Chris ever ascending heights of success, joy and beautiful companionship of an ever growing community that gets, celebrates and honors his art and his story.
Phalapoem editor, 30/03/25
Haifa, the breathtaking coastal city on the Mediterranean, is a place of deep Palestinian history, cultural richness, and resilience. Once a thriving Palestinian hub, Haifa remains a symbol of Palestinian identity and the enduring struggle for justice.
A City of Heritage and Diversity
Before 1948, Haifa was one of Palestine’s most vibrant cities, known for its cultural, economic, and intellectual prosperity. It was home to a diverse population of Muslims, Christians, and Jews who lived and worked together. The city’s bustling port, thriving markets, and historic neighborhoods made it a key Palestinian center.
The Nakba and the Forced Displacement
In 1948, Haifa witnessed one of the most tragic chapters in Palestinian history. Terrorist Zionist gangs attacked the city, forcing tens of thousands of Palestinians to flee by land and sea, many escaping by boats from its shores. From a majority-Palestinian city, Haifa was emptied of its indigenous people, with only a small number remaining under harsh, racist, military and apartheid rule.
Haifa Today: A Story of Survival
Despite the forced displacement, Haifa’s Palestinian spirit lives on. The city is home to one of the largest Palestinian communities in historic Palestine, where Palestinians continue to preserve their culture, language, and identity.
• Wadi Nisnas and the German Colony are neighborhoods where Palestinian history and resilience shine.
• The Palestinian theater, art, and literature scene in Haifa is growing, reclaiming space in a city that was once entirely Palestinian.
• Haifa’s youth and activists continue to resist oppression and work for justice, making their voices heard despite systemic discrimination.
A Symbol of Return and Hope
For Palestinians, Haifa is more than just a city—it is a symbol of the right of return, the endurance of Palestinian heritage, and the dream of justice. The beauty of its Mediterranean coastline, historic streets, and ancient mosques and churches tells a story that cannot be erased.
Haifa remains Palestinian, in memory, in spirit, and in the hearts of all who remember and resist.
06 Jan 2024
In this article the Palestine Solidarity Campaign groups in Wales explore Wales’ proud history in opposing apartheid in South Africa. They consider whether Wales can still feel proud considering that we have collectively buried our heads in the desert sands when in comes to the ongoing apartheid Israel has imposed upon Palestinian people.
Yes we can feel proud that on 8 November the Welsh Senedd joined the majority of the world’s countries in calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. These calls, however, were not led by Welsh Government itself, but by Plaid Cymru, supported by 11 Labour backbenchers and the 1 Liberal Democrat.
Out of 60 Senedd Members just 24 voted in support of a ceasefire. Several put forward an amendment calling for a humanitarian pause, and 19 voted against, including the entire Welsh Conservative group. The 13 Welsh Labour government ministers abstained as “Welsh Government has no jurisdiction over international affairs”.
In March 2022, in an admirable display of solidarity, the Welsh Government voted in support of humanitarian aid to Ukraine. And public bodies in Wales followed suit, engaging in a boycott of goods and services and divesting investments and pensions from Russian companies, and those with Russian ties.
At the time, First Minister Mark Drakeford stated that “The people of Wales are appalled at the invasion of Ukraine.“Though when it came to calls for an immediate ceasefire amidst the appalling bombardment of Gaza, Mark Drakeford attended but did not take part or comment. And in a way, perhaps that is understandable.
As the result of the debate was announced, cheering and shouts of “free Palestine” could be heard coming from the public gallery. And it is this cry for freedom, rather than the calls for a ceasefire, which are at the heart of the wider issue of apartheid.
Also in March 2022 Mr Lynk, the then UN ‘Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967’, released a statement which stated “that apartheid is being practiced by Israel in the occupied Palestinian territory”. Echoing findings by Palestinian, Israeli, and international human rights organisations
Discriminatory
The statement speaks of a “deeply discriminatory dual legal and political system” of “the walls, checkpoints, roads and an entrenched military presence” which separates the “more than three million Palestinians, who are without rights, living under an oppressive rule of institutional discrimination and without a path to a genuine Palestinian state that the world has long promised is their right”.
The statement described Gaza as an ‘open-air prison’ which even before the ‘siege on Gaza’ was “without adequate access to power, water or health, with a collapsing economy and with no ability to freely travel to the rest of Palestine or the outside world.”
The Special Rapporteur concluded that “a political regime which so intentionally and clearly prioritizes fundamental political, legal and social rights to one group over another within the same geographic unit on the basis of one’s racial-national-ethnic identity satisfies the international legal definition of apartheid”.
The UN Rapporteur’s remit covers only the occupied Palestinian territories and not Israel itself. Other human rights groups have referred to Israel practising apartheid against Palestinian citizens of Israel as well.
For example, a 2022 Amnesty International report states that Israel imposes a system of oppression and domination against Palestinians ‘wherever it has control over their rights’.
Nelson Mandela
We have learned that Wales has a proud history of opposing apartheid. When president Nelson Mandela made his only visit to Wales in 1998, four years after the ANC had been swept to power in South Africa’s first democratic elections, he praised Wales’ contribution in the fight to end apartheid.
The man, who had been labelled and imprisoned as a terrorist by the apartheid regime, was introduced by the then Cardiff City Council leader Russell Goodway as “a beacon of light during the dark days of apartheid and oppression” and “a symbol of hope in the new world order.”
After meeting with the Queen and thanking those in Wales who had campaigned for apartheid’s end, he asked the crowds at a Freedom of the City Ceremony in Cardiff Castle to “accept our heartfelt thanks on behalf of the people of South Africa for your solidarity. When the call for the international isolation of apartheid went out to the world, the people of Wales responded magnificently”.
Archives
So how did this Wales come to have the proud history of opposing apartheid?
The archives held by the National Library of Wales record that “The Welsh Committee of the British Anti-Apartheid Movement (AAM) was established in 1981” as ‘The Wales Anti-Apartheid Movement’ (WAAM) bringing together numerous local branches ‘as a national movement in Wales, with a clear Welsh identity’.
According to these records its aims and objectives included informing the people of Wales and elsewhere about apartheid and campaigning for international action to bring about an end to apartheid.
From the 1960s – 1990s, the government of the United Kingdom traded with and openly supported the Apartheid regime of South Africa, despite the open knowledge that South Africa was an apartheid regime. This included the sale of weapons and other apartheid equipment.
And today we make similar public shows of unconditional support for an apartheid regime, and actively encourage trade and investments in arms and other equipment used to enforce apartheid. This includes companies based in Wales.
WAAM’s campaigning work “covered a wide range of areas including sports, cultural and consumer boycotts, and campaigns against investment in South Africa by British and international companies and banks, against nuclear and military collaboration, loans to South Africa and oil sanctions”.
There are huge similarities then between WAAM and the many PalestinineSolidarity Campaign and other groups in Wales who are working to end apartheid and liberate the Palestinian people through calling for Boycott, Divestmentand Sanctions.
Ally
As the apartheid regime of South Africa was a key cold war ally then, Israel is a key strategic ally of the UK today. Then as now, apartheid is an inconvenient truth best ignored, or even suppressed. To the extent that heavy pressure (which included spying) was put on activists campaigning to end apartheid.
And then as now expressing solidarity with an oppressed people is an incredibly brave thing for people to do. In Wales such outspoken activists included Peter Hain, who went on to become MP for Neath and the Welsh Office Minister; and Mick Antoniw who became, the AS/MS for Pontypridd and Counsel General for Wales.
And their valued contribution, and that of Wales was celebrated by Nelson Mandela when he stated that “The knowledge that local authorities all over Wales were banning apartheid products from canteens and schools – and that the universities, the Welsh Rugby Union, and the choirs had cut their links – was a great inspiration to us in our struggle.”
So, how does Wales fare when it comes to opposing apartheid today?
We’ve heard about how groups small local groups are coming together to campaign for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions in Wales. And in a piece for the IWA ‘Protecting the Right to Boycott in Wales’ the author examined the ‘Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (UK)’ and its likely impact on the right of public bodies to Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions here in Wales.
Undermine devolution
The article outlined how the UK Government is attempting to undermine devolution and the powers of public bodies to take part in Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions and how worryingly the bill passed its second reading in the House of Commons with ease on July 3, 2023, after many Labour MP’s followed the party whip and abstained and passed through both Committee and Report stages unamended.
Yet on the 15 November, following the terrible events of 7 October , and the brutal bombardment of Gaza which followed, when asked to vote on the SNP amendment to the King’s speech calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, 56 Labour MPs rebelled and voted in favour of the amendment.
The rebellion, however, was largely confined to Labour MPs from England. Out of 40 MPs from Wales only 5 voted for a ceasefire; 3 Plaid Cymru MPs, 1 Labour & 1 independent. One Labour MP was unavailable to vote as they were in the US. In the UK Parliament the Wales record on opposing apartheid isn’t looking great.
According to Mr Lynk “The 1998 Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court came into law after the collapse of the old South Africa. It is a forward-looking legal instrument which prohibits apartheid as a crime against humanity today and into the future, wherever it may exist.” Standing against apartheid then is therefore a matter of international law which Welsh politicians cannot pick and choose to ignore.
Thankfully, on 8 September Rebecca Evans, MS & Minister for Finance and Local Government laid a Legislative Consent Memorandum before the Senedd which stated that it would not be appropriate to adopt the Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (UK)’ for Wales stating:
“I cannot recommend consent is given whilst questions remain as to the compatibility of this Bill with convention rights and international law”.
Then on 22 November the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee laid its final report on the proposed bill before the Senedd noting that: “The devolution settlement requires the Welsh Ministers to comply with both international obligations and the rights contained in the European Convention on Human Rights (the Convention rights)”
The committee also shared the ministers’ concerns that: “A decision by the Senedd to consent to the Bill could contribute to a breach of international law and would mean the Senedd acting incompatibly with international obligations, which would be in contrast to the spirit of the devolution settlement.”
When this report comes up for debate in the Senedd Chamber it looks highly likely that any motion to oppose consent for the bill as it stands will gain the support of the majority, but not all, of the Senedd’s members. Like the vote for a ceasefire, this will stand as a signal of solidarity between the people of Wales, as represented by the Senedd, and the Palestinian people in their ongoing struggle against apartheid.
But such a signal of solidarity still falls far short of the actions needed.
Significant areas of concern remain with regards to Wales’ ongoing relationship with the apartheid state of Israel. If the campaign to end apartheid is to be successful once more, then civil society will need to organise around the anti-apartheid banner. And bring concerted pressure to bear on the public sector so that it can play its part in boycotting goods and services, divesting finance, and engaging in sanctions.
Are we comfortable with Wales being a place where the Israeli arms industry does business? With Wales being a place where the Welsh public sector provides public sector inward investment support to cyber security, aerospace, and other firms with links to an apartheid regime. With Wales as a place where public sector pensions profit from apartheid. As the people of Wales, are we okay with this?
Friends of the Earth Cymru, People & Planet, and Palestine Solidarity groups have been calling for the divestment and decarbonisation of public Sector pension funds for several years. In July 2023 several Welsh Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) groups wrote to their local authorities to express their concerns about the continuing investments of over £4.6bn of funds. Yet little progress on divesting has been made.
In his opening speech on the Ceasefire debate Rhun ap Iorwerth said: “There cannot be justification for the collective punishment of an entire population”. As the UN and other human rights organisations makes clear, apartheid is collective punishment.
Palestine solidarity groups in Wales are calling on civil society to join in the campaign for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS). The groups are, for example, calling on everyone in Wales to boycott Israeli goods and companies that profit from Israel’s occupation of Palestine.
Yes, Wales has a proud history of opposing apartheid. But apartheid isn’t history. Let us work together to maintain Wales’ proud history of opposing apartheid whenever and wherever it arises.
Let us come together and oppose apartheid once again
