Palestine Awareness Week began at KU this week with the ‘I Support Palestine Because…’ campaign, where students held signs explaining why they stand in solidarity with the Palestinians.
Palestine Awareness Week is being hosted by a coalition of KU societies, including the Islamic Society, Palestinian Society, Young Greens Society, Feminist Society and the United Nations Society. It is also being supported by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign UK.
“Day one was great and we got a lot more support than expected,” said Elaha Walizadeh, third year biomedical science student and Women’s Officer for NUS London. “There is a lot of support for Palestine at Kingston, which is absolutely overwhelming!”
Walizadeh is playing a big role in Palestine Awareness Week as one of the main organisers. She told The River that this summer’s conflict between Israel and Palestine left her feeling a strong need to address the ongoing situation.
She has also submitted a BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) motion to the Student Union, which will be debated at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on February 10.
“It is crucial to address the illegal occupation,” said Walizadeh. “We are indirectly funding war in Gaza and the only way to stop it is to boycott them. I stopped drinking Coca Cola, eating McDonalds and using Estee Lauder. If we all do, we can make a huge difference.”
She is hopeful that the motion will be passed at the AGM based on the support the campaign has received from students so far.
For those who want to find out more about the BDS movement, Palestine Awareness Week will host a BDS workshop on Wednesday (see below for details).
Students who wish to carry on supporting the campaign after Palestine Awareness Week can sign up to the Palestine Solidarity Campaign for Kingston and Richmond, as well as join the university’s Palestine Society.
PALESTINE AWARENESS WEEK: UPCOMING EVENTS
February 4, 5pm
BDS workshop
February 5, 6pm
Screening and special talk by Malaka Shwaikh, Palestinian student and Education Officer at Sheffield
February 6, 5pm
“How To Build A Strong Solidarity Movement”
Malia Bouattia, NUS Black Students’ Officer
Sai Maan, SOAS Palestine Society and NUS Postgraduate Research Rep
B Jamal, Chair for Kingston and Richmond Palestine Solidarity Campaign and PSC National Executive Council
Abdi-Aziz Suleiman, NUS National Executive Council
Zarah Sultana, NUS National Executive Council
Grace Henley 
Josh Smith 
Ella Rebbitt