Radio interviews

A couple of friends host a local indymedia radio show every week and had a focus on Palestine tonight. I was interviewed, but more interesting was their first guest, Miko Peled. He is an Israeli peace activist but one with a special story; the son of a General in the Israeli army during the '67 war, and the grandson of one of the signatories to Israel's declaration of independence.


Check out his own blog in the link above or google or youtube him to get an idea of what a powerful and significant perspective he has.He is currently in Australia so for any of you in Perth he's speaking on the 29th of September - check out the details here, or here for other places in Australia.


And to hear his interview (or mine) on Perth's indymedia show (on RTR FM) here's that link. Just click on the 19th September show; Miko's interview starts about 10 or 11 minutes in and goes for about 20 minutes. Mine starts close to the 40 minute mark and goes for about 15. Too many umm's, and a few things I could have explained better, but another good chance to raise some awareness after last week's talk. Feel free to leave me a comment if you have a listen...


And just one more reminder about the petition I mentioned last week; do check it out - this is a crucial time as the bid for Palestinian statehood goes to the United Nations. And for a surprisingly un-baised overview of the statehood bid, (and a number of fascinating comments from various significant individuals in Israel), check out this article from the Weekend Australian (17/18 Sept).

How do you explain the Palestine conflict in 3 minutes?

With an amazing little video put together by Avaaz. 

Check it out if you've got 3 minutes to spare - it obviously simplifies things but it also gives an amazing insight into some of the issues in a very short space of time. 

I used it at my talk tonight - thanks to those who came and especially those who asked questions and added to the discussion . . . and thanks to Kelli, the pvi gang and CIA (no,not that one) for being such great hosts as well as awesome artists. 

More info from the talk soon.

And if you're in Perth do come along to the rally in Murray St this Saturday, 1pm!

Public talk in Perth this Wednesday

Flyer for the evening - click to enlarge

For those of you in Perth, I'm going to give a talk about my time in Palestine on Wednesday night;
6 - 7.30pm at CIA, 480 Newcastle St, West Perth.
It's directly opposite the City Motors caryard - look for the old brick school building - entry is around the back and up the stairs.


My thanks to the artists at the CIA studios and especially to the very groovy and mischievous pvi collective for hosting me - boo yah.


Entry is by donation to cover the evening, with any remaining funds to go to he amazing Combatants for Peace who I've blogged about a couple of times before - here and there.


I'd love to see you there if you can make it.


...and for those of you from Perth who can't make it, do check out the Friends of Palestine WA website and think about getting along to the next event in Perth - a rally in the city to support the international BDS (boycott, divestment and sacntions) campaign against apartheid Israel - Murray St Mall, 1pm Saturday 17th September.


Meantime - for anyone - here's an online petition that'll I'd really encourage you to consider signing - which also has an awesome two minute video giving an overview of the Palestinian situation. Do check it out!

Finally . . .

Finally, some news - apologies to my four regular readers that i haven't posted anything for so long. I am indeed back in Australia as some of you may know, and have been for a few weeks.


I returned for family reasons (my Mum's 70th!) over in Victoria, and finally made it to my home town in the West a couple of days ago.


I have been meaning to write more about Palestine and my travels from Australia, but many factors have meant I haven't been too successful. Re-adjusting to this comfortable but warped country, family times and celebrations, hanging out with new and old friends in Melbourne, some excellent activism, and just generally moving around have all meant I've found it hard to write. But, now back in Perth for a time, I am planning on posting a few more stories about Palestine and my travels, after which I'm fairly sure this blog will go into hibernation.


(I may  - or may not - start a different blog at some point, so if you are even somewhat interested in any future writing, please send me an email: khristo at gmail dot com )


Meantime, as mentioned, since I've been back I've been involved in two excellent activist events; one involving solidarity with Palestine, and the other part of a campaign against the war in Afghanistan.


Looking to track down some Melbourne friends on my arrival back in Australia, I discovered they were taking part in a week of protests against Australia's involvement in Afghanistan and was invited to join in. I managed to do so for three days, and was so glad I did. A really great, solid group of people, and a mostly awesome week of actions. So much more I could say, but there's a whole website... See this link for lots of info, photos and reports of the Swan Island Peace Convergence. For some footage check this out, and for brilliant photos by the wonderful Jon Osborne, check out this link.

400 candles and a small group of protestors meditate for peace, while a couple of others scale the bridge leading to one of Australia's more secret military training facilities - Swan Island, Victoria.

While there, I heard that a few nights before that protest began, 19 people had been arrested in a heavy-handed police response to a pro-Palestine/boycott Israel protest in Melbourne. A couple of weeks later I was able to attend the follow-up protest, targeting an Israeli company - Max Bremmer - who proudly talk of their support for the Israeli army and their actions. 

One of two Max Bremmer stores targeted that night as part of the BDS campaign; at least 300 people and a considerable - though this time peaceful - police presence

It was great to be back in Australia but still showing support and solidarity for Palestine. More from me soon . . .

Solidarity for Palestine from across the oceans!

This week's photo

(click to enlarge)

Boys in Al Aroub refugee camp
(where some families have been since 1948)

Al Arakib Elders

This week's photo of the week... despite their appearance, these men were very happy to be photographed.
They were two of the men I had the privilege of meeting at the Al Arakib village, albeit under difficult circumstances for them - see my post from March. Dignified, resilient, sad but determined.

(Click on the photo to enlarge)

Desmond Tutu - speaking out against the occupation for over 20 years

Today I was reading of Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s involvement in the issue of the occupation and apartheid in Palestine. Interestingly, he became involved while still suffering under apartheid in South Africa. He was in the USA to thank Jews for their support of the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa, and spoke at a synagogue in New York in January 1989. Following is a little of what he said – powerful stuff if you imagine a Jewish audience in the Stephen Wise Free Synagogue, looking forward to being thanked for helping.

 . . . and that is the question of the Palestinians . . . I have to say that I find it very, very difficult to understand Israel’s policy in this regard . . . My position is made more difficult because of two factors. I am a Christian, and many of the Palestinians are Christians – in fact, many are Anglicans – and their anguish tears my heart apart. Second, it is because I am a black South African, and if you changed the names, the description of what is happening in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank could be a description of what is happening in South Africa. It is uncanny and it is deeply, deeply distressing. Israel cannot do that: it is out of line with her biblical and historical traditions. Israel, or shall we say the Jews, having suffered so much, cannot allow their government to cause other people to suffer so much. Jews, having been dispossessed for so long, cannot allow their government to dispossess others. Jews, having been victims of gross injustice, cannot allow their government to make others victims of injustice. It is such a horrific contradiction . . .

His speech caused much debate, but he has continued to speak out against Israel, and given his history, his detailed discussions about the apartheid practices of Israel carry significant weight.

I'm grateful that such prominent figures are so willing to continue to speak out, even into their old age - and despite constant criticism that they could so easily avoid.


Tutu is an amazing figure; here's a link to his Wikipedia biography, and this one is to the Desmond Tutu Peace Foundation.