The letter addressed to participants at the IV Social Forum of the Americas and to the Assembly of Social Movements was read on Sunday 15th August by the feminist Nalu Faria, from the World March of Women, to applause from representatives of organisations from the whole continent. This is a message sent by organisations from occupied Palestine, who were unable to come to Asuncion, Paraguay, but who participated remotely in the meeting by letter, denouncing and calling for Latin American solidarity against the participation of former Colombian president, Álvaro Uribe, in the committee designed by the UN to investigate the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Flotilla.
“Massacres, enforced disappearances, forced displacement and other grave international crimes have been documented by the United Nations in Colombia under Uribe’s presidency” the statement said.
The organisations behing the statement ask that entities participating in the Forum in Asuncion denounce the UN Committee, struggle against the apartheid imposed by Israel and join the movements that defend boycott, disinvestment and sanctions against Israel until it ends the occupation of Palestine.
This is not the first time that organisations from occupied Palestine find ways to break down distances and limitations and participate remotely in events of the World Social Forum.
In January, the leader of the organisation Stop the Wall, Jamal Juma, who was invited to participate in the Seminar on the 10 Years of the WSF in Porto Alegre, could not be present because he was arrested by Israel and only released on the eve of the event, after much international pressure.
By internet and audiovisual connection, Juma was present via a video screen that broadcast his message to the WSF.
In May, in Mexico City, participants who attended the Thematic Social Forum and the meeting of the International Council of the WSF, met with activists from Palestine through the Mexico Expanded programme, also with the use of audiovisual and internet technology.
The World Education Forum, scheduled to take place from 28th to 31st of October, will be another important moment for breaking distances and the silence imposed on Palestine by the occupation. The event will be held simultaneously in Ramallah, Haifa, Gaza, Jerusalem and also in Beirut, Lebanon. Participation at a distance is expected, by organisations that will try to link their activities through the Palestine Expanded programme.
Now read the letter in Spanish and English
Translated by Hilde C. Stephansen