The following is a post by Week4Palestine and Africa4Palestine
Week4Palestine, from 1st to 7th of May, is a global movement advocating for Palestinian rights. It’s a week of events, discussions, and actions to raise awareness and show solidarity. Join us as we stand together, amplify Palestinian voices, and work towards justice, freedom, and equality for all Palestinians.
This year’s theme is RED CARD ISRAEL.
Stand Against Israeli Apartheid in Sports
Following the successful sporting boycott against apartheid South Africa in the 1980s, we now call for a similar united front against Israeli apartheid. It’s time for Israeli teams to be excluded from international sporting bodies like UEFA and FIFA. Israel’s long-standing regime of settler-colonialism and apartheid has systematically denied Palestinians their basic rights, including their right to participate in sports. There is no place for racism in sports!
Destruction of Palestinian Football Infastructure
Palestinian football has faced devastating attacks, resulting in pitches being transformed into “interrogation centres, makeshift refugee camps, field hospitals, and mass graves.” Over 66 sports facilities have been partially or fully destroyed, including the headquarters of the Palestinian Football Association (PFA).
The current violence in Gaza and the West Bank has shattered amateur football activities, with the West Bank league cancelled due to settler violence. The Israel Football Association (IFA) not only supports this occupation but also stifles the PFA, benefiting from governmental funding while ignoring ongoing human rights abuses.
Killing and Detaining of Palestinian
Campaigners condemn the killing of 161 footballers as “sporticide,” a deliberate tactic to erase Palestinian lives and culture from the global sports arena. This includes prominent figures like national player Mohammed Barakat and Olympic coach Hani Al-Masdar.
Week4Palestine has been endorsed by over 100 organisations, with over 100 activities in over 10 countries. Canada BDS Coalition and International BDS Allies is one of the endorsers of W4P.
To endorse W4P, DM @week4palestine on Instagram or visit https://week4palestine.com
