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Remaking the Politics of Palestine Solidarity in Canada

Farah, Hammam
http://socialistproject.ca/2020/05/remaking-politics-of-palestine-solidarity-in-canada/

Publisher:  Socialist Project
Date Written:  08/05/2020
Year Published:  2020  
Resource Type:  Article

Farah explores the awkward position the Canadian-Arab finds themselves, where they attempt to engage in cultural and professional event programming which have to be resolutely non-political. Many times, this means avoiding those engaged in political organizing out of fear of the repercussions.

Abstract: 
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Excerpt:

This curbing of politics has enormous consequences for the Palestinian diaspora in Canada. We are witnessing an attempt to redefine our Palestinian identity – from one based on our collective project of political emancipation and resistance that began with the pre-1948 revolt against the British Mandate and developed throughout the post-Nakba Palestinian revolution, to an identity that sees our national symbols like the kuffiyeh or the olive tree denuded of their historical and political meaning. Our culture of exile and resistance in daily life is being ‘made safe’ for the social integration of our elite’s ongoing integration into Canada’s ruling classes, while the exploitation and oppression suffered by the majority among us – here in Canada and in Palestine – deepens.

An online search of local Arab community events in Canada turns up an endless array of galas, seasonal mixers, networking events, professional-development conferences, more networking events, youth connects, and entrepreneurial- and personal-branding workshops. These copycat events are hosted by not only one, but by numerous competing Arab associations and ‘professional associations’. Any ‘political’ programming involves Arab youth meeting representatives from each of the three major Canadian political parties, as if they were being presented with career options or consumer goods rather than opportunities for meaningful political engagement.

Similarly, on university campuses, several attempts have been made in recent years, both successful and unsuccessful, to form Palestinian student associations that prioritize narrow identity-related concerns and entertainment through food and dance. In one such case, a Palestinian student association replaced a chapter of Students Against Israeli Apartheid, and initially kept overtly political events at arm’s length in its programming.

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