“We are reminded that just as we fought together to defeat apartheid in South Africa, we need to forcefully challenge Israeli apartheid as it is deployed against the Palestinian people today.” – Angela Davis
Fighting oppression and apartheid requires liberated minds. This year, we plan to shed light on the role of culture, and art in particular, in decolonizing our minds in our collective struggles against cultural appropriation and oppression.
Under the banner United Against Racism, Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW) this year celebrates cultures of resistance, exploring the intersectional ties between the Palestinian liberation struggle and global struggles for justice. In IAW, we promote BDS campaigning as the most effective form of solidarity with our struggle for freedom, and we share global experiences in countering cultural erasure and cultural imperialism.
This year, we are taking our actions back to the streets, campuses, and community spaces, wherever health and safety conditions allow.
Despite decades of ruthless Israeli ethnic cleansing and brutal repression, Palestinians from all parts of historic Palestine, as well as in exile, took to the streets last May to challenge Israel’s regime of occupation, apartheid and settler colonialism. In the process, we have dismantled psychological colonial walls that divide us.
Simultaneously, the recognition of Israel as an apartheid state is becoming increasingly mainstream, and we are witnessing unprecedented support for the cultural and academic boycott of Israel. Apartheid Israel is realizing that its South Africa moment is nearing.
More than two years of the pandemic have revealed and worsened the existing global inequalities and destructive forces of racial capitalism, militarism, surveillance and other tools of oppression. Yet, affirming their profound aspiration for emancipation, communities have continued to resiliently resist oppression and struggle for social, racial, gender, economic and climate justice. They’ve insisted on freedom and dignity for all, building networks of people power and international solidarity across cultures and borders with inspiring creativity.
In this IAW, with liberated minds and souls, we embark on a radical process of hopeful, globalized resistance, transformation, and emancipation.
This year, IAW will take place between March 21st and April 18th worldwide, and we will be organizing a series of on-the-ground actions and online events.
IAW Region IAW Dates
Europe 21-28 March
North America 21-28 March
Africa 21 March - 4 April
Asia-Pacific 28 March - 4 April
Latin America 11 - 18 April
Arab World (incl. Palestine) 11 - 18 April
All Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW) activities must conform to the BDS movement’s anti-racist principles and respect its affiliation guidelines. Any activity that fails to do so cannot be accepted as part of IAW. Mark your calendars based on where you’re located, submit your events for publication on our global calendar here, and stay tuned for our detailed programs.