Sleman – The oppression experienced by the Palestinians under the Israeli occupation has attracted the concern and solidarity of the international community.
A number of protest actions have been held calling for independence for the Palestine nation, such as the one held by students in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta.
On Tuesday August 26, a group of youths calling themselves the People’s Solidarity for the Liberation of Palestine (SRuPP) sold Palestinian books, flags and other paraphernalia such as badges near the Sanata Dharma University (USD) canteen.
Not only that, several of them also played the unique music and songs of the Palestinian people’s struggle which were articulated by the students as they were holding the demonstration.
SRuPP activist Nadia Aghnia Fadhillah said that this was their third action after they earlier held protests at the Gajah Mada University (UGM) Faculty of Social and Political Science (Fisipol) and the Legal Faculty.
“Basically we are fighting for Palestine based on solidarity with the oppressed people. So we see the Palestinians as a people who are oppressed by those in power and that is Israel, as the occupier, and we support them (the Palestinians), that is the right of all people to independence and self-determination”, Nadia explained to Kabar Kota.
According to Nadia, although many movements have fought for Palestinian liberation, most are based on a specific religion. Not many groups meanwhile have campaigned from a political or ideological perspective.
Because of this, continued Nadia, their group has chosen to campaign for Palestine though discussions and film screenings, online propaganda, demonstrations and the production of propaganda merchandise, as well as boycotts as part of the international Boycott, Divestment, Sanction (BDS) movement against Israel.
“Up until now people who have supported Palestine, when they are asked to explain what Palestine is like, what is the difference between Gaza and the West Bank, most are still unable to answer”, she said.
In order to address this through a movement such as this, said Nadia, the SRuPP wants to provide enlightenment to the public about what the conditions are actually like for the Palestinian people.
Nadia added that in addition to visiting campuses, on August 30 the SRuPP and the UGM Study Centre for Peace and Security (PSKP) will hold a screening of the film Five Broken Cameras which depicts the daily lives and struggle of the Palestinian people.
For the general public, she added, they can also order collections of books on Palestine which up until now have not been widely circulated in Indonesia. (Rep-03/Ed-03)
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was Menilik Perjuangan Solidaritas Rakyat untuk Pembebasan Palestina di Yogya.]
Source: https://kabarkota.com/menilik-perjuangan-solidaritas-rakyat-untuk-pembebasan-palestina-di-yogya/
