A tribute to Rim Banna: The voice of freedom and revolution by Abir Kopty: "Right from the beginning Rim chose her own way. She chose to be an artist of principles and set an example of inspiration. She chose values over profit and authenticity over fame. A humble and modest musician and singer, who dedicated her life for what she believed in, her voice was rare in a world of "celebrities" and stardom." http://www.middleeasteye.net/columns/tribute-rim-banna-voice-freedom-and-revolution-230939744

Rather than see Palestine and Palestinians as an issue and a people that is distant from us, as a 'cause' that needs to be quarantined from our wider human rights and anti-racist work because it is 'divisive', perhaps it is time for us to learn from the Palestinian approach to struggle, resistance and solidarity... "Over the years I have had the opportunity to meet with oppressed people resisting injustice across the world and it has taught me how important it is for our daily effort to build hope and resilience to know that our struggles are not isolated but global and interconnected."

Despite the efforts of the Israeli government, their partners and supporters, the BDS movement keeps growing!

See http://bit.do/SPSC2018 for the exciting programme of 2017 Palestine Book Award authors speaking to Scottish and international audiences

Statement by Ambassador from Palestine to the UK, Manuel Hassassian. http://palmissionuk.org/media+centre/press+releases/news+article/246 True friends of Israel should stand up to Israel's racism against the Palestinians March 19, 2018 Pro-Israeli groups are hypocritical participating in the Stand Up to Racism march when Israel’s virulent racism against Palestinians manifests itself in daily discrimination, a brutal occupation and apartheid policies. Palestinians are engaged in a struggle for equality, justice and freedom. • Equality for Palestinians living inside Israel as Israeli citizens who make up 20% of the population. • Justice for Palestinian refugees who have been denied their right to return to their homes, a right accorded to all refugees and exiles and enshrined in international law. • Freedom from occupation and colonisation that is destroying our homes, our land and its natural resources and imprisoning and brutalizing our people. We enjoy the support of international civil society who live, speak and act according to our shared values and principles to stand against racism in all its forms and for equality for all people, regardless of race, colour or religion. It is therefore with great disappointment that an organisation established for the purpose of silencing the voices of those who support Palestinian rights, the same organisation that works hand in hand with the Israeli government and their allies in Scotland and the UK, were welcomed to join the Stand Up to Racism march and rally in Glasgow on 17th March. On a day that was meant to commemorate the struggle against South African apartheid, it is appropriate for us to remember the words of Archbishop Desmond Tutu: "I have witnessed the systemic humiliation of Palestinian men, women and children by members of the Israeli security forces, their humiliation is familiar to all black South Africans who were corralled and harassed and insulted and assaulted by the security forces of the apartheid government." Palestinians living in Scotland and around the UK will continue to work within our communities to tackle racism and hate crime. We will also engage with civil society around the country to educate them on the nature of our struggle and how our Israeli occupier and oppressor is working to ensure we never return or live again as equals on our land. We urge everyone who truly believes in standing up to racism, including state-enforced discrimination and segregation, to hear and not to dismiss our voices, however difficult the challenge we face.

SPSC will be live at 10.45am this morning from the Glasgow SPSC office and then at the assembly point of the Stand Up to Racism march in Glasgow, until 12noon.

Scottish PSC will be handing out this leaflet to marchers in Glasgow tomorrow: http://www.scottishpsc.org.uk/phocadownloadpap/SUTR17March2018v1s.pdf