Al Awda conference resolutions

[Macdonald Stainsby <mstainsby@xxxxxx>]

Below are the resolutions passed, and the action recommendations adopted
during al-Awda's first international  convention held in Toronto between the
20th and 22nd of June, 2003. A detailed report will be forthcoming in the
near future.
Al-Awda
www.al-awda.org
www.al-awda.ca

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CONVENTION RESOLUTIONS

Resolution 1 - On the definition of the Right of Return:

"The Palestinian right of return is a historical, national and
collective right rooted in the individual and collective inviolable right of
an
individual and a people to their original homes, property, and homeland,
and to restitution, regardless of agreements, developments in international
law and political framework.  It is a right that transcends generations,
political entities, and is not subject to any form of negation or
compromise.  It is an inextricable right from the fundamental right of
unconditional self-determination for the totality of the Palestinian
people regardless of their place of residence or birth."


Resolution 2 - On the Road Map

"Al-Awda 2003 Convention opposes the US sponsored Road Map, which aims
at suppressing the human and national rights of the Palestinian people. The
Convention expresses support for the struggle of the Palestinian people,
currently spearheaded by the Intifada, to achieve national resistance
goals including, but not limited to, ending Zionist colonization,
implementing
the right of return, and achieving self-determination.  Al-Awda Convention
does not recognize any self-proclaimed Palestinian leadership, elected or
appointed, in compromising any Palestinian national rights, especially
the right of return."


Resolution 3 - On the use of Israel/Palestine in Al-Awda Documents

"Al-Awda 2003 Convention demands the immediate termination of the use of
the term "Israel/Palestine", and any of its combinations, in all and any
Al-Awda related documents."

Resolution 4 - On Political Prisoners in Israeli & Palestinian Authority
Jails

"Al-Awda 2003 Convention demands the immediate release of all political
prisoners from all Israeli and Palestinian Authority jails."


RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL DAYS OF ACTION
===============================================
Recommendation 1 - National Days of Action

"Al-Awda 2003 Convention resolved that the following days are National &
International Days of Action in support of the Palestinian Right of
Return and against colonial occupations, where events and activities can be
conducted on local, regional, and national scale:

September 26-28, 2003:  Anniversary of the Second Intifada
April 9, 2004: Deir Yasin Massacre
May 15, 2004: 1948 Nakbah"

Recommendation 2 - Next Convention

"That next Al-Awda Convention will be held in one or two years, in the
San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States."


RECOMMENDATIONS BY CONVENTION WORKSHOPS

Fundraising and Refugee Support
- Continue Supporting the work of Palestinian Children Welfare Fund
(PCWF)
- Re-Activation of the Refugee Support Committee
- The use of the List Serve to meet these goals

Divestment & Boycott Campaigns
- Boycott until Return
- AFJ (More information will be provided later detailing this
recommendation)

Media
- Use of all media formats
- Focus on Alternative media
- Research Media

Women
- Forming Women for Al-Awda
- Focus on building women leadership
- Condemn oppression resulting from all factors

Advocacy
- Join Campaign against Caterpillars
- Train on Lobbying
- Push for Palestinian Rights in the next elections, especially with
Democrats.

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Macdonald Stainsby
http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/rad-green
http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/leninist-international
--
In the contradiction lies the hope.
                                     --Bertholt Brecht