Goldsmiths-Palestine Twinning Campaign

In 2006 at a General Students’ Meeting, Goldsmiths students voted overwhelming to twin with Al Quds Open University (QOU), an institution which helps Palestinians gain degree qualifications under extreme circumstances where the right to education is infringed by the illegal Israeli occupation.

On a number of occasions this twinning was brought to vote again at general meetings which culminated in the biggest general meeting in the Student Unions’ recent history in the spring of 2008. A massive turnout of students voted on whether to extend the twinning programme to an Israeli University as well. The motion was defeated.

In May 2008 Goldsmiths Students’ Union officially hosted a delegation of a staff member and student from Al Quds Open University. Events that week included a welcome party with poetry, music and a presentation by the delegation. They also met the Warden, the staff UCU union and the week culminated in a massive march for Palestine in central London.

Goals
The twinning campaign has set as its goals the following:

1) To offer two scholarships a year for Al Quds Open University
2) To campaign against the illegal occupation of Palestine
3) To create dialogue and discussion, as well as productive links, with Al Quds Open University; including receiving and sending regular delegations, organising video link conferences, exchanging information, and giving QOU students and staff a voice within the college
4) To give a platform and voice to Palestinians to share their side of the conflict
5) To work with all Israeli organisations and individuals who campaign against the illegal occupation

We are sending a delegation of students to Palestine in April (12th-19th), open to anyone, to visit QOU campuses, other universities, to see the occupation first hand, and to show solidarity to the people of Palestine face to face.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Al Quds Open University?
QOU is the only Palestinian university (and there are not many) to not be formally twinned with a British organization. The institution is a particularly inspiring one as it gives many Palestinians the opportunity to gain a university qualification in the most difficult of circumstances. For many Palestinians, simply attending a university campus in not an option due to the occupation. Many university campuses are regularly closed down by Israeli soldiers as well.

What practical things does the Twinning Campaign do for QOU?
Last year our big practical step was hosting the delegation from QOU. This included us organising meetings for them with the Warden of Goldsmiths, a formal meeting with the University of London, a meeting with the staff union (UCU), and organising meetings for them to raise awareness of their struggle and what QOU actually does in Palestine. We asked them what was the best thing we could do for QOU, with the money we raise, with the campaigning etc. They answered every time: send people to Palestine. They explained until people see the brutality of the occupation first hand, we will never truly understand what it is like.

I want to join the delegation to Palestine in April, what should I do?
The first thing you should do is contact James on  hs701jh@gold.ac.uk to get further details and make sure you are free from 12th-19th April!

Why do you not twin with an Israeli University as well?
Goldsmiths Students’ Union has a proud history of fighting against military wars and occupations across the globe, and Palestine is no exception. We are all for peace in Palestine, however not at the expense of basic Palestinian rights, such as the right to education, self-governance, and freedom from foreign occupation. It is Palestine that is occupied illegally, not Israel, so twinning with a Palestinian university is both a symbolic and practical way of showing solidarity against the occupation.

If there is an Israeli University or Students’ Union that has a clear policy against the occupation, then rather than twin with it ourselves, we would help foster a direct twinning between them and QOU. This is the most practical way of creating dialogue; for what purpose would there be in us twinning with both a Palestinian and Israeli University when they should twin with each other!

Isn’t the Palestine Twinning Campaign alienating Jewish students?
Not all Jewish people support the illegal occupation of Palestine. In fact huge numbers do not, and Goldsmiths is no exception. Throughout the campaign we have had many Jewish students play a crucial role in the campaign. We have held meetings with Jewish speakers on Palestine, and made it very clear that Zionism and Judaism are two completely separate things: the former is political, the latter is religious.

Just as we campaign against the British invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan without alienating all British students, so we campaign against the Israeli occupation without alienating all Israeli students or Jewish students.

We do hold our hands up in saying that we may well alienate those students who support the Israeli occupation of Palestine. However you could also say we alienate racists in our anti-racist campaigns, sexists in our anti-sexism campaigns etc.

DJ Snuff, Lowkey & Logic [NWO] headline alongside Jon McClure from the very excellent Mongrel project [which also includes members of the Arctic Monkeys and Baby Shambles among its luminaries]. This set brings together potent lyrical content, acoustic performance, and explicit Hip Hop aimed to educate and elevate as much as it is to entertain..  http://www.myspace.com/newworldorder3000  http://www.myspace.com/wearemongrel

Keeping the Hip Hop coming in hardcore we have the uncompromising vocal stylings of Manage & Kingpin, who have alongside DJ Snuff & NWO hosted and nurtured the infamous Speakers Corner & Peoples Army events in Brixton and End Of the Weak internationally, also touring with artist such as Immortal Technique, Jedi Mind Tricks & Saigon these London based Hip Hop artist have created an extensive live rep for tearing down shows from Ireland to New York.  http://www.myspace.com/manage  http://www.myspace.com/kingpinmc  http://www.myspace.com/endoftheweakuk

Faith SFX needs no introduction.. Worldwide Beat Box Heavyweight Champion who has shared stages with everyone from KRS ONE to Wiley & Chipmunk.... Founder of Hip Hop Kool DJ Herc says: 'Faith SFX is the best thing coming out of the UK at the moment'. It is believed that with many years to come, Faith will be taking the art form further into un-chartered territory. .. This dude really is incredible..  http://www.myspace.com/faithsfxbeatbox

United Vibrations bring in the Brass Led Afro Rhythm Funk.. Booming ferocious chops and unadulterated energy from the Drums, winding grooves from the bass heavy Bass, and a battle of the Horns to complete the Funk. Leaders of the 12 Tone, UV boasts the youngest and freshest rhythm section around featuring Drummer Yussef Dayes [who at only 16 has already been sharing tips with none other than the great Billy Cobham], and brother Kareem Dayes on bass who is also making waves as a member of the critically acclaimed Speakers Corner Quartet. Music that holds you up and makes you dance.  http://www.myspace.com/unitedvibrations

Within their first week as a band, Sound Of Rum [Featuring the poetic genius of Excentral Tempest] with just one rehearsal and barely three songs between them, Sound of Rum had played their first four gigs. By the end of that summer, they had performed at Glastonbury, Big Chill, Secret Garden Party, Solfest, and Electric Picnic. Now six months in, they have written and recorded their debut album Balance.. Check them here live..  http://www.myspace.com/soundofrumband

Keeping in line with the consciousness we bring you live from the Rebel Muzik collective the combined voices of Mohammed Yahya, Masikah & Poetic Pilgrimage.. ...Mozambican Rapper Mohammed Yahya has among other things worked with Dead Prez, Sean Price, Released an LP as one half of UK Hip Hop group Blind Alphabtez & runs a monthly outspoken lyricist event in Ladbroke Grove called Rebel Muzik.. Joined on stage by Triple Darkness prodigy & EOW luminary, Masikah. Who has just released his debut LP "Iconoclast" .. Completing the line up we have the host of Rebel Muzik in Ladbroke Grove, Poetic Pilgrimage. Two ladies with an outstanding track record for quality conscious Hip Hop.. Each of these artist are extremely vocal on the subject matter of the Isreal / Palestine conflict both in protest and in solution..  http://www.myspace.com/mohammedyahya  http://www.myspace.com/masikah  http://www.myspace.com/poeticpilgrimage

Visuals keeping the stage esthetics deep and conscious come supplied by the newly launched social commentary magazine R.H.A.S Journal ..  http://www.myspace.com/rhasjournal

Line Up [at a glance]:
New World Order [Lowkey & Logic]
Jon McClure [Reverend and the Makers / Mongrel]
Manage, Kingpin & DJ Snuff [End Of The Weak / Hip Hop]
Faith SFX [Beat Box Champion], United Vibrations [Live Afro Funk]
Sound Of Rum - Feat. Excentral Tempest [Poetic Genius & Live Breaks]
Mohammed Yahya [Mozambican Rapper / Blind Alphabetz / Rebel Muzik]
Masikah [End Of the Weak / Triple Darkness] / Poetic Pilgrimage [Rebel Muzik]
Visuals supplied by R.H.A.S Journal [Rhythm Has A Struggle]

Hosted by GCSU Palestine Twining Campaign
[in association with Speakers Corner and End Of the Weak]

Venue: Goldsmiths Student Union [open to non-students]
8.30pm-2am // £7 entrance, £5 students/Concessions
£4 b4 10pm