Introduction to the Opening Session of The Halifax Teach-In On Palestine Shunpiking Online Vo.6 No.3

Welcome to the Opening Session of The Halifax Teach-In On Palestine.

Our Teach-In aims to continue and build on the work of the Halifax Symposiums on Palestine organized in 2003 and 2004 and other important work carried on by the Canadian people since 1948.

On the wall of this auditorium, for example, you will see a glorious poster from 1975 created by the progressive forces of this country to popularize the national liberation struggle of Palestine amongst the people of Canada. This was before many of us were born.

This Teach-In is organized as one response to the barbaric attack on Gaza by the Israeli military settler state which was launched on December 27, 2008 as a component part of the suppression of the sovereign rights of the Palestine people. The defence of their steadfast resistance is a main theme of the presentations which have been prepared for your discussion.

Although a one week ceasefire has been declared by both sides on the eve of the inauguration of a new US president, and people's concern may abate somewhat, this burning issue facing humanity, dating back to 1948 and before, will not disappear. History demonstrates that Israel always uses such ceasefires to replenish its forces, to disinform and prepare renewed aggression. This was the case in 1948. This was the case in 2006.

Throughout the world, mass actions are continuing today, January 24th. A teach-in itself is a form of action. Our aim is to provide much-needed context, information and education for the public about the war - the analysis much needed to guide action. Is a moral response sufficient or do we also have to assess how to organize politically? The issue is political, by its very nature. Is the question "out there" or is our field of struggle right here, against the anti-national annexation by the U.S. empire, against a war government? We are striving to create a space where perspectives valuable for the society and global humanity can be openly discussed. We address the society. Our aim is to expand the space for the right to be, the right denied the people of Palestine by the force of arms, in our own country.

We aim to draw the appropriate conclusions about what we consider major war crimes against humanity and the peace and the criminal collusion of the Harper government, a war government, in violation of international law.

Canada's brazen defence of Israeli war crimes is a crime against humanity and a crime against the peace.

There is now a global demand that the leaders of the Zionist regime should be tried as war criminals. However, its most consistent supporters, as the Harper and Martin government has shown themselves to be, must also be held accountable for state terrorism and war crimes against the Palestinian people. Canadians condemn them.

The Canadian government boasts about its provision of humanitarian aid. This "aid" has strings, the strings of the regime change project of the US empire. Canada has no right to decide the government of Palestine and pick and choose its leaders.

So we can also deliberate on what practical and material assistance we can provide Palestine, in a selfless manner, on the basis of true people-to-people friendship.

The Ad-Hoc Committee to Defend Palestine came together to condemn the attacks on Gaza and support the sovereign rights of the Palestinian nation. We invite you to join in!

In the program you will find the detailed schedule for today, and an initial outline for next Saturday, January 31st. If interest demands, we will be convene a third session on the following Saturday.

Following each major presentation, a period for discussion follows.

Our working languages are English and Arabic.

We encourage questions as well as knowledgeable interventions which elaborate on the presentation and contribute to the discussion.

The democratic norms of discussion include:

* No-one may intervene or speak twice until everyone else has had the opportunity to speak.

* No attacks on individuals or organizations will be allowed, nor will name-calling.

The Committee to Defend Palestine unanimously elected Dr Ismail Zayid honourary chair of the Halifax Teach-In On Palestine in recognition of a lifetime of continuous defence of the just cause of the Palestinian people and opposition to Zionist aggression.

Please welcome Dr Zayid.