March 4, 2009, Occupied Palestinian Territories: Civil society groups in the West Bank and around the world are taking part in the the fifth international Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW) from March 2-8.

The theme of this year’s IAW is “Standing United with the People of Gaza” – in the wake of the Israeli military attacks on the people of Gaza earlier this year. Apartheid week will build upon the widespread protests witnessed during the military operation and seek practicable ways to hold Israel accountable.

The week will feature lectures, film screenings, art and photography exhibits, cultural events and demonstrations aiming at analyzing apartheid and gathering support for the growing international movement for Boycotts, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) until Israel complies with international law.

As part of IAW, the Alternative Information Center (AIC), a joint Israeli-Palestinian organization and partner of The Advocacy Project, held a discussion with Hazem Jamjoum Tuesday evening. Mr Jamjoum was part of the group at the University of Toronto that initiated IAW in 2005.

Now working with the Badil Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights in Bethlehem, Mr Jamjoum discussed the significance of IAW and the analysis of the Israeli regime as one committing the internationally-defined crime of apartheid.

Since its launch in Toronto in 2005, IAW has grown to become an important event both in the Palestinian Territories and worldwide. Last year, more than 25 cities participated in the week’s activities, and 40 are scheduled to take part in 2009.