PRESS STATEMENT
Celebrating the hero, Muhammad Ali (1942-2016)

04 June 2016

The human rights and Palestine solidarity organisation BDS South Africa joins the peace-loving peoples of the world in mourning the loss and celebrating the life of boxing legend and activist, Muhammad Ali.

Ali is an inspiration for those us fighting for justice - be it in the struggle against racial injustice, economic exploitation or Israeli Apartheid.

According to news reports, in 1974 already, the former boxing champion told a press conference in Beirut, that “the United States is the stronghold of Zionism and imperialism.” On a later visit to two Palestinian refugee camps Muhammad Ali is quoted as saying: “I declare support for the Palestinian struggle to liberate their homeland."

In 1985 the heavyweight boxer travelled to Israel in an attempt to secure the release of Lebanese and Palestinian prisoners held by the Israeli regime.

Ali’s determination and commitment to civil rights, anti-imperialism and social justice motivated many of our people (and our international allies) in the anti-apartheid movement. Today Ali inspires many Palestinian solidarity activists in the struggle and boycott of Israeli Apartheid.

Muhammad Ali - our champ, the peoples champ, the champ.

Hamba Kahle, Comrade Muhammad Ali. Lala ngoxolo.

ISSUED BY KWARA KEKANA ON BEHALF OF BDS SOUTH AFRICA

Israel boycott: British academic turns down prestigious award & cash prize for 'political' reasons
http://news360.com/article/352581983

Israel boycott: British academic turns down prestigious award & cash prize for ‘political’ reasons

Published time: 26 May, 2016 14:28

A British academic has turned down a prestigious Israeli award and £225,000 ($300,000) in prize money for “political” reasons, in what appears to be the latest attempt by Western activists to boycott the Jewish state.
Catherine Hall, a history professor at University College London (UCL) was due to receive a third of The Dan David Foundation £690,000 ($1 million) prize for her work’s “impact on social history, as a pioneer in gender history, race, and slavery.”

Hall, however, declined to attend the award ceremony in Tel Aviv on Sunday, saying her rejection of the prize was “an independent political choice” after engaging in “many discussions” over the Israel-Palestine conflict, AP reports.

Professor Catherine Hall © ucl.ac.uk
Her stance appears to be inspired by the international Boycott, Divestments and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which several prominent British academics have joined since 2005.

In a statement to the British Committee for the Universities of Palestine, a pro-BDS group, Hall announced she withdrew from the prize “after many discussions with those who are deeply involved with the politics of Israel-Palestine, but with differing views as to how best to act.”

The foundation said Hall initially accepted the prize enthusiastically when she was selected in February, and only later asked to withdraw her name without giving a reason.

It said it would donate Hall’s prize winnings to support Israeli and international history scholars.

Previous prize recipients include former US vice president Al Gore, former British prime minister Tony Blair, cellist Yo-Yo Ma and filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen.

BDS supporters say the movement uses non-violent means to end Israel’s occupation of the West Bank, but the Israeli government says the movement’s true goals are to destroy the country and has anti-Semitic undertones.

From the 69th World Health Assembly, Geneva (23-28 May 2016)

From Committee B Agenda 25 May 2016:
Health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan

Secretariat Report
http://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA69/A69_44-en.pdf

Director General Report
http://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA69/A69_44Add1-en.pdf

Occupied Syrian Golan
http://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA69/A69_INF4-en.pdf

Occupied Palestine Territory
http://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA69/A69_INF5-en.pdf

MOH Palestine Report
http://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA69/A69_INF6-en.pdf

Based on these reports, a draft decision proposed by the delegation of Kuwait on behalf of the Arab group and Palestine was voted upon

Total countries eligible to vote: 182

Yes:
108 (including Malaysia)

No:
8 (including Australia, Canada, Israel, USA)

Abstain: 8

Absent: 58

As per last year, we will be opening our scholarship application for Palestinian starting this Monday 4 April 2016.

Please find below the Scholarship timeline for the 2016 Khazanah Asia Scholarship selection:

Attached is the application form for students to apply in Malaysia. There are 2 forms, one for undergraduates and another for postgraduates.

2016 Khazanah Asia Scholarship - Application form PG and PDPA Notice Form

2016 Khazanah Asia Scholarship - Application form UG and PDPA Notice Form

Students can also download the form starting 5 April 2016 at our website. They can go to www.yayasankhazanah.com.my , under the Scholarship Programme, go to Khazanah Asia Scholarship Programme and under the Palestine information there is a link for them to download the application form. The completed form can be sent direct to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or through the partners.

Best regards,

Dianna

Yayasan Khazanah