The unique model of apartheid, colonisation and military occupation that Israel imposes on the Palestinians, along with myriad violations of international law, have made Palestine the moral cause of a generation. Yet many people continue to ask, ‘what can we do?’
Generation Palestine helps to answer this question by bringing together Palestinian and international activists in the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. The movement aims to pressure Israel until it complies with International Law, mirroring the model that was successfully utilised against South African apartheid.
With essays written by a wide selection of contributors, Generation Palestine follows the BDS movement’s model of inclusivity and collaboration. Contributors include Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Ken Loach, Iain Banks, Ronnie Kasrils, Professor Richard Falk, Ilan Pappe, Omar Barghouti, Ramzy Baroud and Archbishop Attallah Hannah, alongside other internationally acclaimed artists, writers, academics and grassroots activists.
The BDS movement is the most enlightened, imaginative, moral, fearless and dynamic blow for freedom I have known for many years. I believe it will be a vital factor in the liberation of Palestine. The inspiring voices in this book will help achieve that goal. (John Pilger)
Reading this book, talking about it and acting upon its ideas is a further political act against an injustice that has lasted a lifetime. (John Berger, author of Ways of Seeing)
Generation Palestine is essential reading for all who believe in changing this world for the better. Never again should we ask 'What can we do?' Rich Wiles' excellent book, and the BDS movement, provide us with the answers. (Stephane Hessel is a diplomat, writer, concentration camp survivor, former French resistance fighter, and editor of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.)
The failure – or stubborn refusal – of Western leaders to take action against a rogue State that flaunts its disregard for international law and contempt for the human rights with impunity can be only overcome by a comprehensive and popular international campaign of BDS on the part of civil society. This is the theme of the present study. (John Dugard, Professor of International Law, Leiden University, former UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories)
