Airwaves & Liberty

In 1948, most Palestinians living in the newly declared state of Israel became refugees, and millions of Palestinians remain refugees around the world today. This May 15th will mark 60 years of dispossession - the 60-year anniversary of the “Nakba”, Arabic for “catastrophe.”

Pacifica radio will mark the occasion with a one-hour downloadable broadcast (which will be included in an 18 hour international broadcast — details below). In the hour, Coordinating Producer Ryme Katkhouda is bringing together Pacifica producers, as well as voices on the ground in Palestine and the surrounding region, to present a “Sankofa” - looking back so we can move forward.

Mixing speeches, interviews, songs and spoken word, the hour documents the history of the Nakba, survivor testimonies from Palestine and the diaspora, contemporary reconstruction and advancement projects in Palestine, looking at the Nakba in its regional context and reflecting on its impact which is shaping the current geo-politics of the region.

Look for the audio of the program in this space on May 15th.

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Part of a marathon international broadcast…

RADIO FREE PALESTINE:
18-hour international radio broadcast on 60-years of Palestinian dispossession

MONTREAL, FRIDAY, MAY 9th — Join the International Middle East Media Center in Bethlehem (Palestine), in collaboration with CKUT 90.3fm in Montreal (Quebec, Canada), CHRY 105.5fm in Toronto (Ontario, Canada), CKDU 88.1fm in Halifax (Nova Scotia, Canada), and KBOO 90.7fm in Portland (Oregon, USA) for a historic international radio reflection of the Palestinian Nakba or catastrophe, including contributions from Pacifica Radio and Democracy Now!

Next Thursday, May 15th, 2008, commemorates 60 years of the Palestinian Nakba. In 1948, eighty-five percent of Palestinians living in what is today the state of Israel became refugees. More than 500 Palestinian villages were depopulated and then destroyed to prevent the return of the displaced native population. 60-years later, there are upwards of 7 million Palestinian refugees dispersed throughout the world and Palestinians abroad are the world’s oldest and largest refugee population, making-up more than one fourth of all refugees. Israel continues to occupy and colonize Palestinian land through the construction of Jewish only settlements, the Wall in the West Bank, and the collective punishment of civilians in the Gaza Strip.

On Thursday, May 15th from from 12am until 6pm (EDT), “Radio Free Palestine” will broadcast on these and many other topics concerning the the ongoing Nakba of the Palestinian people. A complete schedule is available online at www.imemc.org or email news[at]ckut.ca.

For Interviews Contact:
– George S. Rishmawi, International Middle East Media Center in Bethlehem (Palestine Mobile: 0599-180-872 / USA number: 989-607-9480)
– Ryme Katkhouda, WPFW/WBAI/Pacifica Radio (202-538-1331)
– Gretchen King, CKUT Radio Montreal (514-448-4041 x6788)