(THIS ARTICLE IS MACHINE TRANSLATED by Google from Norwegian)
Friday marks Israel's independence from 15. May in 1948. For the Palestinians, that day was the start of a disaster – or nakba, which is the Arabic word for disaster. During the following year, nearly 750 Palestinians were expelled from their lands, and 000 Palestinian villages were evacuated.
Peace activist Rabea Arar emphasizes the importance of remembering this aspect of history. "Soon the Norwegian Prime Minister will send his congratulations to Israel in connection with the celebration of the state. We Palestinians also need to show this side of what happened. It is very important that we do not forget the consequences 1948 had for the Palestinians, "Arar told Ny Tid.
Together with Angel Robin Fox, he founded the Norwegian version of the One State Embassy global movement. The organization works for peaceful coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians, also from a global perspective. Through art and cultural exchange, they aim to create meeting places between Israelis and Palestinians. The Norwegian initiative came about after a random meeting after the MOT show, which was held at the Nordic Black Theater in January. Now, in collaboration with, among others, the Palestinian Committee, they invite to the event One State Act Café on 14. May.
"It is ironic that a stateless man is not allowed to enter Norway to participate in an event to build bridges and break down borders." Rabera Arar
"We saw the need for a platform where one can facilitate an open dialogue between people with different backgrounds, different points of view and different perceptions. "One State Act Café is a step on the way to such a platform," Angel Robin Fox told Ny Tid.
The event is subtitled "Art & Activism in Historic Palestine", and eleven artists and activists – including from Israel and Palestine – are invited to participate. Fox emphasizes the importance of standing together against injustice. "Activism and art are ways to cross boundaries, and in this way change reality. "No matter who we are and where we are in the world, we must fight against injustice and inequality in all its forms," Fox said.
Refusal. One of the planned features during the celebration was a lecture by the Palestinian peace activist Jaber Arar, who has been an active peace activist for over 40 years. Together with an Israeli psychiatrist, Arar was to talk about their years-long efforts against the Israeli occupation. But when Arar applied to the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) for a visa to visit the event, he was refused. The UDI justified the refusal with the danger that Jaber Arar would settle in Norway: "We note that the applicant comes from a country which, due to its political, social and economic situation, has a high degree of emigration. According to what we experience, there are many from Palestine who want to settle in other countries, "the UDI writes in the refusal. It further states: “The applicant states that he is married and has eight children. He also states that he has a job, but has not provided sufficient information regarding finances. We also note that the applicant has two children living in Norway. This makes us see it as very likely that the applicant, or someone in the applicant's family, wants to emigrate. After considering these matters, the UDI considers it unlikely that the applicant will return to his home country. " Jaber Arar is one of two Palestinians who were not granted a visa to attend the celebration.
"Activism and art are ways to cross boundaries, and thus change reality."
Angel Robin Fox
Responsibility. Rabera Arar, who is one of Jaber Arar's sons, is shocked by the rejection. "Norway has been very strict. My father received an official invitation to attend the event. He lives in Ramallah, and has both a wife and children at home, "says Arar. "He volunteers in many organizations, and he runs a business. He was going to Norway to talk about the fight for peace between Palestinians and Israelis. Not letting him come to Norway because they are afraid that he will stay here is strange, "he says. He adds that the nature of the event makes the refusal extra ironic: "It is ironic that a stateless man is not allowed to enter Norway when the event he is to attend is about building bridges and breaking down borders," Arar believes.
After the refusal, Jaber Arar does not want to apply for a visa to Norway again. "He has enough to hang his fingers on at home in Palestine. We wanted him here so he could share his experiences after many years of efforts for peace in the region. It is a pity that the Norwegian authorities do not allow this, "says Arar. He believes Norway has a special responsibility when it comes to Palestine. "Considering the conclusion of the Oslo Accords and Norway's role in the division of the Palestinian territories, I believe Norway plays a special role in Palestine. Norway has a special responsibility to show solidarity with, support and recognize Palestine as a state, "Arar concludes.
On 14 May, "Act Cafe – Art & Activism in historic Palestine" will be held at Cafeteateret in Oslo.
Eleven artists and activists participate in the event.
One of them is filmmaker Lia Tarachansky, who has made the documentary On the side of the road.
The event is a collaboration between the Joint Committee for Palestine, Wild Tracks, the Palestine Committee and the Nordic Black Theater.
