Our History
1990-2000: Cambridge Palestine Solidarity Group's Early Years
• In 1990, a Cambridge Palestine Solidarity Saturday stall was established in Market Square.
• Initial planning meetings involved Slim Piggott, Clare Hariri, Bill Hayton, Mike Reid, and Mui'Hadid as University Co-ordinator.
• The group worked closely with university students, academics, and Cambridge citizens.
• Cambridge became an official PSC branch in August 1991.
• In January 1991, the group became involved with the 6-week Cambridge Anti Gulf War Campaign.
• In 2000, Slim Piggott and his wife, Jane Tienne, reconstituted the stall after the Second Intifada.
• The campaign was reconstituted with the help of London PSC and city council permission.
• The campaign faced tumultuous early days, with Zionist sympathizers accusing the group of supporting terrorism and defending Israel's right to exist.
• Local members, including Mika, Jonathan, and Averil’s son, Martin Searle, went to Palestine as ISM volunteers.
• Public meetings were organized for these courageous young people to share their experiences.
2001-2016: Cambridge PSC's Public Events and Events
• Janet Walker joined the PSC in 2001 and organized public events with speakers from London, both Brits and Palestinians.
• In 2003, the PSC organized a "Festival of Films from Palestine" featuring Palestinian film producer Michel Kheleifi.
• The PSC aims to educate people about Palestine to counter the one-sided narrative presented by media and politicians.
• The PSC has hosted numerous events and speakers, including a 2-week exhibition of large photographs of human scenes at checkpoints in the West Bank in 2011.
• In 2013, the PSC hosted Norwegian physician Mads Gilbert, who had worked at Al Shifa hospital in Gaza during the first major bombardment by Israel, operation Cast Lead.
• Authors' book talks were featured, including Greg Philo from the Glasgow University Media group and Palestinian-American author Susan Abulhawa.
• In 2017, Thomas Suarez promoted his book 'State of Terror', which faced national attack and was forced to change the venue due to accusations of antisemitism.
2017- Present: Centenary of Balfour Declaration and Student Actions
• Robert Cohen, author and blogger, spoke on ‘The Lost Jewish Voices of Dissent Against Balfour’.
• High-profile action was taken against Professor Stephen Hawking's boycott of the Presidential Conference in Israel in 2013.
• Collaborative efforts with the British Committee for Universities in Palestine (BRICUP) and former Cambridge University students were used to corroborate Hawking's decision.
• Collaboration with the student body was based on mutual support, attendance, publicity, and sometimes financial input.
• Students organized events for Israeli Apartheid Week and supported physical actions like mock checkpoints at the Sidgwick site.
• In May 2024, Cambridge City council became the first in the country to call for an end to arms sales to Israel.
• Collaborative efforts with Uni PalSoc, Cambridge STW, local trade unions, and other local activists.
• Some members have been involved with the Boycott Israel Network (BIN), which promotes UK support for the Palestinian 2005 call for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions against Israel.
• The student encampment this year called on the university to divest from companies involved in supplying arms to the Gaza conflict, part of the broader BDS movement.
CPSC Solidarity
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