MEETING SUNDAY 26TH APRIL 1pm -4pm
Victoria Charity Centre
11 Belgrave Road, London SW1V 1RB
Dear Friend,
The theme of this coming October’s World Mental Health Day is Dignity. The right to self-respect and self-worth has always been targeted by the Occupation. There is no dignity in Israel’s systematic degrading of Palestinian life, nor is there dignity in the failure of all our mainstream parties to stand up for their democratic principles when it comes to Palestine/Israel.
Over the last two decades, while hopes and energies were diverted into fruitless negotiations that led nowhere, the Palestinians have gained nothing and lost much. Netanyahu’s re-election has confirmed what Palestinians have long been saying – that there is no prospect for change from within – leaving a particular onus on civil society to take up the challenge.
There is a strong possibility of renewed military assaults on the people of besieged Gaza. Netanyahu is promising further colonisation of East Jerusalem and the West Bank. Israel’s Palestinian citizens face continued discrimination and, in places, ethnic cleansing. The refugees of 1948 remain off the agenda. These oppressive realities all impact on the psychological well-being of the Palestinians.
In this difficult and dangerous environment, the UK-Palestine Mental Health Network is meeting on 26th April to consider how to progress its aims to
– work from a commitment to universal principles and civil rights for all,
– raise awareness of Palestine amongst the UK mental health community,
– ensure the voices of Palestinian colleagues are heard in Britain,
– and respond to the call of Palestinian civil society to boycott Israel.
At the meeting we shall
– report on our work so far,
– consider additional initiatives and actions aimed at engaging our professional networks, and
– reflect on the difficulties that arise when this issue is raised in public, and discuss how to counteract those framings and assertions intended to silence and exclude Palestinian realities.
We hope to see you there… please promote this meeting amongst your colleagues and friends!
To let us know that you intend to come: please reply to this email
Levy per person to cover costs: £10 on the door
Venue details can be found here: http://www.charity-services-centres.org/victoria-charity-centre (Nearest tube and BR stations: Victoria. Free parking available on Sundays.)
Any further questions, requests or suggestions, email us at ukpalmhn@gmail.com
Best wishes,
UK-Palestine Mental Health Network Steering Group
Teresa Bailey, Christine van Duuren, Martin Kemp, Mohammed Mukhaimar, Tahmina Nizam, Eliana Pinto, Cathy Troupp, Adrian Worrall