By Umamah Bakharia

The annual Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW) has kicked off. This is an annual global campaign to raise awareness about the oppressive Israeli system of apartheid.

IAW in Africa starts today and ends on 6 April, with a global online rally this Saturday.

Speaking to Radio Islam, the Palestine Solidarity Alliance (PSA) Youth League’s Noor Ahmad says this year’s theme is ‘art against apartheid’.

The theme aims to showcase the role of art and culture in resistance and to highlight the way it has been used in decolonisation efforts.

“The aim of Israeli apartheid week is to essentially ensure continued solidarity for Palestinians globally,” says Ahmad.

PSA’s first event for the IAW will be at the women’s jail in Constitutional Hill, focusing on political prisoners and detainees.

“The event aims to highlight the stories of political detainees in South Africa and those in Palestine, both under an apartheid system,” says Ahmad.

This will be one of many events by the PSA for the Israeli Apartheid Week.