Palestine - Faris Odeh
Profits from the sale of this skateboard will go directly to Skate Pal. This organization was created in 2013 by Charlie Davis and has since grown into a skateboarding group that supports youth and children skating in Palestine - https://www.skatepal.co.uk/our-story
Co-lo-ni-al-ism
/kəˈləʊnɪəlɪz(ə)m/
noun
“The policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically” (Source: The Oxford English Dictionary).
Colonialism is a skateboard company based out of Regina, Saskatchewan in Treaty 4 (1874) territory. Our primary objective is to educate the public on elements of the history and culture of Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Metis, and Inuit) in Canada through our love for skateboarding. For decades, efforts have been made to rewrite and even conceal the history of colonization in what we now call ‘Canada’. Indigenous peoples have all too often been depicted in a negative light, frequently labeled as ‘savages’ or ‘free loaders’ in the context of Canada’s historical development. Meanwhile, European settlers or colonizers have often been described as our nation’s great ‘pioneers,' and the nature of colonization in which they took part is less frequently (if at all) recognized and discussed. Similarly overlooked is the legacy of historical colonial policies and legislation - including the Indian Act, residential school system, reserve system, and the sixties scoop – and how they continue to affect various aspects of Indigenous people’s lives.
For the next graphic, Colonialism looks at the history surrounding the ongoing situation in Palestine, particularly in Gaza and the West Bank. The State of Israel was established in 1948 following the end of the British Mandate. which led to the displacement of Palestinians, an event Palestinians refer to as the Nakba meaning "catastrophe" in Arabic where ethnic cleansing of Palestine lands happened when an estimated 500,000 to 700,000 people were forced to leave their lands and homes.
The photo is a picture of Faris Odeh throwing rocks at an Israeli Defence Force armored tank. The backdrop is a painted image of the Palestinian Flag. Faris was a 15-year-old Palestinian child. He was shot by an IDF sniper and died of his injuries shortly after on August 9, 2001. Faris Odeh’s death has become a symbol of extreme suffering experienced by the Palestinian people living in Gaza, especially children. His story highlights the larger humanitarian crisis that is taking place in Gaza.
Hamas, an organization which was created in the late 1987, at the beginning of the first Palestinian intifada (uprising). They are designated as a terrorist group by the United States, the European Union, Canada, and Israel. On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a deadly attack on an Israeli music festival. This assault resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 and the taking of more than 200 hostages, who were subsequently transported into Gaza. In response, Israel initiated a military campaign against Hamas, conducting extensive airstrikes and ground operations in Gaza to counter the threat and address the hostage situation. This escalation has led to a significant and ongoing conflict between the two sides.
In December 2023, the South African government filed a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Israel of committing genocide against the Palestinian people. Several other nations have since joined South Africa in this legal action, including Mexico, Nicaragua, Spain, Belgium, Egypt, Libya, Ireland, Colombia, and Chile. This international coalition aims to address allegations of severe human rights violations and seek accountability through the ICJ.
In May 2024, the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights estimated that over 34,800 people had been killed in Gaza since the conflict began in October 2023. This number includes nearly 14,500 children (including a girl by the name of Hind Rajab who was 5 yrs old – research her name) and 9,500 women. The death toll is expected to rise further as investigations continue and the war concludes. Jeremy Stoner, Save the Children’s Regional Director for the Middle East, has described the situation as "Gaza has become a graveyard for children, with thousands of others missing, their fates unknown." Additionally, on July 17, 2024, Human Rights Watch reported that their investigations found that Hamas committed numerous war crimes and crimes against humanity against civilians during the October assault on southern Israel.
In addition to the documented crimes against humanity, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has announced that it has reasonable grounds to seek arrest warrants for several Hamas leaders. The ICC's investigation has also expanded to include high-ranking Israeli officials, specifically noting that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, the Israeli Minister of Defence, are believed to be responsible for crimes against humanity committed in the state of Palestine. This determination highlights the ICC's commitment to pursuing justice for severe human rights violations and underscores the gravity of the allegations against both Hamas and Israeli officials. The court's actions reflect ongoing efforts to address and hold accountable those implicated in these serious crimes against humanity.
On July 19, 2024, the International Court of Justice ruled that Israel has broken several serious international laws by occupying the Palestinian Territory. The Human Rights Watch Executive Director, Tirana Hassan said, “In a historic ruling the International Court of Justice has found multiple and serious international law violations by Israel towards Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including, for the first time, finding Israel responsible for apartheid." The ICJ also stated that Israel's settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international law. The court's judgment, requested by the United Nations, says these settlements violate rules that prevent an occupying power from moving its people into occupied land. The ruling calls on Israel to stop expanding its settlements, highlighting global criticism of this practice.
“First, it’s important if you care about Justice, it’s important if you care about truth if it’s important if you care about the emotional, spiritual, physical well-being of all people around the world, including Jewish people, so it’s not a question of taking sides, it’s a question of being concerned with the fate of humanity and Palestine right now … when someone is supporting Palestinian rights, one is supporting human rights for everybody around the world.” Dr. Gabor Maté is a holocaust survivor, a physician, author, speaker, and hero.
This Faris Odeh board graphic serves as a tribute to Odeh's legacy and educates people about the history and struggles associated with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Profits from the sale of this skateboard will go directly to Skate Pal. This organization was created in 2013 by Charlie Davis and has since grown into a skateboarding group that supports youth and children skating in Palestine - https://www.skatepal.co.uk/our-story
Resources
Dr. Gabor Mate, discusses how his past trauma has affected how he feels about the genocide in Gaza - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4x9Z2Tv-pc
https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/07/19/world-court-finds-israel-responsible-apartheid
https://abcnews.go.com/International/number-children-missing-separated-families-gaza-high-21000/story?id=111365036#:~:text=Nearly%2015%2C000%20other%20children%20in,fates%20unknown%2C%22%20Stoner%20said.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/world-court-israeli-presence-in-east-jerusalem-west-bank-is-illegal-and-must-end/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/un-rights-office-israeli-gaza-strikes-may-have-systematically-violated-laws-of-war/
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/gaza-death-toll-how-many-palestinians-has-israels-campaign-killed-2024-07-25/
https://www.deccanherald.com/world/remembering-faris-odeh-young-palestinian-boy-and-icon-of-resistance-on-his-23rd-death-anniversary-2762522
https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/07/1152651
https://www.icj-cij.org/case/192
******Top ply's are mixed colors *******