Director Vivienne Glance introduces the play
Dear friends of Palestine
What a magnificent triumph! A full house of 200 people, some $1400 collected at the door, an invigorating discussion, and a fabulous performance of the play itself.
Despite some technical glitches and the presence of a few dozen Zionist protesters outside the hall (outrageously, one Zionist blog is claiming there were 300 protesters!), our production of Seven Jewish Children: A Play for Gaza proved a resounding success. Indeed, at the risk of blowing our own trumpet, we feel the event marked a significant victory for the cause of free speech in our community. Needless to say, it also marked an important milestone in the development of a real and effective Palestine solidarity movement in Western Australia. Our ability to stage an event on such a scale augers well for the many challenges and difficulties we will face in the future, especially now the other side is sitting up and taking notice of our activities.
Our focus now shifts to the ongoing campaign against WesTrac Caterpillar; FOPWA’s intervention into the looming federal election campaign; our efforts to finally stage an open and fair debate with the Jewish Community Community; and of course, perhaps most importantly of all, educating and informing the wider public of Perth about the sufferings and privations of the Palestinian nation.
Thank you once again to everyone who had the courage to attend Saturday night’s event in the face of what can only be described as intimidation from the local Zionist lobby. And to those of you who either couldn’t make it or were turned away at the door, rest assured we will soon be making available DVD copies of the performance.
Fraternally
Alex Whisson
Convener
Friends of Palestine WA
www.fopwa.org
