Israel, The Golem and the Mark of Cain | FILM TALK

The evening will comprise a showing of Helena Aksentijevic’s film about Diana Neslen, "Israel, the Golem and the Mark of Cain". The film explores Diana Nelsons journey from Zionist youth, to actively campaigning against the apartheid state of Israel.

Following the film there will be a discussion between the Diana Neslen, and two other South African Activists against apartheid and the Israeli state, Shereen Panditand Bahir Laattoe. This will be moderated by Luca Salice, Chair of Westminster PSC. This will be open to questions and comments from the audience.

SPEAKERS

Diana Neslen - Panel

Diana Neslen was born in South Africa in 1939. The formative influences in her early life were her special needs sister, the Holocaust and Apartheid. These public and private influences instilled in her a passion for justice and equality which never wavered. She bought this passion to her activism, first against South African and the against Israeli apartheid. One of her proudest achievements is her role in the departure of the firm G4S from Israel. A retired social worker, Diana states that she rejects both white privilege in South Africa and Jewish privilege in Israel. Diana is co-chair of Redbridge PSC.

Dr. Shereen Pandit - Panel

Born in apartheid South Africa, Shereen became a Lawyer, Lecturer, political activist and trade unionist. Exiled in the UK she completed a PHD in Law, continued her activism and began writing. Much of Shereen's current political activity is centred on the Palestinian cause. She is a volunteer English teacher for young Palestinians and also for migrant workers. Her work has been widely published and been on stage and radio in the USA as well as being used as a resource in European schools.
Bahir Laattoe - Panel

Bahir was born in South Africa where he became an anti-apartheid activist. He was a teacher and Trade Unionist who worked in one of the unions which formed the COSATU Trade Union Federation. He was also a youth, sport and community organiser in the townships in Cape Town. He moved to Britain in 1986. He began active in the National Education Union as an International Solidarity Officer. He visited and volunteered in Palestine in 2019. He continues to be a pro-Palestine activist in the union and in his Trades Council.

Luca Salice - Moderator

Luca Salice is a translator and visiting lecturer at the University of Westminster. He has for many years been an activist with the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. He is currently Chair of Westminster Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

Helena Aksentijevic - Film maker

Helena Aksentijević is a filmmaker and photographer. “Israel, the Golem and the Mark of Cain" is one of a series of documentary films about people who support the Palestinian people’s right to a homeland, the right to return to their ancestral lands and live lives free from Occupation, oppression, apartheid and genocide.

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