A Palestinian Strings Quartet In Town

Date: 8 Oct - 8 Oct 2014
Location: Amnesty International UK, Human Rights Action Centre
17 - 25 New Inn Yard
London
EC2A 3EA
Time: 18:30 - 22:00
Price: Free
Contact: Kristyan Benedict
Tickets: Book Online

A performance by the Galilee String Quartet followed by Q&A with the Sa'ad family and reception

With:

Omar Sa'ad (viola)

Mostafa Sa'ad (violin)

Ghandi Sa'ad (violin)

Tibah Sa'ad (cello)

and their father Zaheralden Sa'ad

Doors open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start.

The event is free. Please ensure you book to reserve your tickets.

Amnesty are delighted to be able to present the Galilee Quartet, in concert and conversation. The performance of Arabic music will be followed by a Q&A session with Omar.

Viola player Omar Sa'ad previously performed with Nigel Kennedy at the Royal Albert Hall at the Proms 2013.

More recently the Druze teenager, who is a citizen of Israel, gained international support as a conscientious objector after refusing to serve in the Israeli Army.

'I will not be fuel to your wars.'

His case was highlighted by Amnesty and his open letter to Prime Minister Netanyahu went viral, declaring 'I will not be the fuel to the fire of your war.' Omar was finally released from military prison in June 2014 after refusing the draft seven times.

Omar, his two violinist brothers and their cellist sister make up the Galilee Quartet - a classical string quartet from the Galilee village of Maghar. But while Omar has just been released from prison, his brother Mostafa will soon be called up to the draft and he will go to military prison as a conscientious objector.

The quartet will be playing at the Human Rights Action Centre in support of the right to reject military service on grounds of conscientious objection - this right is protected under international human rights law, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which Israel has ratified.

Find out more about Omar's case.