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Norwich PSC

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Israel's war crimes in Gaza, take actions..Join the Palestine Solidarity Campaign....Lobby your MP....Sign the online petition....Come along to our events, actions and protests in Norwich...Boycott Israeli goods...Write to the media to report inaccuracies and bias....
 

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NPSC Archive (C Area)

PSC Sponsored Walk 3-5 August in South Wales

Please join us for a fun and interesting weekend on our sponsored walk 2012, in the beautiful South Wales countryside near Abergavenny.
The fundraising walk on 3-5 August this year is a fantastic opportunity for us to raise money for PSC – and we really need every sponsor possible! Thanks so much to branches who have already decided to send a representative to the walk. If you haven’t already done so, it’s not too late to find someone to register - or to pair up with another PSC branch.

For more information and to register please
contact the PSC office.

Rhosilli-Bay

boycott-israeli-dates_2012_f_500px

pal_bullet100,000 US Jews demand US veto Palestinian state

Published On Wednesday, September 28, 2011 08:39:16 amPalestine-kicks-off-UN-bid_large (http://yourjewishnews.com)

Representatives of American Jewry Tuesday handed Minister of Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Yuli Edelstein a petition signed by over 100,000 American Jews, calling on the U.S. to veto a Palestinian Authority (PA) request for UN recognition as a state.
Michael Miller, the Executive VP & CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, presented the petition to Edelstein and to the Head of the Department for Combating Anti-Semitism, Yaakov Goel.
'By refusing to recognize Israel as a Jewish state, [the PA leaders] continue to deny Israel's right to be the national home of the Jewish people," the petition states.

pal_bullet PSC Film: Gaza Flotilla Attack, The Truth, EXCLUSIVE: A Palestine Solidarity Campaign Film

pal_bullet John Lewis stops stocking Ahava products in Britain

pal_bullet Israeli activists call on BT to disconnect from the occupation

pal_bulletMerkel chides Netanyahu for failing to make 'a single step to advance peace', By Barak Ravid Merkil_Natinyahoo
Israeli Haaretz.com

Merkel chides Netanyahu for failing to make 'a single step to advance peace'
In a tense telephone call, PM tells German chancellor that he was disappointed by Germany's vote at UN, but assures her he intends to launch new peace plan soon; Merkel reportedly did not believe Netanyahu, saying he disappointed her. Read Full article.

pal_bulletStephen R. Shalom (Jewish writer): Why we need to divest from the US-backed Israeli Occupation

The Israeli occupation and its policy of building settlements and displacing the local population are unequivocally illegal and unjustified... The Israeli occupation has been a vicious one, in flagrant violation of international humanitarian law... The Israeli occupation has been the most long-standing occupation in the world... Our government, the US government, has made possible this sordid record of occupation and abuse. More.

pal_bullet The Veto and the Case for Impeaching President Obama by Alan Hart

February 21, 2011 "Information Clearing House" - Never before has an American President’s fear of offending the Zionist lobby and its stooges in Congress been so exposed as it was by Obama’s decision to veto the Security Council resolution condemning continued, illegal Israeli settlement activities on the occupied West Bank and demanding that Israel “immediately and completely cease” all such activities. In a different America – an informed America – some might think, I do, that Obama should be impeached. The charge? TREASON. Read more.

Gaza Flotilla Attack: The Truth
Wednesday 9th March 7:00 pm
Film & Speaker

gaza flotilla film2

First a short film with footage smuggled from the boat will show the moment of Israel's brutal attack resulting in 9 deaths and many injured. Then Alex Lort Phillips, who was aboard the Mavi Marmara, will give an eyewitness account of her experiences, followed by a Q&A session.
Room 01.02 Arts Block,
University of East Anglia, Norwich
Public Meeting All welcome
More info, please contact Frank 01493 664499

Organised by Norwich Stop the War Coalition

The Film : (30 minutes) produced by ReelNews is a must-see for everyone who wishes to understand what really happened when Israel attacked the aid ships on the high seas. Survivors tell their chilling stories, as a picture builds of the true horror that took place on the night of 31 May 2010.

The Speaker : Alex Lort Phillips was on the boat attacked by Israeli commandos in international waters.  Her boat was attacked by the Israeli military despite containing parliamentarians around 4am in the morning. A colleague reported seeing "small dinghies bristling with guns and the Israeli military speeding towards the ship. Helicopters then appeared, gas and sound bombs were used."
The UN says “a grave violation of human rights law and international humanitarian law”.
Since the attack a report was prepared by the international fact-finding mission set up by the Human Rights Council to investigate violations of international law, including international humanitarian and human rights law, resulting from the Israeli attacks on the flotilla of ships carrying humanitarian assistance. Inter alia it says humanitarian crisis existed in Gaza - the blockade is unlawful
The action of the Israeli Defense Force in intercepting the Mavi Marmara on the high seas….. was clearly
unlawful. The conduct of the Israeli military and other personnel towards the flotilla passengers … demonstrated levels of totally unnecessary and incredible violence. It betrayed an unacceptable level of brutality. It constituted a grave violation of human rights law and international humanitarian law. Come and see the film, hear and question the speaker and take part in the discussion.

M.Xmas palestine2

Norwich Amnesty

Pal_bullet THE BATTLE FOR JERUSALEM, Wednesday 21st April 2010, 8pm, Stanley Cooper Hall, First Floor, (stairlift available), Charing Cross Centre, 17-19 St. John Maddermarket, Norwich NR2 1DN

The Norwich Amnesty International Group invite you to an illustrated talk by ANN WRIGHT of the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel.
Ann has worked as a volunteer on two occasions, one based in Ramallah, and the other in Jerusalem. This will be her second talk to the group and will focus on evictions and the demolition of Palestinian homes. Her research work was recently used in the BBC Panorama programme.

Admission free, Parking at Duke Street Multistorey.
For details: David on 01508 538353 (info@norwichamnesty.org.uk)

 

BIG (BOYCOTT ISRAELI GOODS CAMPAIGN) Action

Pal_bulletThe next PSC central Norwich leafleting session will be on Saturday 19 December from 10:00 amflag-ani to 2:00 pm. please meet outside Tosco on guildhall hill and please let me know if you can help We need your help. Please make every effort to come (even if it's only for a short time) so that we can make our presence known in this busy pre-Christmas period.
Love & peace & a happy Christmas to you all

NPSC Chair, Keith Rowley

Pal_bullet Vigil on Saturday 26 September, the Forum, Norwich between 11:30 -13:30

Dear Members and Supporters,
 
There has not been a vigil at the Forum for Gaza/Palestine or Afghanistan for about a month and during all that time the situation has got no better and may well be worse.
There has been the much publicised visit of Netenyahu which achieved less than nothing and the report from the UN detailing war crimes by the Israeli armed forces and other reports highlighting the appalling plight of Gazans and Palestinians generally but no action to address these Vigil1whatsoever. Equally the case for ending the war on Afghanistan has never been stronger. Generally the public here is as ill-informed as ever owing to lamentable coverage in the media and and if nothing else the vigils serve the purpose of allowing local people access to facts and information they cannot otherwise obtain which is their right. In addition they are a positive way of demonstrating united solidarity and provide a regular and central meeting place for members of the main peace and activist groups involved.
 
NPSC is calling on all members and supporters to contact Shan barclay (Minutes secretary) on:
 or 07828278444 to confirm if they could be able to attend a vigil this Saturday  as usual in front of the Forum. Every person counts and your commitment, even if only for half an hour, can make all the difference. If you have not attended before or are a new member they provide an excellent opportunity to learn and engage with the public so please do not feel that you are disqualified in any way on that account, quite the contrary.
 
Shan barclay

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) Conference calls to support and promote
throughout the Trade Union and Labour Movement a campaign to boycott Israeli
goods. Please click here to download the motion agreed by FBU.

==========

Download Full Text of President Ahmadinejad’s Remarkspdf-file-logo-icon
at U.N. Conference on Racism, April 21, 2009
by Jeremy R. Hammond

palestinian-ribbon FUNDRAISING SUPPER FOR GAZA: congratulation to all supporters! £1040 has been raised last Saturday 23rd May!

Norwich PSC would like to send a big thank you to all sisters in the Muslim community in Norwich for their superb contributions (donating and cooking the food) and thanks to all who donated the money including the attendees and thanks to all who made that event happen. Thanks to the organisers and speakers and a special thank you to our sister organisation Norwich Stop the War Coalition for its support and contribution.

The Norwich Palestinian Solidarity Campaign and Stop the War Coalition Groups held A FUNDRAISING SUPPER FOR GAZA from 7 to 10:30 PM at the BELVEDERE COMMUNITY CENTRE in BELVOIR STREET (see map) in NORWICH last Saturday 23rd May 2009. Almost sixty people attended our fund-raising evening.

The event, organised jointly by the Norwich Palestine Solidarity Campaign and Stop the War Coalition, was a great success, and raised in excess of £1000 in support of the Palestinian people in Gaza. Keith Rowley, Chair of the Norwich PSC, said of the two groups working in unison that it proved a fine example of how to “build a community for other than ourselves ” and Frank Stone reiterated this: “When we do solidarity in Norwich we do it splendidly.

Guests sat down to enjoy a superlative buffet, generously provided by women from the local Muslim community, which was followed by speeches from Keith Rowley, Frank Stone (Chair of the Stop the War Coalition) and Betty Hunter, the General Secretary of national PSC. The evening was rounded off with a charity auction, ably overseen by Shan Barclay, which included a number of items from the Palestinian territories especially sent over for the event.

Betty Hunter praised the evening, thanking the sisters for the food and everyone for attending. Betty emphasised the importance of such support in the eyes of the Palestinians. “These things do get reported back and it helps them,” she stated.Betty_GazaSupper Calling justice for Palestinians “a banner cry for all of us ” Betty stated that the recent assault on Gaza had seen “a huge shift in consciousness here in Britain with people out on the streets all over this land from Falmouth to the Orkneys.” In the face of indifference by political leaders she urged that “ its up to us. Here in Norwich I think you’re an example.

Jake Huntley, Vice Chair, Norwich PSC

To download Frank Stones’ speech, please click here (PDF format). Please notice that the video file (of the event pictures) embedded in this page has a sound track so you might turn on your computer’s speakers if you want to listen to it.

Pal_bulletBoycott Israeli Products, Event in Norwich 30th MayBoycottIsrael_30.5.09a

As part of the continuos boycott Israeli Goods campaign, Norwich PSC carried out a peaceful demonstration last Saturday 30th May 09.

Israel has illegally taken half of Palestinian land in the West Bank. This land is the most productive and the crops grown are exported to Europe Do not buy Israeli or West Bank produce Do not support Apartheid Israel
Demonstrate this Saturday 30th May at Guildhall Hill Norwich outside Tesco. To find out more, please download the (Why Boycott Israel?) file located on the right hand pane of this page.

 

 

 

Pal_bulletBoycott Israeli Products event, Tesco Norwich-Guildhall Hill 25th April 2009

We had a successful leafletting demo and public awareness against Israeli Products sold inBoycott_Action_Tesco_25.4.09 Tesco, at Guildhall Hill in Norwich. We have tabards with the PSC logo for everyone to wear. We would like to take the opportunity and thank Sara or Peter who designed and made those tabards for activists and for organising this action.
We were very well received by the public and the bigger the number taking part the more the 'Boycott Israeli Products' movement will gather momentum.
We had many people who agreed and supported our action and we met other people who already stopped buying Israeli products.
The idea is to create a public awareness of the Apartheid system in Israel and the West Bank and Gaza and make a significant dent on Israeli exports to Europe.
If you have any query with regard to this event, please contact us. For information about why boycott Israel, please click here and do not miss reading the Guardian article that was written by an Israel Journalist under the title: Israeli exports hit by European boycotts after attacks on Gaza: A fifth of Israeli exporters report drop in demand as footage of Gaza attacks changes behaviour of consumers and investors.

Pal_bulletFinal thoughts from Palestine: “Until all are free none are free.” pcs
PSC (Public and Commercial Services Union) Delegation to Palestine returned on Saturday last. Mark Serwotka and Dave Watson of PCS wrote a daily blog on their trip to Palestine. Please click here to read

Pal_bulletSTUC – ‘Foreign Secretary out of step on trade union boycott of Israel’
24 June 2009

The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) today (Wednesday 24 June) rejected the Foreign Office’s “dismay” at trade union’s supporting boycotts of Israel, and suggested this is an indication that the UK Government is out of step with the views of workers on this matter.
The Foreign Secretary David Miliband MP yesterday stated that: “The Government is dismayed that motions calling for boycotts of Israel are being discussed at trade union congresses and conferences this summer”.scottish_trades_union_cong_
 
STUC Assistant Secretary Mary Senior said: “I am pleased that the UK Government is beginning to recognise the strength of feeling in the British trade union movement for the need for urgent action against the state of Israel for its continued violations of human rights of Palestinians. Rather than expressing his dismay to us, the Foreign Secretary should be expressing his outrage in the strongest terms to the Israeli Government for its attacks on the people of Gaza, for the growing Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory, and for the ongoing breaches of international human rights laws”.
 
Ends

For further information contact

Here is what the right wing Israeli Newspaper Jerusalem Post published on its website.

Pal_bulletMiliband remarks irk Scottish union

The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) on Wednesday rejected the British Foreign Office's "dismay" at trade unions which are supporting boycotts of Israel, saying in a statement that the UK government was "out of step" with the views of workers on the matter.miliband
British Foreign Secretary...

On Tuesday, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband released a statement saying he was "saddened" when people's wish to further "the goals of peace and justice" is "channelled into boycotting economic and academic events, as well as cultural events which seek to increase understanding between people. Such boycotts would, I believe, obstruct opportunities for co-operation and dialogue and serve only to polarize debate further."

On Wednesday, STUC Assistant Secretary Mary Senior said: "I am pleased that the UK Government is beginning to recognise the strength of feeling in the British trade union movement for the need for urgent action against the state of Israel for its continued violations of human rights of Palestinians. Rather than expressing his dismay to us, the Foreign Secretary should be expressing his outrage in the strongest terms to the Israeli Government for its attacks on the people of Gaza, for the growing Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory, and for the ongoing breaches of international human rights laws".

 

Pal_bulletPRESS RELEASE: Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights
 

Retailers risk prosecution for mislabelling produce from illegal Israeli settlements

Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) are illegal under International law, as confirmed by the huwarra2International Court of Justice in its Advisory Opinion of 9 July 2004 on the separation barrier in the West Bank. Produce of illegal Israeli settlements is imported and readily sold in UK supermarkets, such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Somerfield. That produce is regularly labelled misleadingly as originating in the ‘West Bank’.
Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights (LPHR) are concerned that importing such produce is wrong in principle; and where it is allowed into the EU, the mislabelling of this produce confuses and/or misleads consumers who, were they informed of its true origin, may not wish to buy such produce
.

Four firms of solicitors, Christian Khan, Hickman & Rose, Leigh Day and Public Interest Lawyers are seeking advice from expert counsel on a range of issues, including the question of the sale of these products. Kieron Beal of Matrix Chambers has advised that retailers may be at risk of prosecution under domestic law as a result of untruthful and/or misleading declarations of origin of produce coming from the OPT. Extracts from his advice are attached.
On the basis of that advice, LPHR made submissions to the Joint Committee on Human Rights, as a contribution to its inquiry into business and human rights. LPHR also made submissions to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs who are in the process of compiling Guidelines on the Labelling of goods from the OPT.
We call on the OFT, who, with the local weights and measures authorities, are responsible for the enforcement of the relevant measures, to take enforcement action against offending retailers and to consider seeking injunctive relief directly against certain retailers to prevent further or continuing violation of the relevant provisions of UK and Community law.
We are also concerned about the possible abuse of the preferential origin system by Israeli exporters, which may amount to outright fraud in some cases, and have asked Government officials to urgently consider referring the matter to the Anti-Fraud Office of the European Commission (‘OLAF’). LPHR’s view is that the relevant authorities should:
Commit to working towards a total ban on all settlement produce.
Failing (or pending) this we call for
(a) the full implementation of existing EU and UK law so that settlement goods are not imported tariff free into the EU; and

(b) A cessation of misleading labelling of goods from the settlements as from the ‘West Bank’. 
Clearly, retailers will more readily comply with the relevant legislation if pressurised to do so by the enforcement authorities and members of the public.

We have given a candidate MEP from each of the main parties the opportunity to outline their position on the status of these goods in the European Union in view of the forthcoming election on 4 June 2009 at a public meeting hosted by LPHR on 2 June 2009 at Garden Court Chambers from 6.30pm onwards. Kieron Beal of counsel will be one of the speakers.
Website: www.lphr.org.uk

Pal_bulletInvitation for International Voluntary Work Camp 2009
2nd -18th August 2009
Nablus-Palestine

Public Relations Department of An-Najah National University in Nablus, Palestine and its Zajel Youth Exchange Program internation vol workcordially invite you to participate in its International Voluntary Work Camp for the summer 2009. Please refer to this link and to read more about our project please click here.
 
The international summer work camp will bring international and local students from around the world and people who are interested in helping to create a better world and sharing ideas, visions and goals, visiting Palestine and sharing life with Palestinian students, their cultural and educational issues. Your participation in our international summer work camp will benefit both the local and international students who need such communication and sharing experiences.
 
Don’t hesitate to contact us for further details; the info paper and the application form.
Our email address is: youthexchange@najah.edu 
 
Yours Sincerely,
 
Alaa Abu Dheer
Zajel Youth Exchange Program
Website: http://youth.zajel.org <http://youth.zajel.org/>  
PR Department
An-Najah National University
Nablus-Palestine
Website: www.najah.edu http://www.najah.edu 
Phone: + 970 9 2345113

Pal_bulletEducation Under Siege: Challenges Facing the Universities of Palestine
Lecture by
Father Jamal Khader
The Cardinal Hume Professor of Theology and Religious Studies at Bethlehem University, Palestine
Thursday 25 June 6pm
St Mary’s University College
Room G7
For further info, please contact Dr Nur Masalha, St Mary’s University College, Waldegrave Road, Strawberry Hill, Twickenham, TW1 4SX.
For directions see http://www.smuc.ac.uk/contact/directions.htm
or Dr Duncan Macpherson at Living stones See Living Stones Website at http://www.livingstonesonline.org.uk/

Pal_bulletPSC Sponsored Walk 2009 in Dartmoor, Devon

In Postbridge, Dartmoor in Devon, Friday 3rd July to Sunday 5th July 2009
Join us for the annual PSC sponsored walk, this year again in a wonderful location: Dartmoor in Devon.
Please register with the PSC office now and start raising the funds for this years campaign for Palestinian rights. We have booked a youth Hostel exclusively for our group. A basic joining fee will cover accommodation, meals and other costs.
There will be a range of walks available for various abilities, and there will be a social event with music and BBQ on the Saturday night. As well as raising much needed funds, this is a chance to meet other PSC supporters over a fun weekend. Sign up now!

Email: psc.admin@palestinecampaign.org Tel: 02077006192

 

Pal_bulletPSC Weekly update: Friday 7th August 2009
This week’s update includes:

  • Downloadable presentations from the PSC National Conference
  • Check the label – Boycott Israeli Dates this Ramadhan
  • Shocking report on the Gaza devastation in numbers
  • UN demand for unfettered access to Gaza to rebuild schools
  • Demand the release of Human rights activist Ezra Nawi
  • Help Palestinians farmers pick olives
  • Buy your Eid cards from the PSC

Plus:
A selection of news and opinions including the evictions in East Jerusalem and Sheikh Jarrah; the need to talk to Hamas; demand to arrest South African lieutenant involved in the Gaza war; and how some Israelis living in settlements are oblivious to the suffering of the Palestinians. Click here to see the full update.

Pal_bulletThe Freedom Theatre exhibition in Norwich soonFreedomTheater2

Using the arts as a model for social change, The Freedom Theatre is developing the only professional venue for theatre and arts in the north of the Occupied Palestinian Territories. More..

 

 

Pal_bulletO ur members activities:jandb1
Evening News interview Debbie Payne and Ian Cavell Activists visit war-torn Palestine
“......Evening News had interviewed the four of us...we went to the West Bank last year as part of the Olive Harvest. The page has been removed from EDP website.

 

Pal_bulletNorfolk CAAT are pleased to announce the visit to Norwich on May 5th of their UKTI Armed & DangerousCAATLogo national campaign team. Entrance is free and open to the public. Keynote speaker is local peace activist, Marguerite Finn, co-writer of the EDP One World Column, broadcaster and editor of the WILPF Magazine.

It is taking place at the St. Peter Mancroft Church's Chantry Hall, Chantry Road, Norwich.

7.00 for 7.30pm prompt start. All are welcome.

Pal_bulletVigil: Saturday 18/04/09

Thanks to all who participated in the Vigil on Saturday 18/04/09. The vigil went peacefully and was fruitful and several new members joined or subscribed. We would like to take the opportunity to deeply thank our sister organisation Norwich Stop the War for their great effort, help and support.

Vigil_18.4.09

On March 28th 10 members carried out a very successful protest on Guildhall Hill, Norwichboycott-israel-sml adjacent to Tesco to encourage members of the public to boycott Israeli goods. We had much conversation with shoppers and were well received. Members wore 'PSC' tabards and made a good visual impact. We will try to carry out similar demonstrations monthly and the greater the support and numbers we have the more influence we will have on the public. Please try to support the next demo.

Peter Norton
NPSC 

billie_Cycler Billie Waymouth: raised £132.50 to Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) through her great contribution in Norwich Peace Cycle. Well done Billie!

A letter for MAP:

Dear billie waymouth,

Thank you for your kind donation of £132.50 to Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP).
Because you gave Gift Aid consent, Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) can reclaim an additional £37.37 to add to your donation. If you are a higher rate tax payer you can also reclaim £33.13. Please keep a copy of this confirmation for your tax records.
We have sent you an email confirming receipt of your donation. Please quote these numbers if you have any questions about your donation.

 

Please note that in addition UNISON have agreed in their July executive meeting a £50 donation too, Billie will send Unison the address.

Pal_bulletDear Friends,
 
I think it will be a good idea for Norwich PSC to have a stall at the Burston Strike School Day on Sunday 6 September from 11:00am to about 3:00pm. We will have to provide the table and it will cost around £10. As I will be attending in my capacity as Branch Secretary of Norwich GMB and marching with the Branch Banner at the start of proceedings, we will need a couple of volunteers to share responsibilities on the stall until I am free to help. Are there any volunteers? I will be driving there as I will have a lot of stuff to take, but, if you are trade unionists, Norwich & District TUC will be running a free bus. Let me know ASAP if you can help or would like to make use of the bus.
 
Keith Rowley (NPSC Chair)

haaretzCom_2Israeli Haaretz.com : TAU professors denounce Dershowitz for speech against left
Academics hit back after U.S. commentator slams university staff for backing boycotts against Israel.
By Or Kashti
Senior faculty members at Tel Aviv University have come out against remarks by Harvard Law School professor Alan Dershowitz on Saturday in which he condemned Israeli university faculty who criticize Israel and have even supported an academic boycott of the country. Read the full article.

haaretzCom_2Israeli Haaretz newspaper: High school bans Israeli-Palestinian dialogue group due to parents' pressure
Students report that the principal has said the school aims to raise the rate of students who serve in the Israel Defense Forces and that inviting the Israeli-Palestinian organization could damage this. Read the full article.

Pal_bulletLetter from Stuart Littlewood EDP_thumbnailToo little heard on Middle East policy , a letter by Stuart Littlewood (published on EDP), view the letter (image).

 

Pal_bulletAnother Ethnic Cleansing! Israeli Haaretz: IDF order will enable mass deportation from West Bank
By Amira Hass

A new military order aimed at preventing infiltration will come into force this week, enabling the haaretzCom_2deportation of tens of thousands of Palestinians from the West Bank, or their indictment on charges carrying prison terms of up to seven years. Click here to read the full article.

bob marshal andrewPal_bulletLabour Briefing (April/May 2010). Please click her to read Bob Marshall-Andrews on his fact-finding visit to Gaza in the latest issue of Labour Briefing.
 

Pal_bulletPalestinian film festival announcementfilmfestv
12 April 2010

Medical Aid for Palestinians is pleased to announce the UK premiere of Fatenah, at the London Palestine Film Festival. Click here to read more.

Pal_bulletThe BBC admits its reporting error, BRICUP Newsletter 27 April 2010. Read the News Release.

Pal_bulletThe Decline of Israel and the Prospects for Peace
jonathan-cook2
In a wide ranging interview journalist Jonathan Cook describes the increasingly repressive nature of Israeli society and the prospects for a solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
What did you make of Ehud Barak’s recent comparison of Israel to South Africa? Read more...

Pal_bulletEU: West Bank goods aren't Israeli
By The Associated Press (posted by Israeli Newspaper Haaretz)haaretzCom

In a ruling touching on the status of the West Bank, the European Union high court said Thursday the disputed area is not part of Israel and Israeli goods made there are subject to EU import duties. More....

Pal_bulletBBC, EU: Goods made at Jewish settlements are not Israeli bbc_logo2

The European Court of Justice has ruled that Israeli goods made in Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank cannot be considered Israeli. More...

Pal_bulletLord Patten becomes new MAP Presidentchris_patten2
Lord Patten of Barnes will be taking over from Baroness Helena Kennedy as MAP's President in March. Lord Patten is a well-known and respected figure, whose experience, particularly working with the EU, will be invaluable. More...

Pal_bullet Palestinian farmers denied visas by the UK government for fairtrade fortnight. Please sign this petition to tell the FCO allow these farmers to attend fairtrade fortnight.

These farmers, whose olive oil is the only one in the world to carry the Fairtrade mark, have been invited by a UK social enterprise, Zaytoun, and were to be accompanied by a leading British NGO.
The shocking refusal to allow those producers from newly certified Fairtrade Cooperatives into the UK to attend events across England, Wales and Scotland, comes exactly one year after this:
Gordon Brown said he was "delighted" by the launch, marking the start of Fairtrade Fortnight, the annual campaign urging people to buy goods with the internationally recognised mark designed to ensure producers from poorer countries get a fair price and long-term security.
Brown said: "Olive oil production provides an essential part of the West Bank economy. In buying this oil, British shoppers will be helping the farmers of Palestine to make a living."

Pal_bulletamnesty_international_candle_small Gaza: Blockade 'Suffocating' daily life - Amnesty new report Posted: 18 January 2010. Call for lifting of blockade one year on from end of Operation ‘Cast Lead’
One year on from the end of Israel’s military offensive in Gaza Amnesty has called on Israel to lift its suffocating blockade of Gaza, as the organisation released a new briefing on the plight of Palestinians living under the blockade. Please click here to read it and click here to download Suffocating The Gaza Strip under Israeli blockade file. The website has also a link to a “Take Action” page.

Pal_bulletrupert read2From Norwich: eyewitness Gaza By Rupert Read, posted on 30 January 2010. The Israeli siege of Gaza began in 2005 when Israel withdrew its illegal settlers, and tightened in 2006 when Hamas won 74 of the 132 seats in the Palestinian Assembly, leading to collective punishment of the people of Gaza by Israel. The siege severely restricts the entry of food, fuel, medical supplies and other necessities through all the legitimate border -crossing-points into Gaza. Reed the article.

Pal_bulletLegal Action to enforce Human Rights Conditions in EU-Israel Association Agreement. Clare Short MP and the European Campaign to End the Siege of Gaza have launched a legal action to require the European Union to uphold the human rights conditions entrenched in the EU-Israel Association Agreement. Read more

Pal_bulletOnce again: Veolia is forming a strategic partnership with the Israeli Dan
bus company, Veolia still intertwined with Israel's occupation. Read more 

Pal_bulletIsraeli couple loses court battle to rent house to Arab friends

Three years ago an Israeli Jewish couple, Natalie and Weisman Zakai, offered to rent their home to their Israeli Bedouin friends Ahmed and Khalas Tarabin. The Tarabins could not afford to buy a new house. They were living with relatives because their house had burnt down in early 2007, killing one of their children.
Ever since the rental offer became known to their neighbours, the Zakais’ lives have become a living hell. Three of their six dogs have been mysteriously poisoned. Their car has been spray painted with the words "Arab lover" and the windows smashed. Their three children are regularly taunted and bullied by other pupils at school. A collection of vintage cars in the family’s yard has been set on fire. The Zakais have spent three years and thousands of dollars battling through the courts in their community of Nevatim (Negev desert) to get the right to rent their house to the Tarabins. It has all been in vain.
Jews and Arabs have few chances to live together in Israel, except in a handful of cities. It is nearly impossible to do so in Israel’s rural communities, which are strictly segregated, according to Alaa Mahajneh, a lawyer representing the Zakais.
In 2008 a district court judge in Beersheva overruled a decision by the community of Nevatim to prevent the rental to the Tarabins. However, on March 10, 2010 judges on Israel’s Supreme Court upheld Nevatim’s right to discriminate.
Mr Tarabin, 54, said: "I want my wife Khalas to rest and heal and this place would have been perfect for her. The house has large grounds and we could have kept to ourselves. No one in Nevatim needs to have anything to do with us if they don’t want."
Having come to the end of her fight for justice, Mrs Zakai stated, "Although I have always loved Israel, to see the depth of the racism of our neighbours has made me question why we live in this country."

Adapted from the article "Israel's ‘No Renting to Arabs’ Policy", written by Jonathan Cook and published on line by "Counterpunch."

 

Pal_bulletDefence for Children International - Palestine Section

Defence for Children International-Palestine Section (DCI-Palestine) is a national section of the international non -governmental child rights organisation and movement, Defence for Children International (DCI), established in 1979.

Please visit their website to read their new Detention Bulletin which we will be released each month. The bulletin is intended to provide a comprehensive picture of the detention issues facing Palestinian children in Israeli facilities for the previous month. The bulletin for January is divided into the following categories:

Avindav Begin, who is also the son of the current Likud Knesset member Benny Begin, refuses to stand during the Israeli national anthem "Hatikva" and participates in protests against the Apartheid Wall. He does not see himself as a Jew or a Zionist and Avindav Begin2believes that his grandfather did not make real peace with Egypt. He also is not worried about being the target of rotten eggs after his inflammatory interview with Israeli newspaper Yediot Aharonot.

The newspaper said in a lengthy report: "(Avindav) Begin examines the psychological roots of the Jewish-Arab conflict in his new book 'End the Conflict,' which was published recently in both Hebrew and Arabic. He suggests a radical solution to spare all religious, national and ideological sectors, encouraging everyone to live together as human beings. Despite being brought up in a very nationalistic family, and perhaps for this reason, he did not agree with the theories of his father and grandfather.

The newspaper asked him:

Do you raise Israel's flag on its independence day?
I do not raise any flag, either the flag of Israel or the flag of Palestine.
Do you stand when they sing "Hatikva"?
No, because it makes no sense in my view.
Why do you live in Israel, then?
My family, sisters and brothers and friends are here.
How do you feel about the 700 people who were killed in the 1982 war that was initiated by Israel and led by your grandfather?
There were actually 30,000 Lebanese and Palestinians killed, mostly unarmed people who cannot be compared with Israeli soldiers because the people did not fight at all. I think that there is no need for any war, including the War of Nov. 6, 1973.
Do you think that the conflict will continue?
I protest in Bil'in (in the West Bank) because I reside here, not in Kosovo, it is one hour from my house. I want to remove the wall and bring Arnit back to farm his field. (After reading an advertisement on the Internet, Begin joined a protest four years ago near the Apartheid Wall in Bil'in and established a close relationship with Wajeyh Arnit, a father of 10 children and a contractor who worked in Israel. His son Rani was paralyzed by a bullet fired by Israeli troops.)

Pal_bulletJoin the annual Palestinian olive harvest! Palestinian Grassroots Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign

The Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign and its popular committees are coordinating collective efforts to safeguard the annual olive harvest and are calling on volunteers to stand in solidarity with Palestinian communities and join in the harvest, which will begin 15 October 2009. Find out more.

Pal_bulletMobilize for the seventh Week Against the Apartheid Wall.

The Palestinian Grassroots Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign, its popular committees and member organizations call on activists to launch a week of global mobilization against the walls of apartheid in the West Bank and Gaza from November 9 to 16 2009. Find out more.

Pal_bulletClick here to download the Report of the United Nations Fact-finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict (in PDF format).

The report was released by United Nations, General Assembly, Human Rights in Palestine and AND Other Occupied Arab Territories. It was published by HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL (25 September 2009)-Twelfth session
Agenda item 7.

Pal_bulletPalestinians protest land seizure, watch the video on Aljazeera or YouTube

Hundreds of Palestinian villagers have made a short but symbolic march to the separation wall that Israel has built on their land, a non-violent protests that they regularly undertake.

Pal_bulletAljazeera: Film festival courts controversy
By Ahmed Habib

Moviegoers who were hoping for world class cinema at this week's Toronto International Film MortensenFestival (TIFF) may find themselves at the centre of a growing controversy steeped in international politics.

Read the full article on Aljazeera.

Pal_bulletJohn Mearsheimer (University of Chicago) and Steve Walt (Harvard) published the controversial article 'The Israel Lobby and US foreign policy'. In it they state that it is not, or no longer, expedient for the US to support and protect present-day Israel. The documentary sheds light on both parties involved in the discussion: those who wish to maintain the strong tie between the US and Israel, and those who were critical of it and not infrequently became 'victims' of the lobby. More.
 

Pal_bulletFree Mohammad Othman Now!

On September 22, Mohammad Othman was arrested by soldiers on the Allenby Bridge Crossing, the border muhammad bds smallfrom Jordan to Palestine. He is now being held in Huwara prison as a prisoner of conscience, arrested solely for his human rights work. Mohammad, 33 years old, has dedicated the last ten years of his life to the defense of Palestinian human rights. He has campaigned with the Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign against the dispossession of Palestinian farmers and against the involvement of Israeli and international business in the violations of Palestinian human rights.

We call on international solidarity and human rights organizations to act immediately to bring attention to this case and advocate for the release of Mohammad Othman by:

Pal_bulletRecommended Actions:

Click here to follow the blog and facebook to free Mohammad Othman to see the latest updates and action alerts Blog.

• Encourage others to join this campaign through petitions, demonstrations and / or letter writing / phone calling. Please provide them with contact information and details;

• Urge your representatives at consular offices in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem/ Ramallah to demand the immediate release of Mohammad Othman. (For your consular contacts, please click here

A sample letter in English and French can be found on the blog under 'take action'

• Let the Israeli Embassy in your country know that you are campaigning for Mohammad’s release and for a just and lasting peace based on international law

Sign the online petition for Mohammad

• Bring the case of Mohammad to the attention of local and national media outlets;

Please visit the blog for more info and updates!

 

 

 

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