Fundraiser to buy computers for Bilin Girls School in the West Bank. Surplus, if any will go towards Scottish Palestinian Solidarity Campaign (Dundee) Funds

Compered by, Frankie Duffy

8pm Tuesday 25th October

The Doghouse

Ward Road, Dundee

Tickets: £7.00 (Over 18s only)

Facebook event for gig

See today’s Courier article

This is a watered down motion. The original motion called for a total boycott. However the Council’s legal officers, non-elected officers, blocked this by insisting that it is never legal to Boycott anybody. This despite the wording of the motion being very similar to those already ready deemed as legal by the officers of West Dunbartonshire and Stirling councils. SPSC Dundee believes that Council policy should not be dictated by, or debate silenced by non-elected officers who supposedly hold no political affiliations. We hope to resubmit the original motion at a later date.

In the mean time we still believe that it is important to get the new motion passed. We know that there is some cross party support for the motion but if we are going to be successful we need to let all councillors know how strongly the people of Dundee feel about the current situation in Palestine.

Below is a way for those of you to email all of your councillors in four easy steps and ask them to support Councillor Macpherson’s motion. If you contact them through this site they are obliged to reply. This Action is also open to students as they are also your representatives simply use your term time address. You can cut and past the message at the bottom of this page or compose your own.

We would also encourage as many of you that can to call your councillors or visit them in their surgeries. Details of surgeries can be found here

Visits are must effective if you can go in groups of two’s or three’s. If you receive any positive responses could you please forward them to us so that we can gauge how much support the motion has.

———————————–
How To Email Your Councillors

Type in your Dundee postcode and press enter.

The page will show you a list of all your councillors. Click on Write to all your Councillors at the top of this list.

Enter your details, your own message or cut and paste ours, sign and send.

Model message

On Monday the 13th of June a motion calling on the City Council to add its voice to the growing international condemnation of the Israeli Government’s continued disregard of UN resolutions and its continued failure to comply with the requirements of the Geneva Conventions will be submitted before chambers.

Israel can no longer be allowed to hide behind a shield of normality whilst committing war crimes against the Palestinian people and cementing its unlawful occupation of the region through the continued construction of its illegal colonies.

I hope that on the evening of the 13th you vote in support of the motion thus sending a further message of support to the beleaguered people of Palestine from the people of Dundee.

————————————————————
Councillor Macpherson is already coming under attack on the Courier’s web site for his brave stance, a tried and tested Zionist ploy. So we also invite you to visit the site, and praise him for his actions.

********PEACE*******BOYCOTT ISRAEL*********FREE PALESTINE**********

Scottish Palestine solidarity Campaign: Dundee Group

I am writing to you because your support is very valuable. The next flotilla to Gaza is going during the spring and, although we still have a considerable amount to raise, thanks to the promise of a couple of significant donations we believe that it will be possible for a ship to go from Scotland to join in this siege breaking attempt. However, in order for this to happen we will need the help and support.

I would like to invite you to support this campaign; we will need help not only to raise public awareness of the ship and reasons behind the flotilla but also to raise the substantial amount needed in order to make this a success. I want a ship which will not only be able to carry urgently needed supplies to the beleaguered Palestinian population of Gaza but will also take representatives from a cross section of the Scottish community in order to deliver these essential supplies.

There are many ways you can contribute; all you have to do is choose what you want to do.
Please do what you can today. Even if it is a small contribution, it will make a difference in a life in Gaza.

If your want to be involved visit us on Scotland to Gaza, and support the Facebook Page.

Be proud of yourself, and be part of this humanitarian effort!

I hope to hear from you soon

Yours sincerely,

Ali El-Awaisi,

Scottish Ship to Gaza Management Committee

in association with Action Palestine and Dundee Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign

Understanding Palestine
11.00am – 5.00pm, Baxter Suite, Room 1.36, University Tower Building, Dundee

Tickets £8 or £5 (student or unwaged) on the door, £6 or £4 if pay in advance (price includes lunch)

To book a place please buy tickets from Dundee Student Union Reception or send a cheque made out to
Dundee Coalition for Justice not War, to Sarah Glynn, 5B Castle Terrace, Broughty Ferry, DD5 2EG

a chance to learn about the background to the current situation with:
GILBERT ACHCAR – Professor at SOAS in London and author, most recently, of The Arabs and the Holocaust: The ArabIsraeli War of Narratives on the geopolitical background

ROLAND RANCE from Jews Against Zionism on the history and development of Zionism

MUHAMMAD IDREES AHMAD editor of the webzine PULSE on the role of propaganda

all welcome – no prior knowledge required taysideforjusticeinpalestine@gmail.com

11-03-13 day school poster

There is an event set up on Facebook for it too.

This will be in the City Square from 11-3, with main speeches between 1 and 2.

This will also be our official launch of fundraising for a Scottish ship to take part in a flotilla to break the ongoing blockade. Please try and come and show your support.

Two days of activity in Dundee this week.

Friday, 21st, Pat’s art installation outside the Mosque in Brown Street, 12.30 – 2.30 p.m.
Also, Saturday, 11.00 – 3.00 p.m. “Gaza Commemoration – Gaza 2 Years on” and the launch of the Flotilla Fund. To Pat’s installation of shoes and coffins representing the 357 children killed by the Israeli Defence Force, he has added all the names of the children who perished.

At the Saturday event at 1.00 p.m. individuals who represent the broad support in Dundee for the Palestinian people have been invited to speak, including trade unionists, religious groups, Palestinian Student Groups, local politicians and anti-war activists, etc. Also there will be an open microphone session. Please try to come along and show your support.

FROM FIFE SPSC:

Meeting Friends’ Meeting House 2 howard Place St Andrews 6.30 Thursday January 20th All welcome

Thursday’s meeting should be a good one and we have a very full programme.

We have three guest speakers – Sofiah Macleod has recently returned from an SPSC delegation trip to Bethlehem over Christmas and will tell us of her experiences – with pictures.

Rafiq and Rami – two students from Nablus – are coming to the end of their stay in Dundee as part of the twinning arrangement between the two cities. They will tell us about their experiences in Scotland and their visit to one of the committees of the Parliament, as well as their experiences of studying at home. They will be happy to take questions.

Members of Fife Arab Society will also attend – and will bring along refreshments! Anybody else who would like to bring along some food to share will receive many accolades!

There will also, obviously, be an update on forthcoming events and how we can all be involved.

Look forward to seeing as many of you as possible on Thursday

After we drove them from their prime position in the Overgate Centre to a stall hidden away beneath the stairs the company underwent a serious fall in profits.

This victory follows hot on the heels of Global successes against Israeli cosmetics companies that plunder the occupied territories for profit.

Earlier this month The Bay, a major Canadian department store, discontinued sales of Ahava products after a campaign by Canadian human rights activists.

This was closely followed by an announcement from the John Lewis group that it is now refusing to stock the same toxic brand.

John Lewis’ Managing Director, Andy Street, wrote to the Palestine Solidarity Campaign in a letter dated 7 January: ‘As a socially responsible retailer, John Lewis takes very seriously the treatment of workers and their working conditions. We expect all our suppliers not only to obey the law, but also to respect the rights, interests and well-being of their employees, their communities and the environment.’ He ended by stating: ‘In relation to your specific enquiry about Ahava Dead Sea products, I can confirm that John Lewis has ceased stocking these particular products’.

SPSC Dundee would like to offer a big thank you to all of you who joined our pickets and submitted complaints to the Overgate.

This latest victory sends out the clear message that Dundee will not tolerate any company in the city that profits from or supports the racist, apartheid policies of the Israeli state.

**********PEACE**********BOYCOTT ISRAEL*********FREE PALESTINE********

Scottish Palestine solidarity Campaign: Dundee Group
Web site: www.scottishpsc.org.uk

Edinbugh demo

Follow link on photo to see whole album

Meanwhile, the flag is now flying on the old Debenham’s building at the corner of Nethergate and Whitehall Street, and other people have said they will also fly a flag. We will look at getting car stickers made too.

Mike has posted a video of our flag raising on youtube:

SATURDAY 5TH JUNE 2PM EDINBURGH FOOT OF THE MOUND.

BUSES LEAVE FROM DUNDEE WARD ROAD AT HOWFF 11.30AM. (£5 OR DONATION)

COME ALONG AND ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO JOIN NATIONAL PROTEST TO BREAK THE SIEGE.

DEMAND THAT THE STATE OF ISRAEL IS HELD TO ACCOUNT FOR ITS CRIMES.

Saturday 5 June, 2pm

Assemble Foot of the Mound,
Princes Street, Edinburgh

More details to follow

Yesterdays demonstration in Dundee.

Please write to MPs, MSP it will take you a few minutes to put pressure on government to make a strong stance on Israeli which attacked the Aid convoy in international waters, one of the participants is from Dundee, together with 13 Pallets full of medical, building and educational materials worth £30,000 raised by Dundonians.

Dundee West Jim McGovern MP mcgovernj@parliament.uk

Dundee East Stewart Hosie MP hosies@parliament.uk

please write, the more people write the more pressure on them and in turn on government, see you soon

Thursday 7pm G3 University Tower Building: planning meeting

3 Palestinian Farmers Denied Visas By The UK Government For 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 wil be helping the farmers of Palestine to make a living.

Please Sign This Petition To Tell The FCO To Allow These Farmers To Attend Fairtrade Fortnight.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/fairtradefarmersfrompalestine/

Will discuss Remembering Gaza events plus future activities of group.

At least 200 people attended the meeting which was fantastic, thanks to all who cam along.

View the full details here:

https://www.palestinecampaign.org/Index7b.asp?m_id=1&l1_id=2&l2_id=14&Content_ID=1080

The motion was passed at the 2009 TUC Annual Congress in Liverpool today (17 September), by unions representing 6.5 million workers across the UK .

Hugh Lanning, chair of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, said: ‘This motion is the culmination of a wave of motions passed at union conferences this year, following outrage at Israel’s brutal war on Gaza, and reflects the massive growth in support for Palestinian rights. We will be working with the TUC to develop a mass campaign to boycott Israeli goods, especially agricultural products that have been produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the Palestinian West Bank.’

The motion additionally called for the TUC General Council to put pressure on the British government to end all arms trading with Israel and support moves to suspend the EU-Israel trade agreement. Unions are also encouraged to disinvest from companies which profit from Israel ’s illegal 42-year occupation of Gaza and the West Bank .

The motion was tabled by the Fire Brigades Union. The biggest unions in the UK , including Unite, the public sector union, and UNISON, which represents health service workers, voted in favour of the motion.

The motion also condemned the Israeli trade union Histadrut’s statement supporting Israel ’s war on Gaza , which killed 1,450 Palestinians in three weeks, and called for a review of the TUC’s relationship with Histadrut.

Britain’s trade unions join those of South Africa and Ireland in voting to use a mass boycott campaign as a tool to bring Israel into line with international law, and pressure it to comply with UN resolutions that encourage justice and equality for the Palestinian people..

DVA, Constitution Road, 7.30 p.m. (note change from 7.15 p.m.).

Monthly stall, Sat 5th, outside Marks&Spencers, 11.00 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Please try to attend.

On trial for ‘racially aggravated conduct’ are five Scots who responded to the Palestinian appeal for boycott of Israel. We protested a visit by the Israeli state-sponsored Jerusalem Quartet to the 2008 Edinburgh International Festival. Next appearance in Edinburgh Sherriff Court is on Thursday October 1st, when our lawyers will argue to dismiss the case against us .

The Scottish legal authorities will attempt to prove that shouting ‘End the siege of Gaza’, and ‘Boycott Israel’ equals ‘racism’. We five will argue that boycott of Israel is a duty while that State violates every canon of international law.

This is a political show-trial, encouraged by the stated positions of the British Government, and is aimed at intimidating Palestine supporters. We shall certainly not be intimdated: last year we saw off some Zionist rascals from SCoJeC (Scottish Council of Jewish Communities) who were unwise enough to claim in print that Scottish PSC is anti-Semitic. They then had to pulp 6,000 copies of a book, Scotland’s Jews, in open admission that the claim was without foundation and libellous.

We will show in our defence/attack that

• we are bound to oppose grave Israeli crimes and British Government complicity in those crimes, including political, diplomatic, economic and military support for Israeli Governments
• the nearest domestic political equivalent in Britain to the factions in the Isaeli Government is the neo-Nazi British National Party (BNP)
• Israel is an apartheid state as defined in international law
• the Palestinian-inspired BDS campaign is a duty for consistent supporters of human rights, i.e. those who repudiate a racist attitude
• that Palestinians, Iraqis, Afghans and others have a lesser entitlement than others
• the Jerusalem Quartet are indeed, as we claim, institutionally linked to the Israeli Army and its State, and thus to be boycotted by human rights supporters

Expert witnesses – Palestinians, Israelis and others – will show that the growing support for the Palestinian BDS appeal is justified by

• the history of ethnic cleansing carried out by the Zionist movement and its State from 1948 to the present
• the conscious determination of the Israeli State to continue with further criminal acts of ethnic cleansing
• the failure of the British Government to honour its international legal obligations to opppose Israeli apartheid, specifically the illegal Wall and settlement building

Witnesses who have agreed to give expert evidence or personal testimonies for the defence include:

Leila Khaled, Palestinian refugee and resistance fighter, Member of Palestinian National Council
Dr. Ghada Karmi, Palestinian writer and academic
Omar Barghouti PACBI (Palestinian Academic and Cultural Boycott)
Dr. Hisham Genayem, Palestinian refugee and surgeon
Dr. Moshe Machover, Israeli academic and anti-Zionist political activist
Dr. Michael Kearney, University of York (t.b.c)
Dr. Keith Hammond, University of Glasgow
Yael Kahn, Israeli human rights activist
Marion Woolfson, Hon. President of Scottish PSC
Liz Elkind, ex-President of the STUC, moved successful report and recommendation for BDS at STUC 2009 Perth Conference
Tony Greenstein, (JBIG) Jews for Boycotting Israeli Goods
Rt. Hon. Peter Hain MP, veteran anti-apartheid campaigner in the 70′s, Chair of Stop All Racist Tours (awaiting reply)
Members of the public who witnessed the protest during the performance
BBC sound technicians who recorded the entire event (awaiting reply)

We are asking supporters to

• send letters of support to campaign@scottishpsc.org.uk
• invite one of the accused to speak and explain the background and aims of the campaign to your trade union, political party branch, mosque, church or campaign group
• turn up outside, and inside, the Court on October 1st and later sessions
• make a donation to the campaign (Judge Horseburgh criticised the Legal Aid board severely for refusal to provide legal aid to one of the accused.)
• boycott everything Israeli, except those Israelis supporting Palestinian human and national rights
• join the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign to help us build this campaign

Assemble 8.15 p.m. march off 8.30 p.m.

Speakers: John McAllion (confirmed) others yet to confirm.

Bring candles, hand lights, banners, etc.

Also, to commemorate the bombing of Nagasaki, please join Erik Cramb on Sunday, 9th August, at 11.01 a.m. at top of Law.

The Israeli Military recognises no limits to its criminal behaviour. Having imprisoned, massacred, and starved the people of Gaza, they have now kidnapped a group of people sailing with a small cargo of olive trees, medicine and children’s toys to Gaza. The small vessel was in international waters. This kind of piracy is routine for the Israeli Military dealing with Palestinian fishing boats. The Israeli Military threatened repeatedly to fire on the crew of the Spirit of Humanity, resorting to kidnap when the tiny vessel refused to turn back.

Part of a statement released today by the organisers of the relief mission reads:

According to an International Committee of the Red Cross report released yesterday, the Palestinians living in Gaza are “trapped in despair.” Thousands of Gazans whose homes were destroyed earlier during Israel’s December/January massacre are still without shelter despite pledges of almost $4.5 billion in aid, because Israel refuses to allow cement and other building material into the Gaza Strip.

The report also notes that hospitals are struggling to meet the needs of their patients due to Israel’s disruption of medical supplies.

More info: Hilary Smith tel: 07818 040 982

What you can do:

Immediately email / call your MP to demand they

• Add their own voice, publicly and loudly, to Gerald Kaufmann’s protest in the House of Commons tomorrow (one of his constituents is among those kidnapped by Israel).
• Make a public statement unreservedly condemning this example of Israel’s criminality and demand the crew’s immediate and unconditional release
• Support the boycott campaign against this nuclear-armed rogue state
• don’t buy anything Israeli and urge your friends and family to do likewise
• find out what contracts your Council or workplace has with Israeli companies (Eden Springs, Veolia) and get them cancelled. SPSC can help here campaign@scottishpsc.org.uk
• join your local active Palestine solidarity group and make a difference

Yestersay we went to Sabastia, a village 15min outside Nablus , yes, and it only took us 15 minutes to get there because the Beit Iba check point on the way there has been recently dismantled (is this Obama’s wand?) .

What a fantastic place! this village is in the middle of ruins of all ages: Roman, Byzantine, Crusaders and Ottoman, there are large Roman columnade areas still standing and a Church where St John the Baptist was beheaded (not sure by whom) his body is also buried in Sabastia and another church was built on top of him which then became a Mosque.

The village has 3,000 inhabitant and a 50% unemployment rate. Ali, the mayor, welcomed us, he is desperate to have some contact with the outside world and to have his village twinned (any taker?)

Sabastia is divided in two areas, an Area B (mixed Palestinian and Israeli control) and an area C (Full Israeli control, as per the Oslo agreements) wich means that all the ruins and the Roman amphitheatre which lie in area C cannot be renovated and developed, those in area B have been cleaned up and archaeologically dug with outside funding. they even opened a guest house in the middle of the ruins, it is worth while a visit. Unfortunately visitors have almost disappeared since the Intifadas. Now that i have seen the place and met the lovely people of Sebastia I will be willing to organise a Nablus and surround tour for whoever is interested.

We then drove back to Nablus and climbed (by car) to the top of Mount Jerizim to visit the smallest sect in the world: The Samaritans. 750 people in all, of which 350 live in Nablus, the rest live in Holon within Israel. These people have never left Nablus and have been here for 3,400 years. This is a Jewish sect who believes in One God, One prophet Moses, One Holy place Mt Jerizim (not Jerusalem) it is on Mount Jerizim, they say, that Abraham scarified his son Isaac and the stone is still there.

The Israelis have put a check point on the way to the community, thus isolating them from Nablus. We walked through, our passports being kept hostage by the soldiers, and were greeted by Jacques Cohen, one of their elders. I was expecting robes and turbans, but people dress normal and like all Palestinians. Special attire are kept for the Shabbat which is strictly observed and the 2 main feasts: Passover and Sukkot The village resembled any Palestinian village. 350 people live here and they intermarry. Recently they had to accept outsider wives as long as they become strict Samaritans.

The Samaritan of Nablus speak Arabic and ancient Hebrew for the prayers, this is very close to Arabic and modern Hebrew and was the root of these two Semitic languages. The children go to school and University in Nablus. Recently the younger people have set up an organisation called The Samaritan Legend . Its aim is to explain to the people of Nablus and the world what the Samaritans really are. They wish to become a bridge between Israel and Palestine.

We visited their historical museum which has their genealogical tree from Adam to today, astronomical charts, old pictures and maps, costumes etc…They also have the oldest Torah in the world written on animal skin.

Today we went to an Najah Universiy new campus to the school of fine Arts for the opening of a graphic exhibition organised by Project Hope. A Project Hope volunteer taught a dozen students how to draw comics strips and caricatures. we were well impressed with the result, each student drew a story from their personal experience. We hope Project Hope will put them all in a book that we could buy. Mike and me were very pleasantly surprise to see there a young women exhibitor called Sawsam which FONSA had supported in the past.

we then spent the evening with little Ala’a family which some of you know, Mum, dad and 4 sisters …great food, the best Tabbouleh ever. and we danced dabkeh in their front room joined by their neighbours.

Tomorrow we are off to Jenin to visit the Palestinian Fair Trade Association and our good friend Maysoon who came to Dundee Women Festival 3 years ago.

Bonne Nuit

Dear friends:

Every so often someone comes along who is so brave and so inspiring that you just can’t sit by and remain silent when you learn they need your help.

We’re writing to you today about one of these rare people.

His name is Ezra Nawi.

You’ve probably never heard of him, but because you may know our names, now you will know his name.

Ezra Nawi is one of Israel’s most courageous human rights activists and without your help, he will likely go to jail in less than 30 days.

His crime? He tried to stop a military bulldozer from destroying the homes of Palestinian Bedouins in the South Hebron region. These homes and the families who live in them have been under Israeli occupation for 42 years. They still live without electricity, running water and other basic services. They are continuously harassed by Jewish settlers and the military.

Nawi’s friends have launched a campaign to generate tens of thousands of letters to Israeli embassies all over the world before he is due to be sentenced in July. They’ve asked for your help.

His name is Ezra Nawi

We keep saying his name because we believe that the more people know him and know his name, the harder it will be for the Israeli military to send him quietly to jail.

And Ezra Nawi is anything but quiet.

He is a Jewish Israeli of Iraqi descent who speaks fluent Arabic.

He is a gay man in his fifties and a plumber by trade.

He has dedicated his life to helping those who are trampled on. He has stood by Jewish single mothers who pitched tents in front of the Knesset while struggling for a living wage, and by Palestinians threatened with expulsion from their homes.

He is loved by those with little power, to whom he dedicates his life, and hated by the Jewish settlers, military and police.

Now that you know Ezra, you have a chance to stand up for him, and for everything that he represents. Especially now, as Israel escalates its crackdown on human rights and pro-democracy activists.

He needs you. His friends need you. Those he helps every day need you. So please send a letter to the Consulate, to the media, to your family and friends.

Take just a moment to write your letter. Do it now. And then share his name with a friend. Do it for Ezra Nawi.

Noam Chomsky, Naomi Klein, and Neve Gordon

Nablus and its surrounding villages are suffering from the Israeli military occupation. One way to support the people there is to help them use their land productively by planting trees.

Trees, especially, the olive tree, are the traditional livelihood of this area. Many families rely heavily on the harvest but lack the money to increase their yield.

By planting trees we will relieve poverty, ensure the future of the next generations and populate empty land that is often taken by the adjacent Israeli settlers.

Initially 12 villages, which have been identified as the most vulnerable, will receive olive trees and fruit trees of the almond family (almond, apricot and peach).

Palestinian, Israeli and International groups have joined the project to provide volunteers who will help to plant the trees. FONSA and DNTAwill help to raise the essential funds.

Planting costs:

• 1 olive tree £4
• 1 fruit tree £2

Please donate now! The target is 10,000 trees

Donate on line at www.fonsa.org.uk
Or send a cheque to us.

Contact us: email us at: info@fonsa.org.u or see: www.fonsa.org.uk

Friends of Nablus and Surrounding Areas (known as FONSA)

About FONSA

FONSA is a Charitable Trust created to help the people of Nablus and surrounding areas who are suffering the effects of occupation. This area used to be the commercial centre of Palestine but is now unable to trade because it is cut off from the rest of Palestine, from Israel and from the world.

About Dundee-Nablus Twining Association (DNTA)

Dundee has been twinned with Nablus for almost 30 years. The Association seeks to promote and foster friendship and understanding between the people of Dundee and those of Nablus.

About our Palestinian partners

This campaign has been initiated by three Nablus organisations:

• The Committee Against Settlements in the Nablus Governorate
• Al Hayat Centre for Development of the Civil Community
• Nablus Dundee Twinning Association.

These are local groups working to support Palestinian people. The Nablus-Dundee Twinning Association (Dundee-Nablus Twining Association) is the sister toDundee-Nablus Twining Association and fosters friendship between the people of Nablus and Dundee.

What can you do?

It is your donations that make the difference.

Or send a cheque
(cheque payable to FONSA) to:

FONSA, 9 Broad Street, TAYPORT DD6 9AH

Download the leaflet here.

We posted about this previously

The Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) has again accepted funding from the Israeli Embassy, while people in Gaza are still living in the rubble of their homes, and Gaza victims of Israel’s white phosphorous attacks are still in critical care.

In 2006, a public outcry forced the EIFF to return Israel’s tainted money. On that occasion the EIFF stated publicly that its action was due to popular outrage at the massacres Israel had recently committed in Lebanon:

This funding was secured some three months ago, well before the commencement of current hostilities in Lebanon. Of course we acknowledge that the situation has altered dramatically since then, and with this in mind, took the decision early yesterday to decline any funding from the Israelis.

The Director’s decision to again associate the Israeli Government with the EIFF comes after the massacres of over 1400 people in Gaza, during which:

• The United Nations said the IDF intentionally burned its food stores in Gaza
• Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International accused the army of illegally using phosphorous bombs in densely populated areas
• The International Red Cross described the injured being denied medical attention and strikes on medical crews
• Israeli journalist Amira Hass wrote of the killing of people flying white flags and the annihilation of entire families
• British MP Gerald Kaufmann described Israel’s mass killing as ‘Nazi’
• The UN General Assembly President called for a world-wide boycott of ‘apartheid Israel’

Only a few days ago, on May 1st, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Palestine condemned ‘the recent wave of eviction orders and demolitions of Palestinian houses’. Israel’s ongoing crimes include the murder of unarmed protesters, the burning of olive groves and other farmland, the continued imposition of a brutal siege of Gaza, and the extension of its apartheid Wall, declared illegal by the International Court. It is unbearable that EIFF should accept sponsorship from such a Government.
Faced with such awful crimes, Israeli poet Aharon Shabtai had no choice:

I do not believe that a State that maintains an occupation, committing on a daily basis crimes against civilians, deserves to be invited to any kind of cultural week. That is, it is anti-cultural; it is a barbarian act masked as culture in the most cynical way. It manifests support for Israel.

We hope the EIFF will follow the example the Bloomsbury Theatre which recently cancelled a performance involving Israeli military personnel. Failing this, we will:

• organise pickets at EIFF events
• publicise the Festival’s links with the Israeli Embassy locally and internationally
• call for a boycott of the 2009 events to protest Israel’s massacres of the Palestinian people

Please protest to the EIFF personally, stating that

• you view the link with the Israeli Embassy as collusion in Israel’s recent and ongoing crimes
• such a link brings discredit on the Festival, the City and Scotland
• you will not participate in any of the events unless the Israeli Government money is returned
• you support the planned protest and calls for a boycott if the link with the Israeli Embassy is maintained
• you are not taking issue with any films being shown; it is opposition to accepting funding from a murderous regime

SPSC would appreciate being cc’d on any correspondence – please send to secretary@scottishpsc.org.uk

Contact the EIFF:

Edinburgh International Film Festival
88 Lothian Road
Edinburgh EH3 9BZ
Tel: 00 44 (0)131 228 4051
Fax: 00 44 (0)131 229 5501

info@edfilmfest.org.uk

Author: Abe Hayeem;  guardian.co.uk,

Tuesday 28 April 2009 14.30 BST

We will need to discuss: updating the website, progress on the play, our next stall (this Saturday 2nd May) and plans for a hustings for the European Elections (I have talked with Mike Arnott about doing this jointly with Unite Against Fascism).

There is a separate meeting just for those involved in the play on the Saturday morning from 11 (same place)

Consumers buying these products believe that they are supporting the Palestinian economy, while in fact they are supporting the economy of these illegal settlements. The vast majority, and very probably, all produce that comes from the West Bank, comes from the settlements. Very little, if any, produce that comes from Palestinian farms makes it to supermarkets in the UK.

In allowing imports from these illegal settlements the British Government knowingly contravenes international and human rights laws, colluding with Israel’s colonial expansionism in the West Bank.

Don’t buy Israeli produce!

Don’t buy West Bank produce!

For more information: www.bigcampaign.org

To obtain genuine Palestinian produce, check out the following websites:

www.palestinecampaign.org

Palestine Israel Ethical Shopping Initiative

Their statement is reproduced below.

The Scottish Trades Union Congress this week backed boycotts and disinvestment, and called for sanctions against the state of Israel because of the state’s failure to comply with international laws and agreed principles of human rights.

Following extensive debate and deliberation, the Scottish trade unions have endorsed a report recommending the STUC support a boycott and disinvest from Israeli companies, call for sanctions against Israel, and encourage positive investments in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Speaking after the debate at the Congress, STUC General Secretary, Grahame Smith, said:

The STUC is deeply concerned at the daily violations of human rights experienced by Palestinian people. The decision taken by our Congress is not a knee jerk reaction, but arrived at after careful consideration over a two year period. During this time the STUC engaged in discussions with interested groups in Scotland and the UK, and undertook a fact finding delegation to Israel and Palestine.

Mr Smith added

by taking this decision, the STUC intends to campaign for economic, political and social pressure to be brought upon the Israeli Government, and world powers, to reach a peaceful and just two state solution for Palestine and Israel.

We will be outside Tesco in the Murraygate from 11.00 – 3 p.m. The more volunteers we have – equals less time for each individual. We suggest a minimum of 3 people at any one time, one behind stall and two interacting with the public. I am trying to organise a rota system so if you can manage an hour or so on Sat, please get in touch asap (before our fortnightly meeting this Thursday).

I will be going to Palestine on the 16/ 17 th June 2009. I am taking a little group who want to visit Nablus, the plan so far is 4 days in Jerusalem and then travel to Nablus for another 5 days.
Everyone buy their own tickets. i will organise transport, accommodation and visits according to people’s budget and interests. I f you want to come e mail me or phone (01382 550210). Please forward to others you think my be interested

Support Arab railway workers in Israel in their struggle to keep their jobs!

Call on Israel Railways to revise its new policy requiring army service as an employment condition!

This policy is clearly discriminatory: it disqualifies Arab workers because Palestinian Arab citizens of Israel are exempt from service in the Israeli army.

The appeal was developed in cooperation with Arab railway workers who have been sacked as a result of this policy.

Background

In March 2009, Israel Railways, a state-owned company, launched a new policy denying employment to railroad crossing guards who have no permit to carry weapons – that is: who have not served in the Israeli army. This policy will lead to the lay-off of the app. 150 Arab railway workers who monitor and maintain Israel’s level crossings. Israel Railways explicitly stated that the new employment policy is designed to give priority to young army veterans.

Palestinian Arab citizens of Israel have always been extremely underrepresented in Israel’s public sector (including state-owned companies), and despite existing anti-discrimination laws only about 5% of civil servants are Arabs, while they make up almost 20% of the overall population. Exclusion of Arabs from the public sector is mainly a result of Israel’s state security policies, which deny Arabs who have not served in the Israeli army and do thus not have a permit to carry weapons access to employment in public administration and services (such as: communication, water, electricity, public transport and port authorities, fire brigades etc.). This strong focus on state security is also reflected in the biographies of executive officers in Israeli government-owned companies. Yitzhak ‘Haki’ Harel, general manager of Israel Railways, for instance, is a Major General in the Israeli army (IDF). He retired from the army in August 2006, shortly after the July War on Lebanon, and has headed the company since 2007.

Israel Railways’ new policy is an instructive example of the way Arab workers are systematically excluded from the Israeli labour market: firstly, it shows that state security takes absolute preference over personal safety and security in Israel’s employment policy; secondly, it reveals that these security concerns are used to camouflage double standards in favour of Jewish Israeli workers because a) the job of crossing guard has so far not required bearing arms, b) other railway workers, such as train drivers, are not addressed by the new policy, and c) some positions are reserved for minorities who did not serve in the army. This allows the conclusion that army service is in fact an irrelevant employment condition. At this point, it should be noted that the new policy also excludes recent immigrants, ultra-orthodox Jews, disabled persons and conscientious objectors.

On April 7, 2009, the Tel Aviv Labour Court suspended the dismissal of the railway workers until the next court hearing on April 19, 2009. However, workers told Sawt el-Amel that Israel Railways has already started recruiting new crossing guards. On April 8, 2009, Israel Railways responded to Sawt el-Amel’s enquiry about the new employment policy, reaffirming that the policy decision is based on ‘practical and security considerations’ and does not aim to ‘discriminate against minorities’.

On the whole, Israel Railways’ new employment policy should be seen both as a continuation of Israel’s long-standing strategy to exclude Arab workers from the labour market and as an assault on all economically and socially marginalised groups in times of growing economic crisis.

What you can do:

1) Endorse the appeal
Fill in the ‘Endorse the Appeal’ form below and send it to: laborers@laborers-voice.org

2) Forward the appeal to your colleagues and friends

3) Encourage your organisation/branch to endorse the appeal
Fill in the ‘Endorse the Appeal’ form below and send it to: laborers@laborers-voice.org
Attach your organisation’s logo to the email

4) Write a protest letter to Israel Railways
Copy-paste the sample letter below or write your own message to:
Yitzhak Harel, CEO
Israel Railways
Fax: +972 (0)3 6937480
Email: pniyot@rail.co.il

CC your email/fax to Sawt el-Amel:
Sawt el-Amel
Email: laborers@laborers-voice.org
Fax: +972 (0)4 6080917

Sample letter to Israel Railways:

Dear Mr. Yitzhak Harel,
I am concerned about Israel Railways’ new policy requiring army service and weapons training as an employment condition for guards at level crossings. Since Arab citizens of Israel are exempt from obligatory army service, it can be assumed that all or most Arab crossing guards will be laid off as a consequence of this policy decision.

This contradicts the fundamental right of workers to equality and non-discrimination in employment, and consequently, the policy should be revised.

I would much appreciate to hear your position on this issue.

Sincerely,

Initial signatories:
TaherJayousi, railway worker
Assad Salami, railway worker
Ibrahim Nasrallah, railway worker
Luqman Salami, railway worker
Mustapha Matani, railway worker
Karim Qadi, railway worker
Ali Rabus, railway worker
Yussef Nasrallah railway worker
Amir Hamoudi, railway worker
Ahmad Hamoudi, railway worker
Sawt el-Amel/The Laborer’s Voice
Jibran Naddaf, Chairperson Sawt el-Amel
Wehbe Badarne, Director Sawt el-Amel
Marie Badarne, Int’l Relations Sawt el-Amel
Fakher Badarne, Young Workers Sawt el-Amel

Endorse the appeal:

Type of endorsement
Individual/Organisation:

Name/Contact person

Organisation

City/State

Email*

Date

* Your email address will not be published.

This class will take you through its history, landmarks, industries, religions, present situation and how it became twinned with Dundee.

4 evenings starting on Tuesday 28th April- 7.15pm. At Dundee University (Continuing education) you can book by phoning 01382 384809

How can we stop Israeli human right violations

By: Manawel Abdelal
Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions

Wednesday 22 April 2009 @ 7:00pm
Main Lecture Theatre, Tower Building
Dundee University

Event Organised by: Dundee Trades Council, Dundee University Islamic Society and Tayside for Justice in Palestine

Mich Levy and Sara Kershnar founders of International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network

Saturday 11 April 2009 @ 12:30-2:00pm

Venue: the friends meeting house

(7 Whitehall crescent, Dundee, DD1 4AR)

Soup and Rolls available

Israeli exporters have been losing foreign markets and customers because of the global economic crisis and a growing anti-Israel boycott of locally made products following Operation Cast Lead.

The findings were made available by the Israel Manufacturers Association on Sunday, and published in the Jerusalem Post the following day.

According to the report, 21 percent of Israeli exporters face difficulties selling abroad, particularly to the UK and Scandinavian countries.

The boycott and the financial crisis were cited as the issues behind a forced price cut by 66 percent of Israeli exporters.

The report emerged as boycott campaigners announced that they are stepping up their efforts in Palestine and internationally.

On Monday in Ramallah, a press conference was held by the Palestinian National Boycott Committee (BNC) in Ramallah, which urged local and international parties to continue their boycott actions. They called the boycott a “tool to realize long-denied Palestinian national rights.”

Representative of the BNC and the Palestinian NGO network Allam Jarrar called Land Day an appropriate time to call a Boycott and Divestment Day because both events shared the same goal.

In Palestine the boycott of Israeli products, institutions and companies is once again gaining ground. Increasing numbers of students, women and ordinary people see the boycott of Israel as an effective form of resistance and are beginning to make it a part of their daily lives,

Omar Asaf, another representative of the BNC and a member of the National Higher Committee for the Defense of the Right of Return said.

In the last month, he continued, regional and local committees have been formed to promote the boycott of Israeli products and an end to ties between Palestinian organizations, and their Israeli counterparts,

According to BNC more than 75 demonstrations, protests and festivals were held in 19 countries to promote the Global BDS day of action.

Followed same day by evening meeting/public launch 7.30 for 7.45 start at St Ninian’s Cathedral premises, Perth (entrance from North) – hosted by PAJAPP* with Mick Napier (SPSC), Menawel from Palestine Trade Union movement and also the new Secretary of the Scottish Palestinian Forum, Alison Phillips. Ends 10.00 pm after formal adoption of PAJAPP constitution and election of seven committee members. All welcome.

*PAJAPP was not described in e-mail so no idea who the organisation is.

A few weeks later they have found a full copy of the map and had a word with the creator.

Friend’s Meeting House, 7, Whitehall Crescent, Dundee.

Note change of venue from usual.

From the BBC

One account tells of a sniper killing a mother and children at close range whom troops had told to leave their home.

In another cited case, a commander ordered troops to kill an elderly woman walking on a road, even though she was easily identifiable and clearly not a threat.

Testimonies, which were given by combat pilots and infantry soldiers, also included allegations of unnecessary destruction of Palestinian property.

The soldiers’ testimonies also reportedly told of an unusually high intervention by military and non-military rabbis, who circulated pamphlets describing the war in religious terminology.

“All the articles had one clear message,” one soldier said. “We are the people of Israel, we arrived in the country almost by miracle, now we need to fight to uproot the gentiles who interfere with re-conquering the Holy Land.”

Revelations from an Israeli newspaper Haaretz

Dead babies, mothers weeping on their children’s graves, a gun aimed at a child and bombed-out mosques – these are a few examples of the images Israel Defense Forces soldiers design these days to print on shirts they order to mark the end of training, or of field duty. The slogans accompanying the drawings are not exactly anemic either: A T-shirt for infantry snipers bears the inscription “Better use Durex,” next to a picture of a dead Palestinian baby, with his weeping mother and a teddy bear beside him. A sharpshooter’s T-shirt from the Givati Brigade’s Shaked battalion shows a pregnant Palestinian woman with a bull’s-eye superimposed on her belly, with the slogan, in English, “1 shot, 2 kills.” A “graduation” shirt for those who have completed another snipers course depicts a Palestinian baby, who grows into a combative boy and then an armed adult, with the inscription, “No matter how it begins, we’ll put an end to it.”

Israeli Army t-shirt

This is why 1000 people marched in Dundee demanding ceasefire. The silence from those supporters of the slaughter is deafening. A sharp contrast to their constant bleating on every news programme and newspaper during the onslaught.

The postcard is available here

Postcard to Co-op

The text follows:

As a customer who both values and shares the Co-op’s commitment to fair-trade and support for human rights, I urge you to please stop selling Israeli goods!

Israel has imposed a military occupation on Palestine for 41 years and has laid siege to Gaza for almost 2 years. As we have seen from the recent massacre of 1,400 people (around 470 children) with the full support of the so-called “civilised” governments (including the UK), Israel is able to commit war crime after war crime with impunity.

The Palestinians have called on the people of the world to boycott Apartheid Israel. In order to pressure Israel to end its violations of international law and its disregard for human rights, we all have a responsibility to act on that call.

Sale of Palestinian produce/goods – £500 – highest sales ever!

It was a great night! Thanks from Tayside for Justice in Palestine.

To everyone who helped make it so. Many, many, positive things but one thing in particular – it’s broad based support: SNP & Labour Party MSPs, Liberal Democrat &amp Lab Councillors from Angus. Scottish Socialist Party, Socialist Workers’ Party, Communist Party of Scotland, Trade Unionists, Pensioners, Church of Scotland, Roman Catholic Church, Muslim faith, Quakers, Fair-Trade, Environmentalists, Dundee/Nablus Twinning Association, Jews for Justice for Palestinians, Democratic Left, The Green Party, One-World Centre and the Co-operative Movement.

Dear Vice-Chancellor Gilbert,

I am writing to express my total support for the Manchester University occupation in solidarity with Gaza and its demands.

The Manchester University occupation has been the longest and the largest of a national wave of UK university occupations in solidarity with Gaza and its students have shown admirable passion and commitment to this urgent cause. That its students are sufficiently compassionate and engaged to interrupt their own lives to this extent in order to speak out in solidarity with the victims of violence and oppression is surely something to be celebrated by Manchester University. The students have demonstrated utmost willingness to work together with the university administration and have sought negotiations throughout the entire protest.

The Manchester University occupation has the support of a strong national student movement and its principles and sentiments are reflective of those of the majority of the British public. Its demands are similar to those currently being implemented in numerous universities across the UK which are now working together with their students to put an end to their institutional collusion with the illegal Israeli occupation and find ways to use their privileged position to help those who are suffering because of it. Manchester should be no exception. Therefore we urge you to do the same and hope that you will begin working together with the students of the occupation to address their demands.

Yours sincerely,

name, Uni/organisation

The students of the occupation of United College in St Andrews have announced victory after receiving a statement and accompanying assurances to review and investigate ties with Israel in light of the recent conflict in Gaza from the University today.

The statement, which was delivered to the 80 occupying students in attendance at 1 PM today, did not completely satisfy the occupation’s full demands. Students agreed that where the university had fallen short, it had opened up the avenues to keep many contentious issues firmly on the agenda. Additionally, it has firmly institutionalised St Andrews Palestinian Solidarity Campaign participation in decision-making on procurement and research ethics working groups.

The protesters made five demands of the University. Firstly, that the University cancel its contract with Eden Springs, a company illegally bottling water from the Golan Heights. The University conceded their current policy was not sustainable, or in keeping with their position as a Fairtrade University and have pledged to switch to tap water at the soonest possible time. Whilst the University has not been willing to cancel the contract, a likely outcome of the the process will be that Eden Springs no longer receives any money from the University from 2010.

Students also campaigned for the University to apply the same ethical standards that they do to investment to procurement and research. The University has conceded that its position is inconsistent and will now regularly communicate its research proposals to the Students Association and the student body. Said Benjamin Wallo, a first-year Ancient History student, We have initiated an increased commitment to transparency and student involvement. We are committed to ensuring that research for arms companies such as BAe is not renewed or encouraged.

While the campaign was unable to secure 10 scholarships exclusively for Palestinian students, the University has promised to set up a scholarship programme for people whose studies have been interrupted by conflict and natural disaster. The campaign will be advising the University on this scheme, the first of its kind. As this will, by definition, include Palestine as a conflict area, we are happy that the University has made a long-term commitment to people in these situations, said Patrick O’Hare, second-year Social Anthropology student. The campaign has also received support from the university in setting up a charity to give long-term scholarship support to Palestinian students.

The University and the Student’s Association are currently reviewing long-term links with Universities in Palestine as part of a commitment to further its worldwide academic relationships. Said a spokesperson for the Islamic University of Gaza,

We would like to express our sincere thanks and deep appreciation to the students of St Andrews for all of their conscious efforts, endeavors and demands to support the right to education, justice and freedom in Palestine.

Said Danielle Dryburgh, a fifth-year student studying French, We will continue to foster these links, to raise funds, and to show solidarity.

Finally, the campaign has also secured a commitment to publicise an aid drive specifically to address the humanitarian crises caused by the recent incursion of Israel. The aid drive, which will be organised by students, will donate unused educational and medical supplies to the areas of Gaza worst affected.

The campaign has received support from Noam Chomsky, Robin Harper MSP, Sandra White MSP, Pauline McNeill MSP, the playwright Carol Churchill and many other people from across the world. Said Chomsky, I am very pleased to learn about the courageous and honorable actions of the students at St Andrews. Robin Harper MSP expressed similar sentiments, Well done — keep it up. Pauline McNeill MSP was adamant that the actions of St Andrews students were making a difference while Sandra White MSP said, My faith in humanity has been lifted by you all. Sheetal Kumar, a fourth-year International Relations student said, We’re thankful for all of the people, both staff and students, who’ve continuously shown their support and the steadfast solidarity people from all over the world have shown.

While the student occupation in St Andrews is coming to an end, the wider solidarity movement is just beginning — in the short time St Andrews was in occupation students in Plymouth, Cardiff, UEL and UAL(1) occupied key University buildings with similar demands to those of the St Andrews students. Georgie Davies, a first-year Philosophy student, We offer our support and look forward to working closely with the solidarity campaigns in other universities. Agreed Laila Sumpton, a fourth-year student studying English, This is not the end, but the beginning.

Rally in St Andrews

We, the concerned students of the University of St Andrews demand that the university condemns the illegal bombing and genocide in Gaza and Israel’s indiscriminate targeting of civilians. In particular, as an educational establishment we urge that it shows practical solidarity with the Islamic university of Gaza and other schools and colleges damaged during the bombing.

We believe that now is the time for the university to firmly and unilaterally cut all financial and commercial ties with any companies that in any way supports the apartheid state of Israel. The university has led the way in adopting a policy of ethical investment. Now is the time for students, staff and management to show that we do not lack the courage to condemn crimes against humanity, nor the generosity to help those who are in such desperate need. Specifically we demand that the university:

1. Immediately suspends and pledges not to renew its contract with Eden Springs, the Israeli water company which illegally steals water from the Golan Heights. It is not enough that this contract run out this year, it must be cancelled now.
2. Investigates its million pound research contracts with defense companies and the ministry of defense. Centrally, that the university sets up a review seeking to find replacement funding for the research contracts with BAe systems and its extensive links to Accenture. Both have close ties with the apartheid regime of Israel.
3. Sets up a scholarship program for Palestinian Students and commits to a minimum of 10 scholarships. This would send out an important symbolic message that we will not turn a blind eye to the Palestinian students who are unable to study because of the attacks on educational infrastructure and constant state of terror which prevents students from attending university.
4. Organizes a collection on campus, including a broadcasting of the DEC appeal, for aid for Gaza, makes available non-monetary aid such as course books, desks etc. and also establishes links with the Islamic University of Gaza in order to find out how it might aid with reconstruction.
5. Following the letter signed by fifty medical students, that Bute medical school provides medical aid for Palestine in the form of medical equipment and drugs and through supporting organizations such as medical aid for Palestine (supported by Medsin)

In all of these measure the university might link up with other Scottish and English universities who are also adopting similar policies in order to develop a common, humanitarian and equitable approach to Israeli companies and those linked to its war machine and to the Palestinian people and its ravaged educational infrastructure.

Many thanks,

St Andrews Univeresity Student Occupation

Tickets will be available for purchase at Groucho’s Record Store, Nethergate, from 24th February after 2 p.m. I know that we do not normally distribute tickets for events organised by The Movement using this method. However having Groucho’s doing this for us (free of charge, as opposed to the Box Office in City Square, who charge for the service – (my charm did not work!), you will appreciate just how much this method will reduce the work-load of the organisers.

However, anyone who can’t manage to get to Groucho’s can email me, send a cheque addressed to Sandy Constable, 12 Milner Street, Dundee, DD4 7EW, made out to Dundee Coalition for Justice not War and your ticket/s can be collected at the Apex on the night.

I would advise people in the movement not to put off time buying their tickets (soon be pay week!), as Michael Marra has a very strong fan base in Tayside. We are looking for donations of prizes for the raffle. If anyone can contribute to this please let us know. This is going to be a great night! Please support Tayside for Justice in Palestine and MAP. Any queries, please get back to me or Sarah. Cheers, Edith.

Dundee Quakers and Dundee Nablus Twinning Association invite you to this event. Come and meet Shaden and Souad, our guests coming all the way from Nablus. They will talk about their work with the Family Defence Society and how this organisation set up one of the first women shelter in the Arab world.

We will also be serving delicious Palestinian food.

All welcome

Sunday 8th March 7pm

Friends Meeting House 7 Whitehall Crescent Dundee DD1 4AR

Tickets are £5

In advance from Andree at 01382 550210 or tayportturtle@yahoo.com

Date: 21st February 2009
Time: 10.00am – 5.00pm

Venue: Charles Wilson Building, Glasgow University, corner of University Avenue and Gibson Street.

Get your ticket here: Glasgow Stop the War or register on the day

Food available in the venue.
Registration is from 9.30am

Five sessions:

• Free Palestine – end the siege of Gaza
• War and Occupation: Afghanistan, Africa, Iraq, Pakistan, Palestine …
• Nukes and NATO: 60 years of NATO is enough. Will Obama deliver change?
• As the wave of student occupations spread – Where next for the student movement?
• War at Home and Resistance: Islamophobia, Civil Liberties, Military Families …

The line up of international speakers already include –

• Walter Wolfgang (Labour NEC)
• Ghada Karmi (Palestinian campaigner)
• Kate Hudson (British CND, Chair)
• Aamer Anwar (human rights lawyer)
• Pauline McNeill (Labour MSP)
• Sandra White (SNP MSP)
• Bill Kidd (SNP MSP)
• Neil Mackay (journalist)
• Jackson Culinane (UNITE union)
• Hossam el-Hamalawy (Egyptian journalist)
• Osama Saeed (Scottish Islamic Foundation)
• Rose Gentle (Military Families Against War)
• Eamonn McCann (Raytheon Nine)
• Mohammad Asif (Scottish Afghan Society)
• Lindsey German (Stop the War Coalition convenor)
• Ivona Novomestska (Czech bases campaign)
• Dave Moxham (STUC), Alan McKinnon (SCND)
• Kenny Ross (Scottish Regional Secretary FBU)
• Mujahid Islam
• others to be confirmed

Tickets also available from Stop the War members:

Aberdeen 07505 006 170 – Bus leaves Aberdeen city centre at 7:00am – to book a place call this number.
Dundee 07792 920764 – Bus leaves Discovery Point, Dundee at 8:00am – to book a place call this number.
Edinburgh 07773 423 051: meet 8.15 at the departure board at Edinburgh Waverley to catch the 8.30 train to Glasgow – it should be possible to use the 4 for 2 ticket arrangements which halves the price of travel.
Fife 07806 332 345
Glasgow 07869 306 483

You can get your ticket online now by going to Glasgow Stop the War

We would ask for a donation of £5.00 to help us with speakers travel costs, venue hire and publicity costs. If you would like to donate more please do so – there are donation options up to £25.00.

Sponsor someone to attend.

In the unfortunate case that you cannot attend on the day please do consider helping someone else to attend. You can do this by clicking on same link as above Glasgow Stop the War and giving a donation of £6.00.

Israeli Oranges

If you spot Israeli Goods on sale in Tayside, let us know where and what was on sale, with a picture if possible.

• Michael Marra
• Sheena Wellington
• Dundee Rep
• Loadsawimminsingin
• Buskers Against the Bomb

Evening starts at 7.45 p.m. finishes around 11 p.m. Tickets £10. Raffles, sales of Palestinian goods, etc.

Spread the word.

The students have now set up a blog

Student are also asking for anyone living or working in the area to visit them – show your support!

Having presented the petition, already signed by over 30 academics and 700 students, to the Principal of the University around 50 people have occupied Lower College Hall in protest at the University’s complicity in the Israeli occupation.

———-

We, the concerned students of the University of St. Andrews demand that the university condemns the illegal bombing and genocide in Gaza and Israel’s indiscriminate targeting of civilians. In particular, as an educational establishment we urge that it shows practical solidarity with the Islamic university of Gaza and other schools and colleges damaged during the bombing.

We believe that now is the time for the university to firmly and unilaterally cut all financial and commercial ties with any companies that in any way supports the apartheid state of Israel. The university has led the way in adopting a policy of ethical investment. Now is the time for students, staff and management to show that we do not lack the courage to condemn crimes against humanity, nor the generosity to help those who are in such desperate need. Specifically we demand that the university:

1. Immediately suspends and pledges not to renew its contract with Eden Springs, the Israeli water company which illegally steals water from the Golan Heights. It is not enough that this contract run out this year, it must be canceled now.
2. Investigates its million pound research contracts with defense companies and the ministry of defense. Centrally, that the university sets up a review seeking to find replacement funding for the research contracts with BAE systems and its extensive links to Accenture. Both have close ties with the apartheid regime of Israel.
3. Sets up a scholarship program for Palestinian Students and commits to a minimum of 10 scholarships. This would send out an important symbolic message that we will not turn a blind eye to the Palestinian students who are unable to study because of the attacks on educational infrastructure and constant state of terror which prevents students from attending university.
4. Organizes a collection on campus, including a broadcasting of the DEC appeal, for aid for Gaza, makes available non-monetary aid such as course books, desks etc. and also establishes links with the Islamic University of Gaza in order to find out how it might aid with reconstruction.
5. Following the letter signed by fifty medical students, that Bute medical school provides medical aid for Palestine in the form of medical equipment and drugs and through supporting organizations such as medical aid for Palestine (supported by Medsin)

In all of these measure the university might link up with other Scottish and English universities who are also adopting similar policies in order to develop a common, humanitarian and equitable approach to Israeli companies and those linked to its war machine and to the Palestinian people and its ravaged educational infrastructure.

Many thanks,
St Andrews Univeresity Student Occupation

• Hanney
• Big Big Sound
• Yoshi
• Kalel
• Baxter Park Sunbather [dj set]

Entry £5 All proceeds towards Medical Aid for Palestinians
8pm-Midnight

Gig poster

Their website is http://glasgowunioccupation.blogspot.com/

Their list of demands are:

1. Written confirmation that there will be no disciplinary, academic or legal repercussions for anyone involved in or supporting the occupation
2. That those involved in the occupation are guaranteed respect for their fundamental rights, including freedom of assembly, expression, and movement in and out of the occupied space
3. That the occupation is given uninterrupted access to electricity, water, internet access (including appropriate wifi passwords) and other amenities as appropriate
4. That the principal meet those involved in the occupation at the occupied space to discuss our substantive demands

Substantive

We Demand…

1. Statement – That the University release a statement unequivocally condemning Israeli military action in Palestine, including the despicable bombing of the Islamic University of Gaza. The University should specifically denounce the attacks on civilians, the systematic obstruction of humanitarian aid and the targeting of academic institutions, hospitals, places of worship and international peace keeping facilities. The University should encourage other universities to make such statements, as well as informing the UK and Israeli governments.
2. DEC Appeal – That the University publicise the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) appeal for Gaza by way of a visible message on the main University website, an email to all students and staff and an announcement at all lectures on campus
3. Boycott – That the University commences with immediate effect a boycott of all Israeli goods (including goods manufactured or supplied by Israeli owned or operated companies) on campus, including in particular Eden Springs water. Further, that the University bans all companies involved in the supply of military equipment to Israel (such as BAe Systems, the Smiths Group and Caterpillar) from all university premises, specifically recruitment events.
4. Disinvestment – That the University disinvests from BAe Systems, Westland helicopters, Lockheed Martin and all other firms or affiliates involved in arms research, manufacture or supply. The University authorities should instruct all financial companies managing University endowment investments & pension schemes to ensure complete disinvestment of University funds from the armaments industry. Such disinvestment is particularly important in light of the fact that these weapons have been used to massacre civilians, commit war crimes and violate international law. Investing in such companies is completely unacceptable.
5. Ethical Investment Policy – That the University alter its ethical investment policy to ensure such irresponsible and indefensible investment does not occur in future, and releases a statement affirming its commitment to peaceful research and investment in the community. The new ethical investment policy should be developed in dialogue with the student community, such conversation involving specifically the SRC calling an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM).
6. Fundraising – That the University hold a day of fundraising to raise money for the humanitarian effort in Gaza. We demand that the University commit to a specific date on which fundraising will take place, such efforts being campus-wide and well advertised.
7. Academic Aid – That the University provide academic aid to universities and schools in the Gaza strip, in the form of:
   1. a) The donation of old books, computers and other surplus teaching/administrative/educational resources, with the shipping of these resources being paid for by the University of Glasgow.
   2. b) The establishment of a twinning programme with universities in Gaza, in solidarity with their plight
8. Scholarships – That the University set up a scholarship scheme which will provide full funding for at least ten Palestinian students to attend the University. The Principal’s response in this regard is unacceptable. We demand that new scholarships be set up specifically for Palestinian students, in light of the incredible difficulty in securing education in Palestine at present as a result of occupation and recent military action.
9. Boycott Israeli Academics – That the University refuse an academic platform to all Israeli academics who have refused to speak out in condemnation of the recent actions of the Israeli state in Palestine. The University must not become a locus for the dissemination of racist ideology and must take active steps to prevent the proliferation of misinformation. In developing an appropriate policy in this regard, the documentation of the British Committee for the Universities of Palestine (BRICUP) will be relevant.

Mass student campaign for solidarity with Palestine wins victories at Dundee University.

• Students are celebrating winning one of their central campaign demands. Following the Stop the War demonstration at Dundee University on Friday 29th January, DU Finance Committee agreed on Monday 2nd February to divest £200,000 of shares in BAe Systems, which supplies F16 fighter jet components to Israel, and to formally explore adoption of an ethical investment policy.
• 200 students at Dundee University Student Association Emergency General Meeting on 5th February overwhelmingly pass policy to
  1. campaign for DU divestment in BAe Systems and for DU to adopt an ethical investment policy, and;
  2. campaign for DU to terminate its contract for bottled water with Israeli owned Eden Springs, which illegally steals water from Golan Heights.

The world has spoken. Millions have marched against Israel’s massacre of the people of Gaza. The invasion has left about 1400 people dead, including at least 412 children. Many civilians have serious injuries because of Israel’s phosphorous weapons. Thousands have lost their homes, hospitals, schools and universities. Gaza’s infrastructure has been destroyed.

The bombs have stopped for now but Israel—supported by prime minister Gordon Brown and the BBC—continues the siege of Gaza. Israel is preventing desperately needed aid from reaching civilians through its murderous blockade by land, air and sea.

The BBC is complicit in this in its refusal to broadcast the DEC charity appeal for Gaza—and Gordon Brown has sent not aid ships but warships. DU is also complicit. Israeli firm Eden Springs steals water from the Golan Heights in the Occupied Territories and sells it in our university while Palestinians so often go without water for days. DU has a major shareholding of £200,000 in BAe Systems, a massive arms company that sells components to Israel for the F-16 fighter jets used to bomb Gaza.

Support for such firms profiting from the murder and oppression of Palestinians cannot and will not continue.

DU students demand that the university:

• immediately divest of arms manufacturer BAe Systems
• DU‘s Eden Springs contract must be cancelled
• pay for and facilitate 2 scholarships for Palestinians to study at DU
• send educational materials to rebuild universities in Gaza
• condemn the BBC for refusing to broadcast the DEC appeal for Gaza and hold a fundraising day for DEC Appeal on DU campus

DU Stop the War Society is calling on Dundonians to attend the Scottish Stop the War Coalition Conference in Glasgow on 21st February

Press contact for DU Stop the War Society:

Craig Kelly, c.z.kelly@dundee.ac.uk, 07549375517

DU Stop the War Society
WEB: Stop the war EMAIL: DUstopthewar@gmail.com

Strathclyde University Occupation

50 Students are currently occupying srathclyde uni mccance building. a delegation is meeting the principal andrew hamnett to present the following demands :

1. cancel SU‘s contract with eden springs
2. refuse investment from arms manufactyrer BAe systems and find alternative funding for the engineering dept.
3. fund and facilitate 50 scholarships for Palestinian students
4. solidarity with Gaza’s Islamic university – send a letter of support, twin SU with the Islamic uni and aid the rebuilding
5. condem the BBC‘s refusal to show the DEC appeal, show the appeal in lecture theatre’s and hold a fundraising day on campus
6. stop Israeli academics promoting military research at SU the students of the occupation are appealing for solidarity , come down and support us! we will be here until our uni commits to supporting the Palestinians.

2 February 2009

The Jordan Valley is a place where Israeli flowers have electricity and Palestinian people do not.

Located in the east, along the Jordan River, the Jordan Valley comprises approximately 25 percent of the land in the West Bank or Occupied Palestine. In previous times, landowners were known as princes, because of the availability of water and the fertility of the land.

Today, the Jordan Valley is a land of contrasts. There are Israeli settlements and farms that exist side-by-side (and sometimes through) Palestinian villages and farms. Israeli settlements have homes made of stone or concrete, with space to grow. Palestinian villages are often filled with homes made of tarp and scrap metal (making the homes cold in the winter and hot in the summer.) In some areas electric lines criss-cross Palestinian villages, and water pipe lines run through them. But often Palestinians have no access to this infrastructure; they are for the Israeli settlements nearby. The Israeli authorities have fenced in the water pumps, so Palestinians can’t steal the water beneath their villages. However, the most striking example of racist distribution of resources is the Israeli flower plantations next to Palestinian villages. Flowers have rows of lights hanging over them, to make them bloom earlier for export to Europe. Yet the Palestinians living next to these farms cannot tap into these electric lines.

In sum, Israel encourages the growth of the Israeli settlement population. At the same time, the Israeli government attempts to force Palestinians living in the Jordan Valley off their land through the demolition of Palestinian homes, refusal of permission to build new homes and fix roads, and the control of water, electricity, transport of produce to markets. Additionally, the Israeli government refuses to allow Palestinians who do not have an address in the Jordan Valley to visit there.

Yet as in the rest of Palestine, the Israeli occupation does not have the final word. Palestinian communities are organizing in non-violent resistance to Israel’s systematic oppression. By building schools for their communities (sometimes in defiance of the Israeli government), and providing electricity for themselves, by insisting on their right to remain in the Jordan Valley, some Palestinian communities are non-violently resisting the forces of the Israeli Occupation intent on removing them.

For more information, please see the Electronic Intifada report: Israel Plundering the Jordan Valley.