Each year on May 15^th, Palestinians and their supporters around the world mark Nakba Day. The Al-Nakba (the Catastrophe) commemorates the ethnic cleansing, 65 years ago, of thousands of Palestinians from their lands and homes. In the years since 1948, the Israeli state has continued this policy of forcing Palestinians from the homes and land.

Israel’s brutal occupation and apartheid polices continue to create Palestinian refugees from both within Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Today, there are 6 million Palestinian refugees around the world.

This is an on-going catastrophe, which Palestinians will commemorate again by taking to the streets.

Mohammad, a Palestinian refugee who has lived in the Tayside area for a number of years, stated:

“My parents lost their homes in 1948 as a result of the creation the State of Israel. They not only lost their livelihood but also their homeland.  Despite the hardship, they never lost their hope and humanity.  Although I now live in Scotland, I look forward to the day when the Palestinian people achieve justice. Justice for Palestine requires that the Israeli government ends the illegal occupation and respects the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homeland as stated by the United Nations”.

The Friends of the IDF fundraise for projects benefiting the Israeli Army and soldiers, an occupation force that brutalises, humiliates, kills and maims Palestinians, commits widespread human rights abuses to maintain the illegal occupation and settlements, and flouts international law.  The cancellation is a further blow to supporters of such human rights abuses; in late 2012 Stevie Wonder pulled out of an FIDF fundraiser after realising the nature of the organisation.

The Jewish National Fund, experts in racist land administration, have long-faced the opposition of Palestine solidarity campaigners in Scotland.  The JNF is responsible for dispossessing tens of thousands of Palestinians of their lands, for example building the “British Park” over the ruins of ethnically cleansed Palestinian villages.  Last week the Scottish TUC reinforced its commitment to opposing the activities of the JNF in enforcing an apartheid system in Israel and Palestine.

Earlier in the week a statement from Scottish Jews for a Just Peace stated:“We are deeply saddened and concerned that St Andrews Jewish society has been persuaded to use its charity ball to raise money for the Jewish National Fund and Friends of the Israel Defence Forces. The JNF takes over Palestinian land – including homes of Palestinian refugees and land in the occupied territories – and will not lease or sell land to non-Jews. And FIDF gives solidarity to an army whose attacks on Palestinian civilians have become increasingly persistent, violent and brazen. We urge everyone of conscience, Jew and non-Jew, not to go to this event. St Andrews Jewish Society claims to be friendly, welcoming and non-political. We ask it to live up to that description.”

Dr Hajo G Meyer, a long-time friend of the Palestine solidarity movement in Scotland spent ten months in Auschwitz as a Jew and member of the Dutch Resistance, sent a message of support to the protest saying, “I strongly urge the Golf Hotel to cancel this atrocious event on Friday since it is a provocation to all who support human rights. If I could, I would be with you to join your protest in support of universal values of freedom and justice and freedom from racist occupation”.

The tour members are young, active artists and dancers aged between 15 and 20 years old, with four adult coordinators and speakers. Through an exciting and engaging programme of events in Scotland & Ireland they will be performing traditional Palestinian Dabka dance, showcasing their award winning photography & films, and talking about aspects of the their situation in Palestine and life as refugees in their own land.

The tour will begin in Scotland on the 14th of June with events in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee then Perth. Then from 24th – 30th June events in Ireland will be Derry, Belfast and then Dublin.

Here is a link to a sample of last year’s Dabke performances last year in Dundee, Scotland: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFyWTihh170.

Aida refugee camp has a population of 5000 inhabitants and is surrounded on three sides by the apartheid wall with oppressive watchtowers, surveillance cameras and daily invasions from the occupation forces.

In the last few months, many have been shot and injured, one 15 year old boy Saleh Ammarin was killed, and 28 youths have been arrested in night raids. On 8^th April, the head of Lajee’s Media Unit, while on the balcony of the Center, was shot in the face while photographing and documenting the soldiers shooting at youth in the camp (http://www.alternativenews.org/english/index.php/features/up-close/6244-photos-palestinian-photographer-shot-in-face-by-israeli-forces.html) .

The people of Aida and members of Lajee refuse to be silenced, they refuse their culture and lives to be expropriated by an illegal occupation. Lajee’s amazing work of supporting the community and spreading awareness of the Palestinian case internationally is a commitment to fighting for justice and our support as sisters and brothers is a demonstration of our dedication to stand with them throughout.

This project provides a platform to Aida’s youth to express their talents and creativity, to share their stories, lives and hopes for the future; it is an opportunity to further resist the restraint of silence imposed by the occupation. It is important for them and us to forge and strengthen our networks of solidarity between Palestine, Scotland and Ireland.

We are raising money to cover the cost of travel in order for this project to go ahead. This is a call to support Palestinian refugees, to support Lajee Center in Aida refugee camp and show our solidarity as well as learn together about how we can help. Please share this call; we are appealing to all organisations, mosques, churches and trade union branches to co-sponsor this project. We still have a target of £5600 which will cover all transportation costs which will bring the group to Scotland and Ireland and their travelling within the countries.

Every pound will be a significant contribution to making this tour happen: http://lajeeculturaltour.wordpress.com/donate/.

On Friday April 26^th, 2013 the St Andrews University Jewish Society’s Matzah Ball will be fundraising for, amongst others, two charities: the Friends of the IDF and The JNF. There is nothing charitable about racism and military occupation.

 The IDF, or Israeli Defense Forces, is the policing and military body that is instrumental to the ongoing occupation of the West Bank.  This occupation, which began in 1967, is illegal under international law and is condemned by governments worldwide, including the UK.  Among the numerous horrific effects of the Israeli occupation in the West Bank are the denial of the freedom of movement (through the separation wall and checkpoints) restricting access of Palestinians to healthcare, education and use of natural resources, and devastating consequences on the local economy with high unemployment and little or no access to international trade. Palestinians are attacked or shot for protesting against these grave injustices on a daily basis.  The IDF plays a key role in perpetrating these injustices.  One key example is the way in which the IDF supports the existence and further construction of Israeli settlements (illegal under international law and criticised by politicians of all the main parties in the UK) and settlers at the expense of the Palestine population in the West Bank. 

The IDF is also responsible for the killing of countless Palestinian civilians, for example numerous attacks on what has been called the largest open air prison in the world – Gaza.  During Operation Cast Lead in 2008-9 Israeli Defense Forces killed 1400 Palestinians in Gaza, including around 350 children, and there is much evidence that the IDF used white phosphorus on civilian populations in the attacks, again illegal under international law.  These crimes have been once again perpetrated with impunity during last year’s attacks on Gaza.  Last week the IDF again showed its true character when, as reported by human rights agencies in the area, soldiers used a 17-year old Palestinian boy as a human shield while firing shots at Palestinian protestors in Abu Dis in the West Bank.  

The Jewish National Fund has been one of the principal bodies responsible for dispossessing Palestinians from their lands, and preventing them from returning (e.g. by planting forests and building parks over the ruins of Palestinian villages).  JNF land (currently 13% of Israel’s land) can only be used by Jewish people, discriminating against all others who may want to live or work on the land.  Such discriminatory land distribution policies based on race and ethnicity are illegal under international law.  The JNF continues to play a key role in displacing Palestinians today, for example in its strong involvement in the village of Al-Araqib, in the Negev, which has been destroyed over 40 times since 2010.

We deplore fund-raising for such institutions and will protest it wherever it occurs.  Institutions that kill innocent civilians and are inherently discriminatory should be abhorred; they are not worthy of charity. 

We call on the Jewish Society of St Andrews University to remove its support for Friends of the IDF and the JNF.   We call on St Andrews Golf Hotel to retract its support for these fundraising activities unless these two “charities” are renounced by the organisers. 

We further call on people of conscience and supporters of human rights to send a letter of protest to the St Andrews Golf Hotel, and join us at 7pm on Friday April 26^th outside St Andrews Golf Hotel to protest fundraising for apartheid and ethnic cleansing.

Read more on how this victory was won at the Action Palestine website.

On Wednesday 6th March at 5.30pm, Ambassador Manuel Hassassian from the Palestinian Mission to the UK will be speaking at University of Dundee in Room LT4, Dalhousie Building .

Hassassian is a politics professor and believes that the future lies in a single state solution. He will be speaking about his hopes for Palestine and taking questions.

Earlier in the day he will be meeting councillors and members of Dundee Nablus Twinning Association, seeing the Nablus firemen who are in Dundee for a training course and visiting Craigie High School.

His visit to Dundee has been organised by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) and this talk is supported by TfJiP, Action Palestine and Stop the War DUSA.

7.30pm Thursday 14th March

Dundee University (room details to follow)

Their weekly report lists the most recent Israeli human rights violations in the Occupied Territories.

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) is a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) based in Gaza City.  The Centre is a non-profit company, dedicated to protecting human rights, promoting the rule of law and upholding democratic principles in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT).  It holds Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations.  It is an affiliate of the International Commission of Jurists-Geneva, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) – Paris, the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network - Copenhagen, the International Legal Assistance Consortium (ILAC) – Stockholm, the World Coalition against the Death Penalty, and the Arab Organization for Human Rights – Cairo.  PCHR is a recipient of the 1996 French Republic Award on Human Rights, the 2002 Bruno Kreisky Award for Outstanding Achievements in the Area of Human Rights, the 2003 International Services Human Rights Award (UNAIS) and the 2009 Human Rights Prize of Andalucia.  The Centre was established in 1995 by a group of Palestinian lawyers and human rights activists in order to:

• Protect human rights and promote the rule of law in accordance with international standards.
• Create and develop democratic institutions and an active civil society, while promoting democratic culture within the Palestinian society.
• Support all the efforts aimed at enabling the Palestinian people to exercise its inalienable rights in regard to self-determination and independence in accordance with international Law and UN resolutions.

The work of the Centre is conducted through documentation and investigation of human rights violations, provision of legal aid and counseling for both individuals and groups, and preparation of research articles relevant to such issues as the human rights situation and the rule of law.  The Centre also provides comments on Palestinian Draft Laws and urges the adoption of legislation that incorporates international human rights standards and basic democratic principles.  To achieve its goals, the Centre has recruited a committed staff of well-known human rights lawyers and activists.

This was an argument made by those opposing the twinning at the time, but it has no base in reality. It is not only wrong, it is also potentially destructive, and Sarah Glynn, one of the leading activists in Tayside for Justice in Palestine felt it couldn’t be left unanswered. Northern Scotland has agreed to publish her response in its next issue in May. Meanwhile you can read the draft here:

As HTML:

http://sarahglynn.net/Dundee%20Responds.html

As pdf:

http://sarahglynn.net/images/Dundee%20Responds.pdf

Nathan Abram’s original article is accessible here:

http://www.bangor.ac.uk/creative_industries/documents/JUTE,JOURNALISM,JAMANDJEWS.pdf

The following post is from the Medical Aid for Palestinians website on 24 January 2013

Israeli army and settler violence continues: six Palestinians killed by Israeli forces and dozens injured in a fortnight

Since 11 January, six young Palestinians have been shot and killed by Israeli forces using live ammunition- four in the West Bank and two in Gaza. The first victim was a 20-year old man from Gaza, who was part of a group of Palestinian civilians 50 metres from the fence. A second man who tried to rescue the victim was also shot and injured. The following day (12 January) a 21-year old man was shot and killed near the separation wall in Ar Ramadin village, near Hebron. He was with other Palestinian workers trying to get into Israel without permits. On 14 January, a Palestinian farmer in Gaza was shot and killed about 500 metres from the fence. The following day, a 17-year old Palestinian boy was fatally shot in the head, abdomen and chest in the West Bank village of Budrus, and a 13-year old boy was hit in the head with a tear gas canister and injured. On 18 January, Israeli soldiers shot a 15-year old boy in the head in Bethlehem; he died of his injuries on 23 January. Also on 23 January, a 22-year old woman was fatally shot in the head near Hebron. Another woman was injured in the attack. Seven Palestinians, including an 11-year old child, were also injured during a weekly demonstration in Kafr Qaddum (Qalqiliya) against the closure of the main road into the village.

Three settler attacks in the West Bank – which included the use of live ammunition – left several Palestinians injured. In two attacks, 285 Palestinian olive trees were also vandalised.

Palestinian fishermen in Gaza within the Israeli-imposed six nautical mile limit continue to be harassed intercepted by Israeli naval forces. Three fishermen were forced to swim to the naval ships and had their boat confiscated.

In the past week, there have been 50 Israeli incursions into the West Bank, with 37 Palestinians arrested, including five children. Israeli forces also destroyed two Palestinian tent villages on Palestinian land – Bab al-Shams in so-called E1 and al-Karamah, Palestinian land that Israel has earmarked for settlements. Several protestors were arrested.

In the al-Maleh area of the northern Jordan Valley, Israeli forces destroyed 37 residential tents, displacing 115 people, including scores of children. They destroyed four more homes in al-Jiftlik, also in northern Jordan Valley, on 24 January.

In addition to Israeli military and settler attacks, recent severe weather was responsible for the collapse of several of Gaza’s tunnels near the Egyptian border. One Palestinian man was killed, another injured, and two remain missing.

This morning the Popular Movement of Beit Ommar in conjunction with international and Israeli activists marched under harsh weather conditions to the nearby Israeli colony of Carme Zur. They were immediately confronted by Israeli soldiers who were guarding the illegal colony.

The Israeli occupation soldiers launched sound grenades on the peaceful protestors who were walking towards the colony while holding signs. The heavily armed soldiers who greatly outnumbered the protestors ruthlessly yelled at the protestors and pushed them violently. The protestors did not go back, despite the demand made by the occupying forces. The occupation soldiers then went on to follow and encircle the protestors while intimidating them.  Nevertheless, the protestors did not yield to the threats and continued to walk along the so-called `security` fence surrounding the colony while demanding freedom for Palestine, an end to the illegal colonization and opposing the Apartheid Wall which cuts off millions of Palestinians from water, agricultural fields and their historical homeland. The heavily armed soldiers took pictures of the diverse group of protestors and pushed them.

Despite the heavy rains and the fact that the protestors were entirely surrounded by

Beit Ommar marches in solidarity with Gaza

heavily armed occupation soldiers, the protestors did not leave the area and chanted ‘Free Free Palestine’ as well as other slogans.

Yousef Abu Maria, secretary of the Popular Movement, also attended the protest. Earlier this week on Wednesday (2.1.2013) at 2 AM in the morning, occupation soldiers burst into the home of Yousef, awoken him and his family and arrested him. He was charged with participating in a protest against the illegal occupation of Palestine, a protest which took place six months ago, in July 2012. Yousef was released after paying a 1,000 NIS fine. Yousef was also warned that he is barred from entering the lands of Beit Omar in which Karme Tzur currently lies.  Despite this warning by the occupation authorities, Yousef insisted on participating in the event and marched on despite the risk that this posed for him.

As a result of your wonderful support, we are today much closer to realizing our children’s dream of having a safe place to play. Through your donations we have managed to purchase 65% of the land adjacent to LajeeCenter and the area, although still incomplete, has already become an important community space for the children, youth and their families in Aida and the neighboring communities. Together, we have managed to create a place where people can go and feel safe and to escape the harsh reality of life under occupation for a little while. We are delighted with the progress and are happy to share with you some attached photos of how the area looks today.

In order to complete the project we are now launching a social media campaign to seek global support from people around the world who believes in the need to defend the rights of children. We are asking for your help to share the attached flyer on Facebook and through any channels you can think of. Together we can help our children to play in peace, to run, smile, and to dream.

Each square meter of land costs about $100 and every square meter that we can secure brings us one meter closer to completing the project and achieving our children’s dream of having a Safe Place to Play.

Again, thank you for supporting our organization, it is truly valued and appreciated. Your support has repeatedly played a key role in LajeeCenter’s work and has made it possible for us to continue our mission of working for the children of Palestine, human rights, and freedom.

Sincerely,

Lajee Center

At 3 a.m. on December 11, Israeli occupation forces raided the offices of Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, the Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees, and the Palestinian NGO Network. Click here to take action to defend human rights defenders!

The offices were ransacked, their doors broken in, their computers and hard drives confiscated and their materials damaged, confiscated and destroyed. These Palestinian human rights defenders are on the front lines in defending the rights of Palestinian prisoners, organizing Palestinian women, and coordinating Palestinian civil society in the face of the Israeli occupation. Click here to write Israeli officials in protest.

Addameer reported that this was the first raid by the IOF since 2002, when the Addameer office was raided during the invasion of Ramallah. “Our imprisoned colleague Ayman Nasser told the Ofer military court, ‘I will pursue the just cause of the prisoners even if the price is my own freedom.’ This is what we confirm following the Israeli raid,” said one message from Addameer (see Electronic Intifada report).

It should be noted that this attack comes on Human Rights Day, the anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The blatant violation of Palestinian human rights is but the latest in a long string of attacks on the Palestinian movement and its popular organizations.

Said Addameer in its statement, “Addameer believes that this brutal assault is part of the constant targeting of the association’s staff and mission to defend Palestinian political prisoners. Since 2002, Addameer has been subjected to raids and attacks and arrest campaigns of staff members in past years. Most recently, Addameer’s researcher, Ayman Nasser, was detained on 15 October 2012 and is charged for supporting Palestinian prisoners and detainees and calling for their freedom…Addameer believes that these ongoing attacks aim to destroy the legitimacy of non-governmental organizations, and by disregarding our status as human rights defenders, raiding and ransacking resources and arresting staff members, they delegitimize human rights work and normalize the attacks on our offices.”

Other attacks on Palestinian human rights defenders was noted, including travel bans imposed on Addameer board member Abdullatif Ghaith and prohibition of Addameer lawyers from visiting prisoners in Israeli jails, as well as Israeli targeting of journalists during the aggression on Gaza. It should also be noted that the Union of Agricultural Work Committees were also recently the target of series of arrests against grassroots organizers of farmers in the West Bank, part of the ongoing campaign of harassment and targeting of Palestinian civil society.

See video of attack on UPWC office: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Ubkq0aiHvLQ

See photos of destruction in Addameer offices: http://samidoun.ca/2012/12/urgent-action-alert-defend-addameer-and-raided-palestinian-grassroots-and-civil-society-institutions/ - see Addameer on Facebook and Twitter.

TAKE ACTION!

The US and Canadian governments have been staunch defenders of ongoing Israeli violations of Palestinian human rights. It is urgent that people around the world take action to defend Palestinian human rights defenders and demand an end to the attacks on Palestinian grassroots and civil society organizations!

1. Write immediately to Israeli officials and demand an end to the persecution of Palestinian human rights defenders. Click here to send a letter now.

2. Contact your government officials and demand an end to the persecution of Palestinian human rights defenders. In Canada, call the office of John Baird, Foreign Minister, and demand an end to Canadian support for Israel and justice for Palestinian prisoners, at : 613-990-7720; Email: bairdj@parl.gc.ca. In the US, call the White House at 1-202-456-1111 and call the State Department at 1-202-647-4003. Demand that Canada and the US take a stand and stop supporting the attacks on Palestinians. (See Facebook event for call-in campaign)

3. Join a protest or demonstration outside an Israeli consulate to defend Palestinian grassroots and civil society organizations. Organizing an event, action or forum on Palestinian prisoners on your city or campus? Use this form to contact us and we will post the event widely. If you need suggestions, materials or speakers for your event, please contact us at samidoun@samidoun.ca. 

4. Join in the call for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions. Boycott Israeli products, and academic and cultural institutions until all Palestinian rights (including the right of refugees to return, to be free from occupation and for full equality) are fulfilled – including freeing the thousands of Palestinian prisoners behind bars and implementing Palestinian human rights.

 Addameer Offices Raided by Israeli Occupying Forces This Morning

Ramallah, 11 December 2012 – At 3 am this morning, 11 December 2012, the Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights office was raided by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF). Four laptops, one hard disk and a video camera were taken among other materials. The IOF destroyed the office; desks, ransacked filing cabinets and files and scattered files around the office. At this moment, we are not clear as to what has been confiscated, but in the coming days we will know more about the level of destruction and damage. This is the first raid by the IOF since 2002, when the Addameer office was raided during the invasion of Ramallah.

The offices of the Union of Palestinian Women’s Committee and the Palestinian NGO Network were also raided and ransacked last night. Addameer condemns this attack on human rights and civil society organizations, and sees it as an attempt to cripple solidarity with the prisoners movement.

We will provide more information in the coming hours as the situation develops. Follow our Twitter account at @addameer_ps and our Facebook page for the latest news.

 ***

Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association

P. O. Box: 17338, Jerusalem

Tel:+972 (0)2 296 0446 / 297 0136

Email: info@addameer.ps  Website: www.addameer.org

Facebook, Twitter, YouTube

Tuesday 4th December, 7.30pm, T9 Dundee University Tower Building

Mousa Abu Maria will give a first-hand account of Palestinian Grassroots Non-violent Resistance

Mousa Abu Maria is one of the founders and leaders of the Palestine Solidarity Project in Beit Ummar (between Bethlehem and Hebron). He is married to a Jewish American with whom he has a daughter. He was imprisoned from 1999-2003 and was held for a long period of time with historic hunger-striker Khader Adnan. While in jail he became committed to the path of non-violence. Since then, as leader of his community’s Popular Committee, he has led opposition to the stealing of his village’s land by settlers and to the extremely oppressive movement restrictions that Israeli Occupation Forces have imposed on the residents of his village. Activists bravely removed roadblocks that cut off their village from access to the road to Bethlehem. Mousa is a farmer who has had land confiscated in the recent past. He has paid a heavy price for his activism, including being shot in the head in 2008 and being held in administrative detention for over a year from 2008-2009. He will talk about living next to aggressive settlers, the oppression and harassment by Israeli Occupation Forces – including constant night raids and the arrests of children – life in Israeli prisons, and the relatively new (two year old) movement of the Women’s Organising Committee.

Alison Johnstone, Lothian, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 16/11/2012 That the Parliament condemns the missile attacks on Gaza by Israel, which have resulted in many deaths, including children; supports the call from the Secretary-General of the United Nations for an immediate de-escalation of tensions and for both sides to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law; believes that a repeat of the conflict four years ago in which an estimated 1,400 Palestinians died can be avoided; supports the efforts of the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign to raise awareness of the rights of the Palestinian people, and calls on the UK Government to stop arms sales to Israel.

Email a template (or your own) letter  to your MSP by going to: www.coordin8.org.uk

Exhibition – The Art of Occupation – Scottish Artists, Palestinian Visions

Tue 27th Nov – Sat 1st Dec

Conference Room – Central Library, Wellgate, Dundee

Everyone welcome, free entry.

There is an inevitable sense of déja vu with the latest Israeli murderous assaults on Gaza.  The media here in the UK and the USA parrots without any checking the Israeli version of events.  Which is always the same – Israel is only responding to rocket fire from Gaza into Israel.  Often this is qualified as Hamas rocket fire, just to make sure we all know who is to blame.  And of course, right on cue, our hapless Foreign Secretary, William Hague, duly appears on the wavelengths to blame Hamas for starting this round of violence.  President Obama spreads the same message in the USA.

Yet even a cursory look at the evidence shows that no Israeli had been killed due to rocket fire from Gaza, before the start of the latest escalation of Israeli assaults on Saturday 10th November. Yet prior to then, at least two Palestinians had been killed by Israeli soldiers.  On Monday November 5th Israeli forces shot and killed 23 year old Ahmad Nabhani.  Then on Thursday November 8th another Israeli force invaded southern Gaza, in the course of which they killed a 13 year old boy, Ahmed Younis Khader who was playing football in front of his house.  So much for targeted killing!  How much coverage did these unjustified killings of innocent Palestinian civilians get in the western media?  Where was William Hague and President Obama?  No word of blame was uttered against Israel for these two murders.  Yet when Palestinians in response to these killings do attack Israeli forces, Israel then unleashes hell on the whole of Gaza in a supposed right of self-defence.  And our brave western media just laps it all up.  The initial killings of a child and a young man by the Israelis cast aside in the rush to blame Hamas.  For more information on the timeline for the recent Israelis attacks see these two articles, here and here.  For an analysis of the biased coverage provided by our own BBC see here.

It is a rather strange kind of self-defence that causes the deaths of children including Omar Masharawi, the 11 month old baby referred to in the title of this post.  Yet another triumph for the much vaunted precision bombing of the Israeli airforce!  For of course this latest attack on Gaza has nothing to do with self defence.  It was, as is the case with all Israeli wars, a war of choice.  The nearness of the elections in Israel may have been a factor in the timing of the Israeli attacks.  Perhaps though, it was the prospect of a long term truce agreement with Hamas that prompted Israel to attack.  Many observers are of the view that Israel does not want peace.  A long term truce agreement would weaken the power of the military in Israel and more importantly put greater pressure on Israel to enter into serious negotiations with all Palestinians, including Hamas.  Not what most Israelis really want.  Much better to keep up the pretence of an existential threat to Israel in order to justify their unwillingness to enter into negotiations to bring about a two state solution.  Israel is doing everything possible, with its relentless expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, to make a two state solution impossible.  So Israel has every reason to avoid negotiations.  And what better excuse than a little war of aggression against Hamas.  So a few innocent civilians, including children, get killed.  So what, in the greater scheme of things – securing a greater Israel, preferably free of all Palestinians.  This is alas, what out leaders in the UK are supporting by offering diplomatic cover to Israel.  Things do not look good.  For a more detailed analysis of why Israel chose to attack now, see these two articles by Jerry Haber and American Jewish writer, here and here.  Finally for an Israeli perspective on the deaths of the three Israelis in Kiryat Malachi, see this article by Larry Derfner from +972 magazine.

From Alister’s blog

Some 150 protesters picketed Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre on a cold and wet Tuesday evening calling for a boycott of Israel state-funded dance company Batsheva.  Four Israel supporters attended a counter-demonstration.  Batheva’s performance was interrupted by protests at least eight times while a good number who had bought tickets turned over their tickets to the protesters after learning of Batsheva’s link to the Israeli government.

I am not long back from a visit to Nablus as part of a delegation from the Dundee-Nablus Twinning Association.  We all had a wonderful time and some of the party are still there – the lucky ones.  This post will focus on my initial thoughts on what this visit has told me about the overall political situation in Palestine.

At first sight everything in Nablus looks fine and dandy.  The place is very lively, lots of busy shops, full of all kinds of goods.  The streets are full of cars and there do not appear to be any travel restrictions.  So it came as a bit of a surprise to find the town covered in posters with photos of armed resistance fighters – dead fighters, all killed by the Israelis.

Still these posters did seem a bit out of kilter with the rest of the town.  That is until you look a bit more closely and ask a few questions.  You then remember that Nablus was occupied by the Israeli army from 2002 during the second intifada.  Though the soldiers are no longer in the town, evidence of their stay is everywhere.  Even our hotel had windows with bullet holes, like this one.

Even more disruptive was the destruction of whole houses. In the old town we met a Canadian woman who now lives in Nablus and she pointed out a newly rebuilt building just along from her house.  This was a building that the Israelis had destroyed, claiming that a resistance fighter was inside. He may have been, but in the process the Israelis killed nine people, including a pregnant mother and her baby.  So it is perfectly understandable that the Israeli occupation is never very far from the minds of Nabulsis.

It is not the case that the occupation has ended.  It has just changed.  The Israeli presence is everywhere and the effects of their presence is a constant factor in living in Nablus.  During the week we were there, we witnessed Israeli military aircraft flying overhead, an unmanned drone crash landed just outside the town and soldiers invaded Balata refugee camp to arrest two young men.  The Israelis keep a permanent watch over Nablus.  This includes a military outpost on one of the hills above the town.  The small watchtower where Israeli soldiers look down on the town can be clearly seen to the left of the red and white tower on the right of this photo.

While travel in Palestine is less restrictive than a few years ago, the checkpoints are still there, as are the guard posts.  Cars still have to slow down due to the traffic slowing devices built into the road.  At any moment the Israelis can close a road and staff the checkpoints with soldiers.  There is even a military camp just outside Nablus.  Travel in and out of Palestine is of course completely controlled by the Israelis and it can be a terrifying experience to get in or out of Palestine through Israeli controls as we can personally testify.  Goodness knows what it must be like for Palestinians.  The Palestinian economy is, like travel, completely dependent on Israel.  The two economies are bound by the some currency – the Israeli shekel, over which Palestine has no say whatsoever.  We had the good fortune to visit the new Northern are Electricity Distribution company and see at first hand the modernisation programme they are carrying out.  But, they are totally dependent on Israel for the supply of electricity.

And of course there are these twin sides of the coin – the refugee camps and the illegal settlements.  While Jews from anywhere in the world can come and with Israeli government support illegally build houses on land stolen from Palestinians the Palestinians from Jaffa and other areas now in Israel, are forbidden to return to their villages and have to make do with living in a desolate, confined space in the camps.  Many of the settlers around Nablus are not averse to using violence to harass and even destroy the olive trees of the Palestinian farmers lower down the hillsides.

So, while Nablus is a vibrant and lively town, you only need to spend a few days there to experience at first hand the debilitating and humiliating effects of the occupation.  For make no mistake about it, however much things have improved for some Palestinians, Palestine remains under occupation.  Two of the key demands of the Global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement are brought to life by just a short stay in Nablus – End the Occupation and the Right of Return for Refugees.

Our most successful fundraiser was after the Gaza invasion by Israel in 2008 because Michael was such an attraction that he guaranteed standing room only. He generously gave his services for free to us and to other groups he supported.  He had indicated that he was ready and willing to perform for us again but had to delay because he was unwell.

Michael’s witty introductions and lyrics, his hummable tunes sung in that inimitable gravelly voice, along with his sharp examination of many social issues brought an audience to enjoy and to think.  We will miss his ability to reflect Scotland’s thoughts and to cheer up the people of Scotland and beyond.  We will miss Michael and his trusty ironing board. Nothing can replace Michael, so we share this loss with his family and our thoughts are with them.
A group of Dundee members from the Dundee-Nablus Twinning Association were in Palestine very recently. The group included Nick Marra, Michael’s brother.

In response to the news of Michael’s death, another member of the tour, Jessica Ramm, drew this picture of an olive tree. It seems to reflect something of his character and strength.

Articles include a report on the successful demonstration close to the illegal settlement of Gush Eztion; further child arrests in the village of Beit Ommar; families who have received house demolition orders and more.

On Saturday October 6^th 2012, Salah family from Al Khader found out that more than 100 newly planted olive saplings in addition to 60 vine trees in an adjacent vineyard were cut down. The olive trees were among 300 olive trees planted on the Salah family’s land (Dirar Abed Al Raheem Salah and Abdulhakim Salah) and 200 olive trees on the Nabhan family’s land. Both lands were planted on Monday, February 6th 2012 during the 2012 olive planting program.

Olive trees being planted in February, now destroyed by settlers

Link to news report: http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=526501

“During the forced removals of the South African suburb of Sophiatown in 1955, around 65,000 residents were moved and “dumped in matchbox houses” in black townships. Only a few years before that, in 1948, Bedouins of Israel’s Naqab/Negev region, who Israel had not expelled, were also forcibly moved “from their ancestral lands into a restricted zone called the Siyag (literally, ‘fenced in’)”. And, just as Sophiatown was completely bulldozed, the Negev village of Al-Arakib was recently razed to make way for a Jewish National Fund forest.

As a South African it is particularly difficult not to see the stark parallels between the experiences of black South Africans under apartheid and of Palestinians today.

Haunting echoes of apartheid’s forced removals

Sophiatown, a once vibrant, predominantly “black” residential area, was targeted by the apartheid government in its programme of forced removals. In accordance with apartheid-inspired segregation and settlement of whites on land previously inhabited by black South Africans, Sophiatown became the “whites-only” suburb of “Triomf” (Triumph).

In a haunting mirror, on September 12, 2012, the Bedouin village of Al-Arakib in Israel’s Negev region was demolished for the thirty-ninth time – despite tenure dating back to the Ottoman period. More recently the government won the right to build a Jewish settlement on the site of the Bedouin village of Umm al-Hiran. The planned Jewish settlement will become Hiran.

The villagers of Umm al-Hiran and Al-Arakib are citizens of Israel: Its Arab citizens that Israel prides – and parades – as proof of its democracy. They are, however, not Jewish, a critical determiner of who is entitled to what land and how rights are allocated. If the state has its way, Al-Arakib will be forested over by the Jewish National Fund (JNF), and, with Umm al-Hiran, join the fate of around 500 Palestinian villages that have been wiped from the face of the “Jewish State” since 1947 (a process that started before the state came into being in 1948). Many of these villages now lie buried beneath Jewish settlements and JNF recreation parks and forests.

JNF’s Zionist socialisation

Like so many Jewish children, I had a JNF Blue Box (money box); “the small Blue Box and the Big Jewish Dream” that has become a symbol of Jewish-Zionist identity. I had certificates representing trees planted in my name. These were integral to my socialisation into Zionism: I was helping to make “the desert bloom” and enabling “my people” to return to “our” homeland.

What I did not know was that my “right” to the land was contingent on the dispossession of Palestinians from their land and rights. Discovering the truth was jarring.

The ruins in the JNF South Africa Forest in the Galilee enthralled me as a child visiting Israel; I believed I had stumbled upon an ancient archaeological site. I have since learnt that these ruins are the remains of the destroyed Palestinian village of Lubya. Like many other South African Jews, I have sponsored trees in this forest.

JNF’s inherent racism

The JNF, established in 1901 to acquire land for Jewish settlement, plays a critical role in socialising and educating Jews into Zionism, and institutionalising the belief that Jews have a right to land and rights at the expense of Palestinian rights. The JNF is also central to the state’s ownership, and ongoing appropriation, of land. With the state’s identity premised on “the land” (Eretz Yisrael), the JNF, a quasi-governmental organisation, arguably embodies the state.

The JNF owns 13 per cent of land and along with the Israel Lands Administration manages 93 per cent of all land. Its constitutive tenets are inherently racist, stipulating that only Jews may use or lease JNF land. Some of this land was purchased prior to 1948, but the larger part was transferred by the state post independence. This allowed the state to surrender its responsibility of equality to all its citizens by passing its authority to the JNF which could then openly practice exclusion.

The JNF unashamedly confirms:

“It is not a public body that works for the benefit of all its citizens of the state. The loyalty of the JNF is given to the Jewish people and only to them is the JNF obligated. The JNF, as the owner of JNF land, does not have a duty to practice equality to all citizens of the state.”

In other words the JNF owes loyalty to me, but not to 20 per cent of Israel’s population, its Palestinian citizens, not to mention Palestinians dispossessed by the Nakba. And according to its Jewish-only policy, I have more right to land – a South African of Lithuanian origin – than Palestinians who have lived on the land for centuries. And despite its racist policies, the JNF is still given authority to manage most state land.

‘Judaisation’ of the Negev

The JNF further positions itself as an innocuous environmental organisation:

“Over the past 109 years, JNF has evolved into a global environmental leader by planting 250 million trees… bringing life to the Negev Desert and educating students around the world about Israel and the environment.”

The truth is quite different.

To ensure that the villagers of Al-Arakib can never return, the JNF has begun planting a forest of environmentally damaging, non-indigenous eucalyptus trees to conceal evidence of its existence. Further exposing the JNF’s hypocrisy, in the process of forced removals, the state uprooted hundreds of indigenous olive trees.

Al-Arakib and Umm al-Hiran are but two of the many so-called unrecognised Bedouin villages targeted by the state; villages unrecognised despite the thousands who live in them – unrecognised to render the inhabitants powerless. As part of the Prawer Plan, the state plans to expel 30,000 Bedouins from their villages in the Negev, and forcibly move them to designated townships. This will devastate livelihoods, sever them from their land, destroy ancestral lifestyles, and corrode at their communal identity and sense of belonging. In close collaboration with the JNF, the state plans to settle 250,000 Jews in the Negev.

Simply put, the idea is to make the Negev Jewish and ensure that the non-Jewish inhabitants live in manageable enclaves.

With our own history of apartheid, particularly disquieting was discovering the role of the South African JNF in enabling this displacement of Bedouins. Certificates are even available to support the project:

“[O]ur goal is to bring 250,000 new residents to the Negev… JNF South Africa is making a difference by assisting young pioneers to establish farmsteads… located in the Negev highlands between the Telallim Junction to the town of Mizpe Ramon… built on available sites in the Negev that are neither protected nature reserves nor army training areas. Most of the sites have been chosen for their scenic location and in many cases have been built on previously disturbed sites.” [my emphasis]

Would Sophiatown too be a previously disturbed site?

Apartheid?

The UN/ICC definition of apartheid is “systematic oppression and domination by one racial group over any racial group or groups and committed with the intention of maintaining that regime”.

For many Jewish South Africans the apartheid analogy that is gaining traction is painful and is being determinedly challenged. As South Africans we know apartheid, and it was brutal. White South Africans, however, cannot know the pain and humiliation of dispossession and oppression. Rather, we can know what it means to be privileged at the expense of someone else’s oppression.

It is not for the oppressor to decide how the oppressed should understand their oppression.

But, how is whites-only different to Jewish-only? And, if the forced removal of 30,000 Bedouins to make way for 250,000 Jews is not “systematic oppression… with the intention of maintaining the regime”, what, then, is it?”

Heidi-Jane Esakov

1. Show the strength of solidarity with the calls of the Palestinian people and the diversity of initiatives and actions aimed at promoting justice and peace in the region.
2. Create effective actions to ensure Palestinian self-determination, the creation of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, and the fulfilment of human rights and international law, by:

• Ending Israeli occupation and colonization of all Arab lands and dismantling the Wall;
• Ensuring the fundamental rights of the Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel to full equality;
• Implementing, protecting, and promoting the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties as stipulated in UN resolution 194.

3. Be a space for discussion, exchange of ideas, strategizing, and planning in order to improve the structure of solidarity.

It will also discuss the obligations on the state of Israel, as an occupying power and member of the human race, towards these children. The Seminar will be of interest to everyone who believes that children should be treated as children.

In the West Bank the detention of Palestinian children and young people by the Israeli military occupation forces, their treatment in the military courts, all go largely unreported and unchallenged. From the minute the children are detained, blindfolded or hooded, the treatment by their gaolers and military justice system can only be described as abusive and inhumane with credible reports of exposure to ill-treatment and torture.

Detained in late night raids, torn away from their family with parents denied the right to accompany them, the  children will be exposed to solitary confinement, the use of leg irons and shackles. Signed confessions in Hebrew, a language most do not understand, is not uncommon.

The meeting will take place between 1pm and 5pm on Saturday 10th November at Hilton Edinburgh Grosvenor, Grosvenor Street, Edinburgh, EH12 5EF.

Speakers will include:

Gerard Horton (International Advocacy Officer – lawyer, Defence for Children International, based in Ramallah)

Aimee Shalan (Director of Advocacy and Communications, Medical Aid for Palestinians)

Dr Michael Kearney (lecturer in Law, Sussex University   &  legal consultant for Palestinian rights body, al Haq)

Chair: Tam Baillie, Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People

Accommodation is limited. You are advised to pre-register to book your place at the Seminar.  Entrance is free but donation appreciated.

Contact: info@scottish-friends-of-palestine.org

On Saturday 27th October at 5.30pm, there will be a session with Sarah Irving discussing her new book, Leila Khaled: Icon of Palestinian Liberation; Guy Mannes-Abbott speaking on In Ramallah, Running; and Leila Khaled speaking from the Middle East by video link.

More information on this session and other events during the Fair can be found at the Word Power website.

]]> http://taysideforjusticeinpalestine.org/2012/10/08/leila-khaled-to-speak-by-video-link-at-edinburghs-independent-radical-book-fair/feed/ 0 http://taysideforjusticeinpalestine.org/2012/09/23/batsheva-protests-in-edinburgh/ http://taysideforjusticeinpalestine.org/2012/09/23/batsheva-protests-in-edinburgh/#comments Sun, 23 Sep 2012 19:38:35 +0000 Nick http://taysideforjusticeinpalestine.org/?p=881 Continue reading →]]> On 30th August, a number of activists from Dundee travelled through to protest outside the Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre where, Israeli dance company, Batsheva were performing as part of the Edinburgh International Festival.

Batsheva were targetted because they are part of the Israeli state sponsored Brand Israel campaign. Hundreds took part in a lively protest that involved singing, chanting and ticket burning on all 3 nights that Batsheva were performing in Edinburgh.

Protest against Batsheva at the Edinburgh festival

Batsheva are due to return for a tour of the UK, starting in Edinburgh on 30th and 31st October. Don’t Dance with Israeli Apartheid will be organising demonstrations outside each show on the tour.

A young mother visited Dundee in 2005.  When a delegation from Dundee visited her in Burin they could see from her verandah the two Israeli settlements on the nearby hilltops.  To the north is Bracha and to the south is Yitzhar.  The report lists Burin as “extremely vulnerable” and names these two settlements as the source of arson attacks, destruction of property and physical attacks.

The report is well illustrated with maps, charts and clear recommendations for Israel, the USA, Palestinians and journalists.  In particular, it asks for Israel to investigate and prevent such attacks.  The USA should press Israel to fulfil its legal obligations and ensure that no US money is being used to fund Israeli settlements.  Palestinians are recommended to do what they can to inhibit such attacks while  journalists should avoid use of the term “price tag”.  These attacks are not a consequence of Israeli action but represent a failure of Israel to uphold international law (by which settlements are illegal) and a failure to prosecute or deter settler violence.

Well worth a read.

FONSA has supported several needy students by paying their tuition fees when their families are unable to help.  The latest project is to support Nursing and Midwifery students as part of an initiative to develop modern medical treatments within Palestine.  An Najah National University in Nablus has set up a new teaching hospital as part of this drive.

FONSA is a registered Scottish charity (SC038512).  More details at www.fonsa.org.uk

Email the Mayor of Jerusalem now, and demand the Israeli authorities put a stop to demolitions in Silwan.

The Israeli authorities plan to demolish large parts of Silwan to build a controversial tourist site. In place of a bustling Palestinian neighbourhood, there are plans to build visitors centres, gift shops and car parks for foreign tourists. The community in Silwan is defiant. They have come together to resist the demolitions.

But the bulldozers could arrive at any time – it’s vital that we support their struggle to stay in their homes.

Take action now, and help stop the bulldozers in Silwan.

On the 9th of September Zakaria Zubeidi announced that he will embark on a death fast, a complete food and fluid strike, in response to the continuous postponement of his release from Palestinian Authority prison. This effectively means that unless the Palestinian Authority releases Zakaria he will most probably not make it through the week. 

Zubeidi, co-founder of The Freedom Theatre and former leader of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, has been imprisoned by the Palestinian Authority for close to four months. No charges have been made against him, no evidence presented and throughout his imprisonment his rights have been severely violated, as described by among others Human Rights Watch (http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/07/27/israelpalestinian-authority-theater-group-hit-both-sides).

Being one of the last survivors of Arna’s Children(1), Zakaria joined the armed resistance during the second Intifada and became one of its leading figures. After co-founding The Freedom Theatre in 2006 Zakaria decided to lay down his weapons in order to join a cultural resistance, which he deemed a more powerful tool against the Israeli occupation. Surviving numerous assassination attempts by the Israeli army and vowing to never again enter an Israeli prison, Zakaria is now instead facing death in a Palestinian prison unless immediate action is taken.

The Freedom Theatre urges all its friends and supporters to:

• Contact the local representative office of the Palestinian Authority(2) and demand Zakaria Zubeidi’s release. Since the situation is urgent we also ask you to take more direct actions such as organising protests at PA representative offices.
• Contact local or regional human rights offices and organisations such as Amnesty International and urge them to take action.
• Contact your local MP and MEP and urge them to take action.
• Contact your country’s representative office in the occupied Palestinian territory and urge them to take action(3).
• Call these numbers to demand Zakaria’s release: +972 (0)599000011 Abo Mohammad Shadeh, Head of the Palestinian Authority President’s Security Office, +972 (0)2000011 Said Abualheja, Ministry of Interior , +972 (0)-597778887 Majd Faraj, Head of Palestinian Intelligence

SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGNS

Twitter: #Freezakaria
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefreedomtheatre, https://www.facebook.com/FreedomForNabilAndZakaria
Website: http://www.thefreedomtheatre.org/news.php?id=280

SAMPLE LETTER

To [Name], representative of the Palestinian Authority

I am a staunch supporter of the Palestinian people and therefore I am now contacting you on an urgent matter. It has come to my knowledge that Zakaria Zubeidi, co-founder of The Freedom Theatre in Jenin and former military leader of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades has been kept in Palestinian prison for over four months without any charges or accusations brought against him. I have also been informed that Zakaria’s human rights have been violated on several accounts and that as a result he has started a death fast, refusing water or food. That means that he will die within 8-10 days and most probably before that suffer irreversible effects to his health. I urge you to take immediate actions for Zakaria’s release. If you, as a representative of the Palestinian Authority will allow Zakaria to die then you must also know that I and many others will consider you partly responsible for his death.

I trust that you understand the need for your immediate response to this case.

Sincerely Yours,

[Name]
[Place]

REFERENCES

(1) http://www.arna.info/Arna

(2)

http://www.palestinecabinet.gov.ps/site/456/default.aspx

http://www.minfo.ps/English/index.php?pagess=main&id=193&butt=5

http://www.un.int/wcm/content/site/palestine/

http://www.un.int/wcm/content/site/palestine/cache/offonce/pid/11548;jsessionid=28CDCCFCCADD2376963B0ED42BD194DB

http://embassy.goabroad.com/embassies-of/Palestine#5057

http://embassy.goabroad.com/embassies-of/Palestine

(3) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_diplomatic_missions_in_Palestine

Previous press releases, background and updates

Zakaria Zubeidi remains in prison (02092012)

http://www.thefreedomtheatre.org/news.php?id=275

Zakaria Zubeidi’s release postponed (27082012)

http://www.thefreedomtheatre.org/news.php?id=274

Zakaria Zubeidi to be released on bail (22082012)

http://www.thefreedomtheatre.org/news.php?id=272

Zakaria Zubeidi temporarily released (19082012)

http://www.thefreedomtheatre.org/news.php?id=271

Human Rights Watch calls for end to harassment of The Freedom Theatre (28072012)

http://www.thefreedomtheatre.org/news.php?id=263

New information on Nabil and Zakaria (11072012)

http://www.thefreedomtheatre.org/news.php?id=257

Nabil and Zakaria on hunger strike (05072012)

http://www.thefreedomtheatre.org/news.php?id=256

Latest news on Nabil and Zakaria (01072012)

http://www.thefreedomtheatre.org/news.php?id=251

Action Alert: Free Nabil Al-Raee and Zakaria Zubeidi (07062012)

http://www.thefreedomtheatre.org/news.php?id=239

The rejection of the EU-Israel Agreement on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of industrial products (ACAA) is important for the promotion of peace and justice. In its agreements with third countries, we believe that the EU should promote and respect human rights and fundamental values. The benefits brought by the adoption of such agreements should not be built on breaches of international law, unlawful or inequitable exploitation of resources and/or unfair and discriminatory practices. In the case of the EU-Israel ACAA, EU citizens do not want to benefit from Israeli control over Palestinian land; obstacles to the movement of goods and people and exploitation of natural resources by the Israeli authorities; and the forced dependency of Palestinians on Israeli regulations and policies which impedes prospects of sustainable growth in the OPT and benefits Israeli industries

To make the most impact we have said that we will try and get as many people from Dundee as possible outside the theatre on the first night – Thursday 30th August.

To maximise the turnout we are organising a bus, leaving Dundee at 4pm, and aiming to leave Edinburgh at 8pm. Please make every effort to come along and let us know as soon as possible if you are able to join the bus.

To book a seat, email us at taysideforjusticeinpalestine@googlemail.com, letting us know your name, how many seats you require and please include a contact phone number.

This is a high profile event that should make an impact. You can find more details on http://no2brandisrael.org, from which the following paragraphs have been taken:

Batsheva Dance Company is scheduled to appear for three nights at the Playhouse on Leith Walk during the Edinburgh International Festival – from 30/08 – 01/09. They then have an 8-city UK tour later in the year, including the two opening slots in Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre, Nicholson Street. Protests are currently being organised.

Letter to Jonathan Mills

Jonathan Mills
Festival Director
Edinburgh International Festival

Dear Mr Mills,

The ‘Don’t Dance with Israeli Apartheid’ campaign protests in the strongest terms about the invitation to Batsheva Dance Company to perform at the Edinburgh International Festival 2012. You should be aware that the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI), have called since 2004, for a boycott of all cultural performers and exhibiters that are institutionally linked to the Israeli state. PACBI is part of a broader Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign that was called in 2005 by nearly 200 Palestinian civil society organisations. These campaigns allow individuals, organisations and indeed festival directors across the world to make a difference and help bring an end to the regime of occupation, colonisation and apartheid that has been imposed by Israel upon the Palestinian people for 64 years. We all have a duty to act because our governments fail in their obligation to act. There should be no normalisation, no ‘business as usual’ with states that practice apartheid. The tactic of boycott was legitimate and effective in helping to end apartheid in South Africa and it can make a significant contribution in countering the latest manifestation in Israel/Palestine.

You should be aware that the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs helps to fund international tours for Batsheva and states boldly on its website that it is ‘the best known global ambassador of Israeli culture.’ Batsheva willingly collaborates with the propaganda exercise, known as ‘Brand Israel’, which was conceived by Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). This cynically aims to present positive spin about Israel and whitewash its oppressive regime and human rights abuses. According to Arye Mekel of MFA, “We will send well-known novelists and writers overseas, theater companies, exhibits… This way you show Israel’s prettier face, so we are not thought of purely in the context of war.”

Without question, Batsheva meets the criteria set by PACBI for boycott action and it is for this reason that we are calling on you to withdraw its invitation to perform at this year’s festival. Batsheva was targeted for protest throughout its North American tour earlier this year because of its complicity with the Israeli state and the Brand Israel deception. If their appearances at this year’s Edinburgh International Festival and on tour in the UK in October and November 2012 go ahead, it will be imperative that these occasions are also used for similar protests.

We would always reject any suggestion that culture inhabits a world disconnected from politics. The efforts of ‘Brand Israel’ give incontrovertible evidence of how these matters are inseparable. In any society cultural activities can be provided on a discriminatory basis, promoted and funded for some groups but denied to others. Hana Awaad, a long-time member of El Funoun, one of Palestine’s premier dance troupes has stated, ‘Whilst Israeli artists and performers have freedom to tour, exhibits and performances by Palestinian artists are systematically banned, sabotaged and closed down by the Israeli occupation. Artists themselves are targets of violence, arbitrary arrests and deportations. Israel’s 3 tiered system of occupation, colonisation and apartheid ruthlessly suffocates the livelihoods of Palestinian communities, including the right to artistic and cultural expression.’ The restrictions faced by Palestinian performers however only mirror the experience endured by all Palestinians. Every aspect of life is affected by Apartheid Israel’s mechanism of control which involves hundreds of checkpoints, permit systems, curfews, closures of roads and villages, the apartheid wall, imprisonment and military force.

We also reject any suggestion that ‘balancing’ appearances of Palestinian and (state sponsored) Israeli performers can ever be acceptable. Apartheid is not about equal forces facing each other. It is an aggravated and state directed form of racial discrimination in which one group dominates and oppresses another. Palestinian performers involved in tours or festivals achieve this in spite of the restrictions and discrimination that they face. As Bishop Desmond Tutu famously stated, “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor…..”

The Edinburgh International Festival is one of the most prestigious arts festivals in the world, and we believe that it should be, unambiguously, on the side of justice and human rights for all. This means opposing Apartheid Israel and those who act as ambassadors for this state. We call on you to withdraw the invitation to Batsheva Dance Company.

Yours sincerely,

Don’t Dance with Israeli Apartheid

Mahmoud staged a three month hunger strike that brought him to the edge of death, which he ended after Israel met his demands and agreed to free him.

As a member of the Palestinian national football team, Mahmoud attracted worldwide support, including from international players’ association FIFPro and numerous world-renowned football players and athletes.

In Scotland, a protest was held by Palestinian solidarity activists in support of Mahmoud at the Scotland v Israel women’s football match that took place in June. The protest was filmed by Trish Hill.

Earlier today two activists climbed on top of the multistory building and secured themselves in place using superglue and bike locks.

Two banners were seen hanging from the edge of the building. One read “G4S – Profiting from: Israeli Apartheid, Prison Slavery, Deadly Deportations”.

Rooftop protest at G4S HQ

Another dozen protesters surrounded the building on the ground, shouting slogans and holding anti-G4S placards.

G4S provides equipment to prisons inside Israel to which Palestinian
political prisoners from occupied territory are transferred in violation of the Geneva Conventions, tortured and subjected to arbitrary detention.

For more photos and information on the protest go to the Indymedia UK website.

On Saturday 9^th, we brought the story of Palestine to Dundee City Centre, drew large crowds and had a wide variety of speakers and performers.

Local artist Pat Donachie exhibited his latest art installation – Medals of Shame – highlighting the Israeli army’s murder of hundreds of children in Gaza during their Operation Cast Lead (2008/9)

Lajee Dabke dancers at Justice for Palestine festival

The audience loudly applauded the young Dabke dancers from the Lajee Cultural Centre (Aida Refugee Camp, Bethlehem). They listened attentively to the many thought provoking explanations and experiences they heard.   Stallholders engaged visitors in dialogue about the products of Palestine, its history and its current predicament.

There are photos and films of the performers and speakers at the festival at

• http://www.flickr.com/photos/45212221@N06/
• http://www.youtube.com/user/TrishMaryHill.

On Friday 8^th there was a performance of Still Life –Tales from the West Bank. Karen Chalk and Penny Stone, two women who had served in Palestine as human rights observers, told the story of occupation through an hour of song, stories and images.

Mohammed Alazraq

On Saturday evening, Action Palestine organised a public meeting about Palestinian political prisoners at the University of Dundee. Mohammed Alazraq and Salah Alajarma described from their personal experiences the inhuman conditions that Palestinian political prisoners experience in Israel’s gaols. They detailed how the struggle against the Israeli occupation continued in the prisons and how the prisoners maintained their dignity in the face of such brutal treatment.

On Sunday at Dundee’s WestFest event, the Lajee Cultural Centre had a stall and distributed information about their project and its aim of giving children in the Aida refugee camp a safe place to play and be creative.

On Monday at Craigie High School, the Lajee Dabke troupe met children and young people of their own age. As part of the school’s Global Citizenship studies, they described their experiences as refugees living in a Bethlehem refugee camp and performed their dances for the Craigie pupils.

Over £1,000 was raised to help fund the Lajee Cultural tour of the UK and to contribute to our future campaigns fighting for justice for Palestine.

This money was raised through collections at the EIS conference, Dundee Central Mosque, Dundee’s WestFest and the festival in the City Square. Donations were also made by trade unions, including the GMB, Unison and UNITE and the Communist Party of Scotland (Dundee).

We are very grateful to all who supported these events through their participation, preparation and generosity. It bodes well for our objectives of reaching a peaceful and just resolution to the occupation of Palestine.

Throughout these events, stories of despair were balanced by stories of hope with actions that everyone in Dundee can take as part of our contribution to achieving Justice for Palestine.

If you would like to help with future activities:

• Please contact taysideforjusticeinpalestine@gmail.com
• Visit our website http://taysideforjusticeinpalestine.org/

Mahmoud Sarsak

As European football stars compete in the European Championships, the eyes of the world must turn to a football star at urgent risk of death: Palestinian national team member Mahmoud Sarsak, 25, has been imprisoned under Israel’s “Unlawful Combatants Law” – the only prisoner so held – without charge or trial – for three years. Sarsak, from Gaza, traveled to the West Bank to join the Palestinian national soccer team for training. Upon his arrival he was abducted by the Israeli occupation military and since that time has been held in Israeli jails, subject to this special version of administrative detention designed especially for Palestinian prisoners from the Gaza Strip. Take action now – send a letter to Israeli officials demanding his freedom!

Samidoun: Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network

Dundee University Action Palestine Public Meeting

Dundee University Student Union Meeting room 2

Aida Refugee Camp, Bethlehem

This coming Saturday, the youth of Aida Refugee Camp, near Bethlehem in the Occupied West Bank, will give a presentation with photographs on the work of the Lajee Centre, a pioneering community-based organisation helping Palestinian refugee youth maintain their culture and heritage at the front line of the struggle for freedom and justice, and on their personal experiences of living in a refugee camp. This will be followed by a talk on political prisoners and hunger strikes by Salah Ajarma and Mohammed Alazraq, both of whom have been imprisoned by Israel for two years. Dundee University Action Palestine is deeply privileged to host such distinguished speakers.

Speaker Biographies

Salah Ajarma is a Palestinian refugee originally from the village of Ajur. He lives in Aida Refugee Camp. Salah spent more than two years as a political prisoner in Israeli jails, first being imprisoned at the age of 14. He is currently the Director of Lajee Centre. Salah worked as the Co-ordinator of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Association in the West Bank between 1996 and 1998, and has done periodic voluntary work with them since. Salah is married with two beautiful daughters.

Mohammed Alazraq is a Palestinian refugee originally from the village of al-Qabu, he is also a resident of Aida Camp. During the Second Intifada, Mohammed spent two years as a political prisoner in Israeli jails, spending time in both Ofer and al-Naqab prisons alongside many of his friends and comrades from the camp. He is currently the Activities Co-ordinator at Lajee Centre.

This event will highlight a number of isues linked with the Palestinian struggle and the Israeli occupation, including the issue of refugees, the Nakba, the Israeli settlements and the Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions campaign.

Lajee Dabka troupe perform in the shadow of the wall in Aida refugee camp, Bethlehem. (Photo: Rich Wiles)

Performers will include a group of young Palestinian dancers from the Lajee Cultural Centre based at Aida refugee camp in Bethlehem and Loadsawimminsignin, the Dundee Rep women’s singing group.

There will also be a new art installation by Dundee artist, Pat Donachie, entitled Medals of Shame.

Programme of Events (approx. timings)

12.00              Chair’s opening statement

12.10              Still Life: Tales from the West Bank.

12.25              Fraser Macpherson, Lib Dem councillor

12.35              Lajee Dance Group

1.10              “Loadsawimminsingin” Dundee Rep group

1.25              Joe FitzPatrick, SNP, MSP

1.40              Jim Malone, Scottish Organiser, FBU trade union

1.55              Nadia El-Nakla, TfJIP

2.00              Sarah Glynn, Scottish Jews for a Just Peace

2.10              Richard McCready, Dundee Labour Party

2.20              Colin Westwood, local protest singer

2.35              Lajee Dance Group

3.05              Dr. Colin Cooper, Medical Aid Worker (just returned from Gaza)

3.15              Mick Napier, Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign

3.30              Mohammed Alazraq, Palestinian Political Prisoner

3.40              Chair’s closing remarks.

There will  be stalls selling Palestinian produce and providing information about different aspects of the Palestinian struggle and the Israeli occupation.

As organisations dedicated to the promotion and protection of human rights, the Palestinian Council of Human Rights Organizations (PCHRO) and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel (PHR-Israel) are gravely concerned for the lives of three Palestinian prisoners that remain on hunger strike in Israeli prison. Today, Mahmoud Sarsak and Akram Rikhawi were visited by PHR-Israel’s independent doctor for the first time since they launched their hunger strikes.

Mahmoud Sarsak is currently on his 80^th day of hunger strike, resulting in an imminent threat to his life. Despite the urgency of his condition, the Israeli Prison Service (IPS) has denied Mahmoud access to independent doctors from PHR-Israel until today. The IPS also refuses to transfer him to a civilian hospital for proper treatment. Following today’s visit, the PHR-Israel doctor reported that Mahmoud has experienced extreme loss of muscle tissue and drastic weight loss. He has lost 33 percent of his body weight, from an original weight of 76 kilos down to his present weight of 51 kilos. He also suffers from frequent incidents of fainting and loss of consciousness, in addition to lapses in memory. The doctor further reported that Mahmoud is in danger of pulse disruptions (arrhythmias) that are endangering his life.

Mahmoud, 25 years old and a member of the Palestinian national football team, has been detained for nearly three years under Israel’s “Unlawful Combatants Law,” which allows for Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to be detained for an unlimited amount of time without charge or trial. Those detained under the Statute have little or no legal protections, even less than those detained under administrative detention orders in the West Bank.

Also of utmost concern is the condition of Akram Rikhawi, currently on his 56^th day of hunger strike. PHR-Israel has made numerous requests to gain access to Akram but all have been denied until today. Following today’s visit, the PHR-Israel doctor reported that Akram also already suffers from extreme loss of muscle tissue and drastic weight loss. His weight has decreased from 68 kilos to 50 kilos, which is a total loss of 26.5 percent. The PHR-Israel doctor determined that a combination of inflammation of prior chronic illnesses and the complications of hunger strike render hospitalization immediately necessary.

Akram has been held in the Ramleh prison medical center since his arrest in 2004, as he suffers from many different chronic conditions, including diabetes and asthma. Akram began his hunger strike on 12 April in protest against his request for early release not being granted despite his medical condition. Yesterday, 5 June, his appeal for an early release on medical grounds was rejected. The IPS doctors’ threats to force-feed and force-treat him, in addition to their determination not to recommend his medical condition as worthy of earlier release from prison, has led Akram to regard them with deep distrust. Thus, he often refuses to receive treatment for his chronic illnesses, or the complications they generate.

PHR-Israel’s independent doctor strongly recommended that both Mahmoud and Akram be immediately transferred to a hospital, as they are at immediate risk of death. These recommendations were given directly to the IPS doctor present with him during the visit. It should be emphasized that contrary to medical ethic and professional standards, the IPS refused the request of the independent doctor to go over the full medical files of both Mahmoud and Akram. He stated that according to the limited information accessible to him, the medical follow-up they have been receiving is insufficient both in frequency and scope.

A third Palestinian prisoner also remains on hunger strike. Samer Al-Barq, 38 years old, has been held in administrative detention, without charge or trial, since 11 July 2010. Samer is currently held in Ramleh prison medical center. Samer participated in the Palestinian prisoners’ mass hunger strike from 17 April until 14 May. He re-launched his hunger strike on 21 May in protest against the renewal of his administrative detention order in spite of an understanding in the agreement that ended the mass hunger strike, which implied that current administrative detainees would not have their orders renewed.

While administrative detention is allowed under international humanitarian law, it must be used only under exceptional circumstances as it infringes upon basic human rights, including the right to a fair trial. Indeed, the denial of a fair trial constitutes a ‘grave breach’ of the Fourth Geneva Convention, one of the most serious forms of war crimes. This form of arbitrary arrest also contravenes Articles 9 and 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Furthermore, the European Parliament called on Israel in a September 2008 resolution to “guarantee that minimum standards on detention be respected, to bring to trial all detainees, [and] to put an end to the use of ‘administrative detention orders’.” The United Nations Human Rights Committee has stated several times that prolonged administrative detention is likely to result in the exposure of detainees to “torture, ill-treatment and other violations of human rights.”

Given the critical health condition of the hunger strikers and the fact that Mahmoud Sarsak and Akram Rikhawi face imminent death, the PCHRO and PHR-Israel:

·   demand that all hunger strikers in advanced stages are moved immediately to civilian hospitals where they can receive the standard of care necessary;

·   call for immediate intervention for the IPS to provide all hunger strikers with unrestricted access to independent doctors;

·   demand that all hunger strikers are allowed family visits;

·   urge the Member States of the United Nations to urgently put pressure on Israel to end its policy of arbitrary detention and to abide by the standard rules for the treatment of prisoners adopted in 1955, which set out what is generally accepted as being decent principle and practice in the treatment of prisoners;

·   call on the European Parliament to activate the parliamentary fact-finding mission that includes members of its Subcommittee on Human Rights to investigate the conditions of detention of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons;

·   emphasise that the parliamentary fact-finding mission must include an investigation into Israel’s illegal practice of administrative detention and the use of the “Unlawful Combatant Law”;

·   urge Members of the European Parliament to bring the case of all three hunger strikers to the attention of relevant Israeli authorities without delay.

6 June 2012

They will be staying in Dundee from Saturday 9^th June to Monday 11^th June. Come and see them perform at the Justice for Palestine festival in the City Square, Dundee on Saturday 9^th June from 12 – 4pm.

Lajee Tour Facebook Page

Lajee Centre, Aida Refugee Camp, Bethlehem

This event will highlight a number of isues linked with the Palestinian struggle and the Israeli occupation, including the issue of refugees, the Nakba, the Israeli settlements and the Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions campaign.

Performers will include a group of young Palestinian dancers from the Lajee Cultural Centre based at Aida refugee camp in Bethlehem and Loadsawimminsignin, the Dundee Rep women’s singing group.

There will also be a new art installation by Dundee artist, Pat Donachie, entitled Medals of Shame.

There will a range of speakers which will be announced nearer the day, as well as stalls selling Palestinian produce and providing information about different aspects of the Palestinian struggle and the Israeli occupation

 

Lajee Dabka troupe perform in the shadow of the wall in Aida refugee camp, Bethlehem. (Photo: Rich Wiles)

 

The venue will be clearly sign posted and there will be free parking in and around the Arts Centre.

The participatory website uses multi-media tools to build a significant advocacy resource relating to the historic and ongoing displacement of the Palestinian people. The website is already online in both english and arabic, although it is constantly being updated and developed with new tools. In this regard, BADIL is launching an international call to Palestinians everywhere, and to non-Palestinians working to support the dissemination of stories of Palestinian displacement.

We are seeking multi-media tools such as photographs, short films, or audio recordings through which stories of Palestinian displacement are told. These tools can relate to any period of Palestinian history and can be in either english or arabic.

These tools may include photo stories of demolitions or mass displacements, oral history audio recordings or interviews with or by displaced people, short films about an issue or area of displacement, or any other related multi-media productions.

This call may be particularly relevant to photographers, film-makers, journalists, oral history programs, academics, or activists working around these issues, but this call is not limited to professionals in these areas. We are not only seeking finished professional productions, or materials made with professional equipment. Raw collections of photographs, unedited film or audio can also be very valuable to the project and BADIL’s experienced team will work to turn raw materials into strong edited advocacy tools about displacement. In all cases, people contributing materials will be credited for their work.

If you are have any potential multi-media advocacy tools, or are interested in producing some, please contact BADIL for further information on the below email:

rich@badil.org     www.ongoingnakba.org

Palestinian Prisoners’ Mass Hunger Strike Concludes After Agreement is Reached

Ramallah, 15 May 2012 – After nearly a full month of fasting, around 2,000 Palestinian political prisoners ended last night their mass hunger strike upon reaching an agreement with the Israeli Prison Service (IPS) to attain certain core demands. Addameer lauds these achievements of the prisoners’ movement and can only hope that Israel will implement any policy changes in good faith. Addameer especially commends those individuals who engaged in open hunger strike for over two months, displaying remarkable steadfastness in the struggle for their most basic rights.

The demands raised in the collective hunger strike, which was launched on 17 April, included an end to the IPS’ abusive use of isolation for “security” reasons, which currently affects ­­­­19 prisoners, some of whom have spent 10 years in isolation, and a repeal of a series of punitive measures taken against Palestinian prisoners following the capture of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, including the denial of family visits for all Gaza prisoners since 2007 and denial of access to university education since June 2011. Prisoners also called for an end to Israel’s practice of detaining Palestinians without charge or trial in administrative detention. Eight prisoners, including five administrative detainees, had already begun their hunger strikes as early as the end of February.

The details of the agreement signed last night by the prisoners’ committee representing the hunger strikers was recounted today to Addameer lawyer Fares Ziad in his visit to Ahed Abu Gholmeh, who is a member of the committee, and to Addameer lawyer Mahmoud Hassan during his visit to Ahmad Sa’adat in Ramleh prison medical clinic, who conveyed what he was told last night when members of the committee came to Ramleh to announce the end of the hunger strike.

According to Ahed Abu Gholmeh, the nine members of the hunger strike committee met yesterday with a committee consisting of IPS officials and Israeli intelligence officers and determined the stipulations of their agreement. The written agreement contained five main provisions: the prisoners would end their hunger strike following the signing of the agreement; there will be an end to the use of long-term isolation of prisoners for “security” reasons, and the 19 prisoners will be moved out of isolation within 72 hours; family visits for first degree relatives to prisoners from the Gaza Strip and for families from the West Bank who have been denied visit based on vague “security reasons” will be reinstated within one month; the Israeli intelligence agency guarantees that there will be a committee formed to facilitate meetings between the IPS and prisoners in order to improve their daily conditions; there will be no new administrative detention orders or renewals of administrative detention orders for the 308 Palestinians currently in administrative detention, unless the secret files, upon which administrative detention is based, contains “very serious” information.

For the five administrative detainees on protracted hunger strikes, including Bilal Diab and Thaer Halahleh, who engaged in hunger strike for a miraculous 77 days, their administrative detention orders will not be renewed and they will be released upon the expiration of their current orders. These five have been transferred to public hospitals to receive adequate healthcare during their fragile recovery periods. In regards to Israel’s practice of administrative detention as a whole, Ahmad Sa’adat further noted that the agreement includes limitations to its widespread use in general. Addameer is concerned that these provisions of the agreement will not explicitly solve Israel’s lenient and problematic application of administrative detention, which as it stands is in stark violation of international law.

Addameer has observed that Israel has consistently failed to respect the agreements it executes with Palestinians regarding prisoners’ issues. For this reason, it will be essential for all supporters of Palestinian political prisoners to actively monitor the events of the next few months to ensure that this agreement is fully implemented. As a human rights organization committed to the international standards of the rights of prisoners, Addameer will also continue to monitor closely the conditions inside Israeli prisons in order to assure that conditions meet compliance with international human rights and humanitarian law.

On the day commemorating 64 years since the Palestinian Nakba, it is regrettable that it has taken the near-starvation of Palestinian political prisoners en masse to call attention to their plight; it is therefore imperative to take this opportunity to not only applaud their achievements but also to push forward lobbying efforts on their behalf and demand a just and permanent resolution for their cause. Addameer extends its utmost gratitude to the dedicated activists and institutions, including members of civil society and the diplomatic community, who have supported the Palestinian prisoners in their campaign for dignity.

Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association

Website: www.addameer.org

Colette’s collection can be seen from 19^th – 27^th May at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, Perth Road, Dundee.

Some of the images from al-Nakba that have inspired Colette's jewellery

The Co-op’s decision will immediately affect four suppliers, Agrexco, Arava Export Growers, Adafresh and Mehadrin. Other companies may be affected by the policy.

However, the Co-op’s boycott is only of produce sourced from illegal Israeli settlements and not of all Israeli goods.

Palestinian trade unionist, Husain Foqahaa, (PGFTU) addressing the STUC

Support for Palestine and opposition to the Israeli occupation played a prominent part in this week’s STUC Congress, held in Inverness.

Trade union delegates to the conference passed the following motions unanimously:

The Jewish National Fund
That this Congress notes that the Jewish National Fund acquisition and control of land in Israel and the occupied territories actively discriminates against Palestinians.
Congress calls on the General Council to:

• endorse the international call for action against the Jewish National Fund;
• campaign to expose the role of the Jewish National Fund in the oppression of Palestinians; and
• campaign to have the charitable status of the Jewish National Fund revoked.

(Mover: Midlothian TUC)


Emergency Motion – Palestine
Congress:

• notes that despite prisoner releases, over 4,600 Palestinian political prisoners remain in detention, including 203 children.
  

  Mike Arnott proposing the Dundee Trades Council motion

• applauds the steadfastness of 1,200 Palestinian political prisoners who began an open-ended hunger strike on 17 April to protest against ‘administrative detention’, where detainees are held without charge or trial for up to six months and which can be renewed repeatedly.
• congratulates the student Palestine solidarity network for organising the biggest ever ‘Israeli Apartheid Week’ of educational and solidarity events and for their mobilisation across Scotland in support of Palestinian political prisoners.
• believes that the engagement of students, trade unionists and others with Palestinian civil society can only strengthen the current human-rights based approach to Palestinian self-determination and is essential to building a future of peace and democracy in the Middle East.
• therefore welcomes the January call by the Palestinian National Committee and the Brazilian National preparatory committee for the 2012 ‘World Social Forum: Free Palestine’ to be held at Porto Alegre, Brazil in November. Conference believes that this “Global Meeting of Solidarity with Palestine” will underline the strength and diversity of the support for the Palestinian call for justice.
• therefore instructs the General Council to:
  • Support the work of Addameer, Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, by distributing information and updates to affiliates and by supporting appeals for action where appropriate;
  • Endorse the Scottish demonstration, called by students in support Palestinian political prisoners and the hunger strikers, taking place in Edinburgh on Saturday 28th April;
  • Endorse the WSF Free Palestine as part of the internationalist activities promoted by the STUC and fully support the appeal from the Secretariat of the Palestinian National Committee for the World Social Forum “Free Palestine” to mobilise the Scottish trade union movement towards WSF Free Palestine.

(Mover: Dundee Trades Union Council)

Emergency Motion – ‘Welcome to Palestine 2012′
This Congress notes that there is no way into the Occupied Palestinian territories except through Israeli controlled airports or checkpoints.
Congress applauds the ‘Welcome to Palestine 2012′ initiative which highlighted Israel’s oppressive and abhorrent policy of restricting free and unopposed movement to, from and within the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Congress condemns:

• the actions of the Israeli government in blacklisting activists from around the world and denying them access to the Palestinian territories.
• the detention of those activists who reached Tel Aviv wishing to visit Bethlehem at the invitation of the Mayor in order to attend the launch of an educational project to build new schools.
• Congress asks the General Council to call upon the Israeli government:
  • to allow unrestricted passage to and from the Occupied Palestinian Territories for those wishing to visit.
  • to end the continued, illegal siege by air, land and sea of the Palestinian Territories.

(Mover: Midlothian TUC)

Jim Malone proposing the FBU motion

Palestine

That this Congress applauds the successful delivery of humanitarian aid by the Scottish FBU to the Nablus Municipality Fire Department. Congress calls for continued trade union support for Palestinian projects, and for the exploration of a Scottish Trade Union Palestinian Support Group, and report back to Congress in 2013 any progress on this matter.
(Mover: Fire Brigades Union)

STUC President’s Address to Congress (Mike Kirby, UNISON):
“There is a growing apartheid elsewhere, in Palestine.  There have been many changes since my first official visit with Bill Speirs, Eddie Reilly and Malcolm Burns in 2001, during the Second Intifada. We were challenged by different militia, as we were escorted throughout the Occupied Lands by PGFTU, our hosts. On leaving, at the last stop at Jerusalem, we met  members of the British Press Corps, who challenged us that we had only visited one place, met with one people. Eddie Reilly’s reply still pertains “We met many Israelis on our travels in Palestine. They were all armed and wearing uniforms.” Order may have been restored in many parts under the control of democratically elected representation of Fatah, democratically elected Hamas, and other political organisations. But that order is still enforced by a circle of unlawful Occupation, and the Apartheid Wall divides communities from their lands and work, and families are split apart.”  Read full President’s address

Saturday 28 April 

ASSEMBLE 12 Noon at Charlotte Square to March to the Scottish Parliament.

Solidarity with the Palestinian Hunger Strikers! Free Palestine! Boycott Israel!

Last week on Palestinian prisoners day, over 1350 Palestinians prisoners embarked on a mass indefinite hunger strike to protest the horrific conditions they face in Israeli jails. They have followed the lead of 10 other Palestinians detainees who are currently on indefinite hunger strike against their internment without charge. Two of them, Bilal Diab, 27, and Thaer Halahla, 34, have now been refusing food for over 55 days, and are in imminent danger of death with prisoner rights group Adameer describing their condition as “rapidly deteriorating”

In Glasgow, hundreds of people have demonstrated at the BBC Scotland HQ protesting the media blackout on the continuing situation with the prisoners. The building was also occupied by protesters as mainstream media institutions are highlighting their complicity in Israel’s crimes through their silence on the issue.

As the resistance of the prisoners escalates, our actions in turn must escalate. Initiated by the ‘We are all Hana Shalabi network’, various groups who work for Palestine in Scotland have come together to organise a national demonstration to the Scottish Parliament to demand that the Scottish Government stands on the side of human rights and justice. We are calling for them to:

1) Issue a statement supporting the mass hunger strike, calling for the immediate release of Palestinians held in detention without charge and condemning Israel’s inhumane treatment of Palestinian political prisoners.

2) Support the principles of the Boycott Divestment and Sanctions movement and divest from companies profiting from Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine.

The intifada that is stirring in Israeli jails must resonate beyond the prison walls. Join the demonstration and support Palestine!

Demonstration co-sponsored/supported by:

Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign
Stop the War (Edinburgh & Glasgow)
Edinburgh University Students for Justice in Palestine
Glasgow University Palestine Society
Glasgow Caledonian Palestine Society
Dundee University Action Palestine
Glasgow Palestine Human Rights Campaign

(more to follow)

Transport is currently being arranged from Glasgow and elsewhere to check this event for updates on that.

www.weareallhanashalabi.wordpress.com
www.facebook.com/weareallhanashalabi

In 2011, the FBU undertook a campaign to provide equipment, kit and 2 fire engines to Palestinian firefighters in Nablus. The full story of the FBU’s journey to Nablus is detailed in a report given to MSPs during their exhibition at the Scottish Parliament.

FBU Regional Organiser, Jim Malone, gave a talk on the campaign and their journey to deliver the equipment at a public meeting in Dundee in February. A video of Jim’s talk is available at Robert Stewart’s blog.

Hundreds of leaflets were handed out highlighting the way Israel uses indiscriminate detention as a weapon of mass punishment against the Palestinian people for resisting the illegal Israeli occupation.

As part of the protest, a display was put up and was intended to remain in place for the two hours that we were leafleting. However, local council officials removed it, despite our opposition, claiming that it was ‘flyposting’. This is another example of the shutting down of our public spaces and the limiting of our democracy.

More than 1,200 Palestinian inmates held in Israeli jails have begun a hunger strike to protest against unfair prison conditions and another 2,300 Palestinian detainees are refusing food for the day. They are protesting against so-called “administrative detentions”, which allow suspects to be held indefinitely without charge or trial

More information about the campaign against Israel’s detention of Palestinians is available at the website of Addameer, the prisoner support and human rights association.

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

Saturday, 23rd, City Square, 12 noon – 5.00 p.m. Speeches commence 1 p.m. (when there will be a press/photo opportunity).

Friday 22nd 7.30 pm D’Arcy Thompson lecture, University of Dundee Tower Building. Holocaust survivor Dr Hajo Meyer will be speaking about the universal application of human rights to all, including the Palestinians.

Speakers, music, art work, literature, etc. Come along – show your support for the people of Gaza – for all Palestinians!

More details later.

Can you support Palestine by helping us to leaflet the Celtic-Dundee United game in Dundee on Sunday 22 November from 11.30am–12.30pm? Meet promptly at corner of Tannadice St & North St Isla St. If you can, text or call 0795 800 2591 to confirm you can help.

Why?

Celtic are playing Israeli team Hapoel Tel Aviv in Glasgow on Wednesday, December 2nd. Kick off is 8.05. The Israeli Ambassador, Man of Blood Ron Prosor, will be there and the JNF and Zionist Federation are asking their supporters to attend to carry off the illusion that Israel, while bulldozing Palestinian homes on a daily basis, is a normal state.

SPSC has leafleted every home game for two months, receiving a great response from fans. The STUC will now be printing 10,000 Palestinian flags for distribution to fans on Dec 2nd for a visible demonstration of solidarity with Palestine inside the stadium on that night. To prepare for this, the STUC will also be asking trade unionists and others attending the annual STUC St Andrews Day anti-racism march to leaflet Celtic Park afterwards to build support for the demonstration. The main theme will be ‘End the Siege of Gaza’.

This game will be a megaphone into Israel & Palestine; the game is being broadcast live. You leafleting on Sunday will make a difference.

Mick Napier, Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign

John Copland Memorial Lecture,
Monday 16th November,
7.00 for 7.30 p.m. (Loadsawimminsingin at 7 p.m.).

Marryat Hall.

Speaker: George Galloway.

Advised to come early.

Tayside for Justice in Palestine will have stall at this event and will collect money for Medical Aid for Palestine. Setting up stall at approx. 6.45 p.m. Can you help? Cheers.

Just a quick line. Our Equal Exchange brand Fairtrade certified olive oil from Palestine is in your local Dundee Sainsbury. Unfortunately sales are very poor… none sold in last 2 weeks! Any chance you could mobiles the local FT groups around town and shift some stock?

It is also a great organic product too. you will find details of the product (which is also an Ethical Consumer ‘best buy’) on our website.

If you have more questions or suggestions as to how to network into more fairtraders who will buy the product please email myself or Joanne.

Many thanks… in anticipation!

You are welcome to the following meetings at which the Revd. Dr. Stephen Sizer will speak during his visit to Dundee from 14th – 17th October 2009. All meetings are free.

Stephen is the senior pastor of Christ Church, Virginia Water, Surrey. He also travels extensively in the US and Middle East teaching in churches, seminaries and universities on Christian Zionism and the Middle East conflict.

Wednesday 14th 18.00 for 18.30 at Borders Bookshop, DD1 3JS

Stephen will be discussing two of his books, Zion’s Christian Soldiers? The Bible, Israel and the Church (IVP) and Christian Zionism: Roadmap to Armageddon? (IVP)

Thursday 15th 19.00 at Dundee University Tower Extension Lecture Theatre

Muslim and Christian Perspectives: End Times. With Professor Saeed Bahmanpour, Principal of the Islamic College, London.

Friday 16th 18.45 for 19.00 at Dundee Central Mosque, 6 Milne Street, DD1 5BZ

A Christian Perspective on the Arab-Israeli Conflict.

Saturday 17th 10.00 at Dundee University Chaplaincy Centre, Cross Row, DD1 4HN

Israel and the Church: Who are God’s Chosen People? – Bible study and discussion.

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.