30 oct 2014
The entrance of the Israeli SodaStream factory in the Mishor Adumim industrial park is pictured January 30, 2014
Israeli beverage firm SodaStream, amid intense boycott pressure from the international community, announced on Wednesday that it was closing a controversial factory located in an occupied West Bank settlement, while simultaneously reporting a 9% decline in sales.
The company manufactures a device for making carbonated drinks at home, and, according to AFP, was embroiled in a row earlier this year involving Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson.
SodaStream said that it would relocate the factory by the end of 2015.
According to the firm, the plant closure would "improve the operational efficiency" of the group, now listed on the New York stock exchange since 2010. Another factory in northern Israel will additionally close, according to SodaStream's website.
Israeli beverage firm SodaStream, amid intense boycott pressure from the international community, announced on Wednesday that it was closing a controversial factory located in an occupied West Bank settlement, while simultaneously reporting a 9% decline in sales.
The company manufactures a device for making carbonated drinks at home, and, according to AFP, was embroiled in a row earlier this year involving Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson.
SodaStream said that it would relocate the factory by the end of 2015.
According to the firm, the plant closure would "improve the operational efficiency" of the group, now listed on the New York stock exchange since 2010. Another factory in northern Israel will additionally close, according to SodaStream's website.
27 oct 2014
The Israeli army has been removed from the list of armed forces now taking part in multinational military training exercises on the Italian island of Sardinia following large scale BDS campaign mobilized by international anti-war activists.
On 31 July, the Italian defense ministry published a note without mentioning Israel, saying that the planning stages for the drills had not yet been completed and only upon completion would the participating countries be confirmed.
The prospect of Israeli F-16s using the island to train for bombing missions, combined with the ill-timed delivery to Israel of two Italian trainer jets just after the attacks on Gaza began, created public outrage in Italy, with multiple calls for an embargo on weapons cooperation with Israel.
Fawzi Ismail, president of the Sardinia-Palestine Friendship Association, said, “We can consider this a small victory. It demonstrates that grassroots pressure can affect government decision-making”.
“Public opinion had its say and apparently the Italian government and NATO felt it inopportune to have Israel participate after the attacks on Gaza.”
http://english.palinfo
On 31 July, the Italian defense ministry published a note without mentioning Israel, saying that the planning stages for the drills had not yet been completed and only upon completion would the participating countries be confirmed.
The prospect of Israeli F-16s using the island to train for bombing missions, combined with the ill-timed delivery to Israel of two Italian trainer jets just after the attacks on Gaza began, created public outrage in Italy, with multiple calls for an embargo on weapons cooperation with Israel.
Fawzi Ismail, president of the Sardinia-Palestine Friendship Association, said, “We can consider this a small victory. It demonstrates that grassroots pressure can affect government decision-making”.
“Public opinion had its say and apparently the Italian government and NATO felt it inopportune to have Israel participate after the attacks on Gaza.”
http://english.palinfo
26 oct 2014
'No justice, no chickpeas' sign
A group of protesters gathered outside the 'Hummus House' restaurant in Washington DC earlier this week to denounce the company’s ties to the Israeli army.
Customers, including one man wearing an Israeli flag, were showered with chants such as “Sabra Sabra, you’re no good / Leave the Georgetown neighborhood!” and “1,2,3,4 Sabra is supporting war / 5,6,7,8 They make Gaza suffocate.”
The hummus company’s half-owners, the Strauss Group in Israel, proudly sponsor the Golani and Givati brigades of the Israeli army, notorious for their behavior and their participation in what human rights organizations have suggested are war crimes. Sabra is also criticized for the Strauss Group’s appropriation of a historically Palestinian / Arab cuisine, now largely marketed as Israeli.
The Golani Brigades are notably implicated in Israel's August bombardment of the Shuja'iyeh neighborhood of Gaza that left dozens dead in a single night. The brigade is also notorious for producing and wearing racist t-shirts, particularly one featuring a bullseye covering a pregnant, presumably Palestinian Muslim, mother and the caption "One Shot, Two Kills."
Sabra Hummus products have faced protests across the United States in groceries, at universities, and even at a Chicago-area high school. These campaigns are part of a growing movement for boycott, divestment, and sanctions targeting Israel, called for in 2005 by over 170 Palestinian civil society organizations in the spirit of the movement that helped end apartheid in South Africa.
A group of protesters gathered outside the 'Hummus House' restaurant in Washington DC earlier this week to denounce the company’s ties to the Israeli army.
Customers, including one man wearing an Israeli flag, were showered with chants such as “Sabra Sabra, you’re no good / Leave the Georgetown neighborhood!” and “1,2,3,4 Sabra is supporting war / 5,6,7,8 They make Gaza suffocate.”
The hummus company’s half-owners, the Strauss Group in Israel, proudly sponsor the Golani and Givati brigades of the Israeli army, notorious for their behavior and their participation in what human rights organizations have suggested are war crimes. Sabra is also criticized for the Strauss Group’s appropriation of a historically Palestinian / Arab cuisine, now largely marketed as Israeli.
The Golani Brigades are notably implicated in Israel's August bombardment of the Shuja'iyeh neighborhood of Gaza that left dozens dead in a single night. The brigade is also notorious for producing and wearing racist t-shirts, particularly one featuring a bullseye covering a pregnant, presumably Palestinian Muslim, mother and the caption "One Shot, Two Kills."
Sabra Hummus products have faced protests across the United States in groceries, at universities, and even at a Chicago-area high school. These campaigns are part of a growing movement for boycott, divestment, and sanctions targeting Israel, called for in 2005 by over 170 Palestinian civil society organizations in the spirit of the movement that helped end apartheid in South Africa.
21 oct 2014
Protest against Haifa Maccabis in Portland, Oregon
Basketball fans joined with human rights supporters in several U.S. towns to call for a boycott of Israeli sports teams, and to challenge what they call a 'public relations tour' by Israeli teams in the U.S. They gathered outside and inside the exhibition games to try to bring attention to the ongoing Israeli military occupation of Palestine.
In Cleveland, Ohio, dozens of protesters chanted and held signs outside the exhibition game last week, and a similar protest took place on Friday in Portland, Oregon.
According to organizers, “These teams represent the injustice and occupation of Palestine. While this team travels freely, Palestinian athletes are denied that same right.
“The Israeli basketball tour is a PR campaign to cover up the horrific massacre of the past summer that killed over 2100 people in Gaza, including over 500 children. In some cities the games are being used as a fundraiser for the Israeli military. That is the same military that continues to occupy Palestine, kill indiscriminately, and deny Palestinian citizens the right to live freely and with justice.
“The image of the 4 young boys killed by Israeli bombs while playing soccer on the beach is Gaza is forever engraved in our hearts. We won't let this tour be a smokescreen over the ongoing horror of the occupation of Palestine.
The groups protesting the games say that they are calling for a boycott of Israeli sports teams and events to call for freedom, justice and human dignity for the Palestinian people, who are living under an Israeli military occupation.
In Cleveland, the exhibition game was accompanied by a fundraiser for the Israeli military – the only foreign military that is allowed to hold fundraisers in the U.S., and accept direct contributions from U.S. citizens.
The Cleveland basketball team, the Cavaliers, recently hired as its head coach David Blatt, who came to the job after serving as head coach of Maccabi Tel Aviv (the team featured in the exhibition game). Blatt called the recent Israeli invasion of Gaza that killed over 2100 people, including 500 children, “Israel's most justified war”.
The Ohio basketball boycott action follows an ongoing controversy at the University of Illinois, in which a professor who expressed support for Palestinian equal rights on Twitter was denied employment. Recent releases of documents related to the case show a close relationship that could constitute a conflict of interest between members of the university and Zionist leaders in the community. The documents also revealed that the University President lied about the sequence of events in the case.
Basketball fans joined with human rights supporters in several U.S. towns to call for a boycott of Israeli sports teams, and to challenge what they call a 'public relations tour' by Israeli teams in the U.S. They gathered outside and inside the exhibition games to try to bring attention to the ongoing Israeli military occupation of Palestine.
In Cleveland, Ohio, dozens of protesters chanted and held signs outside the exhibition game last week, and a similar protest took place on Friday in Portland, Oregon.
According to organizers, “These teams represent the injustice and occupation of Palestine. While this team travels freely, Palestinian athletes are denied that same right.
“The Israeli basketball tour is a PR campaign to cover up the horrific massacre of the past summer that killed over 2100 people in Gaza, including over 500 children. In some cities the games are being used as a fundraiser for the Israeli military. That is the same military that continues to occupy Palestine, kill indiscriminately, and deny Palestinian citizens the right to live freely and with justice.
“The image of the 4 young boys killed by Israeli bombs while playing soccer on the beach is Gaza is forever engraved in our hearts. We won't let this tour be a smokescreen over the ongoing horror of the occupation of Palestine.
The groups protesting the games say that they are calling for a boycott of Israeli sports teams and events to call for freedom, justice and human dignity for the Palestinian people, who are living under an Israeli military occupation.
In Cleveland, the exhibition game was accompanied by a fundraiser for the Israeli military – the only foreign military that is allowed to hold fundraisers in the U.S., and accept direct contributions from U.S. citizens.
The Cleveland basketball team, the Cavaliers, recently hired as its head coach David Blatt, who came to the job after serving as head coach of Maccabi Tel Aviv (the team featured in the exhibition game). Blatt called the recent Israeli invasion of Gaza that killed over 2100 people, including 500 children, “Israel's most justified war”.
The Ohio basketball boycott action follows an ongoing controversy at the University of Illinois, in which a professor who expressed support for Palestinian equal rights on Twitter was denied employment. Recent releases of documents related to the case show a close relationship that could constitute a conflict of interest between members of the university and Zionist leaders in the community. The documents also revealed that the University President lied about the sequence of events in the case.
16 oct 2014
European diplomats are looking at ways to raise pressure on Israel by taking a series of unprecedented steps to stop settlement expansion shortly after a shift of a similar sort was partly reflected in Sweden's decision to recognize Palestine as an independent state and a non-binding vote in the British parliament on the same issue. The Israeli Yedioth Aharonot newspaper said while the diplomats say they are only at an early point in planning their diplomatic "warfare," one move they are threatening to take is imposing a travel ban on Jewish settlers who have been involved in crimes against Palestinians.
The EU has already imposed restrictions on loans to Israeli scientific institutions that operate in the West Bank and is moving ahead with plans to label products made in Jewish settlements. But further steps are now being considered.
"The paperwork has been done but it is frozen for now," one official said. "It is basically a blacklist of violent settlers who have been accused of or convicted of crimes. It would prevent them from traveling to Europe."
"No one is talking about imposing trade sanctions on Israel," said one EU country's ambassador to Israel. "But there is a very high level of frustration and there are many instruments at our disposal to make that frustration clear."
The EU official said that looking into new manners to pressure Israel stems from the continuous frustration resulting from the ongoing building of settlements across the green line which reached its peak this year and has raised a wave of wide condemnations in the recent weeks.
EU foreign ministers are set to meet in Luxembourg next Monday, where they will possibly discuss various moves against Israel.
The EU has already imposed restrictions on loans to Israeli scientific institutions that operate in the West Bank and is moving ahead with plans to label products made in Jewish settlements. But further steps are now being considered.
"The paperwork has been done but it is frozen for now," one official said. "It is basically a blacklist of violent settlers who have been accused of or convicted of crimes. It would prevent them from traveling to Europe."
"No one is talking about imposing trade sanctions on Israel," said one EU country's ambassador to Israel. "But there is a very high level of frustration and there are many instruments at our disposal to make that frustration clear."
The EU official said that looking into new manners to pressure Israel stems from the continuous frustration resulting from the ongoing building of settlements across the green line which reached its peak this year and has raised a wave of wide condemnations in the recent weeks.
EU foreign ministers are set to meet in Luxembourg next Monday, where they will possibly discuss various moves against Israel.
15 oct 2014
Ireland decided to exclude a British-Danish private security company from a big project in Dublin for being involved in dealing with Israeli Prison Service, Palestinian Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions National Committee revealed. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the committee said that Ireland ruled out the world’s largest security company G4S’s participation in a governmental big project for its involvement in providing security services for Israeli detention centers, settlements, and checkpoints.
For his part, the official in the committee Zaid Shuaibi considered the dealing with G4S Security Company as an involvement in the IPS violations of international laws.
He called on Arab countries especially Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to take similar decisions and to stop its investments with G4S Company.
The company declared during its shareholders' annual meeting on the fifth of June it will not renew security contracts with Israeli prisons and checkpoints.
For his part, the official in the committee Zaid Shuaibi considered the dealing with G4S Security Company as an involvement in the IPS violations of international laws.
He called on Arab countries especially Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to take similar decisions and to stop its investments with G4S Company.
The company declared during its shareholders' annual meeting on the fifth of June it will not renew security contracts with Israeli prisons and checkpoints.
7 oct 2014
A consortium of Jordanian civil work organizations launched a campaign calling on Amman to call off a gas deal struck with Tel Aviv. Hundreds of Jordanian anti-Israel activists filed a petition urging their government to stop importing natural gas from Israel, seek alternative gas outlets, and sever all economic ties with Israel.
The online petition has been signed by the Popular Movement of Jordan to Boycott Israel, the Association against Zionism and Racism, the editorial board of the Radikal magazine, and the Jordanian Writers association, among hundreds of other pro-Palestine associations and activists.
“Israel is the real threat to the peoples of the entire region,” the petition, signed by more than 1900 citizens so far, read.
The petition is expected to reap some 5,000 online signatures, to be all joining the call “Cancel the purchase deal of stolen gas.”
The petitioners addressed Jordanian PM Abdullah Nasour as follows: “I, the undersigned, call the government of my country-- the caretaker of Jordan’s security and owner of the national power company-- to resign from signing a deal to purchase gas stolen by the Israeli occupation. I reject that such gas be purchased directly from Israeli parties or indirectly from foreign or Jordanian parties.”
“I deplore any agreement to purchase such gas because I am a Jordanian citizen and am concerned about my country’s security and self-rule. . . . I reject any accord that trims down the isolation of the Israeli occupation, both regionally and internationally. The Israeli occupation continues to seize our Arab territories and attack our Palestinian people on a daily basis as they recently did throughout the notorious genocides perpetrated against our people in Gaza,” the petition proceeded.
The petition urged the government to seek alternative energy sources through partnership with other Arab states and to cut all economic and political ties with the Israeli occupation.
The online petition has been signed by the Popular Movement of Jordan to Boycott Israel, the Association against Zionism and Racism, the editorial board of the Radikal magazine, and the Jordanian Writers association, among hundreds of other pro-Palestine associations and activists.
“Israel is the real threat to the peoples of the entire region,” the petition, signed by more than 1900 citizens so far, read.
The petition is expected to reap some 5,000 online signatures, to be all joining the call “Cancel the purchase deal of stolen gas.”
The petitioners addressed Jordanian PM Abdullah Nasour as follows: “I, the undersigned, call the government of my country-- the caretaker of Jordan’s security and owner of the national power company-- to resign from signing a deal to purchase gas stolen by the Israeli occupation. I reject that such gas be purchased directly from Israeli parties or indirectly from foreign or Jordanian parties.”
“I deplore any agreement to purchase such gas because I am a Jordanian citizen and am concerned about my country’s security and self-rule. . . . I reject any accord that trims down the isolation of the Israeli occupation, both regionally and internationally. The Israeli occupation continues to seize our Arab territories and attack our Palestinian people on a daily basis as they recently did throughout the notorious genocides perpetrated against our people in Gaza,” the petition proceeded.
The petition urged the government to seek alternative energy sources through partnership with other Arab states and to cut all economic and political ties with the Israeli occupation.
4 oct 2014
PLO Department of Palestinians Expatriates Affairs confirmed Friday that more than 400 American scholars and anthropologists signed a petition to boycott Israeli academic institutions. The petition came to voice their "opposition to the ongoing Israeli violations of Palestinian rights, including the Israeli military occupation of the Gaza Strip, West Bank, and East Jerusalem, and to boycott Israeli academic institutions that are complicit in these violations."
The undersigned anthropologists said that Israel has maintained an illegal siege on the Gaza Strip for seven years, severely restricting the movement of people and goods in and out of the territory.
"As anthropologists, we feel compelled to join academics around the world who support the Palestinian call to boycott Israeli academic institutions. This call is part of a long-standing appeal by Palestinian civil society organizations for the comprehensive implementation of boycotts, divestments, and sanctions (BDS) of Israel, and is supported by the Palestinian Federation of Unions of University Professors and Employees (PFUUPE)".
The undersigned anthropologists called for ending Israel’s siege of Gaza, its occupation and colonization of all Arab lands occupied in June 1967, and for dismantling the settlements and the separation wall.
They also called for recognizing the fundamental rights of the Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel and the stateless Negev Bedouins to full equality; and for respecting, protecting, and promoting the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties as stipulated in UN Resolution 194.
In a related context, spokeswoman for US State Department Jen Psaki criticized Israel's decision to move forward its plan for 2,600 new housing units in occupied Jerusalem, saying that the step would send a "troubling message" if the Israeli government proceeded with tenders and construction.
Prime Minister Netanyahu hit back at criticism lodged at Israel by the US, saying the Obama administration should learn the facts on the ground before condemning the units.
In response, Washington rebuffed a contention by Netanyahu that it was ill-informed of East Jerusalem building plans when it leveled its sharp criticism against Israel, saying Thursday it is well aware of the situation on the ground as sources in Jerusalem had provided the government with clear information regarding the approved construction plans.
However, Psaki stressed that “Israel remains a friend and ally” a contrast to Wednesday’s warning that Israel’s building will “distance their closest allies.”
The undersigned anthropologists said that Israel has maintained an illegal siege on the Gaza Strip for seven years, severely restricting the movement of people and goods in and out of the territory.
"As anthropologists, we feel compelled to join academics around the world who support the Palestinian call to boycott Israeli academic institutions. This call is part of a long-standing appeal by Palestinian civil society organizations for the comprehensive implementation of boycotts, divestments, and sanctions (BDS) of Israel, and is supported by the Palestinian Federation of Unions of University Professors and Employees (PFUUPE)".
The undersigned anthropologists called for ending Israel’s siege of Gaza, its occupation and colonization of all Arab lands occupied in June 1967, and for dismantling the settlements and the separation wall.
They also called for recognizing the fundamental rights of the Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel and the stateless Negev Bedouins to full equality; and for respecting, protecting, and promoting the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties as stipulated in UN Resolution 194.
In a related context, spokeswoman for US State Department Jen Psaki criticized Israel's decision to move forward its plan for 2,600 new housing units in occupied Jerusalem, saying that the step would send a "troubling message" if the Israeli government proceeded with tenders and construction.
Prime Minister Netanyahu hit back at criticism lodged at Israel by the US, saying the Obama administration should learn the facts on the ground before condemning the units.
In response, Washington rebuffed a contention by Netanyahu that it was ill-informed of East Jerusalem building plans when it leveled its sharp criticism against Israel, saying Thursday it is well aware of the situation on the ground as sources in Jerusalem had provided the government with clear information regarding the approved construction plans.
However, Psaki stressed that “Israel remains a friend and ally” a contrast to Wednesday’s warning that Israel’s building will “distance their closest allies.”
29 sept 2014
UCC logo
The Steering Committee of the United Church of Christ Palestine Israel Network, on Sunday, called on the United Church of Christ Board, United Church of Christ Pension Boards, United Church Funds, Conferences, local churches, members and other related United Church of Christ entities to divest any holdings in companies profiting from the occupation of the Palestinian Territories by the state of Israel.
The Committee also called on the church and church members to study the Kairos Palestine document and take heed of its call for solidarity with the Palestinian people.
This is one of a number of resolutions passed by regional committees, including the Central Atlantic Conference, the New York Conference and, now, the Central Pacific Committee, in the leadup to the Thirtieth General Synod of the United Church of Christ, which will be held in 2015.
In their resolution, the Committee named the following companies, but said that the divestment should not necessarily be limited to these companies: Caterpillar Inc., Motorola Solutions, Hewlett Packard Development Company LP, G4S, and Veolia Environment and its subsidiaries;
The resolution also calls upon all entities of the church to boycott goods produced by Israeli companies in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including, but not limited to, Ahava skin care products, SodaStream products and Hadiklaim dates, and calls upon church members to join boycotts in their local communities.
This is not the first resolution passed by United Church of Christ committees and Synods on this issue. The UCC was one of the first churches to heed the 2005 call of Palestinian civil society to boycott Israeli products, although at that time the church did not call for the divestment from Israeli occupation-connected companies, the UCC did call for an investigation of Israeli policies and criticized the Israeli Wall in the West Bank and called for the Wall to be dismantled.
The new resolution, in addition to the call for divestment, also calls upon the UCC Collegium Officers and church members to request Congress to investigate whether US military aid given to Israel violates US laws and, specifically, the US Foreign Assistance Act and the US Arms Export Control Act.
If passed by the church as a whole at the Synod in 2015, this would mark the strongest resolution for divestment passed by an international church community. The Presbyterian Church voted to divest earlier this year, but was careful to distance itself from the larged Boycott-Divestment-Sanctions movement challenging the Israeli military occupation through economic pressure.
Maryn Goodson, a member of a grassroots group within the UCC that has pushed for a non-violent end to the conflict, told reporter Anthony Moujaes, who writes for the United Church of Christ news website, "What happens now... we will continue to inform and educate more and more people in various conferences on the Palestine-Israel conflict, and the need for a bold action. We’ll work with more conferences on this issue, and with delegates to the General Synod to shed light and awareness. The UCC has really been on the leading edge with this."
The Steering Committee of the United Church of Christ Palestine Israel Network, on Sunday, called on the United Church of Christ Board, United Church of Christ Pension Boards, United Church Funds, Conferences, local churches, members and other related United Church of Christ entities to divest any holdings in companies profiting from the occupation of the Palestinian Territories by the state of Israel.
The Committee also called on the church and church members to study the Kairos Palestine document and take heed of its call for solidarity with the Palestinian people.
This is one of a number of resolutions passed by regional committees, including the Central Atlantic Conference, the New York Conference and, now, the Central Pacific Committee, in the leadup to the Thirtieth General Synod of the United Church of Christ, which will be held in 2015.
In their resolution, the Committee named the following companies, but said that the divestment should not necessarily be limited to these companies: Caterpillar Inc., Motorola Solutions, Hewlett Packard Development Company LP, G4S, and Veolia Environment and its subsidiaries;
The resolution also calls upon all entities of the church to boycott goods produced by Israeli companies in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including, but not limited to, Ahava skin care products, SodaStream products and Hadiklaim dates, and calls upon church members to join boycotts in their local communities.
This is not the first resolution passed by United Church of Christ committees and Synods on this issue. The UCC was one of the first churches to heed the 2005 call of Palestinian civil society to boycott Israeli products, although at that time the church did not call for the divestment from Israeli occupation-connected companies, the UCC did call for an investigation of Israeli policies and criticized the Israeli Wall in the West Bank and called for the Wall to be dismantled.
The new resolution, in addition to the call for divestment, also calls upon the UCC Collegium Officers and church members to request Congress to investigate whether US military aid given to Israel violates US laws and, specifically, the US Foreign Assistance Act and the US Arms Export Control Act.
If passed by the church as a whole at the Synod in 2015, this would mark the strongest resolution for divestment passed by an international church community. The Presbyterian Church voted to divest earlier this year, but was careful to distance itself from the larged Boycott-Divestment-Sanctions movement challenging the Israeli military occupation through economic pressure.
Maryn Goodson, a member of a grassroots group within the UCC that has pushed for a non-violent end to the conflict, told reporter Anthony Moujaes, who writes for the United Church of Christ news website, "What happens now... we will continue to inform and educate more and more people in various conferences on the Palestine-Israel conflict, and the need for a bold action. We’ll work with more conferences on this issue, and with delegates to the General Synod to shed light and awareness. The UCC has really been on the leading edge with this."
26 sept 2014
Following successive ongoing international campaigns to achieve boycott divestment and sanctions on Israel in different countries around the world, especially in colleges, the Israeli government is now acting on an extensive strategy that includes Israeli reservist soldiers, to recap its losses.
Tel Aviv knows it can count on the ongoing financial, political and military support from the United States, but wants to get US campuses to topple any move that aims at divesting from Israeli and international companies that invest and benefit from the illegitimate Israeli occupation and its settlements.
Many reserve soldiers, especially those who graduated from American Universities, have been asked to “go back to school” in order to operate on preventing any move that calls for boycott, divestment and sanctions, and to try to encourage students’ support to Israel.
The moves came after successful BDS campaigns in different colleges, and aim at restoring “Israel’s image” especially after its latest offensive on Gaza that led to the death of 2137 Palestinians, while at least 11100 have been wounded.
The number includes 578 children, 264 women, and 103 elderly, while more than 11100, including 3374 children, 2088 women and 410 elderly, have been injured.
Tel Aviv is now aiming at regaining support, and encouraging investments, especially in colleges and universities that voted for divestment.
Israeli sources said Israel faced a similar situation during the Second Palestinian Intifada, especially during the era of late Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, adding that back then Israeli soviet-born politician Natan Sharansky toured in many US Universities, and informed Sharon that Israel needs to operate in those colleges, as BDS moves “could have a significant impact on Tel Aviv.”
He said such moves, which he dubbed as “hostile”, managed to achieve some positive outcomes, and could lead to more financial losses to Israel, adding that many liberal Jews told him back then that they preferred to live “without a Jewish State,” Maan said.
Israel now observes US colleges as one of the main “battle fronts” that have been able to achieve divestment from Israel, and are successful in highlighting the Palestinian cause and the ongoing struggle against the illegitimate Israeli occupation and settlements.
In August of 2013, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the government would be granting scholarships to certain students who actively participate in activities promoting Israel, and improving its image, especially on social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter, the Associated Press said.
Israel recruited students who were organized in units, while “chief coordinators” of these groups received full scholarships.
Each of those “chief coordinators'” recruits three “desk coordinators” tasked with “language, graphics and research," and receive lesser scholarships while some active pro-Israel students get “minimal scholarships.”
Tel Aviv knows it can count on the ongoing financial, political and military support from the United States, but wants to get US campuses to topple any move that aims at divesting from Israeli and international companies that invest and benefit from the illegitimate Israeli occupation and its settlements.
Many reserve soldiers, especially those who graduated from American Universities, have been asked to “go back to school” in order to operate on preventing any move that calls for boycott, divestment and sanctions, and to try to encourage students’ support to Israel.
The moves came after successful BDS campaigns in different colleges, and aim at restoring “Israel’s image” especially after its latest offensive on Gaza that led to the death of 2137 Palestinians, while at least 11100 have been wounded.
The number includes 578 children, 264 women, and 103 elderly, while more than 11100, including 3374 children, 2088 women and 410 elderly, have been injured.
Tel Aviv is now aiming at regaining support, and encouraging investments, especially in colleges and universities that voted for divestment.
Israeli sources said Israel faced a similar situation during the Second Palestinian Intifada, especially during the era of late Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, adding that back then Israeli soviet-born politician Natan Sharansky toured in many US Universities, and informed Sharon that Israel needs to operate in those colleges, as BDS moves “could have a significant impact on Tel Aviv.”
He said such moves, which he dubbed as “hostile”, managed to achieve some positive outcomes, and could lead to more financial losses to Israel, adding that many liberal Jews told him back then that they preferred to live “without a Jewish State,” Maan said.
Israel now observes US colleges as one of the main “battle fronts” that have been able to achieve divestment from Israel, and are successful in highlighting the Palestinian cause and the ongoing struggle against the illegitimate Israeli occupation and settlements.
In August of 2013, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the government would be granting scholarships to certain students who actively participate in activities promoting Israel, and improving its image, especially on social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter, the Associated Press said.
Israel recruited students who were organized in units, while “chief coordinators” of these groups received full scholarships.
Each of those “chief coordinators'” recruits three “desk coordinators” tasked with “language, graphics and research," and receive lesser scholarships while some active pro-Israel students get “minimal scholarships.”
19 sept 2014
Sameh Maraa’beh
Israel extends detention of national football team player for 8th time
According to bdsmovement.net, the Union of European Football Associations has rejected an Israeli bid to host games during the 2020 European Championships. Meanwhile, an Israeli court has extended the arrest of Palestinian national football team player, Sameh Maraa’beh, without any clear charge.
The UEFA decision follows a campaign by Palestinian sports teams and campaign groups and activists all across Europe, reports the Palestinian BDS National committee:
The Israeli Football Association recently propped a bid to host games in Jerusalem as part of the UEFA 2020 tournament. The games will take place across 13 cities, but the UEFA announced on Friday that Jerusalem was not successful in its move.
Israel was one of just 6 cities that failed in its bid to host games.
Full article at BDS Movement's official website.
In related news, an Israeli court has extended the arrest of both Palestinian national football team player, Sameh Maraa’beh, and the head of the Qalqilyah Islamic Club, Moayyad Shrim, for another week, without any clear charge, according to the Palestinian News Network (PNN).
The extension is the 8th for both prisoners in Majiddo (Megiddo) prison, located in the Valley of Jezreel, after the failure of Israel to find them guilty.
Sameh’s father was reportedly shocked by the court decision, as he has not been able to see his son for more than the 15 minutes of legal rhetoric which comprised the Israeli court session.
PNN notes that Sameh was arrested last April, at the Jericho checkpoint, on his way back from a camp abroad with the national team in Qatar.
Israel extends detention of national football team player for 8th time
According to bdsmovement.net, the Union of European Football Associations has rejected an Israeli bid to host games during the 2020 European Championships. Meanwhile, an Israeli court has extended the arrest of Palestinian national football team player, Sameh Maraa’beh, without any clear charge.
The UEFA decision follows a campaign by Palestinian sports teams and campaign groups and activists all across Europe, reports the Palestinian BDS National committee:
The Israeli Football Association recently propped a bid to host games in Jerusalem as part of the UEFA 2020 tournament. The games will take place across 13 cities, but the UEFA announced on Friday that Jerusalem was not successful in its move.
Israel was one of just 6 cities that failed in its bid to host games.
Full article at BDS Movement's official website.
In related news, an Israeli court has extended the arrest of both Palestinian national football team player, Sameh Maraa’beh, and the head of the Qalqilyah Islamic Club, Moayyad Shrim, for another week, without any clear charge, according to the Palestinian News Network (PNN).
The extension is the 8th for both prisoners in Majiddo (Megiddo) prison, located in the Valley of Jezreel, after the failure of Israel to find them guilty.
Sameh’s father was reportedly shocked by the court decision, as he has not been able to see his son for more than the 15 minutes of legal rhetoric which comprised the Israeli court session.
PNN notes that Sameh was arrested last April, at the Jericho checkpoint, on his way back from a camp abroad with the national team in Qatar.
11 sept 2014
Palestinian ambassador to South Africa Abdul-Hafid Nofal said that Johannesburg university decided not to accept any student or deal with any academic or lecturer from Israel. In a press release on Wednesday, Nofal said that the academic council of the university issued a decision prohibiting the admission of Israeli students to any of its collages and departments.
The decision also included a ban on hiring or hosting academics and lecturers who work for Israeli universities, according to the Palestinian ambassador.
He noted that Johannesburg university was the first one in South Africa to have taken a bold decision three years ago to boycott Israeli universities.
The decision also included a ban on hiring or hosting academics and lecturers who work for Israeli universities, according to the Palestinian ambassador.
He noted that Johannesburg university was the first one in South Africa to have taken a bold decision three years ago to boycott Israeli universities.
A Palestinian doctor has launched a campaign calling for boycotting Israeli hospitals after all the massacres that had been committed by Israel during its last war on the Gaza Strip, Al-Jazeera satellite channel said. According to a report by the channel, doctor Ahmed Shahin tore off outside the UNICEF office in Gaza an invitation from an Israeli hospital to bring his little son, who suffers from brain paralysis, for medical treatment.
"This invitation does not mean anything to me, and I am not honored to carry it," Shaheen said.
"Israel finds nothing wrong when bombing the Gaza people and then offering their treatment," he added.
Doctor Shahin lost his 16-year-old son in an Israeli military attack on Jabaliya town during the last war.
The doctor expressed hope that human rights groups could move to hold Israel accountable for what it had done in Gaza and help provide medical treatment for his younger son.
In another context, the Palestinian website for security affairs Al-Majd said that many of the wounded civilians who had been admitted to Israeli hospitals and their relatives were exposed to extortion by the Israeli intelligence.
One of the relatives who escorted his son told Al-Majd website that intelligence officers tried to lure most of the Gaza patients in Israeli hospitals and their family members who escorted them into working for them or providing them with information about the resistance.
He affirmed that the patients and their relatives rejected all offers and temptations, although they knew they would become vulnerable to harassment and delays upon their return to Gaza.
"This invitation does not mean anything to me, and I am not honored to carry it," Shaheen said.
"Israel finds nothing wrong when bombing the Gaza people and then offering their treatment," he added.
Doctor Shahin lost his 16-year-old son in an Israeli military attack on Jabaliya town during the last war.
The doctor expressed hope that human rights groups could move to hold Israel accountable for what it had done in Gaza and help provide medical treatment for his younger son.
In another context, the Palestinian website for security affairs Al-Majd said that many of the wounded civilians who had been admitted to Israeli hospitals and their relatives were exposed to extortion by the Israeli intelligence.
One of the relatives who escorted his son told Al-Majd website that intelligence officers tried to lure most of the Gaza patients in Israeli hospitals and their family members who escorted them into working for them or providing them with information about the resistance.
He affirmed that the patients and their relatives rejected all offers and temptations, although they knew they would become vulnerable to harassment and delays upon their return to Gaza.
3 sept 2014
The European Union (EU) has warned that it would halt its poultry and dairy imports from Israel if the latter does not separate “Israeli-made” products from those processed within the illegal West Bank settlements. The Israeli Maariv newspaper said on Tuesday the EU gave Israel a few weeks’ time to set a plan for the projected separation between the settlement-produced food items and those manufactured inside of the Green Line.
In case the plan is not put into effect, the EU vowed to boycott all of the aforementioned Israeli products.
The EU Commission sent a letter to the Israeli Minister of Agriculture on August 28 warning Israel against exporting settlement-based poultry.
The ministry has been taking time to consider the appeal for fear that the EU would blacklist such Israeli products.
Since the start of 2014 the EU has rejected Israeli food exports and commercial transactions with settlement-based companies in the Occupied West Bank.
The decision is an implementation of the EU’s commitment not to recognize Israeli sovereignty over occupied Palestinian territory as already decreed by the International Court of Justice in 2004 and by Article 49 of the Geneva Convention.
In case the plan is not put into effect, the EU vowed to boycott all of the aforementioned Israeli products.
The EU Commission sent a letter to the Israeli Minister of Agriculture on August 28 warning Israel against exporting settlement-based poultry.
The ministry has been taking time to consider the appeal for fear that the EU would blacklist such Israeli products.
Since the start of 2014 the EU has rejected Israeli food exports and commercial transactions with settlement-based companies in the Occupied West Bank.
The decision is an implementation of the EU’s commitment not to recognize Israeli sovereignty over occupied Palestinian territory as already decreed by the International Court of Justice in 2004 and by Article 49 of the Geneva Convention.
