29 june 2014
During Ramadhan, Israel exports tonnes of dates into Europe and North America. Israelis profit to the tune of hundreds of millions from dates alone, and most of the date farms are located in occupied Palestinian land in the Jordan Valley.
These lands rightly belong to Palestinian families who now live in abject poverty while illegal Israeli settlers cultivate the land (often using Palestinian Labourers).
60 per cent of the dates grown by Israelis are grown on settlement lands, and these dates form 40 per cent of all exported produce.
For Muslims, Ramadan is a time of year for remembering those who are less fortunate.
It is a time for spiritually and reflection. By buying dates which help continue a cycle of oppression, many Muslims believe this would go against the entire spirit of the month of fasting.
Every year, Israel exports millions of pounds worth of dates to the world, which many people unknowingly buy and use to break their fasts. By buying these dates, Muslims would be helping Israel to continue its occupation and oppression of the Palestinian people.
The Check the Label campaign was first launched on Friday June 6th and received a huge response from Muslim communities. A day of awareness took place on the last Friday before Ramadhan, 27th June.
Shamiul Joarder of FOA said 'We have had an amazing response from the community. Volunteers have been putting up posters in mosques, shops and community centres and distributing leaflets after prayers outside mosques across the UK as well as spreading the message on social media.
Consumers have also been contacting Sainsbury's to urge them to stop using Mehadrin to supply their dates as they are well known for sourcing produce from growers based in illegal settlements. '
He went on to say 'this is part of our wider campaign called 'check the label' to raise the awareness of consumers to 'check the label' of all produce they buy throughout the year, peppers, sweet potatoes, plums etc.
More information available
#icheckthelabel - www.checkthelabel.org.uk Sainsbury's campaign - Check the Label -
These lands rightly belong to Palestinian families who now live in abject poverty while illegal Israeli settlers cultivate the land (often using Palestinian Labourers).
60 per cent of the dates grown by Israelis are grown on settlement lands, and these dates form 40 per cent of all exported produce.
For Muslims, Ramadan is a time of year for remembering those who are less fortunate.
It is a time for spiritually and reflection. By buying dates which help continue a cycle of oppression, many Muslims believe this would go against the entire spirit of the month of fasting.
Every year, Israel exports millions of pounds worth of dates to the world, which many people unknowingly buy and use to break their fasts. By buying these dates, Muslims would be helping Israel to continue its occupation and oppression of the Palestinian people.
The Check the Label campaign was first launched on Friday June 6th and received a huge response from Muslim communities. A day of awareness took place on the last Friday before Ramadhan, 27th June.
Shamiul Joarder of FOA said 'We have had an amazing response from the community. Volunteers have been putting up posters in mosques, shops and community centres and distributing leaflets after prayers outside mosques across the UK as well as spreading the message on social media.
Consumers have also been contacting Sainsbury's to urge them to stop using Mehadrin to supply their dates as they are well known for sourcing produce from growers based in illegal settlements. '
He went on to say 'this is part of our wider campaign called 'check the label' to raise the awareness of consumers to 'check the label' of all produce they buy throughout the year, peppers, sweet potatoes, plums etc.
More information available
#icheckthelabel - www.checkthelabel.org.uk Sainsbury's campaign - Check the Label -
28 june 2014
The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has warned against domestic investments with illegal Israeli settlements, following suit with Germany, the UK, France and Italy.
The Palestinian News Network (PNN) reports that the Ministry said, according to a recent press release, that it welcomed the warnings issued in recent days by the Netherlands, UK, France, Germany and Italy, to their citizens, against doing business with illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which include East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights:
“This step is consistent with the European Union's long-standing position that Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory are illegal under international law. It is also in conformity with States obligations under International law, United Nations resolutions and the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion on the wall, not to render aid to illegal action undermining the Palestinian people's inalienable right to self-determination, who's realization is a responsibility erga omnes (of concern to all),” said the release.
“It is also in line with the recommendations of the UN Human Rights Council’s 2013 fact finding mission report on Israeli settlements.”
In March of this year, towards the tail end of the failed U.S.-brokered peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian government, the Ministry condemned Israel's announcement that it would be constructing 200 new illegal settlements in occupied East Jerusalem in addition to 2,000 "Jewish-only" housing units in various settlements planned throughout the West Bank.
"Spain reiterates that all settlement activities are illegitimate, violate international law and constitute an obstacle to reaching a final peace agreement based on the two-state solution," the Ministry's statement said.
The Netanyahu regime made quite clear, in fact, its position on peace with the Palestinians when the Israeli PM, during a recent meeting with young Likud supporters, boasted of his settlement building achievements:
“I was threatened in Washington: ‘not one brick’ [of settlement construction] … after five years, we built a little more than one brick…”
Asked “about peace talks with the Palestinians,” he reportedly replied, “about the – what?” to which he was met with a bout of laughter by his audience.
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has welcomed the recent warnings by European agencies and regards the collective move as a positive step, according to the PNN, as the EU has issued a directive which insists that all future agreements between the EU and Israel must explicitly exclude Israeli colonies in the West Bank or East Jerusalem.
Spain calls on the international community and all other EU member states to take all necessary measures in avoiding the facilitation of illegal settlement activity, saying “Such measures must pave the way for the banning of illegal Israeli settlement products in all EU member states, prohibiting any form of involvement, both direct and indirect, by citizens, groups, corporations and governments in the illegal settlement activity, as well as taking steps against settlers' groups, notably the terrorist organizations constantly attacking the Palestinian civilian population.”
Furthermore, it calls on all states “to halt all trade with illegal Israeli settlements and ensure that national businesses do not contribute to Israeli violations of international law.”
The Palestinian News Network (PNN) reports that the Ministry said, according to a recent press release, that it welcomed the warnings issued in recent days by the Netherlands, UK, France, Germany and Italy, to their citizens, against doing business with illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which include East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights:
“This step is consistent with the European Union's long-standing position that Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory are illegal under international law. It is also in conformity with States obligations under International law, United Nations resolutions and the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion on the wall, not to render aid to illegal action undermining the Palestinian people's inalienable right to self-determination, who's realization is a responsibility erga omnes (of concern to all),” said the release.
“It is also in line with the recommendations of the UN Human Rights Council’s 2013 fact finding mission report on Israeli settlements.”
In March of this year, towards the tail end of the failed U.S.-brokered peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian government, the Ministry condemned Israel's announcement that it would be constructing 200 new illegal settlements in occupied East Jerusalem in addition to 2,000 "Jewish-only" housing units in various settlements planned throughout the West Bank.
"Spain reiterates that all settlement activities are illegitimate, violate international law and constitute an obstacle to reaching a final peace agreement based on the two-state solution," the Ministry's statement said.
The Netanyahu regime made quite clear, in fact, its position on peace with the Palestinians when the Israeli PM, during a recent meeting with young Likud supporters, boasted of his settlement building achievements:
“I was threatened in Washington: ‘not one brick’ [of settlement construction] … after five years, we built a little more than one brick…”
Asked “about peace talks with the Palestinians,” he reportedly replied, “about the – what?” to which he was met with a bout of laughter by his audience.
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has welcomed the recent warnings by European agencies and regards the collective move as a positive step, according to the PNN, as the EU has issued a directive which insists that all future agreements between the EU and Israel must explicitly exclude Israeli colonies in the West Bank or East Jerusalem.
Spain calls on the international community and all other EU member states to take all necessary measures in avoiding the facilitation of illegal settlement activity, saying “Such measures must pave the way for the banning of illegal Israeli settlement products in all EU member states, prohibiting any form of involvement, both direct and indirect, by citizens, groups, corporations and governments in the illegal settlement activity, as well as taking steps against settlers' groups, notably the terrorist organizations constantly attacking the Palestinian civilian population.”
Furthermore, it calls on all states “to halt all trade with illegal Israeli settlements and ensure that national businesses do not contribute to Israeli violations of international law.”
26 june 2014
The governor of Bethlehem Jibrin al-Bakri on Wednesday gave a directive to ban the entry of watermelons from Israel into Bethlehem markets.
In a statement, al-Bakri said that the decision is in line with the instructions of Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas seeking to protect Palestinian farmers and Palestinian national products.
The local decision follows a controversy in early June, when the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture banned the import of Palestinian agricultural products after its Palestinian counterpart banned the import of Israeli watermelons in order to product the local industry.
The issue was resolved quickly after Palestinian authorities backed down on the watermelon ban, leading Israel to remove its own prohibition.
Only one-third of the watermelons sold in the Palestinian market are from Palestinian farmers, with the rest apparently being primarily from Israeli farmers, assistant undersecretary for administrative and economic affairs at the ministry Ali Ghayyatha told Ma'an.
Israel's control over all access points in and out of the West Bank means that Israel maintains almost complete control over Palestinian imports and exports.
The Palestinian domestic market, meanwhile, remains captive to Israeli products, making domestic distribution for Palestinian companies difficult as well.
A World Bank report released in October said that Israel's control over Area C -- more than 60 percent of the West Bank -- deprives the Palestinian economy of an estimated $3.4 billion a year, equivalent to some 35 percent of the Palestinian gross domestic product in 2011.
In a statement, al-Bakri said that the decision is in line with the instructions of Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas seeking to protect Palestinian farmers and Palestinian national products.
The local decision follows a controversy in early June, when the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture banned the import of Palestinian agricultural products after its Palestinian counterpart banned the import of Israeli watermelons in order to product the local industry.
The issue was resolved quickly after Palestinian authorities backed down on the watermelon ban, leading Israel to remove its own prohibition.
Only one-third of the watermelons sold in the Palestinian market are from Palestinian farmers, with the rest apparently being primarily from Israeli farmers, assistant undersecretary for administrative and economic affairs at the ministry Ali Ghayyatha told Ma'an.
Israel's control over all access points in and out of the West Bank means that Israel maintains almost complete control over Palestinian imports and exports.
The Palestinian domestic market, meanwhile, remains captive to Israeli products, making domestic distribution for Palestinian companies difficult as well.
A World Bank report released in October said that Israel's control over Area C -- more than 60 percent of the West Bank -- deprives the Palestinian economy of an estimated $3.4 billion a year, equivalent to some 35 percent of the Palestinian gross domestic product in 2011.
France has advised its citizens and companies against doing business with Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories,
according to the Electronic Intifada:
Firms were warned that they could face legal action tied to “land, water, mineral and other natural resources” as well as “reputational risks.”
Such a move could have implications for the Israeli economy far beyond activities limited to Israeli settlements themselves, EI reports.
Israeli daily Haaretz stated that the notice was published on the website of the French Foreign Ministry, and as part of a broader document of recommendations for French people traveling to Israel:
“Due to the fact that the settlements are illegal in international law, the performance of financial activity in the settlements such as money transfers, investments, acquisition of property, provision of supplies or the performance of any other economic activities that benefit the settlements involves risks,” the statement translates.
The Palestinian Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions National Committee (BNC) has welcomed the move; Spain, Germany, Italy, Sweden and Luxembourg are reportedly expected to follow suit in the coming days.
according to the Electronic Intifada:
Firms were warned that they could face legal action tied to “land, water, mineral and other natural resources” as well as “reputational risks.”
Such a move could have implications for the Israeli economy far beyond activities limited to Israeli settlements themselves, EI reports.
Israeli daily Haaretz stated that the notice was published on the website of the French Foreign Ministry, and as part of a broader document of recommendations for French people traveling to Israel:
“Due to the fact that the settlements are illegal in international law, the performance of financial activity in the settlements such as money transfers, investments, acquisition of property, provision of supplies or the performance of any other economic activities that benefit the settlements involves risks,” the statement translates.
The Palestinian Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions National Committee (BNC) has welcomed the move; Spain, Germany, Italy, Sweden and Luxembourg are reportedly expected to follow suit in the coming days.
21 june 2014
The nearly 1.9 million member Presbyterian Church USA voted Friday after a contentious debate to divest from three companies that provide supplies to Israeli forces and settlers in the occupied West Bank.
The 310 to 303 vote at the influential Protestant denomination's meeting in Detroit, Michigan, means the group will pull any financial investments out of Caterpillar, Hewlett-Packard and Motorola Solutions, according to the church's official news service.
Assembly moderator Heath Rada emphasized the decision "in no way reflects anything but love for both the Jewish and Palestinian people," the news service said.
The measure also included a reaffirmation of Israel's right to exist, an endorsement of a two-state solution and encouraged interfaith dialogue, The New York Times reported.
It also included a provision to encourage "positive investment" to improve the lives of Israelis and Palestinians, the Times said.
The close vote came after a week of intense lobbying and "most contentious debate of this assembly," the church's news service said, noting that divestment has historically been seen as a "last resort" after "other engagement tools have failed."
In a statement ahead of the vote, Presbyterian Church USA said it was considering divestment in Caterpillar because its responsible investing committee found the company provides the bulldozers "used in the destruction of Palestinian homes, clearing land of structures and fruit and olive tree groves, and in preparation for the construction of the barrier wall."
Hewlett-Packard, it said, "provides electronic systems at checkpoints, logistics and communications systems to support the naval blockade of the Gaza Strip, and has business relationships with illegal settlements in the West Bank."
And Motorola Solutions "provides military communications and surveillance systems in the illegal Israeli settlements," the Church added.
HP spokeswoman Kelli Schlegel insisted, however, that "respecting human rights is a core value at HP and is embedded in the way we do business."
The HP systems used at checkpoints help expedite "passage in a secure environment, enabling people to get to their place of work or to carry out their business in a faster and safer way," Schlegel added.
Motorola Solutions emphasized in a statement the "company has a long record of working with customers" throughout the Middle East and "supports all efforts in the region to find a peaceful resolution" to conflict.
The company added it has "a comprehensive set of policies and procedures that addresses human rights, which is designed to ensure that our operations worldwide are conducted using the highest standards of integrity and ethical business conduct applied uniformly and consistently."
Caterpillar did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
At the 2012 General Assembly, Presbyterian USA voted to boycott products made in the Israeli settlements and to "begin positive investments in Palestinian businesses."
The 310 to 303 vote at the influential Protestant denomination's meeting in Detroit, Michigan, means the group will pull any financial investments out of Caterpillar, Hewlett-Packard and Motorola Solutions, according to the church's official news service.
Assembly moderator Heath Rada emphasized the decision "in no way reflects anything but love for both the Jewish and Palestinian people," the news service said.
The measure also included a reaffirmation of Israel's right to exist, an endorsement of a two-state solution and encouraged interfaith dialogue, The New York Times reported.
It also included a provision to encourage "positive investment" to improve the lives of Israelis and Palestinians, the Times said.
The close vote came after a week of intense lobbying and "most contentious debate of this assembly," the church's news service said, noting that divestment has historically been seen as a "last resort" after "other engagement tools have failed."
In a statement ahead of the vote, Presbyterian Church USA said it was considering divestment in Caterpillar because its responsible investing committee found the company provides the bulldozers "used in the destruction of Palestinian homes, clearing land of structures and fruit and olive tree groves, and in preparation for the construction of the barrier wall."
Hewlett-Packard, it said, "provides electronic systems at checkpoints, logistics and communications systems to support the naval blockade of the Gaza Strip, and has business relationships with illegal settlements in the West Bank."
And Motorola Solutions "provides military communications and surveillance systems in the illegal Israeli settlements," the Church added.
HP spokeswoman Kelli Schlegel insisted, however, that "respecting human rights is a core value at HP and is embedded in the way we do business."
The HP systems used at checkpoints help expedite "passage in a secure environment, enabling people to get to their place of work or to carry out their business in a faster and safer way," Schlegel added.
Motorola Solutions emphasized in a statement the "company has a long record of working with customers" throughout the Middle East and "supports all efforts in the region to find a peaceful resolution" to conflict.
The company added it has "a comprehensive set of policies and procedures that addresses human rights, which is designed to ensure that our operations worldwide are conducted using the highest standards of integrity and ethical business conduct applied uniformly and consistently."
Caterpillar did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
At the 2012 General Assembly, Presbyterian USA voted to boycott products made in the Israeli settlements and to "begin positive investments in Palestinian businesses."
13 june 2014
Amid concerns raised by church justice advocates, United Methodist Church Pensions sells all stocks in G4S, a supplier of security services and equipment for Israeli prisons, settlements, checkpoints and Separation Wall.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 12, 2014
Los Angeles - The General Board of Pension and Health Benefits (GBPHB) of The United Methodist Church, which manages an investment portfolio of over $20 billion, has instructed its investment manager to sell immediately all shares in G4S, due in part to concerns about the company's involvement in human rights violations in the Israeli prison system and the military occupation of Palestinian territories.
According to David Wildman, United Methodist Executive Secretary for Human Rights and Racial Justice at the General Board of Global Ministries, "This is the first time that a United Methodist general agency has included human rights violations related to Israel's illegal settlements and military occupation in a decision to divest from a company. We celebrate this strong human rights message both to G4S specifically and to other companies whose business operations support longstanding human rights abuses against Palestinians."
In addition, the church agency has placed a moratorium on any future purchases of G4S, the world's largest security company with operations in over 120 countries, until a new investment screen is implemented that addresses human rights violations such as those by the Israeli Defense Forces against Palestinians.
A top executive of GBPHB contacted United Methodist Kairos Response (UMKR) leaders this week about the sale of G4S stocks, informing them that this decision was due in large part to the serious concerns about G4S activities raised by United Methodists seeking a just and peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
UMKR, a church-wide advocacy movement focused on Israel-Palestine issues, has raised questions within the church for several years about companies in the denomination’s investment portfolio, including G4S, that are involved in the Israeli occupation. "We greatly appreciate the news and we commend the General Board of Pensions and Health Benefits for taking this groundbreaking action to address the concerns of many United Methodists about human rights violations in Israel and the occupied territories,” said Rev. John Wagner, UMKR Convener and a church pastor in Ohio.
G4S contracts with the Israeli Prison Service to provide management of security systems at prisons within Israel and in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. According to Amnesty International, B’Tselem an Israeli human rights organization, and Defence for Children International-Palestine, Palestinians held in these prisons, including hundreds of child detainees, are routinely subjected to abuse and torture. G4S also provides equipment and services for Israeli settlements and checkpoints in the West Bank and for the Separation Wall, constructed in violation of international law in Palestinian territory.
Last month, under mounting pressure from an international advocacy campaign, the Gates Foundation also made a decision to sell its holdings in G4S.
UMKR welcomes the church’s landmark divestment action as part of a larger and long-term process in which United Methodists seek to address human rights issues, including the 47-year-old Israeli occupation, more comprehensively in the denomination's investment decisions.
For more information visit UMKR's website at www.kairosresponse.org or contact:
M. Theresa Basile: info@kairosresponse.org, 323-253-9087
Rev. John Wagner, Convener, United Methodist Kairos Response: johnwagnerumkr@gmail.com, 937-269-1661
David Wildman, Executive Secretary for Human Rights and Racial Justice, General Board of Global
Ministries, UMC: dwildman@umcmission.org, 212-870-3735 [PDF]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 12, 2014
Los Angeles - The General Board of Pension and Health Benefits (GBPHB) of The United Methodist Church, which manages an investment portfolio of over $20 billion, has instructed its investment manager to sell immediately all shares in G4S, due in part to concerns about the company's involvement in human rights violations in the Israeli prison system and the military occupation of Palestinian territories.
According to David Wildman, United Methodist Executive Secretary for Human Rights and Racial Justice at the General Board of Global Ministries, "This is the first time that a United Methodist general agency has included human rights violations related to Israel's illegal settlements and military occupation in a decision to divest from a company. We celebrate this strong human rights message both to G4S specifically and to other companies whose business operations support longstanding human rights abuses against Palestinians."
In addition, the church agency has placed a moratorium on any future purchases of G4S, the world's largest security company with operations in over 120 countries, until a new investment screen is implemented that addresses human rights violations such as those by the Israeli Defense Forces against Palestinians.
A top executive of GBPHB contacted United Methodist Kairos Response (UMKR) leaders this week about the sale of G4S stocks, informing them that this decision was due in large part to the serious concerns about G4S activities raised by United Methodists seeking a just and peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
UMKR, a church-wide advocacy movement focused on Israel-Palestine issues, has raised questions within the church for several years about companies in the denomination’s investment portfolio, including G4S, that are involved in the Israeli occupation. "We greatly appreciate the news and we commend the General Board of Pensions and Health Benefits for taking this groundbreaking action to address the concerns of many United Methodists about human rights violations in Israel and the occupied territories,” said Rev. John Wagner, UMKR Convener and a church pastor in Ohio.
G4S contracts with the Israeli Prison Service to provide management of security systems at prisons within Israel and in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. According to Amnesty International, B’Tselem an Israeli human rights organization, and Defence for Children International-Palestine, Palestinians held in these prisons, including hundreds of child detainees, are routinely subjected to abuse and torture. G4S also provides equipment and services for Israeli settlements and checkpoints in the West Bank and for the Separation Wall, constructed in violation of international law in Palestinian territory.
Last month, under mounting pressure from an international advocacy campaign, the Gates Foundation also made a decision to sell its holdings in G4S.
UMKR welcomes the church’s landmark divestment action as part of a larger and long-term process in which United Methodists seek to address human rights issues, including the 47-year-old Israeli occupation, more comprehensively in the denomination's investment decisions.
For more information visit UMKR's website at www.kairosresponse.org or contact:
M. Theresa Basile: info@kairosresponse.org, 323-253-9087
Rev. John Wagner, Convener, United Methodist Kairos Response: johnwagnerumkr@gmail.com, 937-269-1661
David Wildman, Executive Secretary for Human Rights and Racial Justice, General Board of Global
Ministries, UMC: dwildman@umcmission.org, 212-870-3735 [PDF]
8 june 2014
EU and Israeli officials shake hands during an agreement signing ceremony at Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem, June 8, 2014
Israel on Sunday signed a key European-funded scientific research program despite guidelines barring funding to settlement-linked projects, officials said.
The signing of the Horizon 2020 agreement took place at a ceremony in Jerusalem presided over by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and outgoing European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.
"Horizon 2020 offers a huge opportunity to enhance the traditionally active cooperation between Israeli and EU innovators. Under terms of the agreement, Israel will have the same access to the program as EU member states," the European Commission said.
Signing the deal, which makes Israel the only non-European country to benefit from the program, was made possible after the sides reached an agreement over guidelines which bar all funding for entities operating on land seized during the 1967 Six Day War.
The guidelines angered Israel because it would have meant recognizing in writing that the settlements -- which are illegal under international law -- are not part of Israel in any future EU agreements.
But under terms of a compromise reached late last year, it was agreed that Israel could add an appendix stating its non-recognition of the new guidelines.
Since the EU said it would stop grants and funding for any Israeli entity operating over the 1967 lines, a growing number of international bodies have taken similar steps to cut ties, in a move that has sparked alarm in Israel.
Israel's ongoing settlement enterprise has been flagged up by Washington as a key factor in the collapse of the US-led peace talks in April and has triggered repeated problems in its relationship with Europe.
In an editorial in Israel's Haaretz newspaper on Sunday, Barroso warned that if there was no forward movement in peace efforts, the EU's "disengagement" from the settlements would speed up.
"If no peace negotiations take place and no progress is made, the EU and Israel will have to address contentious and divisive issues, including further acceleration of the EU's policy of disengagement from the settlements," he wrote.
Late last year, the EU's representative to the peace process warned that if the ongoing peace talks failed, the campaign to clearly label products as made in the settlements would gain pace.
Israel on Sunday signed a key European-funded scientific research program despite guidelines barring funding to settlement-linked projects, officials said.
The signing of the Horizon 2020 agreement took place at a ceremony in Jerusalem presided over by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and outgoing European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.
"Horizon 2020 offers a huge opportunity to enhance the traditionally active cooperation between Israeli and EU innovators. Under terms of the agreement, Israel will have the same access to the program as EU member states," the European Commission said.
Signing the deal, which makes Israel the only non-European country to benefit from the program, was made possible after the sides reached an agreement over guidelines which bar all funding for entities operating on land seized during the 1967 Six Day War.
The guidelines angered Israel because it would have meant recognizing in writing that the settlements -- which are illegal under international law -- are not part of Israel in any future EU agreements.
But under terms of a compromise reached late last year, it was agreed that Israel could add an appendix stating its non-recognition of the new guidelines.
Since the EU said it would stop grants and funding for any Israeli entity operating over the 1967 lines, a growing number of international bodies have taken similar steps to cut ties, in a move that has sparked alarm in Israel.
Israel's ongoing settlement enterprise has been flagged up by Washington as a key factor in the collapse of the US-led peace talks in April and has triggered repeated problems in its relationship with Europe.
In an editorial in Israel's Haaretz newspaper on Sunday, Barroso warned that if there was no forward movement in peace efforts, the EU's "disengagement" from the settlements would speed up.
"If no peace negotiations take place and no progress is made, the EU and Israel will have to address contentious and divisive issues, including further acceleration of the EU's policy of disengagement from the settlements," he wrote.
Late last year, the EU's representative to the peace process warned that if the ongoing peace talks failed, the campaign to clearly label products as made in the settlements would gain pace.
5 june 2014
The Aqsa Foundation for Endowment and Heritage called for boycotting the International Festival of Lights to be held next week in different areas of the Old City, in Occupied Jerusalem, and around al-Aqsa Mosque. The Foundation spoke, in a statement on Wednesday, against the attempts of the Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) to attract as many Jerusalemites as possible to such a Judaization festival through a large-scale ad campaign in Arabic language.
“Beneath the carnivalic façade of the festival lies an undeniable Judaization conspiracy executed via lies, ad hominem campaigns and made-up stories and histories. The program of the ceremony stands in sharp contrast to the sanctity of Occupied Jerusalem,” the statement pointed out.
“The fact that the festival is staged around al-Aqsa bears witness to IOA’s attempts to desecrate the sacredness of the holy mosque and wipe out all authentic traces of the Islamic civilization in Occupied Jerusalem,” the statement further pointed out.
According to the Israeli Jerusalem 2014 Cultural Calendar posted on Think-Israel website, “Jerusalem heats up when the sixth Jerusalem Festival of Light (June11-19) brings the greatest light sculptors in the world to Jerusalem. Their works will light up the streets and alleys of the Old City, major tourist sites and public spaces.”
“The festival aims at exerting a pull on tourists, disseminating the Talmudic version on Occupied Jerusalem, entrenching the Jewish presence in the city, and wiping out the Islamic character within,” Al-Aqsa Foundation concluded.
“Beneath the carnivalic façade of the festival lies an undeniable Judaization conspiracy executed via lies, ad hominem campaigns and made-up stories and histories. The program of the ceremony stands in sharp contrast to the sanctity of Occupied Jerusalem,” the statement pointed out.
“The fact that the festival is staged around al-Aqsa bears witness to IOA’s attempts to desecrate the sacredness of the holy mosque and wipe out all authentic traces of the Islamic civilization in Occupied Jerusalem,” the statement further pointed out.
According to the Israeli Jerusalem 2014 Cultural Calendar posted on Think-Israel website, “Jerusalem heats up when the sixth Jerusalem Festival of Light (June11-19) brings the greatest light sculptors in the world to Jerusalem. Their works will light up the streets and alleys of the Old City, major tourist sites and public spaces.”
“The festival aims at exerting a pull on tourists, disseminating the Talmudic version on Occupied Jerusalem, entrenching the Jewish presence in the city, and wiping out the Islamic character within,” Al-Aqsa Foundation concluded.
Desmond Tutu will lead protesters on Thursday campaigning against British security firm G4S's role in maintaining prisons and detention centres in the West Bank and Israel. The South African retired archbishop and Nobel peace laureate will challenge G4S's management over the company's role in facilitating "Israel's brutal occupation and abhorrent prison system" at the company's annual general meeting in London on Thursday afternoon.
Tutu, and several other notable protesters including directors Mike Leigh and Ken Loach, philosopher Noam Chomsky and barrister Michael Mansfield QC, have written an open letter to G4S management, published in the Guardian, demanding the company stop supplying equipment to Israeli prisons.
"G4S helps the Israeli Prison Service to run prisons inside Israel that hold prisoners from occupied Palestinian territory, despite the Fourth Geneva Convention prohibition of the transfer of prisoners from occupied territory into the territory of the occupier," the protesters wrote.
"Through its involvement in Israel's prison system, G4S is complicit in violations of international law and participates in Israel's use of mass incarceration as a means by which to dissuade Palestinians from protesting Israel's systematic human rights abuses."
The protesters said that human rights organizations have documented "systematic torture" and ill treatment of Palestinian prisoners, including children held in solitary confinement, at some of the Prisons.
In a separate letter to the Guardian a number of MPs, including Jeremy Corbyn and Joan Ruddock, said children were reportedly ill-treated in the prisons and called on G4S to "terminate its contracts with facilities where children suffer routine physical and verbal abuse".
G4S, which employs 8,000 in Israel, said it "takes very seriously our obligations to ensure that our activities do not contribute to human rights abuses".
This week the UK government's National Contact Point watchdog launched an investigation into G4S's activities in Israel and the West Bank. The National Contact Point, which is part of the department for Business, said it had "accepted issues for further examination". It follows a formal complaint by Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights, a charity that has long criticised G4S.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Trust recently reduced its stake in G4S after British campaign group War on Want wrote to Gates to urge him to sell the stake because of the company's activities in Israel. The Gates foundation declined to comment on the reasons behind the sale.
Tutu, and several other notable protesters including directors Mike Leigh and Ken Loach, philosopher Noam Chomsky and barrister Michael Mansfield QC, have written an open letter to G4S management, published in the Guardian, demanding the company stop supplying equipment to Israeli prisons.
"G4S helps the Israeli Prison Service to run prisons inside Israel that hold prisoners from occupied Palestinian territory, despite the Fourth Geneva Convention prohibition of the transfer of prisoners from occupied territory into the territory of the occupier," the protesters wrote.
"Through its involvement in Israel's prison system, G4S is complicit in violations of international law and participates in Israel's use of mass incarceration as a means by which to dissuade Palestinians from protesting Israel's systematic human rights abuses."
The protesters said that human rights organizations have documented "systematic torture" and ill treatment of Palestinian prisoners, including children held in solitary confinement, at some of the Prisons.
In a separate letter to the Guardian a number of MPs, including Jeremy Corbyn and Joan Ruddock, said children were reportedly ill-treated in the prisons and called on G4S to "terminate its contracts with facilities where children suffer routine physical and verbal abuse".
G4S, which employs 8,000 in Israel, said it "takes very seriously our obligations to ensure that our activities do not contribute to human rights abuses".
This week the UK government's National Contact Point watchdog launched an investigation into G4S's activities in Israel and the West Bank. The National Contact Point, which is part of the department for Business, said it had "accepted issues for further examination". It follows a formal complaint by Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights, a charity that has long criticised G4S.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Trust recently reduced its stake in G4S after British campaign group War on Want wrote to Gates to urge him to sell the stake because of the company's activities in Israel. The Gates foundation declined to comment on the reasons behind the sale.
