15 feb 2015
In the latest show of support for the international Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, a group of 700 British artists, actors and musicians have signed on to a boycott of Israeli government institutions, to try to pressure Israel to end its discrimination against the indigenous Palestinian population.
A letter published Saturday in the British Guardian newspaper by novelist Kamila Shamsie reads, in part, "It doesn’t take long in the West Bank and Jerusalem to work out that ‘apartheid’ is the only word that will do. It is present in the extensive infrastructure of military might, 3G phone coverage (not allowed to Palestinian mobile providers), and no-Arabs-permitted bus routes that cater to settlers in the West Bank whose presence there is illegal. It is present in the implementation of laws that make it virtually impossible for Palestinian residents of Jerusalem to acquire residence permits for their spouses from the West Bank and Gaza. It is present in the security checkpoint in the middle of a once-busy market street in Hebron where Israeli guards inspect your paperwork to make sure you aren’t Palestinian – absolutely everyone else is allowed through. It is present, most starkly, in the Separation Wall."
Shamsie noted that Mike Leigh, Kate Tempest, Gillian Slovo, Brian Eno, Alexei Sayle are among those who have signed the pledge to accept neither invitation nor funding from any institution linked to the Israeli government until Israel complies with international law and principles of human rights.
The letter also referenced a statement by Israeli writer Ofer Neiman, who called on British and other international artists to join the boycott, saying, "The Palestinian people are being dispossessed, tortured and massacred by a brutal and powerful regime. Israeli dissidents are too few to change this reality by themselves, from within. Artists, in the UK and elsewhere, can play an important role in the collective effort to stop the Israeli regime's crimes, simply by saying no to the use of culture for Israeli state propaganda. Those who do so may face smearing and bullying, but they will find supporters all over the world, including Israeli citizens who will stand with them."
The choreographer Jonathan Burrows said in a statement, "The choice not to present work in Israel is not an attack on Israeli artists, but rather a recognition that the thing you do may not be appropriate in a situation of ongoing violent conflict, and that to ignore that is to support the idea that everything is under control and life and culture continue as normal, while bombs fall".
The pledge itself is straightforward, reading as follows: "We support the Palestinian struggle for freedom, justice and equality. In response to the call from Palestinian artists and cultural workers for a cultural boycott of Israel, we pledge to accept neither professional invitations to Israel, nor funding, from any institutions linked to its government until it complies with international law and universal principles of human rights."
Over 700 artists and cultural workers signed on as of February 14th, 2014, but the group 'Artists for Palestine' which organized the event said that the call remains open for more artists to sign on.
More information can be found at the group's website, link
A letter published Saturday in the British Guardian newspaper by novelist Kamila Shamsie reads, in part, "It doesn’t take long in the West Bank and Jerusalem to work out that ‘apartheid’ is the only word that will do. It is present in the extensive infrastructure of military might, 3G phone coverage (not allowed to Palestinian mobile providers), and no-Arabs-permitted bus routes that cater to settlers in the West Bank whose presence there is illegal. It is present in the implementation of laws that make it virtually impossible for Palestinian residents of Jerusalem to acquire residence permits for their spouses from the West Bank and Gaza. It is present in the security checkpoint in the middle of a once-busy market street in Hebron where Israeli guards inspect your paperwork to make sure you aren’t Palestinian – absolutely everyone else is allowed through. It is present, most starkly, in the Separation Wall."
Shamsie noted that Mike Leigh, Kate Tempest, Gillian Slovo, Brian Eno, Alexei Sayle are among those who have signed the pledge to accept neither invitation nor funding from any institution linked to the Israeli government until Israel complies with international law and principles of human rights.
The letter also referenced a statement by Israeli writer Ofer Neiman, who called on British and other international artists to join the boycott, saying, "The Palestinian people are being dispossessed, tortured and massacred by a brutal and powerful regime. Israeli dissidents are too few to change this reality by themselves, from within. Artists, in the UK and elsewhere, can play an important role in the collective effort to stop the Israeli regime's crimes, simply by saying no to the use of culture for Israeli state propaganda. Those who do so may face smearing and bullying, but they will find supporters all over the world, including Israeli citizens who will stand with them."
The choreographer Jonathan Burrows said in a statement, "The choice not to present work in Israel is not an attack on Israeli artists, but rather a recognition that the thing you do may not be appropriate in a situation of ongoing violent conflict, and that to ignore that is to support the idea that everything is under control and life and culture continue as normal, while bombs fall".
The pledge itself is straightforward, reading as follows: "We support the Palestinian struggle for freedom, justice and equality. In response to the call from Palestinian artists and cultural workers for a cultural boycott of Israel, we pledge to accept neither professional invitations to Israel, nor funding, from any institutions linked to its government until it complies with international law and universal principles of human rights."
Over 700 artists and cultural workers signed on as of February 14th, 2014, but the group 'Artists for Palestine' which organized the event said that the call remains open for more artists to sign on.
More information can be found at the group's website, link
13 feb 2015
The student council at the Durban University of Technology in South Africa urged its administration to expel the Jewish students who support Israel's aggressive actions against the Palestinians.
The council also demanded the university administration not to accept new Jewish students, especially those sent by their government.
Council secretary Mqondisi Duma stated in press remarks that the council held a meeting recently and decided that the Jewish students, especially those who do not support the Palestinian struggle, should be deregistered because they represent an apartheid regime.
The council also demanded the university administration not to accept new Jewish students, especially those sent by their government.
Council secretary Mqondisi Duma stated in press remarks that the council held a meeting recently and decided that the Jewish students, especially those who do not support the Palestinian struggle, should be deregistered because they represent an apartheid regime.
12 feb 2015
Pro-Palestinian activists in Europe have launched an on-line hashtag to dissuade Switzerland from buying Israeli unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), commonly known as drones, as it violates its commitments and pledges to advance human rights around the world.
The boycott campaign’s hashtag has been widely spread on social media networks aiming to exert more pressures on Swiss decision-makers to cancel the arms deal.
The arms deal in favor of Swiss department of defense is worth more than a third of a billion dollars.
Between three hundred million and four hundred million Swiss francs has been allocated in the Swiss annual budget to purchase the Israeli drones.
The Swiss military chose to buy the Hermes 900 drone made by Elbit Systems and Heron 1 drone made by Israel Aircraft Industries.
Thousands of Palestinian civilians have been killed and injured during Israeli drone attacks along the past few years.
Israel Aircraft Industries mainly depend on unmanned aircraft exports to boost its funds.
If approved by parliament, the Swiss decision to buy the blood-stained Elbit drones will be only the latest manifestation of a history of military complicity with Israel that undermines Switzerland’s self-serving propaganda that it is a country that promotes peace and respect for human rights around the world, a popular campaign against the deal said.
The boycott campaign’s hashtag has been widely spread on social media networks aiming to exert more pressures on Swiss decision-makers to cancel the arms deal.
The arms deal in favor of Swiss department of defense is worth more than a third of a billion dollars.
Between three hundred million and four hundred million Swiss francs has been allocated in the Swiss annual budget to purchase the Israeli drones.
The Swiss military chose to buy the Hermes 900 drone made by Elbit Systems and Heron 1 drone made by Israel Aircraft Industries.
Thousands of Palestinian civilians have been killed and injured during Israeli drone attacks along the past few years.
Israel Aircraft Industries mainly depend on unmanned aircraft exports to boost its funds.
If approved by parliament, the Swiss decision to buy the blood-stained Elbit drones will be only the latest manifestation of a history of military complicity with Israel that undermines Switzerland’s self-serving propaganda that it is a country that promotes peace and respect for human rights around the world, a popular campaign against the deal said.
10 feb 2015
A large-scale campaign has been launched against Switzerland’s intention to buy Israeli unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), commonly known as drones, as it violates its commitments and pledges to advance human rights around the world.
The campaign includes organizing popular and media activities, signing e-petitions, and posting and sharing the issue on social media networks aiming to exert more pressures on Swiss decision-makers to cancel the arms deal.
The arms deal in favor of Swiss department of defense has potentially been worth more than a third of a billion dollars.
Between three hundred million and four hundred million Swiss francs has been allocated in the Swiss annual budget to purchase the Israeli drones.
The Swiss military chose to buy the Hermes 900 drone made by Elbit Systems and Heron 1 drone made by Israel Aircraft Industries.
Thousands of Palestinian civilians have been killed and injured during Israeli drone attacks along the past few years.
Israel Aircraft Industries mainly depend on unmanned aircraft exports to strengthen its funds.
A popular campaign has launched a petition to urge parliament not to approve the purchase of any Israeli drones, arguing that “military collaboration with Israel contradicts the special obligations that Switzerland has as not only a state party to the Geneva Conventions but also as its depository state.”
The petition, which has been waged by dozens of civil society organizations and human rights institutions, has collected more than 28 thousand signatures to date.
If approved by parliament, the Swiss decision to buy the blood-stained Elbit drones will be only the latest manifestation of a history of military complicity with Israel that undermines Switzerland’s self-serving propaganda that it is a country that promotes peace and respect for human rights around the world, the popular campaign said.
The campaign includes organizing popular and media activities, signing e-petitions, and posting and sharing the issue on social media networks aiming to exert more pressures on Swiss decision-makers to cancel the arms deal.
The arms deal in favor of Swiss department of defense has potentially been worth more than a third of a billion dollars.
Between three hundred million and four hundred million Swiss francs has been allocated in the Swiss annual budget to purchase the Israeli drones.
The Swiss military chose to buy the Hermes 900 drone made by Elbit Systems and Heron 1 drone made by Israel Aircraft Industries.
Thousands of Palestinian civilians have been killed and injured during Israeli drone attacks along the past few years.
Israel Aircraft Industries mainly depend on unmanned aircraft exports to strengthen its funds.
A popular campaign has launched a petition to urge parliament not to approve the purchase of any Israeli drones, arguing that “military collaboration with Israel contradicts the special obligations that Switzerland has as not only a state party to the Geneva Conventions but also as its depository state.”
The petition, which has been waged by dozens of civil society organizations and human rights institutions, has collected more than 28 thousand signatures to date.
If approved by parliament, the Swiss decision to buy the blood-stained Elbit drones will be only the latest manifestation of a history of military complicity with Israel that undermines Switzerland’s self-serving propaganda that it is a country that promotes peace and respect for human rights around the world, the popular campaign said.
The University of California Student Association (UCSA) overwhelmingly passed a vote Sunday in support of divestment from companies engaged in systematic violations of Palestinian rights.
The UCSA is the official voice of hundreds of thousands of students across the University of California system and it became the first multi-campus student association to vote in favour of divestment. This is a landmark vote, the largest victory to date in the American campus divestment movement. Next step: UC Regents, the 26-member board which governs the University of California.
Hundreds of students gathered in UCLA Sunday morning as the UC Student Association (UCSA) deliberated motions in support of divestment from companies engaged in the systematic violation of Palestinian rights in the Occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip. Students from across California arrived to speak in favor of divestment, and to highlight the nearly 90 student organizations across the state which joined the call for the UCSA to endorse divestment. The historic vote passed in an overwhelming majority of 9-1 with 6 abstentions.
The UC Student Association is the official voice of the student body of the University of California, and represents hundreds of thousands of undergraduate and graduate students across the UC system. Today it became the first multi-campus student association to vote in favor of divestment. This landmark vote is undoubtedly the largest victory thus far in the campus divestment movement in the United States.
Since 2012, UC Irvine, UC San Diego, UC Berkeley, UC Riverside, UC Los Angeles, and UC Davis have passed resolutions through their campus undergraduate student governments calling on the UC Regents to divest endowment and pension funds from companies such as Raytheon, Hewlett-Packard, Caterpillar, and Cemex, which facilitate and profit from Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories, its construction of settlements in contravention of international law, its violent bombing campaigns in Gaza, and its construction of checkpoints and walls throughout the West Bank. In addition, the statewide union representing teaching assistants, tutors, and readers – UAW 2865 – recently held a statewide membership vote which resulted in nearly 2/3rds support for divestment.
Students for Justice in Palestine chapters and their many allies across the UC applaud and celebrate the UCSA’s decision to affirm student activism, endorse the divestment call, and carry it forth to the UC Regents.
The External Vice President’s office at UC Riverside addressed the issue of accountability, stating: “We are aware of the unfortunate reality of a Board of Regents that has a very poor record of accomplishment of respecting democratic calls by the student body of the University of California…As firm believers in backing up words with action, we look forward to ensuring that the UCSA remains devoted to the follow-up work critical to an effective campaign.”
UCLA Student Safwan Ibrahim commented on the meaning of divestment to Palestinians at the UC: “As a Palestinian student in the UC system, it’s incredible to see the amount of intersectional solidarity across campuses, and to witness the shift in conversation regarding support of Palestinian human rights. It is especially inspiring to see the UCSA representatives take up the responsibility of carrying our voices to the Regents.”
The UCSA is the official voice of hundreds of thousands of students across the University of California system and it became the first multi-campus student association to vote in favour of divestment. This is a landmark vote, the largest victory to date in the American campus divestment movement. Next step: UC Regents, the 26-member board which governs the University of California.
Hundreds of students gathered in UCLA Sunday morning as the UC Student Association (UCSA) deliberated motions in support of divestment from companies engaged in the systematic violation of Palestinian rights in the Occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip. Students from across California arrived to speak in favor of divestment, and to highlight the nearly 90 student organizations across the state which joined the call for the UCSA to endorse divestment. The historic vote passed in an overwhelming majority of 9-1 with 6 abstentions.
The UC Student Association is the official voice of the student body of the University of California, and represents hundreds of thousands of undergraduate and graduate students across the UC system. Today it became the first multi-campus student association to vote in favor of divestment. This landmark vote is undoubtedly the largest victory thus far in the campus divestment movement in the United States.
Since 2012, UC Irvine, UC San Diego, UC Berkeley, UC Riverside, UC Los Angeles, and UC Davis have passed resolutions through their campus undergraduate student governments calling on the UC Regents to divest endowment and pension funds from companies such as Raytheon, Hewlett-Packard, Caterpillar, and Cemex, which facilitate and profit from Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories, its construction of settlements in contravention of international law, its violent bombing campaigns in Gaza, and its construction of checkpoints and walls throughout the West Bank. In addition, the statewide union representing teaching assistants, tutors, and readers – UAW 2865 – recently held a statewide membership vote which resulted in nearly 2/3rds support for divestment.
Students for Justice in Palestine chapters and their many allies across the UC applaud and celebrate the UCSA’s decision to affirm student activism, endorse the divestment call, and carry it forth to the UC Regents.
The External Vice President’s office at UC Riverside addressed the issue of accountability, stating: “We are aware of the unfortunate reality of a Board of Regents that has a very poor record of accomplishment of respecting democratic calls by the student body of the University of California…As firm believers in backing up words with action, we look forward to ensuring that the UCSA remains devoted to the follow-up work critical to an effective campaign.”
UCLA Student Safwan Ibrahim commented on the meaning of divestment to Palestinians at the UC: “As a Palestinian student in the UC system, it’s incredible to see the amount of intersectional solidarity across campuses, and to witness the shift in conversation regarding support of Palestinian human rights. It is especially inspiring to see the UCSA representatives take up the responsibility of carrying our voices to the Regents.”
A Palestinian national committee speaking on behalf of all Palestinian factions has decided to ban the sale of Israeli companies' products in the West Bank, in response to Israel's punitive measure following the PA's UN bid.
Mahmoud Al-Aloul, member of a national committee representing all Palestinian organizations and factions, along with delegates from the private sector, said the committee announced Monday that it was recommending to gradually ban the sale of products by six Israeli companies in the West Bank, as of Wednesday.
According to al-Aloul, the boycott serves as a retaliatory response to Israel's decision to freeze tax funds to the Palestinian Authority (PA).
“The decision is official and popular. The committee has also taken all the measures (judicial and penal) needed to be put into effect and penalize any projected violations,” he added.
The to-be-boycotted companies have been identified as Tnuva, Osem, Elite, Prigat, Jafora and Strauss.
Palestinian merchants will be given two weeks time to clear their stock of the Israeli products, committee member al-Aloul underlined.
The committee called on all Palestinian entrepreneurs and businessmen to boost their local output and enhance the quality of their products as a means to fill the vacuum ensuing from the ban, slated to begin Wednesday.
Mahmoud Al-Aloul, member of a national committee representing all Palestinian organizations and factions, along with delegates from the private sector, said the committee announced Monday that it was recommending to gradually ban the sale of products by six Israeli companies in the West Bank, as of Wednesday.
According to al-Aloul, the boycott serves as a retaliatory response to Israel's decision to freeze tax funds to the Palestinian Authority (PA).
“The decision is official and popular. The committee has also taken all the measures (judicial and penal) needed to be put into effect and penalize any projected violations,” he added.
The to-be-boycotted companies have been identified as Tnuva, Osem, Elite, Prigat, Jafora and Strauss.
Palestinian merchants will be given two weeks time to clear their stock of the Israeli products, committee member al-Aloul underlined.
The committee called on all Palestinian entrepreneurs and businessmen to boost their local output and enhance the quality of their products as a means to fill the vacuum ensuing from the ban, slated to begin Wednesday.
28 jan 2015
Djibouti’s Foreign Minister, Mahmoud Youssef, Tuesday called on the African Union to opt for “firm and clear” decisions in favor of the Palestinian cause.
Youssef’s calls were launched during an in-camera session held Tuesday by the African Union’s council of ministers to discuss a series of pro-Palestine draft resolutions, among many other issues.
The appeals of Djibouti’s foreign minister were “among the strongest stances taken in favor of the Palestinian cause,” the Anadolu News Agency quoted sources at the session as saying.
The same sources reported a quasi-total agreement on the set of recommendations put forth in support of the Palestinian people and submitted to the two-day African Summit, set to kick off Friday in Addis Ababa.
The council of ministers' proposals included the boycott of Israeli products, the condemnation of Israeli assaults on Palestinians, and the establishment of a Palestinian sovereign state. The council further agreed to support Palestinian statehood bid at the UN Security Council.
Youssef’s calls were launched during an in-camera session held Tuesday by the African Union’s council of ministers to discuss a series of pro-Palestine draft resolutions, among many other issues.
The appeals of Djibouti’s foreign minister were “among the strongest stances taken in favor of the Palestinian cause,” the Anadolu News Agency quoted sources at the session as saying.
The same sources reported a quasi-total agreement on the set of recommendations put forth in support of the Palestinian people and submitted to the two-day African Summit, set to kick off Friday in Addis Ababa.
The council of ministers' proposals included the boycott of Israeli products, the condemnation of Israeli assaults on Palestinians, and the establishment of a Palestinian sovereign state. The council further agreed to support Palestinian statehood bid at the UN Security Council.
27 jan 2015
Hundreds of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, on Monday, participated in protests organized by the Fateh movement, calling for a boycott of Israeli products and expressing support for Palestinian officials.
Ma'an reports that, in Ramallah, hundreds gathered at al-Manara Square in protest of Israel's decision to freeze tax funds owed to the Palestinian Authority.
Jamal Muheisen, a member of Fateh's Central Committee, said that Israel "should not be allowed to steal our money and gain profits by selling their products in our markets."
"Despite several boycotting campaigns there are still Israeli products in our markets," Muheisen said. "Our merchants and officials should not allow this to continue."
He told Ma'an that the marches were organized in order to increase support for Palestine's international political actions, referring to UN Security Council resolutions and Palestinian membership of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Another Fateh Central Committee member, Mahmoud al-Alul, said that the protests were sending a message to the world that Palestinians supported their leaders.
Meanwhile, hundreds of Palestinians in Hebron also participated in protest marches. Hebron governor Kamel Hmeid and local Fateh officials joined in the march.
Similar protests were held in Tubas.
Fateh spokesman Ahmad Assaf said the protests sent the message that Palestinians supported President Mahmoud Abbas.
He added that popular resistance and the boycott of Israeli products should be escalated.
Abbas, himself a Fateh member, has repeatedly said that he does not support the boycott of Israeli products.
Ma'an reports that, in Ramallah, hundreds gathered at al-Manara Square in protest of Israel's decision to freeze tax funds owed to the Palestinian Authority.
Jamal Muheisen, a member of Fateh's Central Committee, said that Israel "should not be allowed to steal our money and gain profits by selling their products in our markets."
"Despite several boycotting campaigns there are still Israeli products in our markets," Muheisen said. "Our merchants and officials should not allow this to continue."
He told Ma'an that the marches were organized in order to increase support for Palestine's international political actions, referring to UN Security Council resolutions and Palestinian membership of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Another Fateh Central Committee member, Mahmoud al-Alul, said that the protests were sending a message to the world that Palestinians supported their leaders.
Meanwhile, hundreds of Palestinians in Hebron also participated in protest marches. Hebron governor Kamel Hmeid and local Fateh officials joined in the march.
Similar protests were held in Tubas.
Fateh spokesman Ahmad Assaf said the protests sent the message that Palestinians supported President Mahmoud Abbas.
He added that popular resistance and the boycott of Israeli products should be escalated.
Abbas, himself a Fateh member, has repeatedly said that he does not support the boycott of Israeli products.
22 jan 2015
A captured scene of the video released by Asian Football Confederation (AFC) about the history of the games
Israel has been omitted from a video recently released by Asian Football Confederation (AFC) recounting the history of the continental soccer games.
Israel was part of the games before Arab and Islamic countries demanded in 1974 that AFC expel the Zionist entity from the competition. The tournament in those days accommodated a lower number of teams and the Israeli football team even managed to win the games.
However, a video recently released by the AFC, which was reportedly made by an external agency, has omitted Israel from its content. No reason has been provided for the move, although it seems to be in line with AFC’s policy to not upset its huge audience in the Arab and Islamic states.
Also earlier in January, a giant publication house in the United States sold atlases with no territory named Israel to English-speaking schools in some Persian Gulf countries.
HarperCollins Publishers said including the name of Israel in the maps would have been “unacceptable” to customers in the Persian Gulf region. The publisher later regretted the decision under huge pressure from pro-Israeli media and lobby groups.
Arab Muslims in the Persian Gulf and Middle East see the Israeli entity as completely illegitimate as it was established in 1948 in the territories that were occupied illegally. Since then the entity has pursued a policy of expansion mainly through forced evacuation of people, expansion of settlements and waging war on defenseless civilians.
Israel has been omitted from a video recently released by Asian Football Confederation (AFC) recounting the history of the continental soccer games.
Israel was part of the games before Arab and Islamic countries demanded in 1974 that AFC expel the Zionist entity from the competition. The tournament in those days accommodated a lower number of teams and the Israeli football team even managed to win the games.
However, a video recently released by the AFC, which was reportedly made by an external agency, has omitted Israel from its content. No reason has been provided for the move, although it seems to be in line with AFC’s policy to not upset its huge audience in the Arab and Islamic states.
Also earlier in January, a giant publication house in the United States sold atlases with no territory named Israel to English-speaking schools in some Persian Gulf countries.
HarperCollins Publishers said including the name of Israel in the maps would have been “unacceptable” to customers in the Persian Gulf region. The publisher later regretted the decision under huge pressure from pro-Israeli media and lobby groups.
Arab Muslims in the Persian Gulf and Middle East see the Israeli entity as completely illegitimate as it was established in 1948 in the territories that were occupied illegally. Since then the entity has pursued a policy of expansion mainly through forced evacuation of people, expansion of settlements and waging war on defenseless civilians.
18 jan 2015
Picture from protest
A protest this week in New York City was accompanied by the submission of a petition to the New York City Council demanding that the Council cancel an upcoming all-expense-paid hasbara trip to Israel, funded by the deep-pocketed political advocacy groups 'Jewish Community Relations Council' and 'United Jewish Appeal'.
The City Council of New York is considered one of the most progressive in the country, having publicly taken a stand against the targeting of mosques by law enforcement throughout the city, and urging tolerance instead of Islamophobia.
But over a dozen members of the City Council have accepted all-expense-paid trips to Israel beginning February 15th, sponsored by Zionist organizations, whose stated purpose is to bring international visitors, particularly US politicians, to Israel in order to "see things from an Israeli perspective". These trips are considered 'hasbara', which is the Hebrew for public relations, and is often referred to by anti-apartheid activists as a type of Zionist propaganda that whitewashes and downplays the Israeli occupation and takeover of Palestinian land.
Representatives of the forty community groups that signed on to the petition gathered in the freezing cold outside New York's City Council to deliver their message this week. The protest was led by Jewish Voice for Peace, and included representatives from the Committee Against Anti-Asian Violence, the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, the Direct Action Front for Palestine, and Jews Against Islamophobia.
The City Council members who have been identified as accepting the free hasbara trips to Israel are Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Mark Treyger, Brad Lander, Antonio Reynoso, David Greenfield, Rafael Espinal, Darlene Mealy, Mark Levine, Helen Rosenthal, Corey Johnson, Ritchie Torres, Andrew Cohen, Donovan Richards, Eric Ulrich, and James Van Bramer.
Almost a year ago, in February 2014, the Mondoweiss blog exposed the JCRC as being behind anti-boycott legislation in the New York and other state legislatures, as well as leading the opposition to a boycott of Israeli goods by a coop grocery store in Brooklyn. The legislation in question has targeted academic organizations, like the American Studies Association, who have taken a stand in support of the Boycott-Divestment-Sanctions movement. The legislation has been passed in several states, and it strips the organizations of their funding and status.
The Boycott-Divestment-Sanctions movement is an international movement aimed at pressuring Israel economically to end its occupation of Palestinian land, and allow for equal rights for all people living in the land of historic Palestine, as well as calling on Israel to adhere to international law and signed treaties and conventions.
David Galarza, a Puerto Rican activist, spome at the rally in the freezing rain, and, according to Mondoweiss, "likened the four boys killed on the beach in Gaza during Operation Protective Edge to the four girls who died in the bombing of a black church in Birmingham, Alabama; where, he wondered, was Charlie Hebdo-style solidarity in the case of the murdered Baker children? Photographs of the two bombings [Gaza beach and Birmingham church] were held up as Galarza declared his identification with the eight victims, alternating Palestinian and African-American names."
A protest this week in New York City was accompanied by the submission of a petition to the New York City Council demanding that the Council cancel an upcoming all-expense-paid hasbara trip to Israel, funded by the deep-pocketed political advocacy groups 'Jewish Community Relations Council' and 'United Jewish Appeal'.
The City Council of New York is considered one of the most progressive in the country, having publicly taken a stand against the targeting of mosques by law enforcement throughout the city, and urging tolerance instead of Islamophobia.
But over a dozen members of the City Council have accepted all-expense-paid trips to Israel beginning February 15th, sponsored by Zionist organizations, whose stated purpose is to bring international visitors, particularly US politicians, to Israel in order to "see things from an Israeli perspective". These trips are considered 'hasbara', which is the Hebrew for public relations, and is often referred to by anti-apartheid activists as a type of Zionist propaganda that whitewashes and downplays the Israeli occupation and takeover of Palestinian land.
Representatives of the forty community groups that signed on to the petition gathered in the freezing cold outside New York's City Council to deliver their message this week. The protest was led by Jewish Voice for Peace, and included representatives from the Committee Against Anti-Asian Violence, the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, the Direct Action Front for Palestine, and Jews Against Islamophobia.
The City Council members who have been identified as accepting the free hasbara trips to Israel are Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Mark Treyger, Brad Lander, Antonio Reynoso, David Greenfield, Rafael Espinal, Darlene Mealy, Mark Levine, Helen Rosenthal, Corey Johnson, Ritchie Torres, Andrew Cohen, Donovan Richards, Eric Ulrich, and James Van Bramer.
Almost a year ago, in February 2014, the Mondoweiss blog exposed the JCRC as being behind anti-boycott legislation in the New York and other state legislatures, as well as leading the opposition to a boycott of Israeli goods by a coop grocery store in Brooklyn. The legislation in question has targeted academic organizations, like the American Studies Association, who have taken a stand in support of the Boycott-Divestment-Sanctions movement. The legislation has been passed in several states, and it strips the organizations of their funding and status.
The Boycott-Divestment-Sanctions movement is an international movement aimed at pressuring Israel economically to end its occupation of Palestinian land, and allow for equal rights for all people living in the land of historic Palestine, as well as calling on Israel to adhere to international law and signed treaties and conventions.
David Galarza, a Puerto Rican activist, spome at the rally in the freezing rain, and, according to Mondoweiss, "likened the four boys killed on the beach in Gaza during Operation Protective Edge to the four girls who died in the bombing of a black church in Birmingham, Alabama; where, he wondered, was Charlie Hebdo-style solidarity in the case of the murdered Baker children? Photographs of the two bombings [Gaza beach and Birmingham church] were held up as Galarza declared his identification with the eight victims, alternating Palestinian and African-American names."
6 jan 2015
The coordinator of the National Committee of Women Campaign for Boycott of Israeli Products, Majeda al-Masri, asked the Palestinian women activists and organizations in different Palestinian districts to prop up their efforts in boycotting Israeli goods.
The Women Campaign called, in a statement on Tuesday, for commitment to the boycott as a national response to the Israeli decision to block transfer of tax money to the Palestinian Authority.
The statement noted that the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to seize one hundred million Euros of Palestinian tax money was in a response to signing the Rome Statue and trying to join the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The statement also asked all boycott campaigns to endorse boycott of Israeli products as a national duty, stressing the need for more coordination and role integration among various campaigns, and for declaring the boycott as a strategic national option for the Palestinian people.
The Women Campaign called, in a statement on Tuesday, for commitment to the boycott as a national response to the Israeli decision to block transfer of tax money to the Palestinian Authority.
The statement noted that the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to seize one hundred million Euros of Palestinian tax money was in a response to signing the Rome Statue and trying to join the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The statement also asked all boycott campaigns to endorse boycott of Israeli products as a national duty, stressing the need for more coordination and role integration among various campaigns, and for declaring the boycott as a strategic national option for the Palestinian people.
Member of the PLO Executive Committee Tayseer Khaled called on PA ministries and institutions and the Palestinian people to boycott Israeli products “in response to Israel’s decision to freeze the transfer of taxes it collects on behalf of the PA.”
In a press statement issued Monday, Khaled warned of the seriousness of U.S. and Israel’s joined sanctions on the PA in retaliation to the Palestinian move to join the ICC and to sign the Rome Statute.
He stressed the importance of canceling the Paris economic protocol and to effectively activate popular boycott committees that work at preventing Israeli products’ access to Palestinian markets.
The Paris Protocol is the framework agreement establishing interim-period economic relations between Israel and the PA. The agreement imposes severe restrictions on the development of the Palestinian economy.
In a press statement issued Monday, Khaled warned of the seriousness of U.S. and Israel’s joined sanctions on the PA in retaliation to the Palestinian move to join the ICC and to sign the Rome Statute.
He stressed the importance of canceling the Paris economic protocol and to effectively activate popular boycott committees that work at preventing Israeli products’ access to Palestinian markets.
The Paris Protocol is the framework agreement establishing interim-period economic relations between Israel and the PA. The agreement imposes severe restrictions on the development of the Palestinian economy.
4 jan 2015
The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement (BDS) said it started to form an alliance of Palestinian parliamentary blocs, local and international human rights groups, politicians, and economists to pressure the Palestinian government not to sign a final gas agreement with Israel.
In a press release on Saturday, the BDS Movement said the first months of the current year would see a widespread popular move against the Palestinian government and some private sector institutions that had signed a preliminary agreement early last year to import natural gas supplies from Israel for 20 years, valued at 1.2 billion dollars.
"The Palestinian Authority signed an agreement to import natural gas from the occupation state on 01/05/2014, worth 1.2 billion dollars, for 20 years, which opened the door for Jordan and Egypt to move forward with similar steps and conclude agreements to buy gas from Israel," the Movement underlined.
"Such agreements would save the project of selling Israeli liquefied gas, which Israel failed to export at competitive prices to world markets, and then had to export it regionally to ensure its economic viability," it added.
BDS stressed the need for urgent popular moves to pressure the governments of Palestine, Jordan and Egypt to revoke their gas agreements with Israel.
BDS is a global Palestinian campaign advocating international boycotts and sanctions against Israel until it complies with international law and respect the Palestinian rights.
In a press release on Saturday, the BDS Movement said the first months of the current year would see a widespread popular move against the Palestinian government and some private sector institutions that had signed a preliminary agreement early last year to import natural gas supplies from Israel for 20 years, valued at 1.2 billion dollars.
"The Palestinian Authority signed an agreement to import natural gas from the occupation state on 01/05/2014, worth 1.2 billion dollars, for 20 years, which opened the door for Jordan and Egypt to move forward with similar steps and conclude agreements to buy gas from Israel," the Movement underlined.
"Such agreements would save the project of selling Israeli liquefied gas, which Israel failed to export at competitive prices to world markets, and then had to export it regionally to ensure its economic viability," it added.
BDS stressed the need for urgent popular moves to pressure the governments of Palestine, Jordan and Egypt to revoke their gas agreements with Israel.
BDS is a global Palestinian campaign advocating international boycotts and sanctions against Israel until it complies with international law and respect the Palestinian rights.
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