31 aug 2012
Protesters Disrupt Edinburgh Festival Performance
Hundreds gathered last night in Edinburgh to protest the appearance of the Israeli-state-sponsored Batsheva Dance Company at the Playhouse as part of the Edinburgh International Festival.
The protest had been organised by the Don't Dance with Israeli Apartheid campaign, a Scottish based coalition made up of Palestine solidarity groups. The campaign was established in June this year to encourage festival director Jonathan Mills to cancel the scheduled performances based on Batsheva's links to the Israeli state.
Earlier this week, leading writers including Iain Banks and Scotland's national poet, Liz Lochhead, signed a letter calling for the scheduled performances to be cancelled.
The lively protest outside - which consisted of chanting, singing and ticket burning - resulted in some members of the public returning their tickets to the box office and joining the crowd outside.
Approximately five members of the UK Zionist Federation called a counter-demonstration to take place at the same time, and individuals attempted to distribute pro-Israeli material to groups entering the Playhouse. Limor Livnat, the Israeli Minister of Culture and Sport, and Israel's ambassador to the UK were inside the Playhouse.
As well as the demonstration outside, individuals disrupted the performance inside. The protesters held up Palestine flags and large signs during the performance, which read: 'No to Batsheva', 'No to Apartheid' and 'Free Palestine'. The disruptions inside led to the performance being halted three times while security attempted to remove the individuals.
Kate Connelly, who disrupted the performance inside, said:
'I believe the strong presence outside the Playhouse, coupled with the disruptions inside sent a strong message to the Batsheva Dance Company, the Israeli government and the festival organisers that the arts can never be used to distract from the reality of apartheid.'
The campaign have committed to protesting outside the Playhouse on Friday and Saturday evening, insisting that this run of protests will set a precedent for similar actions later in the year when the Batsheva Dance Ensemble are due to embark on a UK wide tour.
-----------------
1. ‘Don’t Dance with Israeli Apartheid’ is a coalition of Palestine solidarity organisations and activists.
Website: www.no2brandisrael.org
Email: no2brandisrael@ymail.com
2. Brand Israel
Foreign Ministry, PR firm rebrand Israel as land of achievements
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/foreign-ministry-pr-firm-rebrand-israel-as-land-of-achievements-1.255073
Israel Aims To Improve Its Public Image
http://forward.com/articles/2070/israel-aims-to-improve-its-public-image/
Putting out a contract on art
http://www.haaretz.com/putting-out-a-contract-on-art-1.250388
Israel is new South Africa as boycott calls increase
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/israel-is-new-south-africa-as-boycott-calls-increase-7813538.html
3. Appeal by Scottish artists to cancel the performance
http://www.heraldscotland.com/comment/letters/appeal-to-cancel-israeli-dance-group-performance.18711998
4. Batsheva Dance Company at the Edinburgh International Festival
http://www.eif.co.uk/hora
5. Israeli Minister to attend Batsheva Performance
http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/71547/israel-boycotters-turn-attention-edinburgh-culture-meeting
The protest had been organised by the Don't Dance with Israeli Apartheid campaign, a Scottish based coalition made up of Palestine solidarity groups. The campaign was established in June this year to encourage festival director Jonathan Mills to cancel the scheduled performances based on Batsheva's links to the Israeli state.
Earlier this week, leading writers including Iain Banks and Scotland's national poet, Liz Lochhead, signed a letter calling for the scheduled performances to be cancelled.
The lively protest outside - which consisted of chanting, singing and ticket burning - resulted in some members of the public returning their tickets to the box office and joining the crowd outside.
Approximately five members of the UK Zionist Federation called a counter-demonstration to take place at the same time, and individuals attempted to distribute pro-Israeli material to groups entering the Playhouse. Limor Livnat, the Israeli Minister of Culture and Sport, and Israel's ambassador to the UK were inside the Playhouse.
As well as the demonstration outside, individuals disrupted the performance inside. The protesters held up Palestine flags and large signs during the performance, which read: 'No to Batsheva', 'No to Apartheid' and 'Free Palestine'. The disruptions inside led to the performance being halted three times while security attempted to remove the individuals.
Kate Connelly, who disrupted the performance inside, said:
'I believe the strong presence outside the Playhouse, coupled with the disruptions inside sent a strong message to the Batsheva Dance Company, the Israeli government and the festival organisers that the arts can never be used to distract from the reality of apartheid.'
The campaign have committed to protesting outside the Playhouse on Friday and Saturday evening, insisting that this run of protests will set a precedent for similar actions later in the year when the Batsheva Dance Ensemble are due to embark on a UK wide tour.
-----------------
1. ‘Don’t Dance with Israeli Apartheid’ is a coalition of Palestine solidarity organisations and activists.
Website: www.no2brandisrael.org
Email: no2brandisrael@ymail.com
2. Brand Israel
Foreign Ministry, PR firm rebrand Israel as land of achievements
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/foreign-ministry-pr-firm-rebrand-israel-as-land-of-achievements-1.255073
Israel Aims To Improve Its Public Image
http://forward.com/articles/2070/israel-aims-to-improve-its-public-image/
Putting out a contract on art
http://www.haaretz.com/putting-out-a-contract-on-art-1.250388
Israel is new South Africa as boycott calls increase
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/israel-is-new-south-africa-as-boycott-calls-increase-7813538.html
3. Appeal by Scottish artists to cancel the performance
http://www.heraldscotland.com/comment/letters/appeal-to-cancel-israeli-dance-group-performance.18711998
4. Batsheva Dance Company at the Edinburgh International Festival
http://www.eif.co.uk/hora
5. Israeli Minister to attend Batsheva Performance
http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/71547/israel-boycotters-turn-attention-edinburgh-culture-meeting
28 aug 2012
AOHR calls for boycotting Avkon company
The Arab Organization for Human Rights (AOHR) in Britain condemned the involvement of many international companies in the Israeli military operations in the occupied Palestinian territories.
AOHR revealed, in a statement on Monday, that Avkon company, established since 1945 in occupied Palestine, offers multiple services to the occupation army in occupied Palestine, including electrical systems, industrial control, building management, security systems, Fire Alarm Systems, software, communications, natural gas technology, wind energy technology, and telecommunications.
The company's most important customers are the Israeli ministries of war, security, energy, transport, and agriculture.
The statement pointed out that the company has so many branches worldwide in China, Russia, Malaysia, India, Jordon, and others.
The organization called on the Malaysian and Jordanian governments to close the company's branches in their countries.
The organization also called on European countries and other countries that host branches for that company "to investigate the company's illegal activities in the occupied Palestinian territories and its crimes against the Palestinian people”
AOHR revealed, in a statement on Monday, that Avkon company, established since 1945 in occupied Palestine, offers multiple services to the occupation army in occupied Palestine, including electrical systems, industrial control, building management, security systems, Fire Alarm Systems, software, communications, natural gas technology, wind energy technology, and telecommunications.
The company's most important customers are the Israeli ministries of war, security, energy, transport, and agriculture.
The statement pointed out that the company has so many branches worldwide in China, Russia, Malaysia, India, Jordon, and others.
The organization called on the Malaysian and Jordanian governments to close the company's branches in their countries.
The organization also called on European countries and other countries that host branches for that company "to investigate the company's illegal activities in the occupied Palestinian territories and its crimes against the Palestinian people”
27 aug 2012
PCHR welcomes South Africa decision Label Settlement Goods
The South African Ministry of Trade and Industry has approved a move to place Occupied Palestinian Territory labels on imported goods from Jewish settlements.
In a press briefing on Wednesday 22 August, government spokesman Jimmy Manyi stated that the decision was “in line with South Africa 's stance that recognises the 1948 borders delineated by the United Nations and does not recognise occupied territories beyond these borders as being part of the state of Israel .”
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) welcomes the decision by South Africa to implement the proposal, which will require accurate labelling of products from illegal settlements in the West Bank. Significantly, the burden for proving where the products originate will lie with the traders.
South Africa is a strong supporter of the Palestinian people, largely due to its own history of apartheid, oppression, and human rights violations. The country’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Ebrahim Ebrahim, recently discouraged South Africans from travelling to Israel , unless the visit was aimed at promoting the peace process. He stated, “Israel is an occupier country which is oppressing Palestine , so it's not proper for South Africans to associate with Israel .”
PCHR condemns, in the strongest terms, the ongoing construction of settlements in the oPt. Israel ’s settlement activities violate international law, as well as the private property rights and the collective and individual human rights of the Palestinian people.
For example, Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention prohibits an occupying power from transferring its civilian population into the territory it occupies and from creating any permanent change in an occupied territory not intended for the benefit of the occupied population. As such, the construction of settlements in the oPt constitutes a war crime under international humanitarian law.
In this context, PCHR calls upon:
1. Israel to fulfill its legal obligations under, inter alia, Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention and put an end to settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt);
2. The international community to put pressure on Israel to put an immediate end to its settlements policy in the oPt, which violate international human rights law and international humanitarian law; and
3. The High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their obligation under Article 1 of the Convention to respect, and ensure respect for, the Convention in all circumstances.
Public Document
**************************************
For more information please call PCHR office in Gaza , Gaza Strip, on +972 8 2824776 - 2825893
PCHR, 29 Omer El Mukhtar St., El Remal, PO Box 1328 Gaza, Gaza Strip. E-mail: pchr@pchrgaza.org,
Webpage
In a press briefing on Wednesday 22 August, government spokesman Jimmy Manyi stated that the decision was “in line with South Africa 's stance that recognises the 1948 borders delineated by the United Nations and does not recognise occupied territories beyond these borders as being part of the state of Israel .”
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) welcomes the decision by South Africa to implement the proposal, which will require accurate labelling of products from illegal settlements in the West Bank. Significantly, the burden for proving where the products originate will lie with the traders.
South Africa is a strong supporter of the Palestinian people, largely due to its own history of apartheid, oppression, and human rights violations. The country’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Ebrahim Ebrahim, recently discouraged South Africans from travelling to Israel , unless the visit was aimed at promoting the peace process. He stated, “Israel is an occupier country which is oppressing Palestine , so it's not proper for South Africans to associate with Israel .”
PCHR condemns, in the strongest terms, the ongoing construction of settlements in the oPt. Israel ’s settlement activities violate international law, as well as the private property rights and the collective and individual human rights of the Palestinian people.
For example, Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention prohibits an occupying power from transferring its civilian population into the territory it occupies and from creating any permanent change in an occupied territory not intended for the benefit of the occupied population. As such, the construction of settlements in the oPt constitutes a war crime under international humanitarian law.
In this context, PCHR calls upon:
1. Israel to fulfill its legal obligations under, inter alia, Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention and put an end to settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt);
2. The international community to put pressure on Israel to put an immediate end to its settlements policy in the oPt, which violate international human rights law and international humanitarian law; and
3. The High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their obligation under Article 1 of the Convention to respect, and ensure respect for, the Convention in all circumstances.
Public Document
**************************************
For more information please call PCHR office in Gaza , Gaza Strip, on +972 8 2824776 - 2825893
PCHR, 29 Omer El Mukhtar St., El Remal, PO Box 1328 Gaza, Gaza Strip. E-mail: pchr@pchrgaza.org,
Webpage
23 aug 2012
South Africa’s Arabs Welcome Decision to Label Settlement Goods
South Africa’s Arab community Thursday welcomed their government decision to label goods coming from Jewish settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory to differentiate them from goods made in Israel, according to a statement by members of the Arab community.
Abdul Salaam Bassiouni, director of the Islamic Al-Tawheed Center, praised the South African government decision that supports the Palestinian people struggle to regain their legitimate rights.
He also condemned campaigns by pro-Israel groups who attacked the government decision.
South Africa's Deputy Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ibrahim announced last week that South Africa will not recognize Israel’s sovereignty over any part of the occupied Palestinian territory.
Abdul Salaam Bassiouni, director of the Islamic Al-Tawheed Center, praised the South African government decision that supports the Palestinian people struggle to regain their legitimate rights.
He also condemned campaigns by pro-Israel groups who attacked the government decision.
South Africa's Deputy Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ibrahim announced last week that South Africa will not recognize Israel’s sovereignty over any part of the occupied Palestinian territory.
Israel: South Africa labeling decision 'discrimination'
Not 'Made in Israel'?
Israel on Wednesday denounced South Africa's cabinet decision to label goods from illegal Israeli settlements as produced in the occupied Palestinian territories.
In a statement, the Israeli foreign ministry said the decision "is without precedent, as no such measure has ever been adopted in South Africa or in any other country. It constitutes therefore a blatant discrimination based on national and political distinction."
The statement added: "Israel and South Africa have political differences, and that is legitimate. What is totally unacceptable is the use of tools which, by essence, discriminate and single out, fostering a general boycott. Such exclusion and discrimination bring to mind ideas of racist nature which the government of South Africa, more than any other, should have wholly rejected."
The ministry said South Africa's ambassador would be summoned Thursday.
SA ambassador to be summoned over 'Made in Israel' measure
Foreign Ministry livid over South Africa's 'blatant discrimination' against Israel as it confirms settlement products will not receive Made in Israel labeling. Ambassador summoned for clarification.
South Africa has put the final seal on a measure requiring special labeling for goods originating from Israeli settlements. The move, which has been under consideration since May, was adopted by the South African government on Wednesday.
This means that products that originate in the settlements will no longer receive the "Made in Israel" label; in Jerusalem the response was swift. The Foreign Ministry announced that it would summon the South African ambassador for a meeting for clarifications.
The ambassador is set to present himself at the office of the deputy director general of the African Division at the Foreign Ministry.
A ministry statement noted that the move was "without precedent, as no such measure has ever been adopted in South Africa or in any other country: it constitutes therefore a blatant discrimination based on national and political distinction."
The ministry added: "Israel and South Africa have political differences, and that is legitimate. What is totally unacceptable is the use of tools which, by essence, discriminate and single out, fostering a general boycott.
"Such exclusion and discrimination bring to mind ideas of racist nature which the government of South Africa, more than any other, should have wholly rejected."
The affair raised a great deal of anger among pro-Israel South Africans. Thousands protested in Pretoria a few weeks ago against the measure.
Officials in Jerusalem mentioned that the South African opposition claimed that the ruling party was manipulative, using the measure to present itself as a party that fights for the oppressed, thus winning the votes of South Africans who were disappointed with the country's human rights situation.
Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon commented on the decision: "Sadly it seems that the change taking place in South Africa over the past few years has not brought about any changes in the foundations of the country and it remains an apartheid state.
"At the moment apartheid is being directed at Israel and against miners in South Africa itself. Instead of accepting the measure to mark Israeli products it would have been better had the South African government made courageous decisions with regards to the 34 innocent miners who only sought to improve their employment conditions."
The Foreign Ministry had already expressed its displeasure over the move in May when the measure was first introduced. The ministry said at the time that the ambassador to South Africa would be reprimanded.
Israel on Wednesday denounced South Africa's cabinet decision to label goods from illegal Israeli settlements as produced in the occupied Palestinian territories.
In a statement, the Israeli foreign ministry said the decision "is without precedent, as no such measure has ever been adopted in South Africa or in any other country. It constitutes therefore a blatant discrimination based on national and political distinction."
The statement added: "Israel and South Africa have political differences, and that is legitimate. What is totally unacceptable is the use of tools which, by essence, discriminate and single out, fostering a general boycott. Such exclusion and discrimination bring to mind ideas of racist nature which the government of South Africa, more than any other, should have wholly rejected."
The ministry said South Africa's ambassador would be summoned Thursday.
SA ambassador to be summoned over 'Made in Israel' measure
Foreign Ministry livid over South Africa's 'blatant discrimination' against Israel as it confirms settlement products will not receive Made in Israel labeling. Ambassador summoned for clarification.
South Africa has put the final seal on a measure requiring special labeling for goods originating from Israeli settlements. The move, which has been under consideration since May, was adopted by the South African government on Wednesday.
This means that products that originate in the settlements will no longer receive the "Made in Israel" label; in Jerusalem the response was swift. The Foreign Ministry announced that it would summon the South African ambassador for a meeting for clarifications.
The ambassador is set to present himself at the office of the deputy director general of the African Division at the Foreign Ministry.
A ministry statement noted that the move was "without precedent, as no such measure has ever been adopted in South Africa or in any other country: it constitutes therefore a blatant discrimination based on national and political distinction."
The ministry added: "Israel and South Africa have political differences, and that is legitimate. What is totally unacceptable is the use of tools which, by essence, discriminate and single out, fostering a general boycott.
"Such exclusion and discrimination bring to mind ideas of racist nature which the government of South Africa, more than any other, should have wholly rejected."
The affair raised a great deal of anger among pro-Israel South Africans. Thousands protested in Pretoria a few weeks ago against the measure.
Officials in Jerusalem mentioned that the South African opposition claimed that the ruling party was manipulative, using the measure to present itself as a party that fights for the oppressed, thus winning the votes of South Africans who were disappointed with the country's human rights situation.
Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon commented on the decision: "Sadly it seems that the change taking place in South Africa over the past few years has not brought about any changes in the foundations of the country and it remains an apartheid state.
"At the moment apartheid is being directed at Israel and against miners in South Africa itself. Instead of accepting the measure to mark Israeli products it would have been better had the South African government made courageous decisions with regards to the 34 innocent miners who only sought to improve their employment conditions."
The Foreign Ministry had already expressed its displeasure over the move in May when the measure was first introduced. The ministry said at the time that the ambassador to South Africa would be reprimanded.
17 aug 2012
AOHR calls for boycotting security company providing services to Israel
The Arab Organization for Human Rights in Britain revealed that DiagNose Company belonging to the American ICTS-EU company operates in occupied Palestinian territories to facilitate the establishment of settlements and to protect settlers.
The AOHR said in a report that the company has been engaged in aiding racial discrimination and committing the offense of torture and collective punishment against Palestinians on the checkpoints which facilitate Israelis' passage while disrupting Palestinians' passage, using dogs for attacking or dogs for search.
The organization considered the contract signed between DiagNose and Israel's war ministry a serious violation of human rights and the international and humanitarian laws, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention which prohibits collective punishment and torture.
AOHR's report accused the company of participating in the Israeli crimes committed at the checkpoints and at any other part of the occupied territories and called on Arab and Islamic countries which had signed contracts with ICTS-EU Company to cancel them.
The organization also called on European Union to take legal measures against ICTS-EU Company and to investigate its activities, which it described as "illegal".
The AOHR said in a report that the company has been engaged in aiding racial discrimination and committing the offense of torture and collective punishment against Palestinians on the checkpoints which facilitate Israelis' passage while disrupting Palestinians' passage, using dogs for attacking or dogs for search.
The organization considered the contract signed between DiagNose and Israel's war ministry a serious violation of human rights and the international and humanitarian laws, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention which prohibits collective punishment and torture.
AOHR's report accused the company of participating in the Israeli crimes committed at the checkpoints and at any other part of the occupied territories and called on Arab and Islamic countries which had signed contracts with ICTS-EU Company to cancel them.
The organization also called on European Union to take legal measures against ICTS-EU Company and to investigate its activities, which it described as "illegal".
