29 nov 2012
Petition Charter
We the citizens of the world, call on the British Government, to apologize to the Palestinian people, for either willfully or carelessly failing to protect their human and political rights, while under British protection.
Britain’s political legacy in Palestine marked an historical breach against the aspirations of the people of Palestine and to the shattered hopes of the promises of freedom and self determination.
Britain had no moral, legal and political authority in issuing a declaration to appropriate Palestine against the wishes of its people.
Britain had no moral, legal and political authority in dividing Palestine and violently imposing its separation.
Britain, more than anyone else, should have known that no nation ever allowed their community, their society and their history to be torn apart to accommodate the political aspiration of another people.
Britain imposed military rule on Palestine, violently suppressed their legitimate concerns and, as shown by evidence, killed and imprisoned their leaders. Such are the policies of colonialism and not the policy of a Mandate power, whose only mandate on Palestine, was to assist the Palestinian people to realize their universal right to govern themselves and be in control of their destiny.
Britain’s colonial legacy left a shattered Palestine. It condemned the people of Palestine to a life of misery and hardship. The vast majority of Palestinians live in exile as refugees, hoping one day to return to their land, millions more live under military occupation and forced to bear daily indignity, threats to their security, ongoing violence and even death.
The victims of Britain’s colonial past, inflicted with terrible wounds, are still alive. Millions of others who continue to suffer under the shadow of its colonial past are an open wound, afflicted with unimaginable pain.
As citizens of the world, we pray for a speedy end to the longest conflict of our time. We hope that peace and prosperity will visit every person and every home in Palestine and we believe the road to healing and peace can begin through sincere accountability by Britain for its misguided policy in Palestine.
Click here to sign in
Britain’s political legacy in Palestine marked an historical breach against the aspirations of the people of Palestine and to the shattered hopes of the promises of freedom and self determination.
Britain had no moral, legal and political authority in issuing a declaration to appropriate Palestine against the wishes of its people.
Britain had no moral, legal and political authority in dividing Palestine and violently imposing its separation.
Britain, more than anyone else, should have known that no nation ever allowed their community, their society and their history to be torn apart to accommodate the political aspiration of another people.
Britain imposed military rule on Palestine, violently suppressed their legitimate concerns and, as shown by evidence, killed and imprisoned their leaders. Such are the policies of colonialism and not the policy of a Mandate power, whose only mandate on Palestine, was to assist the Palestinian people to realize their universal right to govern themselves and be in control of their destiny.
Britain’s colonial legacy left a shattered Palestine. It condemned the people of Palestine to a life of misery and hardship. The vast majority of Palestinians live in exile as refugees, hoping one day to return to their land, millions more live under military occupation and forced to bear daily indignity, threats to their security, ongoing violence and even death.
The victims of Britain’s colonial past, inflicted with terrible wounds, are still alive. Millions of others who continue to suffer under the shadow of its colonial past are an open wound, afflicted with unimaginable pain.
As citizens of the world, we pray for a speedy end to the longest conflict of our time. We hope that peace and prosperity will visit every person and every home in Palestine and we believe the road to healing and peace can begin through sincere accountability by Britain for its misguided policy in Palestine.
Click here to sign in
4 nov 2012
MP: Britain responsible for ethnic cleansing in Palestine
WEST BANK, (PIC)-- The Jerusalemite MP deported to Ramallah, Ahmed Attoun, held the international community and Britain fully responsible for all the suffering, the killing and displacement of the Palestinian people caused by the Balfour Declaration.
MP Attoun said that Britain should atone for its sin and the catastrophe it has caused to the Palestinians, as it should compensate them for the tragic consequences of the Balfour Declaration.
He also demanded Britain to apologize to the Palestinians and Arabs for the injustice and oppression against his people; including the Nakba, the arrests, the displacement, the demolitions and the Judaization of holy sites, caused by the implementation of the Balfour Declaration by the British Government.
Attoun asserted, during the 95th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration that all the Palestinian territory belongs only to the Palestinian people.
He continued: "The Balfour Declaration represents a crime against Palestine, its people and its holy sites” and that the rights can only be extracted by resisting the occupation."
"We assert that the rights cannot be subjected to the statute of limitations and that the policy of fait accompli adopted by the Israeli occupation cannot change the facts that the entire land of Palestine from the sea to the river is an Arab and Islamic land and that the right of return is a sacred and inalienable right."
MP Attoun said that Britain should atone for its sin and the catastrophe it has caused to the Palestinians, as it should compensate them for the tragic consequences of the Balfour Declaration.
He also demanded Britain to apologize to the Palestinians and Arabs for the injustice and oppression against his people; including the Nakba, the arrests, the displacement, the demolitions and the Judaization of holy sites, caused by the implementation of the Balfour Declaration by the British Government.
Attoun asserted, during the 95th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration that all the Palestinian territory belongs only to the Palestinian people.
He continued: "The Balfour Declaration represents a crime against Palestine, its people and its holy sites” and that the rights can only be extracted by resisting the occupation."
"We assert that the rights cannot be subjected to the statute of limitations and that the policy of fait accompli adopted by the Israeli occupation cannot change the facts that the entire land of Palestine from the sea to the river is an Arab and Islamic land and that the right of return is a sacred and inalienable right."
3 nov 2012
Demonstration at British embassy in Cairo to condemn Balfour Declaration
CAIRO, (PIC)-- Scores of supporters of the Arab Nasserite Party organized on Friday a march from the party headquarters in Talaat Harb Street towards the British embassy to condemn the Balfour Declaration.
Members of the party expressed their rejection of the Balfour Declaration and the Israeli occupation violations against the Palestinian people and the Islamic holy sites in Palestine.
The demonstrators torched the Israeli flag and raised banners condemning the continued settlement policy adopted by the occupation in Jerusalem and other Palestinian territories.
They also urged all Egyptians to struggle until achieving the liberation of Jerusalem and the occupied Palestinian territories.
Members of the party expressed their rejection of the Balfour Declaration and the Israeli occupation violations against the Palestinian people and the Islamic holy sites in Palestine.
The demonstrators torched the Israeli flag and raised banners condemning the continued settlement policy adopted by the occupation in Jerusalem and other Palestinian territories.
They also urged all Egyptians to struggle until achieving the liberation of Jerusalem and the occupied Palestinian territories.
1 nov 2012
Hamas holds Britain responsible for the suffering of Palestinian refugees
BEIRUT, (PIC)-- The refugees department in Hamas movement held Britain politically and morally responsible for the suffering of the Palestinian people.
The department in a statement on Thursday on the occasion on the 95th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration, said that Britain, with this notorious pledge to secure a homeland for Jews in Palestine, bears responsibility for all calamities, massacres, and forced displacement of the Palestinian people.
It called for rightful compensation for the Palestinians for their lost property, for their forced eviction, and for the massacres committed against them, and called their return to their homeland.
The department said that the Balfour Declaration was the direct cause of the creation of Israel. Hence, whatever was built on this unacceptable Declaration is null and void, it added.
The department said that the Palestinian people are fully entitled to regain their usurped rights using all means including resistance since the usurpation of their land and rights was made using military force.
The department in a statement on Thursday on the occasion on the 95th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration, said that Britain, with this notorious pledge to secure a homeland for Jews in Palestine, bears responsibility for all calamities, massacres, and forced displacement of the Palestinian people.
It called for rightful compensation for the Palestinians for their lost property, for their forced eviction, and for the massacres committed against them, and called their return to their homeland.
The department said that the Balfour Declaration was the direct cause of the creation of Israel. Hence, whatever was built on this unacceptable Declaration is null and void, it added.
The department said that the Palestinian people are fully entitled to regain their usurped rights using all means including resistance since the usurpation of their land and rights was made using military force.
22 oct 2012
PRC organizes campaign "Britain, It’s Time To Apologize"
LONDON, (PIC)-- The Palestinian Return Center (PRC) has launched an international campaign that targets collecting one million signatures asking Britain to apologize to the Palestinian people.
The London-based PRC statement on Monday said that Britain should apologize for its historic mistake starting with the Balfour Declaration and for the human rights abuse suffered by Palestinians while under British Mandate.
It said, “International Campaign, "Britain, It’s Time To Apologize" …1917-2017...A Century Of Palestinian Suffering It’s nearly 100 years since the UK Foreign Secretary, Arthur James Balfour, pronounced the Balfour Declaration, on 2nd November 1917, promising a homeland for the Jews in Palestine. Ever since, Palestinians have suffered tremendously under the shadow of Britain’s colonial past.”
The statement then read:
“Justice was rendered over Britain’s colonial past in the Mau Mau case. The world heard what every subjugated people knew, Britain committed brutal crimes against indigenous populations.
The Palestinian Return Centre (PRC), with other partners around the world, is preparing to launch their global campaign to mark the centenary of the Balfour Declaration.
The campaign, which will be launched in the UK, will gather a million signatures from those seeking justice in Palestine, in condemnation of British colonial policy between 1917-1948.
Over 11 million Palestinians continue to suffer from the unjust and misguided British policy in Palestine.
The five year campaign will include mass mobilization, popular events, conferences and workshops, lobbying, petition and many other initiatives.
Great injustice leaves great scars, it is time Britain apologized to rebuild for the future.
Since Britain has shown it’s capable of taking responsibility for its past atrocities, we are optimistic in achieving our goal.”
The London-based PRC statement on Monday said that Britain should apologize for its historic mistake starting with the Balfour Declaration and for the human rights abuse suffered by Palestinians while under British Mandate.
It said, “International Campaign, "Britain, It’s Time To Apologize" …1917-2017...A Century Of Palestinian Suffering It’s nearly 100 years since the UK Foreign Secretary, Arthur James Balfour, pronounced the Balfour Declaration, on 2nd November 1917, promising a homeland for the Jews in Palestine. Ever since, Palestinians have suffered tremendously under the shadow of Britain’s colonial past.”
The statement then read:
“Justice was rendered over Britain’s colonial past in the Mau Mau case. The world heard what every subjugated people knew, Britain committed brutal crimes against indigenous populations.
The Palestinian Return Centre (PRC), with other partners around the world, is preparing to launch their global campaign to mark the centenary of the Balfour Declaration.
The campaign, which will be launched in the UK, will gather a million signatures from those seeking justice in Palestine, in condemnation of British colonial policy between 1917-1948.
Over 11 million Palestinians continue to suffer from the unjust and misguided British policy in Palestine.
The five year campaign will include mass mobilization, popular events, conferences and workshops, lobbying, petition and many other initiatives.
Great injustice leaves great scars, it is time Britain apologized to rebuild for the future.
Since Britain has shown it’s capable of taking responsibility for its past atrocities, we are optimistic in achieving our goal.”
19 sept 2012
UK silent on Sabra Shatila massacre
Britain went out of its way earlier this month to condemn the 1972 killing of 11 Israeli athletes, but it has failed to even raise the horrific Sabra and Shatila massacre of more than 3,000 Palestinian and Lebanese civilians by Israeli-affiliated terrorists ten years later.
The Israeli regime unleashed Phalange terrorists on Muslim residents of Sabra and Shatila refugee camps in the Lebanese capital of Beirut between September 16 and 18, 1982.
The terrorists entered the refugee camps, supposedly guarded by Israeli regime’s forces, on September 16, while Israeli troops fired flares to help attackers in their butchery of innocent Muslims including scores of children, women and old men.
As many as 3,500 people were slaughtered with many women raped before being killed.
In December 1982, the United Nations General Assembly condemned the massacre in Resolution 37/123 with a massive 123 yes votes, without any opposition as an act of “genocide,” for which the Israeli regime was implicitly blamed.
However, Britain joined hands with its western allies the US, Germany, Canada and France to abstain on the resolution apparently because Tel Aviv was indirectly blamed, while later in February 1983 the Israeli regime found -- in what British journalist David Hirst called a flawed inquiry full of omissions of evidence to rid the regime of full responsibility for the massacre -- that its forces were “indirectly” responsible for the butchery.
British Foreign Secretary William Hague said on the 40th anniversary of the Munich attacks on Israeli team members on September 5 that he and his colleagues “reiterate our determination to confront terrorism and stand with the victims of terrorism wherever it may occur.”
Nonetheless, Britain seems not to include victims of Israeli state terrorism in its list of terror victims, nor consider Palestinian and Lebanese civilians massacred by the regime both in 1982 and later in the 2008 Gaza Massacre as worthy of a “sad” remembrance.
The Israeli regime unleashed Phalange terrorists on Muslim residents of Sabra and Shatila refugee camps in the Lebanese capital of Beirut between September 16 and 18, 1982.
The terrorists entered the refugee camps, supposedly guarded by Israeli regime’s forces, on September 16, while Israeli troops fired flares to help attackers in their butchery of innocent Muslims including scores of children, women and old men.
As many as 3,500 people were slaughtered with many women raped before being killed.
In December 1982, the United Nations General Assembly condemned the massacre in Resolution 37/123 with a massive 123 yes votes, without any opposition as an act of “genocide,” for which the Israeli regime was implicitly blamed.
However, Britain joined hands with its western allies the US, Germany, Canada and France to abstain on the resolution apparently because Tel Aviv was indirectly blamed, while later in February 1983 the Israeli regime found -- in what British journalist David Hirst called a flawed inquiry full of omissions of evidence to rid the regime of full responsibility for the massacre -- that its forces were “indirectly” responsible for the butchery.
British Foreign Secretary William Hague said on the 40th anniversary of the Munich attacks on Israeli team members on September 5 that he and his colleagues “reiterate our determination to confront terrorism and stand with the victims of terrorism wherever it may occur.”
Nonetheless, Britain seems not to include victims of Israeli state terrorism in its list of terror victims, nor consider Palestinian and Lebanese civilians massacred by the regime both in 1982 and later in the 2008 Gaza Massacre as worthy of a “sad” remembrance.
17 sept 2012
British citizens are killed by Israel, but the UK does nothing
At the end of August, a civil suit brought by the family of Rachel Corrie came to an end with a Haifa judge ruling that the State of Israel bore no responsibility for the death of the American activist in 2003. Despite the judge's decision, the case - including key testimonies - was widely believed to have "shed light on Israel's grave breaches of human rights and the impunity enjoyed by its military".
Rachel Corrie is not the only international to have been killed by Israel since the start of the Second Intifada in 2000. Three British citizens were shot dead by Israeli soldiers over a six month period in 2002-2003, crimes that almost a decade on are a reminder of the UK government's reluctance to hold its ally to account.
Iain Hook
Rachel Corrie is not the only international to have been killed by Israel since the start of the Second Intifada in 2000. Three British citizens were shot dead by Israeli soldiers over a six month period in 2002-2003, crimes that almost a decade on are a reminder of the UK government's reluctance to hold its ally to account.
Iain Hook
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Iain Hook was working for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in Jenin when he was shot dead by an Israeli sniper in November 2002. Israeli sources initially spread doubt over who had shot Hook, with British media citing officials who "stressed that it was not known if he was killed by Israeli or Palestinian fire". IDF Spokesperson Olivier Rafowicz said, "Palestinians should check their own ammunition".
Israeli authorities also claimed that Hook "was shot outside the compound while standing among Palestinians", before the story was changed to the sniper mistaking the UN worker for a Palestinian fighter and "his mobile phone for a gun or grenade". |
The then-Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and International Development Secretary Clare Short issued a joint statement in which they promised to "do everything possible to ensure that there is a full investigation". Six months later, it already appeared that the UK was letting the matter slide.
In December 2005, a UK inquest found that Hook was unlawfully killed. The BBC reported that "jurors unanimously agreed" the UN worker "had been the victim of a 'deliberate' killing". It was confirmed in 2007 that the Israeli government had "agreed a financial settlement with members of Mr Hook's family", but with the IDF emphasising that "no criminal act had been committed".
Tom Hurndal
In December 2005, a UK inquest found that Hook was unlawfully killed. The BBC reported that "jurors unanimously agreed" the UN worker "had been the victim of a 'deliberate' killing". It was confirmed in 2007 that the Israeli government had "agreed a financial settlement with members of Mr Hook's family", but with the IDF emphasising that "no criminal act had been committed".
Tom Hurndal
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Tom Hurndall was a photography student and activist when he was shot in the head by an Israeli sniper in April 2003 while volunteering with the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) in the Gaza Strip. As described by Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz, "the original IDF Southern Command inquiry did not identify soldiers responsible for the shooting", and it was only after "pressure exerted by Hurndall's family" that the IDF agreed "to open a new inquiry into the shooting".
The soldier in question, Taysir Hayb, testified initially that "he had shot at a man in military fatigues who was firing at the soldiers with a pistol", a story he subsequently changed in the face of incontrovertible evidence. Hayb was convicted of manslaughter and jailed (he ended up serving six years of an eight year sentence). |
During the trial, Hayb had told the court that he only did what he was "supposed to", adding: "They tell us all the time to fire; that there is approval." The jury in a subsequent inquest in London ruled that Hurndall had been "intentionally killed".
Tom's father, Anthony Hurndall, was angered by the British response to the killing: "The government viewed Israel as a close ally who they did not want to put out in any way."
James Miller
Tom's father, Anthony Hurndall, was angered by the British response to the killing: "The government viewed Israel as a close ally who they did not want to put out in any way."
James Miller
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James Miller, a successful and well-respected cameraman, was shot dead by an Israeli soldier while filming a documentary in Rafah in May 2003. Miller was hit in the front of the neck from 200m while standing with two colleagues. The Israeli military made out at the beginning that Miller had been "shot in the back during crossfire".
Almost two years later, Israel announced that there would be no prosecution for the killing of Miller - only "disciplinary measures against the officer for misuse of firearms". A Foreign Office Minister at the time, Baroness Symons, said she was "dismayed" with the decision, committing the British government to "continu[ing] to raise James' case with the Government of Israel". Before the disciplinary hearing took place, the soldier was acquitted by the IDF's head of southern command. In April 2006, a UK inquest jury found Miller had been murdered. The family alleged "that Foreign Office officials had tried to pressure them into giving in to Israeli demands", and Miller's father described the British government as "totally supine and ineffective". Following pressure in the light of the inquest verdict, there were signs that the government would take seriously the need to |
secure a criminal investigation by the Israeli authorities. This came to nothing. In February 2009, Miller's family "accepted a reported £1.5m payout from Israel", which, in their words, was "probably the closest (we) will get to an admission of guilt".
In an article for The Guardian in July 2003, Chris McGreal interviewed Israeli military officials about the killing of civilians. At the end, he wrote:
I ask to be able to name the commander in Gaza. The army refuses. 'He has admitted his soldiers were responsible for at least some of those killings,' says an army spokesman who sat in on the interview. 'In this day and age that raises the prospect of war crimes, not here but if he travels abroad he could be arrested some time in the future. Some people might think there is something wrong here.'
That commander was (the now retired) Colonel Pinhas (Pinky) Zuaretz, in charge in Gaza when James Miller, Tom Hurndall and Rachel Corrie were killed. The fear expressed of future prosecution is a reminder that the British government has tried to make it harder for suspected war criminals to be detained in the UK - a change brought about purely because of pressure from Israel.
The message is as clear as it is disturbing: not only are there no serious consequences for killing British citizens, but the government will also change legislation to protect Israelis with a case to answer for war crimes. It is a microcosm of the UK approach, where routine breaches of international law are criticised in statements, but without any kind of enforcement or sanction.
The deaths of Iain Hook, Tom Hurndall and James Miller, terrible as they were, reflect Israeli policies that have created thousands of Palestinian victims and bereaved families; as Miller's mother said, "We've managed to rally enough resources to fight this, but Palestinians can't fight this, and there've been hundreds of Palestinian deaths." This is all the motivation we need to fight for our own government to treat Israel's routine criminality appropriately.
In an article for The Guardian in July 2003, Chris McGreal interviewed Israeli military officials about the killing of civilians. At the end, he wrote:
I ask to be able to name the commander in Gaza. The army refuses. 'He has admitted his soldiers were responsible for at least some of those killings,' says an army spokesman who sat in on the interview. 'In this day and age that raises the prospect of war crimes, not here but if he travels abroad he could be arrested some time in the future. Some people might think there is something wrong here.'
That commander was (the now retired) Colonel Pinhas (Pinky) Zuaretz, in charge in Gaza when James Miller, Tom Hurndall and Rachel Corrie were killed. The fear expressed of future prosecution is a reminder that the British government has tried to make it harder for suspected war criminals to be detained in the UK - a change brought about purely because of pressure from Israel.
The message is as clear as it is disturbing: not only are there no serious consequences for killing British citizens, but the government will also change legislation to protect Israelis with a case to answer for war crimes. It is a microcosm of the UK approach, where routine breaches of international law are criticised in statements, but without any kind of enforcement or sanction.
The deaths of Iain Hook, Tom Hurndall and James Miller, terrible as they were, reflect Israeli policies that have created thousands of Palestinian victims and bereaved families; as Miller's mother said, "We've managed to rally enough resources to fight this, but Palestinians can't fight this, and there've been hundreds of Palestinian deaths." This is all the motivation we need to fight for our own government to treat Israel's routine criminality appropriately.
16 july 2012
Jewish judge named head of U.K. Supreme Court
Supreme Court of the United Kingdom
Lord Neuberger's appointment as the U.K.'s most senior judge was confirmed on Thursday, according to a Jewish Chronicle report.
A Jewish judge has been named the U.K's next Supreme Court president, the Jewish Chronicle reported this week.
Lord Neuberger's appointment as the U.K.'s most senior judge was confirmed on Thursday, the newspaper reported, and will be sworn in to the position in October.
In response to the appointment, Neuberger, said: "I will do my best to ensure that it continues to play its proper role in upholding the rule of law, and applying and developing the law in a coherent and principled and practical way, appropriate for today's world."
Lord Neuberger began his career working for N M Rothschild and became a lawyer in 1974, the newspaper reported, before becoming a judge in 2006.
Lord Neuberger's appointment as the U.K.'s most senior judge was confirmed on Thursday, according to a Jewish Chronicle report.
A Jewish judge has been named the U.K's next Supreme Court president, the Jewish Chronicle reported this week.
Lord Neuberger's appointment as the U.K.'s most senior judge was confirmed on Thursday, the newspaper reported, and will be sworn in to the position in October.
In response to the appointment, Neuberger, said: "I will do my best to ensure that it continues to play its proper role in upholding the rule of law, and applying and developing the law in a coherent and principled and practical way, appropriate for today's world."
Lord Neuberger began his career working for N M Rothschild and became a lawyer in 1974, the newspaper reported, before becoming a judge in 2006.
3 july 2012
Steps underway to remove Jewish national fund from list of charities in UK
LONDON, (PIC)-- The Arab organization for human rights in the UK said there are serious moves by the British charity commission to remove the Jewish national fund from its list of registered charities.
In a press release on Monday, the Arab organization stressed that it is unreasonable in light of the many facts in hand proving its involvement in "crimes against humanity" to keep the Jewish national fund, which is registered by the British charity commission as the JNF charitable trust under number 225910, recognized as a charitable society.
The human rights organization affirmed that the Jewish national fund is the financial wing of the Zionist movement since its inception in 1901.
It added that since the British mandate, this Jewish fund has been actively seizing Palestinian lands and real estate and persisted in its Judaization and settlement activities after the emergence of Israel in 1948.
The organization underlined that over the past 20 years, this fund used the illegal Israeli custodian of absentee property law to transfer Palestinian real estate in east Jerusalem to Jewish settlers' ownership and embarked on seizing dozens of dunums of land and homes in Silwan district in cooperation with Elad settlement society and Himnuta organization.
In the 80s and 90s, the Jewish national fund managed to displace hundreds of Palestinians in Silwan district after seizing their homes, according to the Arab organization for human rights.
"In the Negev, the national fund with the help of different Israeli ministries is pushing towards the expulsion of the Bedouin population from their villages at the pretext of plans to afforest the areas and establish natural woods. This scheme is aimed at displacing 30,000 Palestinian residents of the Negev," the organization asserted.
In a press release on Monday, the Arab organization stressed that it is unreasonable in light of the many facts in hand proving its involvement in "crimes against humanity" to keep the Jewish national fund, which is registered by the British charity commission as the JNF charitable trust under number 225910, recognized as a charitable society.
The human rights organization affirmed that the Jewish national fund is the financial wing of the Zionist movement since its inception in 1901.
It added that since the British mandate, this Jewish fund has been actively seizing Palestinian lands and real estate and persisted in its Judaization and settlement activities after the emergence of Israel in 1948.
The organization underlined that over the past 20 years, this fund used the illegal Israeli custodian of absentee property law to transfer Palestinian real estate in east Jerusalem to Jewish settlers' ownership and embarked on seizing dozens of dunums of land and homes in Silwan district in cooperation with Elad settlement society and Himnuta organization.
In the 80s and 90s, the Jewish national fund managed to displace hundreds of Palestinians in Silwan district after seizing their homes, according to the Arab organization for human rights.
"In the Negev, the national fund with the help of different Israeli ministries is pushing towards the expulsion of the Bedouin population from their villages at the pretext of plans to afforest the areas and establish natural woods. This scheme is aimed at displacing 30,000 Palestinian residents of the Negev," the organization asserted.
12 june 2012
Gaza Family, Victims of Israeli War Crimes, Appeal to British Queen to Remove Blood Diamond”
Gaza Family, Victims of Israeli War Crimes, Appeal to British Queen to Remove Blood Diamond”
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The following is a translated transcript of the appeal from Helme Samouni:
"On behalf of the surviving members of the Sammoni family and the hundreds of other families in Gaza who have been killed by war crimes committed by the Givati Brigade of the Israeli Army, we are shocked and disappointed by the decision of De Beers to present the Queen of England with a diamond manufactured by the Steinmetz Diamond company -- a company which supported the Givati Brigade during the Israeli war on Gaza late 2008 as they murdered 29 members of our family in cold blood. We the Sammoni family call on the Queen of England and the British people to decline this gift. We demand that De Beers be instructed to remove this offensive blood diamond display immediately Diamonds that generate revenue used to fund a regime guilty of war crimes are de-facto blood diamonds. We call on De-Beers to show respect for the surviving victims of the diamond-funded Givati Brigade's actions in Gaza and remove the Forevermark Steinmetz Jubilee diamond from the Tower of London. |
We call on Steinmetz Diamond company to end all support for and association with the Israeli military and to make reparation to the Sammuni family and the other victims of the Givati Brigade's actions in Gaza during Operation Cast Lead.
The Israeli human rights group B'Tselem describes the massacre of 21 members of the Al Samouni family as follows:
"On 4 January 2009, at the start of the ground phase of operation Cast Lead, about 100 members of the extended a-Samuni family were huddled inside one house in the a-Zeitun neighborhood of Gaza City. The next morning, an Israeli airstrike killed 21 people inside the house, including 9 children and 10 women, and injured dozens of other family members. During the next two days, the army refused access to medical teams, in spite of being informed of the terrible outcome by family members who managed to escape the bombed home and human rights and humanitarian organizations, including B'Tselem. When medics managed to get to site, they found four small children next to their dead mothers in one of the houses, and evacuated several wounded people. The army refused permission to evacuate the bodies and they remained in the rubble for a further two weeks."
A UH Human Rights Council investigation concluded that Israeli forces committed serious war crimes and possible crimes against humanity.
The Sammoni family, 29 members of which were killed by the Israeli military in Gaza in 2009, have issued an appeal to the British Queen to remove the Steinmetz Forevermark Jubilee Diamond which De Beers put on display in the Tower of London to mark the Queen Elizabeth II's Jubilee.
In total, 29 members of the Sammoni family were killed by the Givati Brigade of the Israeli army during the Israeli assault on Gaza (Operation Cast Lead) in December 2008 – January 2009. 21 were killed in a single airstrike on a building in which the family were taking cover, and 8 others killed during the course of the 23-day-long attack. The Steinmetz diamond company has "adopted" a Unit of the Givati Brigade which it funded and supported during the brutal assault on the people of Gaza.
In the appeal, posted to YouTube today, Helmi Sammoni, speaking on behalf of the family said: "On behalf of the surviving members of the Sammoni family and the hundreds of other families in Gaza who have been killed by war crimes committed by the Givati Brigade of the Israeli Army, we are shocked and disappointed by the decision of De Beers to present the Queen of England with a diamond manufactured by the Steinmetz Diamond company – a company which supported the Givati Brigade during the Israeli war on Gaza late 2008 as they murdered 29 members of our family in cold blood. We the Sammoni family call on the Queen of England and the British people to decline this gift. We demand that De Beers be instructed to remove this offensive blood diamond display immediately."
Background
The Israeli human rights group B'Tselem describes the massacre of 21 members of the Al Samouni family as follows:
"On 4 January 2009, at the start of the ground phase of operation Cast Lead, about 100 members of the extended a-Samuni family were huddled inside one house in the a-Zeitun neighborhood of Gaza City. The next morning, an Israeli airstrike killed 21 people inside the house, including 9 children and 10 women, and injured dozens of other family members. During the next two days, the army refused access to medical teams, in spite of being informed of the terrible outcome by family members who managed to escape the bombed home and human rights and humanitarian organizations, including B'Tselem. When medics managed to get to site, they found four small children next to their dead mothers in one of the houses, and evacuated several wounded people. The army refused permission to evacuate the bodies and they remained in the rubble for a further two weeks."
A UH Human Rights Council investigation concluded that Israeli forces committed serious war crimes and possible crimes against humanity.
The Sammoni family, 29 members of which were killed by the Israeli military in Gaza in 2009, have issued an appeal to the British Queen to remove the Steinmetz Forevermark Jubilee Diamond which De Beers put on display in the Tower of London to mark the Queen Elizabeth II's Jubilee.
In total, 29 members of the Sammoni family were killed by the Givati Brigade of the Israeli army during the Israeli assault on Gaza (Operation Cast Lead) in December 2008 – January 2009. 21 were killed in a single airstrike on a building in which the family were taking cover, and 8 others killed during the course of the 23-day-long attack. The Steinmetz diamond company has "adopted" a Unit of the Givati Brigade which it funded and supported during the brutal assault on the people of Gaza.
In the appeal, posted to YouTube today, Helmi Sammoni, speaking on behalf of the family said: "On behalf of the surviving members of the Sammoni family and the hundreds of other families in Gaza who have been killed by war crimes committed by the Givati Brigade of the Israeli Army, we are shocked and disappointed by the decision of De Beers to present the Queen of England with a diamond manufactured by the Steinmetz Diamond company – a company which supported the Givati Brigade during the Israeli war on Gaza late 2008 as they murdered 29 members of our family in cold blood. We the Sammoni family call on the Queen of England and the British people to decline this gift. We demand that De Beers be instructed to remove this offensive blood diamond display immediately."
Background
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In one of the most despicable example of gross human rights violations recorded during the three weeks of the attack, twenty one members of the Sammoni family - innocent and defenceless children, women and men - were killed by the Givati Brigade in a single incident. The Israeli human rights group B'Tselem describes the incident as follows:
"On 4 January 2009, at the start of the ground phase of operation Cast Lead, about 100 members of the extended a-Samuni family were huddled inside one house in the a-Zeitun neighborhood of Gaza City. The next morning, an Israeli airstrike killed 21 people inside the house, including 9 children and 10 women, and injured dozens of other family members. |
During the next two days, the army refused access to medical teams, in spite of being informed of the terrible outcome by family members who managed to escape the bombed home and human rights and humanitarian organizations, including B'Tselem. When medics managed to get to site, they found four small children next to their dead mothers in one of the houses, and evacuated several wounded people. The army refused permission to evacuate the bodies and they remained in the rubble for a further two weeks."
A UN Human Rights Council investigation concluded that Israeli forces committed serious war crimes and possible crimes against humanity during Operation Cast Lead.
Sean Clinton, coordinator of the Boycott Israeli Blood Diamonds campaign for the Boycott Israel Network (BIN) and the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) stated: "Diamonds that generate revenue used to fund a regime guilty of war crimes, in this case Israel's apartheid regime, are de-facto blood diamonds. We call on De-Beers to show respect for the surviving victims of the diamond-funded Givati Brigade's actions in Gaza and remove the Forevermark Steinmetz Jubilee diamond from the Tower of London."
Notes:
1. The Sammoni family's appeal
Helmi Sammoni, speaking on behalf of the Sammoni family, issued this appeal to Queen Elizabeth II.
2. De-Beers Forevermark Facebook page -
The Steinmetz Forevermark Jubilee Pink Diamond has gone on display at the Tower of London to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. This unique, fancy pink-brown colour, 35.60 carat cushion cut Forevermark diamond has been inscribed with a bespoke number, 19522012 – the year of HRH Queen Elizabeth II's coronation and the 60th year of her reign. It took the experts at Steinmetz Diamonds six months to perfect the cut, crafting the beautiful cushion cut from the original 179.96 carat rough diamond.
3. Steinmetz Foundation Website
The Foundation has "adopted" Tzabar Unit of the Israeli Defense Forces' Givati Brigade. The Foundation fosters a close relationship with the commanders and their soldiers, helps the brigade organize evening events, buys equipment for end-of-course ceremonies and gives aid to needy soldiers. During Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip, the Foundation helped the Unit purchase complementary equipment as well as visited and cared for the wounded soldiers.
4. ICRC report
The ICRC/PRCS team found four small children next to their dead mothers in one of the houses. They were too weak to stand up on their own. One man was also found alive, too weak to stand up. In all there were at least 12 corpses lying on mattresses. In another house, the ICRC/PRCS rescue team found 15 other survivors of this attack including several wounded. In yet another house, they found an additional three corpses.
5. UN Human Rights Council Report of the Fact-Finding Mission of the Gaza Conflict - pdf
A UN Human Rights Council investigation concluded that Israeli forces committed serious war crimes and possible crimes against humanity during Operation Cast Lead.
Sean Clinton, coordinator of the Boycott Israeli Blood Diamonds campaign for the Boycott Israel Network (BIN) and the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) stated: "Diamonds that generate revenue used to fund a regime guilty of war crimes, in this case Israel's apartheid regime, are de-facto blood diamonds. We call on De-Beers to show respect for the surviving victims of the diamond-funded Givati Brigade's actions in Gaza and remove the Forevermark Steinmetz Jubilee diamond from the Tower of London."
Notes:
1. The Sammoni family's appeal
Helmi Sammoni, speaking on behalf of the Sammoni family, issued this appeal to Queen Elizabeth II.
2. De-Beers Forevermark Facebook page -
The Steinmetz Forevermark Jubilee Pink Diamond has gone on display at the Tower of London to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. This unique, fancy pink-brown colour, 35.60 carat cushion cut Forevermark diamond has been inscribed with a bespoke number, 19522012 – the year of HRH Queen Elizabeth II's coronation and the 60th year of her reign. It took the experts at Steinmetz Diamonds six months to perfect the cut, crafting the beautiful cushion cut from the original 179.96 carat rough diamond.
3. Steinmetz Foundation Website
The Foundation has "adopted" Tzabar Unit of the Israeli Defense Forces' Givati Brigade. The Foundation fosters a close relationship with the commanders and their soldiers, helps the brigade organize evening events, buys equipment for end-of-course ceremonies and gives aid to needy soldiers. During Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip, the Foundation helped the Unit purchase complementary equipment as well as visited and cared for the wounded soldiers.
4. ICRC report
The ICRC/PRCS team found four small children next to their dead mothers in one of the houses. They were too weak to stand up on their own. One man was also found alive, too weak to stand up. In all there were at least 12 corpses lying on mattresses. In another house, the ICRC/PRCS rescue team found 15 other survivors of this attack including several wounded. In yet another house, they found an additional three corpses.
5. UN Human Rights Council Report of the Fact-Finding Mission of the Gaza Conflict - pdf
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De-Beers, the diamond behemoth, is exploiting the celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in a vulgar and insensitive manner in order to promote their diamonds.
The company's decision to display a Forevermark Steinmetz Diamond at the Tower of London ignores the fact that the Steinmetz Diamond Group, through the Steinmetz Foundation, has "adopted" a Unit of the infamous Givati Brigade in the Israel military. The Israeli military stands accused of "serious war crimes and possible crimes against humanity" by the UN Human Rights Council. The Givati Brigade was responsible for the one of the most appalling examples of gross human rights violations recorded during Israel's assault on the besieged residents of Gaza in January 2009. The Israeli human rights group B'Tselem describes the incident as follows: "On 4 January 2009, at the start of the ground phase of operation Cast Lead, about 100 members of the extended a-Samuni family were huddled inside one house in the a-Zeitun neighborhood of Gaza City. |
The next morning, an Israeli airstrike killed 21 people inside the house, including 9 children and 10 women, and injured dozens of other family members.
During the next two days, the army refused access to medical teams, in spite of being informed of the terrible outcome by family members who managed to escape the bombed home and human rights and humanitarian organizations, including B'Tselem.
When medics managed to get to site, they found four small children next to their dead mothers in one of the houses, and evacuated several wounded people. The army refused permission to evacuate the bodies and they remained in the rubble for a further two weeks."
Referring to their support for a Unit of the Givati Brigade the Steinmetz website states "During Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip, the Foundation helped the Unit purchase complementary equipment as well as visited and cared for the wounded soldiers."
Diamonds that are generating revenue used to fund a regime guilty of war crimes are de-facto blood diamonds.
We call on De-Beers to show respect for the surviving victims of the diamond-funded Givati Brigade's actions in Gaza who have been left bereaved, maimed and traumatised and withdraw the offending display immediately.
During the next two days, the army refused access to medical teams, in spite of being informed of the terrible outcome by family members who managed to escape the bombed home and human rights and humanitarian organizations, including B'Tselem.
When medics managed to get to site, they found four small children next to their dead mothers in one of the houses, and evacuated several wounded people. The army refused permission to evacuate the bodies and they remained in the rubble for a further two weeks."
Referring to their support for a Unit of the Givati Brigade the Steinmetz website states "During Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip, the Foundation helped the Unit purchase complementary equipment as well as visited and cared for the wounded soldiers."
Diamonds that are generating revenue used to fund a regime guilty of war crimes are de-facto blood diamonds.
We call on De-Beers to show respect for the surviving victims of the diamond-funded Givati Brigade's actions in Gaza who have been left bereaved, maimed and traumatised and withdraw the offending display immediately.
22 may 2012
PFB organizes demo against Lieberman’s visit to UK
LONDON, (PIC)-- The Palestinian Forum in Britain (PFB) is organizing a demonstration in cooperation with other non-governmental organizations in the UK on Tuesday against Israeli foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman’s visit to London.
Zaher Al-Birawi, public relations official in the PFB, said that Lieberman is not welcome by many sectors in the British society including Jewish and leftist parties which publicly declared dismay at the visit because of the embarrassment caused by Lieberman’s racist positions against Palestinians.
Birawi asked the British foreign secretary not to meet with Lieberman, who is visiting London to deliver a speech at charity dinner for the Jewish national fund that supports racial cleansing against Palestinians in the occupied lands.
He explained that any meeting with the Israeli minister would pose as provocation for the Palestinian community and for all those opposing his racist policy.
Zaher Al-Birawi, public relations official in the PFB, said that Lieberman is not welcome by many sectors in the British society including Jewish and leftist parties which publicly declared dismay at the visit because of the embarrassment caused by Lieberman’s racist positions against Palestinians.
Birawi asked the British foreign secretary not to meet with Lieberman, who is visiting London to deliver a speech at charity dinner for the Jewish national fund that supports racial cleansing against Palestinians in the occupied lands.
He explained that any meeting with the Israeli minister would pose as provocation for the Palestinian community and for all those opposing his racist policy.
15 apr 2012
A reception to honor Sheikh Salah in London before his return to Palestine
LONDON,(PIC)-- The Palestinian Forum in Britain confirmed that Sheikh Raed Salah will return on Monday 16 April to Palestine after he had won finally his appeal against the Home Secretary’s decision to deport him from the United Kingdom.
“Sheikh Salah will return to his family and his home land with full honor after he had effectively achieved another victory against enemies of freedom and justice who usurped legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and their tools whose forefathers were responsible for the Palestinian Nakba from the Balfour Declaration till now,” a statement by PFB said.
The PFB and other friend organizations held a reception in honor of Sheikh Raed Salah, on Sunday 15th April, to celebrate his victory and bid him farewell. The ceremony was attended by the Palestinian community in Britain, Arab and Muslim communities, British friends of Palestine, and a delegation of the Islamic Movement leadership from 1948- occupied Palestine.
Speakers at the reception included Dr. Daud Abdullah, Director of the Middle East Monitor, the organization which invited Sheik Salah for a speaking tour, Sheikh Salah’s lawyer Tayyeb Ali, Baroness "Jenny Tong", a Member of the House of Lords, Sarah Colborne, Director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Lindsey German, Stop the War Convener, Ismail Patel, Chair of the Friends of al-Aqsa and Professor Manuel Hassassian, Head of the Palestinian Diplomatic Mission in the UK.
All those who worked with Sheikh Salah praised his determination and said that throughout he had faith that he would win and that he was an inspiration to all of them.
Sheikh Salah was presented with the “shield of pride” in recognition of his efforts in the defense of Jerusalem and the holy sites. His legal team, represented by Tayyeb Ali, was also honored.
Hafez Karmi, the PFB president, said that the Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim communities in Britain feel sad for the Sheikh's departure but they are at the same time satisfied that he will return to his original mission to carry on his battle against the occupation, to defend the Aqsa Mosque and the holy sites, and to expose the occupation racist practices.
He also stressed that Sheikh Raed Salah's victory raised the morale of the Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim communities in Britain.
“Sheikh Salah will return to his family and his home land with full honor after he had effectively achieved another victory against enemies of freedom and justice who usurped legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and their tools whose forefathers were responsible for the Palestinian Nakba from the Balfour Declaration till now,” a statement by PFB said.
The PFB and other friend organizations held a reception in honor of Sheikh Raed Salah, on Sunday 15th April, to celebrate his victory and bid him farewell. The ceremony was attended by the Palestinian community in Britain, Arab and Muslim communities, British friends of Palestine, and a delegation of the Islamic Movement leadership from 1948- occupied Palestine.
Speakers at the reception included Dr. Daud Abdullah, Director of the Middle East Monitor, the organization which invited Sheik Salah for a speaking tour, Sheikh Salah’s lawyer Tayyeb Ali, Baroness "Jenny Tong", a Member of the House of Lords, Sarah Colborne, Director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Lindsey German, Stop the War Convener, Ismail Patel, Chair of the Friends of al-Aqsa and Professor Manuel Hassassian, Head of the Palestinian Diplomatic Mission in the UK.
All those who worked with Sheikh Salah praised his determination and said that throughout he had faith that he would win and that he was an inspiration to all of them.
Sheikh Salah was presented with the “shield of pride” in recognition of his efforts in the defense of Jerusalem and the holy sites. His legal team, represented by Tayyeb Ali, was also honored.
Hafez Karmi, the PFB president, said that the Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim communities in Britain feel sad for the Sheikh's departure but they are at the same time satisfied that he will return to his original mission to carry on his battle against the occupation, to defend the Aqsa Mosque and the holy sites, and to expose the occupation racist practices.
He also stressed that Sheikh Raed Salah's victory raised the morale of the Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim communities in Britain.
11 apr 2012
Sheikh Raed Salah to return home next week
NAZARETH, (PIC)-- Sheikh Raed Salah, the leader of the Islamic movement in 1948 occupied Palestine, is to return home from London next week after winning the case against his deportation.
The palestinians-1948 website said Wednesday that the Islamic movement was preparing a huge carnival to celebrate the return of the Sheikh in his hometown of Um Al-Faham next Tuesday after nine months in London.
Lawyer of the movement Zahi Nujaidat earlier said that Sheikh Raed is expected back home soon after winning the case against the British Home Office.
The British judge, who reversed Salah’s deportation order, said in a ruling of 29 pages that the deportation was not based on any legal foundation, adding that the British Home Office was misled by mistaken information.
Salah was arrested on 28 June only days after his arrival in the UK on a speaking tour at the invitation of the Middle East Monitor (MEMO).
The British court also ruled that Salah’s arrest was inappropriate thus allowing him to sue the Home Office for compensation.
The palestinians-1948 website said Wednesday that the Islamic movement was preparing a huge carnival to celebrate the return of the Sheikh in his hometown of Um Al-Faham next Tuesday after nine months in London.
Lawyer of the movement Zahi Nujaidat earlier said that Sheikh Raed is expected back home soon after winning the case against the British Home Office.
The British judge, who reversed Salah’s deportation order, said in a ruling of 29 pages that the deportation was not based on any legal foundation, adding that the British Home Office was misled by mistaken information.
Salah was arrested on 28 June only days after his arrival in the UK on a speaking tour at the invitation of the Middle East Monitor (MEMO).
The British court also ruled that Salah’s arrest was inappropriate thus allowing him to sue the Home Office for compensation.
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