Image: lobby of parliament
URGENT: Lobby of Parliament -
Now on Wednesday 19th November
- Justice for Palestinians -
In mid-September, the date of the Queens Speech
was set for 3rd December - meaning that MPs will
not be in parliament on the date originally
planned for the lobby (26 November).
We have therefore had to spend some time organising
to re-schedule the lobby, and it will now take
place on Wednesday 19 November, from 2-6pm.
This lobby is taking place at a critical time.
Ensure that your MP hears your views – please
contact them straight away and ask to meet them
on the afternoon of 19th November.
If you have already contacted your MP, please could you let them know that the lobby date has
been changed. If you don't know who your MP is, please go to www.theyworkforyou.com
Please help publicise this lobby as widely as
possible. New leaflets are being printed –
please contact the office for copies. Please
forward the e-flyer below to everyone in your
address book that would be interested.
************************************************
Action Alert:
Lauren Booth: journalist and human rights activist:
unlawfully trapped in the Gaza Strip.
The international Free Gaza Movement
(www.freegaza.org) sailed two boats,
the Free Gaza and Liberty this summer
from Cyprus to the port of Gaza to break the Israeli siege
of the Gaza Strip and to deliver a symbolic cargo of humanitarian aid.
The two boats, carrying two Palestinian families,
both of whom desperately needed to leave Gaza,
then, returned to Cyprus via sea.
Lauren Booth, one of the Free Gaza Movement campaigners
on this historic voyage, along with several others,
gave up her place on the returning boats to enable
the two Palestinian families to leave Gaza for Cyprus.
Since then Lauren, a British citizen, has tried
to leave Gaza via the Eretz crossing into Israel
and via the Rafah crossing into Egypt.
She has been turned back from both crossings.
An official statement by the Israeli Defence Ministry
on August 25th declared that the Free Gaza Movement
did not violate any laws, and that the Movement's
sailing two ships from Cyprus to Gaza posed no
"security threat" (Ha'aretz). Israel did not intervene
in the sailing by the "Free Gaza" and "Liberty",
or in their return to Cyprus. However, officials
from Egypt have adopted Israel's subsequent (and
contradictory) position that the Free Gaza participants
entered Gaza "illegally". Cypriot authorities
approved the sea voyage, a journey that did not
need approval from Egypt or Israel under international law.
The politically motivated decisions on the part
of the Egyptian and Israeli government appears to
be intended to punish the participants in the
Free Gaza Movement for lawfully bypassing Israeli
and Egyptian restrictions, restrictions that
make travel to and from Gaza virtually impossible.
What you can do:
Please contact the Foreign and Commonwealth office
and ask them to intervene urgently on behalf of Lauren:
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/contact-us 020 7008 1500,
to enable her to return home to her family
and two young children.
You can use the opportunity that Lauren’s position
mirrors that of 1.5 Palestinians also trapped within the strip.
www.freegaza.org
============================
Image: we gathered
Hello friends and supporters,
On June 24th, we hosted the second "Big Hug of Jerusalem" event
that brought together 800 "lovers of Jerusalem"-
Palestinians, Israelis and internationals around
the walls of the Old City. We started at two
meeting points at the 'Gan HaBonim' garden below
Jaffa Gate, and at 'Shuk il Falahin', the market
area above Damascus Gate. Under the palm trees
we started with a small listening circle that grew
as many passersby, Israeli, Palestinian, international
joined us. Musicians played peace songs, then we formed
a large circle and did a spiral dance and chant for unity.
At the same moment as two hundred people were
forming a line to 'Hug' the Old City near Jaffa
Gate, we formed a chain of several hundred between
Damascus and New Gates. Arab and Jew, young and
old we stood on the green lawn overlooking the
Old City Walls, holding 10 minutes of silence for
the peace of Jerusalem. At that moment children
flew kites right in front of us, it seemed as if
the soaring kites were carrying people's
intentions upwards to the heavens.
We then guided the line of people down to the
steps of the Damascus Gate. As we filled the area
above Damascus Gate, many more people--
Palestinian shopkeepers, children, religious
Jews, hippies, soldiers and police-- joined us.
We led hundreds in a chant and 'zikr',
chanting 'Shalom, Salaam, Hu Hu'. Spiritual
leaders Rabbi Menachem Froman, Sheikh Bukhari, a
Hindu woman teacher from India, Haj Ibrahim and a
guest from Jordan offered blessings. After
drumming, singing and praying we lifted our hands
in unison with an intention for healing the
divisions in Jerusalem, honoring our shared love
for this Holy City. The event ended with a large
drum circle, led by Eyal Davidov, on the lawn
above New Gate. Orthodox Jewish yeshiva students
and Palestinian youth drummed and danced together
into the night. The Big Hug is planned now to be
an annual event. Thanks to organizer Dvora Pearlman.
Great pictures of the "Big Hug of Jerualem" are posted here:
http://www.flickr.com/jerusalem_peacemakers/sets
Jerusalem Peacemakers has been involved in many other peace initiatives:
IRAQI AND AMERICAN YOUTH MEET IN JORDAN
Forty American and Iraqi teenagers met for one
week at the King Abdallah Academy near Amman,
Jordan. Sheih Bukhari and I were invited as
keynote speakers to speak about our work, on July
16-17. The teenagers were chosen from a wide
variety of backrounds and regions in both countries.
It was amazing to see how fast they were able
to bond, and speak so openly about different
points of view about US-Iraqi relations. The
conference organizer, himself only aged 19 has
initiated a project to pair American Universities
with Iraqi high schools, supplying them with
used computers and other equipment.
In Amman I also attended a leadership course at
the United Nations University on 'Non-Violent
Approaches for Conflict Resolution, Negotiation,
Mediation and Peace Building'. "Promoting Peace
Through Dialogue: an International Conference
with a Focus on the Palestinian/ Israeli Conflict".
There we spent a week, July 28-Aug. 3rd, with
young adult activists and scholars from all over
the world, including Jordan, Palestine, Japan,
England, Yemen and Bahrain. Jordan is now seen
as an island of stability in the Middle East and
has become the central meeting point for people
from all over the region.
THE ABRAHAMIC REUNION MEETS IN ZICHRON YAAKOV
We held a two day retreat for the Abrahamic
Reunion, a group of Muslim, Christian, Jewish and
Druze religious and women leaders. We met in a
hotel in Zichron Yaakov, July 2-3, together with
our friends from the Rising Tide International
Centre for Religious Tolerance centres in Sarasota,
Florida. The group renewed a commitment to bring
their religious communities to work together on
projects that build bridges of trust and
communication between Arabs and Jews.
SPRING SPEAKING TOUR IN THE UK
Last March Jerusalem Peacemakers co-directors
Sheikh Bukhari and Eliyahu held a UK speaking
tour. We were featured speakers at the Festival
of Middle Eastern Spirituality and Peace in Edinburgh.
In Gloucester, England, the Muslim and Christian
communities came together to host us at an event
where we were welcomed by the mayor, a Sikh.
One outcome of the tour, is that I was asked to
organize and guide the Scottish Interfaith
Pilgrimage to the Holy Land that took place July
7-13 The tour brought a unique delegation of
religious community leaders from seven faiths in
Scotland- Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Bahai, Sikh,
Jewish, and Buddhist. We met with political and
religious leaders and peacemakers all over Israel
and in the West Bank cities of Bethlehem,
Ramallah and Hebron.
Read this article where I discuss a Jewish
perspective on peace in Jerusalem, the Big Hug
and the Sulha gathering.
http://www.jerusalemite.net/blog/2962/
a-conversation-with-eliyahu-mclean,-peacenik
Shalom, Salaam,
Eliyahu McLean,
Jerusalem Peacemakers, co-director
Jerusalem Peacemakers has accomplished a lot with
a little budget. We need your support to
continue this important work.
In the USA, in order to make a tax-deductible
contribution, write a check to:
'Center for Religious Tolerance', make a note on
the memo line: ‘for Jerusalem Peacemakers' and
send it to:
The Center for Religious Tolerance, 520 Ralph St.
Sarasota, FL 34242
In the UK, to make a charitable donation, write a
cheque to 'Jerusalem Peacemakers UK' and send it to:
Jerusalem Peacemakers UK, 35 The Dene, SEVENOAKS,
Kent TN13 1P
To contact us by mail:
Jerusalem Peacemakers,
PO Box 31894,
Jerusalem,
91316 Israel
Image: FIENDS LIKE YOU....
It only takes ONE idiot to wreck a Peace march.
I should know.
To achieve goodness
we stop doing bad,
and LEARN how to do good.
If you think any of the meetings below
help achieve that....
for you ....
Image: fylingdales-style
No to US Missile Defence demo at RAF Fylingdales
Part of Keep Space for Peace Week
Saturday 11th October, 1pm
Join us this Saturday at the joint US/UK radar
station at Fylingdales, North Yorkshire for a
demonstration against US Missile Defence and the
militarisation of space.
Speakers include:
Ivona Novomestska, spokesperson
for No Bases, Czech Republic
Kate Hudson, Chair of CND
Lindis Percy, Campaign for the
Accountability of American Bases (CAAB)
Martin Hemmingway, MEP candidate, Green Party
Music & poetry - Food available
More info from Hannah Tweddell, Yorkshire CND
on 01274 730795,
info@yorkshirecnd.org.uk
Map of Fylingdales:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?
f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=RAF+fylingdales&ie=UTF8&ll
=54.27164,-0.892639&spn=0.646341,1.768799&z=9
Image: Conference - Kate
CND Annual Conference - Open Fringe Meetings
Saturday 18th October, London
This is the final week for full conference registration
but all supporters, whether members or not
are welcome at the exciting programme of discussions
and workshops with no need to register.
Fringe Session 1: 2 - 3pm
Trident - The Global Context
Kate Hudson (Chair CND), Jeremy Corbyn MP,
Judith LeBlanc (United for Peace & Justice, USA)
NATO Expansion - Lessons from Georgia
Andrew Murray (Stop the War Coalition),
Mark Almond* (Oxford University),
Carol Turner (CND Council)
Workshops: 3.15 - 4.15pm
Trident and Scotland
Peace Education
Nuclear Trains
Uranium Mining in Niger
Campaign Against the Arms Trade
Reaching a Nuclear Weapons Free World
Fringe Session 2: 4.30 - 5.30pm
US Missile Defence - Path to a new nuclear arms race
Dave Webb (CND), Alice Mahon (CND)
Nuclear Power - Debating the issues
Caroline Lucas MEP*, Arthur Scargill
(National Union of Mineworkers)*
*invited
Fringe meetings on Sat 18th October,
University of Westminster,
309 Regent Street,
London, W1
Image: awe
Aldermaston Big Blockade - Monday 27th October
Come along to the big, non-violent blockade to
disrupt work on Trident warheads and their successors
at the Atomic Weapons Establishment near Reading.
Following on from the excellent Easter demo when
5,000 campaigners surrounded the base we hope to
be back in force - make sure you're part of it.
Meeting for planning/non-violence training from
2pm on Sunday 26th October, blockade starts early morning, Monday 27th.
Accommodation provided. See the briefing pack
and the Block AWE blog for full details.
Transport including:
Coach from London, leaves Sunday 26 October
11.30am from
CND office,
162 Holloway Road
London
N7
12.15pm from Embankment tube (river side)
Cost £10.00 unwaged/student/OAP
£12.00 full price.
To book your seat email
david.lrcnd@cnduk.org
or call 0207 607 2302.
Organised by Trident Ploughshares and supported by CND
Join the Big Blockade at the Atomic Weapons
Establishment at Aldermaston
Take part in the big, non-violent blockade to disrupt work
on Trident warheads and plans for new nuclear warheads.
The billions being spent on developments at AWE Aldermaston
will enable the building & testing of a new generation of nuclear weapons.
Meet from 1pm on Sunday 26th October,
blockade starts early morning on Monday 27th.
Accommodation and training will be provided.
*******************************************
MESSAGE FROM HEDDWCH
Aldermaston Big Blockade – Monday, October 27 2008
Help disrupt illegal work on WMD at Britain’s nuclear bomb factory
In 2006/7, Faslane 365 saw well over 1000 arrests
during a year-long blockade of the Trident submarine
base in Scotland. Last Easter, AWE Aldermaston
saw its biggest demonstration in two decades as
5000 people surrounded the base to mark the
50th anniversary of the first Aldermaston march.
Trident Ploughshares now invite you to a major
blockade of the Berkshire nuke factory, where
billions of pounds are currently being spent
developing new warhead facilities that will
scupper nuclear disarmament for another 50 years.
Help us uphold international law by blockading
this factory of death in what promises to be a
colourful celebration of life and people power.
There is a role for everyone.
This event is supported by CND Cymru.
For further details, see:
http://blockawe.blogspot.com
and
http://www.tridentploughshares.org
Trident Ploughshares is a campaign to disarm the
UK Trident nuclear weapons system in a non-violent,
open, peaceful and fully accountable manner.
"Non-violence is stronger than any weapon.
If humanity does not end the atom bomb I do not
think the human species can last." - Gandhi.
There may be transport from Wales if there is
enough demand. If you are prepared to organise
/share transport from your area or would like to
be kept in touch with possible transport arrangements,
please contact
heddwch@cndcymru.org.
Image: Sizewell
Nuclear Power - New Q&A info sheet
Our latest 'Question and Answer' sheet,
on nuclear power, is now available.
It explains all the major issues, from costs and
carbon emissions to the link with nuclear weapons
in short, easy to understand answers.
Printed version can be ordered free from CND.
http://www.cnduk.org/index.php/
information/info-sheets/q-a-nuclear-power.html
Image: no to us missile defence
NEWS UPDATE: Mixed success for US plans in eastern Europe
On a recent visit to Prague, US Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice signed a treaty agreeing a US
Missile Defence radar base in the Czech Republic.
However the Treaty will be subject to ratification
in the Czech Parliament after the Summer, with the
government only able to rely on 100 of the 200 seats.
However of those 100, six are members of the Green Party
who want to wait until the US elects a new President.
Poland's Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski has
recently met with US under-secretary of State,
Daniel Fried in Warsaw for more talks on the US
Missile Defence system.
Recently a transcript of a heated discussion
between President Kaczynski and Foreign Minister
Sikorski appeared in a Polish newspaper, where
Kaczynski accused the government of holding secret
talks with Democrat presidential candidate Barack
Obama. Kaczynski believes that the tough stand the
government is taking over the shield is a delaying tactic
until after George Bush steps down as president.
Negotiations have yet to be concluded as,
according to Prime Minister Donald Tusk, his
government is not convinced that the terms of
the deal will make Poland more secure. Among
other requests, Warsaw is demanding the permanent
stationing of Patriot missiles in Poland.
Despite recent speculation it has been denied by
a spokesperson of Lithuanian President Valdas
Adamkus that Lithuania had agreed to have elements
of the U.S. missile defence system deployed on
its territory after talks stalled between
Washington and Warsaw last month.
click here to read the full story
Image:
Help us work towards a nuclear-free world: Sign up for a Direct Debit
Now you can join CND or opt to pay your current
membership using Direct Debit. Just visit the
Direct Debit page on our website to use this
flexible and secure payment method. Payment via
Direct Debit cuts CND's administrative costs and
allows us to invest more in the future of the campaign.
If you are currently a CND member, just enter
your membership number (or if not known, your
postcode) and we will allocate the Direct Debit
to your existing membership. If you have a
standing order you will need to cancel it with
your bank or building society. Please contact
membership@cnduk.org with any queries.
----------------------------------------
For more information, please contact us:
Tel: 020 7700 2393 Fax: 020 7700 2357
Web: www.cnduk.org
Image: Nuclear wait !
Can you join the vigil at the Scottish parliament?
*VIGIL FOR A NUCLEAR FREE SCOTLAND*
AT THE ENTRANCES TO THE SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT
EVERY DAY PARLIAMENT IS SITTING
FROM 8am TO 10am
FROM WEDNESDAY 29th OCTOBER 2008
Following the decision of the Scottish Parliament
in June 2007 not to replace Trident, the Scottish
Government Summit exploring a nuclear free Scotland
in October 2007, and then the setting up of a
working group to take this even further, many
people are concerned to see what progress is
actually being made. A year after the Summit we
want to know what action is being taken to
eliminate Trident. What practical plans are being
made to ensure the conversion of Trident related
jobs to socially useful work, how are the dangerous
nuclear convoys on the roads being stopped, how
will Scotland ensure it encourages global responsibility
in peace-making rather than war-fighting.
There are two entrances (in Canongate)
that MSPs and workers use every morning from
around 8am to 10am from Tuesday to Friday every
week that Parliament is sitting. There is also
the main entrance (used mostly by the public)
which it might be good to have a presence at as
well. We feel that it is time for a sustained
public presence to be encouraged here to keep the
focus on ridding Scotland of Trident. It is a
year since the Faslane 365 blockades ended but
all those thousands of protesters and many others
too want to remind the Scottish Parliament that
they are still here and want their MSPs to act
against Trident. A quiet dignified presence with
a few placards and perhaps some leaflets on different
aspects of the steps needed to rid Scotland of
Trident would not take too much time and might
lead to some useful contacts as well as providing
a visible reminder that we will continue to press
for the changes we all need. Such a presence
should not cause any trouble with the police and
we can always move to the public protest area at
the front of the building if necessary.
We would like to encourage as many groups as
possible to get involved and tom keep the vigil/
reminders going for at least a few weeks and
preferably for longer. And we especially invite
all those Scottish and Northern England
groups
that took part in Faslane 365 to take on a morning.
Groups from Scotland might also take the opportunity
to arrange to meet their own MSP after the vigil
and special interest groups could meet the relevant
Minister (Health Professionals to meet the Health
Minister or Students and Academics to visit the
Education Minister for instance).
To start the process I am sending this around
Faslane 365 groups and others to urge you to take
on one of the mornings. I will keep a rota until
I find someone in Edinburgh to take on this role.
So please email me (at reforest@gn.apc.org )
if you can find 6 people to do one morning on
any of the following dates:-
Wednesday 29th October;
Thursday 30th October;
Friday 31st October;
Tuesday 4th November;
Wednesday 5th November;
Thursday 6th November;
Friday 7th November;
Tuesday 11th November;
Wednesday 12th November;
Thursday 13th November;
Friday 14th November
or any others later............
Please contact Angie at *reforest@gn.apc.org
*if you are interested in taking on a date,
or helping in any manner. For instance we
need a volunteer to take over the organising
of the rota, volunteers to make suitable placards
or leaflets for groups to use who don't have time
to make their own, and a convenient place to
store the placards and leaflets for groups to
pick up in the morning.
Image: awe-bomb-factory-by-hembo-pagi-small
Oppose new building at the Atomic Weapons Establishment
The MoD have submitted a planning application
for new warhead component manufacturing facilities
at AWE Burghfield, where Trident nuclear warheads
are assembled and refurbished. This is part of
the bigger plan to equip Aldermaston and Burghfield
to build a new generation of nuclear weapons.
Please take the time to object to the local
planning authority, who can refuse the MoD's request.
See here for full details of how to argue against
the MoD's plans in an email to West Berkshire Council.
full details of how to argue against the MoD's plans in an email
For more information, please contact us:
Tel: 020 7700 2393 Fax: 020 7700 2357
Web: www.cnduk.org
Image: czech radome
RICE SIGNS BUT FIGHT CONTINUES !
The signed agreement STILL needs to be approved
by the Czech Parliament, where the government
would need opposition votes to get it through.
So Victory is there - it's all to work for....
NOW is the time to exert MAXIMUM PRESSURE !
'Phone, Email, write....
pressure - pressure -
until we win through solidarity !
Jan Majicek, of the No Bases Initiative, says
that more than 100,000 people have signed the
petition against the Czech base. Keep it up !
Support the Czech hunger strikers
Join us in support of two leading Czech activists
who have been on hunger strike in Prague since the 13th May.
Jan Tamas and Jan Bednar of the 'No to Bases'
movement have begun.....
Despite 70% of the Czech public opposing the
system, the vote in the Chamber of Deputies will
be very close - perhaps coming down to a single
vote. Maximum pressure is needed to show that
not just Czech, but European public opinion is
against the system.
You can send a message of support directly to the hunger strikers
and write to the Czech Ambassador using our model letter.
In the past few weeks there have five
successful demonstrations in this country, as
protestors have gathered at American-run bases at
Menwith Hill, Lakenheath and Croughton. Twice as
many campaigners as before attended the lively
demo at Lakenheath. Further actions will be
announced over the coming months.
---------------------------------------------
For more information, please contact us:
Tel: 020 7700 2393
Fax: 020 7700 2357
Web: www.cnduk.org
No to US Missile Defence: protest escalates
The European Union has not reached an agreed
position on the installation of the US Missile
Defence system in Europe, despite the risk of
the military bases putting Europe on the front
line in future US wars. They are essential to US
war plans and any future US enemy will attempt
to destroy them. Opinion polls show majority
opposition to the system across Europe.
We ask that you write to your MEPs to express
your opposition and demand a plenary debate in
the European Parliament on the role of
US Missile Defence in Europe.
Click here to email your MEPs.
SEND A MESSAGE DIRECT TO THE HUNGERSTRIKERS
WRITE TO THE CZECH AMBASSADOR USING MODEL LETTER
Image: world in his hands
www.nonviolence.cz
ON-LINE PETITION AGAINST THE INSTALLATION
OF A U.S. RADAR BASE IN CZECH REPUBLIC
Dear friend,
the Czech Parliament will have to take a stand soon
about the construction of a U.S. military base
and probably it will vote in favour of its installation,
even though 70% of the population opposes this plan.
Given the urgency of the situation,
we have launched an on-line petition
to exert pressure on the Parliament
and ask that the matter be resolved with a referendum.
The NMD project of the United States
– their national missile defense system -
is a very complex project which involves
the production of new weapons,
and the installation of American military bases
in different parts of the planet.
In particular, in Europe, the first step is
the installation of radar in the Czech Republic,
and a base for interceptor missiles in Poland.
This plan has divided Europe, which at the moment
is not able to give a united, coherent and nonviolent response
to the United States' aggressive policies.
The reaction of Russia and China has created a "cold war" atmosphere.
International tensions are increasing,
and the crazy arms race (both conventional
and nuclear) has restarted.
Above all, the bases are being installed
to militarize and control space.
The majority of Czechs do not want
foreign military bases on their territory.
The majority of Czechs want to decide these
problems themselves by means of a referendum:
a fundamental instrument of any democracy.
You are being asked to support our nonviolent protest!
This plan does not involve only us Czechs,
but the whole of Europe and the whole world.
Sign our on-line petition, and pass it on to your friends!
Send us your messages of support!
Help us collect a million signatures!
Jan Tamáš
Non-violent Movement against US bases in Czech Republic
Dana Feminová
Europe for Peace
www.nonviolence.cz
Image: Hands off Iraqui Oil
Hands Off Iraqi Oil is a UK coalition
opposing any foreign exploitation of Iraq's oil reserves
that rips off the Iraqi people.
Members include Corporate Watch, Iraq Occupation Focus,
Jubilee Iraq, PLATFORM, Voices UK, and War on Want.
Supporters include Naftana and the Stop the War Coalition.
**********************************************
Dear Hands Off Iraqi Oil supporter,
Today is the 2,000th day of the occupation of Iraq
- 2,000 days during which Iraq's future, in the
shape of its oil, has been under dispute.
On one side have been hundreds of thousands of
US and UK occupying troops, and some of the
world's most powerful and profitable multinational
corporations, looking to take control of the world's
second largest oil reserves. On the other, are
the Iraqi people, including the oil workers,
trying to defend their right to take decisions
about their country's primary natural resource.
Incredibly, after 2,000 days of occupation,
George Bush and Dick Cheney are about to enter
the final 100 days of their administration
without getting what many feel they came for.
Yet still their efforts to get their hands on
Iraq's oil before they are out of power continue -
including through a status of forces agreement
Bush is determined to sign before he leaves office
(see below for more).
In two weeks time the Iraqi government will be
meeting in London with 41 international oil
companies to discuss doing business together. On
the eve of this meeting, on Saturday 11 October,
Hands Off Iraqi Oil is staging a demonstration
in central London featuring a giant Dick Cheney
puppet and visiting two of the companies, BP and
Shell, at the forefront of these efforts. We urge
you to join us. It's vital that international
solidarity movements continue our support in the
months ahead - so that we see out the last 100
days of Bush and Cheney with Iraq's future still intact.
In solidarity,
Hands Off Iraqi Oil
www.handsoffiraqioil.org
***********************************************
JOIN US FOR THE 100 DAYS TO STOP BUSH AND CHENEY DEMO - SAT 11th OCTOBER
IRAQ OIL CARVE-UP MEETING IN LONDON - MON 13th OCTOBER
UPDATE: BIG OIL'S LATEST PLANS FOR IRAQ
********************************************
JOIN US FOR THE 100 DAYS TO STOP BUSH AND CHENEY DEMO - SATURDAY 11th OCTOBER
Join us in central London next Saturday for a
demonstration to mark the beginning of the last
100 days of the Bush-Cheney administration, and
oppose Big Oil's Iraq carve-up meeting two days
later (see below). There will be giant puppets,
samba and more!
Assemble 12 noon, outside the Shell Centre
(York Rd, SE1 7NA),
opp. Waterloo train station,
next to Waterloo tube.
******************************************
OIL CARVE-UP MEETING IN LONDON
- MON 13th OCTOBER
Want another reason to come to the 100 Days to
Stop Bush and Cheney demo on Saturday 11 October?
How about that two days later, on Monday 13 October,
Iraqi Oil Minister Hussein al Shahristani is
meeting with Big Oil in London to discuss
long-term deals for controlling Iraqi oil.
41 international oil companies including Shell,
BP and Exxon, which have pre-qualified for bids
on existing producing oil and gas fields will attend.
The meeting is thought to be an interim replacement
for a major oil and gas event which had been
schedueled to take place in Baghdad in October.
This event has now been postponed until December.
The London meeting will mark a crucial step
forward in making privatisation of Iraqi oil
a long-term reality.
According to Oil Ministry spokesperson Assim
Jihad 'The oil ministry will unveil the legal
framework and conditions for signing service
contracts by qualified oil companies,'
Technical Service Contracts normally do not allow
investing companies control over development,
production or depletion of reserves.
Yet the service deals currently on the table have
been written by the oil majors and US State Department
and reportedly include clauses allowing companies
to effectively transform the service contracts
into Production Sharing Agreements at a later date.
PSAs are reserves-granting contracts which hand
control over oil reserves to companies. Iraqi
oil experts, trade unions, MPs and civil society
have condemned the contracts as a form of economic
occupation and a violation of any future
potential Iraqi sovereignty.
The situation in Iraq is far from fair or normal
for any long-term deals to be negotiated
let alone signed.
Over one million people have died since the
beginning of the war and occupation.
Millions are dispalced by occupation-stoked
sectarian violence. Occupation forces and
mercenaries continue to kill and maim with
impunity, thousands suffer in prison camps,
indiscriminate aerial attacks and curfews terrorize thousands.
Profound injustice, disempowerment, poverty and
distress dominate the daily lives of most people
living in occupied Iraq.
The oil law threatens to escalate and perpetuate
the occupation and sectarian violence. Its' passage
could re-draw the map of Iraq through allowing
regions to control their own oil industries,
sign contracts with majors without democratic
oversight and economically empower their already
occupation supported political and military power structures.
Passage of the oil law and the signing of longterm
privatisation deals in Iraq will escalate conflict,
entrench the occupation and increase the number
of paramilitary and mercenary forces in the
beleagured country. The stakes could not be higher
for the future of Iraq´s economy, independence,
stability and unity. This is why the law is still
off the statute books and Iraqis up and down the
country continue to oppose it.
Thwarting the economic and geo-political aims of
the neo-conservative right which are profiting
from the war on Iraq, such as the US oil lobby
and its man in the whitehouse Dick Cheney should
be at the forefront of the anti-war movement.
The Bush-Cheney administration and its' allies in
the oil industry are not giving up, neither are
the people of Iraq and neither should we.
It is vital for the anti war movement, social
justice movements and the trade union movement
to come out into the streets on saturday.
We need to show our solidarity with the Iraqi people
in resisting the rip off of their resources and
the ongoing occupation - military and economic - of Iraq.
Join us on the streets of London on Saturday 11th
October in telling Shell, BP and the others,
Hands Off Iraqi Oil - End the Occupation Now!
**********************************************
UPDATE: BIG OIL'S LATEST PLANS FOR IRAQ
Technical Service Contracts cancelled by
Iraqi government – what next?
Briefly, the recent cancellation of the TSAs or
TSCs – originally part-written by the US state
department and international oil companies - is
evidence of the progress the Iraqi and
international campaign has made, and how much
there is still left to play for.
The oil law is now unlikely to be passed before
Bush and Cheney leave office. The Iraqi Oil
Minister Hussein Shahristani himself admits there
is no prospect for the foreseeable future.
However, the rumours in Baghdad are that some
kind of oil agreement will be included in the
Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). SOFA remains
unratified yet the deal is likely to reflect not
only long term US military interests in the region
but a long-term economic agenda favourable to
allied oil industry interests.
The Chinese development contracts for the al-hdab
deal near Baghdad as well as the gas capture
contract for Shell have not yet been signed,
merely their terms agreed by the Iraqi cabinet.
The details of the contracts have not been
released to the parliament, nor have they been
subject to public scrutiny or debate. However
they could be signed soon. Oil experts and civil
society leaders in Iraq continue to call for an
open debate and transparency and consultation
with all Iraqi resource deals.
Some oil experts privately suspect that US
officials were involved in the decision to agree
the Chinese deal. By Iraqi standards, it is a
small field and gives a handy answer to charges
that the US administration wanted Iraq's oil for
US companies. However these suspicions lack evidence.
FAQs
So why were the Technical Service Contracts not signed?
Essentially, the reason for the collapse of these
negotiations (after nearly a year) was that the
western oil companies were so greedy. They
weren't interested in the contracts in their own
right (they're only 1-year service contracts),
but in what they could give them beyond. So they
were insisting on long-term extension rights,
giving them first refusal on subsequent longer
contracts - something the Iraqi government resisted.
But the companies were too greedy and have now
missed out altogether, so will have to wait for
the next bidding round.
Why has the Iraqi Ministry of Oil taken this position?
That the Oil Ministry was prepared to stand up to
the companies is due to the shift in the politics
of the oil issue. Eighteen months ago, oil policy
in Iraq was consistently reflecting the interests
of the western companies and governments - it was
due to the popular campaign in Iraq that the Oil
Ministry felt able (and needed) to push a firmer line.
So what happens next?
Other contracts are proceeding. A bidding round
is about to be launched for 8 large oilfields
(roughly the same ones that would have been
covered by these no-bid contracts), and then
there is the contract agreed recently with Chinese
companies for the al-Ahdab field and with Shell
for gas development for the domestic and export market.
All of those are long-term contracts (reportedly 20 years).
What kind of contracts are these long term
'development' contracts?
According to the Ministry's claims, they are
service contracts. If that is true, they would be
comparable at least to contracts in Venezuela and
Iran, rather than giving such a large share of
ownership, control and revenues as the production
sharing contracts the companies wanted; but still
giving away more than in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait,
where foreign companies do not manage a whole
field, but are just contracted to install a piece
of technology, for example. Russia by comparison
is a different case altogether, as it is mostly
closed to foreign companies.
How do we know that these contracts won't just be
Production Sharing Agreements or privatisation
deals by another name?
It is hard to say because so far there has been
absolutely no transparency, and no-one knows what
the terms of the contracts are. The priority now
in Iraq has to be for these terms to be disclosed
- the issues are too important to be decided in secret.
How can the companies start work in Iraq when the
oil law is still not passed?
The legal position in Iraq is that limited contracts
(like in Saudi Arabia) can be signed without an
oil law, but extensive ones (like production
sharing contracts) can't. These contracts currently
being considered are in a grey area in between.
To know the answer, we would have to see the
precise terms of the contracts, and take legal advice.
********************************************
100 DAYS TO STOP BUSH AND CHENEY -
SATURDAY 11th OCTOBER
George W Bush and Vice-President Dick Cheney are
putting immense pressure on the Iraqi government
to pass the controversial oil law they have
sought for several years before they leave office.
Iraqi trade unionists are fighting the law,
which would effectively hand over Iraq's oil to
foreign companies such as BP and Shell for a generation.
Join the Hands Off Iraqi Oil procession through London
on Saturday 11th October to
launch 100 days of action to stop Bush and Cheney.
Come and help a team of Oil Law resisters lasso a
giant Dick Cheney and keep him away from a barrel
of Iraq's oil. There will be a samba band
banging (oil) drums and corporate pirates too!
Date: Saturday 11th October 2008
Time: 12 noon
Assemble: Shell House, SE1 7NA
(Opposite Waterloo train station.
Nearest tube: Waterloo)
Route: Through central London:
Shell House - BP HQ - Grosvenor Sq.
Photo opps @ every stop of the tour
For more information and to download the flyer
see www.handsoffiraqioil.org
*******************************************
***CAMPAIGN MATERIALS***:
You can download Hands Off Iraqi Oil campaign materials
- including the flyer for the 100 days action,
a factsheet on Shell's attempts to influence the oil law,
a leaflet to hand out outside Shell garages,
a model union motion and a window poster and
much more - from our website at
http://www.handsoffiraqioil.org
or email
handsoffiraqioil@gmail.com
to order materials by post.
********************************************
UPDATE: WHY WE NEED TO SUPPORT THE IRAQI OIL WORKERS NOW
Two years since it was first drafted and five
deadlines later, the Iraqi Oil Law has still not
made it into the statute books. However, contracts
written by multinational oil companies which would
give them a 75% controlling stake in existing oil fields,
originally set to be exempt from privatization,
now lie on the table, unseen by the Iraqi people.
This marks a foot in the door for big oil to re-enter
occupied Iraq and stay for a generation.
With the Bush-Cheney era of neoconservative
government approaching a point of departure and
the potential of a new political order in the US,
passage of the oil law and the securing of Iraqi
reserves for US interests have become legacy
issues for Bush and Cheney. The 'prize' of Iraqi
oil spoken of by Cheney nearly a decade ago has
not been claimed, the spoils of war still out of
reach. The next 3 months will see intense pressure
from the Bush-Cheney alliance to secure Iraqi
reserves for US interests.
We have to stop this.
Iraqi resistance to the militarily enforced
privatisation of their number one national
resource remains high with the Iraqi Federation
of Oil Unions continuing to grow from 26,000 to 29,000 members.
Yet repression against the union persists. The
Iraqi oil minister recently ordered the transfer
of eight union activists and anti-privatisation
managers from Basra to Baghdad – a move condemned
as "somewhere between constructive dismissal and
a death sentence". International solidarity and
media exposure resulted in the order being rescinded.
11th October marks 100 days until the end of the
Bush-Cheney administration and an anticipated
intensified push by the US occupation apparatus
and White House to pass the oil law and secure
long-term deals. The stakes could not be higher.
We too in the international anti-war and
solidarity movement must redouble our efforts.
To re-focus and up the ante we are organising a
national day of action to kick-start 100 days of
action against oil theft and occupation.
As part of this push, Hands Off Iraqi Oil is also
organising a whirlwind UK speaking tour, to take
place during September and October.
Invite a speaker now! See details above and on
www.handsoffiraqioil.org.
********************************************
NO BLOOD FOR OIL, END THE OCCUPATION NOW!
For more details see: www.handsoffiraqioil.org
**************************************
TO ACCESS HANDS OFF IRAQI OIL's WEBSITE
PRESS THE LINK BELOW
************************************
MAY DAY MESSAGES FROM IRAQ'S UNIONS
************************************
May Day 2008 Statement from the Iraqi Labour Movement
To the Workers and All Peace Loving People of the World
On this day of international labour solidarity
we call on our fellow trade unionists and all
those worldwide who have stood against war and
occupation to increase support for our struggle
for freedom from occupation - both the military and economic.
We call upon the governments, corporations and
institutions behind the ongoing occupation of
Iraq to respond to our demands for real democracy,
true sovereignty and self-determination
free of all foreign interference.
Five years of invasion, war and occupation have
brought nothing but death, destruction, misery
and suffering to our people. In the name of our
"liberation," the invaders have destroyed our
nation's infrastructure, bombed our neighbourhoods,
broken into our homes, traumatized our children,
assaulted and arrested many of our family members
and neighbours, permitted the looting of our
national treasures, and turned nearly twenty
percent of our people into refugees.
The invaders helped to foment and then exploit
sectarian divisions and terror attacks where
there had been none. Our union offices have
been raided. Union property has been seized and
destroyed. Our bank accounts have been frozen.
Our leaders have been beaten, arrested, abducted
and assassinated. Our rights as workers have
been routinely violated.
The Ba'athist legislation of 1987, which banned
trade unions in the public sector and public
enterprises (80% of all workers), is still in
effect, enforced by Paul Bremer's post-invasion
Occupation Authority and then by all subsequent
Iraqi administrations. This is an attack on our
rights and basic precepts of a democratic society,
and is a grim reminder of the shadow of
dictatorship still stalking our country.
Despite the horrific conditions in our country,
we continue to organise and protest against the
occupation, against workplaces abuses, and for
better treatment and safer conditions.
Despite the sectarian plots around us, we believe
in unity and solidarity and a common aim of
public service, equality, and freedom to organise
without external intrusions and coercion.
Our legitimacy comes from our members. Our
principles of organisation are based on
transparent and internationally recognised
International Labour Organisation standards.
We call upon our allies and all the world's peace-
loving peoples to help us to end the nightmare of
occupation and restore our sovereignty and
national independence so that we can chart our
own course to the future.
1) We demand an immediate withdrawal of all
foreign troops from our country, and utterly
reject the agreement being negotiated with the
USA for long-term bases and a military presence.
The continued occupation fuels the violence in
Iraq rather than alleviating it. Iraq must be
returned to full sovereignty.
2) We demand the passage of a labour law promised
by our Constitution, which adheres to ILO
principles and on which Iraqi trade unionists
have been fully consulted, to protect the rights
of workers to organize, bargain and strike,
independent of state control and interference.
3) We demand an end to meddling in our sovereign
economic affairs by the International Monetary
Fund, USA and UK. We demand withdrawal of all
economic conditionalities attached to the IMF's
agreements with Iraq, removal of US and UK
economic "advisers" from the corridors of Iraqi
government, and a recognition by those bodies
that no major economic decisions concerning our
services and resources can be made while foreign
troops occupy the country.
4) We demand that the US government and others
immediately cease lobbying for the oil law, which
would fracture the country and hand control over
our oil to multinational companies like Exxon,
BP and Shell. We demand that all oil companies
be prevented from entering into any long-term
agreement concerning oil while Iraq remains
occupied. We demand that the Iraqi government
tear up the current draft of the oil law, and
begin to develop a legitimate oil policy based on
full and genuine consultation with the Iraqi
people. Only after all occupation forces are gone
should a long term plan for the development of
our oil resources be adopted.
We seek your support and solidarity to help us
end the military and economic occupation of our
country. We ask for your solidarity for our
right to organise and strike in defence of our
interests as workers and of our public services
and resources. Our public services are the legacy
of generations before us and the inheritance of
all future generations and must not be privatised.
We thank you for standing by us. We too stand
with you in your own struggles for real democracy
which we know you also struggle for, and against
privatisation, exploitation and daily
disempowerment in your workplaces and lives.
We commend those of you who have organised strikes
and demonstrations to end the occupation in
solidarity with us and we hope these actions will continue.
We look forward to the day when we have a world
based on co-operation and solidarity. We look
forward to a world free from war, sectarianism,
competition and exploitation.
Endorsed by:
Hassan Juma'a Awad, President,
Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions (IFOU)
Faleh Abood Umara, General Secretary,
Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions (IFOU)
Falah Alwan, President, Federation of
Workers Councils and Unions in Iraq (FWCUI)
Subhi Albadri, President, General Federation of
Workers Councils and Unions in Iraq (GFWCUI)
Nathim Rathi, President, Iraqi Port Workers Trade Union
Samir Almuawi, President, Engineering
Professionals Trade Union
Ghzi Mushatat, President, Mechanic and
Print Shop Trade Union
Waleed Alamiri, President, Electricity Trade Union
Ilham Talabani, President, Banking Services Trade Union
Abdullah Ubaid, President, Railway Trade Union
Ammar Ali, President, Transportation Trade Union
Abdalzahra Abdilhassan, President,
Service Employees Trade Union
Sundus Sabeeh, President,
Barber Shop Workers Trade Union
Kareem Lefta Sindan, President,
Lumber and Construction Trade Union,
General Federation of Iraqi Workers (GFIW)
Sabah Almusawi, President, Wasit Independent Trade Union
Shakir Hameed, President, Lumber And
Construction Trade Union (GFWCUI)
Awad Ahmed, President, Teachers Federation of Salahideen
Alaa Ghazi Mushatat, President,
Agricultural And Food Substance Industries
Adnan Rathi Shakir, President, Water Resources Trade Union
Nahrawan Yas, President, Woman Affairs Bureau
Sabah Alyasiri, President (GFWCUI) Babil
Ali Tahi, President (GFWCUI) Najaf
Ali Abbas, President (GFWCUI) Basra
Muhi Abdalhussien, President (GFWCUI), Wasit
Ali Hashim Abdilhussien, President (GFWCUI) Kerbala
Ali Hussien, President (GFWCUI) Anbar
Mustafa Ameen, Arab Workers Bureau, President (GFWCUI)
Thameer Mzeail, Health Services, Union Committee
Khadija Saeed Abdullah, Teachers Federation, Member
Asmahan, Khudair, Woman Affairs, Textile Trade Unions
Adil Aljabiri, Oil Workers Trade Union Executive Bureau Member
Muhi Abdalhussien, Nadia Flaih, Service Employees Trade Unions
Rawneq Mohammed, Member, Media and Print Shop Trade Union
Abdlakareem Abdalsada, Vice President (GFWCUI)
Saeed Nima, Vice President (GFWCUI)
Sabri Abdalkareem, Member, (GFWCUI) Babil
Amjad Aljawhary, Representative of GFWCUI in North America
May Day Message
from the General Union of Dock Workers in Iraq
to the International Longshore and Warehouse
Union in the United States
Dear Brothers and Sisters of ILWU in California
The courageous decision you made to carry out a
strike on May Day to protest against the war and
occupation of Iraq advances our struggle against
occupation to bring a better future for us and
for the rest of the world as well.
We are certain that a better world will only be
created by the workers and what you are doing is
an example and proof of what we say. The labor
movement is the only element in the society that
is able to change the political equations for
the benefit of mankind. We in Iraq are looking up
to you and support you until the victory over
the US administration's barbarism is achieved.
Over the past five years the sectarian gangs who
are the product of the occupation, have been
trying to transfer their conflicts into our
ranks. Targeting workers, including their
residential and shopping areas, indiscriminately
using all sorts of explosive devices, mortar
shells, and random shooting, were part of a
bigger scheme that was aiming to tear up the
society but they miserably failed to achieve
their hellish goal. We are struggling today to
defeat both the occupation and sectarian militias' agenda.
The pro-occupation government has been attempting
to intervene into the workers affairs by imposing
a single government-certified labor union.
Furthermore it has been promoting privatization
and an oil and gas law to use the occupation
against the interests of the workers.
We the port workers view that our interests are
inseparable from the interests of workers in
Iraq and the world; therefore we are determined
to continue our struggle to improve the living
conditions of the workers and overpower all plots
of the occupation, its economic and political projects.
Let us hold hands for the victory of our struggle.
Long live the port workers in California!
Long live May Day!
Long live International solidarity!
The General Union of Port Workers in Iraq
An Affiliate Union with General Federation of
Workers Councils and Unions in Iraq (GFWCUI)
28-4-2008
*******************************
*******************************
*******************************
! ! !
Today, thousands of people are engaged in
nonviolent civil disobedience.
http://www@5yearstoomany.org
WHAT ARE WE IN WALES DOING ?
Just one more march?
Come on Wales !
Contact each other -
there are lots of peace groups !
Non-violent protest
shows REAL EFFECTIVE COMMITTED opposition
to "our" government's disgraceful role.
An excellent contact in Cardiff -
where there was a demo
at the TOTAL Garage
in Cathedral Road,
is Adam Johannes, Cardiff STW.
You can contact him re future events at;
cardiff_troopsout@hotmail.com
07940 108 146
Image: National Demonstration for Palestine
To read more about the Gaza Boats, CLICK above
==========================================
Sad news about Irene Bruegel, founder of
Jews for Justice for Palestinians (JFJFP)
Dear friends,
We are very sorry to have to write with such bad news
but Irene Bruegel, founder and long time Secretary of JFJFP, has died.
Her immediate family was with her and she died peacefully.
Read more:
http://www.palestinecampaign.org/index7b.asp?
m_id=1&l1_id=2&l2_id=14&Content_ID=240
==========================================
Video: A Day in the Life of a Gazan Fisherman
See the video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNQBk6lxYZ4
==========================================
Article on Electronic Intifada:
Palestinian workers exploited at West Bank settlement factories
In August, the Business and Human Rights Resource
Centre, the international watchdog organization,
asked three Israeli companies to respond to a report
by an Israeli non-governmental organization that
protested the treatment of Palestinian workers
at West Bank settlement industrial parks.
Kav LaOved, which is concerned with the rights of
migrant and Palestinian workers employed in Israel
and Israel's illegal settlements, reported on the
rising number of claims by Palestinian workers
employed in West Bank settlements following an
October 2007 Israeli high court ruling that the
country's labor laws applied in the settlements.
Full article:
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/
article9871.shtml
==========================================
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) welcomes
‘The Middle East Quartet: A Progress Report’
released today by a coalition of 21 aid agencies
– including Oxfam, Save the Children, Care,
Cafod and World Vision. The report concludes that
the Quartet – Russia, the US, the EU and the UN –
is failing in its mission and has ‘lost its grip’
on the Middle East peace process which it is meant to foster.
For the whole press release and the report please visit:
http://www.palestinecampaign.org/
index7b.asp?id=1&l1_id=4&l2_id=25&Content_ID=222
==========================================
BDS in England and Wales
by Zoë Mars
Published in Al Majdal Issue 38 – Summer 2008
http://www.badil.org/al-majdal/
2008/summer/majdal38.pdf
This article summarizes the current major effort
by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) and
other Palestine solidarity groups in England and Wales
to build a really dynamic and concerted BDS campaign
across eight action areas for the next year.
In the process of describing this, examples will
be given of the range of past campaigning actions
which are now being drawn together and stepped up,
to achieve greater visibility and impact.
Read the full article here: http://bigcampaign.org/
index.php?page=bds-in-england-and-wales
==========================================
Damning UN report on Gaza strike
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/
world/middle_east/7623583.stm
Archbishop Desmond Tutu has delivered a scathing
report to the UN Human Rights Commission on
Israel's shelling of Beit Hanoun in Gaza in 2006.
==========================================
* ! * ! * ! * ! *
Alert: Tell the UK government not to rent Tel
Aviv Embassy from settlement-builder Leviev
From: Architects & Planners for Justice in
Palestine, the village of Bil’in, the village of
Jayyous, Palestine Solidarity Campaign,
Palestinian Boycott National Committee, Adalah-
NY, and Jews Against the Occupation
September 10, 2008 - The UK Guardian’s Comment Is Free
posted an article on September 9, The wrong message
to Israel, by Abe Hayeem, a founding member of
Architects & Planners for Justice in Palestine,
calling on the UK government to revoke plans to
rent its new embassy in Tel Aviv from Israeli-
settlement mogul Lev Leviev. The UK's plan to
rent space for the embassy from Leviev's company
Africa Israel was reported on July 29 in the
Israeli financial journal Globes. Please contact
the UK’s Embassy in Tel Aviv, UK Consulate in
Jerusalem, the Foreign Secretary and the Minister
of State for the Middle East (contact info below)
and demand that they take a firm stand against
Israeli settlements and not reward Leviev with UK taxpayers’ money.
Abe Hayeem’s article notes:
“When Britain's prime minister, Gordon Brown,
visited Ramallah in mid-July, he told the
Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas: ‘We want to
see a freeze on settlements. Settlement expansion
has made peace harder to achieve. It erodes trust,
it heightens Palestinian suffering, it makes the
compromises Israel needs to make for peace more difficult.’"
“In that case, the decision by the British
government to rent space for our new embassy in
Tel Aviv from the Africa-Israel Investments
company chaired by businessman Lev Leviev sends
precisely the wrong message.”
“Leviev, a Russian-Israeli real estate and
diamond billionaire who recently became a UK
resident, is also a major settlement builder.
Danya Cebus, a subsidiary of Leviev's Africa-
Israel group, has built homes in three West Bank
settlements - Mattityahu East, Har Homa, and Ma'ale Adumim.”
“Additionally, Leviev is a major donor to the
Land Redemption Fund (LRF), which is affiliated
with the radical fundamentalist Gush Emunim
settler movement. The LRF uses highly questionable
methods to secure Palestinian land for Jewish
settlements in the occupied West Bank, in clear
violation of international law and the Fourth Geneva convention.”
“The settlement of Mattityahu East along with
Israel's wall, which was built mostly inside the
occupied West Bank to grab land for settlements,
seizes 50% of the village of Bil'in's land,
including olive groves that its residents have
relied on for centuries. Leviev's Zufim settlement,
again along with Israel's Wall, seizes as much as
two-thirds of the village of Jayyous' agricultural
land and six wells, effectively annexing one of
the West Bank's most fertile agricultural zones.
Since 2002, residents of Bil'in and Jayyous have
held more than 250 nonviolent protests, with the
support of Israeli and international activists,
in an effort to save their land….”
“Rewarding Leviev with the contract for our new
embassy shows that Her Majesty's government is
not serious about stopping Israeli settlements.
Rather than mouthing admirable but empty platitudes
about freezing settlements, for the sake of all
Israelis and Palestinians, let us apply serious
sanctions to stop Israel expanding illegal settlements
and the Wall, and take our business elsewhere.”
Please write and/or call the representatives of
the UK government below, and demand that the UK
not rent its embassy from Leviev. Oxfam and UNICEF
have already rejected support from Leviev due to
his companies’ settlement construction in violation
of international law. Please send a copy of your
message and/or information on your phone call to
levievembassyalert@adalahny.org
so that we can compile them all.
IN THE UK
MP David Milliband, the Foreign Secretary
Phone: +44 (0)191 456 8910
Email: milibandd@parliament.uk and
msu.correspondence@fco.gov.uk
MP Kim Howells, Minister of State for the Middle East
Phone: +44 (0)20 7270 1500
Email: howellsk@parliament.uk
IN TEL AVIV
UK Ambassador Tom Phillips
Phone: +972 (0)3 725 1222
Fax: +972 (0)3 527 8574
Email: webmaster.telaviv@fco.gov.uk
IN JERUSALEM
Consul-General: Richard Edward Makepeace
Phone: +972-(0)2-541-4100/41
Fax: +972-(0)2-532-2368 / +972-2-541-4157
Email: britain.jerusalem@fco.gov.uk
===============================================
Gaza Boats Update
FREE GAZA & LIBERTY LEAVE FOR CYPRUS
WITH PALESTINIANS ON-BOARD
After having shattered the Israeli blockade of
Gaza earlier this week, the Free Gaza and Liberty
departed Gaza for Cyprus. Several Palestinians
who had previously been denied exit visas by Israel
join international human rights workers on the journey.
Among the Palestinians leaving are Saed Mosleh, age 10,
of Beit Hanoun, Gaza. Saed lost his leg due to an
Israeli tank shell and left Gaza with his father
to seek medical treatment. Also on board are the
Darwish family, who will finally be reunited
with their relatives in Cyprus.
“I can’t believe we’re finally able to leave for
medical treatment,” said Khaled Mosleh, Saed’s
father. “This is a miracle of God.”
Nine international human rights workers are
staying in Gaza to do longer-term monitoring and
accompaniment, and one, Dr. Bill Dienst of Omak,
Washington, has attempted to cross over into
Israel via the Erez crossing.
By freely traveling to Gaza, on Saturday, August
23rd, in two, small, wooden boats, the Free Gaza
Movement forced the Israeli government to issue
a fundamental policy change regarding their
military and economic blockade of Gaza. The
Israeli Ministry of Foreign affairs publicly
announced that humanitarian and human rights
missions to Gaza will no longer be stopped or
threatened by Israel. With the end of the
Israeli siege of Gaza, Palestinians should be
free to exercise their rights without fear of
being stopped or killed by the Israeli military.
Yvonne Ridley, a journalist and member for the
Free Gaza Movement, summed up her experience in
Gaza by saying, “I missed the start of the
Berlin Wall coming down by just a few days, but
now I know how people felt when they tore down
those first few bricks. This has been a huge
victory of people over power.”
Since the organizers of the Free Gaza Movement
will not be entering Israeli territorial waters,
and since they will request an inspection from
both the Gaza Port Authority when they depart,
and the Cypriot authorities upon their return,
they expect no interference on the part of the
Israeli authorities when they leave Gaza. By
Israel’s own admission, it has no authority to
inspect the boats or the passengers when they leave Gaza.
With the collapse of the Israeli blockade, the
Free Gaza Movement will quickly return to Gaza
with another delegation, and they would like to
encourage the United Nations, Arab League and
international community to organize similar
human rights and humanitarian efforts. The Free
Gaza Movement will continue to work to ensure
that safe passage between Gaza and the outside
world will remain free and open.
For More Information, Please Contact:
(Gaza) Paul Larudee: +972 598 765 370
(Gaza) Huwaida Arraf: +972 599 130 426
(Cyprus) Osama Qashoo: +357 97 793 595 /
osamaqashoo@gmail.com
(Jerusalem) Angela Godfrey-Goldstein:
+972 547 366 393 / angela@icahd.org
www.anis-online.de/office/events/
FreeGazaSong.htm
www.flickr.com/photos/29205195@N02/
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=aUPA0z2zRHQ
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=C-DGBHPMe5c
For further information and to receive boat updates: www.freegaza.org
******************************************
BIG Relaunch September 2008
The aim of the campaign is to show Israel that
its continued oppression of the Palestinian
people is not condoned by the British public and
also to show solidarity with the Palestinian people.
The boycott of Israeli goods will continue until
Israel respects Palestinian human rights, abides
by international law and ends the occupation.
Boycott was an effective tool in helping to end
South African apartheid, and it is hoped it will
be as effective against Israeli apartheid. The
boycott was called for and is supported by
Palestinian civil society organisations.
We also encourage activists to contact local
shops and mosques about Israeli medjoul dates
which are being imported in large quantities this
Ramadan (from 1st to 29th of September approximately).
Please find below an outline of the actions.
For resources and campaign material
please visit the BIG website:
www.bigcampaign.org
Or contact the PSC office: info@palestinecampaign.org
Tel: 020 7700 6192
Activist Actions:
September 1st-7th
PSC office sent letters to the headquarters
of all major supermarkets in the UK.
The letters are published on the PSC website.
Responses from the supermarkets are also
posted on the website.
PSC office contacted government ministers
from DEFRA, BERR, FCO and The Treasury.
Branches were encouraged to campaign in their
local Muslim communities to boycott Israeli
Medjool dates. Fliers and sample letters
are still available from the PSC office and
the BIG Campaign website.
September 8th-14th
Letters sent to supermarket branches and other
local shop managers who sell Israeli goods.
Sample letters made available to branches
and on the BIG Campaign website.
Contacted local media as well as national media
about actions and reasons for the boycott.
Local media are always looking for interesting
stories and more likely to take notice.
Contacted local trade organisations, council offices,
trade unions, community and faith groups and
encouraged them to support the boycott.
Contacted prominent local individuals (celebrities,
public representatives, faith leaders) and asked them
to endorse the BIG campaign, and speak at meetings.
Spoke to local market traders about the
origins of their products.
Contacted other providers such as delivery veg box schemes.
Joined local branches of the Co-Op and had our say.
This done often through their website.
Organised local public meetings to mobilise for
the BIG campaign. Contacted PSC office for suggested
speakers and to advertise the meeting on the PSC website.
September 21st-27th — Week of Action
Set up stalls outside supermarkets.
Urged shoppers not to purchase Israeli produce.
This includes produce labeled West Bank as it
is almost definitely from a settlement.
Politely informed shop staff about why we are protesting.
Asked to contact nearest branch of the PSC to volunteer.
Arranged meetings with individual supermarket managers.
Completed shop feedback forms.
Continued contacting local media.
Materials for stalls and new flyers
made available from the PSC office.
Please keep the PSC office informed of actions
and send in action material, reports and photos.
Copies of letters/emails and responses can be
sent to head office or
info@bigcampaign.org.
Contacts:
Email: info@bigcampaign.org
Send info to:
PSC PO Box BM PSA
London
WC1X 3AA
www.bigcampaign.org
**********************
Urgent action is needed - Please write to Sir Paul
Paul McCartney to perform in Israel
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/
0,7340,L-3586599,00.html
PACBI letter to the Beatles:
http://www.pacbi.org/
press_releases_more.php?id=655_0_4_0_C
For more info and sample letter please visit:
http://www.palestinecampaign.org/
index7b.asp?_id=1&l1_id=4&l2_id=25&Content_ID=182
*************************************************
Free Gaza Boat -
We are calling on all members and supporters to
be alert to continuing press coverage of the
campaign, and to be ready to act in support of
the Free Gaza Movement if they encounter
problems. Many activists and also supportive MPs
are on holiday at this time so we are calling on
anyone who is not away to provide what support
they can, and also to cascade this information widely.
For further information and to receive boat updates:
www.freegaza.org
TAKE ACTION – WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Keep informed: please keep checking the
www.freegaza.org
website and the PSC website for regular updates.
Alert your local media: contact your local papers,
TV and radio stations and ask them to report on
the Breaking the Siege Campaign - Boat to Gaza initiative.
Contact your MP: write to or call your MP (also
in the constituency offices) and raise the attempt
to break the siege with them.
http://www.parliament.uk/directories/
directories.cfm
==========================================
Ramadan Dates Campaign 2008
http://bigcampaign.org/
index.php?page=ramadan-dates-campaign-2008
Every year Israeli companies profit from the sale
of medjool dates that have been grown in illegal
settlements in the West Bank, Palestine. This
year we call on you to join the boycott of all
Israeli Goods, especially those sourced from
illegal Israeli settlements, and join the
worldwide movement of civil society in support of
the Palestinian people for national, civil and human rights.
Here are some ideas of what you could do:
Contact your local mosque and talk to them about
the issue. Send them a letter (see sample letter
for mosques) and ask them to distribute leaflets
(see sample leaflet). Remember to ask them to
support the boycott of Israeli goods
Write to or visit local stores (supermarkets or
smaller shops), make the argument against Agrexco
produce and raise awareness of what products and
brandnames to avoid. Send a letter to them about
medjoul dates. If they are labelling their dates
'produce of West Bank' write a letter of complaint.
Hold demonstrations, pickets or street theatre
outside shops selling Agrexco goods
Contact local Trade Union branches and educate
them about Carmel Agrexco products.
Hold shopping trolley actions - load up your
trolley with Agrexco products, bring it to the
checkout and then tell the cashier/management why
you are not buying each of the products.
E mail:
info@bigcampaign.org
to let us know what about your activities.
Also why not send a press release to your local
newspaper, Tv or radio station and post your
reports at www.indymedia.org.uk
For more information and sample letters please visit:
http://bigcampaign.org/
index.php?page=ramadan-dates-campaign-2008
==========================================
Narratives Under Siege: Gaza patients continue
painful wait for urgent medical treatment.
Ahmed Abu Shawish urgently needs an operation to
remove his cancer and repair the internal damage.
‘The [Palestinian] Ministry of Health referred
me to Echelof Hospital in Tel Aviv for specialist
treatment’ he says. “But of course I need a permit
to leave Gaza, and my permit was denied. So I
applied again with the help of human rights organizations.’
Read the full article:
http://www.pchrgaza.org/files/campaigns/english/
gaza_closure/Narratives_18.html
==========================================
PSC Petition - Sign it now!
http://www.palestinecampaign.org/
Index5b_petition.asp?m_id=1&l1_id=3&l2_id=17
Please sign and circulate the petition below,
already signed by among others: Harold Pinter,
John Pilger, Miriam Margolyes, Mike Leigh,
Benjamin Zephaniah, Emma Thompson, Ilan Pappe,
Nigel Kennedy, Juliet Stevenson, Bella Freud,
Mark Thomas, Keith Sonnet, Tony Benn, Michael Rosen and more…
1948 – 2008
60 Years of Palestinian Catastrophe
(Nakba) Must End
End Israeli Occupation
We the undersigned, believing that a just solution
for the Palestinians is the only way to secure peace
for all, call for full realization of the inalienable
rights of the Palestinian people as affirmed in
UN General Assembly resolution 3236:
• the right to self-determination without
external interference;
• the right to national independence and
sovereignty;
• the right of Palestinians to return to the
homes and properties from which they have
been displaced and uprooted.
http://www.palestinecampaign.org/Index5b_petition.asp?m_id=1&l1_id=3&l2_id=17
==========================================
The laureate of all Arabs.
The late Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish was
elected on Friday as the best Arab poet for 2008
in poetry written in classical Arabic by a panel
of 243 Arab poets, scholars and journalists.
The Arabic Poetry News website also reports that
Darwish won 60 votes out of 243 Arab poets,
scholars and journalists who responded to the poll.
Darwish, the Palestinian national poet, died in
August and was given the equivalent of a state
funeral in the West Bank city of Ramallah.
The Syrian poet Adonis won second place with 21 votes.
The third place was taken by an emerging Palestinian poet,
Tamim Al-Barghouthi who got 13 votes.
Syrian poet Shawqi Baghdadi came fourth with 11 votes.
Thirteen of the respondents abstained from
answering the question about who was the best
poet writing in classical Arabic.
"Mahmoud Darwish is dead, but the voice of the
Palestinian resistance will live on in all of us."
Ahdaf Soueif in the Guardian
None of us really thought he'd die. Our loss is
great, we tell each other. In our minds we think
of Edward Said, of Haider Abdel-Shafi, of Faisal
Husseini, and even - yes - of Yasser Arafat.
The "big men" of Palestine. And now, Mahmoud Darwish.
Read more: http://www.palestinecampaign.org/
index7b.asp?_id=1&l1_id=4&l2_id=24&Content_ID=164
==========================================
The Campaign against Settlements' Trade
By Ruth Tenne – London
Through a great part of my life the only food I
have eaten came from an Israeli source for the
simple reason that I was born in Israel and it
was the only choice available. Little was I aware
that a significant part of the produce I consumed
was grown on fields confiscated by the State of
Israel from Palestinian villages which were razed
to the ground in the aftermath of the 1948 Israeli
"war of independence".
Read more:
http://www.palestinechronicle.com/
view_article_details.php?id=14059
==========================================
UPCOMING EVENTS
==========================================
'Welcome to Ramallah'
by Sonja Linden and Adah Kay
Directed by Sue Lefton
Produced by iceandfire
++++++++++++
In York Theatre Royal:
21st October – 1st November 2008
Theatre Royal
York
www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
Box Office: 01904 623 568
++++++++++++
To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of
the British mandate for Palestine and celebrate
the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights iceandfire's third production
Welcome to Ramallah is a darkly funny and intimate
exploration of the balance between duty and love.
Premiering at the Arcola Theatre, Hackney from
the 23rd September 2008 the play runs for four
weeks until the 18th October 2008.
Tickets are priced £15 full price & £10 concessions
but we would like to offer you and your colleagues
the opportunity to book two for one tickets on
the 24th or 25th September. Just call the box office
on 0207 503 1646 and quote "human". These tickets
are on a limited, 'first come, first served' basis.
Please see our website
www.iceandfire.co.uk
for further information
=============================================
Palestine Solidarity Campaign calls on the
British Government to Ban Settlement Products
as Israel announces new Settlement Building.
This week the building of a new West Bank settlement
was announced by the Israeli Military Civil Administration.
In response Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC)
is launching a new campaign calling on the British
government to ban the import and export of
settlement products from the UK.
http://www.palestinecampaign.org/
index7b.asp?_id=1&l1_id=4&l2_id=25&Content_ID=146
==========================================
UK MPs call for talks with Hamas
A UK parliamentary committee has called for dialogue
with Hamas, as a UN report says poverty has
reached an unprecedented high in the Gaza Strip.
The House of Commons International Development
Committee said in a report on Gaza that the
current truce between Hamas and Israel, agreed
on 19 June, "offers the international community
an opportunity to begin a dialogue with Hamas".
http://www.palestinecampaign.org/
index7b.asp?_id=1&l1_id=4&l2_id=24&Content_ID=14
=======================================
WHAT GORDON DIDN'T SAY, IN HIS KNESSET SPEECH !
Please write to Gordon Brown with the following
points, and also write to your local media:
1. How long did he spend in the West Bank?
2. Why does he fail to mention the Palestinian Nakba?
3. Why does he ignore all aspects of Occupation
in the speech, including the continued building
of the wall and illegal settlements?
4. Why does he fail to mention Israeli nuclear weapons?
5. Money is not enough, a political solution needed.
6. The Prime Minister’s website has only a
passing reference to the £30 million deal and
visit to Church of the Nativity – does this
reflect the partisan way in which he is engaged
in the issue of Palestine/Israel?
**********************************
Illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied territories
are selling their products in U.K. supermarkets.
The goods are labelled "West Bank", and the stores
refuse to admit fault or review their stance.
Customers are being cheated - and are being led to "assume"
that they are buying goods from Palestinians -
and we all know what happens when we assume...
it makes an ASS out of U and ME...
Customers are being duped into contributing to
the economies of illegal settlements.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband is concerned, he
says, and raised the issue with British officials
in Jerusalem during his visit there in November.
EU officials in Jerusalem are now checking whether
loopholes are being exploited by U.K. companies.
Official U.K. policy is clear enough;
"settlements are illegal under international law
and settlement construction is an obstacle to peace".
149 illegal settlements plus 96 "outposts"
have been built this year alone.
Tesco says it sources "a number of products"
from illegal settlements in the occupied territories,
including stonefruit, avocados, herbs, and grapes
from farms in the West Bank and Golan Heights.
Waitrose sells cut herbs, as do Somerfield, and
Sainsburys sells dried dates.
Ruth Tenne, Israeli peace activist and a member
of Jews for Boycotting Israeli Goods, says;
"Ethical consumers of all faiths ought to
boycott Israeli goods, especially those produced
by the Jewish illegal settlements in the West Bank
as well as campaigning for divestment from companies
which profit from Israel's illegal occupation,
and for suspending the EU Association Agreement
which grants Israel a privileged access to the European market."
Tesco, Sainsbury's, Waitrose and Somerfield are
among the stores who admit to it openly !
Perhaps it's time to at least....
Tell them now what YOU think, by email, phone or letter !
Image: Occupied Space 2008
Above: Shuruq Harb, Untitled (I) [detail], 2005, digital photographic print, 27.6 x 42 cm
(#1 in an edition of 3)
*********************************************
Carmel-Agrexco shut down as part of
'Boycott Israeli Goods' week of action
Human rights activists shut down the Carmel-Agrexco
depot in Hayes, Middlesex, for 12 hours on 28th
September, 2008, as part of a week of action
called by the Boycott Israeli Goods campaign.
More:
http://bigcampaign.org/index.php?
mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=
271&cntnt01origid=103&cntnt01dateformat=%25d%20%
25b%20%25Y&cntnt01returnid=72
==========================================
Ramadan under siege in Gaza
From Maan News
Gaza’s sunsets this Ramadan are not greeted by
the glittering of lantern light that traditionally
illuminate the darkness during this month of difficult
fasting. This year, as the night sets in and the
Muslim’s call to prayer grows louder, the ambient
noise of the Gaza streets disappears and sidewalks
empty. The difference, however, between day and
night is not like it used to be.
Read the full article:
http://www.maannews.net/
en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=32067
==========================================
The Israeli ambassador thinks that
‘Britain is a hotbed of anti-Israeli sentiment’.
Write to your MP and to the local media to explain
that people in Britain are concerned about the crimes
committed by Israel against the Palestinian people,
and that British government policies should reflect public opinion.
View the article here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2008/06/10/do1002.xml
Some points you may wish to make:
The Israeli ambassador, Ron Prosor, is attempting
to discredit the views of the majority of the
British public by dismissing them as 'anti-
Israeli sentiment'. What is actually happening is
a growing awareness that the crimes committed by
the Israeli government against the Palestinian
people can no longer be tolerated, and support
for peace and justice for the Palestinians is
growing. In the same way that people in Britain
campaigned for an end to apartheid in South Africa,
so people are joining the campaign for justice
for the Palestinians in growing numbers.
The British government should listen to the views
of its electorate and use all its power to ensure
Israel ends its flagrant disregard for international
law and UN resolutions, and starts to implement them.
Israel's illegal actions must be condemned, not justified.
In his article, the Israeli ambassador Ron Prosor
does not even refer to the horrific siege that
Israel has inflicted upon Gaza. He refers to the
rockets and mortar bombs landing inside the Green
Line, but not to the massive carnage created by
Israeli military action.
Ceasefires have repeatedly been offered by the
Palestinians — a ceasefire offer is on the table
currently, but no mention is made of this.
Prosor claims that Israel is being subjected to
'double standards' and that 'the concept of an
academic boycott is a ludicrous oxymoron,
undermining the democratic principles of free
speech and free debate'. However, the Israeli
government are not concerned with these principles
when they are applied to Palestinian students —
hundreds remain trapped in Gaza unable to study,
despite being awarded places to study outside
Gaza. Palestinian students in the West Bank face
severe restrictions on their movement caused by
roadblocks and checkpoints, and faculty members
are often denied the right to work in the West Bank and Gaza.
If you are not already a member of PSC,
please join the campaign today! Visit
www.palestinecampaign.org
*******************************************
*******************************************
Sign the Petition: Suspend EU-Israel Association Agreement
We call on the EU to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement
until Israel respects human rights and International Law.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/Suspend-EU-Israel-Trade-Agreement
***********************************************
***********************************************
Please write to your MP to urge them to
sign the following EDM on the Palestinian Nakba.
EDM 1484: 60th ANNIVERSARY OF PALESTINIAN NAKBA
Tabled on 6th May 2008 by Richard Burden MP
"That this House notes the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel;
further notes that it coincides with the marking of 60 years
since the Palestinian Nakba (Catastrophe);
regrets that 60 years after 1948 there are still
over four million UN-registered Palestinian refugees,
in addition to those who were unable to register with the UN,
who have yet to have their rights upheld
as required by several UN resolutions
and have yet to receive acknowledgment of
the injustice that they suffered;
further notes that there are over 250,000
internally displaced Palestinians inside Israel
who have also not been allowed to return to their homes;
further notes that over 530 Palestinian villages and towns
were destroyed in that period and that Palestinian refugees
have not been compensated for the loss of their property;
and believes that achieving a just solution for Palestinian refugees
is as essential a requirement for a comprehensive
and durable peace in the Middle East as is full
recognition and security for the State of Israel."
http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=35750&SESSION=891
===============================================
May 10 Demonstration coverage on AlJazeera:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxh4HUDaoaU
=============================================
New article by Ben White about the Jordan Valley
'The Jordan Valley's forgotten Palestinians'
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article9573.shtml
"The Jordan Valley is an area that despite taking
up over a quarter of the West Bank, is rarely
subjected to the same kind of critical scrutiny
afforded to, say, Jerusalem or settlement blocs
like Gush Etzion or Ariel. This despite the
Jordan Valley being not only essential for any
future Palestinian state -- with regards to
territorial continuity, agriculture, water, and
border access -- but also having been the target
of intense colonization by successive Israeli
governments which have not only declared its strategic
significance but also the intention of eventual annexation..."
Factsheets about the Jordan Valley are available
to download from the PSC website and hard copies
from the PSC office.
www.palestinecampaign.org
======================================
John Pilger: From triumph to torture
Israel's treatment of an award-winning young
Palestinian journalist is part of a terrible pattern
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/jul/
02/israelandthepalestinians.civilliberties
*************************************
Please ask your MP to sign EDM 1926 about the
treatment of Mohammed Omer form Gaza, winner
of the 2008 Martha Gellhorn prize for Journalism.
EDM 1926 - FREEDOM OF JOURNALISTS AND THE MEDIA IN ISRAEL
Breed, Colin
That this House condemns the actions of the
Israeli security forces with regard to the
Palestinian journalist and joint winner of
the 2008 Martha Gellhorn Prize for Journalism,
Mohammed Omer, who after briefing Members of
Parliament on the situation in the Gaza Strip,
attempted to re-enter the Occupied Territories
via the Allenby Bridge and was interrogated at
the crossing, strip-searched at gunpoint and
beaten for four hours resulting in
hospitalisation after he lost consciousness;
expresses concern that harassment, intimidation
and even killing of journalists has been too
frequent an occurrence, particularly since the
outbreak of the Intifada in 2000; calls on Israel
and all other parties to uphold the freedom of
journalists to report; further calls on the
Israeli government to launch a full independent
inquiry, to compensate Mohammed Omer in full for
his injuries; and urges the Government to raise
this issue with the government of Israel at the
earliest opportunity.
More information: http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?
EDMID=36248&SESSION=891
=======================================
Report and pictures of protests at
“Salute Israel” event in London 29th June
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/06/402208.html
=======================================
You can order goods online via the PSC shop section:
http://tinyurl.com/57egp9
“Visit Palestine” posters and new
T-shirts now available, to view:
http://www.palestinecampaign.org/Index_merchandise
.asp?m_id=1&l1_id=3&l2_id=22
===============================================
New article on the PSC website:
Twilight Zone / 'Worse than apartheid'
By Gideon Levy
http://www.palestinecampaign.org/index7b.asp?
m_id=1&l1_id=4&l2_id=24&Content_ID=136
==========================================
PCHR Weekly Report: On Israeli Human Rights
Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Systematic
Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property
in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT).
3 Palestinians were killed by IOF in the West Bank
and the Gaza Strip and 13 Palestinian civilians,
including 2 children, were wounded by
IOF gunfire in the West Bank.
http://www.palestinecampaign.org/index7b.asp?
m_id=1&l1_id=4&l2_id=24&Content_ID=141
==========================================
Jerusalem the East Side Story
DVD - £12 from the PSC office 02077006192
The film will take you on a journey from 1948 to
the present day exposing Israeli policies
towards the city and its inhabitants. It also
touches on the future of the city since Jerusalem
is the focal point between the two sides.
Without Jerusalem there is no peace for both sides.
“The film explains in bite-size history lessons
how Jerusalem was not only conquered by force,
but also how the State of Israel took distinct
annexation measures to enlarge the city boundaries
in order to block the possibility of a
sustainable Palestinian presence in the city.
Director Mohammed Alatar said that he did not
make the film so that people would like it,
because there is nothing to like in military
occupation; but rather he hopes and prays that
people will wake up to today’s bitter reality
in the historic city of Jerusalem and do what it
takes to bring peace to this troubled city.”
- This Week in Palestine November 2007
www.eastsidestory.ps
Jerusalem…the East Side Story
* * *
UK Tour with Director Mohammed Alatar
Director of the acclaimed documentary “The Iron Wall”
October 2008
The film will take you on a journey from 1948 to
the present day exposing Israeli policies towards
the city and its inhabitants. The documentary
takes you on a journey exposing Israel’s policy
to gain supremacy and hegemony over the city and
its inhabitants. It also touches on the future
of the city: Jerusalem is the key to peace;
without Jerusalem, there is no peace for anyone.
The film includes interviews with Palestinian and
Israeli leaders, human rights activists and political analysts.
www.eastsidestory.ps
List of Screenings still to come:
10th to 12th October
Ireland
Friday 10th October - Liberty Hall, Dublin
Saturday 11th October - Galway
Sunday 12th October - Castlebar, Co. Mayo
For more information please contact the PSC office:
info@palestinecampaign.org
or call 02077006192
*********************************************
Letter from Betty Hunter, General Secretary of
Palestine Solidarity Campaign, in the Guardian:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/jul/08/
israelandthepalestinians.middleeast1
Stan and Joyce Freedman try to legitimise their
situation by rewriting history and geography,
saying "We are in Israel. We are not in the West Bank",
and can do so precisely because the British
government and the rest of the world's leaders
ignore the Israeli government's policies of land
confiscation and ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people.
There may have been nothing in their street
before they came, but that is because the
agricultural land belonging to the Palestinians
had already been destroyed by the bulldozers of
the developers. This state of denial by Israel's
settlers, the colonisers of the late 20th and
early 21st centuries, must be challenged.
Betty Hunter
General secretary,
Palestine Solidarity Campaign
As a response to the following article:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/series/
westbankbarrier
=======================================
Palestinian Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions
National Committee (BNC) calls for suspension
the EU-Israel Association Agreement
To read the full document and to see the list of
supporting organisations, including the Palestine
Solidarity Campaign, please visit the newly
launched website of the Global BDS Movement:
http://www.bdsmovement.net/?q=node/179
On the fourth anniversary of the International
Court of Justice’s ruling that Israel’s Wall is
illegal, the BNC is calling on the EU not to
upgrade its relationship with Israel and to
suspend the EU Association Agreement until Israel
comes into compliance with international law and
Palestinian human rights.
=========================================
BOYCOTT ISRAELI GOODS
BOYCOTT CARMEL-AGREXCO
Summer Fruits Campaign
During the summer Carmel Agrexco import large
quantities of oranges, lemons, Galia melons,
grapefruit, grapes and strawberries into the UK
as well as luxury products like dragonfruit.
Cherry tomatoes and peppers are also imported
in large quantities during July and August.
View more and to download a leaflet:
http://bigcampaign.org/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=
189&cntnt01origid=15&cntnt01dateformat=
%25d%20%25b%20%25Y&cntnt01returnid=72
======================================
OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS
======================================
HANIN PALESTINE CAFE
Palestinian food, crafts, olive oil, couscous, almonds and soap.
St Paul's Church Centre,
Hills Road,
Cambridge
(see website for details of church centre:
http://www.centrestpauls.org.uk/)
Buses stop outside the church
Info: janet.walker3@googlemail.com
*********************************************
Hedy Epstein UK Tour - Until 20th September
Holocaust survivor Hedy Epstein from the USA will
be in the UK on Monday October 6 to Monday October 20 inclusive
for a speaking tour on the theme of Israeli oppression
of the Palestinians and the need for active solidarity.
Wed 8th October EDINBURGH
Thurs 9th October BELFAST
Fri 10th October DUBLIN
Sat 11th October LANCASTER
Sun 12th October SHEFFIELD
Tues 14th October SHREWSBURY
Thurs 16th October BRISTOL
Fri 17th October EXETER
Sat 18th October DORCHESTER
Sun 19th October LIVERPOOL
Mon 20th October LONDON
There may be an admission charge for some of the
above meetings – full details on the Scottish PSC website:
www.scottishpsc.org.uk
=============================================
West Midlands PSC - NAKBA COMEMORATION
SATURDAY 11th OCTOBER 11.30 A.M. TO 4.30 P.M.
Victoria Square, Birmingham.
This year, 2008, is the 60th anniversary of what
the Palestinians refer to as the Nakba (i.e. the
catastrophe) a.k.a. the ethnic cleansing of Palestine.
We are commemorating this event on Saturday
with an event to highlight the situation of
Palestinian refugees and to win support for
their right to return.
We will have a tent with displays of photographs,
maps and cultural items. We will be leafleting
and collecting signatures for a petition. Do come
to see us during the day to talk about Palestine
and discuss how we can pursue an effective campaign
to support the rights of the Palestinian people.
Contact: West Midlands Palestine Solidarity Campaign
pscwm@yahoo.co.uk
============================================
Sheffield Palestine Solidarity Campaign presents:
Palestine: 60 years of Resistance
Saturday 11th October 12.00 – 4pm
Victoria Methodist Church Centre,
Stafford Rd,
Sheffield
Reem Kelani: Arabic Singing workshop
Organised by Sheffield Socialist Choir
Don’t miss the fabulous Reem Kelani imparting
her very special musical skills!
Open to all. Pre-booking essential.
Contact 07913 283 307 for details.
www.socialistchoir.org.uk
=====================
Sunday 12th October - 6pm
Library Theatre
Tudor Square
Sheffield
Public meeting: Ending the siege of Gaza
Come and listen to Hedi Epstein,
member of Free Gaza Movement; and an eye witness
account of the recent “break the siege” voyage
to Gaza from Mushier El Farra.
See: www.sheffieldpsc.org.uk,
www.ypce.org.uk
or email enquiries@sheffieldpsc.org.uk
============================================
The Shooting of Thomas Hurndall - Channel 4
Monday 13th October 9pm
See this link for details of a drama about the
shooting of Tom Hurndall in Gaza in 2004.
http://www.list.co.uk/article/
13375-the-shooting-of-thomas-hurndall/
============================================
Palestinian Exhibition – Bradford
Until 17th October
On 15th October:
an evening of Palestinian culture of music,
poetry and food with Muthanna Al Qadi and friends
The Palestine in Photographs & Poetry exhibition
runs until 17th October in Bradford Cathedral.
More info:
http://www.palestinecampaign.org/index9b.asp?
m_id=1&l1_id=3&l2_id=62&Content_ID=232
============================================
Monday 20th October London
Public Meeting
Hedy Epstein, Holocaust survivor from the USA
speaking on the theme of Israeli oppression of
the Palestinians and the need for active solidarity
and her involvement with the Free Gaza project.
This will be Hedy’s last date on a UK wide tour.
Osama Qashoo, Palestinian Filmmaker and activist,
coordinator of the Free Gaza Campaign, which
this summer launched the boats to break the
Siege imposed by Israel on Gaza.
Chair: Betty Hunter, General Secretary PSC
Monday 20 October 2008 7.30pm
Lambeth Town Hall,
Brixton Hill
SW2 1RW
(left out of Brixton Tube Station, 2 minutes walk)
£5/£3 Conc. suggested donation
Organised by Lambeth and Wandsworth PSC
www.palestinecampaign.org www.freegaza.org
============================================
PALESTINE ALOUD
A cultural celebration in support of Palestine
The Cadogan Hall,
London
22nd October, 7.30 pm
Musicians, writers and actors come together for
a cultural celebration through music and words
in support of Palestine. Classical, jazz, and
Palestinian music from John Williams, John
Etheridge, Reem Kelani and Bruno Heinen on Piano,
and Marwan Abado with Peter Rosmanith. And words:
Victoria Brittain, Julie Christie, Colin Firth,
Kika Markham, Miriam Margolyes, Corin Redgrave
and Juliet Stevenson. that reflect and comment
on Palestinian life today.
The performance will be directed by the acclaimed
actor and director, Samuel West.
2008 is the 60th anniversary of the 'nakba' (the
catastrophe) when thousands of Palestinians were
forced to flee their homes in the wake of the
establishment of the state of Israel and this
concert is dedicated to them.
(All artists are subject to availability)
The Cadogan Hall,
5 Sloane Terrace,
London,
SW1X 9 DQ
Tickets: £40, £35, £25, £20
Tickets are available through the Cadogan Hall box office.
Visit www.cadoganhall.com for details.
=====================================
Screening of Salt of this Sea
London 24 and 27th October
(Milh hadha al-bahr)
A Palestinian-American woman takes the law into
her own hands when she discovers his bank account
has been annulled. Directed by: Annemarie Jacir.
http://www.bfi.org.uk/lff/salt_sea
============================================
OCCUPIED SPACE 2008
31st OCTOBER - 15th NOVEMBER 2008
A.M. Qattan Foundation,
Tower House,
226 Cromwell Road,
London,
SW5 0SN
An exhibition of work by artists from Palestine,
the Arab world and the UK
Including: Craigie Aitchison - Maliheh Afnan -
Nabil Anani - Chant Avedissian - Jake and Dinos
Chapman - Jeremy Deller - Antony Gormley - Maggi
Hambling - John Keane - Laila Shawa and more
An exhibition by artists from Palestine,
the Arab world, China and the UK
Jumana Emil Abboud
Maliheh Afnan
Craigie Aitchison RA
Hani Alqam
Sama Alshaibi
Nabil Anani
Izmat Asad
Rafat Asad
Anisa Ashkar
Chant Avedissian
Candace Bahouth
Tayseer Barakat
Omar Bilbeisi
Rana Bishara
Matthew Corbin Bishop
Jawad Botmeh
Kamal Boullata
Hamza Bounoua
Jake & Dinos
Chapman
Graham Day
Jeremy Deller
The Eltiqa Group, Gaza
Mohammed Fadel
Jane Frere
Samar Ghattas
Alan Gignoux
Antony Gormley
Nicola Gray
Rula Halawani
Maggi Hambling
Shuruq Harb
Mona Hatoum
Khaled Hourani
Bashar Hroub
John Hoyland RA
John Hubbard
Paul Huxley RA
Jawad Ibrahim
Raed Ibrahim
Monther Jawabreh
John Keane
Yazan Khalili
Frank Kiely
Nja Mahdaoui
Jawad Malhi
Sliman Mansour
Abed Alrahman el Mozayyen
Mohammed Nasrallah
Ahmad Nawash
Hosni Radwan
Ianthe Ruthven
Raeda Saadeh
Steve Sabella
Juliet Schubart
Francesca
Shakespeare
Mohammed Shaqdih
Laila Shawa
Mu Shi
Walid Siti
Vera Tamari
Jenny Thompson
Windows From Gaza
Mohanad Yaqoubi
Ye Honxing
Ala Younis
Adnan Zubeidi
The Mosaic Rooms,
A.M. Qattan Foundation,
226 Cromwell Road,
London
SW5 0SN
Opening hours:
Monday - Friday, 11.00 - 7.00;
Saturday, 10.00 - 6.00
Organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign
(PSC) in association with the A.M. Qattan Foundation
Sponsored by The Galilee Foundation,
HBK Investments, Mena Capital and Rana Sadik Younis
All proceeds from sales will go to the artists in Palestine
and to support PSC's campaigns in the UK.
For information, call PSC 0207 700 6192
or the A.M.Qattan Foundation 0207 370 9990
or email art@palestinecampaign.org
or info@uk.qattanfoundation.org
www.occupiedspace.org.uk
www.qattanfoundation.org
www.palestinecampaign.org
Further information is available from PSC:
020 7700 6192
info@palestinecampaign.org
www.palestinecampaign.org
www.occupiedspace.org.uk
==========================================
National Lobby of Parliament for Palestine
Wednesday 26th November 2008
To coincide with the UN International Day of Solidarity
with the Palestinian People on 29th November.
House of Commons,
Parliament,
London
For more information:
info@palestinecampaign.org and www.palestinecampaign.org
A lobby of parliament is being organised by the
Palestine Solidarity Campaign, the Council for
Arab-British Understanding and Jews for Justice
for Palestinians on Wednesday 26th November
to mark the UN international day of solidarity
with the Palestinian people. Previous lobbies of
parliament have attracted a significant level of
support from solidarity organisations, faith groups,
trade unions and other groups. This broad support
is very important in demonstrating to MPs and
the British government the wide range of
organisations calling for peace and justice.
This year the lobby theme will be 'Justice for
Palestinians', and will take place from
2-6pm on Wednesday 26th November.
We will be lobbying MPs on issues including:
ending Israeli occupation; ending the siege on
Gaza; Israeli settlements; Palestinian self-
determination; and the EU-Israel trade agreement
Please could you consider supporting the lobby of
parliament this year? If you require any further
information please don't hesitate to contact
info@palestinecampaign.org or
wattg@caabu.org. Many thanks!
==========================================
PSC’s second Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) workshop
Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd November, at York
The BDS workshop will review progress made on the
BDS action plan developed at the first workshop
on 11th May, and participants will work together
on developing further plans. All members of PSC
are welcome to come and find out how to get involved.
The BDS workshop will follow the branch forum
which will take place from 12 – 3.30 pm.
It will run from 4 – 7 pm on Saturday 22 November
at St Olaves Hall, York, and from 9.30 am to 3.00 pm
on Sunday at Priory Street Centre, York.
If participants require overnight accommodation
this may be provided either with York members
or in the York YHA youth hostel. If you require
accommodation, please let us know.
PSC is asking branches to cover the travel and
accommodation costs for their members. We strongly
encourage each branch to send at least one
representative, so if branches need help with
covering these costs then please contact the PSC office.
It would help us to know in advance who is going
to attend the workshop, so please register with
the PSC office by either emailing psc.admin@palestinecampaign.org
or telephoning 0207 7006192.
==========================================
PALESTINIAN IDENTITY IN DIASPORA –
VOLUNTEERS WANTED
Joanna Long, a student at Queen Mary University
of London and regular PSC volunteer, is looking
for families to participate in her PhD research
into diasporic Palestinian identity. The research
consists of three group interviews and an individual
interview. At least two people from different
generations of the family are needed.
Participants must be over the age of 16 and
identify in some way as Palestinian, regardless
of mixed marriages or growing up outside Palestine.
For more information email j.c.long@qmul.ac.uk
==========================================
Clinicians' study tour of Palestine & Israel
10 Days in November 2008
See the situation on the ground and receive
expert analysis from Palestinians and Israelis
who work for a just and sustainable peace.
Visit 8 hospitals and 2 community-based services
and compare treatment offered to Israelis and
Palestinians. Hear first-hand accounts from
patients and staff on how checkpoints, the wall,
home demolitions and the restriction of supplies
affect their lives and health. Hear about health
in prisons and torture.
Stay in Bethlehem, Gaza and East Jerusalem and
visit the Old City of Jerusalem, Hebron, Nablus
and Ramallah. See the evidence for yourself then
discuss the facts and theories with some of the
best placed and most informed individuals in the
region and in the company of a varied and supportive peer-group.
A humanitarian element to the tour will enable
participants to give seminars and to offer donations.
Participants will also help provide treatment in
selected clinics according to their professional
training. All clinicians are very welcome, but
those with a background in orthopaedics, oncology,
cardiology and paediatrics are particularly encouraged to apply.
Applications will be considered by clinicians
from the UK who have experience in travelling to
Israel and Palestine. A meeting will be held in
London to prepare participants and another will
be held after the return to share thoughts and
to follow up issues.
The tour is being coordinated with Physicians for
Human Rights — Israel, the Israeli Committee
Against House Demolitions, Dove & Dolphin Charity
and the Foundation for Al-Quds Medical School.
For an application form please contact
Experience Travel Tours by phone:
01737 843408
or email:
tours@icahduk.org.
_________________________________________
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC)
aims to raise public awareness about the
occupation of Palestine and the struggle
of the Palestinian people. PSC seek to
bring pressure on both the British and Israeli
governments to bring their policies in line with
international law. PSC is an independent, non-
governmental and non-party political organisation
with members from communities across the UK.
**********************************************
Emergency in Gaza
Why the siege must be lifted – now
+++++++++++++++++++++++
Narratives Under Siege (4):
Ard El Insan Child Nutrition Centre
http://www.pchrgaza.org/files/campaigns/english/
gaza_clouse/Narratives_4.html
+++++++++++++++++++++++
UNICEF: Students return to Gaza schools
still without heat or electricity
http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/
oPt_42766.html
----------------------------------------
SUPPORT LSE STUDENT UNION
Dear friends and supporters
Last week the London School of Economics Student Union
passed a motion on Palestine/Israel by a large majority
at a very well attended meeting.
Having failed to pass a similar motion two weeks earlier
by a slender margin in a very large vote,
they rewrote that motion to exclude the rhetoric
which had generated most opposition,
but maintained most of the substance.
Please find the ful motion below.
Since the motion was passed the Students Union Executive
has been the target of a furious, and often abusive,
torrent of e-mails which has clearly been orchestrated.
As the motion specifically mentions support for PSC and BRICUP
it would be extremely helpful if all members and supporters
contact the students and express congratulations on their stand.
While the whole motion has attracted hostility,
vitriol has been particularly focused
on the call for support for divestment.
Please send messages of support to
Su.Gensec@lse.ac.uk
and copy them to
su.soc.palestine@lse.ac.uk
At the same time Howard Davies the director of LSE
is receiving messages asking him to condemn the students
and to refuse to take any action the students are requesting.
Messages of support for the students therefore
also need to be sent to
h.davies@lse.ac.uk
Could you also copy any messages to
info@palestinecampaign.org and
supporters@bricup.org.uk
We are seeking support from both UK based supporters
and those based in other countries.
Could you also try to get any sympathetic colleagues
and your trade union branch or organizations
to which you are affiliated to write as well.
Many thanks for you support.
PSC
==============================
Union believes:
1. Any government that gives, as Israel does,
one group of people it governs
rights over another based on race, religion,
ethnicity, or nationality is morally