Tag: Action Alert

Take action against suppression of Palestinian non-violent resistance in Bil’in

Bil'in demonstrates against ongoing night raids and arrests.
Bil'in demonstrates against ongoing night raids and arrests.

3 August 2009

At around 3am on Monday morning, a large military force wearing combat paint and masks invaded the West Bank village of Bil’in. Israeli soldiers raided several homes, arresting 2 Palestinian children, 5 Palestinian adults including Mohammad Khatib of the Bil’in Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements. The home of another member of the Popular Committee was raided, but soldiers could not arrest him because he was not present at home.

Also arrested were the three brothers Khaled Shawkat Abd-Alrazic al-Khateeb (age 23), Mustafa Shawkat Abd-Alrazic al-Khateeb (age18), and Mohammed Show gut Abd-Alrazic al-Khateeb (age 16); Abdullah Ahmad Yassen (age 18); Abdullah Mohammed Ali Yassen (age 16); Issa Mahmoud Issa Abu Rahma (age 40); This brings to 19 the number of Biliner’s currently in custody.

Monday’s raid is another in a series of many that Israeli forces have carried out in Bil’in since June 29 June 2009, Israeli forces have arrested 25 people (most are under 18). Israeli forces have been using interrogation techniques to pressure the arrested youth to give statements against Bil’in community leaders.

Abdullah Abu Rahme, coordinator of the popular committee stated, “Mohmmad Khatib and Adib Abu Rahme along with other leaders of the Palestinian popular struggle are being targeted because the mobilize Palestinians to resist non- violently. The fact is that the Apartheid Wall and the settlements built on Palestinian land are illegal under international law, in the case of our village even the biased Israeli court declared the route illegal. Yet Israel is prosecuting us as criminals because we struggle nonviolently for our freedom.”

What you can do?

Attempts to criminalize the leadership of non-violent protests where curbed in the past with the help of an outpouring of support from people committed to justice from all over the world.

Mohammad Khatib on a speaking tour in Montreal
Mohammad Khatib on a speaking tour in Montreal

1. Many of you have met Mohammad Khatib and perhaps one of the others mentioned above. We need you now to personally testify about your knowledge of them and their commitment to non-violence. Write a letter to the Israeli military judge and please send to bilinlegal@gmail.com.

2. Please Protest by contacting your political representatives, as well as you consuls and ambassadors to Israel to demand the release of Mohammad Khatib, Adib Abu Rahme and all Bil’in prisoners.

3. The Popular committee of Bil’in is in desperate need for legal funds in order to pay legal fees and Bail. Please donate to the Bil’in legal fund by paypal click http://tinyurl.com/lcr6rg . If you would like to make a tax deductible donation in the US or Canada contact: bilinlegal@gmail.com.

The Bil’in Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements

Background:

The Palestinian village of Bil’in has become an international symbol of the Palestinian popular struggle. For almost 5 years, its residents have been continuously struggling against the de facto annexation of more then 50% of their farmlands the construction of the apartheid wall on it. In a celebrated decision, the Israeli Supreme court ruled on the 4 September 2007 that the current route of the wall in Bil’in was illegal and needs to be dismantled; the ruling however has not been implemented. The struggle of the village to liberate its lands and stop the illegal settlements has been internationally recognized and has earned the popular committee in Bil’in the Carl von Ossietzky Meda. http://tinyurl.com/nfmsvm

On 21 July 2009, a military judge decided to hold Adeeb Abu Rahma, a leading non-violent activist that was arrested from a demonstration against the barrier that took place in Bil’in village on 10 of July (see video at: https://palsolidarity.org/2009/07/7652), until the end of proceedings against him. This could mean months or a year in military prison for Adeeb, who is being charged with incitement to violence and rioting. He is the sole provider for his family of 9 children, wife and mother.

One demonstrator, Basem Abu Rahma, was killed at a demonstration as he was attempting to speak with the soldiers. (Video can be seen on https://palsolidarity.org/2009/04/6185)

IMORB: End the siege on Gaza, open the Rafah border

Dear friends,

Please take a few minutes on Monday to call the Egyptian embassy in your country to demand the Rafah border be opened!

Since June 13, when International Movement to Open the Rafah Border members set their sit-in at the Rafah Gate, we witnessed the Egyptian authorities’ collaboration in the Gaza siege enforced by the Israeli government with the US an international community support.

Even after the Viva Palestina folks and some aid got into Gaza, the plight of the people waiting to get out or into Gaza has not changed,

Please call the Egyptian embassy Monday, July 20. Please spread this call far and wide. It will make a difference to so many Palestinians, And for those who can, come and join us at the Rafah Gate. Come and witness these tragedies at the border.

Below details of Egyptian embassies in 40 countries

Ambassade d’Egypte à Alger, Algérie
Tél: (213) 21 69 16 73
Fax: (213) 21 69 29 52

Egyptian Consulate in Sydney, Australia
Phone: (61 2) 9281-4844
Fax: (61 2) 9281-4344
Web Site: http://www.egypt.org.au
Email: consular@egypt.org.au,visa@egypt.org.au
Office Hours: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Open to public: 9:30 am – 2:00 pm

Egyptian Embassy in Canberra, Australia
Phone: (00612) 6273 4437 – 6273 4438
Fax: (00612) 6273 4279
Email: egyembassy@bigpond.com
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 9.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m.

Egyptian Consulate in Melbourne, Australia
Phone: (00613) 9654 8869
Fax: (00613) 9654 8634
Office Hours: Monday-Friday: 9.00 a.m. – 3.00 p.m.

Ambassade d’Egypte à Bruxelles, Belgique
Tél : (02) 663.5800
Fax : (02) 675.5888

Egyptian Embassy in Brasilia, Brazil
Phone: +55.61.3323.8800
Fax: +55.61.3323.1039
Email: embegito@opengate.com.br, eg.emb_brasilia@mfa.gov.eg
Office Hours: Mo Fr: 9:00 17:00

Egyptian Embassy in Ottawa, Canada
Phone: (613)234-4931, (613)234-4935
Fax: (613)234-4398
Email: egyptemb@sympatico.ca
Office Hours: Monday to Friday from 9 am to 4 pm.

Egyptian Embassy in Beijing, China
Phone: (8610) 6532 1825
Fax: (8610) 6532 5365
Email: eg_emb_bj@yahoo.com

Egyptian Embassy in Nicosia, Cyprus
Phone: 00357 22449050/1
Fax: 00357 22449081
Email: info@egyptianembassy.org.cy

Egyptian Embassy in Prague, Czech Republic
Phone: +420 224 311 506
Fax: +420 224 311 157
Email: embassyegypt@centrum.cz
Office Hours: Monday through Friday from 09.00 to 16.00

Sr. Embajador de la República Árabe de Egipto en Madrid, España
TEL: (0034) 915776308 – 915776309 – 915776310
FAX: (00.34) 915781732
egyptemb@teleline.es, embegipto.alicia@gmail.com

Ambassade d’Egypte à Paris, France
Tel : 01 53678830-32
Fax: 01 47230643

Consulat d’Egypte à Marseille, France
Tel : 04 91 25 04 04
Fax: 04 91 73 79 31

Consulat d’Egypte à Paris, France
Tel : 0145009989 – 0145007427 – 0145007710
Fax: 0145003528
Email: Paris_Con@mfa.gov.eg

Egyptian Embassy in Berlin, Germany
Phone: 030 477 54 70
Fax: 030 477 10 49
Web Site: http://www.egyptian-embassy.de/
Email: Embassy@egyptian-embassy.de

Egyptian Consulate in Hamburg, Germany
Phone: 0049 – 40-413326 0
Fax: 0049 – 40-413326 19
Email: gen-kons-et-hh@gmx.de, eg.con_hamburg@mfa.gov.eg
Office Hours: Application: Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 12:00

Egyptian Embassy in Athens, Greece
Phone: 210 36 18 612 13
Fax: 210 36 03 538
Email: emb.egypt@yahoo.gr, eg.emb_athens@mfa.gov.eg

Egyptian Embassy in Budapest, Hungary
Phone: (+361) 225-2150
Fax: (+361) 225-8596
Email: egyemb@pronet.hu, eg.emb_budapest@mfa.gov.eg
Office Hours: Mo Fr: 9:00 17:00

Egyptian Embassy in New Delhi, India
Phone: 26114096/7
Fax: 26885355
Email: egyptdel@spectranet.com
Office Hours: Monday till Friday 9am till 4 pm

Egyptian Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia
Phone: (+6221) 3143440, 31935350, 31931141
Fax: (+6221) 3145073
Email: egypt@indosat.net.id
Office Hours: Office hours: 8:30 am 4:00 pm

Egyptian Embassy in Dublin, Ireland
Phone: +353-1-6606718
Fax: +353-1-6683745
Email: info@embegyptireland.ie

Egyptian Embassy in Roma, Italy
Phone: +39-6-8440192 – +39-6-8440191
Fax: +39-6-8554424
Email: amb.egi@pronet.it

Egypt Consulate General , Milano, Italy
Phone: +39-2-9516360 – +39-2-9526482
Fax: +39-2-9518194

Egyptian Embassy in Tokyo, Japan
Phone: 03-3770-8022(3)
Fax: 03-3770-8021
Web Site: http://www.embassy-avenue.jp/egypt/
Email: egyptemb@mc.kcom.ne.jp

Egyptian Embassy in Amman, Jordan
Phone: 5605175 / 5605176 / 5605202 /5605203
Fax: 5604082
Email: egypt@tedata.net.jo, embegypt@tedata.net.jo
Office Hours: Sunday to Thursday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m

Egyptian Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya
Phone: 3870298-3870278-3870360
Fax: 3870383
Email: egypt@wananchi.com
Office Hours: Embassy Working Hours: From 09:00 till 16:30

Egyptian Embassy in Benghazi, Libya
Phone: 00218612232522
Fax: 00218612232523
Email: Egyptian_Consulate_Ben@yahoo.com
Office Hours: Working Hours Daily from 8:30 am till 3:00 pm

Ambassade d’Egypte à Rabat, Maroc
Tél: (212) 37 73 18 33
Fax: (212) 37 70 68 21

Ambassade d’Egypte en Mauritanie
Tél: (222) 25 21 92

Egyptian Embassy in The Hague, Netherlands
Phone: +31 (0) 70-354 20 00, +31 (0) 70-354 45 35
Fax: +31 (0) 70-354 33 04
Office Hours: From 8.30 a.m. To 15.30 p.m.

Egyptian Embassy in Oslo, Norway
Phone: +47 22 44 77 67 or +47 23 08 42 00
Fax: +47 22 56 22 68
Web Site: http://www.egypt-embassy.no/
Email: Counsellor@egypt-embassy.no
Office Hours: 09.00-15.00

Egyptian Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan
Phone: +92 (51) 2209072 or 2209082
Fax: (+92) 51 2279552
Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 10:00am to 12:00 pm

Egyptian Embassy in Lisbon, Portugal
Phone: +351-1-213018301
Fax: +351-213017909
Email: egiptembassy@ip.pt

Egyptian Embassy in Bucharest, Romania
Phone: (4021) 2110938 – 2110939
Fax: (4021) 2100337
Email: Embassyofegypt@gmail.com
Office Hours: The Chancellery Monday to Friday; from 0900 to 1700

Egyptian Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Phone: 009661)4810159 – 4831275
4810427 – 4831367 – 4810464
Fax: (009661)4810463
Web Site: http://www.mfa.gov.eg/missions/ksa/riyadh/embassy/en-gb/
Email: Riyadh_emb@mfa.gov.eg

Egyptian Embassy in Singapore, Singapore
Phone: (+65) 67371587 / (+65) 67371811
Fax: (+65) 67323422
Email: eg.emb_singapore@mfa.gov.eg
Office Hours: Mon – Fri: 9.00 am – 3.00 pm

Egyptian Embassy in Seoul, South Korea
Phone: 00 822/ 749-0787, 749-0788, 749-0789
Fax: 00 822/ 795-2588
Email: embassyegyptkorea@yahoo.com

Egyptian Embassy in Stockholm, Sweden
Phone: (46 8) 662 9687 or 662 9603 or 660 3145
Fax: (46 8) 661 2664

Egyptian Embassy in Bern, Switzerland
Phone: 031 352 80 12 / 13
Fax: 031 352 06 25
Office Hours: Opening hours: Monday Friday 09.00 14.00

Egyptian Consulate in Geneva, Switzerland
Phone: 022 347 62 55
Fax: 022 346 05 71
Office Hours: 09.00 15.00

Ambassade d’Egypte en Tunisie
Tél: +216 71 792 233 / 841 192
Fax: +216 71 794 389

Egyptian Embassy in Ankara, Turkey
Phone: 09003124261026 / 00903124682240 / 00903124266132
Fax: 0090312- 4270099
Email: egyembassyankara@yahoo.com, eg.emb_ankara@mfa.gov.eg
Office Hours: Working Hours of the embassy:- 9 am -4 pm

Egyptian Embassy in Kiev, Ukraine
Phone: 272-13-27 / 486-65-30
Fax: 4869428
Email: eg.emb_kiev@mfa.gov.eg

Egyptian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Phone: 4445656 4445566
Fax: 4449878
Office Hours: 9 am till 4 pm.

Egyptian Consulate in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Phone: 3971122
Fax: 2971033

Egyptian Embassy in London, United Kingdom
Phone: 020 7235 9777
Fax: 020 7235 6562
Email: info@egyptianconsulate.co.uk

Egyptian Consulate in London, United Kingdom
Phone: 020 7235 9777
Fax: 09065 540 833
Email: consulate.london@mfa.gov.eg
Office Hours: Opening Hours: Monday-

Egyptian Embassy in Washington D.C., United States
Phone: (+1) (202) 8955400
Fax: (+1) (202) 2444319
Email: embassy@egyptembdc.org

Egyptian Consulate in Chicago, United States
Phone: (312) 828-9162-3-4
Fax: (312) 828-9167
Email: egyptianembassy@cantv.com.ve
Office Hours: 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Egyptian Consulate in Houston, United States
Phone: (713)961 4915 (713)9614916 (713)9614407
Fax: (713) 9613868
Office Hours: = From 9:00 AM Till 3:00 PM

Egyptian Consulate in New York, United States
Phone: +212-759-7120/1/2
Fax: +1212-308-7643
Web Site: http://www.egyptnyc.net/
Email: info@egyptnyc.net

Egyptian Embassy in Caracas, Venezuela
Phone: 0058212 9926259
Fax: 0058212 9931555
Email: egyptianembassy@cantv.com.ve
Office Hours: From 9 am till 3:30 pm

In solidarity,
International Movement to Open Rafah Border

Viva Palestine convoy updates

14 July 2009

2 pm
the final negotiations are still underway at the moment; it looks like we may have an extension of the stay beyond 24 hours (all those protests in the US have paid off); all of our aid is permitted to enter, but not the vehicles (unless there’s a miraculous breakthrough in the next hour or so) save for a few ambulances. Many of us were forced to spend precious time (about 5 hours) at the US embassy this morning signing affidavits; this is the text of the affidavit:

“I have read and understand the travel warming issued by US Dept. of State relating to travel to the Gaza Strip;
I assume the risk for myself and I understand the Embassy does not recommend my travel to the Gaza Strip;
I also understand that the Embassy cannot provide me with consular services in the Gaza Strip”
our tax dollars at work!!
Viva Palestina!!

4pm
It looks like we will only have 24 hours after all; the Egyptian authorities have been very obstinate. We will hopefully enter Gaza tomorrow morning (best case scenario) or Thursday morning. All the supplies will come with us, but not the vehicles (except for two ambulances). There are three young French men from Paris with us.
Happy Bastille Day!
Viva Palestina! liberté, fraternité, égalité!!

Our friends at the Rafah border are waiting them.
See also a video made with pics tahen at the Rafah border since 1 month:

Campaign to release Palestinian activist arrested in Bil’in

14 July 2009

Adeeb Abu Rahme, a leading Palestinian non-violent peace activist was arrested in the weekly Bil’in demonstration against the Apartheid Wall (see the video, Adeeb is the protester in the orange shirt with the mega-phone). The Israeli military is charging Adeeb with “incitement to violence,” a charge that could bring a serious jail term. This charge is the culmination of a new attempt to “break” the non-violent resistance in Palestine by targeting the leaders of the non-violent protests.

Adeeb is currently in detention and will be taken in front of a military judge on Thursday, 16 July 2009. The military prosecutor intends to request for Adeeb to remain in detention until the end of the proceedings against him. This could mean months or a year in military prison for Adeeb, who is the sole provider for his family of 9 children, wife and mother.

Adeeb Abu Rahme at a Bil'in demonstration
Adeeb Abu Rahme (in grey) at a Bil'in demonstration

In the past five years, many attempts have been made by the to break the spirit of the Bil’in protests. Every new commander in Bil’in has promised to break the resistance, using new weapons and increasing the level of violence against unarmed demonstrators. But the spirit and resilience of Bil’in residents and their supporters cannot be broken; every Friday they continue to march and chant against the theft of Palestinian land and the systemic violence of the Occupation.

In the past month, Israeli forces have attacked Bil’in and other villages with renewed vigor, raiding homes in the early hours of the morning to seize suspected demonstrators. Mostly children under the age of 18, they are interrogated and pressured to ‘confess’ that they throw stones at the instructions of the village leaders. The truth remains that village leaders discourage stone throwing and recognize that it is used as a tool by the Occupation to falsely accuse the demonstrations of instigating violence. The Bil’in Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements requested the presence of Israeli and international solidarity activists to document and discourage the night raids.

Anyone of the thousands who have marched with Adeeb can testify that despite provocation and serious attacks on his person, he has never responded violently. Attempts to criminalize the leadership of non-violent protests where curbed in the past with the help of an outpouring of support from people committed to justice from all over the world. We need you now to testify to Adeeb’s commitment to non-violence and to hold the Israeli military accountable for trying to destroy the resistance.

Please email your letter to palestinesolidarity@gmail.com

SAMPLE LETTER:

To whom it may concern,

I was disturbed to learn that Mr. Adeeb Abu Rahme, a leader in his village and participant in the non-violent demonstrations that take place in Bil’in every Friday, was arrested for peacefully demonstrating against Israel’s separation fence on July 10th, 2009 and is still being held in prison. Over the past five years Mr. Rahme and the leaders in Bil’in village have displayed an unshakable commitment to non-violence and dignified action.

Mr. Rahme in particular is well known for his commitment to the struggle for peace through non-violent means and for his willingness to work in partnership with Israelis. He is a respected member of the community. I am impressed with his honesty and commitment to non-violence. My understanding of Israeli law is that the right to demonstrate peacefully is protected. Mr. Rahme should be commended and not punished for his efforts.

I hope and trust that Mr. Rahme will be allowed to return to his family, including his 9 children, wife and mother for whom he is the sole supporter, and community without further delay and that his name be cleared of all accusations.

Sincerely,

Action Alert: protests in front of Israeli embassies tomorrow

2 July 2009

For Immediate Release

London, 2 July, (ECESG) – The European campaign to end the siege on Gaza (ECESG) called today for international human rights organizations and lobbying groups to organize large protests in front of Israeli embassies across Europe in solidarity with activists of Free Gaza Movement. Activists onboard of the humanitarian boat were kidnapped by Israeli naval forces while they were sailing in a peaceful mission to end the siege.

The call aims at creating factual movements on the ground to release “the spirit of humanity” activists. Additionally, head of ECESG, Dr. Arafat Madi contacted EU officials and MPs to urge on moving to release the activists immediately.

British Baroness, Jenny Tonge, expressed her deep anger and concerns towards the Israeli doing. She said that, “I shall take up the matter with the Foreign office.”

Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has described the Israeli government’s decision to board and hijack a peace boat on route to Gaza carrying medical aid as contemptible, adding; “The piracy of the Israeli Navy in boarding the boat in international waters and towing it towards Israel this is yet another astounding example of just how beyond reproach this administration believes it is.”

The boat was boarded by highly-profiled people like Mairead Maguire, winner of a Noble Peace Prize and a former U.S. congressperson, Cynthia McKinney. The vessel was forcibly taken to one of the Israeli seaports under direct threats from naval boats.

Maguire, winner of a Noble Peace Prize was taken against her will and isolated from the rest of the team. The Israeli army cared about neither her old age nor her position. Two activists were released only while the rest are in Israeli detention of Ramallah. The exemplary punishment against the activists is a small glimpse of what’s happening to 12 thousand Palestinians in Israeli jails.

ECESG is organizing a number of protests in various European countries to call on releasing the kidnapped peace activists.

Actions’ Timetable

Israeli Embassy in Roma, Italy

Location: Via Michele Mercati, 14

In front of the Israeli embassy

3rd of July 2009

12:30 pm

Embassy of Israel in Copenhagen, Denmark

Lundevangsvej 4

2900 Hellerup

12:30 pm

Israel Embassy, Sweden

Torstenssonsgatan 4

Stockholm

Sweden

12:30 pm

Embassy of Israel

Chancellery

Alpenstrasse 32

P.O.Box

3006 Bern

12:30 pm

Israeli Embassy in The Hague, Netherlands

Embassy of Israel in The Hague, Netherlands

Ambassade van Israel

Buitenhof 47

2513 AH Den Haag

12:30 pm