Tag: BDS

PNGO: Palestinian Delegation Withdraws from Madrid Just Peace Forum

For immediate release

13 December 2007

Protesting Serious Violations

The Palestinian civil society delegation to the Forum for a Just Peace in the Middle East, planned for December 14 to 16 in Madrid, has decided not to participate in the Forum due to serious last-minute violations. Coordinators of the delegation, which was to be led by the Palestinian NGO Network (PNGO), learned last night that due to unprecedented pressure from the Israeli establishment, a substantial Israeli delegation (different from the progressive civil society Israeli delegation led by the Alternative Information Center, AIC, scheduled to participate in the Forum) was undemocratically and underhandedly “invited” to participate in the Forum without endorsing the Forum’s Reference Document [1]. This is not only a significant breach of the key rule of participation; it is a contravention of the express will of the overwhelming majority of the International Committee, the decision-making steering committee of the conference.

The International Committee, which includes representatives of PNGO, AIC, and other key Arab and international civil society networks, decided as far back as July that any group that wishes to take part in the Forum must first endorse the Reference Document as a necessary condition of participation. This Reference Document articulates the consensus principles agreed upon by the diverse international groups organizing the Forum, and projects an alternative vision for justice and peace based on international law and universal human rights. We, and virtually all of our partners, view the violation of this basic criterion as an undemocratic, unprofessional and utterly unacceptable attempt by some to impose governmental will on a distinguished civil society initiative. Protesting this infringement of democratic principles and recognizing that it effectively opens the door to the possibility of imposing an agenda at odds with the Forum’s vision, several of our local and international partners have also decided to withdraw. These include the Israeli delegation led by AIC, the Occupied Syrian Golan-Heights delegation, as well as many Arab and international figures and institutions.

We are deeply disappointed, saddened and surprised by this not-so-innocently-timed turn of events. We sincerely regret that an otherwise truly inspiring and democratically-organized initiative advocating peace based on justice and solidarity between nations has been hijacked by outside groups that, after failing to influence the progressive and visionary political platform of the Forum, resorted to an undemocratic coup to impose their will. Their political agenda essentially contradicts the basic principle that only peace built on justice, international law and human rights, as outlined in the Forum’s Reference Document, can be viable, equitable and sustainable.

We deeply appreciate the Spanish civil society organizations’ noble and untiring efforts in organizing this Forum in the most professional, progressive and inclusive way. They are our partners for the long haul in the struggle against the forces of occupation, racism and imperial hegemony. We share with them our aspirations for a just peace.

[1] http://www.foroporlapaz.org/upload/documentos/D0005-07_Reference_doc_FINAL_EN.pdf

AATW: Anti-Leviev protest at Tel Aviv Critical Mass

On December 8, Israeli activists held a critical mass protest against Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory, and against capitalism. About 50 bicycle-riding activists rode to the David Intercontinental hotel where the Israel business conference was taking place. One of the sponsors of the event was Africa-Israel, a vast holding company controlled by Israeli diamond and settlement mogul, Lev Leviev, whose jewelry boutique in New York City was the target of a protest by 60 people the same day. The New York protest was called by Adalah-NY, which is leading a campaign to boycott Leviev’s businesses because he builds settlements and abuses marginalized communities in other parts of the world. Activists in Tel Aviv held aloft signs that read in English, “Africa-Israel & Lev Lebaiev Build on Robbed Lands,” and “Lev Lebaiev & Africa-Israel: Land Theft Incorporated.”

Robbed Lands 2
Land theft inc

The riders never made it to their destination. When they arrived at Yarkon, they were met by police who announced they would arrest the activists if they didn’t move to the sidewalk. A minute later, the police began pushing riders over with their vehicles, and on foot. The police cursed at and hit the protestors, continuing even after six arrests, including a photographer. This abuse continued on the way to the police station.

The photographer was released later that night, and the other arrestees were scheduled to appear before an Israeli judge on the morning of December 9.

December 8 in Tel Aviv: Six Arrested at Critical Mass
https://israel.indymedia.org/newswire/display/8107/index.php

December 8: Protesting Leviev in New York City
http://nyc.indymedia.org/en/2007/12/93360.html
By Israeli activists http://www.awalls.org

CAIA: Protesting the JNF: Community Groups Oppose Fundraising for Illegal “Canada Park”

On December 2nd, two hundred people from a host of community organizations braved the first snowstorm of the winter to protest the Jewish National Fund (JNF) annual Negev Dinner held at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Toronto. This year’s JNF dinner aimed to raise 7 million dollars for the refurbishment of the illegal “Canada Park”. Protesters denounced fund raising for the park, which is built on the destroyed Palestinian villages of Beit Nuba, Yallu and Imwas seized and destroyed by the Israeli military in 1967. The 10,000 Palestinian residents of these villages were expelled and have been denied the right to return to their homes for the past 40-years. In 1973, the Canadian branch of the JNF raised $15-million to establish “Canada Park” as a ‘picnic area’ build on top of the destroyed Palestinian villages.

Protesters welcomed dinner guests with powerful chants denouncing Israeli Apartheid and large pictures of the
destroyed villages that “Canada Park” has replaced. Representatives of community organizations spoke against
fund raising for Israeli Apartheid. Reena Katz from the Jewish Women’s Committee to End the Occupation (JWCEO) argued that “it is unconscionable for the JNF of Canada to continue to fund raise for such a monument to ethnic cleansing and racism.” Samir Jabour, speaking on behalf of Palestine House, added “it is shameful that the JNF enjoys charitable status in Canada and that such outrages are subsidized by taxpayers – we are here to demand that the Canadian state revoke the charitable status of the JNF.”

Khaled Mouamar, president of the Canadian Arab Federation stressed in his speech to the crowd that “according to the Fourth Geneva Convention, the forcible displacement of people and destruction of property belonging to those under occupation are war-crimes. Despite this the JNF of Canada continues with business-as-usual, receiving Canadian government support.” The JNF has obtained charitable status in Canada by posing as an environmentalist organization, which means that the Canadian government reimburses a portion of donations made to the JNF.

The reality is that the JNF is one of the key instruments of Israeli Apartheid. The zionist movement has always
aimed to take control of as much Palestinian land and as few indigenous Palestinians as possible. The JNF was
established in 1901 to acquire Palestinian land that would be for Jewish use only. In 1948, the JNF had control of less than 7% of the land. In that year the state of Israel was created by ethnically cleansing about 85% of the Palestinians from their homes and lands. Much of the land that belongs to Palestinian refugees was deemed
‘absentee property’ and tranferred to the JNF. The rest of the stolen land was trasferred to the Israel Land
Authority (ILA). Half of the board members of the ILA are appointed by the JNF. The JNF plants trees, (as Israel continues to uproot Palestinian olive groves), in order to hide the remains of over 500 Palestinian villages destroyed in and since the Nakba (catastrophe) of 1948.

Significanlty, board members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees in Ontario were present at the picket,
including CUPE Ontario President Sid Ryan. This is consistent with CUPE Ontario’s Resolution 50 , adopted
democratically at the union convention, to educate membership about the apartheid-like policies of the
Israeli state and to support the boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign.

Another inspiring moment of the evening, that points to the growing movement against Israeli Apartheid, was the announcement of the new group: Highschools Against Israeli Apartheid (HAIA). Highschool students were present at the protest carrying beautiful banners with Naji al Ali’s famous Handala to signify that the JNF will not get away with the theft of refugee property.

The protest was organized by a broad coalition of community groups including Palestine House, Canadian Arab
Federation, Jewish Women’s Committee to End the Occupation (JWCEO), Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid (CAIA), Students Against Israeli Apartheid (SAIA), Not in Our Name – Jewish Voices Against Israel’s Wars (NION), Yosher-Jewish Social Justice Network, No One is Illegal, Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP), Labour for Palestine, New Socialist Group, Toronto Coalition to Stop the War, Alliance of Concerned Jewish Canadians (ACJC) and Educators for Peace and Justice (EPJ).

Organizing groups will continue the campaign to strip the JNF of its charitable status in Canada. To help with these efforts contact the committee at endapartheid@riseup.net

ANOTHER VOICE: CALL FOR BOYCOTT ON INTIFADA ANNIVERSARY

ANOTHER VOICE

December 8, 2007

For Immediate Release

On December 9th, 2007, the twentieth anniversary of the first intifada, we call for a general boycott of Israeli products.

Israel’s income from Palestine is estimated at 3 billion dollars annually. When anyone purchases Israeli products, they are funding the occupation of our land. They are funding bullets, weapons, tanks, and fighter planes which are being used to kill our family and countrymen. They are funding bulldozers to uproot the trees of our ancestors and demolish our relatives’ homes. The soldiers manning the checkpoints are kept warm in the winter and cool in the summer, and well fed year round, with every purchase of an Israeli product.

Israel has a stranglehold over our economy which allows it to punish us whenever it wants by cutting off our access to essentials, as they are doing to our brothers and sisters in the Gaza Strip. Yet, despite the overwhelming odds, we must continue to resist and take action.

Boycotting during the first intifada was an essential component in the collective effort to end the occupation. People tried not to buy Israeli products but, instead, to contribute to the development of a national economy. Cooperatives sprung up to cover the shortages created by the boycott of Israeli products. People reclaimed lots and planted them, raised livestock, looked locally within their communities for alternatives to raw Israeli materials. This was part of civil disobedience against the civil administration, directed by local popular committees together with the political direction formulated by the Unified National Leadership.

Our call for a day of boycott is in remembrance of what once was, and what could resume today. We are all children and parents of the intifada. Every single one of us has a role to play in the struggle for our freedom. So, to commemorate the spark that awoke the world to our plight; to recall the spirit of our collective resistance; and to affirm the power that people have to make change, we call on everyone to refrain from buying any Israeli products on December 9th.

Resist! Boycott! We Are Intifada!

For more information, contact:

Huwaida Arraf: 0599-130-426

Saleh Hijazi: 0599-776-894

Web: www.anothervoice-palestine.org

E-mail: info@anothervoice-palestine.org

Another Voice: RAISE YOUR VOICE PALESTINE!

ANOTHER VOICE
October 28, 2007
For Immediate Release

*** C O N C E R T ***

RAISE YOUR VOICE PALESTINE!

[RAMALLAH] Palestinian grassroots activists and organizations will hold a free outdoor concert on Wednesday, October 31, calling for a just peace based on respect for human rights and international law. The concert will bring Palestinian folklore together with rap, and poetry together with politics, as Palestinians raise their voices for freedom, justice and unity. Artists who are contributing their talents to this event include Reem Talhami, Jamil Al-Sayeh, DAM, Boikutt (Ramallah Underground), the Al Awda Dabkeh Troupe, Yalalan and more. In addition, words from the Bishop Attallah Hanna, the Refugee Right to Return Coalition, the Bil’in Popular Committee, and the Boycott, Sanctions, and Divestment Campaign.

Two weeks ago the U.S.-based group OneVoice was forced to cancel planned simultaneous concerts in Jericho and Tel Aviv after a widespread Palestinian campaign to boycott the event because of the group’s problematic pillars and deceptive operations. Since they were forced to cancel, OneVoice has been attempting to discredit Palestinian voices, labeling as “extremists” those who criticize OneVoice’s platform for negotiations, a platform that equates the occupier with the occupied and completely neglects the framework of international law.

On Wednesday, October 31, Palestinian voices will come together to declare that our basic rights will not be compromised. We will not accept normalization while Israel continues to arrest our sons and daughters, steal our land and water resources, build settlements, construct the wall, demolish our homes, and push us into smaller and smaller cantons. Any negotiations and peace efforts must be premised on equality, respect for human rights, and the implementation of international law. Peace, not Apartheid!

The concert will start at 5:00 p.m. at the Orthodox Club

For more information, please contact:

Huwaida Arraf: +972-547-473-308 / +970-599-130-426
Natasha Aruri: +970-599-794-761
http://www.anothervoice-palestine.org
info@anothervoice-palestine.org