Palestine Solidarity

PSC Update: Livni protest and BDS success

2011-10-05T13:35:00.000-07:00

In this week's update:

National Lobby of Parliament Ask your MP for a meeting on our National lobby day Use our e-tool to write to your MP and ask them for a meeting between 2pm and 6pm on Wednesday 23rd November. Click here for more >>

Sheikh Raed Salah won the right to compensation when his arrest and detention had been found to be unlawful.

Fire fighters are delivering life saving equipment to Palestine, driving from Dundee to Nablus >>
Events
Join us in Trafalgar Square in the Palestine area this Saturday 8th October at the 'Anti-War Mass Assembly 10 Years On' in London >>

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Thursday 6 October Jerusalem under Threat - Public Meeting with Rev Dr Stephen Sizer, Dr Daud Abdullah (MEMO) & Arthur Goodman from (Jews for Justice for Palestinians), Hammersmith

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Tuesday 11 October The Negev Bedouin Story with Speaker Dr Awad Abu-Freih - In Oxford

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Saturday 15 October Gazawood - Day of Films for Palestine in Southampton

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Monday 17 October Queer politics and the Palestinian struggle: Ten years of activism - The Tom Hurndall Memorial Lecture in Manchester

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Saturday 29 October: PSC trade union conference – Don’t buy into the Israeli Occupation - for trade union representatives

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Early call!
12th-29th November: Poetic Injustice – Remi Kanazi UK Tour

For more information and events click here>>

Protest about Tzipi Livni visiting the UK
Tzipi Livni – who faced an arrest warrant in the UK in 2009 over war crimes committed during Operation Cast Lead – is coming to London. She feels that she can do so now because our Government – with the support of the Opposition party – has just changed the law on universal jurisdiction. For a brief commentary on the issues read here.

Come and protest against her visit and call for an arrest warrant to be issued against her.

5pm, this Thursday, 6th October
Outside Downing Street

Labour Party Conference
PSC, Unite and Thompsons Solicitors held a highly successful fringe meeting where Andy Slaughter MP, Karma Nabulsi, Hugh Lanning and many others called on delegates to ‘Unite for Palestine.’ Hundreds of visitors to the PSC stand also signed our pledge for Jerusalem. To sign the pledge for Jerusalem click here>>
Delegates in the audience at our Labour Party Conference fringe event

BDS action: boycott, disinvestment & sanctions
More than 200 students, professors and lecturers across Sweden have signed on to a growing academic boycott call demanding that Swedish universities do not participate in any academic cooperation with Israeli educational institutions. They also called on the Swedish government to “act [towards] the cessation of the [European Union’s] research support to Israel.”

PSC Newsletter 30 September 2011

2011-10-01T03:40:00.001-07:00

In this week's update

Forcible relocation of Palestinian Bedouin ‘biggest dispossession plan since 1948’
‘"The Program for Regulating Bedouin Settlement in the Negev" is the biggest dispossession plan of Palestinians issued by Israel since 1948. It would forcibly relocate about half of the Bedouin population from their existing villages, which are older than the State of Israel itself, into existing small towns or townships, designated specifically for the Bedouins by the state.’

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Raed Salah court case continues - Teresa May was warned of the ‘weak case’ against Sheikh Salah.

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Occupation cost the Palestinians $7 billion in 2010.

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Palestinians reject ‘Israeli bias’ of Blair

For links to these and other features click here >>
Events

Until Sunday 2nd October: Occupation Body and Soul - A Photographic Exhibition of Israeli Military Checkpoints - At Ely Cathedral

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JOIN PSC at the Anti-War Mass Assembly 10 Years On Saturday 8th October in Trafalgar Square from 12noon http://antiwarassembly.org

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Tuesday 11 October The Negev Bedouin Story with Speaker Dr Awad Abu-Freih - In Oxford

Boycott news and actions

Natacha Atlas cancels concert in Israel and will not play there ‘until this systematised apartheid is abolished’

Peter Hook (ex Joy Division and New Order) is scheduled to play Israel on 23 November – please write to him and urge him not to give support to Israeli apartheid.

And if you haven’t already signed up, please sign the petition by Kings College students against their college’s involvement with Ahava.

Further attacks on Palestinian lives
in Jerusalem

This week saw a further attack by Israel on democratically elected Palestinian representatives in East Jerusalem, with the kidnapping of another MP from the Red Cross, Ahmad Attoun.

Plans for another 1100 settlement units in East Jerusalem have been strongly condemned by Turkey and the French far right join settlers in the West Bank.

Jerusalem under Threat - Thursday 6th October at 7pm in London. Public Meeting with Rev. Stephen Sizer, Linda Ramsden, Dr. Daud Abdullah, Arthur Goodman and more. Settlement expansion, evictions, demolitions, discriminatory laws - Palestinians living in East Jerusalem are under threat as is the status of the city as a spiritual centre for the 3 Abrahamic religions and as the capital of a future Palestinian state.

This Weekend:
Tottenham Palestine Literature Festival

Join celebrated writers, film makers, rappers, photographers, musicians, story tellers and more at the inaugural Tottenham Palestine Literature Festival, from today until Sunday October 2nd, featuring Brian Keenan, Peter Kosminsky, Ghada Karmi, Reem Kelani, Michael Rosen, Hanna Braun and many more!! http://tottpallitfest.org.uk/

PSC Weekly Newsletter: 22nd September 2011

2011-09-22T12:35:00.000-07:00

In this week's update>>

BBC lapse

The BBC has accepted that it made a 'lapse' in news judgement on its flagship Radio 4 Today programme by failing to report on Israeli attacks which killed nine Palestinians.

What not to buy

Don't buy Soda Stream for birthdays or Christmas presents – there is no festive joy in occupation

Changes to make Britain a ‘safer haven for war criminals’ are enacted despite opposition from human rights supporters

Turkey continues to use its diplomatic muscle

For links to these and other features click here >>

Events

Oxford PSC held a meeting with Jews for Justice for Palestinians. Even if you missed it, you can enjoy it here >>

A highlight this week is the Tottenham Palestine Literature Festival, featuring a brilliant range of events and speakers. Don't miss out!

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Until 2nd October - Photographic Exhibition of Israeli Military Checkpoints, Ely Cathedral

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Friday 23 September Waltham Forest PSC Fundraising Gig

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Saturday 24 September Reem Kelani Live, Halifax

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Wednesday 28 September Unite for Palestine at Labour Party Conference, Liverpool

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Thursday 29 September PSC screening of Budrus, New Cross

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29 September to 2 October Tottenham Palestine Literature Festival 2011

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Thursday 6 October Jerusalem under Threat - Public Meeting, Hammersmith

For more information and events click here>>

Recognition campaign

The UN is now considering Palestine's request for recognition. Obama’s speech to the UN was ‘a clear indication of support for Israeli interests’. Reports suggest that the vote will be delayed. PSC's Kamel Hawwash has written of the UK's responsibility to support Palestine >>

The Palestinian Ambassador,

Manuel Hassassian, at the rally.

A banner at the Zionist demonstration against a Palestinian state. Hundreds gathered close to Downing Street to support the Palestinians' ahead of the UN debate, including PSC members and supporters and trade unionists. Meanwhile, the Zionist Federation held a much smaller counter-rally, highlighting the strange and growing alliance between Zionists, the Christian-right and English nationalists.

Philharmonic Four: London Philharmonic decision rocks the classical world

Mike Leigh and Ken Loach were amongst the 117 artists to condemn the London Philharmonic’s (LPO's) decision to suspend four musicians for signing a letter opposing the Israel Philharmonic’s performance at the Proms >>

Hundreds of posts criticising the LPO decision were posted on the LPO’s facebook page – their response was to remove and then block all comments.

Sarah Colborne, PSC Director, asked in the Guardian ‘"Would the London Philharmonic Orchestra have punished musicians speaking out against apartheid South Africa, when a similar call for boycott was supported by artists, performers and sports people internationally?’

BDS action: boycott, disinvestment & sanctions

Following the campaign against Ahava its Covent Garden shop has finally closed for business. However, King’s College London is now working in collaboration with Ahava Dead Sea Laboratories –located in an illegal Israeli settlement. Sign the petition to call on King’s College London to end their complicity with occupation and apartheid!

If you have problems viewing the full update or wish to unsubscribe, please email:

info@palestinecampaign.org

PSC Weekly update - May 19th 2011 - Nakba day protests, NUS votes to support freedom for Palestine, BBC under fire, news, events and more

2011-05-22T08:24:00.001-07:00

PSC Weekly Newsletter: May 19th 2011

Also in this week's update:

Concert for the Jenin Freedom Theatre

"The Call of Freedom from Tahrir Square to Jerusalem", Featuring Palestinian Singer Amal Murkus - Saturday 4 June

Amnesty International pressured to cancel PSC/Memo meeting

BDS NEWS

Who Profits? A research project of the Israeli Coalition for Peace have unearthed evidence that Ahava is guilty of theft of Palestinian resources.

Ahava picket this Saturday 21^st May at 12pm-1pm. Covent Garden, London. Followed by Covent Garden Tesco (Metro)

Ten campaigners from the UK traveled to Paris to join and support French colleagues at the Veolia AGM in Paris.

NEWS

Amira Hass continues the theme of the 'never-ending Nakba'

The fight to prevent Israel from exiling four Jerusalem parliamentarians

Former Israeli soldiers 'break silence on military violations'

US boat will sail to Gaza, despite Israeli threats

Amnesty calls for investigation into Nakba Day deaths

Report: 1,500 new settler homes ready for Jlem approval

Israel unblocks Palestinian funds

EVENTS

21 May Oxford Women in Black special Palestinian Refugees Vigil

21 May Friends of Sabeel UK Conference: Christianity, Zionism and Justice? In Oxford

23 to 27 May Breathing the Air: an exhibition by Palestinian artist from Gaza - In London

24 May 2011 Haringey Justice for Palestine Pub Quiz - In London

31 May Catastrophe Club Monthly Screening: Rachel by Simone Bitton - In London

31 May Freedom Flotilla: One Year Commemoration and Support Britain2Gaza 2011 , London

Read the full update here >>

Support our work:

Call for Freedom for Palestine!

Nakba Day protests

Palestinian refugees put the right of return centre-stage in the Arab Spring when they faced down Israeli firepower to return to their homeland.

Marches of solidarity took place in Egypt, Syria and Lebanon.

Palestine Solidarity Campaign jointly organised one of the many protests taking place across the world. Read about our protest outside Downing Street here.

Read more here, including Karma Nabulsi's account of the historic uprising

Features

University news:

This week the National Union of Students (NUS) finally took the decision to support Palestinian human rights and strongly condemn Israel's siege on Gaza and the occupation of the West Bank at its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.

Kanja Sesay, NUS Black Students' Officer said: 'It is a victory that NUS is finally standing in solidarity with the Palestinians and supporting their freedom. Winning this policy has been a long struggle. Read more here:

And University of London Union joined the BDS movement by signing up to a motion calling for ULU to, "institute thorough research into ULU investments and contracts with companies, including sub-contractors, that may be implicated in violating Palestinian human rights as stated by the BDS movement."

However, the legal department of King's College, London are in the dock. Two of their staff are due to go and speak at a 'University of Samaria' conference – taking place in the illegal Israeli settlement of Ariel. We have written to the Principal, the Head of Law and the participants to demand their withdrawal. If you would like to protest email timothy.macklem@kcl.ac.uk, head of law.

Obama's speech on the Middle East has received a poor reception. Ali Abu Nimah asks if Obama's big speech offers any hope for Palestine? Robert Fisk argues it is 'big on rhetoric but very little help.'

BBC under fire

The BBC's censorship of the word 'Palestine' has provoked outrage, with artists including Lowkey and Robert del Naja of Massive Attack, writing to PSC to express their condemnation of the decision.

The scandal has been picked up by the national press: BBC under fire for 'censoring' Palestine lyric (Guardian 15/5/2011)

The song by Mic Righteous, which was edited three minutes in, can be viewed here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00f15g4

Please complain to the BBC about this blatant act of censorship if you haven't already done so. A complaints form can be filled in here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/forms/

If you have complained and received a reply from the BBC, click here to find out what to do next:

BDS NEWS

Who Profits? A research project of the Israeli Coalition for Peace have unearthed evidence that Ahava is guilty of theft of Palestinian resources. www.whoprofits.org)

There is a demonstation against Ahava this Saturday 21^st May at 12pm-1pm. Outside the Ahava store from– 39 Monmouth Street, Covent Garden, London. Followed by Covent Garden Tesco (Metro), 22-25 Bedford Street WC2E 9EQ from 1pm until 2 pm

Ten campaigners from the UK traveled to Paris to join and support French colleagues at the Veolia AGM in Paris.

Read the full update here >>

PSC on:

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info@palestinecampaign.org

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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 government 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. Join PSC today!

Palestine Solidarity Campaign
Box BM PSA
London
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Tel: 020 7700 6192
Fax: 020 7609 7779

PSC Weekly update - March 24th 2011 - End the siege on Gaza - support the next flotilla, BDS week of Action, news, events and more

2011-03-27T14:02:00.001-07:00

PSC Weekly Newsletter: March 24th 2011

Also in this week's update:

Israel bans events commemorating Nakba

Join PSC at the National March for the Alternative on 26^th March

Jerusalem bombing: Obama must act now - Today programme fails to report slaughter in Gaza, help us take action against media bias, click here.

Israeli attacks kill eight in Gaza including children

REPORTS & FEATURES

UN reports: Massive increase in home demolitions

250 Palestinian & Israeli women in West Bank Civil Disobedience Conference

Two new laws for Israel; A Just Peace for Palestine blog

BDS NEWS

Video: Omar Barghouti of the Palestinian Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign on why he thinks this type of pressure is needed to make Israel respect international law

Boycott victory: University of Johannesburg (UJ) has effectively severed ties with Israel's Ben-Gurion University (BGU).

IPSC Open Letter to Bob Geldof: Do not choose the side of the Israeli oppressor

Ladysmith Black Mambazo's manager confirms that they were never booked to play in Israel

Will the Coen Brothers join the boycott? British academics implore filmmakers to reject Israeli award

Edinburgh University Votes To Boycott Israel

NEWS

The Palestinian narrative has won

Settlers attack Palestinians on "day of rage"

Israel admits kidnapping operations manager of Gaza's only power plant

A blow to Israeli Arabs and to democracy

Erasing Palestine From Lifta

EVENTS

Until the 25th March Ramzy Baroud UK Speaking Tour until 25th March

26 March Oud concert by Le Trio Joubran in tribute to Mahmoud Darwish - In London

28 March Enforcing Housing Rights: The Case of Sheikh Jarrah - In London

29 March Hackney PSC Film screening: Notre Musique (Our Music)

31 March Art Sale for the Palestine Festival of Literature - In London

Read the full weekly update here >>

Support our work:

MPs vote on Wednesday - last chance to defend universal jurisdiction

MPs may have their last chance to defend our universal jurisdiction laws on Wednesday 30th March – in less than a weeks time. We need as many MPs as possible to sign Ann Clwyd's amendment to take out clause 152 of the Police Reform Bill. The more MPs that sign the amendment the more likely it is that MPs will have to vote for or against Clause 152.

If Clause 152 is passed into law it would mean that a court would only be able to consider arresting war crime suspects on the say-so of the Director of Public Prosecutions, a Government law officer.

If we are to achieve real justice for victims of war crimes, we should leave these controversial cases in the hands of judges, who have full independence from the Government and are free to consider the merits of the case free from interference from politicians and diplomats.

Read why we are urging you to take action here: http://www.palestinecampaign.org/Index5b.asp?m_id=1&l1_id=3&l2_id=119.

If your MP has not yet signed the letter please send them a letter using our email tool http://psc.iparl.com/lobby/64 urging them to do so.

BDS Week of Action of Palestine Land Day 2011

In response to the call by the Palestinian BDS National Committee (BNC) (link to BNC website) for the 30^th March Land Day, the PSC have called for a Boycott Divestment and Sanctions 'Week of Action' from Sunday 27 March to Saturday 2 April 2011 – an opportunity for all Palestine supporters to target civil society and help inform the general public on how consumer choice can aid Israel's occupation.

Including Ahava- Protest Against Illegal Settlement Goods - Saturday 2 April from 12 noon until 2 pm

For list of activities that PSC branches are organisisng around the country click here.

For more information on actions you can take click here

End the siege on Gaza - Support the next flotilla

"Our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of Palestinians"

Nelson Mandela

Britain 2 Gaza has launched its

facebook http://www.facebook.com/britain2gaza

and twitter http://twitter.com/britain2gaza @Britain2Gaza

To sign the petition to David Cameron and for more information on how you can get involved in the campaign and the flotilla click here.

Read the full weekly update here >>

PSC on:

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PSC Weekly update - March 18th 2011 - Celebrate Palestine, final chance for MP's to defend Universal Jurisdiction, news, events and much more

2011-03-20T15:15:00.001-07:00

PSC Weekly Newsletter: March 18th 2011

Also in this week's update:

Join PSC at the National March for the Alternative on 26^th March

World's Largest Security Firm to Drop West Bank Contracts

REPORTS & FEATURES

On the 8th Anniversary of Rachel Corrie's Stand in Gaza

Britain Palestine All Parliamentary Group Report – Under Occupation: A Report on the West Bank

Haneen Zoabi MK on feminism, marking International Women's Day

Europe's Israel romance is on the wane: Europeans are losing their illusions about Israel, our survey shows. Policy is out of step with the public, By Daud Abdullah

BDS NEWS

Ahava- Protest Against Illegal Settlement Goods - Saturday 19 March from 12 noon until 2 pm

Un-invite Veolia: Profiteers of occupation not welcome In Birmingham – Picket Monday, March 21 - 5:30pm - 8:30pm

Norwegian union votes to support Israel boycott

NEWS

Palestinian family in East Jerusalem told to make way for Jewish settlers

LGBT activists support Palestinian rights

Demonstrators call for unity in West Bank, Gaza

Interview: Palestinian women prisoners shackled during childbirth

Israeli F16s drop leaflets over northern Gaza

Edinburgh University Students Vote Overwhelmingly for Boycott of Israel

EVENTS

From the 17^th March Ramzy Baroud UK Speaking Tour until 25th March – In York, Scotland, Liverpool and London.

19 March Scottish Friends of Palestine Conference: Boycott Israel - will Scotland lead the way ? In Glasgow

21 March Merton PSC March Meeting - Screening of Our Story by Mustafa Barghouthi

26 March Oud concert by Le Trio Joubran in tribute to Mahmoud Darwish - In London

28 March Enforcing Housing Rights: The Case of Sheikh Jarrah - In London

Read the full weekly update here >>

Support our work:

Urgent: Last chance for MP's to defend Universal Jurisdiction

(see below)

Celebrate Palestine Friday 18^th, Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 March SOAS University London

SATURDAY 19TH MARCH- 11AM- Opening of the festival where our team and a selection of eminent participants such as Karma Nabulsi and Lowkey will welcome you for these two days of solidarity and celebration for Palestine!

Celebrate Palestine is a three day festival for all people and all ages, promoting and introducing people to Palestinian culture and resistance through a diverse range of activities including exhibitions, film showings, discussions, workshops, performances and more.

The festival will take place for FREE at SOAS, from 3pm to 1am on Friday 18th, from 11am to 6pm on Saturday 19th and from 12pm to 6pm on Sunday 20th.

On Saturday and Sunday evenings, there will be two incredible performances with artists and musicians coming from Palestine, which are £7 in advance each.

Full programme here: www.celebratepalestine.org.uk

Last chance for MPs to defend universal jurisdiction

MPs may have their last chance to defend our universal jurisdiction laws on Wednesday 30th March – in less than two weeks time. We need as many MPs as possible to sign Ann Clwyd's amendment to take out clause 152 of the Police Reform Bill. The more MPs that sign the amendment the more likely it is that MPs will have to vote for or against Clause 152.

If Clause 152 is passed into law it would mean that a court would only be able to consider arresting war crime suspects on the say-so of the Director of Public Prosecutions, a Government law officer.

If we are to achieve real justice for victims of war crimes, we should leave these controversial cases in the hands of judges, who have full independence from the Government and are free to consider the merits of the case free from interference from politicians and diplomats. You can read more about our concerns here http://www.palestinecampaign.org/Index5b.asp?m_id=1&l1_id=3&l2_id=119.

The 19 parliamentarians who have so far pledged to stand up for international law and justice by signing amendment no2 are:

Ann Clwyd, Gerald Kaufman, Elfyn Llwyd, Caroline Lucas, Jeremy Corbyn, Richard Burden, Andrew Love, Yasmin Qureshi, John Cryer, Martin Caton, Alex Cunningham, Madeleine Moon, Sheila Gilmore, Valerie Vaz, Mike Wood, David Lammy, Jim Dowd, Bill Esterson and Paul Blomfield.

If your MP has not yet signed the letter please send them a letter using our email tool http://psc.iparl.com/lobby/64 urging them to do so.

Ali Abunimah and David Cronin Speaking Tour

Tuesday 22 March Public Meeting 5pm Leeds University,

Business School, Western Lecture Theatre.

Wednesday 23 March Birmingham:

- Lunchtime meeting at Birmingham University 1pm

- Public meeting 7pm, Carrs Lane Church Centre, Birmingham

Thursday 24 March in London - Public Meeting at Kings College London 7pm,

Arthur and Paula Lucas Lecture Theatre (S-2.18), Strand Campus, WC2R 2LS, Kings College University

Chaired by Dr Karma Nabulsi

RSVP: info@palestinecampaign.org

This tour is part of Israel Apartheid Week 2011: http://apartheidweek.org/

For more info click here

BDS Week of Action of Palestine Land Day 2011

In response to the call by the Palestinian BDS National Committee (BNC) (link to BNC website) for the 30^th March Land Day, the PSC have called for a Boycott Divestment and Sanctions 'Week of Action' from Sunday 27 March to Saturday 2 April 2011 – an opportunity for all Palestine supporters to target civil society and help inform the general public on how consumer choice can aid Israel's occupation.

For more information see: http://bdsdayofaction.net

For more information on how you can organize your own activities for the BDS week of action Click here

PSC on:

If you have problems viewing the full update or wish to unsubscribe, please email info@palestinecampaign.org

PSC Weekly update - March 10th 2011 - Britain to Gaza-sailing to break the siege, Portsmouth dumps Veolia, news, events and much more

2011-03-14T13:58:00.001-07:00

PSC Weekly Newsletter: March 10th 2011

Also in this week's update:

BDS Week of Action for Palestine Land Day 27 March - 2 April 2011

Join PSC at the National March for the Alternative, 26^th March

Celebrate Palestine Festival, 18th March

Life in Gaza on International Womens Day, Najah Ayash

REPORTS & FEATURES

Sign the petition to make Bethlehem a world heritage site

BBC Report: Significant increases in negative views of Israel among Americans and Britons

The struggle for al-Araqib is the struggle for Palestine

NEWS

Playing for pride: the Palestinian football team kick off at home

Netanyahu's illusory peace plan

An Israeli diplomat quits because he can't represent the Israeli government

UK Upgrades Palestinian Envoy to Full Diplomatic Mission

Bishop of Jerusalem to take court action over visa refusal

El Araqib Destroyed for 21st time, JNF Changing Facts on Ground

EVENTS

12 - 22 March Ramzy Baroud UK Speaking Tour

13 March Life for a Palestinian farmer - the highs and the lows. In Guildford

19 March UK Student Palestine Societies Conference, London

26 March Oud concert by Le Trio Joubran in tribute to Mahmoud Darwish - In London

Read the full weekly update here >>

Support our work:

Britain 2 Gaza – sailing to break the siege

Departing in May, the first anniversary of the attack by Israeli commandos on the Mavi Marmara that left 9 people dead and over 50 injured, a boat will sail, carrying a contingent from Britain, to the besieged people of Gaza.

Click here to read the full press release

Sign the petition to the urge the British Government to ensure international law is fully implemented to end the siege on Gaza

BDS NEWS

Portsmouth Dumps Veolia

Veolia has lost out to another company as the preferred bidder forPortsmouth City Council's new rubbish collection contract. 7 March was a bad day for Veolia: not only did it fail to secure the replacement for its current contract but a long running campaign by Portsmouth & South Downs PSC has exposed its complicity in Israel's violations of international law. The Council say Veolia's rival won on price and quality. We will never know for sure how much influence campaigners had, but this is another instance of Veolia failing to win a replacement council contract after a strong local campaign to have it excluded. It follows Veolia losing in Richmond last month, Edinburgh in December 2010 and Sandwell in 2009.

Ahava- Protest Against Illegal Settlement Goods - Saturday 19 March from 12 noon until 2 pm

Anti-BDS Bill passes first reading in the Knesset

Stop Israel's Blood Diamond Trade - The Petition Site

Chairman of Histadrut labour federation to US Jewish leaders: Don't underestimate BDS movement

Dexia excluded from Tridos sustainable investment funds for involvement in Israeli settlements

Ali Abunimah and David Cronin Speaking Tour

Tuesday 22 March Public Meeting 5pm Leeds University,

Business School, Western Lecture Theatre.

Wednesday 23 March Birmingham:

- Lunchtime meeting at Birmingham University 1pm

- Public meeting 7pm, Carrs Lane Church Centre, Birmingham

Thursday 24 March in London - Public Meeting at Kings College London 7pm

Chaired by Dr Karma Nabulsi

RSVP: info@palestinecampaign.org

This tour is part of Israel Apartheid Week 2011: http://apartheidweek.org/

For more info click here

Read the full weekly update here >>

PSC on:

Weekly update February 24th 2011

2011-03-02T13:44:00.001-08:00

PSC Weekly Newsletter: February 24th 2011

Also in this week's update:

Father of Flotilla victim seeks redress in US.

Israel to launch 'pink-washing' campaign in Berlin

But Palestinian Queers for Boycott Disinvestment & Sanctions have launched their own video to urge people to support the boycott ; to support women who are the victims of violence , and focusing on the impact of the occupation – a must watch!

Israel's Foreign Minister, Lieberman, and the EU clash over occupation of Palestine

Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt reopens for first time since 25^th January

Israeli Army prevent Red Cross from supplying aid to Bedouin hamlet

Analysis of whether the revolt will spread to the occupied Palestinian territories

Events

Until the 3 March Shir Hever UK speaking tour: The Political Economy of Israel's Occupation

Thursday 24 February 2011 Public Meeting: From Beirutto Gaza Journey of an Orthopaedic Surgeon: Dr Swee Chai Ang. In Manchester

Friday 25^th February Life under occupation in Hebron: short films and q&a - In London

Tuesday 1st March Palestinian Olive Farmers on Zaytoun tour In Reading

Tuesday 1^st March
Screening of Budrus - in Kirkwall,Orkney Islands

From Thursday 3rd March Brighton
Palestine Week - to celebrate and support Palestine: 3 to 13 March

Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 March in LondonSOAS Conference - Past is Present: Settler Colonialism in Palestine

"Reading Hebron" at The Orange Tree Theatre, London Until 12 March

Saturday 19 March Scottish Friends of Palestine
Conference: Boycott Israel - willScotland lead the way ? In Glasgow

Tuesday 22 March to 24 March Ali Abunimah and David Cronin Speaking Tour: In Leeds, Birmingham & London

Read the full update here >>

Support our work:

United we Stand
End occupation and the
War on Terror

Assemble 3.30 pm Friday February 25th, Bahraini Embassy,
30 Belgrave Square, SW1X 8QB

Join us this Friday to demonstrate in solidarity with the Arab people as they struggle for freedom from tyranny. Palestine Solidarity Campaign are supporting the demonstration alongside Libya Watch for HumanRights; British Libyan Solidarity Campaign; Yemeni Human Rights Watch; Egypt Liberation Initiative; Bahraini Freedom Movement; Stop the War Coalition and British Muslim Initiative.

If you are able to help please contact info@palestinecampaign.org

Israel attacks Gaza

Israel launched an attack on Gaza on Wednesday 23rd, injuring thirteen Palestinians, including children. One person has since died. This has since been followed up with air attacks.

Disgracefully the BBC website didn't cover Israel's initial attack, and then presented Palestinians as the aggressor: 'Gaza militants fire rockets at Beersheba, Israel' reporting that no one had been hurt. Four paragraphs down they mentioned that the rockets actually followed a mortar shell attack by the IDF.

US veto UN motion

The US vetoed a resolution condemning illegal Israeli settlements, despite the fact that all the 14 other Security Council members voted in favour.

Defend Universal Jurisdiction

Many of you have now sent an email to your MP about clause 152 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill, due to be debated by MPs again in March. Clause 152, if passed, will mean instead of prosecutors applying immediately to the courts for the arrest of a war crimes suspect, they will first have to get the prior agreement of the Director of PublicProsecution (DPP) for the case to be heard. This will cause unnecessary delay in time sensitive operations and could result in political interference.

If you haven't done so already, please email your MP now using our e-tool below. Please also encourage others to do the same. If you use facebook or twitter please use our 'war criminals not welcome' logo – simply right click on the image and upload it.

Click here to send an email to your MP using PSC's easy to use e-tool

For more information on universal jurisdiction click here .

BDS NEWS – three actions

Israel chosen to host the next UEFA U21 Football Championship: keep the pressure up on President of UEFA, Michel Platini, to reverse the decision.

Protest Veolia
at The Natural History Museum
South Kensington Exhibition Road
Entrance: Saturday 26 Feb 1pm- 4pm

Veolia is sponsor of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition. We held a very successful action at the same place in October and were able to engage with the hundreds of Saturday afternoon museum-goers. This time we will have an outdoor display produced by Richmond and Kingston PSC about Veolia and its activities in Occupied Jerusalem and the West Bank. We will be handing out leaflets and postcards. West London and Richmond and Kingston PSC branches are joint organisers of this event. Please come along even if you can not be there for the whole duration.

Protest Ahava

Ahava will be exhibiting at the Professional Beauty 2011 show. Join the protest this Sunday at ExCeL to tell visitors that AHAVA IS BAD FOR BUSINESS.

Date: Sunday, 27 February 2011
Time: 10:00am – 12noon
Place: West Podium, West Entrance, ExCeL Exhibition Centre

Nearest DLR Station: Custom House for ExCeL (Zone 3). Further travel details are provided by the venue here .

REPORTS & FEATURES

An official enquiry ordered by a French Court has found Agrexco is fraudulently labelling goods from settlements as produce of Israel read more here

Daily Danish broadsheet, Politiken, reveals that herbs, dates and vegetables that Danes buy in their local supermarket often come from one of the illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank although the packaging says that they come from Israel.

http://politiken.dk/newsinenglish/ECE1188617/produced-in-israel-is-produced-in-west-bank/

Read the full update here >>

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PSC Weekly update - February 18th 2011 - Defend universal jurisdiction, the impact of the BDS movement, news, events and much more

2011-02-19T12:42:00.001-08:00

PSC Weekly Newsletter: February 18th 2011

Also in this week's update:

It's time for those who hold the keys to their homes to rise up, by Salman Abu Sitta the newest PSC patron

"Reading Hebron" at The Orange Tree Theatre, London, 9 Feb - 12 March

REPORTS & FEATURES

Wikileaks: The economic reasons behind the siege on Gaza

A House Surrounded On All Sides

EVENTS

19 February End the Siege of Gaza - Free Palestine at Progressive London Conference

17 February to 3 March Shir Hever UK speaking tour: The Political Economy of Israel's Occupation

21 February Merton PSC Meeting

22 February The Palestine Papers - Under the Spotlight

23 February Gaza Project Fundraising Dinner - in Walthamstow, London

23 February Living Under Occupation - A Witness Account of the Jerusalem that Tourists do not see - In Chichester

5 and 6 March in London SOAS Conference - Past is Present: Settler Colonialism in Palestine

NEWS

World urges Israel to lift blockade: Gul

Village of Bil'in Marks Six Years of Struggle with Mass Demonstration on 18 February

Army Breaks Into Home Of Jerusalem Palestinian MP

US pressures PA not to refer Israel to UNSC

IDF base to be built in East Jerusalem

Israeli commander refuses to allow murder victim funeral

Read the full weekly update here >>

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Defend Universal Jurisdiction

URGENT – contact your MP now to ask them to sign Ann Clwyd's amendment to remove clause 152

The Police Reform Bill has just finished its committee stage in the House of Commons and is due to be debated by MPs again in March. It includes clause 152 which, if passed, will mean instead of prosecutors applying immediately to the courts for the arrest of a war crimes suspect, they will first have to get the prior agreement of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for the case to be heard. This will cause unnecessary delay in time sensitive operations and could result in political interference. The Government of Israel has lobbied hard for this change in the law ever since a court in London issued an arrest warrant against Tzipi Livni.

The situation is now critical. We are asking everyone to contact their MPs to ask them to sign an amendment leaving out clause 152 due to be tabled by Ann Clwyd when MPs' return to Parliament.

Click here to send an email to your MP using PSC's easy to use e-tool

For more information on universal jurisdiction click here.

Netanyahu vows never to let Israelis be charged for war crimes trials

Amongst Israel's war crimes are its murderous attack on the Mavi Maramara:

· Turkey unveils its final report on Israeli attack on Gaza-bound aid convoy

· Read the full Turkish report here

Read Richard Falk's latest reporton the Occupied Palestinian Territories

UN Human Rights Chief condemns settlements as illegal

BDS NEWS

BDS victory in France: Boycott Ahava – Protest against occupation, theft and injustice

Sephora Mulhouse (France) will no longer sell Ahava thanks to the perserverance of Mulhouse activists. http://bit.ly/e9COlM

Get involved in the campaign to boycott Ahava campaign by joining the picket of Ahavas flagship London store this Saturday 19^th February 12pm, London - Click here for more info on the next demo and the Boycott Ahava Campaign

David Randall of Faithless: Supporting the cultural boycott of Israel (The New Age)

Israel chosen to host the next UEFA U21 Football Championship: keep the pressure up on President of UEFA, Michel Platini, to reverse the decision.

The war on Israeli goods: The impact of the boycott movement

The brutal effect of the occupation on Palestinian children

War Child: Following on from his 2010 Dispatches:"Children of Gaza", Bafta Award-winning filmmaker Jezza Neumann provides a second shocking portrait of children living in the aftermath of war. Click here to watch it online

Urgent appeal: Defence for children international Palestine section

Palestinian child's trial: They pissed on him and he got eight months

Silwan's Captive Children

Read the PSC's report on the UN exposing the Torture and ill treatment of Palestinian children detainees

Read the full weekly update here >>

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If you have problems viewing the full update or wish to unsubscribe, please email info@palestinecampaign.org

PSC Weekly update - February 3rd 2010 - Take action on Veolia, what the Middle East uprisings mean for Palestine and much more

2011-02-09T12:37:00.000-08:00

PSC Weekly Newsletter: February 3rd 2011

Also in this week's update:

The Promise – Channel 4 - Four part drama starting 9pm Sunday 6^th February

Shir Hever Tour: The Political Economy of Israel's Occupation

Protest on February 10 2011: Israeli Apartheid = Violence against Women

EVENTS

Friday 4 February Symposium on Dashed Hopes; Continuation of the Gaza Blockade- In London

Wednesday 9 February Screening of: With God On Our Side + Q&A with Stephen Sizer - in Richmond

Thursday 10 and Friday 11 February Shlomo Sand: On the Nation and the 'Jewish People' - In London

Thursday 10 February Vigil for Jawaher Abu Rahmah in Bristol

REPORTS

Ali Abunimah: A dangerous shift on 1967 lines

We Palestinians in Israel will not stand for our rights being given away by so-called representatives – MK Haneen Zoabi

Hope ends here: The children's court at Ofer Military Prison

NEWS

Israeli warplane pounds Gaza tunnel

Israel's human rights abuses in the name of security – Janan Abdu

Bethlehem brothers among 8 detained in Israeli night raids

Israel to hire European PR firms

Israeli court extends child's imprisonment

Israeli inquiry into Gaza flotilla deaths no more than a "whitewash" Amnesty International Public Statement

Read the full weekly update here >>

Support our work:

The Boycott VEOLIA Campaign - Actions in February

The campaign against Veolia is intensifying. This follows the Russell Tribunal on Palestine finding Veolia to be liable for it's complicity in serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law. There is an added urgency because local authorities in both South and North London are currently considering Veolia for major contracts. A number of activities have been organised in February

If you live in London click here to lobby your local council to 'Bin Veolia' .

Get involved in the actions click here for more details

For more information about Veolia and why it is a key target of the Boycott Divestment and Sanctions Campaign please visit www.bigcampaign.org/veolia

Ahava- Protest Against Illegal SettlementGoods

Saturday 5th Feb,12-2pm

Outside Ahava, 39 Monmoth Street, Covent Garden, London, WCH2 9DD.

Click here for more info on the Boycott Ahava Campaign

What the Middle East uprisings mean for Palestine

"The future for liberation and equality for the Palestinians lies with what happens across the Arab world"

This was the unequivocal message from the Rally for Gaza on the 18^th of January which marked end of the 2^nd anniversary of Operation Cast Lead and took place a few days after the Tunisian uprising began.

Alongside the release of the Palestine Papers the uprisings in Arab countries has moved millions to protest in solidarity across the globe.

Western governments are clearly flustered over revelations about their shady dealings in peace talks and their complicity in war crimes, and now they also face the evident threat of losing their dictator allies and stronghold over the region. Meanwhile Israel shows concern that a new regime in Egypt will compromise it's control of the border. A few days ago the IDF moved into the demilitarised Siani and have begun bombing the Gaza tunnels in response to Palestinians who have taken the opportunity over the last few days to return to or leave, the besieged Gaza strip.

As events unfold the one thing we can be certain of is that change is on the horizon. We must continue to show solidarity to the people of Palestine, and to those with whom their fate is inextricably linked.

The PSC is supporting the emergency demonstration in support of democracy in Egypt and for an end to the siege of Gaza:

Saturday 5 February 2.30pm

Assemble US Embassy, Grosvenor Square
London W1A 1AE
March to Egyptian Embassy

For more details click here

Recent articles on the uprising and its impact on Palestine:

When Israel's protective net of tyranny tears

After the Palestine Papers, can the PA survive?

Effects of Egypt's turmoil felt in Gaza Strip

BBC - Middle East: Will there be a domino effect?

Human Rights Watch criticises PA ban on Ramallah protest in support of Egyptian demonstrators

Egypt's revolution inspires Gaza's youth

"There can be no peace in the Middle East without justice for the Palestinians"

FEATURES

Louis Theroux 'Ultra-Zionist' - 9pm BBC, Thursday 3^rd February Click here for more information

-Click here to send a comment to the BBC on this programme

Read the full weekly update here >>

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PSC Weekly update - January 28th 2011 - Britain's sordid involvement in the peace process revealed, news, events and much more

2011-01-28T15:02:00.001-08:00

PSC Weekly Newsletter: January 28th 2011

Also in this week's update:

Gaza Vigil: 1,417 candles, for 1, 417 bright stars

BDS NEWS

Activists urge Ian McEwan to boycott the Jerusalem prize

Israeli academics declare to Occupation and Settlements and refuse to teach in Ariel

BDS Victory: Irish shopping centre stops stocking Dead sea cosmetics

Activists sends an open letter to Jon Bon Jovi as he announces he will be performing in Israel

REPORTS & FEATURES

Filmmaker tells story of Israelis told to 'cleanse' Gaza : Watch Interview with Film maker now

Kai Wiedenhöfer's The Book of Destruction: Gaza – One year After the 2009 War

Review: Constructions of Palestine – Class and Race By Hilary Wise

Life in Gaza: Fakhoora UK Schools Art Competition

EVENTS

29 January Budrus' - film screening and discussion. In Cambridge

29 January A Day for Palestine - in Portsmouth

Tuesday 1st February The Jordan Valley: Apartheid and Exploitation - In London

2 February 2011 Palestinian Women's Voices - Towards Justice for the Palestinian People. In London.

4 February 2011 Symposium on Dashed Hopes; Continuation of the Gaza Blockade- In London

NEWS

Israeli Military Surrounds West Bank Village of Nabi Saleh, Detains Minors

Israeli Court Allows Destruction of Additional Graves in Jerusalem's Mamilla Cemetery

'Demolition of Palestinian homes in West Bank's Area C tripled in 2010

Read the full weekly update here>>

Support our work:

The Palestine Papers reveal Britain's sordid involvement in the 'peace process'

Amongst the 1,600 internal negotiations documents released this week, the most recent give a shocking insight into Britain's involvement. It has been reported that MI6 were involved in planning secret security operations as well as training personnel to carry out detention and torture of opponents of the PA.

TAKE ACTION: Email Foreign Secretary William Hague to demand Britain accounts for it's role in detention and torture in Palestine.

Use PSC's easy to use e-tool

Articles on Britain's involvement:

MI6 offered to detain Hamas figures

Tony Blair criticised for 'Israeli bias'

Read the PSC special update on the Palestine Papers here. It includes:

-Links to more information

-Commentary on the Palestine Papers

-Video: Panel of analysts discuss Palestine Papers on Al Jazeera

-Video: Diana Buttu speaks on the Palestine Papers

PSC special update on the Palestine papers

"Only authentic leaders can deliver a Middle East peace": New article from Seamus Milne; Click here to read

Defending the indefensible: Israeli lies about the Mavi Marmara

Read the PSC's special update including a message from the Chair of PSC Hugh Lanning and an eye-witness account of the facts about the Israeli military assault by PSC Director, Sarah Colborne.

PSC Special update

Universal Jurisdiction:The PSC gives evidence to the government committee against arrest warrant changes

The Police Reform Bill includes proposals which, if passed, will make it much more difficult to obtain an arrest warrant for anyone accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

PSC and other NGO's are calling for MPs to vote against these proposed changes. The current law fully complies with the Geneva Conventions and the proposed changed will allow politicians to interfere with requests to issue arrest warrants for war criminals.

PSC's evidence to the committee against arrest warrants changes has been published on the Police Reform Bill updates click here to read.

The situation is critical and it is important we keep the pressure up and continue to email your MPs to insist that they vote against these proposals. Even if you have already emailed your MP previously please take 2 minutes to send them a new message, asking them to vote against the proposed changes. PSC have set up an easy to use e-tool to allow you to send a model letter to your MP.

The Boycott VEOLIA Campaign - A Fortnight of Actions In February

The campaign against Veolia is intensifying. This follows the Russell Tribunal on Palestine findings that Veolia is liable for serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law. There is an added urgency because Local Authorities in both South and North London are currently considering Veolia for major contracts.

For more information about Veolia and why it is a key target of the Boycott Divestment and Sanctions Campaign please go to http://www.bigcampaign.org/veolia/

A number of activities have been organised in February and so we have a fortnight of actions on Veolia. Please support these and circulate details of the events widely.

Click here to find out more

Read the full weekly update here>>

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SPECIAL UPDATE: Israel's report on the Mavi Marmara & The Palestine Papers

2011-01-26T15:50:00.001-08:00

SPECIAL UPDATE:

ISRAEL'S REPORT ON THE MAVI MARMARA &

THE PALESTINE PAPERS

Defending the indefensible: Israeli lies about the Mavi Marmara

On 23rd January 2011, Israel released a report justifying their violent attack on the aid flotilla on 31^st May 2010.

Here we set out why the attack was illegal and wrong.

Israel had no legal right to prevent humanitarian aid reaching Gaza: Under the fourth Geneva Convention, Israel as an occupier has a duty to protect civilians under its control, ensuring free unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief. Israel failed to meet that basic requirement. PM David Cameron compared Gaza to a 'prison camp'.

John Ging, then Head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency in Gaza, said the international community should 'look for practical ways to break the siege' and recommended 'sending ships'.

Israel had no legal right to board the flotilla: The Turkish flagged ship was in international water. Under international law, all states have freedom to sail ships in international waters – to board this ship was a breach of Turkey's sovereignty.

Israel was not acting in self-defence: Israel's argument that it was acting in self-defence is indefensible: Israeli Forces boarded an unarmed boat using gas bombs, tear gas, rubber bullets and live ammunition. Civilians on board had every right to defend themselves against this illegal and unwarranted attack.

An independent panel? Israel appointed the panel to investigate itself – its independence can be judged by the appointment of David Trimble, a founder member of the Friends of Israel, as one of two foreign observers.

Israel's account is full of lies: If they had nothing to hide they would have given back evidence taken from those on board.

For an accurate, official report visit UN Human Rights Council.

A message from the Chair of PSC on the Mavi Marmara

'White-wash' doesn't adequately describe the 300 page report issued by the Israeli Government on Sunday. Reading Sarah's harrowing account of the vicious and unprovoked attack on the Mavi Marmara, you could be forgiven in trying to work out what international law allows a country to board a ship in international waters, assassinate 9 passengers and injure over 50 others.

Well of course, there is no law that that allows the Israeli government to behave in this way. Yet year after year, with arrogance and impunity, they get away with it. PSC's role is to hold Israel to account for their illegal actions and to hold the international community to account over their inaction.

To do this we need your support - unlike the well resourced Israeli Government spin machine, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign survives through the generosity of its members and supporters.

This year going to be a critical in our campaign to support the people of Palestine – to win the argument and achieve justice we need your support. If you are able to make a donation, however big or small, please click here.

Thank you.

Hugh Lanning

Chair

Palestine Solidarity Campagin

Eye witness and PSC Director Sarah Colborne gives the facts about the Israeli military assault

"In the early hours of May 31^st myself and 600 peace activists were 70 miles off the coast of Gaza. On board our boats were 10,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid for the besieged people of Gaza – baby milk formula, electric wheel chairs, cement.

All of us on board the Mavi Marmara and the other ships that made up our international flotilla for peace and justice had the simple objective of highlighting the morally bankrupt and illegal blockade on Gaza.

At just after 04.00, the Israeli assault began. Warships, helicopters, speedboats and submarines surrounded us. Israeli military, armed to the teeth, descended from helicopters. The final toll of the attack on the flotilla was nine passengers dead and over fifty injured. Some were shot five times. Others were killed assassination style – a single shot at close range to the back of the head. Three Israeli commandos were disarmed and taken below deck to receive medical treatment – hardly the act of violentpassengers. No Israeli commandos were killed. Weapons taken from the soldiers were not used against them.

As I heard the news that the attack on the Freedom Flotilla had been declared legal by the Israeli Government, the images of that massacre returned.

No whitewash of an enquiry can deny the reality. For those of us on the boat that day, and for millions across the world, our resolve has been strengthened – we will free Gaza, we will free Palestine ".

The Palestine Papers – The truth about the peace process

There are 1,600 internal negotiations documents about the Palestine/Israel peace process, dating from 1999-2010.

The 'Palestine Papers' are available on Al Jazeera's and The Guardian's websites:

Commentary on the Palestine Papers:

This seemingly endless and ugly game of the peace process is now finally over

"The peace process is a sham. Palestinians must reject their officials and rebuild their movement"

By Karma Nabulsi

Click here to read

Why is there no Palestinian state? Because the Israeli government's objective is not a Jewish state, but a Zionist one.

By Alistair Crooke

Click here to read

Livni: A lawyer 'against law'?

Click here to read

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PSC Weekly update - January 20th 2011 - Hundreds attend Rally for Gaza, news, events and much more

2011-01-22T17:31:00.001-08:00

PSC Weekly Newsletter: January 20th 2011

Also in this week's update:

Al Haq's Virtual Field Visits

BDS NEWS

Ahava- Protest Against Illegal Settlement Goods Saturday 22 January, London

Israeli Activists Call on BT to disconnect from the Occupation

Write to Adidas: Don't Sponsor the Jerusalem Marathon

EVENTS

21 January 2011 Gaza Monologues Screening in Oxford

25 January 2011 Catastrophe Club: Short Films from Gaza followed by a discussion - in London

29 January 2011 Budrus' - film screening and discussion. In Cambridge

REPORTS & FEATURES

Gaza children at risk on the border

Israeli Settlers Violence Report: November, December 2010

Building a police state in Palestine

Nabil Shaath, Fatah Commissioner for International Relations, on BBC's Hard Talk

NEWS

Palestinians protest in Solidarity with Tunisians

Dozens Of Palestinians Injured in East Jerusalem Clashes

Arabs nations submit draft resolution to UN Security Council condemning illegal Israeli settlements

UK will consider draft resolution for UN of illegal settlements

Ynet reports a worrying increase in expressions of racism among Israeli schoolchildren

Exclusive Interview: JNF demolishes village for the 9th Time

Russia backs Palestinian state

Brazil and Malaysia slam Israeli settlements

Read the full weely update here >>

Support our work:

Rally for Gaza sends its message - 'We will not rest until Palestine is free!'

'We must continue to campaign until justice is done in Palestine and Israeli war crimes are punished.'

This was the message from Sir Gerald Kaufman MP to hundreds of pro-Palestinian supporters who packed London's Conway Hall for PSC's Rally for Gaza on Tuesday (18^th).

At a buoyant and optimistic meeting, speaker after speaker spoke of the strength of the solidarity movement in the UK, the work that has already been done, and the hard work that remains to be done in the struggle for Palestinian freedom.

However, the meeting, which marked the second anniversary of the end of Operation Cast Lead and the massacre of 1,417 Palestinians in Gaza by Israel, began on a sombre note with a minute's silence for the dead.

'Our struggle is here, on the streets of London, on the streets of Manchester and on the streets of Glasgow. We are not apologists for occupation, we are advocates of resistance.' Jodi McIntyre

Click here to read a full report of the meeting including pictures and videos

Candlelight Vigil for Gaza

Friday, January 21 at 5:00pm at The steps of UCL Front Quad, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT

Click here for maps (in case of bad weather the event will still go on under shelter at the same location)

Hosted by: UCL Friends of Palestine, KCL Action Palestine, SOAS Palestine Society, QM Palestine Society, Imperial College Palestine Society and Goldsmiths' Student's Union.

Shir Hever on: The Price of Occupation to Israeli Society

Thursday 17 February 2011

Kings College London - 6.30pm

Chair: Victoria Brittain

Shir Hever is an author and economic researcher in the Alternative

Information Center, a Palestinian-Israeli organization active in Jerusalem and Beit-Sahour. Pluto Press released 'The Political Economy of Israel's Occupation; Repression Beyond Exploitation' in 2010.

Researching the economic aspect

of the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories, some of his research topics include international aid to the Palestinians and Israel, the effects of the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories on the Israeli economy, and the boycott, divestment and sanctions campaigns against Israel. He is a frequent speaker on the topic of the economy of the Israeli occupation.

Organised by: Kings College Action Palestine, Palestine Solidarity Campaign and BRICUP.

For more information please contact: info@palestinecampaign.org

BDS Victory: John Lewis stops stocking Ahava products in Britain

Ahava's goods, processed on stolen Palestinian land, are becoming too hot to handle. Leading British retail business John Lewis is now refusing to stock this toxic brand. Canadian retailer The Bay has also confirmed that it had also discontinued sales of Ahava products.

John Lewis' decision signifies yet another victory for the growing Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. Consumers are refusing to buy goods from companies profiting from Israel's illegal occupation.

For more on this story click here

Read the full weekly update here >>

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