Occupation End Notes | July 9, 2009 Volume 7 Number 11
Occupation End Notes
July 9, 2009
Volume 7 Number 11
|
The Palestinian Unified Call was a direct response to the ICJ's ruling. After years of cooperation with South African anti-apartheid activists, Palestinian civil society decided that the most relevant solidarity action that it could call for was to isolate Israel economically, culturally and academically until it ended its military occupation and apartheid practices targeting Palestinians. For four years, the US Campaign has focused on the economic isolation component by focusing on two U.S. corporations directly profiting from Israel's violations of international law, Caterpillar and Motorola. The popularity of boycott and divestment campaigns has grown tremendously in the past four years, and especially since "Operation Cast Lead." Consumer boycott is growing with campaigns like Stolen Beauty, and Don't Buy Into Apartheid. Other aspects of the global boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement have also developed since the 2005 Palestinian Unified Call. Cultural boycotts, from the Yes Men withdrawing from Israeli film festivals to protests at Israeli performances in the United States, are becoming increasingly popular. Even the hotly debated idea of academic boycott is advancing with the growth of the new group US Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel. In light of the explosion of new boycott and divestmentwork happening around us, we will be devoting a major part of our upcoming organizers' conference to revisiting the scope of our boycott and divestment work. Read on for more information about other exciting developments from the US Campaign including August in-district lobby meetings across the country, our search for an Executive Director, and the release of the Spirit of Humanity's crew and passengers who were trying to deliver humanitarian aid and toys to the people of the Gaza Strip. |
US Campaign: Now Hiring for Executive Director; National Organizers' Conference, and more! Gaza: Israel Kidnapps and Deports Free Gaza Activists, Humanitarian Delegations, and More! Challenging U.S. Policy: Sign Up to Organize August Recess Appointments, and more! Standing Against Apartheid: 5th Anniversary of Ruling Against Apartheid Wall, and More! Boycott & Divestment: 4th Anniversary of Palestinian Unified Call for BDS, "The Yes Men" Boycott Israel, and More! Membership: New Member Groups, Member Group Events, and more! |
1. US CAMPAIGN UPDATE:
* Staff Transitions at the US Campaign--Apply to Be Our Executive Director
The US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation will be making some major
staff transitions this summer. We are excited to announce that we are
now accepting applications for a full-time Executive Director. To read the job description and apply for the position (deadline to apply is July 17), click here.
In September the US Campaign will wish a very fond farewell to National Membership and Outreach Coordinator Omar Masri. After three years of exceptional work, Omar will be transitioning off of our staff to pursue full-time graduate studies. David Hosey,
our current Media and Faith Communities Coordinator who comes to the US
Campaign via the United Methodist Church's Mission Intern program, will
then transition into becoming the National Media and National
Membership and Outreach Coordinator. Josh Ruebner, the current
National Advocacy Director, will shed his fundraising and management
responsibilities to the new Executive Director, and will transition
into a part-time job focused exclusively on policy and legislation
while pursuing outside writing, speaking, and consulting interests.
Last, but certainly not least, Katherine Fuchs, National Organizer, will retain her full-time position leading our BDS campaigns and anti-apartheid framework.
These are exciting times for the US Campaign and for our mission as we
are seeing political space open up as never before. As we reconfigure
our staff this summer to grow and to take advantage of all the
opportunities that are out there, we hope that you can help us find the
ideal Executive Director who can help guide our work. Check out the
job description for Executive Director by clicking here and spread the word!
* National Organizers' Conference in Chicago to Feature Rashid Khalidi, Omar Barghouti, and Much More--Register Now!
Our 8th Annual National Organizers' Conference will be held during the weekend of September 12th - 13th, 2009.
That's only two months away! It's very important for our member groups
that want to engage in boycott and divestment to attend, as we will
spend a lot of time discussing the growth of our coalitions BDS work.
Register today by clicking here.
To find out more details about the conference and make sure that your
organization is in good standing with the US Campaign, click here.
* BDS, Free Gaza, International Law, and Tootsie Roll Pops on the US Campaign Blog
The
US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation now has a blog! View
exclusive content, news, updates, analysis, video, and more by clicking
here. Read about the growing global movement for boycott and divestment; the Israeli army boarding the Free Gaza Movement boat Spirit of Humanity and
arresting all the crew and passengers; and how U.S. military aid
facilitates Israeli violations of international law and universal
principles of human rights. Click here to view exclusive content on the US Campaign blog.
* Join the US Campaign to Mark the 4th Anniversary of the Palestinian Civil Society Call for BDS
July 9-10
Join us for a lecture and book signing by Prof. Benjamin Beit-Hallahmi
on Thursday, July 9, and for a benefit concert for the US Campaign to
End the Israeli Occupation with entertainment by Ramzy Suleiman and
Fuad Foty on Friday, July 10.
Click here to learn more.
* How You Can Sustain the US Campaign--Donate Today!
Support our ongoing work by donating online, donating office supplies and services, or joining the Olive Branch Club.
Click here for more information.
2. GAZA UPDATE:
* Our Tax Dollars Hard At Work Kidnapping U.S Citizens on the High Seas
Remember
that old TV commercial where the cartoon kid asks the wise owl how many
licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop? Just like the
curious kid in the commercial, we here at the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation
want to know how many steps it takes to link Israel's latest foray into
international piracy to your hard-earned tax dollars. As the owl says,
"Let's find out!" Click here to read more.
* Take Action
For action ideas on what you can do end the siege on Gaza and hold Israel accountable, visit our web section "Take Action to End Israel's War and Siege on Gaza." The destruction of the Gaza Strip at the hands of the Israeli military would have been impossible without weapons provided by U.S. military aid, Motorola communications and weapons equipment, and weaponized Caterpillar bulldozers. Make sure to keep up with the ongoing work of the US Campaign
to hold Israel accountable for violations of international law and
human rights in the occupied West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem.
* Free Gaza Boat Spirit of Humanity Attacked, Passengers and Crew Abducted by Israeli Military
On June 30, the Israeli navy attacked and abducted the passengers and crew of the Free Gaza boat, The Spirit of Humanity,
including US Campaign Advisory Board member Huwaida Arraf, former U.S.
Congressperson and Green Party presidential candidate Cynthia McKinney,
and Irish Nobel Peace Laureate Mairead Maguire. The boat was boarded
while in international waters, en route to the Gaza Strip with no
intention of entering Israeli waters. The Free Gaza human rights
activists were held in an Israeli prison for nearly a week and charged,
ironically, with illegally entering Israel--a country they had never
planned to enter at all. The passengers have now been released. For
more information, click here. Click here to learn more about the Free Gaza Movement. We've also been posting updates about the Free Gaza Movement at the US Campaign blog and on our Twitter page. To read about how your tax dollars enabled Israel to attack the Spirit of Humanity and commit other violations of international law, click here.
* New Red Cross Report Describes Palestinians in Gaza as "Trapped in Despair"
A
new report issued by the International Committee of the Red Cross
describes deplorable humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip six
months after the massive Israeli assault dubbed "Operation Cast Lead."
The Red Cross report calls for an end to the Israeli policy of siege
and closure and concludes that the alternative to this is "a further
descent into misery with every passing day." Click here to read the report.
* New Amnesty International Report Describes "22 Days of Death and Destruction" in Gaza
Amnesty
International has released a comprehensive report highlighting
violations of international humanitarian law in the 22 day Israeli
assault on the Gaza Strip in December-January. According to the Amnesty
Report, Israeli attacks "violated fundamental provisions of
international humanitarian law, notably the prohibition on civilians and civilian objects (the principle of distinction), the
prohibition on indiscriminate or disproportionate attacks, and the
prohibition on collective punishment." The full report can be read by
clicking here. Amnesty has also issued a call for Israel to cooperate fully with the fact-finding mission of the UN Human Rights Council.
* Human Rights Groups, Humanitarian NGOs Step Up Pressure to End the Siege of Gaza
Increasing numbers of human rights groups, humanitarian organizations, and civil society actors are taking action to end the siege of Gaza. The Free Gaza Movement plans to continue sending boats to the Gaza Strip despite the recent Israeli attack on the Spirit of Humanity. Four Irish students are bicycling to the Gaza Strip to raise money for much-needed medical aid for Palestinians. Norman Finkelstein has announced plans for an international march to end the blockade of Gaza on January 1, 2010. The Viva Palestina U.S. convoy is attempting to enter Gaza through the Rafah border. And more than 40 UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs have called for an end to the crippling Israeli blockade of Gaza, characterizing the siege as collective punishment.
* UN Gaza Inquiry Wraps Up Hearings
July
8 - A UN war crimes investigator has said testimonies about the recent
conflict in Gaza have been "difficult to hear" as four days of public
hearings ended. Richard Goldstone said his four member team had been
shaken by the extent of the destruction in Gaza. Witnesses from Gaza,
Israel and the West Bank gave testimony in public hearings in Gaza and
Geneva. Israel has refused to co-operate, accusing the UN Human Rights
Council of bias against it. The investigation is looking into whether
Israel and Hamas committed war crimes during Israel's three-week
operation in Gaza in December and January. Click here to read the full article.
* Meet with Your Member of Congress in August
Last
week, the Israeli navy committed an act of piracy by kidnapping 21
human rights activists and journalists in international waters who were
sailing for the Gaza Strip to deliver humanitarian goods to the
besieged people who live there under Israeli military occupation. On
board the Free Gaza Movement's boat Spirit of Humanity were two
recipients of awards from the US Campaign and one current Advisory
Board member.
This incident demonstrates yet
again why we need to press our Members of Congress to cut off or, at
the minimum, condition military aid to Israel to achieve U.S. policy
goals. And you have an opportunity to do so in August when Members of
Congress are in their home districts to meet with their constituents
during their summer recess. Click here to find out how to schedule a meeting and to get all of the resources you need to lobby your Members of Congress.
* Is Congress Catching Up w/ Obama? Find Out in Our New Congressional Report Card
It
seems that almost every day there is a new sign of hope coming from the
Obama Administration that U.S. policy toward Israel/Palestine is
changing for the better. Are Members of Congress getting close to
adopting some of President Obama's viewpoints and initiatives? Find out
in our new, interactive 111th Congressional Report Card, which grades
Members of Congress on major pieces of legislation and Congressional
"Dear Colleague" letters on Palestine/Israel in the current Congress.
Click here to read more.
4. STANDING AGAINST APARTHEID UPDATE:
* Oxfam Releases Report on Five Year Anniversary of ICJ Ruling Against Apartheid Wall
Five
years after the International Court of Justice issued a ruling against
Israel's Apartheid Wall, Oxfam International has released a report
calling for the Wall to be dismantled. In this report, Five years of illegality,
Oxfam International presents testimonies of fifteen Palestinian men and
women who recount their daily problems, arising from the construction
of the Wall and its associated regime of land confiscation and permits,
and the construction and expansion of settlements. To read more and
download the full report, click here.
5. BOYCOTT & DIVESTMENT UPDATE:
* Take Action on July 9 Anniversaries!
July
9th marks two important anniversaries for our movement. In 2004, the
International Court of Justice issued an advisory ruling declaring
Israel's apartheid wall illegal. Then, in 2005, over 100 Palestinian
civil society organizations issued their international call for
boycott, divestment, and sanctions campaigns against Israel until it
complies with human rights standards and international law. Read more
about these important anniversaries and how you can take action to
commemorate them by clicking here.
Use our web tools to send a message to those with the power to end
corporate support for Israel's illegal military occupation and
apartheid practices by clicking here. Learn how to get the word out in the media, including using new media tools like blogs and Twitter, by clicking here.
* Hang Up On Motorola Resources
Want to end Motorola's complicity with Israeli apartheid and occupation? Sign up to be a local organizer for our Motorola boycott. Get organizing tools
such as postcards for the Hang Up On Motorola pledge, fact sheets about
Motorola's support for Israeli apartheid policies, and tips on how to
involve retailers in the campaign.Click here to make a tax-deductible donation to support the ongoing Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions work of the US Campaign.
Just $10 will pay for a campaign kit to be sent to a new Hang Up On
Motorola organizer. $500 will sponsor a stop on our fall organizing
tour. All donations are appreciated.
* Great BDS website
The
Israeli Coalition of Women for Peace exposes corporations profiting
from the occupation of Palestinian territory and people.
Check
out their online database WhoProfits.org, which you can search by
company, country of company origin, or country of company operation, by
clicking here.
* Keep Up with the Global BDS Movement
Here
at the US Campaign we are proud to be part of a global movement for
boycott, divestment, and sanctions against Israeli occupation and
apartheid policies directed at the Palestinians.
Keep up with this global movement of solidarity with Palestinian civil society by clicking here. And click here to learn more about the Palestinian civil society call for boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS).
* US Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel Releases FAQs
Calls for BDS campaigns against Israeli apartheid and occupation policies have been nothing if not controversial.
To
help clarify the reasoning behind boycotts, the US Campaign for the
Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel has released a new set of
Frequently Asked Questions. Check them out by clicking here.
* The Yes Men Say No to the Jerusalem Film Festival
July 1 - The Yes Men are a group of "culture jamming activists" who impersonate heads of corporations to embarrass them in the media. They are increasingly well known and put out a movie in 2003 about their work called, The Yes Men Movie. They are now about to release their second movie, The Yes Men Fix the World (trailer below), and it was supposed to show at the upcoming Jerusalem Film Festival. No longer. The Yes Men have decided to pull out of the festival to honor the BDS call. Click here to read more.
* 5 years after the ICJ Ruling against the Wall Palestinians Still Waiting for the World to Act
July 9 - Mondoweiss reports on the July 9th anniversaries, including a statement from the Badil Center on the continuing need for boycott, divestment, and sanctions. Click here to read more.
US Campaign Advisory Board member Nadia Hijab on the importance of Palestinian unity and the increasing role that the BDS movement has to play in international solidarity. "Palestinians are not powerless," writes Hijab. "The international movement of solidarity is not only growing, it is growing increasingly powerful with the effective use of the non-violent tools of boycott and divestment." Click here to read the full article.
6. MEMBERSHIP UPDATE:
In an effort to better help our coalition members network and for us to
better gauge the coalition's regional diversity, we have put together a
map with our more than 280 coalition members represented by state:
* Help Us Reach 300!
Help us reach our goal of 300 member organizations! We currently have
287 member groups in our national coalition-just 13 groups short of our
summer goal. Click here to see if your organization is a member group of the US Campaign, and if not, click here to join.
If you feel that there are organizations that are not part of the
coalition, but should be, please put us in touch with them by emailing
us here. If your organization is already part of our coalition, click here to make sure that you are in good standing!
Please welcome the following organizations to our coalition:
Progressive Democrats of America - National
Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane - Washington
* Has Your Organization Paid its 2009 Membership Dues?
We are counting down the days until the 8th Annual National Organizers'
Conference and wanted to make sure that your organization has paid its
annual membership dues for 2009. We accept dues on a sliding scale of
$100 - $1,000 or more.You can click here
to see if your organization has paid its 2009 annual membership dues.
If your organization has not, the delegate(s) will still be able to
attend the National Assembly but will not be able to participate in the
voting and election processes.
* Art Exhibit - Gaza Conversations
June 5-September 4 - Washington, DC
The
tragedy of Gaza has left the headlines but forever remains in the
hearts of these three artists. Their work for this exhibition enables
the Gaza conversation to continue. Join the Jerusalem Fund and the Palestine Center for this exhibition.
A percentage of the artists' proceeds will be donated to a Gaza charity
of their choice. Registration is not required to attend.
Gallery hours: M - F, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., or by appointment.
* Voices of Palestine: Summer 2009 Film Series
Wednesdays, 1 July - 5 August - Washington, DC
The Jerusalem Fund and the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies at
Georgetown University are pleased to present their annual summer film series
highlighting recent documentary and feature films from and about
Palestine that explore the social, cultural and political complexities
of Palestinian life and identity.
All films begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. All films are screened at The Jerusalem Fund, 2425 Virginia Ave, NW, Washington, D.C. 20037,
and are in English or have English subtitles. Attendance is free and
open to the public. No RSVP required. However, space is limited. For
directions and parking information, click here. For all other inquiries, call The Jerusalem Fund at (202) 338-1958, or email by clicking here.
* Goodbye Moto, Goodbye Apartheid!
July 11 - New York, NY
Join the global campaign to boycott Israeli apartheid with US Campaign member group Adalah-NY
and supporters for the New York Campaign for the Boycott of Israel's
Summer Street Actions around New York to Boycott Motorola. On
the 5th anniversary of International Court of Justice's ruling that
Israel's Apartheid Wall and settlements violate international law, ask
New Yorkers to boycott Motorola until it ends its support for Israeli
settlements and for Israel's military assault on the Palestinian
people. Join NYCBI on Saturday, July 11, from 1-3pm at the Sprint store
at 3030 Steinway Street (between 30th and 31st Ave.), Astoria, Queens. Enjoy street theatre, join in festive singalongs, and more for an Apartheid-Free Summer! Click here to learn more.
* The Bedouins vs. the State of Israel: From Freedom to Fear
July 12 - Columbia, MD
Join US Campaign member groups Howard County Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation and Washington Interfaith Alliance for Middle East Peace for a talk by Bette
Hoover, who recently returned from a trip to the Negev Desert, where
she stayed with a Bedouin family. She is a U.S. contact for the work of
BUSTAN, an
organization that works to bring environmental justice to the Negev and
human rights to Bedouins. Come see Bette's photos, hear about her
experiences, and find out how you can add your voice to those speaking
up for justice and peace in the region. The event, cosponsored by the
Howard County Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation, Howard County
Coalition for Peace and Justice, and Washington Interfaith Alliance for
Middle East Peace, will take place at the Howard County Central
Library, 10375 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia, MD, on July 12, at 1 pm.
For more information email Joanne Heisel.
* Friends of Sabeel North America Conference: Seek Peace, Pursue Justice
October 1-3 - Washington, DC
Friends of Sabeel North America (FOSNA) is sponsoring a conference on October 1-3 at Shiloh Baptist Church, 1500 9th St., NW, Washington, DC. Check out the FOSNA website for more information.
7. RESOURCES AND EVENTS:
* Want to Stop Israeli Settlements? Follow the Dollars
June 25 - Last month, both at Cairo University and from the Oval
Office, President Obama called on the Israeli government to stop the
expansion of settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. He
should send the same message to the Americans who are funding and
fueling them. Click here to read the full article by Ronit Avni in The Washington Post.
* A Benefit Concert and Dessert Reception for Gaza
July 11 - Lynnwood, WA
Join
the internationally acclaimed Al-Andalus Ensemble in "Arches," a
concert furthering international understanding, peace, and goodwill
with a diverse program of traditional and contemporary music and songs
from the Middle East to benefit relief efforts in the Gaza Strip.
The concert will take place on July 11, 2009 at 7:00 pm at Trinity
Lutheran Church, 6215 196th Street SW, Lynnwood, WA. A dessert
reception will follow. This is a free event, but a collection will be
taken to aid relief organizations serving in Gaza. For more information
contact Suzy Baroud by emailing or calling (425) 486-2023.
* Second U.S. Social Forum Coming to Detroit in June 2010
The US Social Forum II will take place June 22-26, 2010 at Cobo Hall and Hart Plaza in downtown Detroit. Other workshops and community art and culture programs will take place across the city. The USSF will convene social movements from across the United States and globally. Organizers are reaching out to young people, people of color, unionists, laid off and unorganized workers, welfare recipients, veterans, persons with disabilities, indigenous people, freedom fighters, collectives, and many others. Click here to learn more.
8. DELEGATIONS TO ISRAEL/PALESTINE:
* ICAHD Summer Rebuilding Experience
August 1-16, 2009
Annually since 2003, ICAHD
has made it possible for internationals and Israelis to join together
with Palestinians in Anata, East Jerusalem, to resist the occupation
and rebuild the demolished home of a Palestinian family. In the summer
of 2009, ICAHD will once again rebuild a Palestinian home during our
two-week summer rebuilding experience. We invite you to participate in
the incredible opportunity to learn first-hand about life under
occupation. "Creating Alternative Facts on the Ground," ICAHD's 2009
Summer Rebuilding Experience, takes place from August 1-16,
2009. In addition to construction, there is a full program including
field trips, cultural events, films and much more. For more information
and an application form, please click here.
* Global Exchange's Delegations to Palestine & Israel
July 25th-August 4th, 2009 (Prospects for Peace with Justice)
October 30-November 9, 2009 (Olive Harvest)
December 5th-15th, 2009 (Prospects for Peace with Justice)
* Interfaith Peace-Builders Delegations to Israel/Palestine
July 25th-August 7th, 2009 (Delegation cosponsored by US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation)
October 24th - November 6th, 2009
Click here for video testimonies from past participants in Interfaith Peace-Builders delegations.
* Indigenous Youth Delegation to Palestine
August 2-17, 2009
The Indigenous Youth Delegation to Palestine
is a project of a collective of grassroots youth groups in the U.S. and
Palestine. We have been committed to connecting Native and immigrant
youth in the U.S with youth in Palestine by creating remote forums for
us to reflect together and bridge our struggles. This first-ever
cross-continental exchange is an opportunity for youth to learn first
hand from each other by sharing tools of empowerment and education. Our
journey to Palestine is part of an on-going process of connecting the
shared experiences of Indigenous peoples across the world for the
ultimate goal of land rights, justice and peace. Our trip is planned
for August 2-17, 2009. Click here for more information.
* Joint Advocacy Initiative Olive Harvest Delegation
October 17-26, 2009
The Joint Advocacy Initiative of the East Jerusalem YMCA and YWCA of
Palestine (JAI) and the Alternative Tourism Group (ATG) are organizing
the sixth Olive Picking Program 2009 in Palestine from October 17-26.
This agricultural event is of special significance to the Palestinian
economy when all energies and efforts are mobilized. Click here for more information.
* Sabeel/Friends of Sabeel North America Delegations
Friends of Sabeel North America maintains a list of alternative travel
opportunities to Israel/Palestine. To view the list, click here. Click here for more information on Sabeel's summer Young Adult Conference and Fall Witness Trip.
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Occupation End Notes is the US Campaign bi-monthly newsletter, designed as a tool for activists. For this newsletter to be successful, we need your participation. Use us to promote events, give feedback on recent actions, recommend resources, or just learn from other activists in the movement. If you or your organization are planning an event aimed at ending the occupation, or you have information for the Newsletter, please contact the US Campaign by emailing us here.
The US Campaign aims to change U.S. policies that sustain Israel's 42-year occupation of the Palestinian West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem, and that deny equal rights for all.