Occupation End Notes | April 26, 2007
Volume 4 Number 15
Occupation
End Notes, April 26th, 2007
Volume 4
Number 15
In this
issue...
1. US Campaign Update: Get Involved with theUS Campaign’s June 10th Mobilization; US
Campaign launches June 10th Face Book and MySpace Profiles; Join the
CAT National Call to discuss the upcoming shareholder meeting!
2. Member Group Update: New Member Groups; JVP’s 2nd
Annual Conference & Job Opening; Boston Palestine Film Festival Call for
Entries
3. Resources and Events: Bill Fletcher’s Commentary on
ZNet; AFSC’s Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid Reading & Discussion Guide; Institute
for Palestine Studies Journal Issue 142 is out; Institute for Palestine Studies
Policy NoteNo 15; Rachel Corrie
Foundation’s Peace Works; Canaan Fair Trade Job Opening
4. Opportunities to Visit
Israel and Palestine: Interfaith
Peace-Builders Delegations; Global Exchange Delegations; ICAHD Delegations; Join
Middle East Fellowship for Palestine Summer Encounter; Join Interfaith
Peace-Builders & AFSC on trip to Israel/Palestine; Zajel International
Volunteer Work camp; Birthright Unplugged Delegations in July/August 2007; MECA
Delegations in August 2007; Volunteer in Tel Rumeida;
1. US CAMPAIGN UPDATE
* June 10th -11th, 2007:
The World Says NO to Israeli Occupation!
Mobilization
in Washington, DC
Are You
Coming to DC on June 10-11?
We hope
that you're making plans to join the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation,
United for Peace and Justice, and nearly 200 other organizations in Washington,
DC on June 10-11 for a historic two-day mobilization to protest US support for Israel's
40 year-old military occupation of the Palestinian West Bank, East Jerusalem,
and Gaza Strip.
With your
participation, we're hoping that this will be the largest-ever protest in the
history of the
Here's a
brief update with everything that you need to know to help us organize and
mobilize for this protest and attend it:
LOGISTICS UPDATE
We've
posted a schedule of events taking places on June 10-11, including
times for the teach-in, rally, march, cultural event, and grassroots lobbying
day training.
You can
figure out how to get from event to event by taking a look at the maps and
other info that we've posted on our logistics page.
If you or
your organization is organizing bus transportation to
If you're
looking for or have transportation to
We've also
posted affordable housing options in the
HELP ORGANIZE AND VOLUNTEER
Sign up to
help us organize in your community by becoming a June 10 volunteer organizer. When you sign up, we'll send
you an organizing packet with postcards, petitions, and posters to help you get
the word out.
We're very
excited to welcome on board to the staff of the US Campaign Rami Elamine, a
long-time Palestine solidarity activist, founding member of SUSTAIN (Stop US
Tax-Funded Aid to Israel Now), and editor of Left Turn. Rami is the Local
Organizer for the June 10 protest and he can be reached at june10@endtheoccupation.org.
We need
hundreds of people to get involved in the planning process for the protest and
to volunteer on the day of. Fill out a brief on-line form to join the local DC organizing committee. Or if you're coming in from
out of town for the weekend and would like to help out, fill out the brief
on-line form to volunteer on June 10.
You can
also download a variety of organizing resources to help us get the word out, including
mobilizing posters, petitions, fliers, and more.
This
Thursday, April 26, we'll be holding organizing meetings in
ENDORSE AND SIGN THE PETITION BACKING THE POLITICAL DEMANDS
Nearly 200
organizations have endorsed the political demands of the mobilization, which
are:
* An end
to US military, economic, diplomatic, and corporate support for Israel's
illegal military occupation of the Palestinian West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East
Jerusalem.
* A change
in US policy to one that supports a just peace between Palestinians and
Israelis based on equality, human rights and international law, and the full
implementation of all relevant UN resolutions.
You can
view a flash map of endorsing organizations and also add your organization's endorsement. Individuals can also sign a petition to their Members of Congress backing the
political demands of the mobilization.
You can
also read the more detailed call to action, issued by the US Campaign and UFPJ.
SIGN UP FOR JUNE 11 GRASSROOTS LOBBYING DAY
People
from 10 states, including those as far away as Washington State, are in the
process of setting up meetings with their Members of Congress for the June 11
grassroots lobbying day, sponsored jointly by the US Campaign, UFPJ, and the
American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee.
We've
posted frequently asked questions about the lobbying day and urge
people who are planning on coming to view the list of meetings scheduled to see if someone is setting up
meetings for their Members of Congress. If no one is yet setting up meetings
with your Members of Congress, you can find out how to set up a meeting. Everyone who is planning on
participating should sign up for the lobbying day right away!
SUPPORT THIS MOBILIZATION
We
couldn't put this mobilization together without your generous support. We've
raised more than � of our goal for our spring
fundraising drive. Help put us over the top by making the most generous tax-deductible contribution that you can today.
For a
limited time, make a donation of $25 or more and receive a free set of six anti-apartheid posters union-made and suitable-to-frame.
Thank you in advance for your generous support!
We'll see
you in
* Help Organize the June 10 Mobilization
Against the Israeli Occupation
What: DC Metro Area Organizing
Meeting
When: Thursday, April 26 @ 7PM
Where: ADC National Office, 1732
Wisconsin Ave, NW
RSVP: 202-332-0994 or
june10@endtheoccupation.org
Join the DC Metro Area Organizing Committee at the National Office of the
American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), 1732 Wisconsin Ave, NW, at
7PM on Thursday, April 26 to find out more about the June 10th & 11th
Mobilization in Washington, DC!
* US Campaign Launches Face Book and MySpace
profiles with June 10th & 11th updates and
information
We would
like to thank Nada El-Eryan, Megan Corro, and Joshua Stephens for their hand at
creating and designing Face Book and MySpace pages specially dedicated for the
June 10th & 11th Mobilization!
If you do have Face Book or MySpace profiles, please
add yourselves to the group and tell your friends about them! We need your
support!
Click here to view the
Face Book profile http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2399780739
Click here to view the MySpace
profile
(http://www.myspace.com/theworldsaysno)
* Join National Call to discuss
Past Actions and Plans for CAT Shareholder Meeting
When: Wednesday,
Time:
Dial-in Number: 1-620-782-8800
Access Code: 19772007
Purpose:
1.List
the
2.Discuss
national actions, local and nationally coordinated, for the
3.Generate
energy and discuss strategy to reinvigorate the national
AGENDA:
1.Introductions:
Go-around and say name, city/state, organizational affiliation (just one)
2.Review
the Purpose of and the agenda for the call
3.Share
past actions of
4.Discuss
possibilities for actions for the
5.Review
available resources online and establish strategy for moving forward with
National
Join us
for this important phone call!
The
National CAT Campaign is making a critical impact on the Caterpillar
Corporation and the BDS movement!
2. MEMBER GROUP UPDATES:
The
ŘWomen’s International League for
Peace and Freedom – North Carolina
The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom
(WILPF) was founded in 1915 with Jane Addams, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, as
its first president. WILPF empowers women to work effectively for peace and
justice in over 100
Click here
to read more about WILPF –
ŘGeorgia Peace & Justice
Coalition
The Georgia Peace & Justice Coalition/Atlanta is
a diverse group of community organizations, faith-based institutions,
students, local organizations, and individuals from across
Click here
to read more about Georgia Peace & Justice Coalition
Click here for
more information about how your group can join our growing coalition.
* April 28th-29th,
2007: Please join Jewish
Voice for Peace at their upcoming conference, "Pursuing Justice for
Israel/Palestine: Changing Minds, Challenging US Policy"
We'll be
meeting April 28-29 in downtown
Join featured speakers include Jeff Halper, Ronnie Gilbert, Hussein Ibish,
Rabbi Lynn
Gottlieb, Pastor Will McGarvey, Phyllis Bennis, George Bisharat, Aurora Levins
Morales, Mitchell Plitnick, Anat Biletzki, Charlie Varon, Sydney Levy, Alice
Rothchild and Sandy Tolan.
Visit jewishvoiceforpeace.org for more
info on these extraordinary leaders and activists.
With panels/workshops on
building a Jewish peace movement, feminist activism, Arab-American organizing,
the state of the
* The
Download
the Call for Entries (CFE) PDF Form
BPFF seeks
to present the extraordinary narrative of a dispossessed people living in exile
or under Occupation. Palestinian cinema represents a powerful means for
visually interpreting the collective identity, historic struggle and emotional
expression of Palestinians today.
Click here to read more! (http://www.bostonpalestinefilmfest.org/cfe2007/)
* Job Announcement: Jewish Voice for Peace Searching
for National Director
Jewish
Voice for Peace uses grassroots organizing, education, advocacy, and media
toward the goal of a lasting peace in the
JVP is
seeking a National Director to provide overall leadership to an organization
that is in the midst of a transition from a San Francisco Bay Area based
grassroots organization to a national organization with chapters around the
country, a national board, and greater visibility. The National Director will
be accountable to the Board.
Click here
for more information. (http://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/publish/article_713.shtml)
3. RESOURCES AND EVENTS
* April 19th, 2007: US
Campaign’s Advisory Board Member Bill Fletcher’s “A
Challenge facing pro-Palestinian politics in the USA”
ZNet
Commentary
Pro-Palestinian
politics in the
Click here
to read the Bill Fletcher’s commentary in full. (http://www.zmag.org/sustainers/content/2007-04/19fletcher.cfm)
* AFSC Resource:
The Middle East Peacebuilding Program has just released a new resource -
A Reading and Discussion Guide for
The Middle East Peacebuilding Program has also printed a pamphlet-sized
version of the guide so please contact Adam
Horowitz (AHorowitz@afsc.org) if you
would be interested in making a bulk order.
* The latest issue of the Journal of
Take
advantage of the Journal's special arrangement with
Read the
full text and more articles by clicking here!
(http://www.palestine-studies.org/final/en/journals/issue.php?iid=142&jid=1&vid=XXXVI&vol=203
* Institute for
The
"low" level of violence between
Click here
to read more.
* The Rachel Corrie Foundation for
Peace and Justice
is pleased to announce two very exciting events as part of our annual Peace
Works program:
From April
26th through 29th, the Seattle Repertory Theatre
production of My Name is Rachel Corrie will be performed at The
Evergreen State College in
One week
later, on Saturday evening, May 5th, Peace Works will present Voices
of a People’s History at the
General
Admission - $10
Tickets available on April 17th: call the
Click
here for more information.
*
Canaan
seeks qualified personnel to lead its marketing scheme in the
To apply,
send a letter of interest and CV, including three references, to Dr. Nasser
Abufarha at nabufarha@gmail.com.
4.
OPPORTUNITIES TO VISIT
*Spring - Fall 2007 Schedule: May 26th-June 9th;
July 28th-August 11th; October 27th – November
10th: Interfaith Peace-BuildersDelegations to
Israel/Palestine
Interfaith
Peace-Builders (IFPB) sends delegations to
*
Spring – Fall 2007 Schedule: April 21st
– May 1st, August 12th – 22nd, December 2nd
– 12th: Global
Exchange’s Delegations to Palestine & Israel
Global Exchange’s delegations to
Palestine & Israel provide first-hand exposure to the daily struggles and
realities of Palestinians living under Occupation. The delegations strive
to further the
For more information you can contact Global Exchange (800-497-1994 x. 251) or
email palestine@globalexchange.org.
April 21 – May 1, 2007 <http://www.globalexchange.org/tours/802.html>
August 12 – 22, 2007 <http://www.globalexchange.org/tours/803.html>
December 2 – 12, 2007
* Summer 2007: Resisting Occupation—Constructing
Peace: 2007 ICAHD Summer Rebuilding
Experience
July 14 –
July 29, 2007: For the fifth year in a row, the Israeli Committee Against House
Demolitions [www.ICAHD.org]
is offering a summer work camp intended to foster learning and friendship
between Palestinians, Israelis and internationals. Twenty five internationals
will work alongside Israelis and Palestinians to rebuild the home of a
Palestinian family whose house has been demolished by the Israeli authorities.
In addition, participants will learn about the facts on the ground through a
full program including presentations from key organizations working for a just
peace in
For an
application form and all inquiries regarding the camp please contact ICAHD’s International
Coordinator, Lucia Pizarro lucia@icahd.org. US Participants may contact Richard
Wark at summercamp@icahdusa.org.
*
May 24th – August 16th,
2007: Join Middle
East Fellowship for
Middle
East fellowship, in partnership with Holy
Land Trust invites you to participate in the fourth annual Palestine Summer
Encounter, a two month Arabic-training and volunteer program, starting on May
24th, 2007.
The
purpose of the program is to create a dialogue between Palestinians and members
of the global community. During the program, participants will learn beginner
or intermediate conversational Arabic through language immersion and class and
partner with Palestinian non-profit organizations as a volunteer. Click here for more detailed
information.
* May 26th – June 9th,
2007: Join Interfaith
Peace-Builders (IFPB) & the Americans Friends
Service Committee (AFSC) to travel to
Delegation
to Israel/Palestine
May 26 –
June 9, 2007
Join
Interfaith Peace-Builders (IPFB) and the American Friends Service Committee
(AFSC) to travel to Israel/Palestine. June, 2007 marks the 40th anniversary of
the 1967 war and the beginning of the Israeli military occupation of the West
Bank,
This
delegation provides a unique opportunity to focus on the current situation in
Israel/Palestine and understand the effects of the ongoing Israeli occupation.
Your on-the-ground experience will enrich your understanding of the conflict as
you meet courageous Israelis and Palestinians working for peace and justice,
and witness the current realities of life in
Click here for more information.
* June 2nd – 20th,
2007: Zajel
International Voluntary Work Camp
The
international summer work camp, “Step in the right direction”, will bring
together 25 young people from around the world who are interested in helping
create a better world. We are specifically targeting people who are working
with organizations led by young people that address humanitarian issues and
social justice. We strongly encourage highly motivated and serious young men
and women to apply.
For more
information, please click here (http://youth.zajel.org/summer_camps/camp2007/announcing.htm)
* July 20th-25th
and August 20th-25th, 2007: Birthright Unplugged
Delegations to Israel/Palestine
Are you
thinking of going to Palestine/Israel this summer?
Are you
interested in meeting Palestinian families, activists, community leaders, and
political figures, and learning about life under occupation? Are you committed
to turning education into action and working for justice?
Then
BIRTHRIGHT UNPLUGGED is for you!
Join us
for a 6-day educational trip through the
Birthright
Unplugged trips will run from JULY 20-25, 2007 and AUGUST 20-25, 2007.Dates are subject to change.
The
application deadline is Tuesday, MAY 15, 2007.Trips run every summer and winter.
While
Birthright Unplugged is designed primarily for Jewish people, we welcome people
of all backgrounds on our trips.We also
welcome individuals of all ages, and have traveled with people ages 9-70.
For more
information about the itinerary, costs, trip leaders, and application
materials, visit www.birthrightunplugged.org.
* MECA
Delegation August 2007: Come with MECA to Palestine/Israel!
For
seventeen years, MECA has taken small groups to the West Bank,
For
information, please contact:
Deborah
Agre or Josie Shields-Stromsness deborah@mecaforpeace.org,
josie@mecaforpeace.org
510-548-0542
*Volunteer
in Tel Rumeida!
Tel
Rumeida Project is an organization solely for work purposes (i.e. it is not
an organization for its own sake.) Therefore, volunteers are expected to
be able to function well with instruction and independently. Volunteers will be
working in the neighborhood of Tel Rumeida,
*****
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,
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