End the Occupation

1. US Campaign Update: US Campaign Launches Expressions of Nakba Competition; US Campaign's February Book Club Selection; While Supplies Last, Get Your Palestinian Fair Trade Olive Oil

2. Legislative Update: Oppose $2.55 Billion in Military Aid in FY 2009

3. Membership Update: Americans for a Just Peace in the Middle East's Documentary: ISRAEL: Myths & Propaganda; AFSC End the Siege on Gaza Blog; AFSC Program Associate Job Opening

4. Boycott & Divestment News: New York & London protesters call for Valentine's boycott of Leviev over Israeli settlements; London School of Economics Student Union votes for Divestment

5. Resources & Events: Anna Baltzer presents: Life in Occupied Palestine: Eyewitness Stories & Photos; Boston Palestine Film Festival (BPFF) now accepting entries for its 2nd annual festival

6. Opportunities to Visit Israel and Palestine: Interfaith Peace-Builders; Global Exchange; Middle East Children's Alliance; Christian Peacemaker Teams; NEW Delegations from Middle East Fellowship

1. US CAMPAIGN UPDATE:

* US Campaign Launches Expressions of Nakba Competition:

The year 2008 marks the 60th anniversary of the Nakba ("the catastrophe"): the expulsion and dispossession of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from their homes and land in 1948.

The US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation is soliciting entries for a commemoration of the Nakba through personal expressions in the form of visual arts, essays, poetry, music, video, and digital media.

Learn more about the competition and how you can participate by clicking here!

* US Campaign's February Book of the Month Club Selection: The War on Lebanon: A Reader

* While Supplies Last, Get Your Palestinian Fair Trade Olive Oil

* Oppose $2.55 Billion in Military Aid to Israel in FY2009

Feb. 11, 2008

Bush' FY2009 budget request to Congress includes $2.55 billion in military aid to Israel, a 9% increase over actual spending in FY2007.This increase in military aid is the first installment of a ten-year plan, signed by Israel and the United States in August, to increase military aid to Israel by 25%, totaling $30 billion over the next decade. 

Take action to oppose military aid to Israel today by clicking here.

3. MEMBERSHIP UPDATE:

* Americans for a Just Peace in the Middle East's Documentary: ISRAEL: Myths & Propaganda

The Truth about the 1948 Arab-Israeli War and the Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine

AJPME is proud to announce the completion of its newest documentary featuring Israeli historian Ilan Pappe.

This is a two part interview with Prof. Pappe in his office at HaifaUniversity a few years ago. He shares with the viewer his extensive research into the British and Jewish archives of the 1930s and 40s, which became the basis for his newest book, THE ETHNIC CLEANSING OF PALESTINE.

In the first interview Pappe uncovers three Israeli myths: that Israel was the weaker party in the 1948 Arab-Israeli war and on the verge of a second holocaust; that Israel was not responsible for the ethnic cleansing of the indigenous Palestinian population; and that Israel extended its hand for peace and was rejected by the Arab side. All of these myths are the basis of the official Israeli narrative.

Watch Pappe discuss what really happened and why it is important for all of us to know.
AMEU (Americans for Middle East Understanding) is featuring this documentary to accompany an article to be written by Prof. Pappe for Israel's upcoming 60th anniversary.

To order your copy of this important documentary please write to: info@ajpme.org or call us at: (866) 280-0813. They're $15.00 each. Orders of 10 or more are priced at $10.00 each.

* AFSC's End the Siege on Gaza Blog

* AFSC Middle East Program Associate Job Opening in Atlanta, GA

February 14, 2008

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
Job Title: Program Associate
Duration: Six (6) months (with possibility of extension)
Hours: 35 hours/week (fulltime)
Program: Middle East Peace Education Program (MEPEP)
Region/Unit: Southeastern Regional Office (SERO)
Supervisor(s): Program Director and/or Associate Regional Director
Location: Regional Office, Atlanta, GA

Background: The AFSC SERO Middle East Peace Education Program (MEPEP) works for a just and balanced U.S. policy in the Middle East. The work is based on Quaker principles and guided by human rights principles, United Nations resolutions, and international law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention. In the United States, MEPEP works: to challenge US support for the Israeli occupation of Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem? to end the US occupation of Iraq? to promote self-determination, equal rights for all? and to monitor the impact of the military occupations. SERO staff work with AFSC staff around the country.

Summary of Responsibilities:provide general administrative and programmatic support to MEPEP? participate in and lead educational presentations, activities and events? respond to information requests? plan, develop and update resources for program campaigns. The Program Associate will also assume the responsibilities of the Program Director during his/her absence.

Application Process:Email a copy of your resume and a detailed cover letter specific for this position to
mepepassociate08@afsc.org.

4. BOYCOTT & DIVESTMENT NEWS:

* New York & London protesters call for Valentine's boycott of Leviev over Israeli settlements

Adalah-NY Contact: justiceme@gmail.com

New York, NY, Feb 9, 2008 - Forty-five protesters called on Madison Avenue shoppers to boycott the jewelry store of Israeli billionaire and settlement magnate Lev Leviev this Saturday, the last major shopping day before Valentine's Day. The protest was the seventh organized by the New York activist group Adalah-NY since Leviev's store opened in mid-November.

Londoners also joined the campaign to boycott Leviev, with 25 human rights activists picketing outside Leviev's Old Bond St. store Saturday. The protesters in New York and London oppose Leviev's construction of Israeli settlements on Occupied Palestinian land in violation of international law, as well as his abuse of marginalized communities in Angola, where he mines diamonds, and in New York City where he develops real estate.

Click here to read more!

* London School of Economics student union votes for divestment
Press Release, LSE SU Palestine Society, 19 February 2008

The London School of Economics Students' Union (LSESU) on 14 February voted overwhelmingly to call on its university and the National Union of Students (NUS) to divest from companies that provide military and commercial support for the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land, condemning the decades of human rights abuses and systematic oppression that has occurred as a result.

A motion, brought to the weekly Union General Meeting of more than 400 LSE students by the LSESU Palestine Society, resolved to lobby the LSE and NUS to divest from companies that provide military support for the Israeli occupation, facilitate the maintenance of the illegal "annexation" wall or operate on illegally occupied land or within Jewish only settlements. With a six to one margin, the Union voted to support the aim of targeted divestment until companies cease such practices or until Israel ends its discriminatory oppression and colonization of Palestinian communities.

Click here to read more.

5. RESOURCES AND EVENTS

* Anna Baltzer presents: Life in Occupied Palestine: Eyewitness Stories & Photos

Anna Baltzer, a Jewish American Columbia graduate, Fulbright scholar, author, and acclaimed presenter, is touring the United States with a presentation and book describing her experiences documenting human rights abuses and supporting Palestinian-led nonviolent resistance to the Israeli Occupation with the International Women's Peace Service.

The purpose of the tour is to provide critical information and documentation that can be difficult to obtain through mainstream US media sources, and to encourage taking action on the issue. The presentation and book offer a thoughtful perspective from the granddaughter of Holocaust refugees. Baltzer sees it as her responsibility to "expose the injustices of today in light of those of the past."

Atlanta, GA:Feb 28-Mar 4
Birmingham, AL:Mar 4-7
Huntsville, AL:Mar 8-9
Indiana:Apr 6-12
Chicago or North Carolina (TBA):Mid-April
Yuma, AZ:Apr 30
Southern California:May 1-17
Columbus, OH:Late May

Baltzer will also be selling and signing copies of her newly updated book, Witness in Palestine: A Jewish American Woman in the OccupiedTerritories.

For more information about Baltzer's book, DVD, and tour details, visit www.AnnaInTheMiddleEast.com

* The BostonPalestine Film Festival (BPFF) is now accepting entries for its 2nd annual festival to be held in October 2008

BPFF seeks to present the extraordinary narrative of a dispossessed people living in exile or under Israeli occupation. Palestinian cinema represents a powerful means for visually interpreting the collective identity, historic struggle and emotional expression of Palestinians today.

The festival will showcase the diverse and creative work of all filmmakers (any nationality) exploring both historic and contemporary themes related to Palestinian culture, experience, and narrative.

BPFF accepts films, videos and digital media in the following categories:

ØFeature Films

ØDocumentaries

ØShorts (including animated or experimental works)

        ØYouth Work (created by filmmakers under the age of 18)

This year the festival particularly encourages submissions related to the Palestinian refugee issue and themes of exile, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Nakba in 2008.

The early submission deadline is February 15, 2008, with an extended submission deadline of March 20, 2008. There is no entry fee for International Submissions or Youth Work.

Festival Website: http://www.bostonpalestinefilmfest.org
BPFF Submission Form: http://bostonpalestinefilmfest.org/cfe2008/BPFF-CFE2008.pdf
Please direct all questions to: submissions@bostonpalestinefilmfest.org

6. OPPORTUNITIES TO VISIT ISRAEL AND PALESTINE

*Interfaith Peace-BuildersDelegations to Israel/Palestine

Interfaith Peace-Builders (IFPB) sends delegations to Israel and Palestine so that US citizens can see the conflict with their own eyes. Participants have the opportunity to learn directly from Israeli and Palestinian nonviolent peace/human-rights activists, to spend time in Palestinian and Israeli homes, and to experience the situation of Palestinians living under military occupation. For more information, contact the IFPB office directly by phone (202-244-0821) or email office@ifpbdel.org.

Upcoming Delegations in 2008: March 29 - April 12
May 24 - June 7: Legacies of 1948" 60 Years of Searching for Justice (Co-Sponsored with AFSC)
July 26 - August 9
November 8 - November 22

Apply Today:  http://www.ifpbdel.org/upcoming.html

* Fall 2007 Schedule: December 2^nd - 12^th: Global Exchange's Delegations to Palestine & Israel

As the Israeli military continues to place Palestinian towns, villages and refugee camps under siege, Palestinians continue to resist the 40 year Occupation of their land. GX's delegations to Palestine/Israel strive to further the US public's understanding of the region's history and realities by giving participants first-hand exposure to the aspirations and frustrations of Palestinians living under Occupation, the dimensions of the human rights crisis under Israeli rule, as well as the perspectives of Palestinians and Israelis who are working for a just peace and end to the occupation.

For additional information, review our Palestine resources.

For a selection of recent news items compiled by Global Exchange, review our Palestine News Updates.
Prospects for Peace with Justice
April 05, 2008 - April 15, 2008
December 06, 2008 - December 16, 2008

For more information you can contact Global Exchange (800-497-1994 x. 251) or email palestine@globalexchange.org.

* July 1-12, 2008: Middle East Children's Alliance Delegation to Palestine/Israel

On MECA's twelve-day delegation you will be taken on a geographic, political, historical and cultural tour of Palestine/Israel by two MECA staff people, and Yacoub Odeh, refugee, former political prisoner, and human rights worker. We will travel by van to witness the impact of the Israeli occupation and visit organizations working for justice and equality. You will learn about refugees, land confiscation, political prisoners, women's initiatives, mental and physical health issues, civil rights in Israel, and the lives of children.

The group of eight to twelve people will stay at the guesthouse of MECA's long-time partner IbdaaCulturalCenter in Dheisheh Refugee Camp, near Bethlehem. Ibdaa is a lively place in the heart of the community with great food and comfortable accommodations.

Cost: $1,800 not including airfare.

More info: www.mecaforpeace.org/delegation
Contact: Deborah Agre at 510-548-0542 or Deborah@mecaforpeace.org

* NEW Christian Peacemaker Teams Delegations to PALESTINE/ISRAEL:

Upcoming 2008 Delegations: May 27-June 9
July 22-August 4
October 14-27
November 19-December 2

During the first several days, delegates will meet with representatives of Israeli and Palestinian peace and human rights groups in Jerusalem and Bethlehem to gain perspective on the conflict.They will tour the "security wall" separating Israel from the West Bank.Then they will travel to the tensely divided city of Hebron, where CPT has been based since June 1995, and to the village of At-Tuwani in the South Hebron Hills, where CPT has had a team since 2004. They will visit Palestinian families whose homes and livelihoods are threatened by expanding Israeli settlements.They will experience firsthand CPT's work of violence deterrence and human rights documentation and challenge the structural violence of the Occupation through nonviolent public witness.Delegates raise $2100 US ($2500 Cdn) to cover costs.

For more information or to apply, contact CPT, (PO Box 6508, Chicago, IL60680; phone 773-277-0253; fax 773-277-0291; e-mail delegations@cpt.org <mailto:delegations@cpt.org> ) or see CPT's website at: http://www.cpt.org/.

* NEW Middle East Fellowship Delegations to Israel/Palestine

DISCOVERY DELEGATIONS IN 2008:

June 2-12, 2008: open delegation to the Holy Land

[Other options available throughout 2008, including Northwest Churches tripOctober 3-18]

Meet the indigenous churches of the Holy Land, tour all the key sights in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Hebron, Jericho, Nazareth, Jaffa, etc; enjoy home stays with local families in Bethlehem; learn from Palestinian and Israel peace, justice and nonviolence practioners; and much much more!Cost: $1800 plus airfare.

PALESTINE SUMMER ENCOUNTER - 5th year!

Now entering its 5th year, PSE offers three sequential 1-month sessions that can be combined for one, two or three month stays. Session One: May 22-June 19; Session Two: June 19-July 17; Session Three: July 17-August 14.PSE includes Home Stays, Arabic Study, volunteer Service-Learning and meeting with a wide variety of Palestinian and Israeli nonviolence, peace-with-justice and reconciliation groups.