Solidarity For Palestinian Human Rights at UWO

Watch: Speech by Mbuyiseni Ndlozi at the Israeli Apartheid Week, London

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 01:41:26 -0500

Watch: Speech by Mbuyiseni Ndlozi at the Israeli Apartheid Week, London

Campus Under Apartheid- PART 1 (by SPHRatUWO)

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 17:18:12 -0500

Campus Under Apartheid- PART 1 (by SPHRatUWO)

Imagine how it would feel to live under Apartheid?

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 16:36:33 -0500

Imagine how it would feel to live under Apartheid?

Photo

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 03:08:35 -0500

Checkpoint date: When dinner isn’t the only check you have...

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:56:20 -0500

Checkpoint date: When dinner isn’t the only check you have to worry about - watch more funny videos

BBC defends decision to censor the word “Palestine”‎...

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:33:43 -0500

BBC defends decision to censor the word “Palestine”‎ (by PressTVGlobalNews)

I am Palestine

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 12:36:40 -0500

I am Palestine

nonsensemachine: Mustafa Tamimi falls after being hit in the...

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 01:48:19 -0500

nonsensemachine:

Mustafa Tamimi falls after being hit in the head by a tear gas canister fired at close range by the IDF. He died from his injuries.

“Mustafa died because he threw stones. He died because he dared to speak a truth, with his hands, in a place where the truth is forbidden.”

(December 15, 2011) via

kwikset: Meanwhile in #Cairo #Egypt #D16 Via...

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 01:47:36 -0500

kwikset:

Meanwhile in #Cairo #Egypt #D16 Via @Reuters

Protesters clash with military police. Soldiers stormed an anti-military protest camp outside Egypt’s Cabinet building Friday, beating women with sticks and hurling chunks of concrete and glass onto protesters from the roof of the parliament in a resurgence of turmoil only a day after millions voted in parliamentary elections. Protesters attempted to fight back by hurling stones back at the military police using sling shots, setting up shields made of building debris and helmets made of buckets. Small fires were started 223 injured according to to the Ministry of Health and At least seven protesters were shot to death in the clashes.

Introducing the Palestinian Freedom Riders On November 15,...

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 22:32:41 -0500

Introducing the Palestinian Freedom Riders

On November 15, 2011, six Palestinian activists challenged Israeli apartheid policies by boarding a segregated bus which runs inside the West Bank serving Israeli settlers.

Near the Jewish settlement of Psagot, the Palestinian Freedom Riders got on a bus owned by Israel’s largest transportation company, Egged, enroute to East Jerusalem. When the bus reached the Hizmeh checkpoint, it was surrounded and shut down by border police and army. The activists were forcefully dragged from the bus, and arrested. They have since been released.

Huwaida Arraf, one of the Riders, recounts how she got a feeling of strength from knowing that this action would send a message to the rest of the world.

‘I sat there, it was with a sense of determination,’ she says. ‘It was important to expose Israeli colonization policies so people will understand. Lots of people were with us, if not in person, in spirit.’

This act of civil disobedience is a reminder of the Civil Rights Movement Freedom Rides fifty years ago in the United States. The first Freedom Ride began in Washington D.C. on May 4, 1961 when African Americans travelled into the Deep South on segregated buses. Although they were subjected to acts of violence and arrests, they did not give up. Within four months, 60 more Rides went around the South. So successful was this act of resistance that in November, 1961 public transport, restaurants, waiting rooms, drinking fountains, and restrooms were all desegregated.

Freedom, justice, and self-determination

The Palestinian Freedom Ride was a protest against the occupation of Palestine, and according to a statement released by the Freedom Riders, an assertion of the Palestinian aspirations for freedom, justice, and self-determination. The four-decade-long Israeli occupation of Palestine has resulted in discrimination, segregation, and loss of freedom of movement, land, life, and the loss of the basic human rights of the Palestinian people.

The Ride was also a protest against the Egged and Veolia (French) transportation companies. By routing their buses between the illegal settlements, connecting them to each other and to Israel, they provide a service to the settlers and profit from the occupation.

It is an unwritten rule that Palestinians cannot ride the buses, resulting in a segregated public transportation system

‘They travel in and out of our occupied land, on roads that we often can’t use into places that we can’t reach, including Jerusalem,’ says Badee Dwak, one of the activists. ‘They need to be divested from and boycotted. Not just here, but around the world. It is a moral duty to end complicity in this Israeli system of apartheid.’

The use of the Israeli public transport system in the West Bank is not technically forbidden to Palestinians, but since the bus lines pass through the settlements, to which Palestinians are forbidden entry by military decree, it is an unwritten rule that they cannot ride the buses, resulting in a segregated public transportation system in the West Bank.

Approximately half a million Israelis live in illegal settlements in the West Bank. According to B’Tselem – The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories – up until mid-2011, there were 124 settlements and 100 outposts that were established with government assistance but are not officially recognized.

This number does not include East Jerusalem, where there are 12 Israeli neighbourhoods. The settlements are built on Palestinian-owned land, and pose numerous obstacles to the Palestinians. Unlike the Palestinians, settlers do not face any restrictions on their movement around the West Bank, or between Israel and the West Bank.

Restricted movement

The movement of the Palestinians within the West Bank, on the other hand, is restricted by a series of fixed checkpoints, flying (non-permanent) checkpoints, physical obstructions such as concrete slabs, dirt piles, and trenches, more than 230 kilometers of Jewish-only roads in which Palestinian travel is forbidden, and the Wall.

Furthermore, Palestinians are not permitted entrance to Israel without a special permit from the Israeli authorities.

‘We call on the people of the world to support our struggle for freedom like they supported the struggle against Apartheid in South Africa’

The illegal system of military and settler control of the West Bank, which has taken over more than 42 per cent of the Palestinian territory, has resulted in difficulties for Palestinians to reach their places of employment and education and receive healthcare in hospitals. It has separated farmers from their land and water resources, and villages and families from each other. The list of hardships Palestinians face due to the occupation is almost endless.

‘Israel’s control over Palestinians must end and all of Israel’s Jewish-only colonies that sit on stolen land must be dismantled,’ says Hurriyah Ziada, spokeswoman for the Palestinian Freedom Riders. ‘As we struggle for our people’s basic rights, we call on the people of the world to support our struggle for freedom like they supported the struggle against Apartheid in South Africa.’

With a sense of empowerment, and the strength of ‘people power,’ the hope is that the Freedom Riders will ride again soon.

BOOK OF THE MONTH Author: DR. ILAN PAPPE Title: The Ethnic...

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 22:01:00 -0500

BOOK OF THE MONTH

Author: DR. ILAN PAPPE

Title: The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine

“The 1948 Palestine-Israel War is known to Israelis as ‘The War of Independence’, but for Palestinians it will forever be the Nakba, the ‘catastrophe’. Alongside the creation of the State of Israel, the end of the war led to one of the largest forced migrations in modern history. Around a million people were expelled from their homes at gunpoint, civilians were massacred, and hundreds of Palestinian villages deliberately destroyed. Though the truth about the mass expulsion has been systematically distorted and suppressed, had it taken place in the twenty-first century it could only have been called ‘ethnic cleansing’.” “Prominent Israeli academic Ilan Pappe argues passionately for the international recognition of this tragedy. His groundbreaking and controversial work sheds new light on the origins and development of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, asking questions that the world has so far failed to ask to reveal the real story behind the events of 1948. Based on meticulous research, including recently declassified Israeli archival material, Dr. Pappe’s timely account demonstrates conclusively that ‘transfer’ - a euphemism for ethnic cleansing - was from the start an integral part of a carefully planned strategy, and lies at the root, of today’s ongoing conflict in the Middle East.”—BOOK JACKET.

This book is avalibale at King’s University College and Weldon Library:

http://alpha.lib.uwo.ca/record=b4184496

This book is available for purchase at Amazon.ca

http://www.amazon.com/Ethnic-Cleansing-Palestine-Ilan-Pappe/dp/1851684670

Double Click to watch a video of Dr. Pappe discussing this book!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 21:54:59 -0500

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

David Heap on Voice of Palestine.mov (by CanadaBoatGaza)

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:30:35 -0500

David Heap on Voice of Palestine.mov (by CanadaBoatGaza)

From US South to Palestine, Freedom Rides change history

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 01:09:40 -0500

From US South to Palestine, Freedom Rides change history

Double click for more photos!

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 01:07:00 -0500

Double click for more photos!

DOUBLE CLICK TO VIEW THE FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE! In June...

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 01:03:00 -0500

DOUBLE CLICK TO VIEW THE FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE!

In June 2002 the Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign put out a call for an annual International Week Against the Wall in Palestine on November 9th to 16th. The Week Against the Wall was initiated by communities affected by the Israeli-built separation wall. On this week, events and actions take place around the world to protest against the Wall, in solidarity with those in Palestine, and to further amplify the Palestinian national call to Stop the Wall! (From StoptheWall.org).

In the context of the International Week Against the Wall in Palestine, this panel will look at the local and global dimensions of separation dynamics in Palestine, Cyprus, and Spain-Morocco. The Israeli-built wall in Palestine is not the first case of separation, racial and national ghettoization, or securitized borders; the phenomenon of separation walls is a globally proliferating one.They are materially and abstractly constructed, framed and crossed in different forms depending on the contexts in which they are embedded.

In Palestine, the colonial separation follows securitized, ethnic and national lines; in Spain-Morocco the separation is based on colonial, economic, and xenophobic efforts to block people from Africa from crossing the sea to the European Union; and the division of Cyprus into Turkish and Greek territories holds in it historical, political, and national weight.

This panel will discuss the specificity of each context while also highlighting the similarity of the material and discursive processes that are at play in the ongoing construction of these walls and asking what do these walls tell us about the world we live in.

Speakers:

Nayrouz Abu-Hatoum is a PhD candidate in Social Anthropology at York University, and a graduate fellow at York Centre for International and Security Studies. Her area of interest is drawn from her personal experiences with movement, bordered spaces, violence and conflict. Her current research explores the Israeli built ‘separation’ wall in Palestine through looking at the visual life created around it, asking: in what ways is the wall present and absent(ed) from the Israeli national landscape?

David Moffette is a PhD candidate in sociology at York University, and a graduate fellow at York Centre for International and Security Studies where he is co-organizing a Critical Borders Studies speaker series. His work focuses on the securitization of immigration in Spain, the border city of Ceuta, and the externalization of European migration control towards Morocco. David has also been working as an ally in migrant justice struggles since 2004.

Randa Farah has been an associate professor in Anthropolgy at the University of Western Ontario since 2001. Randa’s areas of interest include studies in Borders, Identities and Mobility.

—————————————————————————————

Need to know:

- Doors open at 5:00

- Admission Free, but please feel free to make a donation

- Light refreshments will be served

For more information please contact Bat’e

- Email: bkanaan@uwo.ca

- Phone: (519) 619-6127

Keeping with our belief of 100% transparency we have decided to...

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 00:53:47 -0500

Keeping with our belief of 100% transparency we have decided to show you, our members, how and where we spend the money that has been donated to us by you and our sponsors!

Photo

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 01:17:43 -0500

What is Indigo Books and Music Inc.? Founded in 1996, Indigo...

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 20:46:26 -0500

What is Indigo Books and Music Inc.?

Founded in 1996, Indigo Books and Music Inc., a Canadian Company, became the largest Canadian book retail chain at the time of its merger with Chapters Inc. in August 2010. With over 250 stores in ten provinces and one territory, Indigo is the third largest book retailer in North America. This monopolistic company sells under the banners Chapters, The World’s Biggest Bookstore, Coles, SmithBooks, Indigospirit, The Book Company, Pistachio, and chapters.indigo.ca. Heather Reisman and Gerry Schwartz are a couple: she is founder and CEO of the company, while he is president of Onex Inc., and member of the board of directors at Indigo. Between them, they control 68% of the assets of the company Indigo Books and Music Inc. With a net turnover of more than $968 million in 20101, any purchase at Indigo Books and Music generates income for Reisman and Schwartz.

What is the HESEG Foundation for Lone Soldiers?

Heather Reisman and Gerry Schwartz established the HESEG Foundation for Lone Soldiers in 2005 to encourage foreign soldiers to join the Israeli army and continue their studies in Israel. By issuing scholarships on behalf of the HESEG Foundation for Lone Soldiers, Reisman and Schwartz hope to demonstrate their gratitude and support for the hundreds of « Lone Soldiers » who left their country to join the Israeli military forces. Each year, the HESEG foundation rewards hundreds of “Lone Soldiers” with more than $3 million worth of scholarships for further academic studies in Israel.2

Why boycott Indigo Books and Music Inc.?

By supporting and rewarding the « Lone Soldiers », Reisman and Schwartz by means of Indigo Books and Music Inc., indirectly support Israel military efforts in the occupation of the Palestinian territories. While accepting the value of educational scholarships, the HESEG Foundation is criticized for the choice of entry criteria of these scholarships. To be eligible, the immigrant to Israel must join the Israeli occupation forces, and complete his term of active service.

Unlike Israeli citizens, the « Lone Soldiers » are under no civil obligation to participate in the Israeli army. On the contrary, they volunteer to participate in Israel’s occupation forces. The HESEG Foundation, promising financial assistance, thus encourages individuals to take part in the occupation. Like Israeli soldiers, « Lone Soldiers » may participate in military activities at various checkpoints that restrict Palestinian movement while strengthening the occupation of Palestinian lands. The HESEG Foundation thus encourages individuals to participate in activities which are illegal under the Fourth Geneva Convention, the Hague Convention and several other related instruments of international law (e.g. The Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment 3, etc.)

Moreover, the HESEG Board of Directors makes the selection of scholarship recipients. This Board is composed primarily of members or retirees of the Israeli army, some of which are criticized for major violations of international law under their command. Notably Doron Almog, who escaped arrest in London in 2005 on charges of war crimes.4 Reisman and Schwartz are therefore directly linked to the Israeli army, and work jointly with it.

Schwartz.5

From a legal point of view, the boycott strategy focuses on the Israeli army since it is the subject of such criticism from international institutions following its noncompliance with international human rights and humanitarian law.

on the responsibilities of transnational corporations and other business enterprises with regard to human rights

The Israeli army has shown its gratitude to the foundation by providing the couple

with the firearm of a “Lone Soldier” American killed in action during a ceremony praising the importance

of foreign troops and the financial support provided by Reisman and

In effect, the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories is one of the longest occupations

in modern history, and is highly criticized because of its ongoing legal violations by international legal

bodies. Moreover, according to recommendation C of the UN Norms

, any involvement by

business enterprises in war crimes, crimes against humanity, acts of torture or any

violations of international info@cjpme.org © Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East, reuse or reproduction prohibited without express written permission www.cjpme.org

humanitarian law and international are illegal.6According to this principle, the HESEG Foundation must a) not provide any indirect support for the Israeli army; and b) not promote the participation of its beneficiaries in legal violations or war crimes.

close follow-up would be difficult since a) the Israeli army would not allow it and b) this monitoring would require ongoing and insurmountable overhead for the Foundation.

It is also important to note that in July 2005, over 170 Palestinian organizations have called for a boycott of Israeli products in order to press for recognition of the Palestinians’ right of self-determination. While aware of the potential economic impact on Palestinians and Israelis, the boycott seeks to pressure all bodies directly or indirectly supporting the Israeli economy, and particularly the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.

When will the boycott strategy end?

The boycott strategy will end if one or more of these following things take place:

The HESEG

Foundation should neither encourage nor finance the Israeli army and its soldiers, since they indeed pursue

the above acts that violate international law. Under the legal norms, the foundation HESEG should ensure

soldiers recipient of scholarships do not engage in acts deemed illegal by international law. Nevertheless, a

 



Israel withdraws from the occupied Palestinian territories;

Reisman and Schwartz withdrawal from the Foundation, or the HESEG Foundation changes its mandate and stops supporting Israeli soldiers;

Reisman and Schwartz sell their shares in Indigo Books and Music Inc.

With the boycott, where else can I buy books apart from Indigo’s?

Despite the breadth of the monopoly of Indigo Books and Music Inc., several other independent shops sell the same items. First, on the Internet, Amazon.ca has a wide variety of books in English and French, and is the main competitor to Indigo Books and Music Inc. Bookscene.ca allows customers to order books through the Internet, and can deliver them anywhere in Canada. There are several local bookstores in every city in Canada offering a wide variety of books that are not affiliated to the company Indigo Books and Music Inc. www.biblio.ca shows these bookstores, in each province across Canada.

What other ways to put pressure on Indigos?

Individual action is at the heart of CJPME’s boycott campaign. The following are tools and mechanisms established by CJPME through which all concerned citizens can pressure Reisman and Schwartz to withdraw their funding to the HESEG Foundation for Lone Soldiers.

 CJPME encourages all citizens to participate in the “Boycott Indigo: Action Alert” on http://www.cjpme.ca/action_indigos_2010_09.shtml .This alert allows people to submit their complaints and questions to the executive members of Indigo Books and Music Inc.

 Templates of ready-to-send letters to the executives and the various branches of Indigos are also available on CJPMO’s boycott section at http://www.cjpme.org/consumerboycott.htm.

 A mechanism to bring together shareholders of Indigo Books and Music Inc. has also been established at http://www.cjpme.org/bds.htm to prepare for eventual shareholder initiatives to apply pressure at other levels.

1 “Annual report for the 53 weeks period ended April 3, 2010,” Indigo Books and Music Inc., April 3, 2010, p.9. 2 Hazan, Jenny. « Canadians aid lone IDF soldiers » The Canadian Jewish news. 3 To know more about the Israeli occupation army’s violations of the international law, see CJPME Factsheet, The Geneva Conventions and Israeli Activities in the Occupied Territories, March 2004. 4 Casciani, Dominic. “Police feared ‘airport stand-off’” BBC news, February 19, 2010. 5 Rettig Gur, Haviv. “Fallen lone soldier remembered at Heseg Fund ceremony” Jerusalem Post, November 22 , 2006. 6 United Nations: Economic and Social Council. Norms on the responsibilities of transnational corporations and other business enterprises with regard to human rights. E/CN.4/Sub.2/2003/12/Rev.2.

Photo

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 20:40:36 -0500