#BDS: DePaul SJP responds to reinstatement of Sabra and pending Committee review

Two weeks ago, Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) at DePaul University called on campus administrators to suspend the sale of Sabra hummus products after revealing the company’s involvement in the financial and material support of the Israeli military. The University immediately signed on, abiding by its Vincentian values and removing the product from campus food and dining facilities. Days later, however, the administration was pressured into reinstating the Sabra products pending review by the university’s Fair Business Practices Committee.

The opposition quickly regarded this as a substantial defeat to the campaign designed to promote divestment from companies complicit in Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine. SJP has since responded with a public statement denouncing the reinstatement of Sabra hummus while also calling on DePaul’s administration to permanently extend the suspension of Sabra sales.

#BDS: Hummus matters

The famous civil rights leader Cesar Chavez once said, “The fight is never about grapes or lettuce. It is always about people.” Over the last few weeks, there has been much controversy over the Princeton Committee on Palestine’s call for Princeton students to personally boycott Sabra hummus and our campaign for a referendum asking the University to offer alternative brands in its retail locations. Initially, most of the criticism claimed that this project was trivial and that we should focus on more important things. However, after significant national and international media coverage and a huge opposition effort that included an attempt to stop the referendum from happening altogether, I think we can at least agree on one thing: This is important, and it isn’t just about hummus.

We decided to target Sabra because of its association with human rights violations. The Strauss Group, which owns 50 percent of Sabra Dipping Company, has in the past publicly “adopted” the Golani Brigade of the Israeli Defense Forces and provides its members with financial support.Wednesday’s editorial by The Daily Princetonian said that these concerns are “overblown” because this support “has no tangible effect on the unit’s actions” and because there is no “direct link” between Sabra and the actions of the Golani Brigade. The editorial board has a right to express its opinion on when a product is sufficiently involved in human rights abuses to merit asking for alternatives. Nonetheless, these arbitrary prerequisites miss the point. Indeed, although the money we pay for a package of Sabra hummus could be going directly into the pockets of members of an illegal occupation force known for its brutality against innocent Palestinians, that is not even the main issue.

#BDS: All I want for Christmas is an end to apartheid – Top ten brands to boycott

While there are many Israeli and multinational companies that benefit from apartheid, we put together this list to highlight ten specific companies to target. Many of these produce goods in such a way that directly harms Palestinians — exploiting labor, developing technology for military operations, or supplying equipment for illegal settlements. Many are also the targets of boycotts for other reasons, like harming the environment and labor violations.

1. AHAVA
   This brand’s cosmetics are produced using salt, minerals, and mud from the Dead Sea — natural resources that are excavated from the occupied West Bank. The products themselves are manufactured in the illegal Israeli settlement Mitzpe Shalem. AHAVA is the target of CODEPINK’s “Stolen Beauty” campaign.
2. Delta Galil Industries
   Israel’s largest textiles manufacturer provides clothing and underwear for such popular brands as Gap, J-Crew, J.C. Penny, Calvin Klein, Playtex, Victoria’s Secret (see #10) and many others. Its founder and chairman Dov Lautman is a close associate of former Israeli President Ehud Barak. It has also been condemned by Sweatshop Watch for its exploitation of labor in other countries such as Egypt, Jordan, and Turkey.
3. Motorola
   While many of us know this brand for its stylish cellphones, did you know that it also develops and manufactures bomb fuses and missile guidance systems? Motorola components are also used in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or “drones”) and in communications and surveillance systems used in settlements, checkpoints, and along the 490 mile apartheid wall. The US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation has launched the “Hang Up on Motorola” campaign.
4. L’Oreal / The Body Shop
   This cosmetics and perfume company is known for its investments and manufacturing activities in Israel, including production in Migdal Haemek, the “Silicon Valley” of Israel built on the land of Palestinian village Al-Mujaydil, which was ethnically cleansed in 1948. In 1998, a representative of L’Oreal was given the Jubilee Award by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu for strengthening the Israeli economy.
5. Dorot Garlic and Herbs
   These frozen herbs that are sold at Trader Joe’s are shipped halfway around the world when they could easily be purchased locally. Trader Joe’s also sells Israeli Cous Cous and Pastures of Eden feta cheese that are made in Israel. QUIT, South Bay Mobilization, and other groups have targeted Trader Joe’s with a “Don’t Buy into Apartheid” campaign.
6. Estee Lauder
   This company’s chairman Ronald Lauder is also the chairman of the Jewish National Fund, a quasi-governmental organization that was established in 1901 to acquire Palestinian land and is connected to the continued building of illegal settlements. Estee Lauder’s popular brands include Clinique, MAC, Origins, Bumble & Bumble, Aveda, fragrance lines for top designers, and many others. They have been the target of QUIT’s “Estee Slaughter Killer Products” campaign.
7. Intel
   This technology company that manufactures computer processors and other hardware components employs thousands of Israelis and has exports from Israel totaling over $1 billion per year. They are one of Israel’s oldest foreign supporters, having established their first development center outside of the US in 1974 in Haifa. Al-Awda (the Palestinian Right to Return Coalition) has urged action against Intel for building a facility on the land of former village Iraq Al Manshiya, which was cleansed in 1949.
8. Sabra
   This brand of hummus, baba ghanoush and other foods is co-owned by Israel’s second-largest food company The Strauss Group and Pepsico. On the “Corporate Responsibility” section of its website, The Strauss Group boasts of its relationship to the Israeli Army, offering food products and political support.
9. Sara Lee
   Sara Lee holds a 30% stake in Delta Galil (see #2) and is the world’s largest clothing manufacturer, which owns or is affiliated with such brands as Hanes, Playtex, Champion, Leggs, Sara Lee Bakery, Ball Park hotdogs, Wonderbra, and many others. Similar to L’Oreal (see #4), a representative of Sara Lee received the Jubilee Award from Netanyahu for its commitment to business with Israel.
10. Victoria’s Secret
    Most of Victoria’s Secret’s bras are produced by Delta Galil (see #2), and much of the cotton is also grown in Israel on confiscated Palestinian land. Victoria’s Secret has also been the target of labor rights’ groups for sourcing products from companies with labor violations, and by environmental groups for their unsustainable use of paper in producing their catalogues. That’s not sexy!

Remember, it’s also important to let these companies — and the stores that sell them — know that we will not support them as long as they support Israeli apartheid!

#BDS:Campuses work to further the BDS movement

The apartheid situation in South Africa ended in the 1990s in large part because of boycotts on college campuses, and many scholars have argued that the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement (BDS) is the most effective way for ending the current blockade and occupation of Palestine by Israeli military forces.

The BDS movement against companies with Israeli ties has been active at American campuses in recent weeks in response to desperate pleas from human rights organizations, the United Nations, and world political leaders to end the occupation.

Sabra hummus removed after divestment push

On November 19, Chicago's DePaul University announced that their dining services organization would discontinue the sale of hummus made by Sabra, an Israeli brand that students have said is known for its vocal and material support of the Israeli army, which has been accused of numerous war crimes in Gaza by the U.N. The products were removed from store shelves for the rest of the semester with a ban likely in the near future according to the Huffington Post.

DePaul's Students for Justice in Palestine organization provided research that the Strauss Group, which co-owns Sabra hummus, had direct monetary ties with Israeli forces that continue to enforce the illegal occupations of Palestinian land.

The boycott is being used as a blueprint for how to effect change at the college level from the ground up.

Sabra hummus is also the target of a boycott launched by The Princeton Committee on Palestine at Princeton University in New Jersey as the group has created a referendum asking the school's dining services to sell an alternative brand of hummus.

#BDS: Princeton students vote on alternate hummus brands

PRINCETON, N.J. – Princeton University students voted Monday in a referendum by a pro-Palestine student group on whether to expand the school's hummus offerings.

The student group Princeton Committee for Palestine wants university-run stores to offer alternative brands of the Middle Eastern chickpea dip because they say the only brand available is linked to human rights violations.

The brand, Sabra, is owned by PepsiCo and Strauss Group, and Strauss' website says it supports members of the Israeli military.

The group has been pushing for the university to boycott and get rid of its investments in companies that make donations to parts of the Israeli military that it says violate human rights.

Ilya Welfeld, a spokeswoman for Sabra, which has headquarters in Queens, N.Y., and Richmond, Va., said Sabra only makes donations in North America — and none of them are political.

But the Strauss Group, an Israeli food conglomerate, says on its website that it makes contributions for the "welfare, cultural and educational activities" of members of the Israeli military.

Students seeking the referendum made it happen by collecting 200 signatures. If the effort is successful, it would mean the student government would make a formal request to the Ivy League school's administration to provide additional brands of hummus.

The pro-Israel student group Tigers of Israel opposes the referendum. The group says the allegations raised by the other side are sketchy.

The results of the vote are scheduled to be released Friday.

The referendum was originally scheduled for last week but was canceled then because of a goof: The wording called for Sabra hummus not to be offered at university stores rather than for additional products to be sold, too.

#BDS: Flashmob: AHAVA not for me!

#BDS: طرد سياح إسرائيليين من مقهى أردني

طردت مديرة مقهى في مدينة العقبة الأردنية (350 كلم جنوب عمان) مؤخرا سياحا إسرائيليين من المقهى، ورفضت التوقيع على تعهد يقضي بعدم تكرار مثل هذا الفعل. جاء ذلك بعد أن استدعتها أجهزة الأمن عقب شكوى إسرائيلية ضدها.

   

وقالت سلوى البرغوثي للجزيرة نت إن الأجهزة الأمنية استدعتها قبل يومين بعد شكوى رفعتها ضدها سائحة إسرائيلية كانت طردتها رفقة مجموعة سياح من المقهى الذي تملكه وسط المدينة السياحية الواقعة على شاطئ البحر الأحمر والتي تعتبر أهم مزارات السياح الإسرائيليين في المملكة.

 

وأكدت أنها أبلغت رجال الأمن الذين حققوا في الشكوى أن من حقها عدم السماح لليهود بدخول مطعمها، مضيفة "حاول رجال الأمن دفعي للتصالح مع السائحة الإسرائيلية أو التعهد بعدم تكرار ما فعلته وكذلك أن أجلس معها في نفس الغرفة وهو ما رفضته بشدة".

#BDS: تحذيرات أردنية ومقاطعة فلسطينية لمؤتمر ثقافي تطبيعي في حيفا

عمّان: طالبت النقابات المهنية المثقفين والمفكرين والأدباء الأردنيين بمقاطعة مؤتمر "أدباء من أجل السلام" الإسرائيلي، الذي يعقد يوم الخميس المقبل في مدينة حيفا، بمشاركة عدد من "العرب المهاجرين".

ونقلت جريدة "الغد" الأردنية عن بادي الرفايعة رئيس لجنة حماية الوطن ومقاومة التطبيع النقابية قوله: "إن اللجنة باشرت بتحري المعلومات التي أوردتها الجهة المنظمة للمؤتمر بخصوص مشاركة أردنية في المؤتمر".

ودعا أدباء من فلسطينيي 48 السبت، إلى مقاطعة المؤتمر، وفي تصريحات لهم أكد الشاعران سميح القاسم والأديب محمد علي طه الدعوات إلى مقاطعة المؤتمر، فيما كان الكاتب سلمان ناطور أصدر بيانا شدد فيه على رفضه المشاركة وتأكيده الدعوة إلى مقاطعته.

وكانت بلدية حيفا دعت إلى "مؤتمر الأدباء" الدولي الذي يعقد في المدينة بدعم من وزارتي الخارجية والثقافة الإسرائيليتين، وبالتعاون مع منظمة القلم الدولية "بن" والسفارة الفرنسية في تل أبيب.

وتوجه المنظمون إلى عدد من الأسماء الأدبية البارزة من فلسطينيي 48، إلا أن هؤلاء رفضوا المشاركة، ومن بينهم من تفاجأ بزج اسمه في لائحة المشاركين.

#BDS: فرقة روك كندية تلغي حفلها في اسرائيل

فرقة الروك الكندية “ذا لاست سبر (العشاء الأخير)” والتي تعزف في عمان اليوم وغدا كان من المقرر أن تؤدي حفلا موسيقيا في القدس الغربية يوم الأربعاء ضمن جولة موسيقية في المنطقة. لكن بعد أن علمت الفرقة من موسيقيين أردنيين أنهم وغيرهم من الأردنيين سيقاطعون العرض، وبعد نقاش عن مبدأ هذه المقاطعة، قالت الفرقة أنها ستلغي عرضها في إسرائيل.

سبق أن قامت فرق موسيقية غربية مؤخرا بإلغاء عروض مقررة في إسرائيل انطلاقا من مبدأ المقاطعة الثقافية والفنية.

#BDS: "The Last Supper" Cancels Israel Show

This week features lots of interesting music; Canadian rock group “The Last Supper” are performing tonight and tomorrow, after they cancelled their show in West Jerusalem which was scheduled for later this week.

#BDS: Hebron declared free of settlement produce

HEBRON (Ma'an) -- Hebron's governor Kamil Hmeid announced Sunday that the southern West Bank city is now free of settlement produce.

Hmeid made the announcement at a ceremony in his office attended by representatives of Palestinian Authority ministries, security services and civil society organizations. 

The governor said the achievement followed huge efforts to rid Hebron markets and shops of settlement goods, and to support national produce.

#BDS: Another BDS Victory: Queensland Council of Unions Carries BDS Campaign Motion

Palestine / Israel Conflict and Boycott Divestment and Sanctions BDS Campaign Motion, 17 November 2010

The Queensland Council of Unions (QCU) calls upon the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and the Australian Labour Party (ALP) to show genuine support for a two – state solution to the Israel/Palestine conflict based on each other’s right to exist and live in peace within secure borders in accordance with UN resolutions and international law.

#BDS: Irish Groups Continue Supporting BDS

Members of Ireland’s Dublin Food Co-Op voted overwhelmingly to boycott Israeli goods at a Special General Meeting on 25 November. This was the third attempt over the last 2 years to bring in a boycott of Israeli goods, reported the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign, and this time the motion finally passed with 50 in support, and only 6 against.

The Dublin Food Co-op, which was formed in 1983 and is based “on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity,” had in the past an unwritten policy not to stock or sell Israeli produce, though some member were doing so anyway.

#BDS: Wikileaks on Sabra Hummus

A secret Wikileaks document confirms that Sabra Hummus tastes worse than an old shoe.

#BDS: Liron Levo lands role in Sean Penn film

Israeli actor to play son of Holocaust survivor in Italian director Paolo Sorrentino's first English-language production. 'It's a dream come true to cooperate with such a fascinating actor,' he says

Israeli actor Liron Levo has landed a role in Sean Penn's new film, "This Must be the Place," which also stars Frances McDormand and Harry Dean Stanton. This is the first English-language film of esteemed Italian director Paolo Sorrentino.

"This Must be the Place" is named after a song by Talking Heads, David Byrne's veteran American rock band. Byrne himself has a role in the film as well.

#BDS: هل وقع وديع الصافي في فخ التطبيع؟

ما حقيقة الخبر الذي نشره موقع إذاعة الاحتلال، ونقله موقع «اليوم السابع» المصرية؟ نجل المطرب اللبناني يردّ ويوضح ويبرّر

باسم الحكيم

كل شيء بدأ بخبر على الموقع العربي لاذاعة الاحتلال، نشر بتاريخ ٢٧/ ١١ ويحمل توقيع شخص اسمه إلياس خوري: «تحيي فرقة «بيات» الموسيقية من معليا اليوم أمسية تكريمية للمطرب اللبناني المشهور وديع الصافي في كيبوتس كابري في الجليل الغربي. وأفيد أنّ وديع الصافي سيلقي كلمة عبر نظام الفيديو كونفرنس».

الخبر الذي نقله فوراً موقع جريدة «اليوم السابع» المصريّة، دار حول العالم خلال ساعات قليلة. فيما كانت أوساط المطرب الكبير تفيد بمعلومات مختلفة تماماً، هي «أنّ أهل فلسطين احتفوا بالمطرب التسعيني»، وأن التكريم «تمّ في منطقة رأس العمود المطلة على المسجد الأقصى. وهي المنطقة المسمّاة مطلة الزيتون، ويطلق عليها الاحتلال الإسرائيلي تسمية معالي هزيتيم». والحقيقة أن اسم مطلة الزيتون مترجم عن العبرية «معاليه هزيتيم»، وهو اسم مستوطنة يدعمها الملياردير مسكوفيتش المناصر الشهير للاستيطان في القدس، وهي موجودة على أراضي رأس العمود المجاور لحي سلوان.

#Cablegate

Sorry folks, Cablegate Wikileaks have stolen the lights today. Blogging on BDS will resume shortly.

#BDS: Boycott Farmville

How many of you out there play the Facebook game Farmville?

Here's news. If you are a supporter of BDS (the Palestinian Global Call to boycott, divest and sanction Israel) you should boycott this game as well.

I got the info when I stumbled upon THIS article, "Farmville Could Cash in on Branded Crops"

Then, searching................

Next week, FarmVille players will have the ability to grow peanuts, thanks to ad agency Saatchi & Saatchi and an Israeli candy brand.We’re told this is the first time a FarmVille crop has been directly linked to a brand. Saatchi Interactive in Tel Aviv is working on a rollout campaign for Elite Taami Nutz, a peanut-filled variant of a popular Israeli chocolate bar.

So what else is Saatchi and Saachi up to these days?

"When the word 'Israel' is said outside its borders, we want it to invoke not fighting or soldiers, but a place that is desirable to visit and invest in, a place that preserves democratic ideals while struggling to exist," said Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, during a September 2006 meeting with "public relations executives, branding specialists and diplomats" in Tel Aviv. Livni "recently put the image initiative on the government's agenda and will soon develop a budget for the program," according to the Israeli Consulate in New York's media and public affairs consul. "A staffer with the London-based global ad firm Saatchi and Saatchi is already working with the Israelis free of charge on the re-branding effort," the Washington Times reported.

Read more about "Brand Israel" HERE

#BDS: Lieberman urges Europe embassies to use 'allies' in PR efforts

New advocacy campaign to begin early next year, will make extensive use of professional advocacy and public relations experts by Israeli embassies in Europe.

The Foreign Minister is planning to initiate a new public relations campaign in a number of European capitals early next year. The campaign, which will make extensive use of professional advocacy and public relations experts by Israeli embassies in Europe, aims to also use as many as a thousand people in each country, who will be willing to volunteer to spread Israel's message.

#BDS: French firm Veolia drops out of rail project

Veolia responds to pressure from pro-Palestinian groups, partner Dan says, but company spokesman denies charge, says decision based on financial considerations alone

Pressure from pro-Palestinian groups has forced a French multinational to drop out of a light rail project that cuts into disputed east Jerusalem, a would-be Israeli partner in the project said Sunday.

France's Veolia disputed the assertion, which would bolster an international campaign to boycott companies supporting Israel's occupation of the West Bank and east Jerusalem. Palestinians claim both areas for part of their future state.

#BDS: Dublin Food Co-Op passes Israeli boycott motion

Last night at a Special General Meeting, members of the Dublin Food Co-Op voted overwhelmingly to boycott Israeli goods. This was the third attempt over the last 2 years to bring in a boycott of Israeli goods. Previous attempts failed to reach consensus or when put to a vote failed to reach the required 75%. Last night the mood was clearly in favour with a final tally of 50 for to about 6 against.

The Dublin Food Co-Op has The Rochdale Co-operative Principles (1844/1995) as its guiding principles which are 'based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. In the tradition of their founders, co-operative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others'.

It has been clear for some time that a coop based on these principles could not continue to sit on the fence while Israel continued its unabated assault on the Palestinian people and ignored the many calls by the world community to stop.

While the Dublin Food Co-Op itself has an unwritten 'policy' not to stock or sell Israeli produce, some of the fruit and vegetable producer/sellers have sold Israeli produce much to the disquiet of many members. Until recently inadequate labeling of products meant that members may not have known they were purchasing Israeli produce unless they specifically asked. Two years ago two thirds of the members voted for a boycott however it failed to reach three quarter vote required.

#BDS: سلمان ناطور يقاطع مؤتمر الأدباء الدولي بحيفا: لن أشارك في احتفالية سلام مزيف يدعمها ليبرمان

أعلن الأديب سلمان ناطور عن رفضه المشاركة في مؤتمر الأدباء الدولي الذي يعقد في مدينة حيفا بين الأول والرابع من شهر كانون الأولى المقبل في اطار احتفالات "عيد الأعياد" والذي تنظمه مدينة حيفا بالتعاون مع منظمة القلم الدولية "بن" والسفارة الفرنسية وبدعم وزارة الثقافة الاسرائيلية بقيادة ليمور ليفنات ووزارة الخارجية بقيادة أفيغدور ليبرمان ودعي اليه كتاب من دول أوروبية وكتاب عرب من المغرب والجزائر ومصر والعراق (كما نشر عن أصولهم في بيانات المنظمين الصحفية) ويبدو انهم  يعيشون في أوروبا وليس في اوطانهم.

وكان الأديب ناطور بعث برسالة إلى منظمي المؤتمر حال تلقيه الدعوة في شهر آب الماضي يعلن فيها مقاطعته لهذا المؤتمر وقد جاء فيها:

"لن أشارك في المؤتمر. فبعد أن اطلعت على وثائقه يبدو لي انه سيكون احتفالية بتعايش مزيف وسلام مزيف على خلفية   مظاهر العنصرية والفاشية التي تستشري في المجتمع الاسرائيلي ضد الفلسطينيين وضد الديمقراطية بشكل عام وعلى خلفية صمت الكتاب اليهود ومنظمة القلم الدولية.

 ان المشاركة العربية ما هي الا ورقة التين  للتغطية على حدث يشارك في تمويله وزارة الخارجية برئاسة افيغدور ليبرمان.

#BDS: Presbyterian Mission Network Joins BDS, Calls for Boycotts, Supports Kairos

CHICAGO—In response to a call to action from the Christians of the Holy Land, The Israel/Palestine Mission Network (IPMN) of the Presbyterian Church (USA) [PC(USA)] voted at its annual meeting to join the international boycott of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT).

The first targeted products for the boycott are Ahava Cosmetics, King Solomon Dates, and Jordan River Dates, imported into the United States from illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

The network also voted to identify companies profiting from the illegal military occupation, initiate dialogue with them and expand the boycott list if needed, at a later date. This action would include companies doing business in the OPT or contributing to the building of infrastructure of illegal settlements.

Carol Hylkema, Moderator of IPMN from Detroit Presbytery said, "Our grassroots network has reached a tipping point and we find we must respond to the call of Christians in the Middle East who through The Amman Call asked for 'No more words without deeds.'" In addition to calling for boycott, as a mission network of the PC(USA), the IPMN will sponsor an initiative that will seek to make its position that of the entire denomination when their General Assembly meets in 2012.

In June 2008, the General Assembly of the PC(USA) voted to endorse The Amman Call and its "commitment to imperatives of ecumenical solidarity in action for Just Peace."

Similarly, at its General Assembly in 2010, the denomination voted to receive for study, a confession from the Christians of the Holy Land known as Kairos Palestine: A Moment of Truth.

#BDS: Thousands write to BT about complicity in occupation

Two weeks after the launch of Disconnect Now, thousands of people have emailed BT asking for an end to the company’s complicity in illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. As BT ignores the human rights implications of their relationship with Bezeq International, activists are calling for people to phone BT and tell them to disconnect now. 

A Just Peace for Palestine, along with campaign coalition members War on Want, Jews for Justice for Palestinians, and Palestine Solidarity Campaign, are yet to receive any formal response from BT to their letter calling for a meeting to discuss our concerns. 

Members of the public who contacted BT via email have received a standard reply that while failing to address the main issue of the settlements and human rights, mentions that Palestinian telecommunications company Paltel has an arrangement with Bezeq.1 But in an official statement, Paltel have explained that “the Palestinian telecommunications sector is a captive sector in its own market and is forced into having operational relationships with Bezeq and other Israeli operators”.2

With BT refusing to address campaigners’ serious concerns, we are calling for people to phone BT over the next week.

* To call BT’s headquarters dial 020 7356 5000

* If you are a BT shareholder you can complain by calling 0808 100 4141

* If you are a BT customer dial 152 from your BT landline

#BDS: Princeton students: Boycott Sabra hummus

Palestinian group wants Israeli product removed from campus stores because it serves 'occupation'

Hummus feeding the 'occupation'? Next week students at New Jersey's Princeton University will be called upon to prevent Sabra-brand hummus from being sold at restaurants and stores on campus.

A number of Palestinian students, joined by a Chilean Jew, decided to campaign against the tasty snack on the grounds that it serves "the occupation".

#BDS: Should hip-hop boycott Israel? | XXL

Snoop Dogg’s down. Are you?

I heard the news yesterday that David Banner is headed over to Iraq to perform for the troops, and I thought to myself, Really? But I thought David Banner was the one rapper who went to college.
The idea of artists going over to the Middle East to perform had been on my mind this week already, because earlier this week I read Artie Lange’s Too Fat Too Fish, part of which discusses his trip to Afghanistan to perform for the troops, and because I’ve been reading up^[1] on the BDS movement against Israel – BDS standing for boycott, divestment, and sanctions.
A couple of weeks ago, when I discussed, both here and on my own site, what Israel just did to Gaza, as well as my “beef” with Peter Rosenberg over the fact (notice my use of the term fact here) that his father is a member of the Israel Lobby, I was surprised to realize the sheer level of solidarity with the Palestinian cause in the hip-hop community, and I think the BDS movement against Israel coud very well be one of the defining causes of our time, not unlike the movement to end apartheid in South Africa back in the 1980s.
I’ll have to expand on this at a later date, once I’ve had the time to conduct the sufficient research, including how we can go about being active in this movement. For example, which, if any of these “hip-hop” clothing lines should we not be supporting? I’ve got a few ideas, and I think you know which ones I’m talking about, but I don’t want to fly off half-cocked. Nullus. Plus, I’m thinking this might be the kind of movement I might have to conduct primarily on my own site. Which is not to suggest that anyone at XXL is in favor of apartheid. (Calm down, guys!) I’m just saying.
One thing I will point out is that I was surprised to read, in my preliminary research into this matter, that I’m actually a little bit behind the curve on this movement, as far as the hip-hop community is concerned. Which was actually nice to know, despite the fact that it was somewhat of a blow to my oh, so fragile ego, in that it goes to show, like I was saying, the widespread support for this movement in hip-hop.
I remember reading, a while back, that Snoop Dogg canceled a show he agreed to play in Israel, and at the time, because I’m still traumatized by the events of 9/11, thinking he might have been afraid that, if he did play the show, some angry Palestinians might show up and throw rocks at him. But now that I think about it, I realize I might have been mistaken. Why would angry Palestinians be allowed to attend a Snoop Dogg show in Israel in the first place? You know how ridonkulous the security apparatus is over in Israel.

#BDS: Sabra Hummus: the real expiration dates

I have obtained the real (not the advertised) expiration dates for Sabra Hummus sold in your stores.  For all those Sabra Hummus containers, the real expiration date is in fact January 1983.  Make sure you note that.  And for your own health: boycott Sabra Hummus.

#BDS: اتحاد الكتّاب والأدباء يطالب بمقاطعة مؤتمر 'كلمات خارج الحدود' في حيفا

رام الله 25-11-2010 وفا- طالب الاتحاد العام للكتاب والأدباء الفلسطينيين، بمقاطعة مؤتمر كلمات خارج الحدود (Words Beyond Borders)، والمحدّد عقده في مدينة حيفا داخل أراضي 1948 بين الأول والرابع من شهر كانون الأول/ ديسمبر المقبل.

وقال الاتحاد في بيان صحفي اليوم الخميس، إن بلدية حيفا تسعى لعقد المؤتمر، ويحضر له كتّاب إسرائيليون وكتّاب من عدد من دول العالم ومن العالم العربي ومن أراضي العام 1948، ويتضمن الجدول مواضيع مثل لغة الكتابة، والأدب في مواجهة التحديات في زماننا: البيئة والسلام، وزيارات لوادي النسناس، وحفلات كوكتيل، ولقاءات ومواضيع حول حرية التعبير وقراءات شعرية، وحقوق الإنسان والسلام. ويقف وراء الدعوات بلوما فنكلستاين من جامعة حيفا، شاعر الفرنسية، الحاصل على جائزة الرئيس الإسرائيلي للغات الأجنبية العام 2002.

وأضاف أنه يرفع الصوت عالياً لمقاطعة هذا المؤتمر الذي يأتي في سياق تهويد القدس واستباحتها وحصار شعبنا وما يمارسه الاحتلال على بلادنا من عصف وموت ودمار، مطالبا الكتّاب والشعراء العرب والمبدعين من فلسطينيي 1948 الذين وُجهت لهم دعوة للمشاركة، بمقاطعة المؤتمر وعدم المشاركة في أية نشاطات مماثلة يهدف من خلالها المثقف الإسرائيلي إلى تزوير الحقائق وتشويهها، متسائلا: أية حرية للكتابة وحرية شعبنا مسلوبة منذ مائة عام.. والاحتلال يطلق سعاره على جسد البلاد والعباد'.

#BDS: دعوة بالنرويج لمقاطعة إسرائيل

وجهت عشرات الشخصيات النرويجية البارزة دعوة لمقاطعة ثقافية وأكاديمية لإسرائيل، معتبرين أن تلك المؤسسات الثقافية تلعب دورا أساسيا في الاحتلال، وقد أدانت إسرائيل هذه الدعوة واعتبرت أنها بمنزلة دعوة لمقاطعة عملية السلام.

 

فقد وقعت مائة شخصية نرويجية على رأسهم مدرب الفريق الوطني لكرة القدم على وثيقة تطالب بمقاطعة ثقافية وأكاديمية لإسرائيل، واعتبروا أن المؤسسات الثقافية الإسرائيلية تلعب دورا أساسيا في الاحتلال وشبهوه بنظام الفصل العنصري الذي كان قائما في جنوب أفريقيا.

 

وفور صدور دعوة المقاطعة تلك أصدرت إسرائيل على لسان داني أيالون نائب وزير الخارجية إدانته للمقاطعة، ونقلت صحيفة جيروزالم بوست عنه قوله إن دعوة المقاطعة هي بمنزلة دعوة لمقاطعة عملية السلام من خلال دعم الموقف الفلسطيني تلقائيا ودفعهم بعيدا عن طاولة المفاوضات.

 

ودعا أيالون الحكومة النرويجية إلى إدانة المطالبة بالمقاطعة، مما حدا برئيس الحكومة النرويجي السابق كجيل ماين بونديفيك إلى طمأنة إسرائيل بأن تلك المقاطعة لا تمثل سياسة الحكومة الحالية.

#BDS: The Only Peace that Israel Wants is the Last Piece of Palestine

#BDS: Palestine, American Wars and Islamophobia in America: Bay Area Teach-In

#BDS: Idan Raichel live in UK

Israel's modern musical diversity embarks on whistlestop tour, inviting local musicians to get in touch and join show

Idan Raichel is a household name in Israel and also a known and respected musician worldwide. This young and charismatic bandleader burst onto the world music scene back in 2002, opening up Israel's cultural identity to a wider international audience and providing a window into the young, tolerant, multi-ethnic Israeli society.

Following on from the release of his first album in Israel, Raichel has grown to become one of his country’s biggest musical breakthroughs of the past decade.

#BDS: Norvège : le sélectionneur de l’équipe nationale de football appelle au boycott d’Israël

A l’initiative du sélectionneur de l’équipe nationale de football Egil Drillo Olsen, une centaine de personnalités norvégiennes issues du milieu de la culture ont signé une pétition appelant au boycott d’Israel et accusant le système éducatif israélien de pratiquer un "apartheid", et de jouer un rôle majeur dans l’"occupation".

Dans les colonnes du quotidien Aftenposten, Olsen a estimé être en phase avec "90% de la population mondiale". Selon la pétition, le boycott est "nécessaire non seulement pour aider les Palestiniens mais aussi les opposants israéliens".

Les dirigeants israéliens n’ont pas manqué d’accuser la Norvège d’antisémitisme, en soulignant que le ministre des Affaires étrangères Jonas Gahr Stoere a publié un livre l’an dernier, accusant d’assassinat l’armée et qu’un diplomate norvégien a récemment comparé l’opération Plomb durci aux exactions commises par les nazis.

Peu de temps après les massacres de Gaza, le fonds de pension public norvégien a retiré ses actions dans l’entreprise Elbit Systems, ayant participé à la construction de la barrière de sécurité.

Et le conseil d’administration de l’université de Trondheim, NTNU, a ouvertement débattu de la possibilité de mettre en place un boycott contre Israël.

#BDS: Act now: Tell BT to hang up on the Occupation

BT is complicit in Israel's crimes against the Palestinian people.

BT has recently allowed Israeli company Bezeq into its exclusive BT alliance club. Bezeq provides telecommunications support for Israel's illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. BT will remain complicit in Israel's breaches of international law unless it cuts all ties with Bezeq International.

Using the form below, write to BT Chief Executive Ian Livingston to demand that the company hang up on the Occupation.

#BDS: Signos de que la campaña palestina "Bloqueo, Desinversión y Sanciones" (BDS) surte efecto

The Jerusalem Post publicaba el 6 de noviembre un artículo escrito por G. Edelstein y J. Steinberg titulado “Cambiar las tornas al BDS”. El artículo aborda la necesidad de que Israel aplique una contra estrategia para hacer frente a la Campaña palestina de Bloqueo, Desinversión y sanciones (BDS). El artículo explica asimismo cómo las Federaciones Judías de Estados Unidos (JFNA, en sus siglas en ingles), en colaboración con el Consejo Judío de Asuntos Públicos (JCPA, en sus siglas en inglés), ha organizado una iniciativa destinada a desacreditar a los principales organizadores y actores de BDS. 

Steinberg y Edelstein subrayan que responsables concretos de algunas de las ONG que participan en la campaña de BDS como Nigel Parry, Ali Abunimah y Naim Atik (de Electronic Intifada y Sabil, respectivamente) son supuestamente antisemitas y abogan por la destrucción de Israel. De hecho, hay una aparente confusión en el artículo entre antisemitismo y el comentario anti-israelí en general. 

Pocas personas que hagan campaña en favor de los derechos palestinos hoy en día no distinguen entre antisemitismo y sentimiento anti-israelí. Hay un abismo entre ambos pero, de manera habitual, la propaganda israelí los confunde fácilmente convirtiéndolos en uno solo: antisemitismo.

#BDS: Veolia and Alstom feel the heat – BNC calls for intensifying pressure!

Occupied Palestine, November 2010 - Veolia and Alstom, the two French companies involved in the construction and management of a tramway linking west Jerusalem with illegal Israeli colonial settlements in Occupied Palestinian Territory, described by the UN Human Rights Council as a “clear violation of international law and relevant United Nations resolutions,”1 have both recently been reported to be selling their shares in the consortium that manages the project. There can be little doubt that Veolia and Alstom are responding to the overwhelming campaigns launched against them by the Palestinian-led global movement for boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel until it complies with international law (BDS). Campaigners have successfully lobbied for the exclusion of Veolia and Alstom from several large public sector contracts and investment funds – the BDS movement has shown that there is a price to pay for actively supporting Israel‟s system of occupation, colonisation and apartheid.

 

Disguised as a municipal infrastructure project, the Jerusalem Light Rail (JLR) is designed to serve the needs of the approximately 200,000 illegal Jewish settlers who reside within and around occupied East Jerusalem, reinforcing the unlawful Israeli annexation of Jerusalem and facilitating plans for further colonial expansion.2 Construction on the first of seven lines of the JLR is complete and when it opens next year will facilitate travel between west Jerusalem and illegal colonies including Pisgat Ze„ev, Neve Ya„akov and Ramot.3 The former head of the Jerusalem Municipality, Uri Lupolianski, referred to construction of the JLR as “the fulfilment of Psalm 122”, a religious reference to the taking of Jerusalem.4