Feb 14, 2011

#BDS: BDS Campaign in Qatar opposes invitation of Israeli tennis player

"Qatari Youth Opposed to Normalization" has launched a campaign targeting the invitation of Shahar Peer, by the Qatar Tennis Federation (QTF) to play in the Qatar Ladies Open for the second year. While Shahar Peer enjoys the privilege to train and travel freely, the Palestinian athletes are denied the basic right of mobility and have been prevented from participation in international events:

In 2006 Israel bombed the stadium in Gaza
In October 2007, Israel refused the Palestinian football team exit visas to play a FIFA World Cup Qualifier second leg.
In May 2008, Israel again refused the team exit visas to allow them take part in the AFC Challenge Cup.
In 2009 three footballers, Ayman Alkurd, Shade Sbakhe and Wajeh Moshtahe were murdered by Israeli bombs during the month long ‘Cast Lead’ assault on Gaza.

Noting the above, and having faith in our leaders vision; we call for the immediate withdrawal of the invitation to Shahar Peer and not granting her a visa to participate in the event.

What can you do?

1 - Contact QFT and express your opposition to them inviting an Israeli tennis player

Telephone: 44832991
Send feedback online: http://www.qatartennis.org/feedbacks/

2 - Send a letter to the local newspapers stating your opposition and demanding they cover the topic critically:

The Peninsular: (http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/contact-us.html)
Tel: 4455-7739/41/47/48
Fax: 4455-7746
E-mail: editor@pen.com.qa

Qatar Tribune: Tel:+974 44422077 / 44666810 / 44554333 Email:letters@qatar-tribune.com Editorial: editor@qatar-tribune.com

Gulf Times (http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/static.asp?cu_no=2&lng=1&template_id=52&temp_type=42&parent_id=33)
Tel: 4350478 (News)
e-mail: editor@gulf-times.com

3 - Make at least 10 copies of the pamphlet and share it with your colleagues, neighbors, and friends.. or just leave it hanging around somewhere public ;)

4 - Come to the event with a Poster and let Peer know she is not welcome!

More? Contact us: qatariyouth.on@gmail.com

#BDS: Israelis in Qatar

"An irate reader in Qatar sent me this: "I wanted to share with you what I saw today going to watch the fencing Grand Prix tournament in Doha. I was annoyed to see 3 male and 3 female epee fencers from Israel and their coaches. All I have to say that this ruined my whole experience going to see high level fencing for the first time. Not only Egypt but the whole Arab world need the Israeli poison to be detoxed from its system. I have attached some pics. I am hoping these Israelis win the tournament this way they have to take pictures of them and their flag receiving the medal and money prize and not just attending without showing it on jazeera sports. This will be embarrassing I bet. "

#BDS: مطربة فرنسية تلغي حفلة بإسرائيل

اضطرت المطربة الفرنسية الشهيرة فانيسا بارادي إلى إلغاء الحفل الغنائي الذي كان من المقرر أن تحييه في 10 فبراير/شباط 2011 في إسرائيل بسبب الجدل الدائر في فرنسا بين المطالبين بمقاطعة إسرائيل على جميع الأصعدة لإجبارها على الانخراط في عملية السلام وبين المؤيدين لإسرائيل.

ورغم أن فانيسا بارادي أرجعت قرارها إلغاء حفلها الغنائي في تل أبيب إلى أسباب مهنية، فإن الضغوط التي تمارسها في فرنسا منظمة "يورو فلسطين" -التي تطالب بمقاطعة إسرائيل ووقف الاستثمارات فيها وإخضاعها لعقوبات اقتصادية- هي التي دفعت بارادي إلى إلغاء رحلتها الفنية إلى إسرائيل.

وكانت "يورو فلسطين" قد بعثت برسالة إلى فانيسا بارادي طالبتها فيها بعدم الذهاب إلى إسرائيل حتى لا تكافئها على رفضها الخضوع لصوت السلام، كما تلقت بارادي طلبا مماثلا من 19 مثقفا إسرائيليا أعضاء في حركة "المقاطعة من الداخل"، وهي حركة إسرائيلية تتزعم مقاطعة إسرائيل لإجبار قادتها على الاستماع لصوت السلام.

من جانبهم، قام 30 من أعضاء الفرع الفرنسي للحركة الدولية لمقاطعة إسرائيل يوم السبت الماضي برفع لافتات قبل الحفل الغنائي الذي أحيته فانيسا بارادي بباريس طالبوها فيها بعدم الذهاب إلى إسرائيل لرفضها خيار السلام.

إقرأ/ي المزيد

#BDS: NGOs Urge Boycott of Israeli Orchestra in US

"USA, (Pal Telegraph) - Human rights organizations Saturday called for the boycott of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra’s (IPO) performances in the United States, according to a press release.

The IPO is scheduled to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York on February 22 as part of its annual national tour of the United States.

Adalah –NY and other groups called on supporters to hold protests outside the halls where the Israeli orchestra is going to perform.

It said the protests respond to calls by Palestinian civil society “to boycott institutions that work to normalize the occupation of Palestinian territories and the oppression of Palestinians in Israel, the (Palestinian) territories, and in exile.”

Adalah-NY statement accused the Israel Philharmonic of “actively participating in whitewashing Israel's apartheid policies.”

It said that “by serving as cultural ambassadors for Israel, the Israel Philharmonic is supporting the Israeli government's “Brand Israel” initiative, an effort to divert public attention from Israel's oppression of the Palestinian people.”

The orchestra, it said, “refrains from criticism of Israel's policies, and is described by the American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra as ‘Israel’s finest cultural emissary,’ which ‘travels throughout the world…The goodwill created by these tours...is of enormous value to the State of Israel. As a result, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra maintains its position at the forefront of cultural diplomacy and the international music scene’.”

#BDS: Cultural boycott of Israel taking hold in S Africa

"Despite complaints. 5fm which is run by the state broadcaster, the SABC decided to continue airing the advert, saying it was treating it as any other advertising. It would not however discuss details of the complaints it received or from whom exactly.

The South African Artists Against Apartheid's campaign is itself based on a drive launched in 1985 to isolate the white supremacist government here.

The performances which take place at a venue like this one are often inspired by vivid imagination and make-belief. But the scenes which play out in Palestine daily are often far more dramatic. And it's that reality that is inspiring a growing number of South African artists to add their voice to the campaign for a cultural boycott of Israel.

Last year the Cape Town philharmonic orchestra played in occupied Palestine, drawing strong criticism from anti-Apartheid veteran Desmond Tutu. Those running the campaign for a cultural boycott of Israel here, say it is a disappointment. "

#BDS: Five Norwegian PR Firms Reject Lucrative Offers to Improve Israel’s Global Image

"Israel is attempting to widen its global public relations campaign by hiring foreign PR firm to improve its reputation abroad. With the increasing threat being posed by the international Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, and the publicity surrounding Israelis human rights violations in the occupied Palestinian Territory, Israel has contacted public relations specialists in Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, the Czech Republic and Norway for help.

The project, for which each firm would be paid around 3.5 million USD annually, is to help Israel promote its vision in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as well as prevent the international boycott, amongst other things.

“Israel is an highly controversial project,” Sigurd Grytten, the PR firm Burson-Marsteller’s Managing Director, told the paper.

Statements by heads of the public relations agencies Geelmuyden.Keise, Gambit H&K, Apeland Informasjon, and First House range from “difficult”, to “no comment”. Only one agency, Kreab, has said it might consider the assignment.

In response, Aviad Ivri, Counselor at the Israeli embassy in Oslo, said, “It’s no secret that Israel has a reputation problem.”

"For the People’s Movement Assembly on Palestine hundreds have gathered during the WSF at the Palestine tent to strengthen, re-enforce and strategize on the growing global solidarity movement rooted in and lead-by the Palestinian popular resistance against Israeli occupation.

Activists, meeting in Dakar, building global strategies to support Palestinian Liberation, stand in full solidarity with popular protests in Egypt, Tunisia and across the region resisting oppressive state regimes inherently linked to Israeli apartheid, and will participate in the solidarity actions.

Today, the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign is a central tool for social movements working to confront Israeli apartheid policies. As the global movement for liberation in Palestine grows and social movements internationally deepen their implication in the Palestinian liberation struggle the Peoples’ Movement Assembly on Palestine calls for people to support the following actions:"

#BDS: What is Opinion of EU Diplomats on Boycott of Israeli Products from OPT?

"On 11 January 2011 the international media reported on a confidential report by European diplomatic representatives in the Middle East indicating serious concern about Israeli occupation policy in East Jerusalem. The EU diplomats say that Israel is actively pursuing its annexation by systematically undermining the Palestinian presence in Jerusalem. This is being done, inter alia, by refusing building permits for Palestinian constructions and favouring Israeli projects. The recent demolition of the Shepherd Hotel in an Arab district, which was condemned by Catherine Ashton, is another example of this policy.

The aim of Israel’s policy is to exclusively emphasise the Jewish identity of the city. According to the EU diplomats, this makes the prospect of East Jerusalem becoming the future capital of an independent Palestinian State increasingly unlikely, endangering the chances of a sustainable peace. They advocate ‘a more active and visible implementation’ of EU policy on East Jerusalem. The EU diplomats also then call for some significant new measures. For example, the EU should ensure that no products are imported into the EU from Jewish settlements in East Jerusalem and other occupied territories. In order to raise public awareness, it is suggested that labels be used to indicate Israeli products from the occupied territories. Ministers from EU Member States visiting Jerusalem should also decline the offer of Israeli security or protocol services. Guidelines should also be issued to European tour operators that they do not do business with tourist companies that have links with pro-settler organisations. EU diplomats should, finally, be more active in monitoring the demolition of Palestinian buildings and the eviction of Palestinian families."

"The BDS campaign, then, is the only way for the Israeli community – and the world – to truly see, experience, and know what their government is doing in Palestine. Our responsibilities to the truth, both as Palestinians and Israelis, are both collective and deeply personal;

anti-normalisation work is a way to honour and act upon those responsibilities. It is powerful – and powerfully nonviolent – resistance, with human solidarity as a tactic as well as a goal.

Anyone with any exposure to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict will also be exposed to certain oft-repeated words and phrases that are woven through it like threads – or which are deployed around it like firecrackers. These words become markers, signals, and judgments. They are written and spoken all the time, but not always clearly defined – despite being among the most important ideas to truly understand.

One such word is normalisation. When actors in the Palestinian struggle for a just peace use this term, what do they mean? What is the reasoning behind a refusal to work with an individual or group because of a “normalising” attitude or act? And why is normalisation so damaging to achieving justice?

In order to clarify this goal – justice – it’s also important to clarify normalisation. I’d like to start with a straightforward definition of normalisation as expressed by the first Palestinian BDS (boycott, divestment, sanctions) conference, held in Ramallah in November 2007:"

Read more

#BDS: Appel au boycott d'Israël à Bruxelles

"BRUXELLES(EJP)---Une soixantaine d'activistes pro-Palestiniens, vêtus de T-Shirt verts portant l’inscription Boycott Israel, ont manifesté samedi devant le stand du tour-operator belge Exodis, un spécialiste des voyages en Israël exposant au salon des vacances à Bruxelles."

#BDS: Call for boycott of Israel at Brussels tourism fair

"BRUSSELS (EJP)---Some 60 pro-Palestinian activists wearing a T-shirt calling for a boycott of Israel circled a Belgian stand promoting Israel at the annual tourism fair in Brussels on Saturday."

#BDS: Largest Brazilian Trade Union backs Boycott!

"In an important gain for the global movement for boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel, Brazil’s largest Trade Union Confederation (CUT), voiced its support of the BDS call and called for the suspension of Israeli-Brazilian economic agreements and military ties on January 28.

In a statement signed by National President of CUT as well as its General Secretary and International Relations Secretary, the union stated:

“The advancement of the Israeli offensive, symbolized by the construction of the wall of apartheid and the constant bombing of Gaza requires solidarity with the Palestinian People from us all to carry out policies that go beyond humanitarian assistance and can contribute in a relevant way to build peace in Palestine. Thus we urge trade unions, social and popular movements to support the campaign for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions to policies of occupation of Palestinian territory by Israel.”

According to research done by Stop the Wall, Israeli companies began in 2000 to become a critical part of the Brazilian police and military forces, with Elbit Systems taking the lead. This was primarily in high-tech areas, but also extended to conventional arms. Currently, a number of major Israeli arms companies have their sights set on Brazil as the key market in South America. In its statement, CUT singled out the growing military trade and economic links being built between Brazil and Israel:

“We regret that Brazil is the third largest consumer of arms from Israel through the Plan of National Defense Strategy of the Ministry of Defense of Brazil, and that arms agreements contribute indirectly to the occupation of Palestinian territory. It is therefore necessary that the Brazilian government suspend current agreements and bilateral economic / military negotiations between Brazil and Israel. It is unacceptable that the Free Trade Agreement between MERCOSUR and Israel becomes a reality.”

#BDS: The Boycott VEOLIA Campaign

"The campaign against Veolia is intensifying. This follows the Russell Tribunal on Palestine findings that Veolia is liable for serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law. There is an added urgency because Local Authorities in both South and North London are currently considering Veolia for major contracts.

For more information about Veolia and why it is a key target of the Boycott Divestment and Sanctions Campaign see here.

‘Silent’ Protest at SLWP meeting: Thu 17 Feb 6:30pm

Residents will hold a ’silent’ protest at the next SLWP*** (South London Waste Partnership) Joint Committee meeting*.

The meeting will be held at Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, SM4 5DX

Oranised by: South London Bin Veolia."

#BDS: Hollywood, Israel and the Pursuit of Normalcy

"While flipping through channels on television last week, I ran across an episode of Friends, the long running hit NBC sitcom (1994-2004), which grabbed my attention. In this episode from 2004, paleontologist and professor Ross Geller proudly announces to his circle of attractive young friends that he has just earned tenure at a New York university. This glorious occasion prompts the young dinosaur expert to break out a bottle of Israeli champagne in celebration. There are actually two references to Israeli champagne ('Israel's finest') in this episode, and these moments are played ostensibly for laughs. (Israel? Champagne? Whoda thunk it?)
Nevertheless, Friends made me wonder. In recent years, I’ve noticed a trend among popular television programs and motion pictures to include bizarre, seemingly random references to Israel. The references are on the surface apolitical – they do not precede a discussion of the conflicts in the Middle East, nor do they offer an overt opinion on the Palestine/Israel crisis. They’re usually brief (perhaps a single exchange), and they add nothing to the underlying story. They stand alone, frequently as the punch line to a joke. But does anyone believe that the television and motion picture industries want us to laugh at Israel? Is that really all that’s going on here?
References to Israel in Hollywood, like references to Palestine or the Arab world, always demand close scrutiny, particularly given the entertainment industry’s shameful penchant for Arab/Muslim vilification and glorification of all things Israel, to say nothing of the fervent public devotion towards Israel shared by countless Hollywood luminaries. What this means is that in Hollywood, there’s really no such a thing as an “innocent” television or movie reference to Israel, no matter how tiny or inconsequential, for Israel is not like other nations. Even a fleeting mention of Israeli champagne, or a humorous reference to the Mossad (another television favorite), warrants further analysis."
Read more

#BDS: Cultural boycott of Israel gains pace both at home and abroad

"Foreign protests, boycotts, embargoes and sanctions, on top of internal resistance, helped bring about the isolation and eventually the end of apartheid in South Africa in the 1990s.

Now Israelis fear pro-Palestinian, or anti-Israeli, activists are using the same tactics against their country, with increasing effect.

Carlos Santana, Gil Scott Heron, Elvis Costello, the Gorillaz, the Klaxons, the Pixies, Faithless, Leftfield, Tindersticks, Meg Ryan and film director Mike Leigh have all decided not to go to Israel in recent months.

These artists have not phrased their refusal to perform in Israel in terms of opposition to the existence of the state of Israel per se, but rather to protest the state’s occupation policies vis-à-vis the Palestinian people.

Some older, established acts have ignored boycott pressure. Most recently, U.S. soul singer Macy Gray asked her Facebook fans whether she should cancel planned concerts in Tel Aviv because of the “disgusting” way the Israeli state treats Palestinians. Then she decided to perform there anyway.

Israeli analysts say pressure is being brought to bear on artists by a global “delegitimization network.”

White South Africa was ostracized in a campaign lasting years. Today, Facebook and Twitter can flash protest messages globally in seconds, putting pressure on entertainers to stay away from Israel, and drawing the attention of millions of fans."

#BDS: Boycott roundup: international day of action called for Land Day

"As part of a regular feature, The Electronic Intifada reports on the latest developments of the Palestinian-led global boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement against Israeli violations of human rights and policies of apartheid.

BDS campaigners scored a significant victory this month as the London Borough of Tower Hamlets voted to exclude Veolia, a French firm that has provided services to the Israeli occupation in the West Bank, from receiving any contracts with the municipality. Activists have also staged protests and launched campaigns in Ireland, Belgium, Palestine. Meanwhile, the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions National Committee (BNC) announced the third annual global day of action to be held on 30 March 2011.

Ireland

Activists with the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) are calling for a global boycott against Israeli "blood diamonds" on Valentine's Day, 14 February.

In a statement on the campaign's website, IPSC activists are urging consumers to make conscious choices in buying jewelry gifts for their loved ones.

"This Valentine's Day, don't let dazzling diamonds blind you to the plight of those whose misery and suffering is funded by revenue from the Israeli diamond industry," IPSC stated ("Global Call to Action - Flashy Stones and Broken Bones," January 2011)."

#BDS: Hundreds of EU lawmakers arrive for pro-Israel conference

"Some 450 European parliamentarians from 37 countries including all 27 members of the European Union were set to arrive in Israel on Friday for a three-day conference that starts Saturday.

During the three-day event organized by European Friends of Israel, a pro-Israel lobby group, lawmakers will tour the country and meet with Israeli and Palestinian leaders including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Shimon Peres and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

“Nobody understands Europe is the key for the region because of the $22 billion in trade between Israel and Europe, among other things,” EFI head Michel Gourary told The Jerusalem Post. “If Europe wants to be an honest broker then we need better relations. After all, Israel is the most European country in the region.”

#BDS: Greece to 'help Israel access EU market'

"PM Papandreou tells visiting Jewish leaders integrating Israel into expanding European market 'vital' for Jewish state's security. Alan P. Solow: No sudden influx of Jewish money into Greece

Greece's prime minister promised on Thursday to help Israel repair strained ties with the European Union as part of a drive to promote investment in Greece.

George Papandreou said in a speech to Jewish American leaders visiting Athens that Greece could help Israel gain access to European markets."

Read more

#BDS: Actress Claire Danes arrives in Israel

"Golden Globe winner shooting scenes for American version of TV series 'Kidnapped' in village of Barta'a

American actress Claire Danes arrived in Israel on Monday for the shooting of "Patriots", the American version of Israeli TV series "Kidnapped".

In the FOX version, the Israeli hostages returning after 17 years inLebanon are replaced with American hostages returning from Iraq, 10 years after the September 11 attacks. The fate of one of them will remain a mystery throughout the series.

Danes, 31, landed in Israel on a private plane and was taken directly to a boutique hotel in Tel Aviv."

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#BDS: Lohan urges Egypt to maintain peace with Israel

"American actress takes time off from court hearings to comment on situation in Middle East. 'I pray Egypt sets the trend for its neighbors to create peace with Israel and the entire region,' she tweets

Did you think Lindsay Lohan only had time for shopping, stealing and consuming hazardous substances?

Well, we've got news for you: Although the American actress has been spending most of her days in court recently, she still found a few minutes to comment on the situation in the Middle East, and it even turns out that she's on Israel's side."

Read more

#BDS: Daniel Bedingfield in Israel

"Guardian compared him to Michael Jackson, Cliff Richard covers his songs, but these days Daniel Bedingfield can be found in southern Tel Aviv, performing with local bands and flexing his Hebrew. 'I feel so alive here,' he tells Ynet in his first interview in four years.

Would you expect to find a pop star who had three No. 1 hits in the United Kingdom, won a Brit award and was signed with one of the biggest labels sleeping on a sofa in southern Tel Aviv, performing in some of the city's smallest venues and loving every minute of it? Neither would we."

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#BDS: Israel, Ukraine cancel visa requirements

"Tourism Ministry says deal between two countries will increase number of Ukrainian visitors by 40%

Israelis traveling to the Ukraine no longer need an entry visa, and Ukrainians do not need a visa to enter Israel, following an agreementsigned between the two nations.

The Ministry of Tourism estimates that the development will raise the number of Ukrainians traveling to Israel by 40% compared to last year. Up to 140,000 tourists are expected to come from the Eastern European coutry in 2011, contributing an estimated $100 million to the Israeli economy."

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#BDS: Mona Eltahawy wants Israel to be happy for Egyptians’ Revolution

Comments from Ikhras on Mona Eltahawy's response to Alan Dershowitz on the Egyptian revolution:

1) Eltahawy fails to mention that a major component of the US “hypocritical foreign policy” toward Mubarak was support for Israel. Part of the reason he remained in power for 30 years, was to maintain peace with Israel, contrary to the wishes of the Egyptian people, and that therefore peace with Israel is incompatible with democracy for Arab peoples. Even Dershowitz referred to his concern for maintenance of peace with Israel but Eltahawy didn’t address it.

2) Eltahawy thinks Israel is a democracy. Millions of Palestinians would strongly beg to differ.

3) She says to Alan Dershowitz: “Surely you and everyone in Israel should be happy that your neighbor wants to be a democracy. Democratic neighbors are happy. Israel can’t be the only democracy in the region and not want Egypt to be a democracy.”

To be fair, Mona is right to state that democracy is people choosing a government they want and that Egyptians are now determining their future. With the Israeli flag removed from Cairo, andnatural gas pipelines to Israel damaged, the people of Egypt have clearly and loudly said that Israel is not part of that future. Mona still isn’t picking that up. Hopefully, the fact that Israelis are having panic attacks about the Egyptian revolution, will give her a hint."

#BDS: All your movies can't erase apartheid's ugly face

#BDS: مقاطعة لمنتجات المستوطنات بلندن

واصل نشطاء التضامن مع الشعب الفلسطيني السبت إقامة مظاهراتهم الاحتجاجية أمام الفرع الرئيسي لشركة أهافا الإسرائيلية لمستحضرات التجميل وسط العاصمة البريطانية لندن للمطالبة بمقاطعة البضائع الإسرائيلية.

ورفع المتظاهرون الأعلام الفلسطينية وأذاعوا نداءات تدعو لمقاطعة المنتجات الإسرائيلية، كما حملوا لافتات تدعو للمقاطعة ووزعوا مئات المنشورات على المارة.

وانضمت متاجر جون لويس الكبرى لنداءات المقاطعة، حيث أعلنت الشركة أنها توقفت كليا عن بيع منتجات شركة أهافا الإسرائيلية.

وقد أكد المدير العام لمتاجر جون لويس، أندي ستريت، في رسالة وجهها لحملة التضامن مع فلسطين مؤرخة في 7 يناير/كانون الثاني، أن شركات جون لويس لم تعد تقوم بتخزين أو بيع منتجات البحر الميت من شركة أهافا.

إقرأ/ي المزيد

#BDS: Focus On Israel’s Tel Aviv-Jerusalem Fast Train

"While Israel’s planned fast train that connects Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in a quick 28 minutes will be welcomed by weary commuters, it spells further land confiscation from villages bordering the ever-irrelevant Green Line.

The website WhoProfits.org, has been focusing its pressure and attention on the Italian based construction company, Pizzarotti & Co. since they joined Israel’s development project to build a fast train connecting Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, cutting through Palestinian land.

According a report published by whoprofits.org last year, the railway will lie on 6 kilometers of Palestinian land and have destructive consequences for three Palestinian communities that border the official—if disregarded—boundary between the Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. While on the one hand the train further blurs the line between the two countries, on the other it reinforces the segregation between Israelis and Palestinians: the train will be exclusive for Israeli citizens.

As such, the train line is considered in direct violation of international law, as it crosses the Green Line, imposing on Palestinian agricultural land and resources while providing no benefit to the Occupied Territories. Under international law, an occupying power is not allowed to use the occupied territory for the sole benefit of its own citizens. The anticipated route would bring commuters and travelers to and from the two major metropolises in just 28 minutes."

#BDS: EU-Israel Data-Sharing Plan Condemned

"The Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) today condemned the decision of the European Commission which stated that “Israel provides an adequate level of protection of personal data”, thus giving the green light for “the transfer of personal data of EU citizens to Israel”.

The Irish Government had previously attempted to block this data-sharing relationship, but to no avail.

Condemning the approval, IPSC National Chairperson Freda Hughes said: “This is an outrageous move on behalf of the European Commission. Israel is a country that has used the passports of Irish, German, British and French nationals in order to extra-judicially assassinate a Hamas member in Dubai last year – and there is no reason to believe that this was the first or only such illegal action of its kind. Therefore for the Commission to allow the transfer of personal data of EU citizens to this rogue state would be farcical were it not such a patently serious issue. This move will leave millions of people potentially open to state-sponsored identity theft of the kind we witnessed in Dubai last January, and indeed would be a tacit acceptance the legitimacy of such acts of state terrorism carried out by Israel”.

Youth Against Normalization

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