Provoked by the recent announcement of the inauguration of a cultural center in Ariel, the fourth largest Jewish colony in the occupied Palestinian territory, 150 prominent Israeli academics, writers and cultural figures have declared that they "will not take part in any kind of cultural activity beyond the Green Line, take part in discussions and seminars, or lecture in any kind of academic setting in these settlements" ("150 academics, artists back actors' boycott of settlement arts center," Haaretz, 31 August 2010). A few protestors went as far as reiterating the fact that all Israeli colonies built on occupied Palestinian land are in violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention and thus constitute a war crime.
This position by tens of Israeli academics and artists has generated a great deal of controversy within the Israeli public sphere, attracting rebuke from across the political spectrum and especially from the academic and cultural establishment. All major theaters were quick to declare their refusal to boycott Ariel under the pretense of serving "all Israelis;" university administrations echoed this position or resorted to silence, continuing business as usual with Ariel and other settlements. The terms of the discourse, however, raise a number of issues for supporters of Palestinian rights. While we welcome acts of protest against any manifestation of Israel's regime of colonialism and apartheid, we believe that these acts must be both morally consistent and anchored in international law and universal human rights.
Sep 7, 2010
#BDS: Global BDS Against Israel Is Working
In July 2005, a coalition of 171 Palestinian Civil Society organizations created the Global BDS movement for "Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against Israel Until it Complies with International Law and Universal Principles of Human Rights" for Occupied Palestinians, Israeli Arabs, and Palestinian diaspora refugees.
The Tel Aviv-based Reut Institute (RI) provides "real-time strategic decision-making" support in areas of national security and socioeconomic policy. Its new report titled "The Gaza Flotilla: The Collapse of Israel's Political Firewall" suggests it's working. It followed an earlier one on "creating a political firewall" against Israel's "delegitimization challenge," recommending sabotage and subterfuge against growing global forces it fears, not an equitable solution it rejects.
Focusing now on the Gaza Flotilla, it called it "the tip of the iceberg" attempt along with the BDS movement and Durban conference against racism to cause "tangible and significant damage to Israel." Unmentioned was how expert Israel is in self-inflicting it by decades of occupation and crimes of war and against humanity.
#BDS: City shops join the boycott of Israeli dates
A NUMBER of small shops in Edinburgh have offered their support to a boycott of dates imported from Israel.
Worshippers from Edinburgh's Central Mosque joined activists from the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (SPSC) in a tour of local shops to inform customers and owners of their concerns over the sale of Israeli and illegal settlement dates.
A similar move has also taken place in Glasgow.
Mick Napier, SPSC chair, said, "All the shops we visited today backed the boycott, removed any dodgy dates from their shelves, and are now displaying posters to that effect. The support we received from customers and passers-by was overwhelming."
A similar move has also taken place in Glasgow.
Mick Napier, SPSC chair, said, "All the shops we visited today backed the boycott, removed any dodgy dates from their shelves, and are now displaying posters to that effect. The support we received from customers and passers-by was overwhelming."
#BDS: Campaiging against Ahava in South Africa
Open Letter to the SA Zionist Federation
Why are you supporting occupation, settlement and oppression?
We are members of Open Shuhada Street (OSS) an organisation committed to peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians. We have called for a boycott of products made by Ahava [1] [and see posting on the JfJfP website Boycotting Ahava – anyone can join in] – Dead Sea Laboratories Ltd (Ahava) because these products are manufactured illegally in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) by a company owned by illegal settlements in the OPT. The profitability of settlements businesses like Ahava causes suffering for millions of ordinary Palestinian children, women and men. The call to boycott Ahava is a common sense, peaceful expression of the need to reverse the settlement enterprise which stands in the way of the creation of two states, Israel and Palestine, living in peace.
On 25 August 2010, in response to the call to boycott the settlement-made products of Ahava, the SA Zionist Federation (SAZF) Cape launched a vicious personal attack on us. This was coordinated by SAZF head office. We respond in this open letter.
#BDS: Boycott of Israel
Boycott is an effective weapon against Israel because it depends on trade — exports as well as imports.
The boycott against apartheid South Africa was a huge success. The financial impact on Israel may not be large but its international significance will be huge. Last week the Chilean Parliament decided to boycott Israeli products made in the settlements. In September 2009 Norway announced that it is selling off its shares in Elbit System because of the company’s role in building the separation wall. In March this year Swedish investment fund said that it would eschew Elbit System shares on the same grounds. Human rights organizations in Europe are running campaigns calling for a boycott of Israeli products.
Dozens of theater people are boycotting the new culture center in Ariel supported by a group of authors and artists. Then a group of 150 lecturers from various universities announced that they would not teach at Ariel College. The anti-Israel tide rose right after Operation Cast Lead, as the world watched how Israel pounded Gaza with bombs. Then came the flotilla, complete with prominent peace activists, which ended in nine deaths, adding fuel to the fire. The boycott is gaining momentum on all fronts.
#BDS - Foreign legalists to defend Israel abroad?
Foreign Ministry conference attended by 170 legal experts from 32 countries aims to fight de-legitimization against Jewish state
Despite the strike and the distance from the media, the Foreign Ministry on Sunday opened a first-of-its-kind conference which included 170 legalists from 32 countries who arrived in Israel to discuss tactics to handle the de-legitimization being waged against the Jewish state.
Foreign report: Israel has one of world's largest 'eavesdropping' intel bases - #BDS
The base, near Kibbutz Urim, is central to the activities of the main Israel Defense Forces signals intelligence unit, 8200, according to report in Le Monde Diplomatique.
Israel has one of the largest signals intelligence (SIGINT) bases in the world in the western Negev, Le Monde Diplomatique reported. The base, near Kibbutz Urim, is central to the activities of the main Israel Defense Forces signals intelligence unit, 8200, the report says.
According to the report, the base has 30 antennas and satellite dishes of different sizes and types, capable of eavesdropping on telephone calls and accessing the e-mail of "governments, international organizations, foreign companies, political groups and individuals."
One of the base's main purposes is to listen to transmissions from ships passing in the Mediterranean, the report says. The base is also the center of intelligence activity that "taps underwater communication cables, mostly in the Mediterranean, connecting Israel with Europe."
Sep 6, 2010
US group says it plans to send plane to Gaza - #BDS
A pro-Palestinian group based in the US will send a plane loaded with aid to the Gaza Strip in defiance of Israel's air and sea blockade, an official said Sunday.
"We intend to send an aircraft to Gaza in much the same way boats were used -- without going through Israeli or Egyptian airspace," said Paul Larudee, an organizer with the California-based Free Palestine Movement sponsoring the flight.
Authorities in Gaza are supportive of the initiative and are working to locate a landing site, Larudee said. Gaza's now-defunct Yasser Arafat International Airport is not being considered, he told Ma'an.
"We intend to send an aircraft to Gaza in much the same way boats were used -- without going through Israeli or Egyptian airspace," said Paul Larudee, an organizer with the California-based Free Palestine Movement sponsoring the flight.
Authorities in Gaza are supportive of the initiative and are working to locate a landing site, Larudee said. Gaza's now-defunct Yasser Arafat International Airport is not being considered, he told Ma'an.
'Esti Ginzburg should be a Bond girl' - #BDS
Hollywood director Joel Schumacher sees a bright future for his new film's Israeli star. 'She's amazing and I admire her,' he says
If it were up to American director Joel Schumacher, who has worked with Hollywood's leading actresses – from Julia Roberts and Demi Moore to Nicole Kidman – Israeli soldier Esti Ginzburg would have a bright future in the movie capital.
After directing Ginzburg in his new film "Twelve," Schumacher believes the young model is going places. "With Esti's looks and with a lot of determination, she could definitely have a Hollywood career," Schumacher told Yedioth Ahronoth in a special interview.
Did she share any experiences from her military service?
"Yes, she even sent me a picture of herself holding a rifle. So I told her, 'This is exactly what the world needs, a blonde girl who can shoot.' Chase Crawford and I were a bit worried about her and afraid that she would be in the front. I wouldn't stop harassing her about it and calling her to Israel. I only clamed down after realizing that she isn't a combat soldier."
إسرائيل تصهين التعليم العربي - #BDS
قرر رئيس السكرتارية التربوية بوزارة المعارف الإسرائيلية تسفي تسميرت تخويل طواقم تربوية إعادة صياغة كتاب المدنيات للمدارس الثانوية لعرب 48 وفق التوجهات والرؤية الصهيونية واليهودية.
ويحمل الكتاب الذي سيتم اعتماده في منهاج التدريس الحالي اسم "أن نكون مواطنين في إسرائيل"، ويركز بالأساس على نظام الحكم الديمقراطي وتشريع القوانين.
وينسجم التوجه الجديد مع محاولات المؤسسة الإسرائيلية فرض القيم اليهودية على العرب بالداخل الفلسطيني وتحديدا على طلاب المدارس وأبناء الشبيبة، وذلك في مسعى منها لإبعادهم عن قضاياهم الوطنية وسلخهم عن شعبهم الفلسطيني.
ورغم هذه المحاولات يُلاحظ تنامي الروح الوطنية والقومية لأبناء الشبيبة العرب من خلال مشاركتهم الواسعة في مختلف الفعاليات والمناسبات الوطنية والتضامنية مع الشعب الفلسطيني.
List of US and UK artists supporting Israelis who refuse to perform in settlements - #BDS
When some 60 leading Israeli actors and playwrights signed a letter stating they would refuse to play in the new theatre in Ariel, one of Israel's largest settlements, the attacks from Prime Minister Netanyahu, Israel's Minister of Culture and Sport and many others were swift and intense. Over 150 leading Israeli academics and writers-including Amos Oz and David Grossman- came to their defense. It was the first time such mainstream figures had drawn a line around normalizing settlements which are illegal according to international law, and which constitute one of the main impediments to a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
Inspired by their courage, and responding to a call for international support, Jewish Voice for Peace has developed a statement that has been signed by over 150 theater and film professionals representing some of the most respected and renowned artists in theater, film and television – including Four Pulitzer Prize winners, several recipients of Guggenheim Fellowships, a MacArthur Fellowship, a National Medal of Honor,and scores of recipients of the highest U.S. acting honors, including Tony Awards, Emmy Awards, Grammy Awards, Obie Awards, Drama Desk Awards, and the Oscar.
Anti-Israel boycott by Muslim shops goes Scotland-wide - #BDS
A nationwide boycott of Israeli goods is being launched across Scotland this weekend as activists target Muslim-owned shops in an attempt to stop them selling produce from the Jewish state.The boycott, which started in the south side of Glasgow last weekend, was deemed so successful that campaigners decided to expand it. Campaigners from the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (SPSC) are now targeting shops run by Muslims in the rest of Glasgow and in Fife, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee.In Glasgow, the protesters asked shop owners to take Israeli goods off their shelves and warned they would “name and shame” any store that did not do so. The SPSC says every shop it approached on the south side of the city backed the boycott.However, prominent figures in the Jewish community warn that the “divisive” tactics of campaigners risked driving a wedge between communities instead of fostering dialogue.
The boycott, which started in the south side of Glasgow last weekend, was deemed so successful that campaigners decided to expand it. Campaigners from the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (SPSC) are now targeting shops run by Muslims in the rest of Glasgow and in Fife, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee.
In Glasgow, the protesters asked shop owners to take Israeli goods off their shelves and warned they would “name and shame” any store that did not do so. The SPSC says every shop it approached on the south side of the city backed the boycott.
However, prominent figures in the Jewish community warn that the “divisive” tactics of campaigners risked driving a wedge between communities instead of fostering dialogue.
NBA Stars Meet IAF Pilots in Negev Base at Hatzerim - #BDS
American basketball stars, past and present, got a close look at the equipment for a different high-stakes, fast-paced game when they visited the Israel Air Force base at Hatzerim in the Negev, near Be'er Sheva last Thursday.
The players from the U.S. National Basketball Association (NBA) were given a special tour by proud pilots at the southern Israeli Air Force base. During the visit, IAF pilots showed them some of the battle gear and other equipment they use in their day-to-day work.
Designer Alber Elbaz crafting exclusive fall collection for H&M - #BDS
The collection, developed with Lanvin's men's clothing designer Lucas Ossendrijver, will come out before the Christmas holiday and will be unveiled on November 2 on H&M's website.
Alber Elbaz, an Israeli who is the artistic director at the influential Lanvin fashion house, has agreed to design a collection for the H&M clothing chain. H&M announced the new line in a press release on Thursday that put an end to rumors on the subject.
The collection, developed with Lanvin's men's clothing designer Lucas Ossendrijver, will come out before the Christmas holiday and will be unveiled on November 2 on H&M's website.
To be called "Lanvin for H&M," it will be launched at 200 flagship H&M stores worldwide - including Israel - on November 23, and three days earlier in the United States. H&M's collaboration with Lanvin is expected to be a boon for the store chain, inasmuch as many consumers have high regard for Lanvin's clothing but are put off by the price.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)