Feb 15, 2011

#BDS: Israeli former IDF soldier and tennis player in Dubai

"Shahar Peer, who is being kept away from her rivals at the Dubai Championships in a heavily-guarded compound for the second year in a row, said she was feeling under even more pressure to succeed this time round.

Two years ago the tournament received a record $300,000 fine from the WTA and was threatened with removal from the tour after the Israeli was refused a visa to compete.
Dubai is part of the United Arab Emirates which, like most Arab countries, has no diplomatic ties with the Jewish state and Israelis are routinely denied entry.
Peer was granted entry in 2010 and reached the semi-finals before losing to Venus Williams. The security conditions she encountered last year exist again this week but she said that was not the reason she felt extra pressure to perform."
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#BDS: Bryan Ferry coming to Israel

"Roxy Music lead vocalist to perform in Tel Aviv on April 19, just five days after teen idol Justin Bieber

Ferry was considered one of the biggest music stars in the 1970s and 1980s, with dozens of hit singles both with the Roxy Music band and as part of his solo career.

Ferry formed Roxy Music in 1970 together with saxophonist Andy Mackay, Phil Manzanera, Paul Thompson and Brian Eno – who is today one of the most important music producers in the world."

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#BDS: Resisting Pinkwashing: Queers Won’t Hide Israel’s Dirty Laundry

"Recently a pro-gay ad from Israel popped up on my Facebook feed. It used the metaphor of the closet to push Israeli parents to accept and support their queer kids. I’m queer. I’m Jewish. And I care deeply about queer issues. So why didn’t the ad spark even an ounce of excitement in me? Because I am wary of my queerness being used by Israel. For some time now, Israel has been promoting gay rights to “pinkwash” its image in an attempt to divert attention away from its treatment of Palestinians.

Why Brand Israel? Why Make It Gay?

As Israel’s reputation becomes more and more unpopular around the world because of its increasingly publicized violations of Palestinian human rights, the Foreign Ministry and other Israel advocacy organizations have been attempting to bolster its image with a “Brand Israel” campaign that promotes Israel’s innovation, culture, and tourism. In the last few years, this effort has started including Israel’s support for gay rights as part of its “cosmopolitan” culture.

While emphasizing the thriving gay community in cities such as Tel Aviv in order to portray Israel as an oasis of gay freedom and democracy in the Middle East, Israel advocacy groups use colonialist language to suggest that Israel is surrounded by “backwards” homophobic, uncivilized Arabs, including Palestinians. Blaming “fundamentalist Islamic beliefs,” groups such as Stand With Us (SWU), a Right Wing Israeli advocacy organization highlights the violence that gay Palestinians face from their families and authorities in Palestine. Of course, they never mention the violence allPalestinians, whatever their sexual orientation, face from the Israeli government."

#BDS: Hamas prohibits import of Israeli-manufactured clothing

"GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- A new set of restrictions on importing Israeli-manufactured goods into Gaza, were anounced by Gaza's Ministry of the National Economy Sunday.

The ministry statement included a ban on clothing manufactured in Israel. Merchants would have to apply to the ministry for permission to sell several other items, the statement said.

Ma'an obtained a copy of the list of restricted items manufactured in Israel, including the following:

Require approval

- Home and office furniture
- Plastic products
- Tissues, toilet paper
- Hoses
- Juices, soft drinks
- Chemical products
- Canned beans
- Biscuits, candies
- Packaging materials"

"On Saturday 12 February, boycott campaigners staged a Valentine’s Day picket outside Ahava. Shop staff quickly called the police and displayed a closed sign thus even further discouraging custom during the time we were there.

Many people were attracted to our brightly coloured broken heart-shaped signs that read “Ahava: Stop Breaking Palestinian Hearts”, “Settlements are Heartless”, “Apartheid is Heartless” and ”Occupation is Heartless”.

The picket not just attracted attention to the boycott of plundered goods that Ahava sells and the crimes that are being perpetrated continuously upon Palestinians by the Israeli government, but also our presence recalled the murder of Jawaher Abu Rahmah of the Palestinian village of Bil’in by the Israeli army of occupation who died on 31 December after succumbing to fatal injuries after inhaling tear gas, fired by the Israeli military during one of the village’s weekly protests against the apartheid wall and Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine.

Jawaher was the sister of Bassem Abu Rahmah, also killed in Bil’in in 2009 when an American-made, high velocity tear gas projectile was fired directly at his chest by an Israeli soldier."

#BDS #JAN25: Oil and Gas Workers on Strike إضراب عمال البترول والغاز

Courtesy of 3arabawy:

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:"

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Youth Against Normalization

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