#BDS: Report on Seattle protest of Israel Philharmonic Orchestra

"This report is from the Palestine Solidarity Committee of Seattle, a US Campaign member group, about just one of multiple planned protests in U.S. cities where the Israel Philharmonic is performing.


About thirty protestors demonstrated outside Benaoya Hall last night during the IPO's appearance, holding a banner and signs that read, "Don't Harmonize with Occupation" and "Israel Fiddles while Palestine Burns." The protest was organized by Palestine Solidarity Committee - Seattle, and Voices of Palestine.

In 30-degree F. weather the demonstrators were accompanied by the Anti-Fascist Marching Band, a local street band that played "Caravan," Misirlou," Masters of War," Oseh Shalom/Khaveynu Sholem Aleichem," and other appropriate numbers. Demonstrators handed out a leaflet designed by PSC with one side detailing the ills of the occupation and noting the IPO's role in the "Brand Israel" campaign, and the other side explaining the goals and specifics of the academic and cultural boycott."


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#BDS: Israel recruits citizen advocates in Europe

"Israel has instructed its embassies in 10 European countries, including the UK, each to recruit 1,000 members of the public to act as advocates for its policies in a new public relations offensive.

A cable from the foreign affairs ministry was sent to embassies last week, with instructions from Avigdor Lieberman, the controversial and extreme right-wing foreign minister, to adopt a range of measures aimed at improving Israel's standing in Europe.

The most unusual was the order to identify up to 1,000 people by mid-January to act as "allies" to Israel. One source described them as "friends who are willing not just to receive messages but to actively promote these messages". These individuals – likely to be drawn from Jewish or Christian activists, academics, journalists and students – will be briefed regularly by Israeli officials and encouraged to speak up for Israel at public meetings or write letters or articles for the press.

Five European capitals have also been identified for a more conventional PR push. Israeli embassies in London, Paris, Berlin, Madrid and Rome will receive funds to hire professional PR firms and lobbyists."

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#BDS: Greek PM: Zionism and the IMF’s Last Best Friend

"In the midst of the Arab uprisings throughout the Middle East, at a time when even the European (EU) has publically condemned Israel’s blockade of Gaza and its illegal land seizures in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou promised a visiting delegation of American Jewish leaders, that he would do everything possible to undermine EU opposition and promote Israeli economic, diplomatic and political interests in Europe. US Zionists, recently returned from a visit to Athens described Papandreou as by far the most amenable (‘servile’) European leader they have met in recent memory. Papandreou’s slavish submission to Israeli interests includes his promise, to a delegation of U.S. zionist notables, to use his influence to pressure the new Egyptian military junta to continue to uphold the Mubarak agreements with Israel.¹ These include the continued blockade of Gaza and support of Israel’s military assaults on Lebanon, Syria and Palestinians. In other words Papandreou is openly supportive of Egypt’s past collaboration with Israeli clandestine assassinations and kidnapping of Arab militants.

Papandreou demonstrates a greater interest in promoting Israel’s exports to the European market, than the country he ostensibly represents. He promised a delegation from the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations “to integrate Israel into the European market”¹ while he shrinks the Greeks economy by 10% between 2009-11 and doubles unemployment from 8% to 16%. Papandreou’s gross servility to Israel and the American Zionist power structure is manifested in his cordial reception and recent agreements with Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu and his foreign minister, the notorious Zionist-fascist Avigdor Lieberman – the same Lieberman who advocates wholesale expulsion of Palestinians from the West Bank. No Greek Prime Minister, since the Zionist state was founded, has exhibited such a bizarre display of active collaboration with Israel’s colonial claims in the Middle East. No European leader has so eagerly anticipated and implemented the demands of American Zionist organizations with such zeal."

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#BDS: Israel should be given the South African treatment

"“I am a black South African, and if I were to change the names, the description of what is happening in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank would be a description of what is happening in South Africa”

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, New York 1989

When Desmond Tutu made this comment, the South African apartheid regime was still in power. In 1994, after 45 years of racial segregation, the apartheid era was officially over. When watershed moments like this occur, multiple factors can be attributed. But history is clear that one of the many reasons this tyranny finally succumbed was an international boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign – BDS.

There is no doubt the decision taken by Sydney’s Marrickville council last December to heed the 2005 call for BDS by virtually all of Palestinian civil society was going to be controversial; so was the international movement against apartheid South Africa.

With a New South Wales state election just around the corner, and other local councils considering similar BDS proposals across Australia, this issue is generating predictable heat. The Sydney Morning Herald’s Gerard Henderson last week condemned the Greens for ignoring “democratic” Israel. A prominent mural in inner Sydney, normally aimed at attacking Muslim women who wear the burqa, was changed to attack Marrickville mayor and leading Greens candidate Fiona Byrne for supporting BDS. Even DFAT Secretary Dennis Richardson has entered the debate, calling BDS “wacko stuff”. "

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#BDS: شركة امبال: استئناف إمدادات الغاز المصري لاسرائيل بحلول 4 مارس

قالت شركة "امبال-أمريكان إسرائيل كورب" اليوم الأحد إن من المتوقع استئناف إمدادات الغاز المصري إلى شركة شرق المتوسط للغاز وعملائها في إسرائيل بحلول الرابع من مارس. 

وقالت امبال التي تمتلك 12.5 % من شرق المتوسط للغاز إن الشركة الوطنية للغاز المصرية قالت إن أعمال الإصلاح مستمرة في خط أنابيب تضرر من انفجار تلاه حريق في وقت سابق هذا الشهر، وكان استئناف إمدادات الغاز متوقعا في السابق نحو يوم 17 فبراير. 

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#BDS: IAW in NYC Coordinating Committee statement on the cancellation of our “Party to End Apartheid” by the LGBT Community Center

"As organizers of New York City’s Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW), we are dismayed to learn that New York’s LGBT Center has canceled the scheduled March 5 “Party to End Apartheid” that was to take place there.  We are equally dismayed that the Center also has banned one of the organizers of this event, and a member of our coalition, the Siegebusters Working Group, from holding its regular meeting at the Center. Israeli Apartheid Week, now entering its seventh year internationally and its fifth year in New York City, is a series of events designed to educate people about Israel’s apartheid nature and to build Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaigns in concordance with the just demands of Palestinian civil society.

In 2008, The LGBT Center hosted an Israeli Apartheid Week event discussing the boycott campaign against Israeli billionaire, diamond manufacturer, and settlement builder Lev Leviev.  This year’s IAW in New York includes conversations about BDS as a tactic, discussions of recent protests and revolutions in the Middle East and North Africa, a book release party for NY spoken word artist Remi Kanazi, and a discussion with queer theorist Judith Butler and filmmaker John Greyson. These events will be taking place in many venues across the city, including university campuses and churches.

On Tuesday, February 22, 2011, gay adult film producer and right-wing columnist Michael Lucas issued a press release threatening to boycott the LGBT Center for allowing local IAW organizers to meet and plan an event there.  Lucas denounced IAW as a “hate group” and called us “anti-Semitic.”  This is an ill-informed mischaracterization. IAW is not actually a group, but it is a part of the global BDS movement, which strongly opposes all forms of racism, including racism against Jews.

As anti-racists, IAW organizers – who are Palestinian, Jewish, queer, straight, and much more – denounce Lucas’ false accusations and are shocked that the Center has caved in to his threats.  The Center’s brief statement, issued without any input from the event organizers mere hours after Lucas made his threats public, declared that the Center is a “safe haven for LGBT groups and individuals.”  Yet the cancellation of this event and the banning of the organizing group from the Center send a clear message to LGBT people that we are not welcome if we are Arab or Muslim, or if we advocate human rights for Palestinians."

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#BDS: 'Doors' Members Breach the Palestinians BDS Call

"Keyboardist Manzarek, guitarist Krieger to perform legendary band's greatest hits at Hanger 11 two days after anniversary of Morrison's death; vocalist will be Grand Funk Railroad's Mark Farner

 Two of the original members of the legendary rock band The Doors are scheduled to perform in Israel on July 5, two days after the 40th anniversary of lead singer Jim Morrison's death.

During a special concert at Tel Aviv's Hanger 11, keyboardist Ray Manzarek and guitarist Robby Krieger's will perform some of The Doors' most popular hits along with Grand Funk Railroad's lead singer Mark Farner."


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#BDS: How can we not boycott Israel? It's the very least we can do

#BDS: Israel Philharmonic Orchestra has role in Israel's apartheid

"Pro-Palestinian advocacy group calls for boycott, protests of Israeli orchestra's tour, saying ensemble 'diverts attention from Israel's oppression of Palestinians'

Pro-Palestinian attempts to disrupt the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra's annual US tour have caused the ensemble to reinforce its security measures, Ynet has learned.

Blog posts and e-mail messages circulated the web over the past few weeks, calling American music lovers to boycott the orchestra's performances.  

Adalah-NY, an organization advocating for the rights of Palestinians, has announced that demonstrations are to be staged by its supporters in front of the orchestra's concert venues across the United States."

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#BDS: Another BDS Success: Folk Music Legend Pete Seeger Endorses Boycott of Israel

"Folk music legend Pete Seeger has come out in support of the growing Palestinian movement for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel as a program for justice for Palestinians and a route to peace in the Middle East.

Seeger, 92, participated in last November’s online virtual rally “With Earth and Each Other,” sponsored by the Arava Institute, an Israeli environmental organization, and by the Friends of the Arava Institute. The Arava Institute counts among its close partners and major funders the Jewish National Fund, responsible since 1901 for securing land in Palestine for the use of Jews only while dispossessing Palestinians. Although groups in the worldwide BDS movement had requested he quit the event, Seeger felt that he could make a strong statement for peace and justice during the event."

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#BDS: Israel and Cultural Normalization

• American filmmakers Joel and Ethan Cohen to receive Dan David Prize on behalf of Tel Aviv University.

• Actor Verne Troyer of 'Austin Powers' concludes five-day trip to Israel with visit to Jerusalem holy site.

#BDS: Once again, Israel uses sports to whitewash it's crimes

• Israeli president visits Real Madrid players during training session, receives shirt with his name on it from captain Iker Casillas.

• In effort to strengthen relations with Indian expats, ambassador announces cricket tournament just like one in Israeli movie. 'There is nothing quite like a game of cricket to bring people together,' says embassy spokesman.

• Israel will play host to two international cycling competitions this spring, showcasing the unique and diverse terrain of this small Mediterranean nation.

#BDS: مصر: وزير البترول الجديد عضو مجلس إدارة شركة توريد الغاز لإسرائيل

حصلت «المصري اليوم» على وثيقة جديدة تتعلق بشركة شرق المتوسط للغاز EMG، وهى الشركة التي أسسها «حسين سالم» المليونير المصري، صديق الرئيس السابق «مبارك»، لتزويد إسرائيل بالغاز الطبيعي المصري في صفقة أثارت – ولا تزال تثير- الكثير من الجدل.

تكشف هذه الوثيقة آخر تشكيل لمجلس إدارة شركة EMG، وهو التشكيل الذي تم اعتماده اعتباراً من بداية عام 2008 بعد قيام «سالم» ببيع أجزاء من حصته في الشركة لمستثمر أمريكي وجزء آخر لشركةPPTالتايلاندية، حيث أصبحت ملكية الشركة موزعة بين حسين سالم والشركة التايلاندية، و«سام زيل» الأمريكى، والقابضة للغاز المصرية و«يوسي ميمان» وشركة ميرهاف الإسرائيلية.

أولى المفاجآت التي تكشف عنها الوثيقة هي وجود المهندس «محمود لطيف» في مجلس إدارة شركة EMG، وهو الرجل الذي تولى مسؤولية وزارة البترول منذ أيام خلفاً للمهندس سامح فهمي، ويتواجد «لطيف» فى المجلس ممثلاً للهيئة العامة للبترول والشركة القابضة للغازات.

أما المفاجأة الثانية فهي أن رئيس مجلس إدارة الشركة التي تورد الغاز لإسرائيل هو المهندس محمد إبراهيم الطويلة، ووجه المفارقة أن «الطويلة» كان المدير التنفيذي للهيئة العامة للبترول، الذي قام بتوقيع العقد الأساسي من الجانب المصري، وبعدها خرج من منصبه ليعمل في الشركة التي منحها التعاقد في وضع به تعارض واضح للمصلحة، لينضم هذا اللغز إلى باقي الألغاز التي تحيط بعقد توريد الغاز إلى إسرائيل.

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#BDS: Palestinian Queers for BDS: It Is Your Business

#BDS: Boycott roundup: Palestinians protest Canada's ties with JNF

"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. 

This week, a campaign was expanded in Europe against grocery items made in Israeli settlements; the Israel Philharmonic's tour in the US is dogged by protests; and Palestinian queer activists are imploring international queer artists and academics to take a stand in solidarity.

Palestinians protest Canada's relationship with JNF

Palestinians held a vigil outside the Canadian representative offices in Ramallah on Monday, 21 February, protesting Canada's ongoing relationship with the Jewish National Fund (JNF). The protesters urged the Canadian government to break ties with the Israeli land institution, which has been a driving force behind the continued expulsion of Palestinians from their lands since 1948.

Ma'an News Agency reported that the demonstration included members of families exiled from villages in the Latrun area near Jerusalem, which were ethnically cleansed in 1967 by the Israeli army at the onset of its military occupation of the West Bank. The JNF, which has charitable status in Canada, built Canada Park on the villages' lands ("Latrun villagers protest Canada-Jewish National Fund relations," 21 February 2011)."

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