Feb 15, 2011

#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:"

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.”

Youth Against Normalization

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