Sunday, August 29, 2010

Coming up

Bulletin no.185 29th August 2010

If you are not satisfied with the BBC reply to your complaint about bias in the Panorama programme, her is what you can do next:
http://palestinecampaign.org/index7b.asp?m_id=1&l1_id=4&l2_id=24&Content_ID=1455
And here is a letter from Mairead Maguire: http://pulsemedia.org/2010/08/23/mairead-maguire-open-letter-to-bbc-panorama/
And Ken O’Keefe http://pulsemedia.org/2010/08/21/an-open-letter-to-bbc-panoramas-jane-corbin/
Upcoming Events: Local

Saturday street stall: Please let Ali know what you can do even if it means an hour slot, which is fine too. Volunteers needed 11.30 – 1.30. This is one of the main ways we raise the issue of Palestine with the public at large. It takes a couple of hours (plus a bit each side to collect and return the materials). Two people at all times means you always have backup. If each supporter did one Saturday a month we would be covered.
. People can volunteer to fill in empty slots by contacting Ali on Alialzoubi@Gmail.com .


From Faringdon Peace Group:

ALL ARE WELCOME TO OUR NEXT MEETING
“VIVA PALESTINA” Convoy to Gaza Eye-Witness Account
MONICA JONES travelled with the Convoy and will tell us about her personal experiences
Weds 1st Sept 8.00pm FRIENDS MEETING HOUSE, LECHLADE RD.FARINGDON
(Opposite the Duke of Wellington) Admission Free. Coffee at 9.30pm
ALL WELCOME
For more information or help with wheelchairs, please ring 241707 or 710308



PSC Branch Forum Saturday 11 September 2010 in Manchester
12noon – 4pm
Cross St Chapel - Cross Street , Manchester M2 1NL
Directions and map: http://cross-street-chapel.org.uk/find-us
Many thanks to Manchester PSC for hosting us.
Lunch will be provided.
The branch forum is open to all members of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.


Oxford PSC branch Meeting
TUESDAY 14 SEPTEMBER
7.30pm, Oxford Town Hall
PLANNING AND DISCUSSION MEETING
Come along for a discussion of the latest developments affecting Palestine and help us plan our work for the future. Amonst other things we will discuss universal Jurisdiction http://bglink.ning.com/forum/topics/universal-jurisdiction-retain


(Autumn 2010 Action plan

This draft action plan is an outcome of the conference organised by PSC on the 17 July in London . Many branches were represented as well as national organisations to plan effective campaigns in the coming months. These plans will be further discussed at the next branch forum on 11 September in Manchester .

September: ‘ Gaza is a prison camp’
In parallel with the party political conferences, TUC congress, and the preparation for and departure of the convoy, it is proposed that as many organisations as possible use this period to raise awareness about the need to end the siege on Gaza . For its part,
PSC will be organising local and regional meetings to which other organisations are encouraged to participate.

18 September: convoy departure from London


October: ‘War criminals not welcome here’
It is suggested that the political and parliamentary focus should be on universal jurisdiction, with PSC organising a month of lobbying of MPs in their constituencies.

Just before the summer recess, Ken Clarke announced that the government would be bringing forward proposals to restrict the ability to arrest those suspected of war crimes, but the government has not yet released a timescale for these attacks.


November: ‘Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions on Israel : taking action’
6-13 November: A nationally coordinated week of BDS actions to coincide with the global call from Palestine .
Working with other organisations, the trade unions and local PSC branches to mobilise the growing BDS movement – protesting at the sale of Israeli goods, and highlighting the issue of companies aiding Israel ’s illegal occupation and violations of international law.

Other events:
24 November: Lobby of Parliament (to coincide with UN day of action – this may need to be brought forward dependent on the governmental timetable)
21-23 November: The Russell Tribunal, which PSC is supporting, is planned for this weekend.)


Oxford Ramallal Friendship Association
Tuesday 28 September 2010: Next ORFA Meeting, Town Hall, Oxford
The next ORFA Oxford meeting will take place on Tuesday 28 September 2010, from 7pm to 8.45pm. We will be discussing this year's projects, and hope to see you there. http://www.oxford-ramallah.org/


TUESDAY 12 OCTOBER
7.30pm, Oxford Town Hall
SPEAKER: MIKE MARQUSEE All Welcome.
Writer and campaigner Mike Marqusee will speak on his fascinating book ‘If I am not for Myself: Journey of an Anti-Zionist Jew’
www.mikemarqusee/com

TUESDAY 9 NOVEMBER
7.30pm, Oxford Town Hall
INTERNATIONAL WALL DAY – SPEAKER: WILLIAM PARRY
A timely meeting at which photojournalist William Parry will speak about his book ‘Against the Wall: the Art of Resistance in Palestine’

SATURDAY 13 NOVEMBER
10.00am – 4.00pm, Oxford Town Hall
ONE WORLD FAIR
Come along and visit us at the PSC stall at the Oxfam One World Fair on 13 November.



Le Trio Joubran - UK Tour 18 Sept to 1st October
MAKING TRACKS Adventures in Well-Travelled Music
Making Tracks is a fresh concept in programming on the British live music circuit launching in September 2010. A travelling season of concerts bringing the newest and most exciting music from around the globe to a local setting in partnership with 13 major music venues in the UK.
The first season features tours with Le Trio Joubran (18 Sept - 1 Oct 2010), Ahmed Dickinson & Trio Mestizo (25 Nov - 12 Dec 2010), Lo Cor de la Plana (10-27 Feb 2011) and Grupo Lokito (10-29 May 2011)www. makingtrackslive.org
Coming Up Next:
LE TRIO JOUBRAN
Three Brothers, Three Ouds, One Passion
ON TOUR in SEPT 2010 : 18 Sep Oxford North Wall 01865 319 450

From Pegasus Theatre:
I am emailing to tell you a bit more about the performance of the Gaza Monologues written by young people from Gaza aged 14 -19 yrs working with Ishtar Theatre Company from Palestine.

The Pegasus Companies are working on the Gaza Monologues as part of our International Year of Youth – Standing in Another’s Shoes – this is the first element of the year where the Companies are working on their own production of After Gilgamesh which explores war, the responsibility of leaders and the value of life.

The Pegasus Companies will perform this in March at Pegasus and again at the International Youth Arts Festival we are hoping to host in July 2010 to youth arts companies from across Europe and beyond – including the group from Gaza if they are allowed to travel!

The Gaza Monologues are being performed on Sunday 17th October all over the world starting in Gaza at 10am – they will be performed in the UK at Pegasus at 7pm. At least 16 of the Gaza monologues will be recited by the Pegasus Theatre Company , interspersed with a dance response from young people in the Dance Company and beginning and ending with a visual response through sound and light by the Production Company – the Pegasus Companies are made up of young people aged 14- 19 years! We will be advertising the performance on our website but if you could let people in your networks know it would be great!

Thank you so much,

Yasmin Sidhwa

Head of Creative Learning
Pegasus Theatre
Magdalen Road
Oxford OX4 1RE01865 812160 www.pegasustheatre.org.uk




Oxfam - ‘Lift' the blockade on Gaza: Send an email to the Foreign secretary to call for an emergency international conference to lift the blockade of Gaza, allowing the free movement of people, humanitarian aid and commercial goods >>




Upcoming Events: UK/International




Since the beginning of Israel’s illegal siege on Gaza, individuals across the world have come together — participating in journeys to Gaza themselves, donating and raising awareness at home, and working to persuade the government to end the siege — as an act of solidarity with the besieged Palestinians in Gaza.With our government’s failure to end the blockade, people have been inspired to take action themselves to end the crisis, seen by the Gaza flotilla and previous land convoys. The overwhelming response to Israel’s attack on the Freedom Flotilla has forced governments to highlight this issue and call for an end to the siege. But we are committed to pushing further to ensure that words become action, and the siege is actually ended, allowing 1.5 million Palestinians to take advantage of what we in Britain take for granted — the right to work, to decent food and clean water, to education, to health, to visit to see family and friends, and to travel. Now is your opportunity to get involved — the chance to make decisive progress to end the siege is now better than ever before.PSC is pleased to partner once again with Viva Palestina, who are organising their biggest ever convoy yet in an attempt to break the siege by land and sea. The London leg of the convoy will leave on September 18th, and will be joined by two others legs from Casablanca and Doha — to converge at Al-Arish.
Take part in this international effort to end the siege. You can:1. Join the convoy: Fundraise £3500 to take part as a volunteer driver (VP will buy, own and support the vehicle and aid) or source, purchase and drive your own vehicle (pre-approval of vehicle by VP needed) 2. Fundraise for aid: Help raise money to help buy things still being denied entry into Gaza — such as construction materials.3. Donate: you can do it online or via text — send the word ‘Cement’ to 70060 and help to buy a bag of cement.4. Sponsor: Get your local trade union branch, faith group, school, community centre involved in raising funds or sponsoring a vehicle with logos and websites. 5. Volunteer: Help with organising logistics from the comfort of your home. Join a virtual e-space and help with aid, vehicles and fundraising logistical work prior to departure. If you have specialist skills, please get in touch.6. Raise awareness: Remind the world that, four years later, Gaza in still under siege. Organise speaker events, send press releases to your local media, and circulate information via facebook, twitter, blogs and email.
To read more about the convoy go to: www.vivapalestina.org/vp5/intro.htmlFor details on how to register visit: www.vivapalestina.org/vp5/register.html









Ramadhan 2010: ‘ I won’t break my fast with Israeli dates’ PSC is working in partnership with Friends of Al-Aqsa and Zaytoun to produce a leaflet targeting Muslim consumers not to buy Israeli Medjoul dates and support Palestinian farmers by ordering dates from them instead. Palestinian fair trade: http://www.palestinianfairtrade.ps/english.php Order new leaflets now: Don’t break your fast with Israeli Dates Note that Tesco, Cowley Road is now selling these dates, and herbs from illegal settlements in the West Bank.
PSC, Friends of Al Aqsa and Zaytoun have produced a spanking new leaflet urging Muslims not to open their fast with Israeli dates – and strengthen the occupation – during the month of Ramadhan.
View the leaflet at: www.palestinecampaign.org/check-the-label-dates
Contact the PSC office to order the leaflets and where you can buy Palestinian dates >>


Conference London 18th Sept, 2010
Drone Wars is a one day conference in London on September 18th to explore the growing use of armed, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), otherwise known as drones. Armed drones are used by Britain, US and others at great human cost and often in breach of humanitarian law. Used in war and for targeted killings this technology is being used by the UK with little public debate. Join other peace activists and researchers to investigate how to down the drones. Conference Programme and registration details http://www.for.org.uk/act/campaign/?q=campaigns (organised by Mary Dobbins of Oxford).


News



For the latest news from Palestine see http://www.maannews.net/eng/Default.aspx


see also http://aolsearch.aol.co.uk/aol/search?s_it=sb_uk&q=Electronic%20intifada http://www.palestinechronicle.com/ http://www.haaretz.com/

Other
Israeli Peace Activist and Writer Coming To BritainMy name is Rotem Mor and I am a longtime Israeli military refuser and peace and justice activist. I was jailed in 2002, at the age of 19, for refusing military service and over the years have been very active both in working with Israeli and Palestinian youth groups as well as in the joint movement against the separation wall (have pasted my full bio bellow) . I also guide alternative tours (jerusalemrealitytours.com) and am a student of Middle Eastern Classical Music at the center for Middle Eastern music in Jerusalem (www.musicenter.org.il). On the 2nd of October, and towards the end of November, I will be coming to Britain on my way to (and back from) a month and a half in Thailand. During my time in Britain I would like to hold meetings and talks with interested groups engaged in the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. I am traveling to Thailand in order to write my book which will tell of my experiences as an Israeli peace activist over the last 8 years, and will be an internet book free for all.I plan to spend a few days around London from the 2nd-the 5th or so, and then come back for roughly 12 days from the 15th-27th of November.In my talks I will share my experience and insight from many years of being active focusing especially on the realities of Jerusalem/Al-Quds where I guide regular political tours. I shall hopefully have completed the first chapter of my book, describing my refusal to serve in the army, by then and can share from that too and fundraise for its expenses (website, Arabic translation etc.).So, if you are interested in hosting me please let me know and also pass on the information to anyone whom you think would be interested. So far I have only the 20.11 booked for a talk in Swansea , otherwise I am free.Link to a recent article I wrote about my imprisoned friends: http://docs.google.com/Doc?

From: Camden Abu Dis Our BOOK ABOUT WOMEN's LIVES IN PALESTINE - 'Stories from our Mothers' is goingto be launched on 18th Sept in Palestine and on 25th Sept in Britain (details under EVENTS on our website). It is about to go to print! so if you are interested in the offer below, tell us now! Our offer is for TEN HALF-PRICE COPIES (which is 50 pounds for ten – Normal cover price ten pounds) - Please send us your order now if you want this – We expect to adjust our print order to fit this - and the offer won't be repeatedwe can promise! First reviews of the book are really positive - Ghada Karmi and Gillian Slovo have both looked at it and recommended it - We think it will be really useful to twinning groups, women's groups, schools, people interested in Palestine. Ifyou were involved in the women's visits in either direction or if you areinterested in women's lives in Palestine you may well want a pile of themyourself to give to people you know will be interested.The book is in English and Arabic so also useful to people learning the otherlanguage. It includes stories from all over the West Bank and Gaza and somecontributions from Britain that link to these. And there are lots of photos

http://www.camdenabudis.net/stories.html


There will now be an annual Ride for Palestine. It is possible that the next will be concerned with the sale of goods produced in illegal settlements. Thank you all once again for all your help and support. I have taken the liberty of conveying your best wishes to the bikers. Bruce Burgess. Ride for Palestine (Blog with Photos) Initiative supported by, amongst others: Palestine Solidarity CampaignJews for Justice for PalestiniansFriends of LebanonWar on Want

EXCLUSIVE: A Palestine Solidarity Campaign Film - Gaza Flotilla Attack: The Truth This shocking film has just been released by PSC, and is a must-see for everyone involved in the movement.Comprising footage smuggled from the Mavi Marmara, it shows the moment of Israel's brutal attack on the flotilla and its deadly aftermath. Survivors tell their chilling stories, as a picture builds of the true horror that took place on the night of 31 May 2010. This film strips away the banal caution of mainstream media reporting to lay bare the murderous brutality of the Israeli state, reminding us of the everyday terror faced by the occupied people of Palestine.Use this film as a campaign tool in your local PSC branch, student Palestine Society, trade union, or just to show your family and friends to inspire them to join the mass solidarity movement in support of Palestine.Buy the DVD for only £5 (DVD includes a bonus film telling the story of the protestors who targeted EDO's bomb component factory during the attack on Gaza last year).Call the office on 020 7700 6192 to buy your copy, or send a cheque made payable to PSC to PSC, BOX BM PSA, London, WC1N 3XX.


To Join PSC NOW : How to join -Annual membership fees are £24 waged and £12 unwaged. http://www.palestinecampaign.org/index2b.asp Your membership is vital for us to continue our Please send items to go in the bulletin to David Hillman on: DavidHillman07@aol.com. And please send any comments or criticisms to me at the same address.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Saturday street stall: Please let Ali know what you can do even if it means an hour slot, which is fine too. Volunteers needed 11.30 – 1.30. This is one of the main ways we raise the issue of Palestine with the public at large. It takes a couple of hours (plus a bit each side to collect and return the materials). Two people at all times means you always have backup. If each supporter did one Saturday a month we would be covered.

. People can volunteer to fill in empty slots by contacting Ali on Alialzoubi@Gmail.com .





From Faringdon Peace Group:



ALL ARE WELCOME TO OUR NEXT MEETING

“VIVA PALESTINA” Convoy to Gaza Eye-Witness Account

MONICA JONES travelled with the Convoy and will tell us about her personal experiences

Weds 1st Sept 8.00pm FRIENDS MEETING HOUSE, LECHLADE RD.FARINGDON

(Opposite the Duke of Wellington) Admission Free. Coffee at 9.30pm

ALL WELCOME

For more information or help with wheelchairs, please ring 241707 or 710308













Le Trio Joubran - UK Tour 18 Sept to 1st October

MAKING TRACKS Adventures in Well-Travelled Music
Making Tracks is a fresh concept in programming on the British live music circuit launching in September 2010. A travelling season of concerts bringing the newest and most exciting music from around the globe to a local setting in partnership with 13 major music venues in the UK.
The first season features tours with Le Trio Joubran (18 Sept - 1 Oct 2010), Ahmed Dickinson & Trio Mestizo (25 Nov - 12 Dec 2010), Lo Cor de la Plana (10-27 Feb 2011) and Grupo Lokito (10-29 May 2011) www. makingtrackslive.org

Coming Up Next:
LE TRIO JOUBRAN
Three Brothers, Three Ouds, One Passion

ON TOUR in SEPT 2010 : 18 Sep Oxford North Wall 01865 319 450









Tuesday 12th October, 7.30, Oxford Town Hall. Mike Marqusee author of “If not for myself – memoirs of an anti-Zionist Jew” http://www.mikemarqusee.com/



From Pegasus Theatre:

I am emailing to tell you a bit more about the performance of the Gaza Monologues written by young people from Gaza aged 14 -19 yrs working with Ishtar Theatre Company from Palestine.

The Pegasus Companies are working on the Gaza Monologues as part of our International Year of Youth – Standing in Another’s Shoes – this is the first element of the year where the Companies are working on their own production of After Gilgamesh which explores war, the responsibility of leaders and the value of life.

The Pegasus Companies will perform this in March at Pegasus and again at the International Youth Arts Festival we are hoping to host in July 2010 to youth arts companies from across Europe and beyond – including the group from Gaza if they are allowed to travel!

The Gaza Monologues are being performed on Sunday 17th October all over the world starting in Gaza at 10am – they will be performed in the UK at Pegasus at 7pm. At least 16 of the Gaza monologues will be recited by the Pegasus Theatre Company , interspersed with a dance response from young people in the Dance Company and beginning and ending with a visual response through sound and light by the Production Company – the Pegasus Companies are made up of young people aged 14- 19 years! We will be advertising the performance on our website but if you could let people in your networks know it would be great!

Thank you so much,

Yasmin Sidhwa

Head of Creative Learning
Pegasus Theatre
Magdalen Road
Oxford OX4 1RE01865 812160 www.pegasustheatre.org.uk









Oxfam - ‘Lift' the blockade on Gaza: Send an email to the Foreign secretary to call for an emergency international conference to lift the blockade of Gaza, allowing the free movement of people, humanitarian aid and commercial goods >>

Lift the blockade - text ‘Lift' to 70066 (text charged at your standard network rates)

Panorama: the next step

Well several members of Oxford Palestine Solidarity Campaign have now recieved replies from the BBC - and totally inadequate they are. We need to go through the replies and demolish them, which will take a lot of work to do properly.
The PSC website has suggestions for what to do next. Scrool down here http://www.palestinecampaign.org/

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Letter to BBC

Oxford Palestine Soldarity Campaign has responded to the shameful Panorama programme. Most of us have written to the BBC.
I think it's good that we have all written in our own style and from the heart. Check the PSC website for any facts you may have forgotten. Here just as one example is the letter I have written. David Hillman
32 Boundary Brook Road
Oxford
OX4 4AW
18 August 2010
Dear Sir,
It is with regret that I feel I need to strongly protest about the quality of the Panorama programme Death in the Mediteranean.
It is with regret because it was Panorama that gave me my first political education and showed me 45 years ago, when I was very young, that intelligent political debate is possible. I am all the more sad that Panorama has let itself down with a programme so tawdry and biased that I felt intellectually insulted and emotionally distressed.
Over coming bias can be a real problem. Since BBC reporters tend to be based in Jerusalem, rather than in Ramallah or Bethlehem, they need to work so as to avoid retailing the Israeli narrative. Inbedded journalism and use of an Israeli producer (whose integrity I do not question) also need such work, but this time you have failed to do it. To me the programme seemed to be no different than a propoganda piece for the IDF.
I have put off writing this letter for a day because there is so much I could say, but for my sake and yours I will attempt to make it brief. And I will try to avoid ad hominen attacks (does that phrase apply to both sexes?) since your reporters on other occasions have shown they can rise above whatever personal prejudices they might have.
The scene setting and introductory narrative had to be short but yours were not just oversimplified they were wrong – you seemed to imply that the problems of the Middle East were caused by a conflict between Islamists and the rights of the Jews rather than occupation, racial prejudice and economic oppression. If you could not get a proper perspective then why not interview a proper historian like Avi Sclaim? (I am really trying hard not to be patronising).
Your narrative of the long Gaza conflict was also highly distorted. You mentioned the home made rockets from Gaza but not the fact that Hamas tried to stop them, certainly greatly reduced them, and that it was Israel that broke the truce again with assassinations and collateral killings (refer to Avi Sclaim again). You do not speak of the many hundres of Gazans killed by Israeli high-tech weapons over the years.
Your explanation for the reasons for the siege, of its effects on agriculture, fishing, and mental and physical health of the Gazan’s was also totally inadequate. And you claim to know better than years of work by Oxfam, Map, the UN etc what “Putting the Gazans on a diet” really means. I could go on…

Now as to the seizure of the ship itself. First the majority opinion around the world is that the siege of Gaza is itself illegal. The boarding of the ship in international waters is then an act of piracy which means that those on bord have a right to defend themselves. Where was this in your narrative?
Next what really happened which was supposed to be the point of your investigative journalism. Those on board saw no paint guns. They all say that shooting with live ammunition began right away or within 5 minutes. I have made it my business to question people personally on this, have seen smuggled film of live fire from the helicopter and have read autopsies showing bullet holes going downwards through the tops of their heads. The people shot had not guns but cameras. They were not killed in self defence but executed with lots of close up shots in the backs of their heads. Only then did the token defence turn to a successful attempt to disarm some of the soldiers, and the guns seized were emptied of ammunition and thrown into the sea. This is the narrative I believe, because I know the integrity of the people who tell me these things, and because I know the IDF has a history of lies (Tom Hurndall, Rachel Corrie, and incidents every week).
Well I suppose its up to you what narrative you believe. But its not good journalism to only present one side and not close question it. May I ask why you did not have witness from Sarah Colborne, or Kevin Ovendene, or any of the journalists on board? Why did you not bother to interview Hanin Zoabi either on her recent trip to London or indeed in Israel. I am sorry to say that I expect their voices as intelligent, civilized gentle people would spoil your narrative about violent Islamists, or am I being too cynical? Yes I know you had the magnificently passionate and uncompromisingly honest Ken o Keefe but I see he has recorded on the net that you broke a promise made to him not to leave particular things out of his interview so he was just used.
Its difficult to make this short because I objected to just about every sentence of your programme. So I will just mention two more things. First the embargo on building materials – why no mention of the number of houses, mosques, scools and hospitals destroyed during Operation Cast Lead, and the number of people still living in tents or rubble. Secondly I was absolutely disgusted by the smear of mentioning the “go back to Austwitch, remember 911” tape which was edited (I think manufactured) by the IDF and which they werte forced to admit did not come from the Mavi Marmora.
I could say much more about the facts in the programme but I think it was worse than that. There was so much bias in the imagary and vocabulary of the narrative so that every sentence seemed carefully crafted to invoke prejudice including the statement that the headquarters of the charity was in the most Islamic part of town, whatever that signifies (I think it signifies that charities rent places in the cheapest parts of town). while nothing about the extremism of the Israeli government. The word Islamist was never defined and was cleverly associated with the word Turk and then with the whole movement.
The programme was not just a disgrace to journalism, to Panorama, to the BBC, but it was so out of design not laziness. The only consolation is that the opinions of the majority of British people are not the same as the BBC’s so the programmes lack of subtlety might well backfire,
Yours Sincerely,
David Hillman

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