Oxford Palestine Solidarity Campaign

Every Saturday 2-4, Science Live

2012-02-09T22:42:00.001Z

Thanks to those who braved freezing temperatures (to say nothing of
the wind chill factor) to attend the weekly protest at Science Oxford
Live last Saturday.. We hopefully have some momentum, and although the
Oxford Times/Mail are so far studiously ignoring us, we did have an
article and photo in the Oxford Journal.
http://www.oxfordjournal.co.uk/news/events/5894

Please continue to support this action!
What you can do

1. Attend the weekly protests while the exhibition continues.(until
and including March 10th)
Every Saturday, 2-4pm Science Oxford Live, 1-5 London Place, St Clements
videos of the action on Saturday January 28th
http://youtu.be/iGT7QFWzrYY
http://youtu.be/hfQR-zTA3ck

2. Give feedback to Science Oxford. info@scienceoxford.com
They have put an item on their website that is somewhat evasive, and
only gives partial information about Veolia. However, they are also
asking for feedback on this issue, so please give it! The argument
they make about having no control over who the Natural History museum
chooses as a sponsor just doesn't hold water. You can always say no,
and disassociate yourself. ( Otherwise it's in line with the "just
following orders" argument). They also need to be reminded that as
well as being a political and human rights issue, it is also an
environmental issue - Landfill sites on Palestinian land are used to
dump waste from Israel and Israeli Settlements, and the actions of
Veolia in supporting settlement development has a major impact on the
lives of the Palestinians as well as their rights.
web link to their statement.
http://www.scienceoxfordlive.com/whats-on/veolia-the-natural-history-museum-oxford-palestine-solidarity-campaign-and-science-oxford

3. Write to the Oxford Times who are still totally avoiding any
mention of this issue in their newspaper. letters@oxfordtimes.co.uk

Thanks! And hope to see you outside Science Oxford Live, Saturdays 2-4pm

Veolia demo photos

2012-01-30T22:05:00.001Z

Here are some pictures from Saturday.

Livia's article on ethnic cleansing

2012-01-29T17:29:00.002Z

Livia’s article on Ethnic cleansing http://ceasefiremagazine.co.uk/palestine-home-demolition-ethnic-cleansing/ If you heard Becky speak earlier this year – this is the destruction of the house they helped build last summer.

February events

2012-01-29T17:22:00.003Z

Upcoming Events: Local
.

Science Oxford is putting on the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition from 29 January to the 11 March. (Oxford, 29 January 2012 to 11 March 2012, Science Oxford, 1-5 London Place St Clements Oxford OX4 1BD). http:// www: scienceoxford.com Unfotunatelythey are being sponsored by Veiola.. Everything we need to know about Veolia is here: Both the Boycott Israeli Goods website (http://www.bigcampaign.org/veolia/) and the resource website for PSC branches and Solidarity Activists (http://www.salim.org.uk/veolia--general.html) have information and campaign material on Veolia, such as letters, leaflets, petitions and posters.
Veolia, a French multi-national involved in waste management, water
and transport, is involved in the building and operation of the
recently developed Jerusalem light rail which has appropriated
Palestinian land, and connects Israeli West Jerusalem to illegal
Israeli settlement in the Palestinian West Bank. In April 2010 the UN
Human Rights Council declared this tramway and its operation to be
illegal. In addition Veolia takes waste and rubbish from Israel and
illegal Settlements and dumps this in landfill on stolen Palestinian
land in the West Bank.
It is vital for a well respected organisation like Science Oxford to
avoid association with ethically unpalatable companies like Veolia
Science Oxford were at first
willing for us to put up a display stand about Veolia, at the
exhibition and propose putting it right by the door as people come in. They have now retreated on this as their CEO believes a political stance is outside their scientific remit.
We had two successful sessions of leafleting on Saturday (one by Women in Black, one by Palsoc and PSC) ,There was lots of public support – much honking and waving from cars, and visits by young hip-hop fans who filmed us and by a local LBGT member brought us some cookies from her group. An American lady who joined the picket was amazed at the public support, saying it would be very different in the U.S,A.
More events planned next Saturday and earlier in weekdays. Stand by for action alerts.

Wednesday February 1st, 7:30: St Margaret’s Church, St Margaret’s Road, Oxford.
Palestine: Building For Conflict or Peace?
The impact of closures, restrictions, land confiscations and house demolitions, and the work taking place to rebuild both structures and hope

Speakers:
Nicholas Dudley, F,R,C,S: Lead Clinician of the JR teaching team to Al Quds University. Medical.School in E.Jerusalem & the W.Bank.
Abdalrahman Kittana: Birzeit University, Palestine and currently British Council Scholarship Student, Oxford Brookes University
Tilly Forster: Volunteer House Rebuilder with the Amos Trust, in Al-Walaja, Palestine
Talks and discussion to be followed by Palestinian refreshments.

Tuesday February 21st Oxford Town Hall, Oxford Ramallah friendship Association This meeting will take place earlier so as not to clash with the PSC meeting on Jerusalem.
Tuesday February 21st Oxford Town Hall, 7:30 Meeting on Jerusalem with a panel of speakers who are from Palestine or have recently returned from Jerusalem.

We are planning several more events for this year including a meeting on the situation of Palestinian Christians.

Every Saturday 11.30-1.30pm: OXFORD PSC STALL in Cornmarket by St Michael at Northgate church:
.splay-with-a-twist/oughtstorage.wordpress.com/2011/12/17/the-nativity-display-with-a-twist/thethoughtstorage.wordpress.com/2011/12/17/the-nativity-display-with-a-twist/011
Saturday street stall: The OPSC Saturday street stall on Cornmarket Street is one of the main ways we use for raising the issue of Palestine with the public at large. It is an important activity for offering information leaflets to the public, inviting them to join PSC or leave their email for Oxford PSC updates. Generally we are there 11:30 to 13:30. Always a minimum of two people on shift. Please consider volunteering for a shift: it’s an opportunity to meet other PSC members, those wanting information and occasionally those wishing to challenge our views, even volunteering for one shift a year would help. Please email ali at OPSCstall@gmail.com if you're able to help.
PS ... If you can only do an hour or so, then that’s good too, email us for information and turn up on the day. Thank you to all who volunteered for vacant slots
Any help is much appreciated. Cheers, Ali

Upcoming Events: UK/International
30 March: Stand for Jerusalem : world wide actions. Come to Israeli embassy in London.

Saturday 21st April: PSC Trade Union Conference. Register now.
http://www.palestinecampaign.org/index9b.asp?m_id=1&l1_id=4&l2_id=99&Content_ID=2348
*************************************

PSC AGM 2012 Report

Link to pictures of the AGM: http://www.palestinecampaign.org/Index5b.asp?m_id=1&l1_id=2&l2_id=118

Thirty years from its founding, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign’s packed AGM, held in London on 21 January, provided an opportunity for all PSC’s members, Branches and affiliates to discuss the current situation in Palestine and prioritise PSC’s campaigning work in the next 12 months.

In an inspiring session introduced by Jeremy Corbyn MP, Omar Barghouti, founder of the Palestinian campaign for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions, discussed the importance of the campaigning work being carried out by PSC members and branches across the country. He described ‎PSC as ‘the finest and most influential solidarity movement anywhere in the world’.

Abe Hayeem from Architects and Planners for Justice for Palestine also participated in the debate. Mohammad Sawalha from the British Muslim Initiative told the AGM of plans for the Global March to Jerusalem on 30 March.

The AGM agreed that the central campaigning themes for PSC in 2012 will be:
· Ending the siege on Gaza
· Building the BDS movement
· Ethnic cleansing and destruction of Palestinian life in Jerusalem
PSC AGM passed a motion focusing on the major contracts lost by Veolia, a key target of the global BDS movement, in the UK following campaigns by PSC groups, which resolved to develop this work to build the campaign for divestment and boycott. Other motions passed at the AGM included one condemning Israel’s ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in the Naqab, calling for Nakba commemorations to highlight the ongoing Nakba of ethnic cleansing of Palestinians within the Green Line; and highlighting the issue of Palestinian prisoners and in particular child prisoners. The AGM also overwhelmingly voted in favour of building opposition to the racist and apartheid policies carried out by Israel and the reaffirmation of anti-racism as a core value of the PSC and that combating anti-Semitism and Islamophobia is critical in building alliances and support for a free Palestine . Click here for the text of the motions passed:

2012 –the 30th anniversary of PSC’s founding - will be a key year for the Palestinian struggle. PSC is determined to build the mass movement for solidarity with Palestine , based on the principles of Palestinian liberation, justice and self-determination.

*************************************

News:
Livia’s article on Ethnic cleansing http://ceasefiremagazine.co.uk/palestine-home-demolition-ethnic-cleansing/ If you heard Becky speak earlier this year – this is the destruction of the house they helped build last summer.
http://mondoweiss.net/2012/01/israeli-soldiers-drive-tractor-over-workers-legs-to-stop-palestinians-from-building-a-house-on-their-occupied-lands.html

More January events

2012-01-15T16:40:00.000Z

Friday 20th January, Saskatchewan Room, Exeter College, Turl Street, Oxford, 7.30pm - 9.30p
Dicussion with As'ad AbuKhalil aka 'The Angry Arab' : The Case Against Israel

Oxford Students' Palestine Society is very excited to be hosting As'ad Abukhalil aka 'The Angry Arab', Lebanese-American professor of political science at California State University and author of several books. He is also famous for his online blog, 'The Angry Arab News Service': http://angryarab.blogspot.com/

He will be speaking in Oxford as part of his UK-wide tour in January, organised by the University of Birmingham Friends of Palestine Society. The talk will be followed by a Q&A session.

Here is a snippet on youtube of one of As'ad Abukhalil's previous talks at the University of Massachusetts a few years ago: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEEW9XJyZ3I

Science Oxford is putting on the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition from 29 January to the 11 March. (Oxford, 29 January 2012 to 11 March 2012, Science Oxford, 1-5 London Place St Clements Oxford OX4 1BD). http:// www: scienceoxford.com Unfotunatelythey are being sponsored by Veolia.. Everything we need to know about Veolia is here: Both the Boycott Israeli Goods website (http://www.bigcampaign.org/veolia/) and the resource website for PSC branches and Solidarity Activists (http://www.salim.org.uk/veolia--general.html) have information and campaign material on Veolia, such as letters, leaflets, petitions and posters.

Wednesday February 1st, 7:30: St Margaret’s Church, St Margaret’s Road, Oxford.
Palestine: Building For Conflict or Peace?
The impact of closures, restrictions, land confiscations and house demolitions, and the work taking place to rebuild both structures and hope

Speakers:
Nicholas Dudley, F,R,C,S: Lead Clinician of the JR teaching team to Al Quds University. Medical.School in E.Jerusalem & the W.Bank.
Abdalrahman Kittana: Birzeit University, Palestine and currently British Council Scholarship Student, Oxford Brookes University
Tilly Forster: Volunteer House Rebuilder with the Amos Trust, in Al-Walaja, Palestine
Talks and discussion to be followed by Palestinian refreshments.

We are planning several more events for this year including a panel on Jerusalem, and a meeting on the situation of Palestinian Christians.

January 2012

2012-01-01T16:24:00.001Z

We meet on the second Tuesday of each month at 7.30 at Oxford Town Hall. In 2011 we had a packed year of speaker meetings, boycott actions, cultural events, and more. Come along and help us organise for next year. All are welcome.

Upcoming Events: Local

Every Saturday 11.30-1.30pm: OXFORD PSC STALL in Cornmarket by St Michael at Northgate church:
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Saturday street stall: The OPSC Saturday street stall on Cornmarket Street is one of the main ways we use for raising the issue of Palestine with the public at large. It is an important activity for offering information leaflets to the public, inviting them to join PSC or leave their email for Oxford PSC updates. Generally we are there 11:30 to 13:30. Always a minimum of two people on shift. Please consider volunteering for a shift: it’s an opportunity to meet other PSC members, those wanting information and occasionally those wishing to challenge our views, even volunteering for one shift a year would help. Please email ali at OPSCstall@gmail.com if you're able to help.
PS ... If you can only do an hour or so, then that’s good too, email us for information and turn up on the day. Thank you to all who volunteered for vacant slots
Any help is much appreciated. Cheers, Ali

Upcoming Events: UK/International
Protest Rally at the Israeli Embassy in London
Tuesday 27 December 2011, 1pm to 3pm: report - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVSsWb4gqQc

Wednesday 18 January 2012, Conway Hall London : Gaza Letters - Commemoration of Israel 's Cast lead Massacre in Gaza 3 Years On, Featuring speakers and readings.
http://www.palestinecampaign.org/index9b.asp?m_id=1&l1_id=4&l2_id=99&Content_ID=2291

We are extremely pleased to announce that Omar Barghouti will address the PSC AGM. Omar is a human rights activist, a founding member of the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) and a founding member of the Palestinian-led, global boycott movement against Israel , and author of Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS): The Global Struggle for Palestinian Rights. We are looking forward to see you all there. Best wishes.
Martial Kurtz, National Organiser, Palestine Solidarity Campaign
PSC Annual General Meeting 2012
Building Solidarity, Campaigning for Justice for Palestine
10.00am – 5.00pm, Saturday 21 January 2012
Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square , London , WC1 4RL (Holborn tube)
The PSC Annual General Meeting is a vital event, discussing our work over the last year, and planning the future of our campaign — including motions and elections to the Executive Committee.
All members of national PSC may attend the AGM. If you are not sure whether your membership is up to date, please contact psc.admin@palestinecampaign.org or 020 7700 6192
Cost: £8 waged, £6 unwaged (to cover cost of lunch)

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 Items:
Annual Roundup 2011 http://www.palestinecampaign.org/index7b.asp?m_id=1&l1_id=4&l2_id=106&Content_ID=2304
.

Remi Kanazi Book and CD – Special offer for PSC Branches
After the very successful Remi Kanazi tour, in which many of you have taken part, we are pleased to be able to offer PSC Branches a special offer on Remi’s excellent book and CD: Poetic Injustice: Writings on Resistance and Palestine for £8 (+P&P), the normal retail price is £12!! A great idea to raise funds for the branch… Please order copies from the office: psc.admin@palestinecampaign.org or 02077006192.
Remi videos here: http://www.palestinecampaign.org/index7b.asp?m_id=1&l1_id=4&l2_id=24&Content_ID=2273

PSC Weekly update here http://www.palestinecampaign.org/index7b.asp?m_id=1&l1_id=4&l2_id=106&Content_ID=2299
BDS news: Europeans, Moroccans urge Jane Birkin to respect boycott call http://electronicintifada.net/blog/nora/bds-news-europeans-moroccans-urge-jane-birkin-respect-boycott-call

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

November/December events

2011-11-13T18:17:00.000Z

http://en-gb.facebook.com/pages/Oxford-Palestine-Solidarity-Campaign-PSC/177208992359124 (New!)
http://www.palestine-primer.com/Palestine_Primer/Homepage.html
　
　
　
　
Upcoming Events: Local

The One World Fair is taking place at Oxford Town Hall on Saturday 19 November 10.00 - 4.00 and PSC has a stall booked.
　
This is always a fantastic event - a good opportunity for us to raise　funds and awareness and also to enjoy ourselves browsing the wide range of other stalls at the event, doing Christmas shopping etc.
　
We will need a team of volunteers to help. Can you volunteer an hour or two on the day? Or can you help with transporting materials to the venue in the morning or collecting at 4.00?
　
Please let me know what help you can provide and I will then draw up a rota and send it round.
　
Thanks, Caroline
　
　
　　
MF Doom was in Oxford on 10 November, then booked to play in Tel Aviv on 26 November.
O2 Academy Oxford
http://www.songkick.com/artists/476571-mf-doom
MF Doom: Please Don't Rap in the Apartheid State
http://www.facebook.com/MF.Doom.Dont.Rap.Apartheid
MF Doom Protest Leafleting was really good. Everyone seemed to be v positive to the msg, (maybe) Jane spoke to the man himself for 10 mins) There was enough pressure - especially given he will have seen all the signs in other places - Leeds, etc - that it must have an impact on MF Doom. Let's see.

Well done to those who made it!

　
　
　
The struggle against the colonisation of the Jordan Valley
This meeting will be addressed by Rosa of the Jordan Valley Solidarity Campaign who will have recently returned from the area.
7,30pm, Tuesday 13 December
Oxford Town Hall, St Aldates, Oxford
　
　
　
6TH, 2011
　Saturday street stall: The OPSC Saturday street stall on Cornmarket Street is one of the main ways we use for raising the issue of Palestine with the public at large. It is an important activity for offering　information leaflets to　the public, inviting them to join PSC　or　leave their email for Oxford PSC updates. Generally we are there 11:30 to 13:30. Always a minimum of two people on shift. Please consider volunteering for a shift: it’s an opportunity to meet other PSC members, those wanting information and occasionally those wishing to challenge our views, even volunteering for one shift a year would help. Please email ali at OPSCstall@gmail.com if you're able to help.
PS ...　If you can only do an hour or so, then that’s good too,　email us for information and turn up on the day. Thank you to all who volunteered for vacant slots
Any help is much appreciated.
　
Cheers
Ali

　Sunday November 13th 4-5.30pm, Friends Meeting House, St Giles, Oxford
　
Palestinian Voices
Helen Griffith spent three months on the West Bank witnessing the daily struggle of Palestinians under occupation by the Israeli army. She went as an “Ecumenical accompanier” and will give her testimony of that experience.
　
The　Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI)　brings internationals to the West Bank to provide protective presence to vulnerable communities, monitor and report human rights abuses and support Palestinians and Israelis working together for peace.
　
For more information see www.eappi.org
　
Sing for peace and justice for Palestinians
The Sea Green Singers will perform songs of solidarity with Palestinians, celebrating their lives and resistance. The choir is a regular at events supporting peace and justice around Oxfordshire.
　
For more information see www.seagreensingers.com

Sunday November 13th 4-5.30pm, Friends Meeting House, St Giles, Oxford
People, Politics and Palestine
Organised by: ISOC (Oxford University Islamic Society)
When: 15th November (Tuesday)
Time: 18:00 -21:00
Where: Town Hall
This event is mainly for University students but PSC have been sent a letter of invitation: I hope you are well. I am writing to you on behalf of the Oxford University Islamic Society to invite the members of Palestine Solidarity Campaign Oxford to the following event, which will be held at Oxford Town Hall on Tuesday 15th November http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=127932160647138

Natasha Lewis from London Palestine Right Group.
will be giving a talk in Oxford University on Tuesday 15th November
　
　Waiting for solutions in uncertain times: Palestine refugees in the Middle East context
05:00pm, Wednesday, November 16, 2011 Presenter/Convenor: Filippo Grandi, Commissioner-General, UNRWA Location: The Examination Schools, University of Oxford, 75-81 High Street http://www.rsc.ox.ac.uk/events/2011-harrell-bond
THE ARURA – FARINGDON FRIENDSHIP ASSOCIATION (AFFA) INVITES YOU TO A
PALESTINIAN DANCE AND CULTURAL EVENING.
With dancers from Oxford University's Palestinian Society.
Demonstrations and audience participation (optional!)
With Middle-Eastern food and drink (non-alcoholic).

SATURDAY 19TH NOVEMBER, 7.30 – 10.00 PM.
CATHOLIC CHURCH HALL, FARINGDON
(behind Budgens and Catholic Church. Park in Southampton Street car park. Keeping Budgens back entrance on your right, follow the side wall to the top and through the pedestrian gap in the wall ahead. Turn immediately right past a couple of houses on your right into Catholic car park, Go 　through the gate and you will see the hall.)
WITH SPECIAL GUEST - MOHAMMED ARURI FROM ARURA.
Arura is the village in the West Bank, Palestine,　with which Faringdon has set up friendship links.
SUGGESTED DONATION £5, INCLUDING FOOD AND DRINK
All welcome
For more information contact Karen Vogt karen@vogt.org.uk tel: 01367-241707
　
Poetic Injustice – Remi Kanazi UK Tour reaches Oxford on Monday 21st November. Monday, November 21 · 7:30pm - 10:30pm
Saskatchewan Room, Exeter College, Turl Street, Oxford
For Oxford Students' Palestine Society
http://www.poeticinjustice.net/
A poster can be downloaded from the attached file.
　
　BDS Day of action! Saturday 26th November

There will be a day of action on BDS on Saturday 26th November. Activities will be taking place across the UK. Put the date in your diary. Following on from our success in leafleting delicatessens and restaurants, this time we will be back at the supermarkets.
We shall concentrate on Tesco because they still sell settlement produce. We Shall be leafleting at Magdelene Rd (in town, bottom of St Giles) and at Cowley Rd. contact Tony if you want to travel up in a group: anthonyrichardson888@hotmail.com

Alternative Carol singing in Cornmarket Thursday 22 December at 6 p.m. Contact Pam. pamela.parsons@ntlworld.com
　
　
　
Upcoming Events: UK/International
We need your help to tell Parliament to help end the siege on Gaza, to act now on Jerusalem and to stop arming Israel.
As the pressure grows on Israel to end its illegal occupation and more and more of us become aware of the injustices against Palestinians denied their basic rights, so Israel’s government grows more repressive. The international community, with the UK playing a leading role, needs to act now.
Please help campaign for Palestine by lobbying your MP as part of our Annual Lobby of Parliament on Wednesday 23rd　 November from 2-6pm.
What you can do
1.　Make sure that you can travel that day to meet your MP in Parliament
2.　write to your MP and let them know you want to meet them on Wednesday 23rd November, and ask them for an appointment. To use our e-tool click here. To find out more about how to lobby your MP read this briefing - BRIEFING BEFORE THE LOBBY.pdf
3.　book your travel and accommodation
4.　Let us know you have asked your MP for a meeting
5.　Contact us to get involved:

Email us at info@palestinecampaign.org
or call 020 7700 6192
　
Ahmad picked up a bright metal object in a park in Lebanon where he was celebrating his 5th birthday. It was an unexploded cluster bomblet, which blew up in his face, killing him slowly in front of his family.

Three years ago, public pressure pushed through a ban of these cruel bombs. But now the US is lobbying nations to quietly sign a new law that allows their use -- signing the death warrant for thousands of other children. Most countries are still on the fence on how to vote. Only if we raise the alarm across the world can we shame our governments to block this deadly decision.

Positions are being drawn up now. We only have four days until countries meet to send our leaders a clear message: stand up for the cluster bombs ban and keep our children safe. Click below to sign the petition, and forward this email to everyone you know -- our petition will be delivered directly to delegates at the Geneva conference:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/cluster_bombs_ii_b/?vl

FROM PALESTINE TO ISRAEL A PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORD OF DESTRUCTION & STATE
FORMATION 1947-50 04.11.11 ‹ 25.11.11
The Mosaic Rooms brings some of the most exciting, progressive and
innovative creative voices in the Arab World to London.
FROM PALESTINE TO ISRAEL: A PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORD OF DESTRUCTION & STATE
FORMATION 1947-50
En route from the Galilee to Lebanon
Photographer not identified. IDF and Defence Archive, October 28, 1948
FROM PALESTINE TO ISRAEL
A Photographic Record of Destruction & State Formation 1947-50
04.11.11 ‹ 25.11.11
The Mosaic Rooms
A.M. Qattan Foundation
Tower House, 226 Cromwell Road
　
　
From Viva Palestina We are announcing a significant change in the form that the convoy will take this time. Rather than travelling from London through Europe as before, we intend to purchase all aid and vehicles in Egypt itself, with the convoyers travelling to Egypt either by boat from another Middle Eastern country or flying directly into Cairo itself.
We are currently in discussions with the Egyptian authorities and our friends in both Egypt and Gaza on the exact timing of our arrival in Egypt and Gaza but we are confident this will be over the Xmas period. We will confirm arrangements the next couple of weeks.

You can now register to join the VP6 convoy by going to the Viva Palestina website - http://vivapalestina.org/vp6/vp6.html
Remember, a key part of your ability to join the convoy will be the funds you raise in your community to buy aid for Gaza.

If you cannot join us on the convoy, we still urgently need whatever donations you can give us.　 This link will allow you to donate money for the VP6 convoy: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=QCQD9748TM4EG
http://mail.aol.com/34188-111/aol-6/en-gb/Suite.aspx

News:
Prisoners:
Torture Of Palestinian Child Prisoners "Widespread And Institutionalised" http://www.palestinemonitor.org/spip/spip.php?article1443 http://www.dci-pal.org/english/publ...
Israel has failed to lift restrictions on detainees http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=436267
　
Mordechai Vanunu deserves freedom from Israel
Israel has until Sunday to respond on the nuclear whistleblower's bid to leave the country. It's time to stop punishing him......
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/nov/09/mordechai-vanunu-israel?INTCMP=SRCH
TWO leading Irish human rights activists were prevented for a second time today from flying home from Israel, in the latest strange twist to the protracted homecoming saga of Ireland’s #FreedomWaves campaigners.
They were among the 14 Irish passengers of the MV Saoirse, hijacked in international waters last Friday on a humanitarian mission to Gaza.
Anat Kamm is an Israeli journalist who was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for leaking thousands of classified military documents to Israeli Haaretz journalist Uri Blau. Information from the documents suggests that the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) had defied a court ruling against assassinating wanted militants in the West Bank who could have potentially been arrested safely.
http://globalvoicesonline.org/2011/11/09/israel-whistleblower-anat-kamm-jailed-for-exposing-idf-assassinations/
Rabin's murderers are still free and happy http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/opinion/rabin-s-murderers-are-still-free-and-happy-1.394703
　
Welcome to PalestiniansRegister.org, the website of the civic registration drive for elections to the Palestinian National Council (PNC), the supreme legislative body of the PLO. Only 40 percent of the Palestinian people who are eligible to vote are currently registered. This website provides information and tools for the remaining 60 percent of Palestinians, in order that they can register themselves for elections in all locations where Palestinians currently remain unregistered. http://palestiniansregister.org/
　
　
UNESCO gives Palestinians full membership see report from MAP http://map-uk.org/regions/opt/news/view/-/id/1059/ ">href="http://map-uk.org/regions/opt/news/view/-/id/1059/ ">http://map-uk.org/regions/opt/news/view/-/id/1059/
GAZA ACTIVISTS STILL JAILED, REFUSING DEPORTATION http://witnessgaza.com/
　
Other Items:
PSC Merchandise – Ideal Christmas Presents
Think Christmas…. …..Think Palestine!
Gifts for all the family from PSC – CDs, DVDs, T-shirts, scarves, stocking-fillers, Keffiyehs made in Hebron
Browse online at the PSC shop: www.palestinecampaign.org
　
The PSC AGM will be on 21st January
Motions and amendments
Motions to the AGM, and nominations to the executive must be received in the PSC office by 25 November 2011. Please keep any motions to no more than 300 words. These will be sent to members by 10 December.
Amendments to motions must be received in the PSC office by 13 January 2012. Please keep any amendments to no more than 100 words.
　
　
　
　Stop the JNF
At this time, when the power of lobbys (from arms contractors, governments, ideologists) has surfaced for once it is timely to look at this site http://stopthejnf.org/ As our speaker from the Bedouin told us last Tuesday, the JNF acts as an arm of the apartheid state – see The Role of the Jewish National Fund in Impeding Land Rights for the Indigenous Bedouin Population in the Naqab http://www.badil.org/en/al-majdal/item/1406-raanan-jnf-naqab
Here is information on EDM 1677 on the Jewish national fund, which you can draw to the attention of your Member of Parliament. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/JustPeaceUK/message/31253
　
　
Copies of the new DCI report are available from the PSC office: Voices from East Jerusalem, The Situation facing Palestinian Children (2011)
Please order copies by emailing psc.admin@palestinecampaign.org or call 02077006192. We are asking for a contribution of £3 to cover postage and packaging.
The report includes a 7 minute DVD on the Situation facing Palestinian Children in East Jerusalem.
More info: http://www.dci-palestine.org/documents/new-dci-report-voices-east-jerusalem-situation-facing-palestinian-children-2011
New DCI report: Voices from East Jerusalem, The Situation facing Palestinian Children (2011)
PSC members have been working on how to present the Palestinian case at the 2012 Olympics in a positive way. Any ideas of how we should do this are welcome. Email me.

Our street stall

2011-10-03T00:55:00.002+01:00

http://youtu.be/GSeuFL5v8NM

Letter on Gaza

2011-09-18T15:39:00.000+01:00

To: The Representatives of the Middle East Quartet (UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, EU High Representative Catherine Ashton, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton) and European Union foreign ministers
Re. Palmer report and the continued closure of Gaza
Dear Foreign Minister,
As international humanitarian, development, human rights and peace-building organisations, we are writing to you in response to the report of the Panel of Inquiry led by Sir Geoffrey Palmer and established by the UN Secretary-General. Given the common misconceptions about the Palmer report’s findings, we ask you to ensure that its claim that the naval blockade of the Gaza Strip is lawful is not misunderstood to mean that the entire closure regime imposed on Gaza is legal. We also ask you to step up efforts to ensure an immediate and unconditional lifting of the closure.
According to the International Committee of the Red Cross, the guardian of international humanitarian law, the closure of Gaza “constitutes a collective punishment imposed in clear violation of Israel's obligations under international humanitarian law”. In contrast, the Palmer report only focuses on the naval blockade of Gaza and explicitly does not address the legality of the overall closure regime which includes sweeping restrictions on the movement of goods and persons via land crossings.
Many of the undersigned organisations have humanitarian and development programmes in Gaza and continue to witness the unnecessary daily suffering of the civilian population, over half of whom are children, due to the closure policy. The steps taken by Israel to ease some restrictions have not resulted in meaningful improvements in the lives of Gaza’s 1.6 million residents.
Since January 2011, exports from Gaza have amounted to around one per cent of pre-2007 levels, despite Israel’s promises to increase them. Imports of construction materials have remained below 20 per cent of pre-2007 levels, impeding the reconstruction of schools, hospitals, homes and businesses that were damaged and destroyed in Israel’s 2008-2009 military operation Cast Lead. The number of Palestinians allowed to leave Gaza through the Israeli crossings remains below one per cent of pre-2000 levels and even patients in need of urgent treatment outside Gaza are often still denied exit. According to the World Food Programme, three quarters of Gaza’s population continue to rely on humanitarian aid, while 54 per cent are food insecure.
The Palmer report does note that the humanitarian and human rights situation in Gaza is “unsustainable, unacceptable and not in the interests of any of those concerned”, but merely calls on Israel to “continue with its efforts to ease its restrictions on movement of goods and persons to and from Gaza”.
Instead of only easing the restrictions, Israel should be required to comply with its international legal obligations and lift its closure on Gaza fully and immediately. This means allowing exports as well as imports, subject only to legitimate and proportionate security checks, and allowing Palestinians to travel between Gaza and the West Bank, which are internationally recognised as a single territorial unit. It also means ensuring Palestinians’ access to arable land currently located inside the “buffer zone” imposed by Israel within Gaza’s perimeter and allowing Palestinian fishermen access to their coastal waters.
Sincerely,
Jean-Etienne DE LINARES
General Delegate
ACAT France
Frans Mikael JANSEN
Secretary General
ActionAid Denmark
Salil SHETTY
Secretary General
Amnesty International
Lieve HERIJGERS
Director
Broederlijk Delen (Belgium)
Chris BAIN
Director
CAFOD (UK)
Bernard PINAUD
General Delegate
CCFD-Terre Solidaire (France)
Bernd NILLES
Secretary General
CIDSE
Bo FORSBERG
Secretary General
Diakonia (Sweden)
Kamel JENDOUBI
President
Euro-Mediterranean Human
Rights Network
Donatella VERGARI
General Secretary
Terre des hommes Italy
Steven JAMES
Chief Executive
Medical Aid for Palestinians
Thomas GEBAUER
Executive Director
medico international (Germany)
Dr. Maja HESS
President
medico international schweiz
(Switzerland)
Jo HANSSENS
President
Pax Christi Flanders
Thierry MAURICET
General Director
Première Urgence - Aide Médicale
Internationale
Liz SCURFIELD
Head of Office
Quaker Council for European
Affairs
Jasmine WHITBREAD
CEO
Save the Children International
Justin KILCULLEN
Director
Trócaire (Ireland)
Freek LANDMETER
Co-director, IKV Pax Christi
United Civilians for Peace
(Netherlands)
(A coalition comprising Oxfam
Novib, Cordaid, ICCO and IKV Pax
Christi)

September 18th bulletin

2011-09-18T15:31:00.000+01:00

Bulletin no.233, 18th September 2011

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign exists to build a mass solidarity movement on Palestine. It is founded on principles of justice, human rights, and opposition to all forms of racism.

Any expression of racism or intolerance, or attempts to deny or minimise the Holocaust have no place in our movement. Such sentiments are abhorrent in their own right and can only detract from the building of a strong movement in support of the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people. We welcome all those who share our aims to join PSC.

Our campaign is a positive one, working to ensure the freedoms enjoyed by people throughout the world are not denied to the people of Palestine. We seek to build a movement where all those who are in support of our core demands can take part. Join us, and let us create a world free of occupation, free of racism and where the human rights of all are protected.

Upcoming Events: Local
Oxford Ramallah Friendship Association Planning meeting – Oxford Tuesday September 20, 2011 7:00 pm - 8:45 pm Oxford Town Hall, St Aldates, Oxford Please come along and help plan our next projects.
Everyone welcome.

The Negev Bedouin story
Dr Awad el Farj, a prominent leader of the Bedouin community, will speak about the impact of Israel’s policies on its struggle for survival
7.30pm Tuesday 11 October
Oxford Town Hall, St Aldates, Oxford

The Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions
Becky Worth, an Oxford student, will talk about her experiences of working with an a rebuilding camp in Palestine organised by this non-violent direct action group
7.30pm, Tuesday 8 November
Oxford Town Hall, St Aldates, Oxford

The struggle against the colonisation of the Jordan Valley
This meeting will be addressed by Rosa of the Jordan Valley Solidarity Campaign who will have recently returned from the area.
7,30pm, Tuesday 13 December
Oxford Town Hall, St Aldates, Oxford

Saturday street stall: The OPSC Saturday street stall on Cornmarket Street is one of the main ways we use for raising the issue of Palestine with the public at large. It is an important activity for offering information leaflets to the public, inviting them to join PSC or leave their email for Oxford PSC updates. Generally we are there 11:30 to 13:30. Always a minimum of two people on shift. Please consider volunteering for a shift: it’s an opportunity to meet other PSC members, those wanting information and occasionally those wishing to challenge our views, even volunteering for one shift a year would help. Please email ali at OPSCstall@gmail.com if you're able to help.
PS ... If you can only do an hour or so, then that’s good too, email us for information and turn up on the day. Thank you to all who volunteered for vacant slots
Any help is much appreciated.

Cheers
Ali
This Saturday we had, unusually in the last two years, two rather aggressive Zionists coming up to argue with us on the stall. (It is unusual because nowadays the majority of people in Oxford and visitors from abroad support the Palestinian cause). The best thing to do is keep calm and argue rationally without getting angry – remembering that many who now are on our side were once Zionists – see this link: http://vimeo.com/24760466 .

Oct 5th 7-9pm What is happening in Palestine? St Anthony of Padua Parish Hall, 115 Headley Way, Oxford OX3 7SS.(near the JR) Speakers: David Scarpa and Ann Farr, who has recently returned from 3 months in Palestine as an EAPPI volunteer. Organised by Pax Christi and the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Israel and Palestine. Everyone welcome. Further detail from Anne Dodd 01235 525997

Sunday November 13th 4-5.30pm, Friends Meeting House, St Giles, Oxford

Palestinian Voices
Helen Griffith spent three months on the West Bank witnessing the daily struggle of Palestinians under occupation by the Israeli army. She went as an “Ecumenical accompanier” and will give her testimony of that experience.

The Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) brings internationals to the West Bank to provide protective presence to vulnerable communities, monitor and report human rights abuses and support Palestinians and Israelis working together for peace.

For more information see www.eappi.org

Sing for peace and justice for Palestinians
The Sea Green Singers will perform songs of solidarity with Palestinians, celebrating their lives and resistance. The choir is a regular at events supporting peace and justice around Oxfordshire.

For more information see www.seagreensingers.com
Sunday November 13th 4-5.30pm, Friends Meeting House, St Giles, Oxford

Upcoming Events: UK/International
PSC Weekly Update here: http://www.palestinecampaign.org/index7b.asp?m_id=1&l1_id=4&l2_id=106&Content_ID=2144
PSC Branch Forum, In Liverpool Saturday 24 September, 12noon to 4pm
At The Quaker Meeting House in Liverpool
22 School Lane, Liverpool L1 3BT Map and directions: http://www.liverpoolquakers.org.uk/directions.html PLEASE NOTE: We will be operating a pool fare system, PSC will cover travel expenses above the average fare. Lunch will be provided. The PSC Branch Forum is open to all members of the PSC.
Boycott Israel Network residential weekend
I've been asked to pass on information about the
Following:
5th Boycott Israel Network Workshop:14th -16th October 2011 Coalbrookdale Youth Hostel,1 Paradise, Coalbrookdale, Telford, TF8 7NR.

News:

The Trades Union Congress, representing 6.5 million workers in the UK, voted overwhelmingly today (14 September 2011) to deplore the 'anti-democratic law' passed by the Israeli Knesset banning individuals and organisations in Israel from calling for the boycott of Israel, and reaffirmed existing policy to 'work closely with the Palestine Solidarity Campaign to actively encourage affiliates, employers and pension funds to disinvest from, and boycott the goods of, companies who profit from illegal settlements, the Occupation and the construction of the Wall'.

The new policy also 'calls on all unions on the basis of this policy to review their bi-lateral relations with all Israeli organisations, including Histadrut'. The motion was proposed by Unite the Union , and an amendment was proposed by the PCS.

Hugh Lanning, Chair of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, and Deputy General Secretary of the PCS Union which moved the amendment, said:

'Today British trade unions have decided not to buy into the Israeli occupation - not to buy goods from firms or work with organisations complicit with Israel 's illegal occupation, settlements and wall.

' Israel must be made to honour international law. The UN, Obama and the EU should be making Palestine a reality not blocking their freedom.'

Hugh Lanning continued: 'Companies are paying the price for their complicity with Israel 's crimes. Agrexco, infamous for exporting produce from Israel and the illegal settlements, has gone into liquidation. Veolia has lost contracts worth millions of pounds. It is time for companies and organisations to recognise that they must end their complicity with occupation and war crimes. The trade union movement was a central pillar of the struggle against apartheid in South Africa . And today, trade unions in Britain are taking the same principled stance - supporting peace and justice, and opposing racism and apartheid.'

For the full text of the motion and amendment:
http://www.congressvoices.org/2011/71-peace-in-the-middle-eastsouth-asia/

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 Items:

Student’s freshers' pack, and useful material available here http://www.palestinecampaign.org/Index5b.asp?m_id=1&l1_id=7&l2_id=35 . For all students.

An interesting post by the conservative scandal monger Guido Fawkes:Note how the BBC is willing to be led by the nose: After his story earlier in the week about pro-Israel lobby group BICOM, Guido was tipped that their CEO Lorna Fitzsimons, the former Labour MP, was in some serious trouble. He was tracking down an email that was accidentally sent out on Monday to some of BICOM’s media list instead of the intended recipients – the donors. Annoyingly Ephraim Hardcastle beat him to it this morning and reveals how Lorna blurted to the world that she has been:
“…liaising with BBC and Sky to ensure ‘the most objectively favourable line was taken…I briefed Jonathan Ford, the Financial Times leader writer for his upcoming leading article… BICOM had regular contact with the Editor at Large of Prospect magazine, David Goodhart, helping to inform him about the forthcoming UN vote on Palestinian statehood…” http://order-order.com/2011/09/16/bi-comms-disaster/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+guidofawkes+%28Guy+Fawkes%27+blog+of+parliamentary+plots%2C+rumours+and+conspiracy%29

Please sign the petitions on the national PSC website: http://www.palestinecampaign.org/

An e petition to the UK government on the issue of Palestinian statehood.
‘This House believes that the British government should recognise Palestine as a state and support its admission to the UN in September 2011.’
The link to the e-petition site is here:
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/593

-But here is some of the argument against it: Bantustans and the unilateral declaration of statehood http://electronicintifada.net/content/bantustans-and-unilateral-declaration-statehood/8543
I would welcome opinions on this important argument, and will put the strongest arguments on our website.

Re. Palmer report and the continued closure of Gaza
Dear Foreign Minister,
As international humanitarian, development, human rights and peace-building organisations, we are writing to you in response to the report of the Panel of Inquiry led by Sir Geoffrey Palmer and established by the UN Secretary-General. Given the common misconceptions about the Palmer report’s findings, we ask you to ensure that its claim that the naval blockade of the Gaza Strip is lawful is not misunderstood to mean that the entire closure regime imposed on Gaza is legal. We also ask you to step up efforts to ensure an immediate and unconditional lifting of the closure...
...
Instead of only easing the restrictions, Israel should be required to comply with its international legal obligations and lift its closure on Gaza fully and immediately. This means allowing exports as well as imports, subject only to legitimate and proportionate security checks, and allowing Palestinians to travel between Gaza and the West Bank, which are internationally recognised as a single territorial unit. It also means ensuring Palestinians’ access to arable land currently located inside the “buffer zone” imposed by Israel within Gaza’s perimeter and allowing Palestinian fishermen access to their coastal waters.
Sincerely, See enclosed PDF file

From West Surrey PSC:
We recently had a speaker, Susan Lourenco, of MachsomWatch talk at a public meeting in Guildford. MachsomWatch produced a powerful documentary film, Kalandia - A Checkpoint Story, in 2009. Unfortunately she only had 3 copies available at the meeting so one of our members, George, has started producing these DVDs on their behalf. We are selling them for £8.00 incl. postage and £5.00 of that goes to MachsomWatch. We believe the film would be a very useful tool for meetings as well as for general sale.

I have attached a detailed synopsis of the film but a brief one can be viewed here - http://mubi.com/films/kalandia-a-checkpoint-story

You can view a trailer of the film here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYD36YBeXyc

The DVDs can be purchased from our website - http://www.westsurreypsc.org.uk/shop

If you would prefer to purchase via post then you can contact George at - geo@garousso.net

Machsom Watch is a group of Israeli women, peace activists from all sectors of Israeli society, who oppose the Israeli occupation and the denial of Palestinians' rights to move freely in their land. Since 2001, they have conducted daily observations of Israeli army checkpointsin the West Bank, along the separation wall and beyond where Palestinians are often harassed and humiliated. You can read more about them at -

http://www.machsomwatch.org/en

Kind regards
John Murphy
Secretary
West Surrey PSC

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

Video of talk by Diana Neslen

2011-09-18T15:16:00.000+01:00

Diana Neslen (Jews for Justice for Palestinians): a Jewish perspective on human rights and Israel

A talk by Diana Neslen, entitled 'Human rights: A Jewish perspective on Israel'. Diana is a member of Jews for Justice for Palestinians. The talk was organised by the Oxford Palestine Solidarity Campaign. (13 September 2011)

"Most of us, dissident Jews, feel existential pain on seeing how Israel treats those over whom it has dominium. Our concerns are enhanced by the knowledge that far from singling out Israel for attack, the leaders of the Western world make every effort to genuflect to her and to follow her lead… [W]e feel even more passionately that it is up to us to challenge the craven behaviour of the powers that be."

Video: http://youtube.com/watch?v=RtHd5qWtghw

September Activities

2011-08-28T21:00:00.000+01:00

Here's a link to a campaign by UNWRA to save a school in the West Bank (on the outskirts of Jerusalem) from demolition (to enable the expansion of the illegal settlement of Ma’ale Adumim)
http://www.unrwa.org/etemplate.php?id=1085
Would also be great if we could get any schools in Oxford to take this up. Can anyone with links to schools try to do something on this.
Thanks

Upcoming Events: Local

Human rights: A Jewish perspective on Israel
With Diana Neslen of Jews for Justice for Palestinians
7.30pm, Tuesday 13 September
Oxford Town Hall, St Aldates, Oxford

The Negev Bedouin story
Dr Awad el Farj, a prominent leader of the Bedouin community, will speak about the impact of Israel’s policies on its struggle for survival
7.30pm Tuesday 11 October
Oxford Town Hall, St Aldates, Oxford

The Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions
Becky Worth, an Oxford student, will talk about her experiences of working with an a rebuilding camp in Palestine organised by this non-violent direct action group
7.30pm, Tuesday 8 November
Oxford Town Hall, St Aldates, Oxford

The struggle against the colonisation of the Jordan Valley
This meeting will be addressed by Rosa of the Jordan Valley Solidarity Campaign who will have recently returned from the area.
7,30pm, Tuesday 13 December
Oxford Town Hall, St Aldates, Oxford

6TH, 2011
Saturday street stall: The OPSC Saturday street stall on Cornmarket Street is one of the main ways we use for raising the issue of Palestine with the public at large. It is an important activity for offering information leaflets to the public, inviting them to join PSC or leave their email for Oxford PSC updates. Generally we are there 11:30 to 13:30. Always a minimum of two people on shift. Please consider volunteering for a shift: it’s an opportunity to meet other PSC members, those wanting information and occasionally those wishing to challenge our views, even volunteering for one shift a year would help. Please email ali at OPSCstall@gmail.com if you're able to help.
PS ... If you can only do an hour or so, then that’s good too, email us for information and turn up on the day. Thank you to all who volunteered for vacant slots
Any help is much appreciated.

Cheers
Ali

Charity Run - Diamond Dash & RAL Run-around
On Friday 23rd Sep I plan to take part in a charity run organised by my work, this involves running around STFC’s Rutherford Appleton Laboratory site then dashing around Diamond Light Source. The total distance is approximately 5k.
The event entry fees collected by the organisers will be donated to Africa’s Disaster Emergency Committee drought appeal.
I’m also seeking your sponsorship to raise money for a Palestinian charity ‘Interpal’ and a solidarity campaign ‘PSC’.
Please consider sponsoring me, by cheque to ‘482 Cowley Road, Oxford, OX4 2DP’, when you see me next or by email pledge to alialzoubi@gmail.com. Thanks in advance for your support. Ali

Oct 5th 7-9pm What is happening in Palestine? St Anthony of Padua Parish Hall, 115 Headley Way, Oxford OX3 7SS.(near the JR) Speakers: David Scarpa and Ann Farr, who has recently returned from 3 months in Palestine as an EAPPI volunteer. Organised by Pax Christi and the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Israel and Palestine. Everyone welcome. Further detail from Anne Dodd 01235 525997

Sunday November 13th 4-5.30pm, Friends Meeting House, St Giles, Oxford

Palestinian Voices
Helen Griffith spent three months on the West Bank witnessing the daily struggle of Palestinians under occupation by the Israeli army. She went as an “Ecumenical accompanier” and will give her testimony of that experience.

The Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) brings internationals to the West Bank to provide protective presence to vulnerable communities, monitor and report human rights abuses and support Palestinians and Israelis working together for peace.

For more information see www.eappi.org

Sing for peace and justice for Palestinians
The Sea Green Singers will perform songs of solidarity with Palestinians, celebrating their lives and resistance. The choir is a regular at events supporting peace and justice around Oxfordshire.

For more information see www.seagreensingers.com
Sunday November 13th 4-5.30pm, Friends Meeting House, St Giles, Oxford

Latest Events

2011-07-24T17:42:00.000+01:00

Israeli and settlement dates were being sold locally. Ramadan approaches. Thank you to everyone who joined us on Saturday 16th July, on Cowley Road, to distribute leaflets to shops and restaurants. Such a good and welcoming response, from Greek, Turkish, and Asian shops, with people taking more leaflets, wanting to get more involved, and some dates being returned to sender.
Most supermarkets are not now selling settlement goods. Tesco’s is, though they have agreed to clearly mark them as such. If you want to make your point to the local Tesco’s, please do so politely (the local staff are not our enemy.
Other suggestions Welcome. Leaflets can be collected from our Saturday stall.

Local PSC member Ben Smith will tomorrow ( Monday 25th July) will be undertaking a 5 day, 600km mountainbike ride and will be riding to raise funds for MAP (Medical Aid for Palestinians), it would be good to send him messages of support and sponsorship on his website:

http://www.justgiving.com/Ben-Smith8

A reminder that a local PSC member has been developing an educational website on Palestine http://www.palestine-primer.com/Palestine_Primer/History_%26_Background.html She would welcome feedback.

Upcoming Events: Local

6TH, 2011
Saturday street stall: The OPSC Saturday street stall on Cornmarket street is one of the main ways we use for raising the issue of Palestine with the public at large. It is an important activity for offering information leaflets to the public, inviting them to join PSC or leave their email for Oxford PSC updates. Generally we are there 11:30 to 13:30. Always a minimum of two people on shift. Please consider volunteering for a shift: its an opportunity to meet other PSC members, those wanting information and occasionally those wishing to challenge our views, even volunteering for one shift a year would help. Please email ali at OPSCstall@gmail.com if you're able to help.
PS ... If you can only do an hour or so, then that’s good too, email us for information and turn up on the day. Thank you to all who volunteered for vacant slots
Any help is much appreciated.

Cheers
Ali

From Oxford Ramallah Friendship Society
YOUTH VISIT July 2011 ORFA
19th July – 13 July
For details of the events see the Orfa or Oxford PSC websites: http://www.oxford-ramallah.org/projects.html#youthvisit-2011 , http://oxfordpsc.blogspot.com/
I can not find the link to Mohammed’s interview at Radio Oxford but will try again.

Our Autumn programme should include a visit from a representative of Israeli Bedouin, a description of Jerusalem’s present state from a member of Jews for Justice, a talk from a member of Jordan Valley Solidarity, and the film Arna’s Children by Juliano. Further suggestions always welcome.
Actors from Gaza had tough journey to Oxford stage (Oxford Times) http://www.oxfordtimes.co.uk/news/9153628.Actors_from_Gaza_had_tough_journey_to_Oxford_stage/ www.pegasustheatre.org.uk Thanks to all who helped raise money for this.
Lush, the cosmetics company, which has a branch on Cornmarket (be guided by your nose) has been active on ethical campaigns to due with the environment and with civil rights. All their staff have been involved. Some thanks would be good for their involvement in advertising the Free Palestine music. and here is the link to the Lush campaign:
http://www.lush.co.uk/articles/our-ethical-campaigns/oneworld_100-10285_10.html .
To congratulate them write to sean.gifford@lush.co.uk.

You can add your support here http://bdsearlham.wordpress.com/friends-support/#comment-184
And here http://www.ipsc.ie/campaigns/diamond-boycott

Upcoming Events: UK/International
PSC Weekly update = http://www.palestinecampaign.org/index7b.asp?m_id=1&l1_id=4&l2_id=106&Content_ID=2064

July Events for Oxford Palestine Solidarity Campaign and others

2011-07-03T21:53:00.001+01:00

Israeli and settlement dates are being sold in local supermarkets. Ramadan approaches. If you can join us on Saturday 16th July on Cowley Road to distribute leaflets and posters on this matter contact DavidHillman07@aol.com . Other suggestions welcome.

This month we have the opportunity to secure a chart position for a song called 'Freedom for Palestine' by a collective of musicians put together by Dave RandalThe song's chorus has a South African gospel choir and members of the London Community Gospel Choir singing 'Break down the wall – demand justice for all – Freedom for Palestine'. Listen to the song now!

http://www.waronwant.org/freedomoneworld/">facebook.com/#!/Freedom ">http://www.waronwant.org/freedomoneworld/ facebook.com/#!/Freedom http://www.facebook.com/#!/Freedom httlances, Circulate and publicise the website http://www.freedomoneworld.org/ and Facebook page: /www.facebook.com/FreedomOneWorld
Only costs 79 pence and takes 2 minutes – from the website above.
- Contact your local media, publicise the song, write letters about it, and contact your local radio stations to get them to play the song!!
- Wherever possible play the song or show the video, at events and so on..
We need all of you to make this happen.
Many thanks!!

New website http://www.palestine-primer.com/Palestine_Primer/History_%26_Background.html
http:// www.palestine-primer.com
This new website, built by a local PSC member, aims to be a single place where basic facts and information can be found on a whole variety of topics

Upcoming Events:

Saturday street stall: The OPSC Saturday street stall on Cornmarket street is one of the main ways we use for raising the issue of Palestine with the public at large. It is an important activity for offering information leaflets to the public, inviting them to join PSC or leave their email for Oxford PSC updates. Generally we are there 11:30 to 13:30. Always a minimum of two people on shift. Please consider volunteering for a shift: its an opportunity to meet other PSC members, those wanting information and occasionally those wishing to challenge our views, even volunteering for one shift a year would help. Please email ali at OPSCstall@gmail.com if you're able to help.
PS ... If you can only do an hour or so, then that’s good too, email us for information and turn up on the day. Thank you to all who volunteered for vacant slots
Any help is much appreciated.

Cheers
Ali

From Oxford Ramallah Friendship Society
A final planning meeting next Tuesday,5th July, at the Town Hall, 7.30.

Could you please email to say if you can help, if you gave transport and if you can give lifts or it would be good to see you at the events. Just let us know what you can do.

This is such a practical way of showing solidarity.
I have left the itinerary as an attachment and if you let me know when you are available I will add a column with the details added at the end of next week.
YOUTH VISIT July 2011 ORFA – Draft Itinerary (23/6/11)
Day 1/ Tues 19.07.11 Collection from airport. Very late arrival (Gatwick at 12:20 am). Explore overnight stay at reasonable hotel near Gatwick. Met by ORFA member and driven to Oxford Wed am.
Day 2/ Wednesday 20.07.11 Drive to Oxford. Acclimatisation to Oxford.Afternoon walk by river to city centre.Pm/Early eveningPicnic and sports – University Park.(If raining – provisional booking) Jenny asking if we could provisionally book Quaker Garden Room to use if rains.
Day 3/ Thursday 21.07.11 Am Visit to Cheney or Cherwell School to meet small group of students.Pm Mayor reception or Visit to Natural History Museum and Pitt Rivers Museum (TBC)Eve 7.30 Grease – New Theatre. Sara asking Cherwell school if visit possible.
Day 4/ Friday 22.07.11 Am Possible tour of BBC Radio OxfordPM/Eve - 4:30 pm North Wall Gaza Monologues – then party at Laila’s house (bring a pudding) Laila is exploring Radio Oxford.Laila asking Yasmin if Pegasus would like us to feed/host the young people for Gaza between their shows.
Day 5/ Saturday 23.07.11 Am Bourton-on-the-Water (The Model Village/Bird Park/Pottery) Pm Human Rights Discussion – two helpers plus four young peopleEve Hinksey Park – 8:30 pm Picnic (bring food), 9:30-11pm Film under the stars. Organised by OFVM. Older two could go to a museum am and then on to Human Rights Discussion or join part of the Bourton trip.
Day 6/ Sunday 24.07.11 Trip to Brighton: 9 am to 8.30 pm (TBC)Lunch at The Red RoasterFunfair/Pier/BeachMeet with members of Brighton PSC/ Tubas Twinning Coach cost £21 per head for 26 seater.Provisionally booked.
Day 7/ Monday 25.07.11 Day OFVM Workshop 10 am – 4 pm Animation4.30 pm Traditional Tea/ Aunt Sally GarsingtonEve Host families
Day 8/ Tuesday 26.07.11 Day OFVM Workshop 10 am – 4 pm AnimationEve 6.30 -9.00 Ceilidh with Woodcraft and Pegasus young people We could collect kids from Pegasus at 4.30 if that helps Yasmin and bring to Nikki’s until start of the Ceiilidh.
Day 9/ Wednesday 27.07.11 Day OFVM Workshop 10 am – 4 pm FlashEarly eve - visit to Abingdon for BBQ (Anthea, Belinda).
Day 10/ Thursday 28.07.11 Am OFVM Harry Potter Tour 11 am – 1 pm.PM – Harry Potter Trail with us. Eve Pizza oven party Rose Hill (Kirsten)
Day 11/ Fri 29.07.11 Day Trip to London (Science Museum, Parliament Buildings, London Eye). Train or Oxford Tube
Day 12/ Sat30.07.11 Day Shopping for gifts in Oxford and PackingEVE 7pm Meal/social for visitors and our supporters at Al-Salam restaurant – showing photos and the films made in workshops in Ramallah.
Day 13/ Sun Travel to airport and departure at 12:50 pm. Drive

Nikki (email DavidHillman07@aol.com and I will forward messages of help).

From Christian Aid Oxford: I am contacting you because on Wednesday 6 July at 7.30pm (at the Friends Meeting House, St Giles, Oxford) we will be joined by Gemma Houldey from one of our partner organisations in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. Addameer (which means conscience in Arabic) is an organisation that provides legal aid and counselling to Palestinian political prisoners in Israeli and Palestinian prisons. They also campaign internationally for prisoners at risk of serious human rights violations.
As well as hearing from the organisation¹s Advocacy Officer, Gemma Houldey, about the work of Addameer, there will also be an opportunity to find out more about the work of Christian Aid in the Middle East and how we work with Israeli and Palestinian partners to protect human rights, provide access to services and resources, and build a peace based on justice for all. You can find out more on the night about how you can work for justice and peace in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory.
If you would be interested in coming along on the evening that would be wonderful. Please do circulate to friends and others who you think may be interested. I have attached a poster in case you are able to display it in your church. The Friends Meeting House is on St Giles in Oxford (OX1 3LW). Parking is free on St Giles after 6.30pm, but space is limited.
We will be serving tea and coffee and baklava on the evening and we expect the event to finish at 9pm. If you would like any further information then feel free to give me a call or drop me an email. Hope to see some of you there.

Oxford PSC Branch Meeting, Tuesday 12th July 7.30 Oxford Town Hall, St Aldates. Report back from the 9 July conference, from the regional aggregate, and from the recent visits of several of our members to Palestine.
Our Autumn programme should include a visit from a representative of Israeli Bedouin, a description of Jerusalem’s present state from a member of Jews for Justice, a talk from a member of Jordan Valley Solidarity, and the film Arna’s Children by Juliano. Further suggestions always welcome.

June/July events

2011-06-26T19:37:00.003+01:00

Bulletin no.223, 26th June 2011

This month we have the opportunity to secure a chart position for a song called 'Freedom for Palestine' by a collective of musicians put together by Dave RandalThe song's chorus has a South African gospel choir and members of the London Community Gospel Choir singing 'Break down the wall – demand justice for all – Freedom for Palestine'. Listen to the song now!

managed to
bed http://www.waronwant.org/freedomoneworld/ facebook.com/#!/Freedom http://www.facebook.com/#!/Freedom httlances, dded inside Gaza strip ambulances, with Palestinian - Circulate and publicise the website http://www.freedomoneworld.org/ and Facebook page: /www.facebook.com/FreedomOneWorld
- ask everybody to pre-order the song now!! Only costs 79 pence and takes 2 minutes – from the website above.
- Contact your local media, publicise the song, write letters about it, and contact your local radio stations to get them to play the song!!
- Wherever possible play the song or show the video, at events and so on..
We need all of you to make this happen.
Many thanks!!

New website http://www.palestine-primer.com/Palestine_Primer/History_%26_Background.html
http:// www.palestine-primer.com
This new website, built by a local PSC member, aims to be a single place where basic facts and information can be found on a whole variety of topics. It is written in such a way, with elementary and more advanced pages, that users can logically progress, getting up to speed in learning about all aspects of the conflict. There is discussion and evaluation of issues, presented in such a way that is useful for campaigning. Please help to spread news of the site, commending it to others or creating links elsewhere to it.

The site has received much praise.
Oxford PSC website is here http://www.oxfordpsc.blogspot.com/ with, hopefully, all local events.
Upcoming Events: Local

6TH, 2011
Saturday street stall: The OPSC Saturday street stall on Cornmarket street is one of the main ways we use for raising the issue of Palestine with the public at large. It is an important activity for offering information leaflets to the public, inviting them to join PSC or leave their email for Oxford PSC updates. Generally we are there 11:30 to 13:30. Always a minimum of two people on shift. Please consider volunteering for a shift: its an opportunity to meet other PSC members, those wanting information and occasionally those wishing to challenge our views, even volunteering for one shift a year would help. Please email ali at OPSCstall@gmail.com if you're able to help.
PS ... If you can only do an hour or so, then that’s good too, email us for information and turn up on the day. Thank you to all who volunteered for vacant slots
Any help is much appreciated.

Cheers
Ali

From Oxford Ramallah Friendship Society
Dear all
Very exciting news the visit of young people from Al Amari is happening soon!
Please find the draft itinerary attached.
We are really keen for people to help out with the visit.

We need drivers, lots of people for the coach trip - there are 26 seats in total - come along!
The trip to London is on a Friday and we will really need your help then if you can come.
We will need help getting the young people to Abingdon onWed 27th. To Bourton too.
... and lots more

Could you please email to say if you can help, if you gave transport and if you can give lifts or it would be good to see you at the events. Just let us know what you can do.

This is such a practical way of showing solidarity.
I have left the itinerary as an attachment and if you let me know when you are available I will add a column with the details added at the end of next week.
YOUTH VISIT July 2011 ORFA – Draft Itinerary (23/6/11)
Day 1/ Tues 19.07.11 Collection from airport. Very late arrival (Gatwick at 12:20 am). Explore overnight stay at reasonable hotel near Gatwick. Met by ORFA member and driven to Oxford Wed am.
Day 2/ Wednesday 20.07.11 Drive to Oxford. Acclimatisation to Oxford.Afternoon walk by river to city centre.Pm/Early eveningPicnic and sports – University Park.(If raining – provisional booking) Jenny asking if we could provisionally book Quaker Garden Room to use if rains.
Day 3/ Thursday 21.07.11 Am Visit to Cheney or Cherwell School to meet small group of students.Pm Mayor reception or Visit to Natural History Museum and Pitt Rivers Museum (TBC)Eve 7.30 Grease – New Theatre. Sara asking Cherwell school if visit possible.
Day 4/ Friday 22.07.11 Am Possible tour of BBC Radio OxfordPM/Eve - 4:30 pm North Wall Gaza Monologues – then party at Laila’s house (bring a pudding) Laila is exploring Radio Oxford.Laila asking Yasmin if Pegasus would like us to feed/host the young people for Gaza between their shows.
Day 5/ Saturday 23.07.11 Am Bourton-on-the-Water (The Model Village/Bird Park/Pottery) Pm Human Rights Discussion – two helpers plus four young peopleEve Hinksey Park – 8:30 pm Picnic (bring food), 9:30-11pm Film under the stars. Organised by OFVM. Older two could go to a museum am and then on to Human Rights Discussion or join part of the Bourton trip.
Day 6/ Sunday 24.07.11 Trip to Brighton: 9 am to 8.30 pm (TBC)Lunch at The Red RoasterFunfair/Pier/BeachMeet with members of Brighton PSC/ Tubas Twinning Coach cost £21 per head for 26 seater.Provisionally booked.
Day 7/ Monday 25.07.11 Day OFVM Workshop 10 am – 4 pm Animation4.30 pm Traditional Tea/ Aunt Sally GarsingtonEve Host families
Day 8/ Tuesday 26.07.11 Day OFVM Workshop 10 am – 4 pm AnimationEve 6.30 -9.00 Ceilidh with Woodcraft and Pegasus young people We could collect kids from Pegasus at 4.30 if that helps Yasmin and bring to Nikki’s until start of the Ceiilidh.
Day 9/ Wednesday 27.07.11 Day OFVM Workshop 10 am – 4 pm FlashEarly eve - visit to Abingdon for BBQ (Anthea, Belinda).
Day 10/ Thursday 28.07.11 Am OFVM Harry Potter Tour 11 am – 1 pm.PM – Harry Potter Trail with us. Eve Pizza oven party Rose Hill (Kirsten)
Day 11/ Fri 29.07.11 Day Trip to London (Science Museum, Parliament Buildings, London Eye). Train or Oxford Tube
Day 12/ Sat30.07.11 Day Shopping for gifts in Oxford and PackingEVE 7pm Meal/social for visitors and our supporters at Al-Salam restaurant – showing photos and the films made in workshops in Ramallah.
Day 13/ Sun Travel to airport and departure at 12:50 pm. Drive

Nikki (email DavidHillman07@aol.com and I will forward messages of help).

From Christian Aid Oxford: I am contacting you because on Wednesday 6 July at 7.30pm (at the Friends Meeting House, St Giles, Oxford) we will be joined by Gemma Houldey from one of our partner organisations in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. Addameer (which means conscience in Arabic) is an organisation that provides legal aid and counselling to Palestinian political prisoners in Israeli and Palestinian prisons. They also campaign internationally for prisoners at risk of serious human rights violations.
As well as hearing from the organisation¹s Advocacy Officer, Gemma Houldey, about the work of Addameer, there will also be an opportunity to find out more about the work of Christian Aid in the Middle East and how we work with Israeli and Palestinian partners to protect human rights, provide access to services and resources, and build a peace based on justice for all. You can find out more on the night about how you can work for justice and peace in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory.
If you would be interested in coming along on the evening that would be wonderful. Please do circulate to friends and others who you think may be interested. I have attached a poster in case you are able to display it in your church. The Friends Meeting House is on St Giles in Oxford (OX1 3LW). Parking is free on St Giles after 6.30pm, but space is limited.
We will be serving tea and coffee and baklava on the evening and we expect the event to finish at 9pm.

Upcoming Events: UK/International
PSC Weekly update = http://palestinecampaign.org/index7b.asp?m_id=1&l1_id=4&l2_id=106&Content_ID=2021

Working Together for Palestine
Saturday 9th July 2011, 10am-5pm
University of London Union, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HY

“We are the people and this is our time: stand up, sing out … for Palestine”

Join Dave Randall, from Faithless & the Freedom for Palestine single, Dr Karma Nabulsi, Hugh Lanning, Andy Slaughter MP and many others at our Working Together for Palestine Conference. PSC members and representatives from a wide range of organisations will come together to share ideas and plans for the year ahead. This conference follows our very successful conference in July 2010, and our follow-up meeting this March with other groups.
Solidarity with Palestine is now recognised as the key international issue, and the movement in Britain is playing a vital role. PSC is organising this conference in order to strengthen our common links and ‘jump together’ when possible to increase the impact of the campaigning work that we are carrying out.
Please register for the event by emailing Martial Kurtz at info@palestinecampaign.org with the following information
Name:
Member of PSC?: yes/no
PSC branch (if appropriate):
If no, name of organisation you are representing:
Mobile number:
Email:

I look forward to seeing you at the conference on Saturday 9th July.
Hugh Lanning, Chair, Palestine Solidarity Campaign

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/

Britain2Gaza on the Freedom Flotilla 2: www.britain2gaza.com You can pledge your support, and leave a message on the site.

Other Items:

MORE PALESTINIAN CHRISTIANS RESPOND
TO THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY
PLEASE FORWARD WIDELY!

Following are responses to erroneous statements made by the Archbishop of
Canterbury, Rowan Williams, citing anti-Christian Muslim extremism as the
primary cause of the Palestinian Christian exodus from the Holy Land. The
first response is from Sabeel founder/director Naim Ateek in Jerusalem.
Below his letter is a link to a letter from Kairos Palestine coordinator,
Rifat Odeh Kassis. Also linked below is the BBC News page with part of the
interview with Archbishop Williams, including an audio file.

His Grace Rowan Williams
Archbishop of Canterbury
Lambeth Palace
London

23 June 2011

Dear Archbishop Williams,

Greetings from Jerusalem!

Last week at Sabeel, we had the privilege of having the Anglican
Consultative Council delegation headed by Archbishop Michael Jackson. We
seized the opportunity to convey to them our response to your interview on
the BBC regarding your concern about the dwindling presence of Arab
Christians of the Middle East. The concern is genuine and sincere,
unfortunately, your words were negatively received by our people; and we
have been asked by our friends - locally and internationally - to make a
public response.

1. As Palestinian Christians, we perceive ourselves as an integral part of
the Palestinian people. We might be a very small religious community
nowadays but due to our long rootedness in our land, we do not refer to
ourselves as a minority. Moreover, as Palestinians, whether Christian or
Muslim, we equally live under the oppression of the illegal Israeli
occupation of our country. As Palestinians - Christians and Muslims - we
share the same hopes and aspirations and we struggle for freedom and human
dignity together.

2. Although as Palestinian Christians, we appreciate the fact that you
raised the issue of the vulnerability of the Christian presence in the
Middle East -- a subject that is dear to our hearts and of great concern to
us - you singled out the extremist Islamists as a threat to Christian
presence, but neglected to mention two other extremists groups, namely,
Jewish extremists represented by the religious and racist settlers on the
West Bank that are encouraged directly by the present extreme rightwing
Israeli government, and Christian extremists represented by the Western
Christian Zionists that support Israel blindly and unconditionally. With
candor the last two groups of extremists, i.e. Jewish and Western Christian
Zionists are a greater threat to us than the extremist Islamists. In fact,
these extremists have more military power and clout to uproot all
Palestinian presence both Christian and Muslim from our homeland.

3. In 2006, Sabeel conducted a survey of the Christians in Israel and
Palestine with the help of Bethlehem University. The survey clearly
indicated that the primary causes for the emigration of Christians from the
West Bank are both political and economic conditions. "Those who are
leaving...because of the bad economic and political situation represent
87.3% of the total respondents" (p.34). Only 8% of the respondents
attributed emigration to religious extremism.

4. As you are well aware, if Muslims are leaving Hebron, it is largely due
to the violence of the Jewish religious settlers that has made the life of
Palestinian Hebronites miserable and intolerable.

5. The area of Bethlehem, Beit Jala, and Beit Sahour has sufficient space
for Palestinians to live in; but most of their land (largely Christian) has
been confiscated by Israeli settlement expansion including the settlements
of Gilo and Har Homa.

6. The separation Wall has broken up families and closed businesses. It has
devoured land and torn communities apart. And with the checkpoints and
permit system it has greatly restricted people's movement especially to
Jerusalem their Holy City. The Wall is a big "push factor" for Palestinians
out of Palestine.

We are saddened that a great opportunity was missed by not revealing the
oppressive consequences of the Israeli occupation on the Palestinian people,
both Muslim, and Christian.

If the church - local and international - does not raise the prophetic
voice, who will stand for justice and truth?

In the absence of the prophetic, and as the rightwing Israeli government
continues to spurn all international efforts for a just peace, we implore
you to champion the cause of the oppressed Palestinians. The desperate
situation needs the courage and clarity of an Amos, "Let justice roll down
like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream."

Respectfully yours,

Naim Ateek
Director, Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center
Jerusalem

CC. Anne Clayton
Coordinator, Friends of Sabeel - UK

- END -

Kairos Palestine response:
http://www.fosna.org/content/kairos-palestine-response-arch-rowan-williams

BBC News article, interview, audio file:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13769747

"Now it’s all gone": Women cope with siege in Jordan Valley
Nora Barrows-Friedman
The Electronic Intifada
24 June 2011

Israel’s destruction of Palestinian property in the occupied Jordan Valley has particularly impacted women residents.
(
Anne Paq
/
ActiveStills
)
Israeli military forces have demolished 27 houses in the Jordan Valley in the occupied West Bank over the last two weeks. More than 140 Palestinians have been rendered homeless by the demolitions, while Israeli settlement expansion continues to threaten more land and restrict water access — affecting the vitality of dozens of Palestinian villages in the area.
According to the Jordan Valley Solidarity (JVS) campaign, an organization … http://electronicintifada.net/content/now-its-all-gone-women-cope-siege-jordan-valley/10105

Alice Walker: Why I'm sailing to Gaza
By Alice Walker, Special to CNN
June 21, 2011 -- Updated 1324 GMT (2124 HKT)

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
· Our boat will be carrying letters of solidarity to the people of Gaza
· I am indebted to Jewish civil rights activists who came to the side of black people in the South in our time of need
· I see children, all children, as humanity's most precious resource
· If Israel attacks us, what is to be done?
Editor's note: Pulitzer Prize-winning author Alice Walker will join an international flotilla of boats sailing to Gaza to challenge Israel's blockade of the territory. Here, Walker, best known for her 1983 novel "The Color Purple," explains why she will be taking part.
Why am I going on the Freedom Flotilla II to Gaza? I ask myself this, even though the answer is: What else would I do? I am in my sixty-seventh year, having lived already a long and fruitful life, one with which I am content. .. http://edition.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/06/21/alice.walker.gaza/index.html

Goodbye, Melanie!
Posted by Mehdi Hasan - 24 June 2011 13:35
Phillips leaves the Spectator as the complaints pile up.
Poor ol' Melanie Phillips. In today's Guardian, the Conservative Party chair Sayeeda Warsi goes on the offensive:
"I don't read her, actually. I call her Mad Mel," Lady Warsi says of Daily Mail columnist Melanie Phillips, who has denounced her as "stupid"… http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/mehdi-hasan/2011/06/melanie-phillips-spectator

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.

Oxford Palestine Solidarity Campaign May/June events

2011-05-29T19:32:00.000+01:00

Being constructive in the West Bank - a talk - St Frideswide's Church, Botley Road, Oxford. 10.30am Sunday 5th June.
Hello friends and neighbours!
In April I went to re-build a house in the West Bank in a village outside Bethlehem. Some of you have already heard a little (or somewhat more than that!) about what we were up to and why we were doing it. Others of you won't have heard anything. It was incredibly moving & rewarding to see a house rise up from the rubble. It was also challenging to witness life behind the separation wall and how the lives of Palestinian families are being disrupted by house demolitions, restriction of movement and settlement building. However, I was also inspired daily by gracious & hope-filled men and women who, in spite of very painful and difficult circumstances, are not victims to their current circumstances but vibrant champions of life within the West Bank.
I could write a lot more! But I won't. This doesn't mean I don't want to tell you more though. I'm going to be speaking at church in June during the morning service. So if you'd like to hear more about why we went and what we encountered, please come along. It is a family service so children of all ages will be most welcome.
St Frideswide's Church, Botley Road, Oxford. 10.30am Sunday 5th June.
Other opportunities:
Also I'm trying to see if there are opportunities for me to speak in other venues in Oxford and elsewhere. Maybe you have an idea of a good place for me to speak? Or in a more informal way, even get a few friends together and we could chat over dinner or a coffee.
If talking doesn't appeal then you can get a flavour of the building project from reflections written on the Amos Trust website (the organisation we went with):
http://www.amostrust.org/news/index.php?pageNo=1052&parent=1

Hope to see you soon,
Tilly

Oxford PSC Branch Meeting : Tuesday 14th June : 7.30 Oxford Town Hall, St Aldates. As well as future planning we will be discussing latest developments in Palestine, in the light of the “Arab Spring”. Our good friend Abdel Takriti, of Oxford University Arab Cultural Society, founder of Israel Apartheid week both in Canada and Oxford, co-worker with Karma on enhancing Palestinian democracy, and recently returned from Egypt, will lead the discussion.

Saturday street stall: The OPSC Saturday street stall on Cornmarket street is one of the main ways we use for raising the issue of Palestine with the public at large. It is an important activity for offering information leaflets to the public, inviting them to join PSC or leave their email for Oxford PSC updates. Generally we are there 11:30 to 13:30. Always a minimum of two people on shift. Please consider volunteering for a shift: its an opportunity to meet other PSC members, those wanting information and occasionally those wishing to challenge our views, even volunteering for one shift a year would help. Please email ali at OPSCstall@gmail.com if you're able to help.

PS ... If you can only do an hour or so, then that’s good too, email us for information and turn up on the day. Thank you to all who volunteered for vacant slots

Any help is much appreciated.

Cheers

Ali

Planned boycott action on June 11th, with Reading PSC at Magnolia and Tesco.

2011-05-18T22:24:00.000+01:00

The next OXFORD WOMEN IN BLACK SILENT VIGIL will take place this coming
Saturday, 21 May, from 11.15am for 11.30am-12.30pm, in Bonn Square, Oxford
City Centre

In the week of the 63rd anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba, we will focus on PALESTINIAN REFUGEES,
supporting the just demands of Palestinian refugees under international law,and their Right of Return
.
Please wear Black and stand silently.
(Men are welcome to attend to hand out leaflets and talk to the public).

=========================================================================

Please publicise this fundraising event as widely as possible. Money raised will be used to bring children from Palestine to Oxford this July. Oxford Ramallah Friendship Association are bringing children from Al Amari Camp in Ramallah, and the Pegasus theatre is bringing children from Gaza. As well as being for a very worthwhile cause, the evening will also be an excellent event. Please also print and display the poster.
Thanks
pam

OUT OF OCCUPATION
- From Palestine to Oxford

Sunday May 29, North Wall, Summertown
7 – 9 pm (bar opens 6.30)

an evening to celebrate Oxford’s links, to raise money to bring young people from Gaza and Ramallah to Oxford in July

· An A-V presentation on Oxford Ramallah Friendship Association’s links
· One Family in Gaza
A film by Jen Marlow
· The Gaza Mono-Logues
filmed & edited by Anne-Marie Sweeney
Gazan children’s voices in war: their hopes, fears and dreams
performed by the Pegasus Youth Theatre Companies

Tickets £10 from The North Wall Arts Centre, South Parade, Oxford OX2 7NN
01865 319452 www.thenorthwall.com

Oxford Palestine Solidarity Campaign A.G.M.

2011-05-01T16:06:00.000+01:00

OXFORD PALESTINE SOLIDARITY CAMPAIGN ~ AGM 10 MAY

I am pleased to invite you to the Annual General Meeting of Oxford PSC at 7.30pm on Tuesday 10 May 2011 at the Town Hall, St Aldates, Oxford. All supporters are welcome to attend but only PSC members may submit motions, vote on resolutions or stand for office. Membership forms will be available at the meeting for those who are not already members but who wish to join and fully participate in the meeting.

Our guest speaker will be Tony Richardson who will have just returned from a visit to Palestine.

If you would like to submit a motion to the meeting please email it to us at oxfordpsc@yahoo.com by Tuesday 26 April. Motions will be circulated to members in advance of the meeting or posted on our website.

The following officers will be elected at the AGM for the coming year:

wChair wSecretary/branch organiser
wTreasurer wMembership secretary
wStudent liaison officer wTrade union liaison officer
wCommunications/Website coordinator wStall coordinator

The meeting will also elect committee members to work with the officers on campaigns and activities.

Please think about standing for one of these positions or as a committee member. All officer posts can be job shared. If you would like more information about what is involved please contact me. Also if there are other ways you would particularly like to be involved e.g. helping with publicity or press liaison.

We look forward to seeing you on 10 May.

Best wishes,

Caroline Raine

Caroline Raine
For Oxford PSC

March Events

2011-03-03T01:43:00.000Z

ISRAELI APARTHEID WEEK 2011

Time Friday at 8:00pm - March 9 at 10:00pm

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Location OXFORD UNIVERSITY

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Created By OU Arab Cultural Society

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

More Info 7th Annual Israeli Apartheid Week

Oxford, Friday March 4- Wednesday March 9, 2011

*Friday March 4 “The Road to Justice: Boycotting Apartheid”
...
Speakers: Dr Karma Nabulsi and Omar Bargouti
Chair: Dr Marc Stears
Time: 8pm
Location: Nissan Lecture Theatre, St Antony’s College

Karma Nabulsi is Fellow in Politics at St Edmund Hall and University Lecturer in International Relations. Her publications include Traditions of War: Occupation, Resistance and the Law (OUP, 2005)

Omar Barghouti is an independent Palestinian researcher, commentator and human rights activist and a steering committee member of the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel. He is the author of Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions: the Global Struggle for Palestinian Rights (Haymarket, 2011)

Marc Stears is Fellow in Politics at University College and University Lecturer in Political Theory. He is the author of Demanding Democracy: American Radicals in Search of a New Politics (Princeton, 2010)

*Monday March 7 “Report Back from the Gaza Flotilla”

Speaker: Sarah Colborne
Time: 7:30pm
Location: Oxford Union, Gladstone Room

Sarah Colborne is the Executive Director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. She was on board Mavi Marmara boat that was attacked as part of the Gaza Flotilla convoy in 2010 and is a leading campaigner against the siege of Gaza.

TUESDAY 8 MARCH, 7.30pm Oxford Palestine Solidarity Campaign Event

Oxford Town Hall, St Aldates, Oxford

MIKE MARQUSEE
...
Mike Marqusee, author and campaigner, will speak about his book "If I am Not For Myself: Journey of an Anti-Zionist Jew"

"a manifesto for a whole generation of Jewish radical activists who refuse to be deterred by the threat of being labelled, and libelled, as self-haters." – Daphna Baram, The Guardian

He will also speak about his recent visit to the Occupied Palestinian Territories and house evictions in East Jerusalem.

Further details at www.mikemarqusee.com

*Wednesday March 9 “The Egyptian Revolution and Palestine”

Speaker: Hussam Hamalawy
Chair: Dr. Abdel Razzaq Takriti
Time: 7:30pm
Location: Oxford Union, Gladstone Room

Hussam Hamalawy is a journalist and activist and a leading Egyptian revolutionary voice. He publishes the popular blog www.arabawy.org.

Abdel Razzaq Takriti is S.G. Younis Junior Research Fellow in Political History at St Edmund Hall, Oxford. His research focuses on Arab revolutionary movements.
See More

Dear all,
Fairtrade Fortnight this year is from 28th Feb to 13th March and aims to raise awareness of fair trade and promote the sale of fairtrade goods.
For many years now, firstly from our garage and now through the 'Mustard Seed', we have been selling delicious Palestinian fairtrade olive oil in Faringdon. 'Zaytoun' who distribute the oil in this country have invited two of the olive oil producers for a UK speaking tour during Fairtrade Fortnight and we are delighted that Faringdon is on their itinerary! We will be hosting them on the 3rd - 4th March. Full details attached and below.
Basima Basalat is a woman farmer and also community organiser from the Qalqilya area. She set up a women's development association in her village to generate income from olive products and arrange social activities. She has lost land and olive groves through confiscation and has a history of non-violent opposition to the settlements around her village.
Riziq Abu Nasser is from a village in the Salfit area, close to Arura. He also faces challenges from nearby settlements with raw sewage running through his farm and military destruction of olive trees. You may have seen him on Channel 4's 'What goes in your basket' at the end of last year.
Help is needed with transport to and from Oxford, hosting a simple evening meal, refreshments and clearing up afterwards. We also need an interpreter to help out, although the farmers have some English. Please let me know if you can help with anything and do encourage anyone interested to come along.
Arura – Faringdon Friendship Association and Fairtrade Faringdon
as part of Fairtrade Fortnight 2011 are hosting a

VISIT OF PALESTINIAN OLIVE FARMERS.

The two farmers, Basima Basalat and Riziq Abu Nasser, produce the fair-trade olive oil sold in the ‘Mustard Seed’ and will be talking about their lives, their work, their olives and the challenges they face.

THURSDAY 3RD MARCH, 7.30PM

FRIENDS MEETING HOUSE, LECHLADE RD.. (opposite the Duke of Wellington)

All welcome

More details from Karen Vogt: 01367-241707 karen@vogt.org.uk

Tuesday 8th March Oxford PSC Monthly meeting 7:30 Oxford Town Hall All Welcome. With Mike Marqusee. http://www.mikemarqusee.com/ Mike Marqusee, author of “If I am Not For Myself: Journey of an Anti-Zionist Jew” will speak about his book, and about his recent visit to Palestine where he met people facing eviction in Silwan and Sheikh Jarrah in East Jerusalem and lawyers and activists working with them.
Mike’s book has been acclaimed by numerous reviewers, including John Nichols, the Nation
“The thinking about “what it means to be a Jew in the 21st century” is bold and innovative. No one can read this book without having his or her perspective on the Middle East, religion and the left, expanded.”
And Daphna Baram, the Guardian,
“a manifesto for a whole generation of Jewish radical activists who refuse to be deterred by the threat of being labelled, and libelled, as self-haters.”
Mike is an engaging and knowledgeable speaker, a passionate campaigner for social justice, who has written on subjects ranging from Palestine/Israel, the anti-war movement to cricket and Woody Guthrie.

PSC Branch Forum
Saturday 12 March in Oxford
12noon to 4pm. Friends Meeting House. Lunch provided 12-1. (The Oxford Quaker Meeting House (Friends Meeting House), 43 St Giles, Oxford OX1 3LW. http://www.oxfordquakers.com/Directions).

Saturday street stall: The OPSC Saturday street stall on Cornmarket street is one of the main ways we use for raising the issue of Palestine with the public at large. It is an important activity for offering information leaflets to the public, inviting them to join PSC or leave their email for Oxford PSC updates. Generally we are there 11:30 to 13:30. Always a minimum of two people on shift. Please consider volunteering for a shift: its an opportunity to meet other PSC members, those wanting information and occasionally those wishing to challenge our views, even volunteering for one shift a year would help. Please email ali at OPSCstall@gmail.com if you're able to help.
PS ... If you can only do an hour or so, then that’s good too, email us for information and turn up on the day. Thank you to all who volunteered for vacant slots. Currently stall volunteers required for help on 26th March & 9th April.
Any help is much appreciated.

Cheers
Ali

February/March events

2011-02-13T18:46:00.000Z

Oxford Palestine Solidarity Campaign

Dear Friends
Seventeen days and we are with the Egyptian people with our hearts and our minds and before that a full month with the Tunisian people even won the Tunisian people hero yesterday and today the people of the great Egyptian at corruption, injustice and oppression and for justice, democracy, freedom and human dignity and we are confident that the Palestinian people will win tomorrow and obtain their legitimate right to freedom independence and democratic state dominated by social justice, equality and equal opportunities......
Mohammed Aruri
Ramallah Palestine

The people have WON! Congratulations Egypt and everyone!

Friends,

As soon as the announcement was made that Hosni Mubarak had resigned, tens of thousands of Palestinians spontaneously took to the streets all throughout Gaza to rejoice with their Egyptian brothers and sisters, and with all who support freedom, democracy, and human rights. In other areas of Palestine people were also celebrating in the streets -- Hebron, Nablus, Nazareth, Ramallah. I was chanting, cheering and dancing with the hundreds that spontaneously gathered in the Manara - the center of Ramallah. Families brought their children, even sleeping infants to share in the joy of a people's victory. The energy was high; the spirit of the youth, unmistakeable. We filled the center square with the voices of a new generation that refuses to accept subjugation; that dares to dream of a life with dignity.

We chanted:
"Respects from Palestine to the people of Tunis and Egypt; you are leading the revolution"
"The people have brought down the regime" and
"We were not born to live in humiliation, we were born to live free!"

and to the Palestinian "leadership" in Ramallah and Gaza: "The people demand and end to the divisions!"

We sang the words of the famous Tunisian poet Abu al-Qasem al-Shabbi:
"If, one day, a people desires to live, then fate will answer their call.
And their night will then begin to fade, and their chains break and fall."

It is truly a monumental moment in history. The Egyptian youth have shown the world that not even a brutal military dictatorship propped up by the only Superpower in the world can defeat the will of a people. Tunisians and Egyptians have ushered in a new era of people power that we are all a part of!

Being a member of the Free Gaza family, we know you believe this just as much as we do.

Free Gaza is now hard at work organizing, together with national networks and organizations around the world, Freedom Flotilla 2. In May 2011 we will sail again to confront the regime of blockade, occupation and injustice, carrying the spirit of Tahrir Square with us. While our port of call is Gaza, our destination is freedom, human rights and dignity for all Palestinians. Your support as part of this people's movement is vital. Together we will let Israel know that we are tens of millions; that we are not going to allow Israel to continue to kill, main, and oppress with impunity; and that we are not going to back down to violence and intimidation. We are fighting for our collective futures and together we will win!

In solidarity, struggle, and with a renewed sense of hope,
Huwaida

www.FreeGaza.org
www.WitnessGaza.net

The Palestine Papers reveal Britain's sordid involvement in the ‘peace process'
Amongst the 1,600 internal negotiations documents released this week, the most recent give a shocking insight into Britain's involvement. It has been reported that MI6 were involved in planning secret security operations as well as training personnel to carry out detention and torture of opponents of the PA.
TAKE ACTION: Email Foreign Secretary William Hague to demand Britain accounts for it's role in detention and torture in Palestine.
Use PSC's easy to use e-tool
For more on this and much more see PSC weekly newsletter here http://www.palestinecampaign.org/index7b.asp?m_id=1&l1_id=4&l2_id=106&Content_ID=1763&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=PSC+Weekly+update+-+February+10th+2011+-+...&utm_source=YMLP&utm_term=Read+the+full+weekly+u... PSC Weekly update - Act now to boycott Veolia, global day of action and much more

Upcoming Events: Local

~~Tuesday 15 February Oxford Ramallah Friendship Association.~~ 7.00-8.45. Oxford Town Hall. All Welcome. http://www.oxford-ramallah.org/

On the 17th of February, Jesus College's newly-formed Scholarship Committee are hosting an event called Gaza Aware, to raise awareness and understanding of the situation in Gaza, as the college works on establishing a scholarship for a Gazan student.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/event.php?eid=125236284212760
Time Thursday, February 17 · 7:30pm - 9:30pm

Location Habakkuk Room, Third Quad, Jesus College (follow signs)

More Info In light of these developments, the newly founded Scholarship Committee will be holding a free and open information evening, featuring talks and discussion, in order to give both Jesus College students and all Oxford students the chance to learn more.How are students’ rights being violated in Gaza?Why does the situation in Gaza demand our attention?What can we do to help?Speakers:Dr. Swee Ang, co-founder of Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) and Consultant at St. Bartholomew's, London.Dr. Karma Nabulsi, University Lecturer in International Relations, Fellow in Politics, St Edmund Hall.WHEN: 7.30pm, Thursday 17th February (5th Week)WHERE: Habakkuk Room, Jesus CollegeThe event will be followed by a drinks reception in the JCR (small contribution requested).

Network for Peace AGM Israel/Palestine - the Untold Stories Saturday 26 February 2.30 - 4.30 pm
Public Meeting with guest speaker: Pat Gaffney, Pax Christi.
Pat has recently returned from a Pax Christi visit to partners, churches and NGOs
in the region to learn more about life under occupation and create solidarity links with those working for peace and justice. Preceded by Network for Peace AGM at 1.30pm
All welcome
Venue: Peace House, Paradise Street, Oxford, OX1 1LD

Dear all,
Fairtrade Fortnight this year is from 28th Feb to 13th March and aims to raise awareness of fair trade and promote the sale of fairtrade goods.
For many years now, firstly from our garage and now through the 'Mustard Seed', we have been selling delicious Palestinian fairtrade olive oil in Faringdon. 'Zaytoun' who distribute the oil in this country have invited two of the olive oil producers for a UK speaking tour during Fairtrade Fortnight and we are delighted that Faringdon is on their itinerary! We will be hosting them on the 3rd - 4th March. Full details attached and below.
Basima Basalat is a woman farmer and also community organiser from the Qalqilya area. She set up a women's development association in her village to generate income from olive products and arrange social activities. She has lost land and olive groves through confiscation and has a history of non-violent opposition to the settlements around her village.
Riziq Abu Nasser is from a village in the Salfit area, close to Arura. He also faces challenges from nearby settlements with raw sewage running through his farm and military destruction of olive trees. You may have seen him on Channel 4's 'What goes in your basket' at the end of last year.
Help is needed with transport to and from Oxford, hosting a simple evening meal, refreshments and clearing up afterwards. We also need an interpreter to help out, although the farmers have some English. Please let me know if you can help with anything and do encourage anyone interested to come along.
Arura – Faringdon Friendship Association and Fairtrade Faringdon
as part of Fairtrade Fortnight 2011 are hosting a

VISIT OF PALESTINIAN OLIVE FARMERS.

The two farmers, Basima Basalat and Riziq Abu Nasser, produce the fair-trade olive oil sold in the ‘Mustard Seed’ and will be talking about their lives, their work, their olives and the challenges they face.

THURSDAY 3RD MARCH, 7.30PM

FRIENDS MEETING HOUSE, LECHLADE RD.. (opposite the Duke of Wellington)

All welcome

More details from Karen Vogt: 01367-241707 karen@vogt.org.uk

Tuesday 8th March Oxford PSC Monthly meeting 7:30 Oxford Town Hall All Welcome. With Mike Marqusee. http://www.mikemarqusee.com/ Mike Marqusee, author of “If I am Not For Myself: Journey of an Anti-Zionist Jew” will speak about his book, and about his recent visit to Palestine where he met people facing eviction in Silwan and Sheikh Jarrah in East Jerusalem and lawyers and activists working with them.
Mike’s book has been acclaimed by numerous reviewers, including John Nichols, the Nation
“The thinking about “what it means to be a Jew in the 21st century” is bold and innovative. No one can read this book without having his or her perspective on the Middle East, religion and the left, expanded.”
And Daphna Baram, the Guardian,
“a manifesto for a whole generation of Jewish radical activists who refuse to be deterred by the threat of being labelled, and libelled, as self-haters.”
Mike is an engaging and knowledgeable speaker, a passionate campaigner for social justice, who has written on subjects ranging from Palestine/Israel, the anti-war movement to cricket and Woody Guthrie.

PSC Branch Forum
Saturday 12 March in Oxford
12noon to 4pm. Friends Meeting House. Lunch provided 12-1. (The Oxford Quaker Meeting House (Friends Meeting House), 43 St Giles, Oxford OX1 3LW. http://www.oxfordquakers.com/Directions).

Saturday street stall: The OPSC Saturday street stall on Cornmarket street is one of the main ways we use for raising the issue of Palestine with the public at large. It is an important activity for offering information leaflets to the public, inviting them to join PSC or leave their email for Oxford PSC updates. Generally we are there 11:30 to 13:30. Always a minimum of two people on shift. Please consider volunteering for a shift: its an opportunity to meet other PSC members, those wanting information and occasionally those wishing to challenge our views, even volunteering for one shift a year would help. Please email ali at OPSCstall@gmail.com if you're able to help.
PS ... If you can only do an hour or so, then that’s good too, email us for information and turn up on the day. Thank you to all who volunteered for vacant slots. Currently stall volunteers required for help on 26th March & 9th April.
Any help is much appreciated.

Cheers
Ali

Israel's blood diamonds
Seán Clinton, The Electronic Intifada, 29 March 2010 http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article11170.shtml

Stop the Wall has a lot of information on Elbit Systems (the "parent" company of Thales, UK). As well as the drones, they also provide "intrusion detection systems" for the apartheid wall. Heres the link to the relevant bit on the Stop the Wall website
http://stopthewall.org/factsheets/1997.shtml

Oxford Stop the War Public Meeting: OBAMA'S WARS
Oxford Town Hall, Tuesday, March 1, 7:30 PM
National speakers on the current situation in Afghanistan and Iraq and on the use of drones. Details to follow.

Public Meeting :TRIDENT, JOBS, AND THE MILITARISATION OF THE BRITISH ECONOMY
Date to be announced
Organised by Oxford Stop the War Coalition, Oxford CND and Oxford Trades Council &nbs p; Details to follow.

January/February events

2011-01-12T22:56:00.000Z

Friday 21 January Pegasus Theatre : The Gaza Monologues

BOOK NOW

The event will feature a 30 mins screening of a performance of the Gaza Mono-Logues by Pegasus Youth Companies performed at Pegasus in October (filmed by Anne-Marie Sweeney) plus Lebanese food and also a chance to share ideas about how we could get more organisations to buy the book of the Gaza Mono-Logues & the film to raise awareness & to further the fundraising reach and to see if anyone could organise a similar event to help towards the fundraising to bring the group from Gaza here! We will also have the film and the book version of the Gaza Mono-Logues on sale too at this event at £5 each! http://www.pegasustheatre.org.uk/Page.aspx?PageID=552&ObjectTypeID=3&NodeID=625
Times: 7pm
Tickets: £10
Oxford PSC is very keen to help with this event. Pegasus is planning to bring 20 children over from Gaza this July for the festival in Oxford. We agreed to keep the tickets at £10 (as it is a fundraiser). They have room for up to 125 people in the theatre. Yasmin will also ask the two young people who went to the UN for the Gaza Monologues performance in Nov if they will speak/answer questions after the screening.
Publicity. Please publicise widely..See Attached Posters.
Food: Those with a talent for cooking Middle East type food and wish to donate some to the event contact Pam pamela.parsons@ntlworld.com .
It will be great if the young people from Gaza can, in July, meet with those from AlAmari camp brought over by ORFA.

Monday 31 January – Thursday 3 February at 8pm Mark Thomas Extreme Rambling
BOOK NOW Pegasus Theatre
Following his sell-out nationwide show ‘The Manifesto’, award-winning comedian, activist and Pegasus patron Mark Thomas returns with his brand new show: Extreme Rambling (Walking The Wall).Never one to take an easy option, Mark decided to go rambling in the Middle East and walked the entire length of the Israeli Separation Barrier crossing between the Israeli and Palestinian side. This is the story of 300,000 settlers, a 750km wall, six arrests, one stoning, too much hummus and a simple question: Can you ever get away from it all with a good walk? http://www.pegasustheatre.org.uk/Page.aspx?PageID=530&ObjectTypeID=3&NodeID=599
“… A brilliant investigative journalist disguised as a comedian…very funny indeed’ - DAILY TELEGRAPH

Ilan Pappe - New Perspectives on Palestine
Wednesday 2nd February at 7pm
Blackwell Bookshop, 48-51 Broad Street, Oxford
Tickets: £2
Professor Ilan Pappe, has recently published four challenging books that re-examine the accepted political, social and ideological boundaries that have shaped - and continue to influence - the approach to Israeli-Palestinian relations. The publications focus on the possibility of change from within Israeli society and discuss what the future holds for the peace process when, according to Professor Pappe, Palestine was "never an empty territory waiting for a landless people to inhabit it".

Pappe's latest work, Out of the Frame, is an autobiographical account of living with and challenging the Zionist movement whilst working in Israel, as well as an exploration of the role of academics and the question of intellectual freedom.

Ilan Pappe is an acclaimed political historian and expert on Palestinian-Israeli relations. He is Professor in the Institute for Arab and Islamic Studies at the University of Exeter, the Director of the European Centre for Palestine Studies in Exeter and the Co-Director of the Exeter Centre for Ethno-Political Studies. He was the academic head and founder of the Institute for Peace Studies in Givat Haviva, Israel (1992-2000) and the Chair of the Emil Touma Institute for Palestinian Studies in Haifa (2000-2008).

Tickets cost £2 and can be obtained by telephoning or visiting the Customer Service Department, Second Floor, Blackwell Bookshop, Oxford. Tel: 01865 333623.

January events 2011

2011-01-02T17:32:00.000Z

~~Oxford Palestine Solidarity Campaign~~

January events

Upcoming Events: Local

Tuesday 11 January
Oxford PSC Branch Meeting, Oxford Town Hall. 7:30. This will be a business and planning meeting. We have much to organise for the New Year. Sheikh Ramzy will be attending having just got back from an inter-faith peace conference in Bethlehem: he wants to tell us of his plans to plant many olive trees and suggestions to stop the ever increasing number of check points in the occupied territories.

Tuesday 18 Jan
Oxford Ramallah Friendship Society. 7:00 Oxford Town Hall.
Discussion of video project, the next visit of young people from Al Amari, and local help for other organisations.

Friday 21 January Pegasus Theatre : The Gaza Monologues

BOOK NOW

The event will feature a 30 mins screening of a performance of the Gaza Mono-Logues by Pegasus Youth Companies performed at Pegasus in October (filmed by Anne-Marie Sweeney) plus Lebanese food and also a chance to share ideas about how we could get more organisations to buy the book of the Gaza Mono-Logues & the film to raise awareness & to further the fundraising reach and to see if anyone could organise a similar event to help towards the fundraising to bring the group from Gaza here! We will also have the film and the book version of the Gaza Mono-Logues on sale too at this event at £5 each! http://www.pegasustheatre.org.uk/Page.aspx?PageID=552&ObjectTypeID=3&NodeID=625
Times: 7pm
Tickets: £10
Oxford PSC is very keen to help with this event. Pegasus is planning to bring 20 children over from Gaza this July for the festival in Oxford. We agreed to keep the tickets at £10 (as it is a fundraiser). They have room for up to 125 people in the theatre. Yasmin will also ask the two young people who went to the UN for the Gaza Monologues performance in Nov if they will speak/answer questions after the screening.
Publicity. Please publicise widely..
Food: Those with a talent for cooking Middle East type food and wish to donate some to the event contact Pam pamela.parsons@ntlworld.com .
It will be great if the young people from Gaza can, in July, meet with those from AlAmari camp brought over by ORFA.

Monday 31 January – Thursday 3 February at 8pm Mark Thomas Extreme Rambling
BOOK NOW Pegasus Theatre
Following his sell-out nationwide show ‘The Manifesto’, award-winning comedian, activist and Pegasus patron Mark Thomas returns with his brand new show: Extreme Rambling (Walking The Wall).Never one to take an easy option, Mark decided to go rambling in the Middle East and walked the entire length of the Israeli Separation Barrier crossing between the Israeli and Palestinian side. This is the story of 300,000 settlers, a 750km wall, six arrests, one stoning, too much hummus and a simple question: Can you ever get away from it all with a good walk? http://www.pegasustheatre.org.uk/Page.aspx?PageID=530&ObjectTypeID=3&NodeID=599
“… A brilliant investigative journalist disguised as a comedian…very funny indeed’ - DAILY TELEGRAPH

Saturday street stall: The OPSC Saturday street stall on Cornmarket street is one of the main ways we use for raising the issue of Palestine with the public at large. It is an important activity for offering information leaflets to the public, inviting them to join PSC or leave their email for Oxford PSC updates. Generally we are there 11:30 to 13:30. Always a minimum of two people on shift. Please consider volunteering for a shift: its an opportunity to meet other PSC members, those wanting information and occasionally those wishing to challenge our views, even volunteering for one shift a year would help. Please email ali at OPSCstall@gmail.com if you're able to help.
PS ... If you can only do an hour or so, then that’s good too, email us for information and turn up on the day. So far we are short of people on the stall 29th Jan, 12th Feb, 26th Feb, 12th March, 26th March, 9th and 16th Apr

Upcoming Events: UK/International

PSC Annual General Meeting 2011
Saturday 22 January 2011, Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, London WC1
The PSC Annual General Meeting is a vital event, discussing our work over the last year, and planning the future of our campaign - including motions and elections to the Executive Committee.
All members of national PSC may attend the AGM. If you are not sure whether your membership is up to date, please contact psc.admin@palestinecampaign.org or 020 7700 6192
Cost: 8 waged, 6 unwaged (to cover cost of lunch)
In order to facilitate the smooth running of the AGM, and try to avoid lengthy registration queues, the registration deadline for the AGM as an individual will be 14 January 2011.
Register online now: www.palestinecampaign.org/psc_agm

Latest update: http://www.palestinecampaign.org/Index7b.asp?m_id=1&l1_id=4&l2_id=106&Content_ID=1666&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=PSC+Weekly+update+-+December+23rd+2010+-+...&utm_source=YMLP&utm_term=Read+the+full+weekly+update+he...

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 Items:

Hello,

This Monday afternoon a vigil was held outside the Israeli embassy in London to mark the second anniversary of the start of the IDF's Cast Lead operation. I attended and covered the event.

The video is available here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ze7GeYkb7gw

PLEASE SHARE this content, so we can keep the momentum alive.

Please feel encouraged to embed the video on your website, or even download and use the video in accordance with this simple license - http://bit.ly/license30122010.
A short synopsis of the video: Scenes and thoughts from London's Operation Cast Lead Second Anniversary Vigil:
Fifteen organisations, including the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, convened a vigil outside the Israeli embassy in London to mark the second year anniversary of the start of Israel's Operation Cast Lead military assault on Gaza in which 1,400 Palestinians were killed.

Many thanks,
Harry Fear

Happy New Year's from Bil'in
Dear friend,
At the threshold of the New Year, I write to wish you a new year of freedom and liberation. This has been an unbelievable year for me in both highs and lows. A year during which I have witnessed how, despite repression, ordinary people all across Palestine take to the streets for freedom.
In my village, Bil'in, thousands of people marched on the Wall today to take it down. During the demonstration, one protestor, a 36 year old resident of the village, Jawaher Abu-Rahmah, was critically injured by severe tear-gas inhalation. She is currently hospitalized in Ramallah, unresponsive to medical treatment as the doctors are fighting for her life.
Bil'in has been struggling for almost six years against the Wall that was built on our lands. The illegality and absurdity of this wall has been recognized worldwide, and even by the Israeli Supreme Court, which ruled it must be dismantled over three years ago. Yet the Wall still stands. We, the people of Bil'in, the people of Palestine, have waited enough. Today was therefore declared by the Bil'in Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements as the last day of the Wall. Together with our supporters, we managed to bring a substantial part of the wall down but we still have a long way to go.
On a personal note, the beginning of 2011 also strikes notes of fear. In just a few days, on January 3rd, 2011, my trial in front of an Israeli military court will draw into conclusion. Captain Sharon Rivlin, the soldier-judge presiding in my case, will hand down my verdict. If found guilty of "incitement", my next letter will likely be written from inside a prison cell; If found guilty, despite having proved that evidence against me was falsified, I will proudly join my friend and comrade, Abdallah Abu Rahmah, who is now spending his second new year's eve behind bars. PSCC's media coordinator, my friend and brother in struggle, Israeli activist Jonathan Pollak, will also be going to prison for three months on January 11th, for protesting Israel’s siege on Gaza.
We are all facing tremendous challenges, as individuals and as a movement. It is our pride and strength that keeps us going. It is your support and involvement, which is becoming more crucial than ever. Join us – take our struggle forward, so that the year of 2011 will become an historical year of Palestinian liberation and a just peace.
In solidarity,
Mohammad Khatib

IT IS easy to despair before the filthy wave of racism that is engulfing us.
The remedy for this despair: the growing number of young people, sons and daughters of the new Israeli generation, who are joining the fight against racism and occupation… http://zope.gush-shalom.org/home/en/channels/avnery/1293276148/

To Join PSC NOW : How to join -Annual membership fees are £24 waged and £12 unwaged. http://www.pecaualestinecampaign.org/index2b.asp Your membership is vital for us to continue our workn These links should work to join on line
http://www.palestinecampaign.org/Index10b-2_join.asp?m_id=1&l1_id=3&l2_id=16

http://www.palestinecampaign.org/Index5b.asp?m_id=1&l1_id=3&l2_id=16somniac, dirty, shuddering images from the only foreigners who decided and managed to stay embedded inside Gaza strip ambulances, dded inside Gaza strip ambulances, with Palestinian civilians.

December

2010-12-09T20:26:00.003Z

December happenings

Oxford Palestine Solidarity Campaign

oxfordpsc.blogspot.com Please consider putting a link to this website where you can,

During December it would be great if all Oxford PSC supporters could
call in on one of the stalls listed below, join in the Alternative
Carols, and/or come to the filmshow (film tba)."

Saturday December 11th: 10-4pm Green Fair. Oxford Town Hall, St Aldates. Come and see the PSC stall and Bethlehem display.
Saturday December 11th 11.30-1.30pm PSC weekly Stall in Cornmarket outside St Michaels
Saturday December 11th 11.15-12.30 Women in Black Vigil for Bethlehem (all welcome) Bonn Square, Queen St,
Tuesday December 14th 7.30-9.30pm OPSC December meeting. Film showing (film to be announced) and seasonal refreshments, Oxford Town Hall, St Aldates
Saturday December 18th 11.30-1.30pm PSC Stall and Bethlehem display, Cornmarket outside St Michaels
Saturday December 18th 12-1pm Alternative Carols (all welcome. Please swell the numbers) at the PSC stall, Cornmarket. Collection for Medical Aid for Palestinians.

Hope to see you
Oxford PSC Officers

and this from Yasmin
Since I was last in touch with you the Gaza Mono-Logues have been performed at the UN in New York, myself & two of the young people in the Pegasus Youth Companies went to New York and they performed as part of the international company!

It was an AMAZING experience and we were very privileged to be a part of it! Being with a wonderful group of young people from across the world in New York was a really special moment in time and epitomised the value of theatre and what can be achieved if you have a clear goal!

The two young people from Pegasus found the whole experience invaluable and have grown as people creatively and in terms of what is possible and the changes you can affect! One of the highlights in New York was on the morning of their first performance the international company in New York managed to talk to the young people in Gaza via skype - it made the whole experience so truthful and meaningful and all were in floods of tears!!

To Join PSC NOW : How to join -Annual membership fees are £24 waged and £12 unwaged. http://www.pecaualestinecampaign.org/index2b.asp Your membership is vital for us to continue our worknsomniac, dirty, shuddering images from the only foreigners who decided and managed to stay embedded inside Gaza strip ambulances, dded inside Gaza strip ambulances, with Palestinian civilians.
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.
Labels: December happenings

November events

2010-11-21T14:52:00.000Z

Oxford Palestine Solidarity Campaign is always happy to work with others working for the cause,

Ron Proser's visit to the Oxford Union on Wednesday 16th November was cancelled. Students had planned is a demo outside at 7.45pm
He is now coming on Wednesday 24th, 8PM at the union. and it's on ''Security in the shadow of extremism: Regional dynamics and Israel's search for peace.'' I am told that only Jewish members of the Union will be let in, on invitation only. But the students are planning a big demo on human rights. I will circulate more details as I get them.

Oxford Ramallah Friendship Association
We have agreed to change the next ORFA planning meeting from Tuesday 16th
October to Tuesday 23rd November. The meeting will start at 7 pm.
The change is due to a clash on the 16th with a large public meeting at the Town
Hall re Cuts at 7.30 which many of the ORFA group would like to attend.

Saturday 11 December Oxford Green Fair, to be held in the town hall Oxford on 11th December 2010. PSC will have a stall.

Saturday street stall: The OPSC Saturday street stall on Cornmarket street is one of the main ways we use for raising the issue of Palestine with the public at large. It is an important activity for offering information leaflets to the public, inviting them to join PSC or leave their email for Oxford PSC updates. Generally we are there 11:30 to 13:30. Always a minimum of two people on shift. Please consider volunteering for a shift: its an opportunity to meet other PSC members, those wanting information and occasionally those wishing to challenge our views, even volunteering for one shift a year would help. Please email ali at OPSCstall@gmail.com if you're able to help.

PS ... If you can only do an hour or so, then that’s good too, email us for information and turn up on the day.

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.
PSC and other NGO's are calling for ‘no change' in the law. The current law fully complies with the Geneva convention and the proposed changed will allow politicians to interfere with requests to issue arrest warrants for war criminals.
There are two things you can do:
1. Check if your MP has signed EDM 108 Law and Human Rights - if not, ask them to*
2. Arrange a meeting with your MP in your constituency at their next surgery in October- find out who your MP is and how to contact them via: http://findyourmp.parliament.uk/ (Look out for a briefing paper on our website next week).
*note: convention means ministers do not sign EDM's. More information will be found on the PSC website http://www.palestinecampaign.org/index7b.asp?m_id=1&l1_id=4&l2_id=106&Content_ID=1527

BOOK LAUNCH – ‘THE UNLIKELY SECRET AGENT’ by RONNIE KASRILS – FRIDAY 26 NOVEMBER 2010 - OXFORD TOWN HALL, 11AM

I am delighted to be able to invite you to an exceptional event in Oxford.

Ronnie Kasrils is a hero of the liberation struggle in South Africa. the ANC) in Angola during much of this time.
However, this event is not about Ronnie, but about his wife, Eleanor, the ‘unlikely secret agent’. The victory over apartheid was not won solely by the leaders of the movement but by the underground struggle of countless like Eleanor.
The book is a work of love and a dedication to all those ‘little people’ who played such a major role in defeating apartheid.

Seminars at the Middle East Centre : All welcome http://www.sant.ox.ac.uk/mec/middleeastlectures.html

‘A Life in the PLO: Shafiq al-Hout’:
Panel discussion with Bayan al-Hout, Karma Nabulsi, Avi Shlaim, and Eugene Rogan
To coincide with the launch of the translation of the memoirs of Shafiq al-Hout (Pluto Press, 2010) On Monday 29 November at 5 p.m. Location: The Middle East Centre 68 Woodstock Road, Oxford: All welcome.

Upcoming Events: UK/International

Please help campaign for Palestine by lobbying your MP as part of our Annual Lobby of Parliament on Wednesday 24th November from 2-6pm.
It is more important than ever that we lobby as many MPs as possible. There are 232 newly elected MPs (35.5% of the new Parliament) and it is vital that we make sure they understand how important this issue is. If you’ve talked to your MP before, then this is a chance to press them further.
Moreover, the situation in occupied Palestine becomes daily more urgent and desperate, even as international support grows. This year we want you to ask your MP to:
· Call for an immediate end to the siege on Gaza
· Oppose Government proposed changes to the laws on Universal Jurisdiction
· Support the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement until Israel ends its illegal occupation
What you should do now:

1. contact your MP now asking for a meeting at the House of Commons using our email tool.
2. Make sure you have booked the day off on Wednesday 24th November
3. Once you’ve let your MP know that you are going to lobby them make sure you email: info@palestinecampaign.org
We will be at the Commons on 24th November to provide you with help and support for the meeting with your MP. More information is available at: www.palestinecampaign.org/lobby-2010
Yours in solidarity,
Sarah Colborne
Director of Campaigns

To find out when others from Oxford are meeting Andrew Smith email jenniestanton@googlemail.com

BRITAIN PALESTINE TWINNING NETWORK
promoting twinning and friendship links
* TWINNING NETWORK CONFERENCE this year will be IN BRISTOL
on SATURDAY 27th NOVEMBER - Hope to see you there. I am going, anybody want to go with me, Tony anthonyrichardson888@hotmail.com

News

The Holocaust survivor whose life is in danger again In the Israeli city of Safed, an 89-year-old man has been accused of treachery for welcoming Arab students. Catrina Stewart reports http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/the-holocaust-survivor-whose-life-is-in-danger-again-2134223.html
Bil'in marks the 6th anniversary of Arafat's death Today's demonstration in Bil'in was joined by a large number of Palestinians, Israelis and internationals. Members of the Fatah party were also present.The protesters walked together towards the Apartheid Wall, carrying posters of Yasser Arafat, in commemoration of the Fatah leader who passed away six years ago. Speeches were held by members of the Fatah movement, while Israeli soldiers were preparing to attack the peaceful demonstrators in the background. http://www.bilin-ffj.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=325&Itemid=1

Valleys of Hope and Despair: The battle over access to clean water sources is ongoing across the West Bank, with illegal Israeli settlements frequently blocking access and polluting Palestinian farmers' irrigation. A film. http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/witness/2010/11/2010111410580848784.html

september meetings

2010-09-21T21:15:00.000+01:00

Against the Wall: the Art of Resistance in Palestine. Speaker William Parry. Oxford PSC Speaker Meeting
Photojournalist William Parry will speak about his book Against the Wall: the Art of Resistance in Palestine. Featuring the work of artists including Banksy, Ron English, Blu and others, as well as Palestinian artists and activists, these photos express outrage, compassion, and touching humour. They illustrate the walls toll on lives and livelihoods, showing the hardship it has brought to tens of thousands of people, preventing their access to work, education and vital medical care. Mixed with the photos are portraits and vignettes, offering a heartfelt and inspiring account of a people determined to uphold their dignity in the face of profound injustice.
When:
9 Nov 2010 19:30 - 21:15 One day only
Where:
Oxford Town Hall St Aldates Oxford OX1 1BX
Email:
oxfordpsc@yahoo.com
Price:
No Charge. all welcome

“If I am not for Myself: Journey of an Anti-Zionist Jew”. Oxford PSC Speaker Meeting .with Mike Marqusee.
Author Mike Marqusee will speak on his book, If I am not for Myself: Journey of an Anti-Zionist Jew. Mike Marqusee’s “personal story” is described as “rich and exciting, ranging from the Bronx to suburbia to Pakistan, Morocco and finally London. The thinking about “what it means to be a Jew in 21st Century” is bold and innovative. No one can read this book without having his or her perspective on the Middle East, religion and the left, expanded. Free event. 7.30pm
When:
12 Oct 2010 19:30 - 21:15 One day only
Where:
Oxford Town Hall St Aldate's Oxford OX1 1BX
Email:
oxfordpsc@yahoo.com
Price:
No Charge. All welcome

panorama complaint of bias

2010-09-05T13:09:00.000+01:00

Many supporters of Oxford Palestine Solidarity Campaign, and other people too have complained to the BBC about the inaccuracies and extreme bias in its programme called Death in the Med.

Here is my latest complaint - to the BBC editorial complaints unit.

Dear Sir,

Following some correspondence with the BBC and with the Panorama team (case number CAS-250217-YCH00W?= ) I now wish to pursue this complaint further as advised by the complaints manager at BBC audience services.

I shall attach my previous correspondence and I also point out that I left a telephone complaint, which I was assured was being recorded, during the course of the programme. I should like to thank the BBC for the courtesy and efficiency with which they have dealt with my complaint, but after full consideration have found that my complaint still stands.

My complaint is regarding the Panorama programme Death in the Med, which I believe breached the BBC guidelines on accuracy (in its failure to cross check, validate or collaborate claims made and digital material, and in its omission of key facts) and on achieving impartiality.

When reporters are based in Jerusalem, rather than Ramallah or Bethlehem, hard work is needed to avoid simply reproducing the Israeli narrative, and the BBC have achieved this admirably in some programmes in the past. When your reporters are imbedded with the IDF and use the services of an Israeli producer this work is particularly needed. You failed to do the work in this case.

The programme failed to give a balanced view of the reasons for the crisis in Gaza, of the causes of the hostility between the people and de facto rulers of Gaza and the government of Israel, of the motivations and nature of the free Gaza movement and of the I.H.H charity, and it failed to investigate fully and in an unbiased way what actually happened on the Mari Marmora.

The programme seemed to have an agenda. Everything was set in the context of a particular narrative of a conflict between Islamism and the state of Israel. The imagery, both words and pictures, gave every appearance of being carefully crafted to tell this particular story. And important facts and witnesses that would have given a different impression were simply left out.

I shall concentrate at first on the use, so very many times, of the word Islamist, which is one of the two things in the programme which I found particularly jarring (the other being the use in its particular context of the disputed radio message) and was why I found the programme so emotionally upsetting as well as intellectually insulting.

Daniel Pear has written to me defending the use of the word saying it is a neutral word used to actually avoid conflating various phenomena and with no implied link to terrorism, fundamentalism or extremism. Well this may have been the meaning when Voltaire coined the word but it is not how most people understand the word nowadays. My copy of the Concise Oxford English Dictionary has but one definition of the word to wit: Islamism, noun, Islamic militancy or fundamentalism, derivatives – Islamist (n or adj).

Islamist would describe for example Saudi fundamentalist Islam, Muslims who reject Western style democracy in favour of a restored Caliphate, the various terrorist groups now generically called Al Quaeda.

To call Hamas Islamist is no real explanation of its present being. Though one can cite aspects of its founding charter, one should also point out that it won the elections in Palestine standing not on an Islamist charter but on a Nationalist and anti-corruption platform, seeking unsuccessfully for a bloc with independent Christian and secular figures and that in Gaza it is perfectly happy to collaborate with Christians (nuns, teachers, hospital workers etc).

The refusal to recognise de jure the Jewish state has little to do with Islamism, It is impossible to do so while the issue of Palestinian refugees remains unresolved, while there are good democratic arguments that a modern state should be a state of all its citizens with no religion or so called race being privileged, and while the state of Israel refuses to define its borders (every Israeli government wishing to illegally annex East Jerusalem, the lands stolen by the wall, at least the largest settlements, and the most fertile land of the Jordan Valley). De facto they are willing to recognise the Israeli government, to negotiate with it, and seek an extended truce.

To see the violence between Gaza and Israel as being caused by Islamism is a gross distortion of the truth. In fact it was Israel that broke a six month ceasefire in 2008.There is also much publically available information including from the Israeli government, graphs and all, which shows that Hamas has largely succeeded in eliminating home made rockets being sent from Gaza.

Now I must speak of killing. “The figures speak for themselves. In the three years after the withdrawal from Gaza, 11 Israelis were killed by rocket fire. On the other hand, in 2005-7 alone, the IDF killed 1,290 Palestinians in Gaza, including 222 children.” – Avi Shlaim http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/07/gaza-israel-palestine . Now I would not like to be thought to be arguing that any death does not matter. I happen to agree with the Koran that to kill any innocent is in the eyes of God is like destroying the whole universe. Indeed any premature death has ripplles through space and down the generations.Nor is it a matter of Arab or Jew. Not all the 11 Israeli’s killed were Jewish, nor were all the 1’290 Palestinians Arabs or Muslims. (I know someone who had cousins killed in Galilee and in Lebanon in the last war of Israel against that country). But to put more weight on the 13 Israelis killed by primitive rockets than the thousands of Gazans killed over the years by really nasty high tech weapons as a cause of the conflict shows a certain lack of proportion in allocating blame.

But to move on to implying that the free Gaza movement, the I.H.H. perhaps even the Turkish government is Islamist or semi Islamist is to go from lack of nuance and subtlety to – crying out loud! The free gaza movement has of course people from all over the world, including atheists, religious and secular Muslims, Christians, religious and secular Jews including Holocaust survivors.many nationalities including Britons. This was not emphasised in the programme and it was noticeable that no English or Irish people were shown with whom we would have had immediate empathy. Why not?

The I.H.H. can not fairly be called Islamist (please refer again to the dictionary definition) since it gives aid to people in every continent of the world and cooperates with people of all beliefs including the U.N. If giving aid to Bosnia is Islamist, then is NATO Islamist? If giving aid to Haiti is Islamist, then is Israel Islamist? It’s so ridiculous. It’s like calling Christian Aid a Crusader Clerico-Papist organisation. I’s stupid. The Turkish people interviewed, still avaliable on the net, who supported the flotilla are obviously moved by humanity, especially feelings for the children and not so called Islamism.

Jane Corbin in a give-away tag stated that I.H.H. headquarters was in the most Islamic part of town. I saw this as a transparent attempt to slur the charity and in my correspondance with Daniel Pearl I suggested that the old city of Istanbul,where their headquartes are I believe situated. Is socially conservative rather than Islamist and that since it is now the working class district of Istanbul would probably where a charity would be situated to keep rents down, and that I would ask a Turkish friend whose brother is a tourist guide in Istanbul. I have now had a reply and she has replied:

“I asked this question to my brother and sister who confirmed that the Fatih is indeed the most conservative area in Istanbul. Poor? I don't know. It is not a shanty town and these do exist in large numbers in the city at least they did when I was a child - not been to Istanbul for a very long time.

Is it a fair comment? I think not. I'm afraid I don't follow the internal politics but can say that the headscarf issue is a big one in Turkey in fact, there is a strong move towards more coverage by women and they are from both poor and wealthy sectors of the society. I am sorry if this does not help you much.”

This does in fact largely confirm what I had expected.

Jane Corbyn also made a rather poor attempt to link the I.H.H. to the Turkish government and to characterise the Turkish government as semi Islamist. Now Erdogan says that a political party can not have a religion, though his religion is the most important thing to him personally. The conflict between religion and secularism is being played out over the headscarf issue not over attitudes to Israel. There are plenty of secular Turks who oppose Israel’s treatment of Gaza, and the present Turkish government is not fundamentally anti Israeli: Erdogan has tried to play honest broker and his moral objections to Israel’s behaviour in Gaza do not come from Islamic fundamentalism – in fact he is careful to quote the Torah and Israeli historians. And many Turks from all walks of life are working hard to make sure that opposition to Israeli policy does not spill over into anti-Semitism and spoil Turkey’s honourable tradition of welcoming and valuing Jewish people.

The whole agenda of the programme that it is Islamists versus the Jewish state just does not wash.

As well as the agenda of the programme being biased it totally failed in its task of investigating what really happened. A forensic investigation would be based first of all on the autopsies, secondly on the testimonials of the journalists on board and would have investigated who withheld evidence and crosschecked all claims and allegations.

The audio tape for example was presented as disputed only because silences were edited and because it did not come from the Mavi Marmara. There was no mention of all the other suspicious characteristics of the tape, all publically available, or that its provenance was from a source, the I.D.F., which has been proved to have lied in evidence in the past (as in the Rachel Corrie and Tom Hurndall investigations).

It seems obvious in fact that the tape is a fake, from its content alone: it betrays an entirely Israeli siege mentality. Only Israeli’s see opposition to their policies as being motivated by anti-Semitism and continuing from the holocaust - the people on the flotilla know that the IDF soldiers have never been to Austwitch except on school trips and would never say such a ridiculous thing as “get back to Austwitch, remember 911”, and this apart from the fact that they are civilised commited anti-racists. And it is only in Israeli propoganda that there is a link between their government actions and 911 through a supposed global war on terror. This is apart from the accents and other details of the tape ignored by Panorama. Indeed after saying it was disputed they went on to treat it as part of the context for the awful tragedy that ensued. I was really upset and angry that Panorama used this tape.

It is becoming clear to me that my letter is in danger of turning into a many paged thesis for I do indeed think the programme was so bad that I could go through it line by line. To save you this is it alright if I merely state that I hold to my previous correspondence, which I enclose, and agree with all the points on the PSC website here:

Breach of BBC rules on due impartiality. In particular:

The programme mentioned only once that the incident took place in international waters. There was no mention of, or examination of, maritime law regulating the protection of international shipping which states that the forceful boarding of a boat in international waters is illegal. The Israeli claim that commandos had a right to board the ship was accepted without question.
Israel's four year siege of Gaza - which the flotilla was attempting to break - was mentioned briefly. However, viewers were not informed that the siege has been declared illegal by the UN, nor that Israel refuses to comply with UN resolutions to lift it. There was no indication of the desperate conditions inside Gaza, which the British PM has described as a ‘prison camp'. Yet these facts are significant when questioning - as the presenter, Jane Corbin, did - the motivation of people on the flotilla.
Ms Corbin, referred to the ‘thousands of rockets' fired from Gaza into Israel. She did not say over what time period these were fired. Not a single reference was made to Israel's continuous attacks on Gaza, for example the bombs, rockets and white phosphorus dropped by Israel on Gaza during its three week assault in 2008/9, which killed 1,400 Palestinians.
Israeli soldiers interviewed spoke freely of their fear that the activists on the Turkish boat, the Mavi Marmara, were going to ‘kill us all' and ‘finish us off'. However, no airtime was given to the passengers' accounts of the violence used against them by Israeli commandos, which resulted in the deaths of nine activists.
The programme, despite being entitled ‘Death on the Med', barely mentioned the deaths of the nine activists killed by Israeli commandos. There was no examination of how they died, the level of violence used against them, or whether their deaths were avoidable. No use, or even mention, was made of the autopsy reports (indicating that five of those killed had been shot in the head), and the programme also failed to mention that over 50 passengers suffered serious injuries. However, a great deal of airtime was spent attempting to prove violence on the part of the activists.
There was no mention of the five other boats that made up the aid flotilla in addition to the Mavi Marmara. The programme consistently refused to reflect the international reality of the Freedom Flotilla - with MPs, dignitaries, journalists and citizens of many countries on board - of all religions and none.
The programme failed to mention that the other five boats on the flotilla were stormed (with the use of tasers, gas and sound bombs) and violently boarded by Israeli commandos, despite offering no resistance, with injuries being suffered by the passengers on board.
Viewers were not told that all footage taken by the activists, their cameras and laptops, were confiscated by Israel and have not been returned. Consequently, any footage used in the programme, including footage of gas masks and knives which Israel claims it found on the boat, has been supplied by Israeli sources. This should have been made clear.
The programme used constant footage of Israeli commandos being attacked by activists, but none of the Israeli assault on the activists - of which footage must exist - which left nine dead.
Breach of Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which states that a journalist's right to freedom of expression is subject to ‘the protection of the reputation or rights of others'. In particular:

The activists who took part in the flotilla were continually referred to as ‘terrorists' by Israeli soldiers and spokespeople interviewed on the programme. This went unchallenged by the presenter, Jane Corbin, and no evidence was provided to back up the claims.
Ms Corbin repeated Israel's widely known false allegations about the Turkish organisation, IHH, being a terrorist organisation, but no evidence was provided to substantiate this, and viewers were not informed that IHH carries out charity work around the world, not just in the Middle East.
Ms Corbin stated that IHH had attempted to recruit ‘fellow Islamists' to join the flotilla. No evidence was given for this, or for the implied claim that IHH is an ‘Islamist' organisation. Viewers were not told that passengers on the Mavi Marmara, and on all the boats in the flotilla, consisted of many nationalities and religions, and included European and US dignitaries and Parliamentarians.
Ms Corbin said IHH's headquarters are based ‘in the most Islamic area of Istanbul'. There was no relevance to this comment, which served only to enforce the Islamophobic and racist tone of the programme. No evidence was provided to back up her claim.
Factual inaccuracies in the programme including:

Jane Corbin, stated that the ruling party in Gaza, Hamas, refuses to recognise Israel. In 2006, Hamas recognized that Israel exists and signalled its willingness to offer a long term truce in exchange for Israel's withdrawal to 1967 borders. In fact, there has been a failure to recognise the results of the Palestinian legislative elections, which were declared free and fair by international observers, and resulted in Hamas winning the majority of seats.
The programme aired an audio recording, which it claimed was broadcast from the captain's deck of the Mavi Marmara during the Israeli assault on the ship. However, the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) issued a statement on 5 June 2010 admitting that it had doctored the recording in question. This was not mentioned by Ms Corbin.
Israel's ‘right' to board the ship is presumed throughout the programme:

At no point during the programme does Jane Corbin question Israel's decision to board the ship, or its right to do so. It is assumed as a given that this was an accepted course of action.
However, Israeli forces boarded the ship while it was in international waters. This is mentioned only once, almost in passing. There is no examination during the programme about the illegality of this, or any reference to maritime law which clearly marks Israel's boarding of the ship as illegal. If this had been established at the start, the entire premise of the programme might have been different.
Jane Corbin states more than once that the activists' readiness to defend their ship ‘could lead to confrontation'. She therefore questions the right to defence. In balance, she should also question the right of Israel to attack but fails to do so. Surely Israel's readiness to board a ship in international waters, its commandoes armed and ready to use their weapons, could also lead confrontation?
If Israel's intentions in boarding the ship were peaceful, why did the commandoes board in the early hours of the morning, in the dark, instead of during daylight hours? Israel's motives in its choice of timing warranted questioning, but the time of the attack wasn't even mentioned.
The programme continually questions why the activists were ‘really' going to Gaza, but fails to thoroughly examine this point:

Israel's siege of Gaza has been declared illegal by the UN, and UN Resolution 1866 calls for its immediate end, but at no point during the programme was the illegality of the siege mentioned. Again, the assumption was made that Israel has the right to blockade Gaza, while the motives of those attempting to break an illegal blockade are questioned.
If the blockade of Gaza by Israel has been declared illegal by the UN, then Israel's actions in stopping and boarding an international ship sailing to Gaza would also be illegal. The ship would have a right to sail to Gaza, but this point was not examined by the programme. As mentioned before, the BBC assumed, without question, that Israel had a right to board the boat.
Jane Corbin stated that ‘thousands of rockets' have been fired from Gaza into Israel. She did not state over what time period. She glaringly omitted to mention the bombs, rockets and white phosphorus dropped on Gaza by Israel during Operation Cast Lead over a three week period in 2008/9, killing 1,400 people, including women and children. Nor did she mention Israel's continuous shelling of Gaza, which in July 2010 caused three civilian deaths and scores of injuries. Might the relief of the people of Gaza from Israeli siege and attack have been justifiably cited as a possible motivation for those on board the ships?
The programme makes a mockery of itself when describing the ‘weaponry' used by either side:

The activists are described as having bars, hoses, one chain, stones, junk and chairs.
There are no details about the number of Israeli soldiers, helicopters and warships used.
However, Jane Corbin states that the commandoes were armed with ‘non-lethal weapons. However, each man carried a pistol'. In BBC language, is a pistol really a ‘non-lethal' weapon?
She doesn't feel the need to point out that the activists were armed with non-lethal weapons, and, in addition, were not carrying pistols.
There are constant comments by the Israeli soldiers that they thought the activists wanted to ‘finish us off' and ‘kill us all'. Apart from the obvious point, again not examined, that this would be impossible with chairs and junk, it was once more assumed by the BBC that the activists were the aggressors while Israeli commandoes only fired in self-defence, despite the fact they had boarded the ship in international waters - surely an attack and act of aggression in itself?
Jane Corbin talks about IHH recruiting ‘fellow Islamists' to join them on board and states that the organisation's headquarters are in the ‘most Islamic area of Istanbul'

What is the relevance of the second comment? Where is her evidence for making it?
Why is she giving the aid flotilla a religious context when it had none? Again, she presents no evidence of the recruitment of ‘fellow Islamists'.
She does not mention that were other boats in the flotilla, from a variety of countries, including Ireland, all of which were violently attacked by Israel despite putting up no resistance. Nor does she state that there were people of many nationalities and different religions on board the Mavi Marmara, including European and US Parliamentarians and dignitaries. They were going to address a humanitarian need.
Other questions to ask:

Why was the Israeli evidence of how and when they killed the activists unquestioned? Activists who were on the top deck of the ship say the first person was killed - shot from a helicopter - before any Israeli had even landed on the deck.
Why were the autopsy reports - which reveal that each victim was shot several times at close range, in a way that can't constitute self-defence - not used, or even mentioned?
Why were there no interviews with any of the British activists on board the ship, or with any of the journalists who were on board?
Why was it not pointed out that the IDF has admitted doctoring the audio footage used in the programme, that the BBC claims was broadcast from the captain's deck?
In fact I agree with all these points.

In addition I was much offended by the juxtaposition which appeared on your website for several days. It seemed to show a bias even before watching the programme.First was a video exhulting in your access to the IDF linked to photographs describing them as “Israel’s elite commandos”. Beneath this a video captioned Activist sought martyrdom. As I said in my earlier correspondence such a misunderstanding of the concept of witness could be commited only by someone entirely ignorant of any religion or maral philosophy and is a shameful traducing of the dead. Did you not realise how biased this would look?

Well I could say much more but I will leave it at that.

Other letters have made very good points.

I've written to you twice before, on 26/8/10 and 29/8/10 to complain about the BBC programme 'Panorama- Death in the Med', aired on Monday 16th August. Here I'm writing to complain some more about the same programme.

BBC guidelines say output must 'avoid bias or an imbalance of views on controversial subjects.' Presenter Jane Corbin said "On the Mavi Marmara that night at least one man openly boasted he'd be prepared to die as a shaheed, a martyr". Corbin saying this man "boasted" is biased, when she didn't say "boasted" about any Israelis. The programme showed footage of Giora Eiland saying "The results are surprisingly low". Corbin asked "The deaths are surprisingly low?" Eiland- "Yes". It was biased for Corbin not to state something along the lines of "At least one Israeli military man has boasted that the numbers the IDF shot dead on the Mavi Marmara was low", when she used the word "boasted" about a Mavi Marmara passenger. The programme doesn't even mention that the IDF shot anyone dead.

BBC guidelines state 'Our output must be well sourced, based on sound evidence, thoroughly tested and presented in clear, precise language'. Also 'we must ensure bias or an imbalance of views on controversial subjects'. And 'Our journalists may provide professional judgements but may not express personal opinions on matters of political controversy'. The quote here breaks all three guidelines: "They called it operation Sea Breeze, but what these Israeli naval commandos encountered on the Mavi Marmara was anything but a breeze. It caused a storm of international condemnation". What the Israeli naval commandos encountered did not cause a storm of international condemnation. Israeli naval commandos shooting dead nine people caused a storm of international condemnation. Corbin's statement cannot be considered a slip of the tongue, when she also makes this statement in the same programme: "The Mavi Marmara didn't break the blockade of Gaza, but it did spark international outrage". Again, the Mavi Marmara didn't spark international outrage. Israeli soldiers shooting dead nine people sparked international outrage. Corbin is lying here, telling falsehoods to be biased. The makers of the programme tried to re-write history- No mention of IDF soldiers shooting nine people dead and a false claim that what the soldiers encountered "caused a storm of international condemnation" and another false claim that the Mavi Marmara "did spark international outrage". The only two mentions of international reactions are falsehoods and the real reason for the international reaction- Israeli soldiers shooting dead nine people, is not mentioned.
and
Hello,

I am writing to complain about the BBC's editorial guidelines being breached seriously and specifically, on several occasions in 'Panorama- Death in the med' aired on Monday 16th August 2010.

The guidelines state- 'We must ensure we avoid bias or an imbalance of views on controversial subjects'. In the programme, presenter Jane Corbin talks about Gaza- "militants have fired thousands of rockets at civilian targets". She did not mention that the Israeli army has killed hundreds of civilians in Gaza. As the rockets fired from Gaza have killed under 30 civilians and the Israeli army has killed hundreds of civilians in Gaza, it was biased and an imbalance of views for Corbin to mention rockets fired from Gaza and not mention the Israeli army killing Gaza civilians.

The guidelines state- 'Our output must be well sourced, based on sound evidence, thoroughly tested and presented in clear, precise language'. The programme has audio, supposedly from the Mavi Marmara, supposedly responding to the Israeli army ship, with offensive references to "Auschwitz" and "9/11". The authenticity of this recording is disputed, yet Corbin states "For the Israeli's it was a warning sign things wouldn't go that smoothly". This is stating implicitly that the recording came from the Mavi Marmara, when it might not have.

The guidelines state- 'We must ensure we avoid bias or an imbalance of views on controversial subjects'. Jane Corbin asked "Did Israel fall into a trap?" regarding the Mavi Marmara situation. This is an unbalanced question. Why did she ask this and not "Did the Mavi Marmara activists fall into a trap?" They were the group that had nine people killed by the Israeli army. The Israeli army had no loss of life, killed nine and the BBC presenter asked if Israel fell into a trap. That was biased reporting from Corbin.

The guidelines state- 'Our journalists and presenters may provide professional judgements but may not express personal opinions on matters of political controversy.' Jane Corbin states "At the end of the day the bid to break the naval blockade wasn't really about bringing aid to Gaza." That is not the case, as the Mavi Marmara was loaded with aid. Corbin's opinion is personal and politically controversial.

The guidelines state- 'Our journalists and presenters may provide professional judgements but may not express personal opinions on matters of political controversy.' Jane Corbin states "The flotilla achieved it's aim". That is not the case, the aim was to bring aid to Gaza with no loss of life. Corbin's opinion is personal and politically controversial.

and

I previously e-mailed you on 26/8/10 to complain about the BBC's editorial guidelines being seriously and specifically breached in 'Panorama- Death in the Med', aired on Monday 16th August. I'm writing here to add more complaints about the same programme, 'Panorama- Death in the Med' where the BBC's editorial guidelines were seriously and specifically breached.

The guidelines state- 'We must ensure we avoid bias or an imbalance of views on controversial subjects'. The programme does not mention how the nine activists on board the Mavi Marmara died. The activists were shot dead by IDF soldiers and the programme was called 'Death in the Med', it was biased to not report how the nine people died. In the same programme, presenter Jane Corbin says of an IDF soldier "He didn't know if he was a hostage". So while the details of the nine activist deaths were not reported, the BBC presenter Corbin speaks of an imaginary, invented projection of something that didn't happen to an IDF soldier.

The guidelines state- 'Our output must be well sourced, based on sound evidence, thoroughly tested and presented in clear, precise language'. Presenter Jane Corbin states- "The Mavi Marmara didn't break the blockade of Gaza, but it did spark international outrage". This is false, as Corbin surely knew. The international outrage was sparked by IDF soldiers shooting dead nine passengers of the Mavi Marmara, which the programme didn't mention. The international outrage was not sparked by the Mavi Marmara as Corbin states.

And there's plenty more sent or to be sent.

Coming up

2010-08-29T16:49:00.000+01:00

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.

2010-08-19T13:11:00.000+01:00

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

2010-08-19T13:06:00.000+01:00

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/

Letter to BBC

2010-08-19T12:58:00.000+01:00

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

The next steps

2010-07-25T19:16:00.000+01:00

Bulletin no.180 25th July 2010
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.
I shall be putting the rota for the stall on our website http://oxfordpsc.blogspot.com/ from next week. People can then volunteer to fill in empty slots by contacting Ali on Alialzoubi@Gmail.com .

Friday 6th August : A presentation in Oxford about the current situation in Palestine given by two activists, Ryan Olander and Bridget Chappell, both of whom have recently been in Palestine for over 6 months, working with the International Solidarity Movement. St Michael at the North Gate, Cornmarket, Oxford . 7.00, details to be confirmed.

Tuesday 10th August ; 7.30 : Oxford Town Hall. Deborah Hyams, recently returned from Gaza, where she met many people on behalf of the Rachel Corrie Foundation, and also interviewed several politicians for Maan News, will talk about her experiences, and show some of her photographs on PowerPoint. All welcome. We shall also discuss how all of us in Oxford can coordinate our future work on Gaza and Viva Palestina.
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/

ACTION ALERT: Government announces change to law on universal jurisdiction
The proposed change would make it harder to issue arrest warrants against war criminals, meaning the likes of Tzipi Livni (Israel's foreign minister during Operation Cast Lead) and Ehud Barak (Israel's defence minister) could enter the UK freely without fear of arrest.
This would seriously hamper the work of human rights lawyers in this country who are attempting to bring these war criminals to justice, and would deny the Palestinians yet another chance at justice.
Between September and December 2009, lawyers issued arrest warrants against three Israeli ministers who were planning to visit Britain. Two of them - Livni and Moshe Ya'alon - cancelled their visits as a result. The third - Barak - had his status upgraded by the then Labour government, so that he could attend the Labour Party Conference in Brighton.
If the Government's plans become law, warrants such as these will become much harder to serve.
Write to your MP now and ask him or her to sign Early Day Motion 108, which opposes any attempts to change the law on universal jurisdiction.
It's essential that you contact your MP before Monday 26th July, when Parliament breaks for the summer.
Read more on the Government's proposed changes to universal jurisdiction >>

Take part in Oxfam's and Amnesty actions calling for an end to the siege and an international enquiry
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)

Police payout for men beaten at Gaza protest: Independent and Guardian : the two men in question are Ashley and Russell Inglis of the University who many of us know from local demonstrations, supermarket leafletting, and other Oxford events.

Upcoming Events: UK/International

See this beautiful interview with Haneen on BBC hardtalk http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00t44jq/b00t44j6/HARDtalk_Haneen_Zoabi_Knesset_member/

Gaza flotilla - Haneen Zouabi attacked, stripped of parliamentary privileges
Israeli ministers voted to strip MK Haneen Zouabi of her parliamentary privileges for participating on the Mavi Marmara, which saw nine people killed when Israel attacked the flotilla to Gaza in international waters. The motion, carried by a 34-16 majority in a special committee, is the first of its kind in Knesset (Israeli parliament) history. The decision has been condemned by prominent academics and representatives of civil rights groups and is the latest of a series of serious attacks on the democratic rights of Palestinian citizens of Israel.
Haneen Zouabi will be speaking at a PSC/MEMO seminar on 28 July, alongside other Palestinian members of the Israeli parliament. It will be a unique opportunity to discuss what is happening inside Israel, and the work that Palestinian Knesset members are carrying out to represent their electorate, despite the overwhelming challenges they face.
To register for the meeting in parliament please email events@memonitor.org.uk
Haneen Zoabi interview in Palestine Monitor >>
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article11413.shtml on Democracy.

Viva Palestina 5: A lifeline to Gaza - registration now open
The terrible massacre aboard the Mavi Marmara has brought a sea change in international opinion against the inhumane siege on the Palestinians of Gaza and PSC are once again working in partnership with Viva Palestina to organise the largest ever attempt to break - and end - the siege.
A land convoy will leave from London to Gaza on Saturday, 18th September, in conjunction with convoys leaving from Casablanca and Doha and timed to coordinate with a larger international flotilla aiming to reach Gaza by sea at the same time.
PSC encourages members and supporters to get involved by fundraising in your workplace, campuses and communities; getting your trade union branches to become coalition partners; and joining the convoy. Look out for more information on our website on how you can get involved.
Registration is now open - for more information please visit: http://vivapalestina.org/vp5/intro.html
We in Oxford need to get together to discuss how best we can support Viva Palestina, coordinating all local actions.

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
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 >>

Breaking the siege for good – future flotillas and convoys to Gaza
PSC will be working with other organisations to organise future convoys to break the illegal siege of Gaza. Look out for more information on our website in the coming weeks.

On Saturday some of us went to the NATIONAL CONFERENCE in London organised by the PSC. Lasting all day it achieved a lot in bringing so many people together to consider the next steps in the campaign. With contributions from Karma Nabulsi and Sarah Colborne of PSC, Kevin Ovenden of Viva Palestina, Greta Berlin of Freegaza, Linsey German convenor of Stop The War, representatives of the Palestinian BDS movement, British trade unions including Unite, the Methodist Conference, British Muslim, Christian and Jewish organisations and many others involved in practical actions, we found real unity. We discussed the steps needed to succed in strenthening the policies of our organisation and making our attitudes the mainstream thinking in Britain. We work with everyone involved in a rights based campaign, not being interested in laying down a bluprint for the Palestinians, whether one-state or two-state, but rather fighting for an end to the siege, the occupation, the settlements, the evictions, the attacks on democracy, and Israeli Apartheid.
No organisation owns the Palestinian struggle and several speakers emphasised that while we should all join our Trade unions, our local church, mosque or synagogue if we are religious, and so on, we work best in the forum we know – and we can continue as a diverse and pluralist movement. But while every group and individual is most effective pushing forward the initiatives they’ve started its also important to work together when we’re pushing for the same objective. We can all help and learn from each other. Let us learn how to do so more effectively.
I think we can apply these points in Oxford too.

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

We are all Mary The Maryam, an all-female Lebanese aid ship, currently docked in the northern Lebanese port of Tripoli, is getting ready to set sail for Gaza in the next few days. The ship, which aims to break Israel's siege on the Palestinian territory, will carry about fifty aid workers, including some US nuns keen to deliver aid to the long-suffering women and children of Gaza. http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article11417.shtml

Report back: PSC conference - the next steps
PSC organised a successful conference last Saturday to discuss how to end the siege on Gaza and taking forward the BDS campaign. Co-author of the Goldstone report, Desmond Travers kicked off the conference about his findings in Gaza and representatives from key organisations campaigning on Palestine - including many PSC branches - discussed the current situation and the role we can all play towards ending the occupation.
Attendees left with a sense of unity, purpose, and clarity about how we take things forward. One participant said ‘Your conference, Campaigning for Palestine, showed me that, collectively, individuals can make a difference, and I've now joined PSC. I too will stand and be counted among you all - you made me believe that a change is on the horizon, but that we need to be the catalyst for that change.'
Desmond Travers speech can be downloaded here >>
(Desmond Travers is a retired Colonel from the Irish Defence Force and a very impressive person who was brilliant to listen to).

Scale of ethnic cleansing and apartheid in East Jerusalem shocks UK peers
Three UK peers have been talking about their experiences on a fact-finding tour to East Jerusalem earlier this month.
Baroness Jenny Tonge, Lord Nazir Ahmed and Lord Raymond Hylton visited residents of Silwan province whose homes are being demolished to make way for an Israeli theme park.
They also met three members of the Palestinian Parliament, currently sheltering in the offices of the International Red Cross, who are facing deportation for ‘disloyalty to the state of Israel'. A fourth MP, also threatened with eviction from East Jerusalem, has been re-arrested by Israel.
Read the full article here >>

Gaza protestors – court reduces sentences, and police pay £25,000 for beating two demonstrators
The Court of Appeal has reduced the sentences or released seven people convicted of violent disorder at protests against Israel’s invasion of Gaza last year earlier this week.
Out of the 10 protesters who appealed their sentences, one had their conviction completely overturned and was released, six had their sentences reduced, and of those two will be released today. The judge upheld just three of the sentences.
This is further admission that Gaza protestors have been victimised. All but one of the defendants who contested their cases have been found innocent.
It was proved that one defendant, Jake Smith, had in fact been beaten up by the police on the demonstration. Last night it was revealed two other protestors have received compensation for being attacked by the police on the demonstrations.
Independent: Gaza protesters win cut in sentences

Methodist Coference stands up for Justice for Palestine and Israel http://www.methodistconference.org.uk/assets/downloads/confrep-14-justice-for-palestine-israel-170510.pdf

Libyan Gaza aid ship docks in Egypt
Jonathan Cook on Israel’s witchhunt against BDS supporters
Haaretz on Israel’s attack

Neve Gordon on Israel’s attack on supporters of BDS in Israel
Ameer Makhoul’s wife: Why doesn’t Clinton care about my jailed husband?
Irish block EU plan to allow data transfer to Israel

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
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.Jonathan Cooke’s latest articles http://www.jkcook.net/Latest.htm

You may already have heard that after a pause in demolition activities, Israel has recently resumed demolitions – 13 houses in E Jerusalem a few days ago, a reservoir in the West Bank…… ; you can find info on ICAHD’s website www.icahd.org.

Video: Netanyahu brags he deceived US to destroy Oslo accords
Watch this secretly filmed video which shows Netanyahu bragging in 2001 of how he was subverting the Oslo Accords and manipulating the US, and demonstrating his contempt for world opinion in general.
English subtitles start approx 2mins in to the video >>
Transcript >>
Two Killed, Six Injured, By Israeli Bombardment To Northern Gaza
Gaza official says new Israeli siege policy 'bluff'
Medics prevented from treating dying Palestinian mother

To Join PSC NOW : How to join -Annual membership fees are £24 waged and £12 unwaged. http://www.pecaualestinecampaign.org/index2b.asp Your membership is vital for us to continue our worknsomniac, dirty, shuddering images from the only foreigners who decided and managed to stay embedded inside Gaza strip ambulances, dded inside Gaza strip ambulances, with Palestinian civilians.
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.

Rota for Saturdays Oxford Palestine Solidarity Campaign Stall

2010-07-24T18:29:00.000+01:00

Stall Rota

I shall be posting the rota for Oxford Palestine Solidarity Campaign street stall in Cornmarket, from next week. People can then volunteer to fill in empty slots by contacting Ali on Alialzoubi@Gmail.com .

July/August events

2010-07-20T17:07:00.003+01:00

Upcoming Events: Local

Saturday street stall: (notice from Seyda) Could people please contact me on my home number 01865 880344 mobile7983334322 or e-mail me seydacooke@virgin.net. Please let me 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.

Tuesday 10th August ; 7.30 : Oxford Town Hall. Deborah Hyams, recently returned from Gaza, where she met many people on behalf of the Rachel Corrie Foundation, and also interviewed several politicians for Maan News, will talk about her experiences, and show some of her photographs on PowerPoint.

It is good to have heard from several people how much they appreciated last Tuesday’s meeting with Sarah Colborne and the discussion following. (http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/8267973.Oxford_campaigner_relives_horror_of_Gaza_attack/ ). Afterwards a lot of people came up to ask how they could give practical help to the cause or to tell us of activities they were organizing themselves. I try to keep everyone informed of all events on this weekly email.

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/

Take part in Oxfam's and Amnesty actions calling for an end to the siege and an international enquiry

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)

Police payout for men beaten at Gaza protest: Independent and Guardian : the two men in question are Ashley and Russell Inglis of the University who many of us know from local demonstrations, supermarket leafletting, and other Oxford events.

Upcoming Events: UK/International

Gaza flotilla - Haneen Zouabi attacked, stripped of parliamentary privileges

Israeli ministers voted to strip MK Haneen Zouabi of her parliamentary privileges for participating on the Mavi Marmara, which saw nine people killed when Israel attacked the flotilla to Gaza in international waters. The motion, carried by a 34-16 majority in a special committee, is the first of its kind in Knesset (Israeli parliament) history. The decision has been condemned by prominent academics and representatives of civil rights groups and is the latest of a series of serious attacks on the democratic rights of Palestinian citizens of Israel.

Haneen Zouabi will be speaking at a PSC/MEMO seminar on 28 July, alongside other Palestinian members of the Israeli parliament. It will be a unique opportunity to discuss what is happening inside Israel, and the work that Palestinian Knesset members are carrying out to represent their electorate, despite the overwhelming challenges they face.

To register for the meeting in parliament please email events@memonitor.org.uk

Haneen Zoabi interview in Palestine Monitor >>

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

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 >>

Breaking the siege for good - future flotillas and convoys to Gaza

PSC will be working with other organisations to organise future convoys to break the illegal siege of Gaza. Look out for more information on our website in the coming weeks.

On Saturday some of us went to the NATIONAL CONFERENCE in London organised by the PSC. Lasting all day it achieved a lot in bringing so many people together to consider the next steps in the campaign. With contributions from Karma Nabulsi and Sarah Colborne of PSC, Kevin Ovenden of Viva Palestina, Greta Berlin of Freegaza, Linsey German convenor of Stop The War, representatives of the Palestinian BDS movement, British trade unions including Unite, the Methodist Conference, British Muslim, Christian and Jewish organisations and many others involved in practical actions, we found real unity. We discussed the steps needed to succed in strenthening the policies of our organisation and making our attitudes the mainstream thinking in Britain. We work with everyone involved in a rights based campaign, not being interested in laying down a bluprint for the Palestinians, whether one-state or two-state, but rather fighting for an end to the siege, the occupation, the settlements, the evictions, the attacks on democracy, and Israeli Apartheid.

No organisation owns the Palestinian struggle and several speakers emphasised that while we should all join our Trade unions, our local church, mosque or synagogue if we are religious, and so on, we work best in the forum we know – and we can continue as a diverse and pluralist movement. But while every group and individual is most effective pushing forward the initiatives they’ve started its also important to work together when we’re pushing for the same objective. We can all help and learn from each other. Let us learn how to do so more effectively.

I think we can apply these points in Oxford too.

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

Gaza protestors - court reduces sentences, and police pay £25,000 for beating two demonstrators

The Court of Appeal has reduced the sentences or released seven people convicted of violent disorder at protests against Israel's invasion of Gaza last year earlier this week.

Out of the 10 protesters who appealed their sentences, one had their conviction completely overturned and was released, six had their sentences reduced, and of those two will be released today. The judge upheld just three of the sentences.

This is further admission that Gaza protestors have been victimised. All but one of the defendants who contested their cases have been found innocent.

It was proved that one defendant, Jake Smith, had in fact been beaten up by the police on the demonstration. Last night it was revealed two other protestors have received compensation for being attacked by the police on the demonstrations.

Independent: Gaza protesters win cut in sentences

Methodist Coference stands up for Justice for Palestine and Israel http://www.methodistconference.org.uk/assets/downloads/confrep-14-justice-for-palestine-israel-170510.pdf

Libyan Gaza aid ship docks in Egypt

Jonathan Cook on Israel's witchhunt against BDS supporters

Haaretz on Israel's attack

Neve Gordon on Israel's attack on supporters of BDS in Israel

Ameer Makhoul's wife: Why doesn't Clinton care about my jailed husband?

Irish block EU plan to allow data transfer to Israel

July meetings

2010-07-06T12:20:00.004+01:00

Don’t miss the eye witness of events on the account by Sarah Colborne, Director of Campaigns for Palestine Solidarity, who took part in the Gaza Flotilla and was on board the Mavi Marmara when it was stormed by the Israeli army. She has agreed to speak at the OSW/PSC meeting in July. It will be on 13 July - the usual PSC date

Faringdon Peace Group held their grand Peace fete at 2.00 pm on Saturday 3 July. The event was as enjoyable as ever and the Palestinian theme ensured everyone learnt much about the situation.

Please send me details of other relevant events to DavidHillman07@aol.com, in good time. I will post the on the Oxford Palestine Solidarity Campaign email list.

Upcoming Events: Local

Friday 9th July BNC calls for Global BDS Day of Action: 9th July - get involved now! Target Sainsburys and Morrisons this time. www.palestinecampaign.org/index7b.asp?m_id=1&l1_id=4&l2_id=24&Content_ID=1364%20 Stickers may be downloaded from www.psc-manchester.org.uk/big_stickers.htm to print on Rymans address labels.

Tuesday 13th July : 7.30 : Oxford Town Hall.
We are privileged to hear an eye witness account of the events on the Mavi Marmara from Sarah Colborne Sarah, Director of Campaigns for Palestine Solidarity, was one of the first of the passengers on the flotilla to arrive back in England, where she gave this press conference - www.palestinecampaign.org/index7b.asp?m_id=1&l1_id=4&l2_id=25&Content_ID=1336 .Since then, rather than taking a well deserved rest, she has thrown herself into organising the next steps in the campaign, both here and internationally. The meeting is jointly organised by Oxford Palestine Solidarity Campaig and Oxford Stop The War Coalition. All Welcome.

June Events

2010-05-30T13:30:00.001+01:00

PSC weekly update

Flotilla sets sails to break the siege on Gaza: Take action now!

The Flotilla to Gaza has today set sail from Gaza - the Palestine Solidarity Campaign is just one of the British-based organisations on the international flotilla of ships to Gaza, along with more than 50 other organisations worldwide, who are attempting to reach the besieged Palestinians of Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid.

The ships are carrying thousands of tons of construction materials, medical equipment, school supplies and other essentials denied to the Palestinians of Gaza. Israel has said it will do everything it can to stop this humanitarian aid getting through…. http://www.palestinecampaign.org/Index7b.asp?m_id=1&l1_id=4&l2_id=106&Content_ID=1326

The Oxford Students' Palestine Society presents...

A NIGHT OF HIP HOP + POLITICS FOR PALESTINE
***************LOWKEY MC***************

THE CELLAR//MONDAY 31st MAY//9PM-2AM

Tickets: £6 OTD, proceeds go to Medical Aid for Palestinians: (http://www.map-uk.org/)

--------------MASSIVE LINEUP!!!----------------

Hip Hop//Grime//Dubstep//Funky//Beats//Garage

***HEADLINER - LOWKEY MC*** @ 11.45pm
WE ARE DUBIST
DJ JEK
CHRIS HILBORNE
ALEX CARLILL
______________________________________________________________

LOWKEY is a Poet, Playwright, Political Activist and award winning Hip Hop Artist of English and Iraqi Descent. He has released two solo albums, Dear Listener (2009) and Soundtrack to the Struggle (2010), toured around the Middle East with M1 from Dead Prez and the US with Dr. Norman Finklestein, and been a spokesperson for the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC). He has collaborated with Immortal Technique, Poisonous Poets, Mongrel and the Palestinian rap group DAM, among others.

to listen: http://www.map-uk.org/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p1CJwTNC9M&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4OI0GUCI_A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToZUIdbgqjE&feature=related
____________________________________________________________

WE ARE DUBIST

The crew originate from South London and are constantly pushing boundaries in the dubstep scene. to listen: http://www.myspace.com/wearedubist
_____________________________________________________________

Spread the word, bring your friends and support quality UK political hip hop!!

In peace and solidarity,
The PalSoc Team

http://rideforpalestine.blogspot.com/

Ride for Palestine with online petition.

Southport-London, delivering Petition against UK - Israel Arms Trade, AUG 14 & 15

Live links to freegaza boats witnessgaza.com
www.freegaza.org
http://www.flickr.com/photos/freegaza

Upcoming Events: Local

Seminar ‘The Arabs and the Holocaust’

Professor Gilbert Achcar

Professor of development studies and international relations at SOAS and author of The Clash of Barbarism: The Making of the New World Disorder, and Perilous Power: The Middle East and US Foreign Policy, co-authored with Noam Chomsky. The talk is based on Gilbert Achcar’s new book The Arabs and the Holocaust: The Arab-Israeli War of Narratives (Saqi Books, 2010).

Tuesday 1 June

5 p.m.

Location: The Middle East Centre

68 Woodstock Road, Oxford

All welcome

Convenor: Professor Avi Shlaim

Professor Achcar’s new book will be on sale at a special price at the seminar: The Arabs and the Holocaust: The Arab-Israeli War of Narratives published by Saqi Books.

Ending Oxford Universities Arms Investments. As you know, the campaign to end Oxford University's investment in arms began when students occupied the Bodleian to protest against Israel's invasion of Gaza. The next planning meeting is on Tuesday 5 June at 8-9 in the Old Seminar room, Wadham. http://Oxfordantiwaraction.wordpress.com/

The Friends of St Edward’s

Invite you to:

TRAVELS WITH MY FLAK JACKET

COVERING WAR

IN THE MIDDLE EAST FOR THE BBC

A TALK BY MARTIN ASSER

PROCEEDS TO:

OXFORD RAMALLAH FRIENDSHIP ASSOCIATION

11th JUNE 2010

7.00pm – 7.30 pm – Drinks

7.30 pm - Talk

Venue – NORTH WALL THEATRE (Directions on second page)

Ticket Price £10

Martin Asser is an award-winning journalist specialising in Arab and Middle-Eastern affairs who has worked for the BBC since 1995. He has been the lead Middle East specialist writer for the BBC News website since 2003, with the job of bringing clarity and understanding to the complex and globally significant developments taking place in this troubled region. He has first-hand experience working in Iraq, Lebanon and Israel and the Palestinian territories during their periods of greatest crisis in the last decade. Martin is one of the few non-Arab reporters who is fluent in the Arabic language and is therefore able to work without an interpreter or English speaking informants. He is also an accomplished photographer.

For a complete list of BBC articles by Martin Asser, go to http://tinyurl.com/bbc-asser

RSVP

Phillipa Minty -01865 319239

minty@stedwards.oxon.sch.uk http://www.oxford-ramallah.org/

The next national branch forum will be on SATURDAY 12 JUNE 12noon to 4pm in Central Birmingham. I will be attending but it is good if two or three of us go. Its a great opportunity to network and share ideas and to hear and discuss what is happening in PSC nationally e.g. on the boycott campaign. You can claim travel expenses for attending. Let me know if anyone is interested in coming along. Caroline

Saturday street stall: (notice from Seyda) Could people please contact me on my home number 01865 880344 mobile7983334322 or e-mail me seydacooke@virgin.net. Please let me 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.

.

26 June Day of action. Boycott day of action for Trade Unions, organised jointly by TUC and PSC.

Upcoming Events: UK/International

Stop the War Coalition has joined with the British Muslim Initiative and other groups to organise a conference on islamaphobia and how to stem its tide. This will take place at the Camden centre, London WC1H 9JE from 10am - 5pm on Saturday 5 June.

the "war on terror" has directly caused unprecedented attacks on the British Muslim community. This has been seen in government and media which portray all Muslims as anti-western and reactionary. Young Muslims in particular are subjct to surveillance in colleges, schools and mosques in the name of combatting extremism. Peaceful demonstrators have been subject to arrest and heavy sentencing. Racist "defence leagues" have attacked the Muslim community.

Stop the War Coalition is committed to combatting racims and working wtih others to stem its tide and that is why this will be an important conference.

Speakers will include Daud Abdullah, Muslim Council of Britain, Anas Al Tikriti, British Muslim Initiative,Lindsey German, Stop the War Coalition, Kate Hudson, CND, Tony Benn, Seamus Milne, journalist, Peter Oborne, journalist, Imran Khan, solicitor, Moazzam Begg, former Guantanamo prisoner, Salma Yaqoob,Respect.

Tickets £5. Info from www.stopwar.org.uk or phone 020 7801 2768.

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

An Open Letter to Barack Obama

From Avi Shlaim

Please take a few moments to reflect on the relations between the United States and Israel in the light of a recent incident

Dear President Obama, … http://www.opendemocracy.net/avi-shlaim/open-to-barack-obama

More from Map here http://www.map-uk.org/

Jonathan Cooke’s latest articles http://www.jkcook.net/Latest.htm With most Israelis assuming a new Middle East war is just around the
corner, settler leaders are trying to prove to their compatriots that
some 120 illegal Jewish colonies in the West Bank will provide an
indispensable safe haven in time of emergency...
The Torture of Ameer Makhoul…A leading human rights activist from Israel’s Palestinian Arab minority was charged yesterday with the most serious security offences on Israel’s statute book, including espionage...

Israel's Nukes Out of the Shadows…
Israel faces unprecedented pressure to abandon its official policy of
“ambiguity” on its possession of nuclear weapons as the international
community meets at the United Nations in New York this week to
consider banning such arsenals from the Middle East...

This from France includes in the middle of this demo in Paris a delegation from Al Amari Camp

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xdgj1v_rassemblement-contre-la-venue-de-li
Rassemblement et Concert contre la venue de netanyahu et Lieberman à Paris.
Avec la participation de nombreuses associations, Jil el Ghiwane et HK et les Saltimbanques
Site de la campagne BDS: www.bdsfrance.org

To Join PSC NOW : How to join -Annual membership fees are £24 waged and £12 unwaged. http://www.pecaualestinecampaign.org/index2b.asp Your membership is vital for us to continue our work

Nakba week

2010-05-09T13:45:00.001+01:00

*** Nakba Week 2010 ***

PalSoc, Arab Cultural Society, Oxford PSC and Oxford Society for Medicine have organised a week of events to commemorate the Nakba and show our solidarity with the Palestinian struggle:

Monday 10th May: An evening with acclaimed Israeli director Eyal Sivan and his latest film 'Jaffa, the Orange's Clockwork'.
Place: Nissan Lecture Theatre, St Antony's College
Time: 8pm - 10.30pm

Tuesday 11th May: Oxford Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) meeting -
with a report from a member of the Viva Palestina convoy to Gaza.
Place: Oxford Town Hall
Time: 7.30pm

Wednesday 12th May: Palestinian 'Dabke' dance class - learn how to dance this traditional Palestinian dance, for absolute beginners!
Place: Meet at the Lodge, Wadham College
Time: 8pm beginners, 9pm intermediates

Thursday 13th May: Healthcare Under Siege - panel discussion on the experiences of leading surgeons and medical experts on the challenges facing healthcare in Palestine.
Place: Bernard Sunley Theatre, St Catherine’s College
Time: 6 - 8.30pm

Saturday 15th May:
Supermarket picket - leafleting to raise awareness of illegal settlement goods sold in British supermarkets.
Place: Waitrose, 9-11 Old High Street, Headington OX3 9JT
Time: 2pm

Nakba Vigil - Candle-lit vigil and public reading of the names of villages destroyed in 1948
Place: Cornmarket Street, adjacent to St. Michael's church
Time: 6pm

*** Nakba Week 2010 ***

This week marks the 62nd anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba, the catastrophic events of May 1948 when Zionist colonisers ethnically cleansed 750, 000 Palestinians from their land and declared the creation of the state of Israel. Now, 62 years later, Palestinians continue to suffer at the hands of this brutal colonial power: having massacred 1500 civilians in Gaza last year, Israel continues to tighten its strangulating blockade on the territory, systematically starving 1.5 million people in an act of collective punishment that has been condemned across the world; in the West Bank Palestinian civilians protesting the continued occupation are shot dead for taking part in non-violent protests; while in occupied East Jerusalem Israeli planners have approved 50,000 new homes for illegal settlers intent on colonising what remains of Palestine.

Join us for Nakba week 2010.

next events-May June

2010-05-02T14:02:00.001+01:00

Bulletin no.158 2nd May 2010

Dear PSC supporter,

OXFORD PALESTINE SOLIDARITY CAMPAIGN ~ AGM 11 MAY

I am pleased to invite you to the Annual General Meeting of Oxford PSC at 7.30pm on Tuesday 11 May 2009 at the Town Hall, St Aldates, Oxford. All supporters are welcome to attend but only PSC members may submit motions, vote on resolutions or stand for office. Membership forms will be available at the meeting for those who are not already members but who wish to join and fully participate in the meeting.

Our guest speaker will be Tony Gratrex who recently went to Gaza with the Viva Palestina convoy.

If you are already a PSC member and would like to submit a motion to the meeting please send it to carolineraine1@btinternet.com by Tuesday 27 April. Motions will be circulated to members in advance of the meeting.

The following officers will be elected at the AGM for the coming year:

§ Chair

§ Secretary

§ Treasurer

§ Membership secretary

§ Student liaison

§ Trade union liaison

§ Communications officer

§ Stall coordinator

The meeting will also elect committee members to work with the officers on campaigns and activities.

Please think about standing for one of these positions or as a committee member. All officer posts can be job shared. If you would like more information about what is involved please contact me. Also if there are other ways you would particularly like to be involved e.g. helping with publicity or press liaison.

We look forward to seeing you on 11 May.

Best wishes, Caroline Raine

PSC Weekly Update http://www.palestinecampaign.org/index7b.asp?m_id=1&l1_id=4&l2_id=106&Content_ID=1281

http://rideforpalestine.blogspot.com/

Ride for Palestine with online petition.

Southport-London, delivering Petition against UK - Israel Arms Trade, AUG 14 & 15

With the General Election only weeks away, now is the time to find out if the Parliamentary candidates in your area support peace and justice for the Palestinians.

Use our campaigning tool to contact your candidates and let them know the strength of public feeling for a just resolution for Palestine, and make them aware that this is a key election issue. http://www.palestinecampaign.org/ .

Upcoming Events: Local

Hi Everyone:
Not sure if you are aware, but Joan Armatrading is appearing at the New Theatre this evening. Despite her charity work and links with South Africa (http://www.joanarmatrading.com/index.asp?m=misc&n=bio&p=1), she nonetheless is doing two concerts in Israel at the end of her tour. We think it only fair that she and her audience should be aware of how she is breaking the BDS - other people around the UK have done the same (http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2010/04/450135.html, http://www.bigcampaign.org/index.php?mact=CGBlog,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=136&cntnt01returnid=72). We are leafletting at the New Theatre this evening from about 7.30 - please let me know if you can come along and help; if you can't let me know, just turn up anyway :-) Thanks, Nigel.

WOMEN IN BLACK VIGIL - BONN SQUARE
Saturday May 8th 11.15-12.30
This vigil will be in support of the Women in Black in Jerusalem
who meet each week to protest the Israeli Occupation of Palestine. We will
be drawing attention to the devastating impact of illegal Israeli Settlement
expansion and policy of "ethnic cleansing" in the Palestinian West Bank and East Jerusalem.
This will be a SILENT vigil. Please wear BLACK. We also welcome any men
who would like to show solidarity with the Women in Black by handing out
leaflets or talking to the Public about our Vigil.

PSC Annual General Meeting. Tuesday 11 May, Oxford Town Hall, 7.30pm: this is our AGM, all
welcome, but only PSC members can vote.

Saturday street stall: (notice from Seyda) Could people please contact me on my home number 01865 880344 mobile7983334322 or e-mail me seydacooke@virgin.net. Please let me 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.

The Oxford Society for Medicine presents a unique symposium:

*** HEALTHCARE UNDER SIEGE: Supporting medical education in the Occupied Palestinian Territory ***All welcome – FREE entry – NO registration required – JUST TURN UP! Date: Thursday 13th May 2010, 6.00pm – 8.30pmVenue: St. Catherine’s College, Bernard Sunley Lecture Theatre

.

Levellers Day. 10:30 - 18:00 Saturday 15th May 2010. Burford, Oxfordshire. Oxford PSC will have a presence at this enjoyable day. http://www.levellers.org.uk/

15 May Nakba events. This year rather than all go to London we will organise events throughout the country. As well as a stall and display at Burford we shall have events in Oxford, incuding leafleting supermarkets and a vigil in Cornmarket in the early evening in which we shall put hundreds of candles on a map of Palestine to commemorate villages destroyed. Strong Arabic speakers needed please.

26 June Day of action. Boycott day of action for Trade Unions, organised jointly by TUC and PSC.

some candidates responses

2010-05-02T13:53:00.002+01:00

I have posted the candidates responses just as they are, tempting as it is to add comments. Please send me any other responses you recieve.

Andrew Smith

Thank you for your email about the plight of the people of Palestine. My stance has been one of clear and consistent support for the right of the Palestinian people to their own viable independent state, based on the 1967 borders, alongside a secure Israel.

I have called many times for an end to the military occupation of Palestinian territories and to the blockade of Gaza, for human rights to be respected, and for the withdrawal of Israeli settlements. Following the attack on Gaza I called in the House of Commons for the perpetrators of war crimes to be brought to justice, and I have continued to press Ministers in support of universal jurisdiction when such crimes are alleged.

I pressed and spoke in Parliament in support of the campaign for accurate labelling of goods from Israeli settlements which were previously being imported as “produced in Israel.” I was also glad to see the Government's ruling that the importers of such goods are not entitled to the benefits of any British or EU trade agreement with Israel or with the Palestinian Authority.

I believe that arms components should not be exported to conflict zones or to situations where they could be used for internal repression and have raised this with Ministers with particular reference to Israel. I was glad that the Government cancelled export licences for components used in the attack on Gaza, though it is worth mentioning that Israel obtains 95% of its military imports from the United States.

If I am re-elected I will continue to work in every available forum for peace and human rights in Israel and Palestine, and for the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people.

It is crucial that effective international pressure is exerted on Israel over the question of the illegal settlements, which are a key barrier to progress in the peace process which is so urgently needed.

With best wishes,

Andrew

…I had been a campaigner against Saddam Hussain's barbaric dictatorship since the 1980s, back when he was using chemical weapons against the Kurds and allied with the Americans. For that reason, his breech of UN resolutions, and because of the evidence available at the time, I did support the initial operations in Iraq. I agree with David Miliband that if we had known at the time that the intelligence was wrong, I would have opposed the war. I regret that more was not done to distance Britain from the American government under George Bush, and that our efforts to get the Americans to work with the international community to stabilise the Middle East by creating an independent and viable Palestinian state were not successful…

Steve Goddard
Thank you for writing to me about the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign's election pledges. I feel strongly that we have responsibility as a country to engage with this issue, to help work towards a settlement which will create a more peaceful and secure middle east.

Violence and violations of international law must be condemned on both sides, and there should be no special cases for indvidual countries. There needs to be a negotiated settlement which recognises the existence of both states, mutually recognised, based on the situation before 1967. The Liberal Democrats urge Isreal to end the blocade on Gazza, which is against its self interest and only serves to encourage extremism.

We would suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement and all Britians arms dealing with Isreal for the suration of the Gazza blockade. We also support the government's plans for clear labelling of goods from the West Bank, so that consumers can tell whether the goods were produced by settlers or palestinians. A full ban on settlement goods should slso be considered.

Thank you again for taking the time to write to me.

Best Wishes,
Steve Goddard

Sushila Dhall
Yes, I am very much in support of your six election pledges to support
the Palestinian people. I have spoken and campaigned as a Green Party
member on these points and will continue to do so, no matter what the
outcome of the election.

With best wishes,

Sushila Dhall
(Green Party parliamentary candidate for Oxford East)

Evan Harriss
Thank you for your communication concerning the situation of the
Palestinian
people living under Israeli occupation. The Israel-Palestine conflict
remains one of the world’s most difficult political problems. Britain and
the international community have a responsibility, as well as a wider
self-interest, in helping to bring about a settlement and creating a more
peaceful, secure and stable Middle East.
The Liberal Democrat position in relation to this situation is as
follows:

*Call on Israel to end its violations of international
law, including ending its illegal occupation of the West Bank and Gaza* -
we condemn all acts of violence and urge all parties to negotiate a lasting
settlement to this crisis. A sustainable solution will only be reached in
the context of two separate Israeli and Palestinian states, mutually
recognised and internationally accepted, and within borders which are
secure
and based on the situation before the 1967 conflict.**
*Oppose any attacks on universal jurisdiction and
support bringing those responsible for war crimes to justice* - we are
opposed to any dilution of the law that would help those suspected of war
criminals evade justice. If there are flaws in the current system we
would
support changes in legislation, but only following a thorough judicial
review. There can be no special cases for individual countries.** · *Work to end the siege on Gaza* - we urge Israel to end the blockade. Israel’s blockade of Gaza is against Israel’s own
enlightened self-interest and only encourages extremism.**
· *Call on the government to ban the import of
settlement goods* - we support Government plans for clear labelling of
imported goods from the West Bank, so that British consumers know whether
goods are from Palestinian or settlement producers. We believe a full banon
goods from settlements should be considered.**

· *Call on the government to suspend the EU-Israel
Association Agreement* – we believe that the EU should suspend existing
trade agreements until the blockade of Gaza is lifted.**

· *Call for an end to Britain’s arms trade with
Israel*- we believe that the EU should suspend arms sales until the
blockade of
Gaza is lifted.**

Julia Gasper
Would you:- 1. Call on Israel to end its violations of international law, including ending its illegal occupation of the West Bank and Gaza? A. I will call on both sides to end violent and terrorist acts, and I will not condone them on either side. Both sides have been provoked and the problems can only be solved by diplomacy. I do not condone the expansion of Israel beyond the borders originally agreed in 1948. They are systematically pulling down Palestinian houses at night and then building new ones for Israelis so that the owners of the old ones are rendered homeless or even killed and have no legal redress. This is completely inexcusable. We hope eventually that Israel will become a non-racist state and that homeless Palestinians will get some compensation. 2. Oppose any attacks on universal jurisdiction and bring those responsible for Israeli war crimes to justice? A. I believe that everyone responsible for war crimes on either side should be held responsible. But a policy of recrimination may be counter-productive and serve as a barrier to settlement. 3. Work to end the siege on Gaza? A. I am very concerned about human rights violations and the predicament of oppressed people anywhere in the world. 4. Call on the government to ban the import of settlement goods? A. Some form of sanctions could be a way forward. Labelling any imports from Israel (fruit juice for example) might be a start as consumers could take the initiative. 5. Call on the government to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement? A. Such decisions can only be taken by the EU. They tell us what to do, not the other way around. If you want us to be able to act independently, vote UKIP and regain our independence. 6. Call for an end to Britain’s arms trade with Israel? A. I am fully in agreement with this, and with an international ban on supplying arms to either side. It was very disturbing to learn that during the recent conflict in Gaza, British firms supplied Israel with weapons or components of military systems. What is the point of sending Tony Blair as a Peace Envoy when we are selling them arms? The best thing really would be to try to prevent weapons or ammunition reaching either side, but that requires concerted action by the whole international community.

2010-04-18T22:51:00.002+01:00

OXFORD PALESTINE SOLIDARITY CAMPAIGN ~ AGM 11 MAY

I am pleased to invite you to the Annual General Meeting of Oxford PSC at 7.30pm on Tuesday 11 May 2009 at the Town Hall, St Aldates, Oxford. All supporters are welcome to attend but only PSC members may submit motions, vote on resolutions or stand for office. Membership forms will be available at the meeting for those who are not already members but who wish to join and fully participate in the meeting.

Our guest speaker will be Tony Gratrex who recently went to Gaza with the Viva Palestina convoy.

If you are already a PSC member and would like to submit a motion to the meeting please send it to carolineraine1@btinternet.com by Tuesday 27 April. Motions will be circulated to members in advance of the meeting.

The following officers will be elected at the AGM for the coming year:

§ Chair
§ Secretary
§ Treasurer
§ Membership secretary
§ Student liaison
§ Trade union liaison
§ Communications officer
§ Stall coordinator

The meeting will also elect committee members to work with the officers on campaigns and activities.

Please think about standing for one of these positions or as a committee member. All officer posts can be job shared. If you would like more information about what is involved please contact me. Also if there are other ways you would particularly like to be involved e.g. helping with publicity or press liaison.

We look forward to seeing you on 11 May.

Best wishes, Caroline Raine

PSC Weekly Update 16 April http://www.palestinecampaign.org/Index7b.asp?m_id=1&l1_id=4&l2_id=106&Content_ID=1259

With the General Election only weeks away, now is the time to find out if the Parliamentary candidates in your area support peace and justice for the Palestinians.
Use our campaigning tool to contact your candidates and let them know the strength of public feeling for a just resolution for Palestine, and make them aware that this is a key election issue. http://www.palestinecampaign.org/ Note the STW hustings at the Town Hall on the 20th April.

Upcoming Events:

PSC Annual General Meeting. Tuesday 11 May, Oxford Town Hall, 7.30pm: this is our AGM, all
welcome, but only PSC members can vote.

Saturday street stall: (notice from Seyda) Could people please contact me on my home number 01865 880344 mobile7983334322 or e-mail me seydacooke@virgin.net. Please let me 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.

Tuesday 20th April Oxford Ramallah Friendship Association. Oxford Town Hall. 7.00. A short meeting before the hustings.

Oxford Stop the War Coalition invites you to General Election Question TimeTuesday 20 April, 7.30pmOxford Town Hall, St AldatesFeaturing local General Election candidatesConfirmed so far: candidates from Labour, Liberal Democrats, GreenParty, and UKIP, plus Sami Ramadani (Stop the War Coalition)Also invited: candidate from Conservative PartyAll welcomeCome and put your questions to the panel.—GENERAL ELECTION 2010: MAKE PALESTINE THE ISSUE - LOBBY YOUR PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES

Saturday 24th April: OXFORD: People's Charter conference 10.00 - 15.30. And On Sat. 24th April the Oxford People's Charter Programme is holding a panel question event at East Oxford Community Centre at 2.30pm.:Oxford People's Charter Conference10am-3.30pm Saturday 24th April (registration 9.30am)East Oxford Community Centre, Cowley Road, OxfordFull details from:Oxford People's Charter Campaign Grouppeoplescharter.oxford@yahoo.co.uk07967392229www.thepeoplescharter.com(Several members of Oxford PSC will be leading workshops, wearing other hats, and I will chair a workshop for OSTW which will certainly tackle questions on Palestine)

This film is one that the women from the Synagogue have been urging the NOW Gaza exhibition committee to see.It's on at the University Church on April 22nd at 7.30pm.Here's a link to a review in the Electronic Intifada which is probably a fair description of it. Sounds like it would be worth seeing http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article6781.shtml

Nizar Rohana Concert in Oxford , April 27th at 7:30 Location: Holywell Music Room - http://www.music.ox.ac.uk/facilities/Holywell-music-room.html Guest Musician: Shirley Smart- Cello. Tickets available from: http://www.oxfordplayhouse.com/ticketsoxfordor directly on 07809450546
.
‘In the grip of UNRWA’s Educational Policies and State Discrimination: young Palestinian students in refugee camps in Lebanon’
The seminar will investigate whether or not UNRWA educational policies in Lebanon are addressing the particular needs of the Palestinian refugees in Lebanon who are deprived of their main human rights such as the right for education and employment. The study will report the results of an empirical study of the quality of education in UNRWA secondary schools in Lebanon and its impact on young Palestinians.
Dr Maha Shuayb,Senior Visiting Fellow,Centre for Lebanese Studies,St Antony’s College on Tuesday 27 April at 5 p.m. The Middle East Centre 68 Woodstock Road

Mayday Rally! Saturday 1st May, Oxford MAY DAY Rally. Assemble 12.30pm Manzil Way for the march to Bonn Square. A PSC speaker will talk about the Palestinians on international workers’ day.

Levellers Day. 10:30 - 18:00 Saturday 15th May 2010. Burford, Oxfordshire. Oxford PSC will have a presence at this enjoyable day. http://www.levellers.org.uk/

minutes of branch meeting

2010-03-23T20:50:00.002Z

Oxford PSC – notes from meeting 9 March 2010

Present: Dave, David, Pam, Tony, Caroline, Stephen, Jenny

1. Previous minutes given orally. Matters arising:
i. Advert re boycott sent in to Trades Council bulletin by Caroline and Tony.
ii. Students to be informed about our boycott actions but not here end of March. Try next term (starts mid-April). They will try one college first re not buying Israeli goods for kitchen.
iii. Cairo Declaration – Dave has signed on our behalf.

2. Reports:
i. Israeli Apartheid Week – we covered each event except Thursday – excellent esp. Ilan Pappé on Tuesday, Karma Nabulsi on Friday, and S. African speaker on Saturday. V. little opposition now (cf US).
ii. Film ‘With God on our Side’ – Pam reported – by American who was pro-Israeli then changed, showing Bible Belt (where he grew up) Christian Zionist rallies, quite shocking, all about ‘Covenant’ – recent invention (last 70 years).
iii. Pam met couple at the FMH showing of ‘To Shoot an Elephant’. She is the Chair of the UK Friends of Sabeel group, he was the head of World Vision in Palestine. Stephen Sizer who was showing the film in his church in Virginia Water (Surrey) wrote ‘Zion's Christian Soldiers?’ Contacts to be followed up?
iv. Tony on Monday 8 March meeting in London (SOAS) with Palestinian women – one from Shufat camp in E. Jerusalem which is worse than W. Bank, with 40 – 50,000 people in limited space.

3. BOYCOTT DAY OF ACTION TUESDAY 30 MARCH plans discussed. Decided:
i. Picket of Tesco Cowley Road 5-7pm on Tuesday 30 March
ii. Make our own leaflet as before and/or use general BIG leaflet (but not new cards which are mainly for trade unions)
iii. Let students know and aim to do more actions together with them next term.
iv. Let national PSC know.

4. National Branch Forum Saturday 13 March: Dave attending, prepared on all topics:
- students
- boycott actions
- trade unions
- getting people to join
Discussion re centre not able to let us know who our local members are, because of Data Protection. Caroline reported they will send out our AGM notice to local members without email. Pam proposed they have slot on national M’ship form ‘Understand my details will only be shared with my local PSC branch’.

5. Trade Unions: Get involved through advert (above) and cards.
>> Possible joint meeting?

2010-03-07T13:51:00.010Z

We should start planning for this now – at the minimum a picket of Waitrose and Tescos. The BDS National Committee (BNC) is calling on you to unite in your different capacities and struggles for a Global BDS Day of Action on 30 March 2010 in solidarity with the Palestinian people and for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel. see http://stopthewall.org/latestnews/2175.shtml

Nobel Peace Prize for Dr Barghouthi Ask your MP to sign the EDM 849 welcoming and supporting Mustafa Barghouthi nomination for a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in organising non-violent resistance against the Israeli occupation.

Click here for Amnesty’s briefing and email your MP to ask them to sign Early Day Motion 502 on universal jurisdiction – check here to see if they have already signed – and if they have, please email to thank them. Read update : 5 MARCH 2010 No change in Universal Jurisdiction before election - Amnesty continues to oppose any changes to our war crimes legislation. Amnesty International thanks the thousands of AIUK supporters, NGOs, MPs and lawyers who have taken action to stop the UK Government weakening our war crimes legislation. Amnesty is deeply concerned that changes to the law would undermine the capacity of victims of serious international crimes to hold accountable alleged perpetrators who come within the UKs jurisdiction.

Debate on war crimes in Parliament
Read the full debate on war crimes and universal jurisdiction that took place in Parliament. If you haven't written to the Prime Minister asking the government not to change the law and give impunity for Israeli war criminals in Britain - its still not too late. Click here to use our lobby tool to email Gordon Brown.

BRICUP has sent an open letter to Elton John asking him to cancel his planned concert in Israel in June. Write to him. HERE

Swee Ang has sent us this to sign : * We endorse the Civil Rights for Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon Petition to The Cabinet and Parliament of Lebanon. Read the Civil Rights for Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon

PSC Weekly Update 4 March 2010 http://www.palestinecampaign.org/index7b.asp?m_id=1&l1_id=4&l2_id=24&Content_ID=1182 Findings of the Russell tribunal are here http://www.scribd.com/doc/27775868/Russell-Tribunal-on-Palestine-findings

Upcoming Events: Local

Monday at 8pm at Wadham Old Refectory.Oxford University Palestine Society : Time to globalise the intifada?" - stories of resistance from Bil'in to the Gaza Strip, with Jody McIntyre

Tuesday 9th March PSC branch meeting.7.30. Oxford Town Hall. All Welcome.

latest events planned

2010-02-21T00:00:00.004Z

Swee Ang has sent us this to sign : * We endorse the Civil Rights for Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon
http://www.petitiononline.com/ssfpcrc/petition.html

PSC Weekly update http://www.palestinecampaign.org/index7b.asp?m_id=1&l1_id=2&l2_id=14&Content_ID=1135

Recent letters in the Oxford Mail http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/yoursay/letters/5011359.Double_standards/

Upcoming Events: Local

Saturday street stall: (notice from Seyda) Could people please contact me on my home number 01865 880344 mobile7983334322 or e-mail me seydacooke@virgin.net. Please let me 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.
.

Saint Antony’s College: Middle East Centre: Seminars, Lectures and Conferences Programme for Hilary Term 2010 http://www.sant.ox.ac.uk/mec/middleeastlectures.html (All welcome)

Anthony Julius: Trials of the Diaspora
Thursday 11th March at 7pm
Blackwell Bookshop, 48-51 Broad Street, Oxford Tickets: £2 .
Mr Julius will be talking about what he calls the fourth anti-Semitism. Some of us might like to challenge his ideas. There is normally ample opportunity for questions. For a relevant discussion see for example here

PSC Branch Forum 13 March at ULU in London.
From: 12noon to 4pm.
The agenda will include: A discussion on taking forward the boycott, linking up with trade unions locally to build the ‘ban settlement goods’ campaign. Feedback on the Gaza convoy. All PSC members welcome. Lunch will be provided ( Anyone wanting to travel up on the Oxford Tube with me or Jenny contact me).

Israel Apartheid Week 1st - 14th March

2010-02-20T23:38:00.003Z

Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW) is an annual international series of events held in cities and campuses across the globe. The aim of IAW is to educate people about the nature of Israel as an apartheid system and to build Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaigns as part of a growing global BDS movement. Mark your calendars - the 6th International Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW) will take place across the globe from from the 1st to the 14th of March 2010!
Oxford Arab Cultural Society
Presents
****Israeli Apartheid Week 20**** http://apartheidweek.org/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EszuxqBK7TM
*Monday, March 1 Take Your Democracy and Give me Back My Land
Speakers: Dr Jamal Zahalka (MK) and Michel WarschawskiLocation:
St Antony’s College, Nissan Lecture Theatre Time: 7:30 pm
Jamal Zahalka is a Member of the Israeli parliament and Chairman of the National Democratic Assembly (Balad), the largest secular Palestinian party in Israel. He holds a PhD in Pharmacology from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.Michel Warschawski (Mikado) is a renowned Israeli anti-apartheid figure, journalist and commentator. He is a co-founder of the Alternative Information Centre in Jerusalem.

*Tuesday, March 2 Rethinking the 1967 War
Speaker: Professor Ilan PappéChair: Professor Avi Shlaim (FBA)
Location: St Antony’s, Nissan Lecture Theatre
Time: 7:30 pm
Ilan Pappé is a leading historian of the Middle East, Chair of the Department of History at the University of Exeter and a co-director of the Exeter Center for Ethno-Political Studies. He was the academic head and founder of the Institute for Peace studies in Givat Haviva Israel (1992-2000) and Chair of the Emil Touma Institute for Palestinian Studies in Haifa (2000-2008). Prior to his appointment in the UK, he taught Politics at the University of Haifa. He is the author of numerous books including ‘A History of Modern Palestine’ and ‘The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine.’

*Wednesday March 3 To Shoot an Elephant, Film Screening and Discussion with Director
Speaker: Alberto Arce
Location: Balliol College, Room 23
Time: 7:30 pm
“To shoot an elephant" is a documentary by Alberto Arce and Mohammad Rujailah. They both accompanied a group of foreigners who managed to stay embedded with the Palestinian Red Crescent ambulances during the 21 days of Operation Cast Lead launched by Israel against the besieged Palestinian people of Gaza. Their footage features urgent, insomniac, dirty, shuddering images that reveal the experience of the Palestinian citizens of Gaza. During the Israeli invasion, the international media remained outside of Gaza, denying the world the chance of witnessing what was happening inside. This remarkable film helps redress the balance, giving an eye-witness account from within. Screening will be followed by Q & A session with the director.

*Thursday March 4 Israeli Apartheid and the Land Question
Speakers: Salah Mohsen and Nidal Rafa
Location: Wadham College, Old Refectory
Time: 7:30 pm
Salah Mohsen is a Palestinian citizen of Israel, human rights advocate, and member of the General Council of the National Democratic Assembly. He is an expert on land issues in 1948 Palestinian areas. Nidal Rafa is a TV producer based in Jerusalem. She has been covering stories on behalf of international media outlets for the past eight years, joining CNN in 2005. Educated at the universities of Haifa and Bir Zeit, she holds a postgraduate degree in International Relations. She sits on the boards of the English-language publication “This Week in Palestine,” and the al-Hosh gallery of Palestinian art in Jerusalem.
*Friday March 5 Until the Return: Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions
Speaker: Dr Karma Nabulsi
Chair: Professor Avi Shlaim (FBA) Location: St Antony’s College, Nissan Lecture Theatre Time: 7:30 pm
Dr Karma Nabulsi is a University Lecturer in Politics and International Relations and Fellow in Politics at St Edmund Hall, Oxford. From 1977 until 1990 she served as a PLO representative at the UN and in Beirut, Tunis and London. Dr Nabulsi has also been a specialist adviser to the UK parliamentary Commission of Inquiry on Palestinian Refugees and Director of the Civitas Project , a collective research initiated to record the voices and recommendations of Palestinian exile and refugee communities. Dr Nabulsi is a regular contributor to The Guardian. Her publications include ‘Traditions of War : Occupation, Resistance and the Law. ‘ Avi Shlaim is a British-Israeli historian and Professor of International Relations at St Antony’s College, Oxford. He is a Fellow of the British Academy, a renowned author on the international politics of the Middle East, and a winner of the WJM Mackenzie Book Prize and the David Watt Memorial Prize. His latest book is ‘Israel and Palestine: Reflections, Revisions and Refutation

2010-01-24T19:24:00.001Z

'Children of Gaza Under Fire' Exhibition The Gallery, Oxford Town Hall, Tuesday 19-Sunday -31 January

PLEASE VOLUNTEER TO BE AN INVIGILATOR AT THE EXHIBITION - Greetings! You will have received information earlier about the ³Children of Gaza Under Fire² Exhibition to be held in Oxford Town Hall The Exhibition Team please need your help and support. We seek Invigilators for the duration of the Exhibition in Oxford Town Hall every day from Tuesday 19th January to Sunday 31st January (as above). Would you please consider Invigilating at some time during a morning or afternoon session during 19-31 January? We are hoping to have 2/3 Invigilators at each am/pm session with support/training from the Exhibition Team, as well as information packs for each Invigilator, and visits from School groups. The Exhibition Team hope that dividing the invigilation sessions (10-2pm; 2-6pm) will enable volunteers to choose any time span - so, if you are able to help or need more information, please contact Bette (01865-249336) bettejones@ntlworld.com> with your day(s)/time(s) choice(s). ThanksPam Thanks to those who have already volunteered.

Oxford Ramallah Friendship Association ORFA Meeting, 7.15pm Tuesday 26 January 2010 Town Hall, St Aldates, Oxford. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Saturday street stall: (notice from Seyda) Could people please contact me on my home number 01865 880344 mobile7983334322 or e-mail me seydacooke@virgin.net. Please let me 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.

P.S.C branch meeting.Tuesday 9th February 7:30 Oxford Town Hall. Discussion of what we can do arising from the Cairo declaration, including boycott activities, and questioning the role of the JNF. We will possibly have speakers from the Gaza Freedom March or Viva Palestina. All welcome.

Oxford Stop the War Coalition Public Meeting Thursday 11th February, 7:30 Oxford Town Hall …Drone attacks in Pakistan…threats against Iran…Gaza still under
siege…conflict in Yemen……..Come to our public meeting! The Spread of the War
Speakers: Andrew Murray (Chair, Stop the War Coalition), Jeremy
Corbyn MP and P.S.C. patron, Elaheh Rostami-Povey (SOAS, expert on the Middle
East and, in particular on women in Afghanistan)

'A Taste of Palestine' Saturday 6th February 2010, 7.30pm
Blessed Hugh Catholic Church Hall, Faringdon.
This is a really exciting event happening on Saturday week; it will be a cultural evening of traditional food, music and dancing to introduce you to the people and culture of this fascinating country.
There will also be photos and information about Arura village in the West Bank with whom Faringdon is setting up a friendship link.The Palsoc Dabke groups will of course be performing - something you don't want to miss!

Oxford Amnesty Lectures will include Karma Nabulsi, Lecturer in International Relations, Oxford, and former PLO Representative. That the General Will is Indestructible: From a Citizen of Geneva to the Citizens of Gaza: Wednesday 17 February 2010 . Lectures start at 5.30pm in the Hall, Taylor Institution Library, St Giles, Oxford, OX1 3NA Tickets will be on sale from December 2009.

Saint Antony’s College: Middle East Centre: Seminars,
Lectures and Conferences Programme for Hilary Term 2010
http://www.sant.ox.ac.uk/mec/middleeastlectures.html (All welcome)

Protecting Palestinian children: Whose concepts? Whose politics? Dr. Jason Hart (Department of Social and Policy Sciences, University of Bath)
http://www.rsc.ox.ac.uk/ Seminars will take place at 5.00pm on Wednesdays,
in Seminar Room 1, Oxford Department of International Development (QEH),
3 Mansfield Road, Oxford (OX1 3TB).

University Palsoc events :
Dabkeh Dance Classes Every Wednesday,Old Refectory, Wadham College 8pm Beginners, 9 Advanced and Troupe

Israeli Apartheid Week
Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW) is an annual international series of events held
in cities and campuses across the globe. The aim of IAW is to educate people
about the nature of Israel as an apartheid system and to build Boycott,
Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaigns as part of a growing global BDS
movement.
This year, Oxford's own Israeli Apartheid Week, hosted by Arab Cultural
Society, will include fantastic events everyday, including talks by renowned
speakers. Keep listening out for more information.

Many people expressed interest in the Palestinian Hiphop artists documented in the film, and wanted to get hold of the music.
The artists that were featured were DAM, PR (Palestinian Rapperz), Abeer, Arapeyat and Mahmoud Shalabi.

Luckily, both the DVD and the soundtrack have now been released, and you can order them online here: http://www.slingshothiphop.com/merchandise/

Enjoy!

December Activities

2009-12-20T16:03:00.001Z

National Week of Boycott Action - Remember Gaza
To mark one year after tyhe attackes on Gaza and to highlight the ongoing devastating siege on Gaza, PSC is calling for a week of boycott actions from the 9th to the 17th of January 2010, with a focus on Waitrose and Tesco supermarkets. We would therefore call on all our members, branches and supporters around the UK to organise boycott actions and events in solidarity with Palestine and the people in Gaza. Contact the PSC for more info and for literature etc..

Upcoming Events: Local
We have an excellent video (about 30 minutes long) called "Bethlehem, hidden from view" put together by Garth Hewitt of the Amos Trust. If you can arrange a showing in your local church it would be really good. We have a few copies, so would be able to lend you one.Let me know (and if you'd also like one of us to come to the showing we'd be glad to do that) My e-mail is pamela.parsons@ntlworld.comthanks Pam

'Children of Gaza Under Fire' Exhibition
The Gallery, Oxford Town Hall, Tuesday 19-Sunday 31 January
http://home.freeuk.net/nowpeace/index.htm
Dr Swee Ang, founder of Medical Aid for Palestine, and a most inspirational speaker, presenting “The wounds of Palestine ”Tuesday 19th Jan, 7:30.

Saturday street stall: (notice from Seyda) Could people please contact me on my home number 01865 880344 mobile7983334322 or e-mail me seydacooke@virgin.net. Please let me 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.

Oxford Amnesty Lectures will include Karma Nabulsi, Lecturer in International Relations, Oxford, and former PLO Representative. That the General Will is Indestructible: From a Citizen of Geneva to the Citizens of Gaza: Wednesday 17 February 2010 . Lectures start at 5.30pm in the Hall, Taylor Institution Library, St Giles, Oxford, OX1 3NA Tickets will be on sale from December 2009. Upcoming Events: UK/International

One year on from the beginning of the Israeli war on Gaza: Protest Outside the Israeli Embassy: End the Siege on Gaza: Sunday 27 December 3pm:High Street Kensington, Called by PSC, BMI, CND and STW:Supported by: Amos Trust, Friends of Al Aqsa, Friends of Lebanon, Greater London UNISON, Jewish Socialists' Group, Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East, Palestinian Return Centre, The Peace Cycle. http://www.palestinecampaign.org/Index9b.asp?m_id=1&l1_id=3&l2_id=62&Content_ID=976 Several of us will be travelling up from Gloucester Green that day : We're suggesting that we assemble at Gloucester Green on the 27th to catch the coach at 12.30 as the demo is scheduled for 3pm and we needto allow time to reach the embassy at the other end.

ICHAD meeting and Gaza children drawings

2009-11-08T13:40:00.003Z

Angela Godfrey-Goldstein
Advocacy Officer for ICAHD, Jerusalem

Jerusalem Dispossessed An Israeli considers the Matrix of Control Imposed on Palestinians

Monday 23 Nov., 5.00 P.M.Auditorium, St John’s College, St. Giles, Oxford

Chair: Avi Shlaim
Professor of International Relations

The Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions, a non-violent direct-action group based in Jerusalem, resists Israeli demolition of Palestinian homes and campaigns for justice for all across a wide range of issues. British in origin and a long-standing Israeli citizen, Angela Godfrey-Goldstein has a deep knowledge of the circumstances which confront the Palestinians both within Israel and in Occupied Palestine. She lectures widely and regularly briefs politicians, NGOs and the media. Angela will give an illustrated talk based on an exhibition she curated which was shown at the Edinburgh Festival and elsewhere in Europe and the USA.

http://www.icahd.org/ http://www.icahduk.org/

Oxford Ramallah Friendship Association Tuesday 17 November, 7:00. Next ORFA Meeting, Town Hall, Oxford http://www.oxford-ramallah.org/events.html

'Why Boycott Israeli Goods?' - Speaker meeting with Betty Hunter, General Secretary of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign Date: Thursday 19th November (6th week)Venue: Wadham College, Old Refectory Time: 8pm SPEAKER EVENT: WHAT IS THE CASE FOR A BOYCOTT OF ISRAEL Main guest speaker Betty Hunter, General Secretary of the nationwide Palestine Solidarity Campaign: Oxford University Palestine Society : Come to our talk and hear Betty Hunter, General Secretary of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), answer these and other questions on the topic of a boycott of Israeli goods. There will also be the chance to purchase fairtrade Palestinan goods. To be followed by Q&A, discussion on activism opportunities in Oxford specifically, and an opportunity to buy Palestinian Fairtrade goods. Date: Thursday 19th November (6th week) Time: 8-9:30pm Venue: Wadham College, Old Refectory Note change of date.

Upcoming events

2009-11-08T13:38:00.002Z

Upcoming Events: Local

DISCUSSION OF THE CURRENT SITUATION IN PALESTINE
Come along to our regular monthly meeting slot for an update on the latest developments in the Palestinian struggle.
TUESDAY 10 November, 7.30pm, Oxford Town Hall. We have much to report from our visit to Palestine.

November
7 – 9pm
Monday 23 November. 5.00 p.m auditorium at St John's College speaker Angela Godfrey-Goldstein Action Advocacy Officer for ICAHD in Jerusalem. She will speak on Jerusalem disposed. http://www.icahd.org/eng/ Prof. Avi Shlaim will chair the meeting. Angela Godfrey-Goldstein, Advocacy Officer for ICAHD, Jerusalem will speak on 'Jerusalem Dispossessed: An Israeli Considers the Matrix of Control Imposed on Palestinians', Mon. 23 Nov., 5.00 p.m., Auditorium, St John's College, St Giles. Chair: Prof Avi Shlaim. The Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions, a non-violent direct-action group based in Jerusalem, resists Israeli demolition of Palestinian homes and campaigns for justice for all across a wide range of issues. British in origin and a long-standing Israeli citizen, Angela Godfrey-Goldstein has a deep knowledge of the circumstances which confront the Palestinians both within Israel and in Occupied Palestine. She lectures widely and regularly briefs politicians, NGOs and the media.Angela will give an illustrated talk based on an exhibition she curated which was shown at the Edinburgh Festival and elsewhere in Europe and the USA. http://www.icahd.org/ http://www.icahduk.org/

Exhibition on Gaza
NOVEMBER 7TH - 14TH at Fusion Arts Centre, East Oxford Community Centre, Princes Street (off the Cowley Road) Oxford OX4 1DDSunday 8th 10am-6pmMonday 9th 4-6pmTues 10th 12.30-5.30pmWed 11th 12.30-7pmThurs 12th 12-6pmFriday 13th 9am-2pmSaturday 14th November 9am-6pmSunday 15th 10am-2.30pmDon't miss the chance to see this thought provoking and profoundly moving exhibition of photographs and children's drawings that show the tragic reality of the attacks on Gaza of December 2008 and January 2009 and its impact on the civilian population, in particular its children.The exhibition is organised by the Network of Oxford Women for Justice and Peace. A major part of the exhibition will be a display of drawings from the children of Gaza themselves, brought out of Gaza by Rod Cox, a British Peace Activist who travelled to Gaza in March 2009.For more information see www.nowpeace.org.uk/gaza.htm

The Gaza Freedom March is an international movement that will break the illegal blockade of Gaza in a non-violent demonstration on the 31st December this year, as part of a week-long trip to Gaza via Cairo. http://www.gazafreedommarch.org/article.php?list=type&type=416 The Oxford University Palestine Society is holding a lunchtime information session at St Antony's college on Wednesday of 5th week. Come along to find out more, meet other people who are going and hear from other activists who've visited Gaza. Wednesday 11th November,12.45pm, St Antony's College, dining hall. We'll be there for at least an hour, so don't worry if you're late, or just want to drop by briefly http://www.gazafreedommarch.org/article.php?list=type&type=416 Facebook group: March on Gaza - Dec. 31st, 2009 - UK Supporters or contact katharine.halls@wadh.ox.ac.uk

(From the Student discussion list) : On Monday 16th November (6th week) the Chabad society (Jewish religious society in the University) is hosting an archaeological exhibition run by an Israeli settler group called the Ir David Foundation. The Ir David Foundation is a sub-group of the notorious settler organisation Elad, which encourages settlement of the Palestinian East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Silwan which, they say, stands on the site of the ancient city of David. Israel has demolished many Palestinian homes in Silwan and has handed out thousands more demolition orders (there is a good video by Al Jazeera on this http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/general/2009/06/2009624733522192.html). As well as organising the colonisation of Silwan, Elad has been given the responsibility by Israel of excavating the area to look for remains of the purported city, something they have done without any regard for the residents whose houses have been taken over, tunnelled under, demolished etc.The exhibition that Chabad is hosting is apparently of artefacts that come from these excavations run by the settler group. We obviously have to do something about this. Whatever we do, it has to be a strong group effort: this exhibition is directly connected to the ethnic cleansing of East Jerusalem that is happening right now, and it is outrageous that this settler group, which even the government has condemned, is parading their colonial loot in Oxford. If anyone has other ideas about what to do send a reply.

Oxford Ramallah Friendship Association Tuesday 17 November, 2009: Next ORFA Meeting, Town Hall, Oxford http://www.oxford-ramallah.org/events.html

SPEAKER EVENT: WHAT IS THE CASE FOR A BOYCOTT OF ISRAEL Main guest speaker Betty Hunter, General Secretary of the nationwide Palestine Solidarity Campaign. To be followed by Q&A, discussion on activism opportunities in Oxford specifically, and an opportunity to buy Palestinian Fairtrade goods. Date: Thursday 19th November (6th week) Time: 8-9:30pm Venue: Wadham College, Old Refectory

I've been asked to pass on this invite from students campaigning for the University of Oxford to divest from arms companies. "Join us in protesting against the University of Oxford’s investments in arms companies. The University’s Socially Responsible Investment Committee is holding a meeting in 7th Week where it will decide on whether to divest from arms companies or not. With the view of influencing this important decision, we will be holding a protest on Monday, November 23rd at 1pm. The protest will start and finish at the Clarendon Building on the corner of Broad St and Parks Road (just across from the Kings Arms). We have provisionally decided that we will all wear black and paint our faces white, possibly carry a coffin along as a symbol of the people killed by arms invested in by the University, and end with a ‘die-in’ on the steps of the Clarendon Building. We would like to ask you and the other members of your organisation to join us in making this protest a reality! We will hold a planning meeting on Thursday of 5th Week (November 12th) at 5pm at Wadham College Old Refectory. Please come along and bring ideas! We look forward to seeing you all there."
We have stalls booked at the One World Fair (21 Nov) and Green Fair (12 Dec). Both are at Oxford Town Hall. We will need lots of volunteers to help on these days at the stalls and also people with cars to transport materials to and from the Town Hall in the morning and afternoon. If you are able to help, even if only for an hour, please contact me at http://uk.mc866.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=carolineraine1@btinternet.com Please contact soon as we still do not have enough people. - Just a reminder it is the One World Fair on 21 November and we need helpers on the day, If you are available and have not yet volunteered please let me know what time you could do.
For those of you who have already volunteered I will be in touch in a day or two with more info on time slots.Even if you are not able to come along and help do visit the stall. Some of us have just returned from Palestine and have brought with us a few soaps, embroideries etc which will be available to purchase there.All the best,Caroline
Dear allIt's not too soon to start planning activities in churches during advent to raise awareness about the reality of the "little town" and the rest of Palestine.We have an excellent video (about 30 minutes long) called "Bethlehem, hidden from view" put together by Garth Hewitt of the Amos Trust. If you can arrange a showing in your local church it would be really good. We have a few copies, so would be able to lend you one.Let me know (and if you'd also like one of us to come to the showing we'd be glad to do that) My e-mail is mailto:pamela.parsons%40ntlworld.comthanks Pam
Oxford Amnesty Lectures will include Karma Nabulsi, Lecturer in International Relations, Oxford, and former PLO Representative. That the General Will is Indestructible: From a Citizen of Geneva to the Citizens of Gaza Wednesday 17 February 2010 . Lectures start at 5.30pm in the Hall, Taylor Institution Library, St Giles, Oxford, OX1 3NA Tickets will be on sale from December 2009.

Saturday street stall: (notice from Seyda)
Could people please contact me on my home number 01865 880344 mobile7983334322 or e-mail me seydacooke@virgin.net. Please let me know what you can do even if it means an hour slot which is fine too. Volunteers needed 11.30 – 1.30, and they should contact Seyda (seydacooke@virgin.net , Home no 01865 – 880344,Mobile 07983334322) 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.

Upcoming Events: UK/International
National Week of Supermarket Boycott Actions, November 7-15 Call the HQs all day on Wednesday 11 November Please note these numbers:Morrisons Customer Services – 0845 611 6111 Waitrose Customer Services - 0800 188 884 Actions are planned around the countryMake the Palestinians' voice heard – Picket Morrisons Head Office in Bradford on Friday 13th November from 2.30 to 4.30pm outside Morrisons HQ, Gain Land, Bradford, BD3 7DL For a full list click here; Article in the Telegraph and PSC Press Release More on BDS: Report from the Alternative Information Center about the notion of academic boycott on Israel and the participation of Israeli academic institutions in the occupation. Music Video – Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MepX0PcjzfA Norway university to vote next month on boycott of Israel Consultation on labelling Israeli goods now Following a parliamentary statement many months ago, the UK government has still not held a public consultation on the labelling of goods from Israeli settlements. Amnesty International recently stated settlements are 'war crimes' and the UK government is collecting customs taxes from trade with these illegal entities. Write to your MP asking them to call on the government to hold the consultation as soon as possible and express your opposition to Israeli settlement trade and the legality of benefiting from ‘war crimes’. You can also email or call your local trading standards officer if you have an example of a label 'West Bank' or 'Israel' label on any goods you bought in a supermarket. Explain to the trading standards officer that you think the label is misleading because the West Bank is synonymous with Palestine and request an investigation on whether the label is illegal under the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive. The trading standards officer could force the supermarket to change the label. If they decide not to act, PSC may be able to take legal action to question the legality of the trade in court. Your local trading standards officer can be found at: http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/ (Thank you to all Oxford People who have contacted me about action they are taking about these goods).
Please find attached the leaflet for the Twinning Network national conference in Birmingham on the 21st November. We hope you will distribute this widely sothat we get a good attendance from across the UK. It would be useful if groups could let us know if you are attending so that we have an idea of numbers.We are keen to involve all local groups and would like to request that you volunteer to lead in some of the workshops. We have asked CADFA to cover theworkshops on School twinning and charitable status. Birmingham/Ramallah will cover the youth links and Wallsall/Kobar the faith links workshops. Thatleaves the following: Gaza, womens links, Environment, Communication with Palestine, We would be very grateful if groups can volunteer to lead these. Some groups are also bringing people from their twinned town/village in Palestine and we are keen that our visitors are part of leading the workshops too.We are holding a social in the evening from 6-9pm with great Palestinian food and entertainment from Yussef Ahmed (unplugged) and Somaye who plays the Iranian drum and sings. We do hope you will be able to stay for the social.If you need overnight accomodation in Birmingham please let us know so that we can arrange it.It is always useful to see what local groups are doing so if you could also bring photos that could be displayed, examples of publicity material etc that would be great.With best wishes Caroline Johnson.
Come along to one of the forthcoming PSC Student Activist Meetings We are holding two national activist meetings to bring together students from across the country to discuss how we can co-ordinate our efforts and take forward support for Palestine on our campuses and within the student movement as a whole. Northern Student PSC Activist Meeting – North (Bradford Uni) 25th Nov 4-6pm Southern Student PSC Activist Meeting – London (LSE) 2nd December 4-6pm. For much more advise and information for students in the campaign see here : http://www.palestinecampaign.org/Index5b.asp?m_id=1&l1_id=7&l2_id=35
Viva Palestina (U.S.) The Viva Palestina Series- Breaking the Siege http://www.vivapalestina-us.org/ Volunteers are needed to join a PSC group driving to Gaza on the Viva Palestina convoy in the Autumn. For more information, offers of help and donations, contact Martial.Kurtz@palestinecampaign.org The Palestine Solidarity Campaign is organising a contingent on the Viva Palestina Convoy to Gaza, to break the illegal siege on Gaza which has led to 1.5 million people, living under Israeli occupation, facing starvation, deprivation, displacement and ongoing trauma on a horrendous scale. The convoy is due to enter Gaza on the first anniversary of Israel’s bombing and invasion of Gaza — December 27th. Israeli forces killed over 1400 Palestinians in three weeks and created widespread destruction of essential infrastructure including homes, schools, hospitals and power plants. We will be taking much needed aid for the people of Gaza, and fostering links with Palestinians for solidarity work.YOUR SUPPORT IS VITAL TO HELP US BREAK THE SIEGE For more information on what you can do visit: http://www.palestinecampaign.org/ or contact PSC via e: convoy@palestinecampaign.org l t: 020 7700 6192 http://www.palestinecampaign.org/images/convoy%20poster%20-%20extra%20version%20PRINT%5B1%5D%5B1%5D.pdf

2009-10-04T19:39:00.002+01:00

Tuesday 13th October 7.30 Oxford Town Hall. P.S.C. branch meeting. Short introductory talks on the boycott campaigns and on Trades Union policies, followed by discussion for forward strategy.

Thursday 5th November 7.00 Main Hall, Oxford Town Hall. Meeting organised by Oxford PSC.
As part of a tour organised by Defence of the Child International, Action for Palestinian children.will be chaired by Victoria Brittain, with Danny Friedman the human rights lawyer and Karma Nabulsi, and a Palestinian mother and child both of whom have been prisoners. Mohammad Abu Eid, from the occupied West Bank , was 14 years old when he was detained by the Israeli forces in February 2008 and accused of throwing stones at the Wall. Mohammad was beaten, interrogated in the absence of a lawyer and family member, deceived into signing a confession, prosecuted in a military court and sentenced to four months imprisonment inside Israel . Whilst in prison, he received no education and no family visits.We need everyone to help in advertising this worthwhile event since 20 of us from Oxford and Faringdon will be in Palestine that week. Thursday 5 November

Palestinian Child Prisoners
A national tour to highlight the systematic and institutionalised ill-treatment and torture of Palestinian children by the Israeli authorities, organised by Action for Palestinian Children and supported by Palestine Solidarity Campaign, is coming to Oxford.
Mohammad Abu Eid, from the occupied West Bank , was 14 years old when he was detained by the Israeli forces in February 2008 and accused of throwing stones at the Wall. Mohammad was beaten, interrogated in the absence of a lawyer and family member, deceived into signing a confession, prosecuted in a military court and sentenced to four months imprisonment inside Israel . Whilst in prison, he received no education and no family visits.
Mohammad, in the company of his mother, Somaya, will share their experiences with the audience to foster a better understanding of the situation facing Palestinian children.
We will also be joined by Gerard Horton, from Defence for Children International — Palestine , a lawyer working in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and Abdelfattah Abusrour, President of Palestinian Theatre League; and there will be additional testimony from our esteemed guests who have extensive knowledge of the region and the shocking situation facing vulnerable children.
Thursday 5 November
7 – 9pm
Oxford Town Hall
St Aldates, Oxford, OX1 1BX

Chair: Victoria Brittain
Guests: Danny Friedman and Karma Nabulsi
7 – 9pm

Angela Godfrey-Goldstein has been invited to Oxford in November. Angela is the Action Advocacy Officer for ICAHD in Jerusalem.She will speak on Jerusalem disposed. Date and venue to be confirmed. http://www.icahd.org/eng/

The Network of Oxford Women is organising an exhibition about the war in Gaza. Childrens’ drawings, and photographs, will be shown, it is planned, in Oxford and London, and during the last two weeks of November the play Seven Jewish Children will be presented. Exhibition at Fusion, East Oxford Community Centre,Princes St, on 7th November, and the play on 13th November. http://www.fusion-arts.org/
CHILDREN OF GAZA UNDER FIRE EXHIBITIONNOVEMBER 7TH - 14TH at Fusion Arts Centre, East Oxford Community Centre, Princes Street (off the Cowley Road) Oxford OX4 1DDSunday 8th 10am-6pmMonday 9th 4-6pmTues 10th 12.30-5.30pmWed 11th 12.30-7pmThurs 12th 12-6pmFriday 13th 9am-2pmSaturday 14th November 9am-6pmSunday 15th 10am-2.30pmDon't miss the chance to see this thought provoking and profoundly moving exhibition of photographs and children's drawings that show the tragic reality of the attacks on Gaza of December 2008 and January 2009 and its impact on the civilian population, in particular its children.The exhibition is organised by the Network of Oxford Women for Justice and Peace. A major part of the exhibition will be a display of drawings from the children of Gaza themselves, brought out of Gaza by Rod Cox, a British Peace Activist who travelled to Gaza in March 2009.For more information see www.nowpeace.org.uk

Student Activity The student Stop the War society is organising a 'Carnival of Resistance' for Michaelmas term and would has invited PalSoc to take part. The idea is still quite loose but in essence it's going to be a street carnival in the centre of Oxford (Broad St most likely) celebrating resistance in all forms. There'll be speakers, music, poets, dance, information stalls etc...

We have stalls booked at the One World Fair (21 Nov) and Green Fair (12 Dec). Both are at Oxford Town Hall. We will need lots of volunteers to help on these days at the stalls and also people with cars to transport materials to and from the Town Hall in the morning and afternoon. If you are able to help, even if only for an hour, please contact me at carolineraine1@btinternet.com

Dear all It's not too soon to start planning activities in churches during advent to raise awareness about the reality of the "little town" and the rest of Palestine.We have an excellent video (about 30 minutes long) called "Bethlehem, hidden from view" put together by Garth Hewitt of the Amos Trust. If you can arrange a showing in your local church it would be really good. We have a few copies, so would be able to lend you one.Let me know (and if you'd also like one of us to come to the showing we'd be glad to do that) My e-mail is pamela.parsons@ntlworld.comthanks Pam

2009-06-22T19:31:00.001+01:00

Bethlehem Children and Faringdon Peace Fair - upcoming events
Visit of Children from Bethlehem to Oxford
A group from Ghirass Cultural Centre is staying in Hammersmith with host families, and will travell to Oxford for a day on Tuesday 30th June.They will perform Dabka (dancing) at St Edwards school at 12.10. Please come if you can. St Edwards school has been generous in providing facilities and lunch for the children. Volunteers to take them round the university in small groups, donations, home made cakes etc would be welcomed â€“ contact Lorna Maskell (7 Bainton Road, 01865510856 lmaskell@btinternet.com ) www.bethlehemlink.org

From Faringdon Peace Group -
ALL ARE WELCOME TO OUR NEXT MEETING
PALESTINE – LIFE UNDER OCCUPATION Adam Twine talking about his experience
of Palestinian solidarity work – and more – from his six weeks in Israel and Palestine earlier this year
Weds 1st July 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

Faringdon Peace Fair 4 July, 2pm - 5pm

2009-06-22T19:26:00.003+01:00

Viva Palestina

Drivers from Oxford to Gaza
On Tuesday June 9th Oxford Palestine Solidarity Campaign organised a joint meeting with the local Viva Palestina activists, who had joined the convoy that left London on 14th February to take aid into Gaza. At the meeting, in Oxford Town Hall, 3 of the 5 drivers who went from Oxford with an ambulance described their experiences. It was an inspiring meeting for the 40 people in attendance. The trip across Europe to North Africa was fairly uneventful (apart from a breakdown in Spain), but from thereon in the drivers descriptions were eventful. The Morocco/Algeria border was opened for the first time in 10 years to let them through. In Libya the Government donated an additional 100 juggernaut trucks.(which sadly still haven't been allowed through by the Egyptian authorities) But most exciting was that everywhere they were greeted with crowds lining the roadside. Only in Egypt, as they waited to be allowed through the Rafah crossing, did they get attacked. But when they finally got into Gaza, they were allowed to donate their ambulances wherever they wanted. The Oxford contingent delivered their ambulances, full of medical supplies, to Shifa Hospital. They only stayed 1 night, but were inspired by their discussions, which centred on the Palestinians demanding to be left alone to live their lives free from attack. As they told the drivers, "We just want to live like any other human being". A necessary prerequisite is for the borders to be opened. The drivers are to make their photos in to a slide show, to use when they talk at future meetings. At the meeting there was the announcement of a huge American solidarity convoy, leaving for Gaza in July, and the next convoy from Britain will set off in October. (See the Viva Palestina website: http://www.vivapalestina.org/ ) Tony Richardson

Your next chance to do something !

2009-01-17T16:54:00.036Z

Upcoming Events :
Action Points Take action for Palestine. You don't have to go there to help. Asponsored walk in Devon 4-5 July to fundraise for PSC, and anEducation day in Birmingham 11 July, are two brilliant opportunies,for both new and old Oxford PSC supporters. You can follow the linksbelow to sign up.It would be helpful if you'd also let Oxford PSC know if you're going,through branch secretary: jenniestanton@googlemail.com - thanks.3-5 July – PSC Sponsored Walk in DartmoorYour chance to meet other activists, get fit and raise money for the PSC!For more details: http://www.palestinecampaign.org/index9b.asp?m_id=1&l1_id=3&l2_id=62&Content_ID=577
If we are to continue to have influence beyond our numbers we need cash as well as dedication!11 July – National Education Conference, BirminghamA unique opportunity for debate, discussion and action with afantastic range of speakersFor the latest details: http://www.palestinecampaign.org/Index7b.asp?m_id=1&l1_id=3&l2_id=62&Content_ID=557 To book your ticket: http://www.palestinecampaign.org/store/index2.asp?origin=UK&m_id=1&l1_id=22&l2_id=49
This conference is particularly for new members – if you’re a veteran then go and take a new member with you.I shall be going and would like some company – email me on DavidHillman07@aol.com .

Lets keep up the pressure on Supermarkets : especially on Waitrose and on all those selling illegal settler goods (especially herbs) labelled as West Bank. Get more stickers at http://www.psc-manchester.org.uk/Stickers_3x8small.pdf Print on Ryman Universal labels.

Recent Events:
Oxford Stop the War Coalition has organised a hustings for candidates for the European elections which is taking place at Oxford Town Hall at 7.30 on Thursday 28 May. Everyone is welcome to come along.
It will be a good opportunity to challenge candidates on their views on Palestine. I have attached a questionnaire produced by Liverpool Friends of Palestine from which you could select questions for the candidates.
You could also adapt the questionnaire to send to candidates in advance of the June elections so that they have to think about the issues and appreciate their relevance.

OXFORD PSC AGM Tuesday 12 May 7.30pm Oxford Town HallSpeaker: Jonathan Rosenhead who went on the 'Free Gaza' boat to Gazashortly before the Israeli bombing campaign.Followed by the Annual General Meeting, including review of past yearand future plans, and election of branch officers. Please come anddiscuss actions. All welcome, but only members may vote. Pleaseconsider taking on a role however small - we are only as strong as our organising capacity.

If you are already a PSC member and would like to submit a motion to the meeting please send it to carolineraine1@btinternet.com by Tuesday 28 April. Motions will be circulated to members in advance of the meeting.

Nakba Commemorated in Oxford
We commemorated the Nakba. In Oxford on Thusday we placed candles on a map of Palestine for all the villages destroyed in 1948. On Friday we listened to inspiring speeches in Wadham college including a report by Dr Ang Swee, just back from Gaza, which moved some of us to tears. (Not allowed to import concrete they are now learning to build houses of mud). On Saturday some of us attended the annual Nakba commemoration in London : http://tr.youtube.com/watch?v=mYus8qvPX3Y http://news2009.vodspot.tv/watch/2378300-lowkey-long-live-palestine http://palestinevideo.blogspot.com/2009/05/remember-gaza-end-siege-now-london.htmlMeanwhile in Palestine : -Israeli police detained three Jerusalemites in the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound as they participated in a commemoration ceremony marking the 61st anniversary of the Nakba. More than 300 female university students arrived in the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound to jointly commemorate the Nakba, when 61 years ago hundreds of thousands of their parents' and grandparents' generation were driven out of their homes and villages to make way for the State of Israel. As the women began to gather in the compound Israeli forces forcibly evicted them … http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=37856 and Israeli police forces carried out sweeping arrests of Palestinian university students participating in Nakba commemoration activities in East Jerusalem on Saturday… http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=37864 , While Lieberman's party wants to ban Nakba commemorationsOn May 14, the annual day for commemorating the Nakba, the catastrophe that befell the Palestinians with the establishment of the state of Israel, Ha'aretz announced the proposal of a new law in Israel banning all commemorations of the Nakba. The law was proposed by Yisrael Beiteinu, the political party of Israel's Foreign Minister, Avigdor Lieberman. The proposed legislation threatens three years imprisonment for anyone who commemorates the Nakba … http://jewishpeacenews.blogspot.com/2009/05/liebermans-party-wants-to-ban-nakba.html
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The Iron Wall
LinksFurther information:Palestine Solidarity Campaign (national website)Oxford-Ramallah Friendship Association Boycott Israeli Goods International Solidarity Movement Stop the Wall Campaign Jews for Justice for Palestinians Stop Arming IsraelNews websites:Palestine Monitor Palestine Chronicle Palestine Daily Palestine Media Centre Bitter Lemons Electronic Intifada Palestinian Information CentreOther links:Palestinian Ministry of Information Fax your MP Palestinian Environmental NGOs Network Vanunu4Rector
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Archives
December 2006
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Thursday 14 May: Vigil to commemorate Nakba.
Friday 15th May. 6.30 Ghada Karmi speaking at events organised by students.
16 MAY: END SIEGE OF GAZA DEMONSTRATION – meet at Gloucester Green to travel down together.
REMEMBER GAZA: NATIONAL DEMONSTRATION
LONDON SATURDAY 16 MAY ASSEMBLE 12 NOON
FREE PALESTINE: END ISRAELI OCCUPATION: END ARMS TRADE
The REMEMBER GAZA NATIONAL DEMONSTRATION marks the anniversary
of the Naqba, the catastrophe in 1948 when Israel was founded
and Palestinians were driven from their land. After the
Israeli onslaught in January, which killed 1400 Palestinians
and destroyed 5000 homes, Gaza must not forgotten.
Saturday street stall: Volunteers needed 11.30 – 1.30, and they should contact Seyda at the stall. 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.
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Some past events
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National Boycott Day -
Success in Oxford!
Watch it below:

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A thousand march in Oxford for Gaza

On Saturday (17 Jan, 09) an estimated 1000 protesters marched through the streets of Oxford to protest against Israeli injustices in Palestine and Gaza in particular. The march organised by PSC Oxford began in Broad Street and culminated in Oxford's new Bonn Square with a series of inspiring speeches from activists, academics, union representatives, politicians, communities leaders and students.

The highlight of the rally was a soul searching speech and heart rendering plea from the erudite Oxford historian Avi Shaim who called people's attention to the systemic lying and disinformation that characterises most claims made by the Israelis about the Palestinians. He said that it is a lie to say that the Palestinians broke the ceasefire and that the Israelis are lying when they try to claim that their goal is to protect their citizens. He pleaded with the crowd to continue in their struggle for justice and to spread the word.

About us

2009-01-16T11:43:00.000Z

Oxford PSC is the local branch of the national, Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC). PSC is an independent, non-governmental and non-party political organisation with members from many communities across Britain - and increasingly throughout the world. We aim to build an effective mass campaign, organising protests, political lobbying and raising public awareness.

The Oxford PSC branch holds a monthly meeting at the Oxford Town Hall on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm. In addition, we have educational meetings on the 4th Tuesday, also 7.30pm, also in the Town Hall. We hold a weekly information stall, 11:30am to 1:30pm, on Saturdays, in Cornmarket (central Oxford), and have stalls at local events such as the One World Fair and Florence Park Festival.

New members are always welcome to join, just turn up at a meeting, or email us for further information on oxfordpsc [at] yahoo.com.

Reviews (books & films)

2009-01-16T11:41:00.001Z

Profiting from the Occupation - Corporate complicity in Israel’s crimes against the Palestinian people
War On Want have produced an excellent report which examines corporate involvement in the military occupation of Palestine. It focuses in particular on the three sectors of construction, retail and transport, including well-known names as Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsbury, Argos and Selfridges. As well as providing information on the activities of these companies, the report calls on all readers to take action to bring them to account. The full report can be accessed at: http://www.waronwant.org/publications/Profiting%20from%20the%20occupation.html

Road Map to Nowhere: Israel/Palestine Since 2003 - Eric Hazan interviews Tanya Reinhart about her new book. Synopsis: Based on analysis of information in the mainstream Israeli media, the book argues that the current road map has brought no real progress and that, under cover of diplomatic successes, Israel is using the road map to strengthen its grip on the remaining occupied territories. Exploring the Gaza pullout of 2005, the West Bank wall and the collapse of Israeli democracy, Reinhart examines the gap between myth - the Israeli leadership's public affairs achievement that has led the West to believe that a road map is in fact being implemented - and bitter reality. Not only has nothing fundamentally changed, she argues, but the Palestinians continue to lose more of their land and are pushed into smaller and smaller enclaves, surrounded by the new wall constructed by Sharon. Read Eric’s interview with Tanya at: at: http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?ItemID=11106. ISBN: 1844670767, Publisher: Verso

Beyond Chutzpah: On the Misuse of Anti-Semitism and the Abuse of History by Norman G. Finkelstein. Book review by Mike Marquesse.
When celebrity trial lawyer and Harvard professor Alan Dershowitz published ‘The Case for Israel’ in 2003, it was acclaimed by leading US opinion-makers, including The New York Times and Boston Globe, and quickly became a best seller. Yet the book is, as Norman Finkelstein comprehensively demonstrates, “among the most spectacular frauds ever published on the Israel-Palestine conflict”, a remarkably shabby piece of work whose major contentions are clearly contradicted by the documentary record. Full review at: http://www.mikemarqusee.com/index.php?p=162.

Private (film review)
Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories makes headlines almost every day - but its occupation of individual homes is less well known. That may change with the release of a new film, Private, which dramatises just such an event, starring the Palestinian actor-director Mohammad Bakri. To read a review of the film, go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/film/4541297.stm

Shopping for Palestine

2009-01-16T11:39:00.000Z

a practical way you can help the Palestinians

Alternative Beer Company: The Alternative Beer Company is an ethical business. 15% of our company's profits go to charity. 10% to Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) and 5% to an Israeli charity, Yesh Gvul in support of Israeli Refuseniks. They sell the Palestinian beer, Taybeh (see www.taybehbeer.net/). To contact the Alternative Beer co, tel: Tel: 01473 281 288, email: sales@alternativebeer.co.uk or see their website: http://www.alternativebeer.co.uk/

Fairtrade @ St Michael’s: Stocking a wide range of fairly traded foods and crafts from around the world, including Zaytoun/Sindyanna olive oil, and Palestinian olive oil soap, in the 'shop-in-the-basement' of St Michael at the Northgate on Cornmarket Street, Central Oxford. Open Tuesday - Saturday from 11am - 4pm. Tel: 01865722505 or see the website: http://www.fairtradeatstmichaels.co.uk/

Freedom Clothing Project: Need t-shirts for your campaign group? The Freedom Clothing Project, a not-for-profit co-operative working with suppliers in Beit Jala in the occupied West Bank, are now selling t-shirts with a 'Made in the West Bank and Gaza' label. Find out more at http://www.freedom-clothing.co.uk/

Hadeel: is a fair trade shop that sells crafts from community based groups in the West Bank, Gaza and Lebanon. Telephone: 0131 225 1922, email: hadeel@fish.co.uk or post: Hadeel, St George's West Church Centre, 58 Shandwick Place, Edinburgh EH2 4RT, your order to Hadeel. See: http://www.hadeel.org/

Holyland Handicrafts: The Holy Land Handcraft Cooperative Society was established in 1981 as a means of countering the deterioration of the local handicrafts bought about by occupation. They sell a variety of products including ceramics and olive woodcrafts. See http://www.holyland-handicraft.org/

Olive Cooperative: Olive Co-operative sells a range of fairly traded products sourced from Palestinian and Israeli organisations working for a just peace and sustainable future for all. You can also buy a gift of sponsoring Olive trees in the ‘Trees For Life’ scheme. This is run by the Palestine Fair Trade Association (PFTA), in partnership with Zaytoun and Olive Co-operative. To view products and purchse go to: http://www.olivecoop.com/catalog/

Open Bethlehem: Supporting the Open Bethlehem initiative can be as easy as buying local craftwork and produce. From a bottle of olive oil or honey to glassware and ceramics, Bethlehem can supply a range of traditional handmade goods and delicious food– the perfect gifts. See: http://www.openbethlehem.org/index.php?ption=com_content&task=view&id=27&Itemid=59

Palestinian Pottery: Exclusive hand painted ceramic tiles, decorative tiles, tile murals, art and hand made pottery by the Balian family-since 1922. To contact email: infor@palestinianpottery.com or see the website http://palestinianpottery.com/

Refugee Youth Project (RYP) – Christmas 2007 Catalogue: RYP is a voluntary organisation that works with local partners to provide activities for Palestinian children and young people in Al-Bass camp in Tyre, Lebanon. We raised a fantastic £600 from the gift catalogue; we hope to double that amount this year. This year's catalogue includes photos from the 2007 summer project which was a great success- over 97 children took part (RYP’s biggest project yet) with around 30 disabled children and their siblings as well. The RYP Alternative Gift Catalogue is a way for you to give people a great present and support the charity too! They have a whole range of gifts to suit all budgets. The catalogue is attached with this week’s bulletin, and you can visit their website at: http://www.refugeeyouthproject.org.uk/

Sindyanna of Galilee: A fair-trade organization, producing and marketing olive oil products. Established in 1996 at the Galilean village of Majd al-Krum, Sindyanna works among the Arab population in the region. They stress land preservation, environmental quality, and avoidance of chemicals, whether as fertilizers or pesticides. To contact, email: sindyan@netvision.net.il or see http://www.sindyanna.com/

Zaytoun: Zaytoun is a purpose-beyond-profit company, importing and distributing fairly traded, pesticide-free extra virgin olive oil from Palestine. This oil is of high quality, harvested by hand from healthy, fresh olives, and trade with Zaytoun benefits the producing communities through fair wages, training opportunities and new market opportunities. Contact 0781 4477 188, email: order@zaytoun.org or see http://www.zaytoun.org/

And remember, you can always contact Oxford PSC
to obtain Palestinian olive oil and soap.
Email: oxfordpsc@yahoo.com

The Iron Wall

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If you have been wondering where you can get a copy of the film, The Iron Wall, National PSC is selling a DVD of the film for £10. Contact them to order a copy on 0207 700 6192 or info[at]palestinecampaign.org. If you are interested in learning more about the film, see the website: http://www.theironwall.ps/.