Thursday, June 24, 2010
Contact embassies about Adeeb Abu Rahma: Peaceful protest is not a crime
PalSolidarity - The conflict between the Israeli military and security and the popular non-violent Palestinian resistance is reaching a crisis ...
Today in Palestine, such resistance is breaking out in larger towns, small villages, Bedouin encampments, in both Christian and Muslim areas. People are marching, chanting and singing, carrying signs, and often using very funny or touching street theatre. Palestinians are calling for their rights, joined and assisted by international and Israeli volunteers in a new model of friendship and brotherhood that offers hope for the future.
This movement has terrified the Israeli establishment, especially as the usual techniques have failed to stop its momentum. Arrests, serious and crippling injuries, deaths, and destruction of property (the ability to earn a living), have all made huge and painful inroads into people’s lives and hopes. Despite this, resistance continues.
.....A perfect symbol of this conflict is Adeeb Abu Rahma from Bil’in: one of the most charismatic, courageous, creative and at times hilariously funny activists.
Adeeb has been convicted for crimes of “incitement” – that is, urging the villagers to come out on Fridays to join the weekly protest – and for belonging to the Bil’in Popular Committee. These manufactured “crimes” apply to all the leaders and most of the participants of all the nonviolent movements in all the towns and villages of Palestine. If they are determined by the Israeli military to be illegal in Palestine, and a heavy sentence applied, then the entire resistance movement is threatened. Which is, of course, the point.
Adeeb is due to be sentenced in a few days. International law specifically recognizes the right of occupied people to resist occupation – that these people have chosen to do this in a nonviolent way shows great wisdom and restraint. This choice should be welcomed rather than criminalized by Israel if they have any intention of living here in peace with their neighbors.
ACTIONS REQUESTED BY PALSOLIDARITY:
(2) We also ask your support for Adeeb’s daughter, Raja. Though from a simple family, Raja has won extremely high marks in the nationwide high-school exam scores, and she is now studying medicine at Bir Zeit University. Adeeb drives a taxi, and fees and other expenses would never have been easy for him, but his beloved daughter’s education has always been his priority. Since his imprisonment, friends of Adeeb have donated to allow Raja to continue her studies. She now needs $1500 for next semester’s fees, and we hope that supporters of Bil’in and of Adeeb can help her to realize her dreams and those of her father. To donate money to Raja
Today in Palestine, such resistance is breaking out in larger towns, small villages, Bedouin encampments, in both Christian and Muslim areas. People are marching, chanting and singing, carrying signs, and often using very funny or touching street theatre. Palestinians are calling for their rights, joined and assisted by international and Israeli volunteers in a new model of friendship and brotherhood that offers hope for the future.
This movement has terrified the Israeli establishment, especially as the usual techniques have failed to stop its momentum. Arrests, serious and crippling injuries, deaths, and destruction of property (the ability to earn a living), have all made huge and painful inroads into people’s lives and hopes. Despite this, resistance continues.
.....A perfect symbol of this conflict is Adeeb Abu Rahma from Bil’in: one of the most charismatic, courageous, creative and at times hilariously funny activists.
Adeeb has been convicted for crimes of “incitement” – that is, urging the villagers to come out on Fridays to join the weekly protest – and for belonging to the Bil’in Popular Committee. These manufactured “crimes” apply to all the leaders and most of the participants of all the nonviolent movements in all the towns and villages of Palestine. If they are determined by the Israeli military to be illegal in Palestine, and a heavy sentence applied, then the entire resistance movement is threatened. Which is, of course, the point.
Adeeb is due to be sentenced in a few days. International law specifically recognizes the right of occupied people to resist occupation – that these people have chosen to do this in a nonviolent way shows great wisdom and restraint. This choice should be welcomed rather than criminalized by Israel if they have any intention of living here in peace with their neighbors.
ACTIONS REQUESTED BY PALSOLIDARITY:
(1) Please contact your Embassies and Consulates in Jerusalem and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to ask for help in preventing an act that will hurt both sides as they search for a way to live together in peace. Sample Letter
(2) We also ask your support for Adeeb’s daughter, Raja. Though from a simple family, Raja has won extremely high marks in the nationwide high-school exam scores, and she is now studying medicine at Bir Zeit University. Adeeb drives a taxi, and fees and other expenses would never have been easy for him, but his beloved daughter’s education has always been his priority. Since his imprisonment, friends of Adeeb have donated to allow Raja to continue her studies. She now needs $1500 for next semester’s fees, and we hope that supporters of Bil’in and of Adeeb can help her to realize her dreams and those of her father. To donate money to Raja
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Distribute Article about Helen Thomas
Please inform the public on the facts regarding Helen Thomas and sign and distribute the petition supporting Thomas.
Senior White House correspondent Helen Thomas has retired after a long and distinguished career following attacks on her partially orchestrated by Ari Fleischer over a statement that has been largely misreported.
CounterPunch has just published an article setting the record straight. We encourage you to distribute this widely.
A version of the article with citations, photos and videos can be viewed on the If Americans Knew news site. Below is the article:
Senior White House correspondent Helen Thomas has retired after a long and distinguished career following attacks on her partially orchestrated by Ari Fleischer over a statement that has been largely misreported.
CounterPunch has just published an article setting the record straight. We encourage you to distribute this widely.
A version of the article with citations, photos and videos can be viewed on the If Americans Knew news site. Below is the article:
As Israel kills and maims, Outrage is directed at Helen Thomas
Whenever Israel commits yet another atrocity, its defenders are quick to redirect public attention away from the grisly crime scene...
Whenever Israel commits yet another atrocity, its defenders are quick to redirect public attention away from the grisly crime scene...
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Inform your community about the Israeli attack on the USS Liberty
On June 8, 1967 Israeli forces attacked a US Navy ship sailing in international waters, killing 34 Americans and injuring at least 174. President Lyndon Johnson recalled rescue aircraft because he did not want to "embarrass an ally."
In 2003 a blue-ribbon independent commission chaired by four-star Admiral Thomas Moorer, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, concluded that Israel had committed an act of war against the United States and had murdered Americans. Crew members are still waiting for justice and a full investigation.
For more information see our section on the USS Liberty.
Please distribute materials about this attack. Many people feel that if more people had spoken out about it at the time and since, the most recent assaults would not have occurred. In fact, many analysts feel it is likely that the enabling American aid for Israeli crimes will end when more people learn about the USS Liberty.
In 2003 a blue-ribbon independent commission chaired by four-star Admiral Thomas Moorer, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, concluded that Israel had committed an act of war against the United States and had murdered Americans. Crew members are still waiting for justice and a full investigation.
For more information see our section on the USS Liberty.
Please distribute materials about this attack. Many people feel that if more people had spoken out about it at the time and since, the most recent assaults would not have occurred. In fact, many analysts feel it is likely that the enabling American aid for Israeli crimes will end when more people learn about the USS Liberty.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Tell Congress to end all aid to Israel now
Israeli forces have just killed at least 9 people, including a 19-year-old American citizen, and injured dozens - some critically.
It is time to end our over $7 million per day to Israel. Contact your Congressional representatives and the White House (202-456-1414).
Your Congressional representative are probably back in the district right now. You can call their office or go on their websites to learn where they are speaking. Go to these events and ask them their plans for speaking out against Israeli aggression and misuse of our tax money. Hand out information to other attendees.
For more information on Israel's military assault on volunteers trying to take humanitarian aid to Gaza see our news section.
Also, please join rallies protesting Israel's action and our own government's inaction against Israel's crimes.
Most important, give people the facts. Hold events in your community, distribute our materials, write letters to the editor, tell your friends and neighbors. It's up to all of us.
It is time to end our over $7 million per day to Israel. Contact your Congressional representatives and the White House (202-456-1414).
Your Congressional representative are probably back in the district right now. You can call their office or go on their websites to learn where they are speaking. Go to these events and ask them their plans for speaking out against Israeli aggression and misuse of our tax money. Hand out information to other attendees.
For more information on Israel's military assault on volunteers trying to take humanitarian aid to Gaza see our news section.
Also, please join rallies protesting Israel's action and our own government's inaction against Israel's crimes.
Most important, give people the facts. Hold events in your community, distribute our materials, write letters to the editor, tell your friends and neighbors. It's up to all of us.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
2011 Aid to Israel is in House Appropriations Committee!
The US 2011 budget is now in the House Appropriations Committee, and Israel is to be given another $3 Billion in Military Aid.
In past years, Israel has been given this “aid” with no discussion, no conditions, no reporting requirements, and no incremental/quarterly payments as is done with every other country receiving such aid.
The media virtually never report on this expenditure – especially when it is in committee and could be stopped.
Nita M. Lowey, New York – Chair NY-18th Dist. Office in White Plains.
DC Office 202-225-6506, Fax - 0546
Ann.Vaughan@mail.house.gov (Lowey's aide for this subcommittee)
Jesse L. Jackson, Jr., Illinois
DC – 202-225-0773, Fax -0899
Charles.Dujon@mail.house.gov
Adam Schiff, California
DC – 202-225-4176, Fax 5828
Timothy.Bergreen@mail.house.
Betty McCollum, Minnesota
DC 202-225-6631, Fax 1968
Peter.Frosch@mail.house.gov
Steven R. Rothman, New Jersey
DC 202-225-5061, Fax 5851
Jonathan.Moore@mail.house.gov
Barbara Lee, California
DC 202-225-2661, Fax 9817
Julie.nickson@mail.house.gov
Scott.Exner@mail.house.gov
Steve Israel, New York
DC 202-225-3335, Fax 4669
Mike.Ryan@mail.house.gov
Ben Chandler, Kentucky
DC 202-225-4706, Fax 2122
Jim.Creevy@mail.house.gov
David R. Obey, Wisconsin, Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee and Ex-Officio on this Subcommittee
DC 202-225-3365
Anne.Georges@mail.house.gov
In past years, Israel has been given this “aid” with no discussion, no conditions, no reporting requirements, and no incremental/quarterly payments as is done with every other country receiving such aid.
The media virtually never report on this expenditure – especially when it is in committee and could be stopped.
It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that the public learn about this aid proposal and that citizens concerned about it contact their House Representatives NOW.
Many people seeking peace and justice feel that this aid should have been ended long ago. Israel is one of the wealthiest nations on the planet, consistently uses US aid in violation of US law, international law, and human rights. Such aid perpetuates violence, prevents peace, damages the US, endangers American citizens, and causes untold tragedy in the region.
Below is the Subcommittee that makes the first approval on the proposed Military Aid to Israel:
Appropriations Subcommittee for State and Foreign Affairs - DemocratsNita M. Lowey, New York – Chair NY-18th Dist. Office in White Plains.
DC Office 202-225-6506, Fax - 0546
Ann.Vaughan@mail.house.gov (Lowey's aide for this subcommittee)
Jesse L. Jackson, Jr., Illinois
DC – 202-225-0773, Fax -0899
Charles.Dujon@mail.house.gov
Adam Schiff, California
DC – 202-225-4176, Fax 5828
Timothy.Bergreen@mail.house.
Betty McCollum, Minnesota
DC 202-225-6631, Fax 1968
Peter.Frosch@mail.house.gov
Steven R. Rothman, New Jersey
DC 202-225-5061, Fax 5851
Jonathan.Moore@mail.house.gov
Barbara Lee, California
DC 202-225-2661, Fax 9817
Julie.nickson@mail.house.gov
Scott.Exner@mail.house.gov
Steve Israel, New York
DC 202-225-3335, Fax 4669
Mike.Ryan@mail.house.gov
Ben Chandler, Kentucky
DC 202-225-4706, Fax 2122
Jim.Creevy@mail.house.gov
David R. Obey, Wisconsin, Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee and Ex-Officio on this Subcommittee
DC 202-225-3365
Anne.Georges@mail.house.gov
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Contact Elected Reps & Israeli Embassy - Urgent Appeal from Defence for Children Palestine on 16-year-old imprisoned without charge
From Defence for Children about 16-year-old imprisoned without charge
Urgent Appeal #310 - April 22, 2010
The detention of a child in the circumstances described below does not conform to Israel’s obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child or the UN Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
Please send Urgent Appeals to:
Name Moatasem Raed Younis Nazzal
Age at arrest 16
Occupation Student
Place of residence Qalandiya refugee camp, Ramallah, OPT
Charge Administrative detention – no charge, no trial
Place of detention Ofer Prison, Occupied Palestinian Territory
Moatasem was arrested from the family home in the Qalandiya refugee camp, near Ramallah in the West Bank, at 3:00am, on 20 March 2010. He was asleep at the time and woke up to see heavily armed Israeli soldiers in his bedroom...
Urgent Appeal #310 - April 22, 2010
The detention of a child in the circumstances described below does not conform to Israel’s obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child or the UN Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
Please send Urgent Appeals to:
* Your elected representativesUrging:
* The Israeli embassy – Washington DC: 202.364.5500 [ list of Israeli diplomatic missions worldwide]
1. Immediately and unconditionally release Moatasem Nazzal from administrative detention, or charge him with a recognisable criminal offence and promptly try him in a proper court of law with internationally accepted standards for a fair trial.BACKGROUND:
2. An immediate end to the practice of detaining persons under 18 years in administrative detention.
Name Moatasem Raed Younis Nazzal
Age at arrest 16
Occupation Student
Place of residence Qalandiya refugee camp, Ramallah, OPT
Charge Administrative detention – no charge, no trial
Place of detention Ofer Prison, Occupied Palestinian Territory
Moatasem was arrested from the family home in the Qalandiya refugee camp, near Ramallah in the West Bank, at 3:00am, on 20 March 2010. He was asleep at the time and woke up to see heavily armed Israeli soldiers in his bedroom...
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Inform your community about Palestinian prisoners [Palestinian Prisoners Week April 17-22]
According to estimates, 40 percent of Palestinian males have at some point in their lives been imprisoned by Israel.
Today, somewhere between 7,000 - 9,000 (the number fluctuates day to day) Palestinian men, women, and children are currently being held in Israeli prisons. Many have received no trials; even those found "guilty" were tried in Israeli military courts in a system that most of us would consider "kangaroo courts." In prison they are routinely abused and humiliated.
Please inform your communities of this tragic situation.
We have one booklet on this issue that can be printed out and distributed and one video:
http://palestinianprisoners.blogspot.com/2010/04/join-ipppc.html
http://www.freepalestinianprisoners.com/
They have produced the following written materials, which can be downloaded and distributed:
This also could and should be distributed.
While this action alert centers on April's Palestinian Prisoners Day, we feel these efforts should continue year-round.
Today, somewhere between 7,000 - 9,000 (the number fluctuates day to day) Palestinian men, women, and children are currently being held in Israeli prisons. Many have received no trials; even those found "guilty" were tried in Israeli military courts in a system that most of us would consider "kangaroo courts." In prison they are routinely abused and humiliated.
Please inform your communities of this tragic situation.
We have one booklet on this issue that can be printed out and distributed and one video:
- "Special Report: Israel's Treatment of Americans," which describes the torture of American citizens,
- 10-minute video: "Captured Prisoners: The Whole Story," This section of our website also contains additional articles and information on the topic.
http://palestinianprisoners.blogspot.com/2010/04/join-ipppc.html
http://www.freepalestinianprisoners.com/
They have produced the following written materials, which can be downloaded and distributed:
- This fact sheet - "Arab Prisoners in Zionist Jails"
- this leaflet- "The Tragedy of the Palestinian Prisoners"
This also could and should be distributed.
While this action alert centers on April's Palestinian Prisoners Day, we feel these efforts should continue year-round.
Inform your community about Al Nakba!
As Nakba Day approaches (~May 15), it is important to inform your communities of this massive ethnic cleansing. As you know -- but the majority of Americans don't -- this core injustice is the cause of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and central to all the violence that has ensued.
To help educate Americans on this essential history, we have created special "Nakba Packs" of booklets, fact sheets, and cards for groups to distribute to their communities:
(Alternatively, you can just order the amounts of each individual material you wish. Also, you may email us your order and mail us a check if you'd rather not use the online payment method.)
2. Palestinian Right to Return and Repatriation
3. The Catastrophe: How Palestine became Israel
4. A Synopsis of the Israel/Palestine Conflict
5. What Israel's 'Right to exist' means to Palestinians
6. US Media and Israeli Military: All in the Family
8. Shrinking Palestine map cards
To help educate Americans on this essential history, we have created special "Nakba Packs" of booklets, fact sheets, and cards for groups to distribute to their communities:
"Nakba Pack" $44 + postage This contains 10 of each booklet (below), 50 of each one-sheeter, and 50 of each card. | "Nakba Pack Lite" $26 + postage This contains 1 of each booklet (below), 50 of each one-sheeter, and 50 of each card. |
Booklets
1. The Origin of the Palestine-Israel conflict2. Palestinian Right to Return and Repatriation
One-page brochures / fact-sheets
3. The Catastrophe: How Palestine became Israel
4. A Synopsis of the Israel/Palestine Conflict
5. What Israel's 'Right to exist' means to Palestinians
6. US Media and Israeli Military: All in the Family
8. Shrinking Palestine map cards
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
March 20th Demonstrations - Distribute info on Palestine!
On March 20th there will be demonstrations throughout the U.S. to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, in many cases the organizers and leaders have pro-Israel sympathies that seem to prevent them from seeing – or allowing others to learn – of Israeli militarism and oppression. Because of this, they frequently work to prevent Palestine from being discussed and Israeli injustice from being opposed.
We feel it is extremely important at these demonstrations to hand out fact-sheets and cards informing demonstrators about the situation in Palestine. The vast majority of people participating in these marches are truly working for justice, fairness, and peace and will become mobilized when they learn the truth.
If Americans Knew has created materials for this purpose that can be downloaded and printed out, or you can create your own. If you do this, we urge you to include our website – ifamericansknew.org – where people can learn even more about this issue!
Contact us if you'd like us to overnight materials to you!
We feel it is extremely important at these demonstrations to hand out fact-sheets and cards informing demonstrators about the situation in Palestine. The vast majority of people participating in these marches are truly working for justice, fairness, and peace and will become mobilized when they learn the truth.
If Americans Knew has created materials for this purpose that can be downloaded and printed out, or you can create your own. If you do this, we urge you to include our website – ifamericansknew.org – where people can learn even more about this issue!
Contact us if you'd like us to overnight materials to you!
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