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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
