Palestine Solidarity Campaign

[shaz619]

[MENTION=107620]s28[/MENTION] what other solidarity campaigns do you have ? am thinking of making an application

 

[s28]

Inshallah there will be a Kashmir one soon

 

[Slog]

Inshallah there will be a Kashmir one soon

When?

 

[Syed1]

70 saal se Kashmiriyon aur Phalasteeniyoon se "solidarity" kar rahay hain.... what has that achieved for both oppressed people?

 

[CricketCartoons]

70 saal se Kashmiriyon aur Phalasteeniyoon se "solidarity" kar rahay hain.... what has that achieved for both oppressed people?

It may not have achieved results, but at least these people didn't speak in the language of the oppressors.

 

[s28]

Great to see more Palestinian women getting exposure on US TV/politics shows

Noura Erakat has been a star recently

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BPd41EJicVI" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[s28]

Lobbying tool to urge your MP to attend PSC Gaza Briefing on Tuesday 11th September

https://palestinecampaign.iparlsetup.com/lobby/gazabriefing

 

[ChuckLee]

It’s nothing but a fashion movement the whole free palistine. Too be honest I don’t care about them. They are racist and think us south Asians are below them.

They ain’t innocent in all of this and have carried out attacks in Israel and have instigated many attacks.

Too be honest Pakistan should alley with Israel and learn about how advanced their security and defense is.

 

[Varun]

Look at how desperate these guys are.

 

[CricketCartoons]

Look at how desperate these guys are.

The only desperation is by those sharing this fake screenshot. It is not by Al Jazeera.

 

[AfridiRagingBull]

Look at how desperate these guys are.

Who? What's your point here?

 

[Slog]

Look at how desperate these guys are.

Fake dude

 

[Mamoon]

How do I contribute. Do I change my profile picture or do I put up a flag on the rooftop of my house.

 

[BlackShadow]

Signed up, eagerly awaiting further instructions from PSC folks.

 

[s28]

Our Comrades in the Palestine Solidarity Campaign are in need of Emergency Funding.

There are several ways to contribute and / or demonstrate solidarity with PSC so they can continue their work

1. Become a PSC MEMBER (£24 p.a. Standard / £12 p.a. Concession) https://www.palestinecampaign.org/get-involved/join-renew-membership/

2. DONATE https://palestinecampaign.nationbuilder.com/regular_donation_new

3. JOIN Email List https://www.palestinecampaign.org/about/sign-up/

4. SHOP PSC merchandise https://www.palestinecampaign.org/support/products-page/

 

[Varun]

Our Comrades in the Palestine Solidarity Campaign are in need of Emergency Funding.

There are several ways to contribute and / or demonstrate solidarity with PSC so they can continue their work

1. Become a PSC MEMBER (£24 p.a. Standard / £12 p.a. Concession) https://www.palestinecampaign.org/get-involved/join-renew-membership/

2. DONATE https://palestinecampaign.nationbuilder.com/regular_donation_new

3. JOIN Email List https://www.palestinecampaign.org/about/sign-up/

4. SHOP PSC merchandise https://www.palestinecampaign.org/support/products-page/

Is this a bottomless pit? Or will it actually result in something? Like you know, THE CREATION OF A PALESTINE FINALLY??

 

[s28]

Jeremy Corbyn has stated he will recognise Palestine if he is elected PM.

The Left in ascendancy in US so possible a Sanders/Younger Left leader in future would ally with UK in such an endeavour.
UK created the problem with Balfour Declaration in 1917 so it will be a highly significant intervention and demonstrate moral leadership on the matter. Would then be up to US to decide if they want to remain an International Pariah and refuse to back existing UN Security Council resolutions on Palestine

 

[s28]

Support Palestine Lobby of UK Parliament on Wednesday 28th November

https://www.palestinecampaign.org/lobby-day-of-parliament-28-11-2018/

 

[s28]

We need your help in bringing Palestine to Parliament. Our Lobby Day 2018 will take place on Wednesday 28th November, and you can support it in a number of ways:

1) Follow this link to request a meeting with your MP and register to join us in Parliament. (only do this once and if you can be in London on the 28th November) https://palestinecampaign.eaction.online/lobby/parliament2018

2) Follow this link if you’ve already written to your MP asking for a meeting but have not had a response. (only do this if you can be in London on the 28th November) https://palestinecampaign.eaction.online/lobby/parliament2018reminder

OR

3) Follow this link if you can’t attend the Lobby Day, but would still like to ask your MP to meet with the PSC team for a briefing. https://palestinecampaign.eaction.online/lobby/parliament2018notattending

Join the hundreds of PSC supporters who will be arriving in Westminister to deliver a clear message on Palestine. All participants will be briefed in advance of our key parliamentary asks and what to expect when meeting their MP. This is a great opportunity to get together with those who share your passion for Palestine and to make a real difference!

This year’s Lobby Day will focus on two of PSC’s core campaigns; the treatment of Palestinian Child Prisoners (info factsheet https://www.palestinecampaign.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/child-prisoners-factsheet-v2-CORRECTED.pdf ), and the demand for the UK to Stop Arming Israel (info factsheet https://www.palestinecampaign.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/The-UK-Israel-Arms-Trade.pdf ).

The Lobby Day will take place on Wednesday 28th November from 12.00-18.00, with all participants also invited to attend a special rally meeting in the evening from 18.00 – 20.00. At this rally we will hear from experts and politicians on how to secure justice for Palestine.

Don’t miss this opportunity to be heard!

Frequent Questions:

Who can take part?

If you’re eligible to vote in General Elections you can lobby your local MP.

Do I need to be an expert?

No! You don’t need to be an expert. We will provide you with all the information you need in advance, and will have experts on hand on the day itself for last-minute preparation and questions. Your MP will be used to meeting local people who care passionately about an issue, but they shouldn’t expect you to know everything.

How long will my meeting last?

The meeting will normally last about half an hour, sometimes more, sometimes less. There are likely to be other people meeting your MP at the same time – MPs like to see everyone together. So you won’t be alone.

What is it like?

Coming to the Lobby is one of the best ways to show solidarity with the Palestinian people, and we’re sure you will get a lot out of the day. You’ll meet lots of like-minded people; our preparation talks are interesting and informative; and it’s also a great way to visit Parliament. As a final bonus – all participants are invited to attend an evening rally with MPs, Lords, and key note speakers.

Can’t come but still want to support the lobby?

You can still support the Lobby of Parliament even if you can’t be there on the day. Simply follow this link to send a message to your MP asking them to meet with the PSC briefing team on your behalf.



Check this page for details and updates about the lobby or contact patricia.banke@palestinecampaign.org if you have any questions.

 

[Robert]

@28, what do you think of Layla Moran’s Palestinian State Recognition Bill ?

 

[CricketDon]

Free Palestine is nothing but a modern Muslim fashion statement. That’s it. From all the countries in turmoil and war torn, Palestine is the least deserving. Maybe if they spent less time bombing Israel they’d be better off. The only reason they ain’t don’t more damage to Israel is they don’t have the means too. What ever means they have now they use to max capacity.

Palestine should not be made a recognised state or be given such large funding to the “government”. Hamas runs the place. Simple.

These charities and aid need to fund killing off hamas more then anything. As they are the issue no one else.

Also why is Palestine the only place Muslims seems to care about. Their are so many other places worse off and deserving of your money and prayers.

Kashmir for one.

 

[CricketDon]

That's the spirit. There are zero dividends to be gained by supporting a non-entity like Palestine. Pakistan should make overtures toward Israel and tap into their vast knowhow of defense and technology in particular.

The Arabs are only good for oil and a residence for many Pakistanis - both of which certainly wouldn't go away if Pakistan made the move. Of course, they're also a source of money (read: trouble) in Pakistan but this is common knowledge and can be dispensed with.

Exactly! Pakistan and Israel could be a game changing alley and relationship. Their is no reason for Pakistan to be hostile to Israel. Let’s be honest. The small country of Israel is strong enough to wipe Pakistan off the map if they really wanted too.

Pakistan can share their vast knowledge on nuclear development and Israel their vast knowledge on security. They can even bring a strong argument together for Kashmir to be part of Pakistan or made an independent state. The list is endless.

But Pakistan will never have such strong and intriguing forward thinking leaders.

 

[Varun]

70 saal se Kashmiriyon aur Phalasteeniyoon se "solidarity" kar rahay hain.... what has that achieved for both oppressed people?

A giant ZERO.

Moral of the story? Just live your life. The world at certain parts is going to be tattered anyway - leave them to it.

 

[Devilsadvokat]

Free Palestine is nothing but a modern Muslim fashion statement. That’s it. From all the countries in turmoil and war torn, Palestine is the least deserving. Maybe if they spent less time bombing Israel they’d be better off. The only reason they ain’t don’t more damage to Israel is they don’t have the means too. What ever means they have now they use to max capacity.

Palestine should not be made a recognised state or be given such large funding to the “government”. Hamas runs the place. Simple.

These charities and aid need to fund killing off hamas more then anything. As they are the issue no one else.

Also why is Palestine the only place Muslims seems to care about. Their are so many other places worse off and deserving of your money and prayers.

Kashmir for one.

You do know it was the Israelis who set up the religious Hamas as a counterweight to the more pan nationalism of the PLO, divide and conquer.

 

[Varun]

You do know it was the Israelis who set up the religious Hamas as a counterweight to the more pan nationalism of the PLO, divide and conquer.

And the Palestinians fell for it, hook line and sinker.

Fantastic.

 

[Devilsadvokat]

And the Palestinians fell for it, hook line and sinker.

Fantastic.

Well you do know the primarily Israelis are European Jews and due to centuries of persecution in Europe and the Holocaust, the European Jews who went to Israel had an and still have an average IQ of 130 plus, whereas the average Middle Eastern Arab is nearer 90.

There was to be no other outcome.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

Exactly! Pakistan and Israel could be a game changing alley and relationship. Their is no reason for Pakistan to be hostile to Israel. Let’s be honest. The small country of Israel is strong enough to wipe Pakistan off the map if they really wanted too.

Pakistan can share their vast knowledge on nuclear development and Israel their vast knowledge on security. They can even bring a strong argument together for Kashmir to be part of Pakistan or made an independent state. The list is endless.

But Pakistan will never have such strong and intriguing forward thinking leaders.

Pakistan should never be an ally of Israel.

Can you name me any other country in which it’s military gets funded by famous celebrities? If Israel can wipe out Pakistan (a nuclear state) then why do they need America’s support against Iran?

Since 1946, Israel has been given 134 million dollars in aid from the US, so why is it an issue for you that people are donating to Palestine charities? And now America will be giving 38 billion to the mighty Israel, but cricketdon on pakpassion doesn’t see that as a problem but donating to helpless people who have no freedom of movement, and who watch their mothers, sisters, fathers, sons get sniped by filthy Zionist, they are somehow the least deserving.

Let’s not forget that Israel doesn’t deny they have WOMD, yet they have an issue with Iran getting their hands on nuclear weapons. Pakistan should help Iran into becoming a nuclear state, before the Americans turn Iran into Iraq.

 

[CricketDon]

Pakistan should never be an ally of Israel.

Can you name me any other country in which it’s military gets funded by famous celebrities? If Israel can wipe out Pakistan (a nuclear state) then why do they need America’s support against Iran?

Since 1946, Israel has been given 134 million dollars in aid from the US, so why is it an issue for you that people are donating to Palestine charities? And now America will be giving 38 billion to the mighty Israel, but cricketdon on pakpassion doesn’t see that as a problem but donating to helpless people who have no freedom of movement, and who watch their mothers, sisters, fathers, sons get sniped by filthy Zionist, they are somehow the least deserving.

Let’s not forget that Israel doesn’t deny they have WOMD, yet they have an issue with Iran getting their hands on nuclear weapons. Pakistan should help Iran into becoming a nuclear state, before the Americans turn Iran into Iraq.

This is why Pakistan will be forever held back. People like you.

Where celebs want to donate their money is down to them and no one else. Pakistan and Muslims are notorious for only donating to Muslim countries and no one else. So your logic does not have legs.

Iran? Are you feeling okay? Help Iran? That’s one way to get the world blown up. The most unstable potential nuclear armed countries.

Yeah because only palestisns matter huh. It’s not like their ain’t crisis all over the globe. As I said nothing but a fashion statement.

Palestine ain’t this innocent place being attacked for no reason.They constantly bomb and attack Israel with all resources they have. If they become a state and had any military power, first thing they’d do is go on a all out attack on Israel.

Palestine should not be recognised as a state. It’s not. Hamas needs to be dealt with first and a government needs to be formed first. Then and only then such a discussion can be held.

 

[Devilsadvokat]

Iran? Are you feeling okay? Help Iran? That’s one way to get the world blown up. The most unstable potential nuclear armed countries

I hope he is feeling ok. Of course Iran should have nuclear weapons, the country most likely to use them first is that illegitimate state of Israel.

Tho hate to say it, Palestinians are their own worst enemy but the Israelis are not far behind in that list.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

This is why Pakistan will be forever held back. People like you.

Where celebs want to donate their money is down to them and no one else. Pakistan and Muslims are notorious for only donating to Muslim countries and no one else. So your logic does not have legs.

Iran? Are you feeling okay? Help Iran? That’s one way to get the world blown up. The most unstable potential nuclear armed countries.

Yeah because only palestisns matter huh. It’s not like their ain’t crisis all over the globe. As I said nothing but a fashion statement.

Palestine ain’t this innocent place being attacked for no reason.They constantly bomb and attack Israel with all resources they have. If they become a state and had any military power, first thing they’d do is go on a all out attack on Israel.

Palestine should not be recognised as a state. It’s not. Hamas needs to be dealt with first and a government needs to be formed first. Then and only then such a discussion can be held.

Why? Because I don’t support a state that is ethnically cleansing the Palestinians?

Exactly, so why are charities that are raising funds for Palestine an issue for you if it’s our money that is going to them? Is that why Pakistan offered to help India (a majority Hindu state) with humanitarian aid for the kerala flood? Heck we even gave West Germany 23 mill, was West Germany a majority Muslims state?

Do you honestly think Pakistan would want to worry about terrorists infiltrating it’s western borders? Because if America invades Iran and overthrows their government, the violence will spread into Pakistan. A strong Iran is good for Pakistan, no?

Nope, Syrians and Yemenis matter too. Did you know Israel has occupied Syria too? Should Syria not be recognised as a state now?

They have every right to bomb Israel, it’s not like their rockets claim casualties, due to the iron dome which Israel have, however, is it acceptable that Israel bomb kids playing on the beach? Israel is fuelling the anger and hate in hope that the Palestinians retaliate just so they have a reason to knock down more houses of civilians.

Many countries recognise Palestine as a state and I’m glad Pakistan is one of them. The IDF are the problem, not hamas, you’ll see support from the Ultra Orthodox Jews at many Palestine fund raising events.

 

[CricketDon]

I hope he is feeling ok. Of course Iran should have nuclear weapons, the country most likely to use them first is that illegitimate state of Israel.

Tho hate to say it, Palestinians are their own worst enemy but the Israelis are not far behind in that list.

Exactly. Iran can not be trusted. At all. At least Israel is intelligent and know how to operate. A Pakistan Israel relationship would be a game changer.

Palestians are entitled individuals with no regard for anyone but themselves.

 

[CricketDon]

Why? Because I don’t support a state that is ethnically cleansing the Palestinians?

Exactly, so why are charities that are raising funds for Palestine an issue for you if it’s our money that is going to them? Is that why Pakistan offered to help India (a majority Hindu state) with humanitarian aid for the kerala flood? Heck we even gave West Germany 23 mill, was West Germany a majority Muslims state?

Do you honestly think Pakistan would want to worry about terrorists infiltrating it’s western borders? Because if America invades Iran and overthrows their government, the violence will spread into Pakistan. A strong Iran is good for Pakistan, no?

Nope, Syrians and Yemenis matter too. Did you know Israel has occupied Syria too? Should Syria not be recognised as a state now?

They have every right to bomb Israel, it’s not like their rockets claim casualties, due to the iron dome which Israel have, however, is it acceptable that Israel bomb kids playing on the beach? Israel is fuelling the anger and hate in hope that the Palestinians retaliate just so they have a reason to knock down more houses of civilians.

Many countries recognise Palestine as a state and I’m glad Pakistan is one of them. The IDF are the problem, not hamas, you’ll see support from the Ultra Orthodox Jews at many Palestine fund raising events.

I stopped taking you serious after the why not bomb Israel part. Clearly an anti Semite who’d love to see harm to come to them. Difference is Israel is a recognised nation every where and does a lot of good. Hamas are a terrorist group that can not be denied.

 

[Devilsadvokat]

Exactly. Iran can not be trusted. At all. At least Israel is intelligent and know how to operate. A Pakistan Israel relationship would be a game changer.

I'm _not_ agreeing with you. I think the first country to use nuclear weapons will be Israel.

Palestians are entitled individuals with no regard for anyone but themselves.

I think you are talking about the land grabbing jewish settlers here.

 

[JaDed]

Well you do know the primarily Israelis are European Jews and due to centuries of persecution in Europe and the Holocaust, the European Jews who went to Israel had an and still have an average IQ of 130 plus, whereas the average Middle Eastern Arab is nearer 90.

There was to be no other outcome.

) Dunno why that cracked.me up

 

[Devilsadvokat]

) Dunno why that cracked.me up

Jews whose heritage is not European also have lower IQ than the European Jews. So it's not a race thing, just in case you thought that. Only the cream of the crop survived centuries of persecution and then holocaust. Those are the ones that annexed Palestine.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

I stopped taking you serious after the why not bomb Israel part. Clearly an anti Semite who’d love to see harm to come to them. Difference is Israel is a recognised nation every where and does a lot of good. Hamas are a terrorist group that can not be denied.

What do you expect the Palestinians to do? Watch their land be taken? I’m not an Anti Semite, I’m Anti Zionism. Did you know, before WW2, the Jews, Christians and Muslims lived in harmony?

Nope, there’s around 36 nations that don’t consider Israel as a legitimate state. And the problem is, that Israel says they’d like a two state solution, yet they continue to build settlements in Palestinian territory.

You’re a racist towards the people of Palestine, and you probably wouldn’t sympathise with the innocent kids beings bomb, sniped, jailed etc by the Zionists.

And btw, are the ultra Orthodox Jews anti Semites too for supporting Palestine?

 

[s28]

Excellent Palestine Solidarity Campaign lobby of Parliament today.

Hundreds attended to lobby their MP directly.
Thousands participated via email lobbying.
600 of 650 MPs participated in the event.

Great evening of talks by MPs such as Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry, Richard Burden, Andy Slaughter, Lisa Nandy, Caroline Lucas amongst others

The new Palestinian 'ambassador' to the UK also spoke (he was the guy 'chucked out' of the US recently by the Trump regime).

Perhaps the best speech was actually by a Palestinian activist Lubna Shomali who received a standing ovation for her inspiring words.

10 people went up from my town alone to meet our 3 MPs.

 

[s28]

What i've found very impressive is the commitment from young people. 5 young people I know from Wolverhampton have gone to Palestine recently to experience what it is like and have come back and really got involved in telling others about their experience and joined our lobbying campaigns.

 

[s28]

Leicester Uni SU has officially adopted BDS policy after coalition of Palestine Bengali and Pakistani societies worked together
https://twitter.com/rahdnan/status/1069772342128242688?s=19

 

[Gabbar Singh]

/\/\/\/\

Does this mean Leicester Uni SU will boycott Apple, Intel, Microsoft, Google etc given their links to Israel? Why are you guys only willing to boycott the easy things? Do BDS supporters love their iPhones and Android devices more than they love Palestinians?

 

[Devilsadvokat]

/\/\/\/\

Does this mean Leicester Uni SU will boycott Apple, Intel, Microsoft, Google etc given their links to Israel? Why are you guys only willing to boycott the easy things? Do BDS supporters love their iPhones and Android devices more than they love Palestinians?

Every little helps.

 

[s28]

Some upcoming events in uk

April 12th Birmingham Protest outside HSBC AGM 10am

https://www.facebook.com/events/816227782084609/

April 24th London "Professionals for Palestine & @EuroPalForum present "Palestine & Antisemitism" with Naomi Wimborne-Idrissi from @JVoiceLabour

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/palestine-antisemitism-tickets-60010687582

 

[s28]

In Court today in the UK 5 pro-Palestine activists who took non-violent direct action to stop JCB assisting Israel carry out their illegal settlement activity and evictions/demolitions of Palestinian homes

<iframe width="100%" height="380" src="https://www.chuffed.org/iframe/58400/25aae1/" frameborder="0" style="max-width:310px;border:0px solid #fff;" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[The Viper]

Saudi cabinet affirms Palestinian cause will remain 'central issue' for Arabs and Muslims: SPA

Saudi Arabia’s cabinet affirmed late on Tuesday that the Palestinian cause will remain a “central issue” for Arabs and Muslims, Saudi news agency said in a statement issued early on Wednesday.

The statement added the cabinet also reviewed the results of the emergency Arab League meeting which condemned the Israeli authorities plans to annex any Palestinian land.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...issue-for-arabs-and-muslims-spa-idUSKBN22H34V

 

[Abdullah719]

Israel demolishes Palestinian coronavirus testing centre in Hebron

Israeli authorities have demolished a Palestinian drive-through coronavirus testing centre in the city of Hebron, south of the occupied West Bank.

The West Bank is struggling to contain a second wave of coronavirus infections, after appearing to successfully ward off the pandemic with a strict weeks-long lockdown implemented in March.

Hebron, the territory's largest city and powerhouse of the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) economy, has been hit particularly hard. The PA recorded 65 coronavirus-related deaths in the Palestinian territories on Tuesday.

Hebron municipality has set up a coronavirus crisis centre, but social stigma and the difficulties caused by the Israeli occupation have hindered its response.

Raed Maswadeh, a 35-year-old engineer whose family owns the land in which the drive-through test service was being built, told Middle East Eye that three months ago the municipality had appealed to Palestinians to raise funds to build the facility.

“My family decided to donate our land at the northern entrance of Hebron for the purpose of constructing a Covid-19 test clinic,” Maswadeh said.

It was built in the memory of his grandfather, who died recently due to coronavirus, and Maswadeh said the project cost his family around $250,000.

The land is located in Area C, a part of the West Bank totally controlled by Israel, which almost never gives out building permits for Palestinian residents. Israeli settlers in the area, however, face no such problems.

Maswadeh said that they started building the centre without a permit, like many properities in the area.

“If we applied for a permit, we would not have gotten it. We thought maybe during Covid-19, there would be some exceptions,” he said.

The idea of the project was to ease pressure on hospitals in Hebron treating Covid-19 patients, which have reached full capacity.

Maswadeh told MEE that construction had been ongoing for two months, while Israeli soldiers patrolled the area. The soldiers watched bulldozers and building equipment enter the site, but said nothing, according to Maswadeh.

However, on 12 July, they received a military order to stop the construction, which was handed to them by an Israeli army commander.

Farid al-Atrash, a 44-year-old human rights lawyer and activist from Hebron, told MEE that the city was suffering from the crisis and urgently needed the facility.

“This way we can get better control over the people coming in and out of Hebron and control of the virus,” he said.

According to Atrash, the demolition could be a way for Israel to pressure the PA into resuming bureaucratic coordination, which it had stopped in protest at Israel's plans to annex parts of the West Bank.

“Israel in general makes the process for Palestinians to fight this virus more difficult. Since the PA stopped coordination with Israel, the Israelis have been using all different means to put pressure on the PA to reinstate coordination,” he said.

“They will do everything to make our lives as hard as possible here.”

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-demolish-palestinian-coronavirus-test-centre-hebron

 

[sweep_shot]

Israel demolishes Palestinian coronavirus testing centre in Hebron

Israeli authorities have demolished a Palestinian drive-through coronavirus testing centre in the city of Hebron, south of the occupied West Bank.

The West Bank is struggling to contain a second wave of coronavirus infections, after appearing to successfully ward off the pandemic with a strict weeks-long lockdown implemented in March.

Hebron, the territory's largest city and powerhouse of the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) economy, has been hit particularly hard. The PA recorded 65 coronavirus-related deaths in the Palestinian territories on Tuesday.

Hebron municipality has set up a coronavirus crisis centre, but social stigma and the difficulties caused by the Israeli occupation have hindered its response.

Raed Maswadeh, a 35-year-old engineer whose family owns the land in which the drive-through test service was being built, told Middle East Eye that three months ago the municipality had appealed to Palestinians to raise funds to build the facility.

“My family decided to donate our land at the northern entrance of Hebron for the purpose of constructing a Covid-19 test clinic,” Maswadeh said.

It was built in the memory of his grandfather, who died recently due to coronavirus, and Maswadeh said the project cost his family around $250,000.

The land is located in Area C, a part of the West Bank totally controlled by Israel, which almost never gives out building permits for Palestinian residents. Israeli settlers in the area, however, face no such problems.

Maswadeh said that they started building the centre without a permit, like many properities in the area.

“If we applied for a permit, we would not have gotten it. We thought maybe during Covid-19, there would be some exceptions,” he said.

The idea of the project was to ease pressure on hospitals in Hebron treating Covid-19 patients, which have reached full capacity.

Maswadeh told MEE that construction had been ongoing for two months, while Israeli soldiers patrolled the area. The soldiers watched bulldozers and building equipment enter the site, but said nothing, according to Maswadeh.

However, on 12 July, they received a military order to stop the construction, which was handed to them by an Israeli army commander.

Farid al-Atrash, a 44-year-old human rights lawyer and activist from Hebron, told MEE that the city was suffering from the crisis and urgently needed the facility.

“This way we can get better control over the people coming in and out of Hebron and control of the virus,” he said.

According to Atrash, the demolition could be a way for Israel to pressure the PA into resuming bureaucratic coordination, which it had stopped in protest at Israel's plans to annex parts of the West Bank.

“Israel in general makes the process for Palestinians to fight this virus more difficult. Since the PA stopped coordination with Israel, the Israelis have been using all different means to put pressure on the PA to reinstate coordination,” he said.

“They will do everything to make our lives as hard as possible here.”

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-demolish-palestinian-coronavirus-test-centre-hebron

Absolutely evil and barbaric from Israel.

Unbelievable.

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">"I also think that as a Jewish person, I was fed a huge amount of lies about Israel my entire life. They never tell you, that oh by the way, there were people there. They make it seem like it was just sitting there, oh the f*cking door’s open!" -Seth Rogen <a href="https://t.co/2ZoOqjHiz1">https://t.co/2ZoOqjHiz1</a></p>— Jewish Voice for Peace (@jvplive) <a href="https://twitter.com/jvplive/status/1288203221257932800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Abdullah719]

Israel’s ‘silent transfer’ of Palestinians out of Palestine

Spoiler

Occupied East Jerusalem – As more Arab countries normalise relations with Israel, it presses on with a policy of “silent transfer” – an intricate system that targets Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem with residency revocation, displacement through house demolitions, barriers in obtaining building permits, and high taxes.

Palestinian researcher Manosur Manasra notes Israel launched this policy of transfer against Palestinians in East Jerusalem almost immediately after the 1967 war and the subsequent occupation of the eastern part of the city.

The policy continues to this day with the aim to dominate East Jerusalem.

Land expropriation for Jewish settlements has taken place around East Jerusalem and in the heart of Palestinian neighbourhoods such as the Old City’s Muslim and the Christian Quarters and beyond in Sheikh Jarrah, Silwan, Ras al-Amoud and Abu Tur since as early as 1968.

Following the June 1967 war, Israel applied Israeli law to East Jerusalem and granted Palestinians “permanent resident” status. However, in effect, it is a fragile one. B’tselem, the Israeli human rights information centre in the occupied Palestinian territories describes this status as one “accorded to foreign nationals wishing to reside in Israel”, except that Palestinians are indigenous to the land.

Palestinians of East Jerusalem do not have a right to automatic Israeli citizenship nor are issued Palestinian passports by the Palestinian Authority (PA). They are usually able to obtain temporary Jordanian and Israeli travel documents.

By allotting a fragile residency status to Palestinians in East Jerusalem, Israel has succeeded to revoke and subsequently uproot more than 14,200 Palestinians from East Jerusalem since 1967. These measures coincide with an aggressive house demolition practice.

Home demolitions in the West Bank did not stop despite the coronavirus pandemic.

According to the United Nations, there was a nearly fourfold increase in the number of people displaced from January-August 2020, and a 55 percent rise of structures targeted with demolitions or confiscations compared with a year earlier.

In East Jerusalem, 24 structures were demolished last month, half of them by their owners following the issuance of demolition orders by the Jerusalem municipality.

The “permanent residency” status is maintained as long as Palestinians keep a physical presence in the city. However, in some cases, the Israeli authorities move to withdraw the residency status of Palestinians in East Jerusalem as a retribution measure because they are political dissidents. Israel’s pursuit of Palestinian activists is extensive and does not exclude any faction.

The most recent case is that of 35-year-old Salah Hammouri, a lawyer and activist. Arye Deri, Israel’s interior minister, says Salah is a member of the Palestine Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). Israel outlawed the group and wants him out of the country.

In some cases, Israeli authorities cancel the residency permits of spouses of political activists as a punishment. Shadi Mtoor, a Fatah member from East Jerusalem, is currently fighting a case in the Israeli courts to keep his wife’s residence in East Jerusalem. She is originally from the West Bank.

In 2010, Israel revoked the Jerusalem residency of four senior Hamas members – three of whom were elected to the Palestinian Parliament in 2006 and one who served as a cabinet minister – on the grounds they pose a danger to the state. Three live in Ramallah now and one is under administrative detention. A hearing at the Israeli High Court is scheduled for October 26.

In some cases, Israel does not issue a residency ID for a child whose father is from Jerusalem and mother from the West Bank.

International law explicitly condemns the forcible transfer of civilians.

“Ultimately our decision is to remain in this city,” says Hammouri.

In early September, he was summoned by the Israeli police and informed of the Israeli interior minister’s intent to revoke his Jerusalem residency.

“I was told I constitute a danger to the state and that I belong to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine,” said Hammouri.

A French citizen, Hammouri was born in Jerusalem to a Palestinian father and a French mother. In 2017, the family was split when Israel barred his wife, Elsa, who is also a French national and at the time pregnant, from entering the country. The reason was said to be based on a secret file that Israel had.

Hammouri expects Israel to expel him to France after his residency is formally revoked. The French government, in response, issued a statement calling on Israel to allow Hammouri to continue to reside in Jerusalem.

“Mr Salah Hammouri must be able to lead a normal life in Jerusalem where he was born and where he resides,” it said.

The Israeli foreign ministry alleges Hammouri is a “senior operative” of a terrorist organisation and continues to engage in “hostile activity” against the state of Israel.

A solidarity campaign calling for Hammouri’s right to retain his Jerusalem residency is now under way in France, and French diplomats in Jerusalem are currently negotiating with Israeli officials in order to get it to reverse its decision. He intends to challenge the case to withdraw his residency in court.

Hammouri spent more than eight years in Israeli prisons over different periods. In 2011, at the end of a seven-year jail sentence, he was freed in a prisoner exchange deal between Hamas and Israel (known as the Shalit deal).

Sahar Francis, director of the Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association known as Addameer, told Al Jazeera “the cancellation of residency is illegal according to international law”.

“The occupation state has no right to cancel the residency of protected people under the Fourth Geneva Convention. This is called forcible transfer and forcible transfer is forbidden,” Francis said.

The PFLP first opposed the 1993 Oslo Accords but then came to accept the two-state solution. However, in 2010 it beckoned the PLO to end negotiations with Israel and asserted that only a one-state solution for Palestinians and Jews is possible.

“I see a very dark horizon,” says Khaled Abu Arafeh, 59, a former PA minister.

“Israel will invest the recent local and regional developments of normalisation and the result will be the expulsion of the inhabitants of the West Bank and the reformulation of the position of Palestinians of 1948,” he adds.

Abu Arafeh served as the minister for Jerusalem affairs between March 2006 and March 2007 in Ismail Haniyeh’s government, which was formed after the Hamas won a majority of seats in the 2006 parliamentary elections.

Two months after the formation of the Palestinian government, the Israeli police notified three Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) members and cabinet minister Abu Arafeh, all from Jerusalem, they had 30 days to quit their posts or their residency status would be revoked.

The Israeli police threat was rejected and the four went to court to contest the interior ministry’s ultimatum.

On June 29, 2006, the Israeli police carried out a broad arrest campaign that targeted 45 newly elected PLC members and 10 cabinet ministers. Jerusalem PLC members Muhammad Abu Teir, Muhammad Totah, Ahmad Atoun and Abu Arafeh were among those arrested. Israel charged them with belonging to the “reform and change” list, which was affiliated with the Islamic movement Hamas.

Abu Arafeh was sentenced to 27 months in prison and was released in September 2008. Abu Teir and Totah were handed longer sentences and were not released until May 2010.

On June 1, 2010, the Israeli police summoned the men again. This time they were ordered to surrender their Jerusalem IDs and were given one month to leave Israel.

Just as the period was about to expire, the Israeli police arrested Abu Teir.

Abu Arafeh, Atoun and Totah, sensing imminent arrest, took refuge in the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) building in Sheikh Jarrah in East Jerusalem. Their stay lasted for 19 months; living in a tent within the premises. The Israeli police finally stormed the building and arrested the three men.
They were charged with belonging to a “terror group” and holding senior ranks in the Hamas movement, as well as incitement against the state of Israel. They were sentenced to two years in jail. Upon their release, they resided in Ramallah.

“Away from al-Quds, I feel estranged, very estranged,” Abu Arafeh lamented about his situation.

Abu Arafeh’s family continues to reside in East Jerusalem. “I live in Ramallah and they live in al-Quds,” Abu Arafeh told Al Jazeera. “They visit every weekend then they go back home.”

Atoun is currently under administrative detention, his fourth since 2014.

In 2018, the Israeli High Court ruled the interior ministry’s decision to withdraw the residency status was illegal as there were no laws to support it. However, it gave the interior ministry six months to go to the Knesset to enact a law. The Knesset passed a law that allows the revocation of residencies for individuals who are deemed not loyal to the state of Israel.

The four Palestinians to this day have no identification papers that would allow them to cross Israeli checkpoints within the West Bank. The only document they were able to obtain was a driver’s licence from the PA, but only after the Israeli army approved.

Because they do not have IDs, they rarely venture outside Ramallah for fear of being stopped and arrested at an Israeli checkpoint.

The four appealed the High Court’s ruling and demanded that Israel provide them with an alternative residency to enable them to live legally in the West Bank. A court hearing is scheduled for October 26, but Abu Arafeh does not expect a ruling.

“We do not expect a decision; the occupation authorities are using time against us,” he said.

A Palestinian woman who asked to be identified as JA, 24, was born in the West Bank city of Bethlehem. Her father is from East Jerusalem and holds a Jerusalem ID. But her mother is from Bethlehem and holds a PA-issued ID card.

The Israeli interior ministry has rejected all applications to issue JA an ID card because she was born in the West Bank. The PA also did not provide an ID card because her father holds a Jerusalem ID.

So currently she has no documents whatsoever. This situation has caused JA endless problems registering in schools, finding employment, opening bank accounts, and other usual necessities. She has never travelled.

JA is now suing the Israeli ministry of interior in an attempt to receive a legal residency.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/9/27/israels-silent-transfer-of-palestinians-out-of-palestine

 

[Abdullah719]

Israel razes most of Palestinian Bedouin village in largest demolition in years

JORDAN VALLEY, West Bank — Israel has demolished most of a Bedouin village in the occupied West Bank, displacing 73 Palestinians — including 41 children — in the largest such demolition in years, residents and a United Nations official said.

Tented homes, animal shelters, latrines and solar panels were among the structures destroyed in the village of Khirbet Humsah on Tuesday, according to the U.N. official.

Israel’s military liaison agency with the Palestinians, COGAT, confirmed that a demolition had been carried out against what it said were illegal structures.

By Thursday morning the residents had already moved back to the site, using tents donated by Palestinian aid groups, according to a Reuters witness.

The remains of the demolished village lay across the hillsides, with just two of the original homes still standing some distance from the others.

“They want to expel us from the area so that settlers can live in our place, but we will not leave from here,” said resident Harbi Abu Kabsh, referring to the roughly 430,000 Israeli settlers who live alongside three million Palestinians in the West Bank, which Israel captured in a 1967 war.

The Bedouins are descendants of nomadic tribes and many live in makeshift encampments lacking electricity, sewage or running water.

COGAT on Wednesday issued a statement saying that an “enforcement activity” had been carried out by Israeli forces “against 7 tents and 8 pens which were illegally constructed, in a firing range located in the Jordan Valley.”

Israel often cites a lack of building permits in demolishing Palestinian structures in the West Bank.

Yvonne Helle, a humanitarian coordinator for the United Nations in the Palestinian territories, said that relief agencies had visited Khirbet Humsah and recorded 76 demolished structures, “more than in any other single demolition in the past decade.”

Israeli human rights group B’Tselem said the structures included 18 tents and sheds.

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh accused Israel of timing the demolition for election day in the United States, when the world was distracted.

“As the attention is focused on #USElection2020, Israel chose this evening to commit another crime/ cover it up: to demolish 70 Palestinian structures, incl. homes,” he wrote on Twitter.

A COGAT spokesman on Thursday had no immediate comment on Shtayyeh’s claim. But its statement on Wednesday said: “The enforcement was carried out in accordance with the authorities and procedures, and subject to operational considerations.”

Some 689 structures have been demolished across the West Bank and East Jerusalem so far this year, leaving 869 Palestinians homeless, according to the United Nations.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/...uin-village-largest-demolition-years-n1246576

 

[The Viper]

Palestinians announce first elections in 15 years

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced parliamentary and presidential elections, the first in 15 years, will take place later this year in an effort to heal longstanding internal divisions.

According to a decree issued by Abbas’s office on Friday, the Palestinian Authority (PA), which has limited self-rule in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, will hold legislative elections on May 22 and a presidential vote on July 31.

Palestinians’ last parliamentary ballot in 2006 resulted in a surprise win by Hamas, widening an internal political rift that led to the group’s seizure of the Gaza Strip in 2007 and contributed to a long delay in setting further elections.

Gaza has been under an Israeli blockade since 2007 when the Hamas movement started controlling the enclave.

“The President instructed the election committee and all state apparatuses of the state to launch a democratic election process in all cities of the homeland,” the decree said, referring to the occupied West Bank, Gaza and occupied East Jerusalem.

The statement said Abbas expects polls “in all governorates of Palestine, including East Jerusalem”, which was annexed by Israel following the 1967 war but is considered occupied territory.

Israel bans all PA activity in East Jerusalem, and there was no indication it would allow a Palestinian vote within Jerusalem, which it considers its “undivided capital”.

Hamas has welcomed the announcement, saying in a statement: “We have worked in past months to resolve all obstacles so that we can reach this day.”

Previous failed attempts
Elections would pose a major risk for Abbas’s Fatah party and also for Hamas as both faced protests in recent years over their inability to reconcile with one another, advance Palestinian aspirations for statehood or meet the basic needs of those in the territories they govern.

Fatah and Hamas have been publicly calling for elections for more than 10 years but have never been able to mend their rift or agree on a process for holding them.

Following the 2006 polls, clashes between Fatah and Hamas raged for more than a year, culminating in Hamas’s 2007 takeover of the Gaza Strip, where it still reigns despite an Israeli-Egyptian blockade and three wars with Israel.

https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/...-presidential-polls?__twitter_impression=true

 

[Firebat]

Distrust, division and doubt cloud Palestinian election call

GAZA/RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - Beset by political infighting, split between three territories and distrustful of their institutions, many Palestinians are sceptical that their first national elections in 15 years will bring change - or even happen at all.

President Mahmoud Abbas said on Friday that parliamentary and presidential elections would be held later this year in a bid to heal long-standing divisions. His main rival, the militant Islamist group Hamas, welcomed the move.

The announcement is widely seen as a gesture aimed at pleasing U.S. President-elect Joe Biden, with whom the Palestinians want to reset relations after they reached a low under Donald Trump.

But a December poll by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research found 52% of Palestinians think elections held under present conditions would not be fair and free.

If Hamas won, 76% thought Fatah - the party led by Abbas - would not accept the result and 58% believed Hamas would reject a Fatah victory.

“We have taken an important step but we still have a long way to go,” said veteran West Bank political analyst Hani al-Masri. “Great obstacles remain and without overcoming these obstacles the whole operation will be doomed to fail.”

Palestinian observers said those hurdles include disagreements within Hamas and Fatah - long the dominant faction in the umbrella Palestine Liberation Organization.

It is unclear what mechanism would be put in place to ensure a free election, whether international observers would take part and whether Abbas, aged 85 and in poor health, would run.

The United States, Israel and European Union would likely refuse dealings with any Palestinian government that included Hamas, which is designated by the West as a terrorist group.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...cloud-palestinian-election-call-idUSKBN29L0HP

 

[Last Monetarist]

https://www.reuters.com/world/government-withdraws-support-miss-south-africa-resisting-israel-boycott-2021-11-15/

The South African government has withdrawn its support for Miss South Africa after the organisation refused to pull out of the Miss Universe contest in Israel, amid calls for a boycott to show support for the Palestinian people.

Pro-Palestine organisations have called on Lalela Mswane, crowned Miss South Africa in October, and pageant organiser Miss SA to boycott the December event to condemn Israel's treatment of the Palestinian people.

The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture said in a statement on Sunday it had tried to persuade Miss SA to withdraw from the event and still hopes to convince Mswane.

South Africa has a long history supporting the Palestinian people, and Israel's treatment of Palestians reminds many in the country of apartheid crimes against its Black population. Israel denies it maintains an apartheid policy against Palestinians.

Political parties including the ruling African National Congress and some of the country's biggest trade unions also support the boycott.

"At this stage, the participation of so-called Miss South Africa would be irrelevant," said Bram Hanekom, a board member at Palestinian solidarity group Africa4Palestine.

"Nobody can say she is representing the country... (it) would leave her absolutely alone with the organisers who seem hell bent to proceed."

The Israeli government did not immediately comment. Miss SA did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment. Mswane also did not respond to messages sent to Instagram accounts belonging to her and a foundation she set up.

 

[Firebat]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Israel 'kills Palestinian man' as he tries to cross West Bank barrier <a href="https://t.co/Z4fvrhgocW">https://t.co/Z4fvrhgocW</a></p>— Sky News (@SkyNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/SkyNews/status/1538526771024478209?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>