[GushShalomBillboard] upcoming actions, etc.
Gush Shalom (Israeli Peace Bloc)
info at gush-shalom.org
Thu Jul 18 20:18:49 IDT 2002
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[In billboard we include announcements, articles and reports. For more
information, approach the addresses appearing in each item - before
turning to us.]
announcements
[1] Picnic against racism
[2] David Zonsheine update & demo tomorrow, Friday
[3] Nine refusers are right now in jail
[4] Reminder of Saturday night's Haifa demo of Peace Now
[5] Monday, Ta'ayush demonstration in Lod
reports etc.
[6] All the never-reported cruelty - Beate Zilversmidt
[7] Huwaida Arraf - Ramallah update
[8] A letter to the editor which made it + P.S. from 1947
[1] Picnic against racism
-----Original Message-----
From: Michal at phr.org.il
Sent: Wednesday, July 17, 2002 1:59 PM
Dear Friends,
In response and in protest to the attack on Dr. Bashara and his family
and friends, Physicians for Human Rights 96 Israel will be conducting a
picnic at the Givat Olga beach, the site of the assault, on Friday, July
19th, 2002 and 17:00 (5:00PM).
Participating in the event will be both Jewish and Arab families, as
well as Jewish and Arab performers and artists.
We see this as an alternative to the prevailing winds of racism and
injustice.
People should bring some of their own food, if possible (phr will also
bring some), and plenty of water. There will be some singers and performers,
hopefully, as well as press coverage.
Please join us.
Directions: Take the turn towards the sea and Givat Olga at the Hadera
intersection (on the road from TA to Haifa). Continue on this road,
passing a roundabout, until a T intersection. Take a left; after roughly
500 meters enter the parking lot on your right.
[2] David Zonsheine update & demo tomorrow, Friday
-----Original Message-----
From: Support at seruv.org.il [mailto:Support at seruv.org.il]
Dear Courage to Refuse supporters,
In this message you’ll find:
1. An update on the decision of BAGATZ in the case of David Zonsheine.
2. Reminder about demonstration at the Rakevet Junction this Friday.
Justice Barak proposes that Zonsheine appeal to the IDF Attorney General.
On Tuesday Morning the Israeli Higher Court of Justice (Supreme Court) reconvened
to rule on Lieutenant (Res.) David Zonsheine’s earlier petition. The Chief Justice of the
Court, Judge Aaron Barak, proposed that David Zonsheine petitions the IDF’s Attorney
General, appealing his earlier sentencing in a court martial (disciplinary hearing) at the
level of his unit commander, as well as his commander’s refusal to grant him a military
trial. The Court further advised Zonsheine that he is entitled to return to the Supreme
Court in the event that the Military Attorney General fails to adequately address the
moral issues that inform his refusal to serve in the occupied territories. Should the
IDF’s Military Attorney General concede to Zonsheine appeal, it will imply a recognition
of the objector movement’s claim that service in the territories constitutes an illegal order.
Zonsheine’s lawyer, Michael Sfard, welcomed Justice Barak’s proposal and suggests
that “the moral and legal arguments made by the refusal movement will finally be heard
considered by the highest court in Isreal. Today’s court ruling recognizes the importance
of a civil debate on the refusal issue, one which the army and the country’s political
leadership have sought to muzzle. Especially at a time when the IDF is enforcing a
draconian a closure, well into its third week.”
Additional signatories of the letter intend to follow Zonsheine’s path in the coming weeks.
Demonstration this Friday
This Friday, 19/7 11:00-13:00, we will hold a demonstration against the occupation and
the settlements and for refusing to participate in the Isarel’s actions in the territories.
Come and declare with us that refusing the occupation in every way is the only patriotic
act in these horrific days.
See you at the Rakevet Junction in Tel Aviv (Namir rd./Arlozorov st.),
Courage to Refuse
www.seruv.org.il
For any questions or offers of support please write to support at seruv.org.il
[3] Nine refusers are right now in jail
Unfortunately we can't provide an update about who are the ones right now in prison;
we tried to collect their names but could only reach Ishai Menuchin (Yesh Gvul). From
him we understood that they all are busy right now countering the call for "death to the
refusers" (sic!) by settler rabbi Shlomo Aviner. But Ishai knew by heart that right now
nine are in prison. We hope soon to get their names, addresses and a bit background
as part of the solidarity campaign. After all, the refusal and being actually imprisoned
for it is something very political and highly personal - not an abstract thing such as being
signatory to a petition among hundreds, or as others say close to a thousand names.
[4] Reminder of Saturday night's Haifa demo of Peace Now
FIGHTING RACISM DEMANDING EQUALITY
Jewish-Arab Demonstration
Herewith details regarding the transportation to the demo in Haifa, Saturday, July 20, 2002 - 19:30
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Friends,
On Saturday night the Demo will be held opposite the Haifa Municipality building. This
demo is against a chain of events that is leading us to from a State striving for
democracy and equality to one of racism and discrimination.
Such events include the 'Druckman Law" that suggested the selling of land to
Jews only, the presence of the Prime Minister and the President of Israel at the
conference of Moledet, under their new slogan "Transfer Now", and many more such
events.
We call upon each one of you NOT to sit at home quietly when the ugly head of Racism
is raising itself. We call you all to JOIN us with the message:
Equality between all citizens of Israel, regardless of religion, race or sex.
We call upon you to make clear to the racist decision makers of this country, that a
large part of the public are not afraid of Arab neighbours and want to live in
peaceful coexistence.
IT IS TIME TO ACT!!
Transportation
>From Tel Aviv: Saturday at 17:15 from Alozorov Train St (Next to El Al )
>From Jerusalem: Saturday at 17:00 from Gan Hapa'amon parking lot
Those who can assist in the preparations are invited to contact ORI at 03 5663291 or
054 405157 or by Email: ori at peacenow.org.il
Regarding transport from Jerusalem please contact the Jerusalem Peace Now Offices:
02 5660648 or call Shiri 054 687539
Everyone else should contact Noa: 054 556052
[5] Monday, Ta'ayush demonstration in Lod
------- Forwarded message follows -------
Date sent: Thu, 18 Jul 2002 09:12:51 +0300
From: "Yaron Caspi" <yaronc at wisemail.weizmann.ac.il>
To: <info at gush-shalom.org>
Hi,
We would be very glad if you can put this message in your billboard
Yaron Caspi
Ta'ayush
08-9470152
Next Monday the 22.07.02 at 17:30 Ta'ayush together with Lod's citizens will hold a
demonstration against the house demolishes policy of the Lod municipality. The
demonstration will be held in front of the mayor's office, T'shal ave. 1 Lod.
Since the importance of the demonstration is very high we urge you very much to come.
Background:
Lod, as one of the mixed cities, suffer from 'un-legal' house building problem among the
Arab population, as result of discrimination and lack of official building policy. Three
months ago the campaign for the municipality election was held under pure racist
atmosphere. Is seem that, after the election of Maxim Levi, a policy of massive house
demolishes was decided upon. This pronounced it self in the following event:
On Monday 1.7.02 bulldozers accompanied by massive police force, came to the Sameh.Heit.
neighborhood in order to destroy 7 houses. They were stopped at the last moment, by an
order from the court that postponed the destruction until the 21.07.02, for another
hearing. The Israel state claims that the houses were built on public land that was
confiscated during 1995. The owner claims that it was their land even before 1948, and
that they never heard about the confiscation.
Moreover, the police in Lod tries to prevent every kind of public protest. At the 4/7
about 15 people Ta'ayush activists and Lod's citizens tried to hold a quit demonstration
in front of the Mayor office. Before they even started, the police announced that they are
gathering un-legally. Five minute afterward they arrested 10 people. The term of release
for those who were not lod citizens was a prohibition to get inside Lod for 15 days. This
is a brutal attempt to prevent the right of speech.
It is a high probability that this policy will only get worth. Especially today where in
the cabinet a law is offered which will prevent Arab to live in certain area, that we must
raise our voice against the war that the authorities take against the Arab citizens.
Directions from Tel Aviv: On the road to Jerusalem, drive past the exit to the airport and
take the next right exit. When you see the sigh "Lod - Old City", turn right. At the
circle, turn left, and go straight ahead till the next circle. The mayor's office is right
there (this is NOT city hall)
Details: Ta'ayush 03-6294437
Or Yaron Caspi 08-9470152 y.caspi at weizmann.ac.il
Contact person during the demonstration: Anour 377251-050
[6] All the never-reported cruelty - Beate Zilversmidt
Behind the computer on a hot day in Tel-Aviv I dream about leaving work early
and before sunset taking a dive into the sea. But this is no time for innocence.
The next thought is that the Palestinians in Rafah are prevented by the army
to go to the sea. And then, there are the thousands of Palestinians taken to the
Ansar Prison Camp, who sit in crowded tents unprotected from the cruel sun of
the Negev. Yes, also the many thousands of soldiers suffer, sweating in their
uniforms, shlepping their heavy weapons, going around inside tanks.
While I am thinking how to get through this day, I also realize that two million
Palestinians are under curfew in their mostly small and overcrowded houses.
They cannot even dream of taking a shower; there is hardly enough water to
drink; their frigidaires are empty and even in the few hours every now and then
that the curfew is lifted, there is no money to buy anything.
Yesterday two children in Ramallah who thought that they could play football
away from the soldiers' eyes were killed by tank shrapnel. It wasn't even news.
After all, these children broke the curfew and isn't the Israeli army allowed to
defend itself? And also, it happened more or less at the same time of the
suicide bombing in Tel-Aviv, an event which got worldwide headlines and the
instant attention of President Bush.
But this attention may not be much of a consolation for the victims - mostly
migrant workers. At this very moment, on this same hot day there are also
somewhere in the slums of south Tel-Aviv dozens of wounded who refused
to be taken to hospital - out of fear for deportation...
While I am writing down these sad musings, a friend from Hebron, phones.
A real time report: Today the curfew in Hebron was lifted for unexpected long hours;
students used it to get to the university. Then, suddenly, an army raid; they broke
into the lecture rooms and arrested students and lecturers en masse.
Through the phone we heard the rumbling of the tanks.
[7] Huwaida Arraf - Ramallah update
------- Forwarded message follows -------
From: Huwaida Arraf <huwaidaa at yahoo.com>
Date sent: Wed, 17 Jul 2002 10:45:50 -0700 (PDT)
July 17, 2002
The three internationals detained today by the Israeli military in Ramallah
were released shortly thereafter. The activists suffered only minor bruises
and scratches from their encounter with the soldiers.
The breaking the curfew action today was a follow-up to yesterday's initiative
when Palestinians and internationals marched together through the streets of
Ramallah. Such actions break the psychological and physical imprisonment of
the Palestinian civilian population, and we plan to continue. Though most of the
local population is justifiably scared, due to the brutal force used by Israeli
soldiers on unarmed civilians (many remember the incident three weeks ago
when Israeli soldiersfired machine guns and tank shells into a crowded
market in Jenin), the international presence serves as a morale boost and an
element of protection for those who take to their streets in defiance of the
arrogant assumption of control by Israeli forces.
Tomy peoplein Palestine, I say, the struggle continues and we will continue
taking to the streets and defying with our minds, our bodies and our souls.
To our friends and justice-loving people all over the world, I say come join
us in Palestine. Speak out where you are. Please don't stay silent.
Huwaida
[8] A letter to the editor which made it + P.S. from 1947
[The following letter to the editor appeared in Ha'aretz on July 17.
Sir. Like the rest of my generation who had gone through the period of the
British Mandate, I well remember the time of "The Big Curfew" when the British
army imposed a week-long curfew of Tel-Aviv, after [Menachem Begin's] Irgun
blew up the King David Hotel in Jerusalem, causing the death of more than a
hundred persons. I well remember the difficulties and frustration when the
home became a prison, and what a relief it was when the curfew was removed
after a week and life could go back to normal.
"The Big Curfew" is how we called it. Nowadays, Palestinians living under
Israeli rule would would called it "The small curfew" or "The Lightweight
Curfew". Inhabitants of Ramallah or Nablus would have been well content to
settle for a curfew of one week only. Did our leaders think of the implications
of an endless curfew, of the frustrations accumulating among the population
and the increasing hatred? Is it their intention that due to the curfew, the
Palestinian economy will totally collapse, all businesses will go bankrupt? Is
the intention to create a situation in which, even when the curfew is lifted
for a few hours, the people will have no more money with which to buy food?
Is this the solution to the suicide bombings, or are we simply creating a
powder keg which will blow up in our faces?
Hava Cohen, Tel-Aviv
P.S.Accidentally or not, the Haaretz column devoted to "quotations from old issuess"
of the paper published an item from Ha'aretz of July 16, 1947 - a description of
the curfew imposed on that date by the British on the Jewsih toen of Netanyah:
"House to house searches and improvised prison enclosures at Netanyah (by
Haaretz correspondent Haviv Kromholz). Empty streets, closed shutters, soldiers
lying on the streets with their rifles aimed at the houses, arrested young
people sitting down dejectedly on the ground in the July heat - that is
how the capital of the Sharon Region looks on the first day of the military
siege. The usually-bustling city was completely silent. Netanhya today is a
tangle of barbed wire fences, with the only traffic being convoys of military
armoured cars and tanks, and concentrations of thousands of soldiers."
Palestinian life under occupation, reports and letters
at: http://www.gush-shalom.org/english/index.html
Why are the volunteer international observers important?
Because the United Nations didn't send its protection force.
Information about the International Solidarity Movement
- and how to support it in different ways -
at http://www.palsolidarity.org/
----
Full transcript of the war crimes panel available on the Gush site
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For English http://www.gush-shalom.org/archives/forum_eng.html
French available at request
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