Opinion Editorials, October 2007
|
|
Sabeel Conference in Boston, ADC, Al-Awda, Badil Briefs
By Mazin Qumsiyeh
ccun.org, October 31, 2007
The Sabeel Conference in Boston focusing on Israeli Apartheid over the weekend was a huge success with nearly 1000 attending. This quote from Bishop Desmond Tutu is relevant "From my experience in South Africa I know that truth-telling is hard. It has grave consequences for one's life and reputation. It stretches one's faith, tests one's capacity to love, and pushes hope to the limit.... No one takes up this work on a do-gooder's whim. It is not a choice. One feels compelled into it. Neither is it work for a little while, but rather for a lifetime - and for more than a lifetime. It is a project bigger than any one life. This long view is a source of encouragement and perseverance.
The knowledge that the work preceded us and will go on
after us is a fountain of deep gladness that no circumstance can
alter." Bono adds a relevant point "History will be our judge, but
what is written is up to us: Who we are, who we've been, what we want to be
remembered for. We can't say our generation didn't know how to do it. We
can't say our generation couldn't afford to do it. And we can't say our
generation didn't have reason to do it. It's up to us. We can choose to
shift the responsibility, or we can choose to shift the paradigm."
Peace rallies over the weekend were successful and it was great to see such
good turnout. Whether you were there or not, it is time to escalate our
involvement/activism and there is no more relevant issue than this item
below to bring peace - not only in Western Asia.
------------
Global Nakba Plans and Actions
A number of groups and coalitions have designated 2008 (beginning with
November 29, 2007) as a year of Commemoration for Al-Nakba (the catastrophe
of Palestinian ethnic cleansing and dispossession) AND a year of action for
justice (the only route to a durable peace). From November 29, 2007 to
November 29, 2008, we ask you to join groups and individuals (or create your
own group) to engage in meaningful actions that creatively relate the
history and the consequences of the Nakba and ensure refugees are returned
for peace with justice. This includes educational actions,
demonstrations on key dates, solidarity trips to Palestine, media work,
lobby actions, and others. Several local groups began planning a central
mass mobilization in NYC in May 2008 US national event and other events are
being planned around the world. The gravity of the moment demands real
collective action from many different organizations concerned with justice.
Your participation and your ideas and leadership are needed now more than
ever. To facilitate your involvement, this message lays out the background,
statements and actions on this critical year. This is just a beginning but
it can only work to bring peace (and we know it can) if EVERYONE
participates and creates local actions and/or joins other actions to say
"60 years of colonial oppression and ethnic cleansing are enough: Time
for justice/time for peace".
In this message:
I) Links and background on Al-Nakba
II) Call to action from Badil, Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and
Refugee Rights.
III) American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee Resolution on the issue of
Nakba (adopted June 2007)
IV) International Coordinating Network on the Question of Palestine adopts
significant resolutions that include among other things a year of Nakba
commemorations and actions (Aug 2007)
V) Proposal adopted by the US Campaign to End the Occupation for a year of
Nakba Commemorations (adopted September 2007).
VI) Palestinians in the US preparing for a conference (Palestinians are
called to join in the preparatory meeting Nov 9-11, 2007 and the main
meeting in August 2008)
VII) Wheels of Justice planned actions and call for participation in
coordination in Nakba year. You and your group can join this growing
network.
-------------------------------------
I) Links to background on Al-Nakba:
http://www.iremember1948.org
(Excellent Testimonial)
http://www.palestineremembered.com/Articles/General/Story2129.html
(Short video done immediately after the expulsion of Palestinian Refugees)
http://www.acrossborders.ps/portal/Reflecting.cfm
(Reflections)http://www.theunrecognized.org/ (on the continuing tragedy of Unrecognized Villages)
http://www.qumsiyeh.org/chapter4/ (Background Chapter on refugees)
http://www.zochrot.org/index.php?id=582 (Israeli statement on Nakba and ROR)
http://www.jewishsolidarity.info/ (Jews in Solidarity)
http://www.nakbainhebrew.org/index.php?id=228 (Video of Arab Women testimonies on Nakba)
http://www.qumsiyeh.org/henrylowi/ (Excellent article on Partition emailed 13 October 2007)
AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE WEBSITES ON THE ISSUES
http://www.palestineremembered.com
---------------------------------------
II) Badil, Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights. Call to action
In 2007 the Occupation turns 40
In 2008 al-Nakba turns 60
"Let's make 2007 – 2008 into 'the campaign of freedom and return'. Not just the return (al-awda) of the refugees, but also a return to the rule of law and respect for human rights."
http://www.badil.org/call-en.htm
------------------------------------------------
III) American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee Resolution
Whereas ADC has adopted the Palestinian Civil Society call to action that included calls for boycotts, divestment and sanctions (“BDS”) analogous to those adopted against apartheid South Africa; and whereas ADC emphasizes the importance of the struggle for Palestinian freedom, return and self-determination; and whereas U.S. policy, influenced by a strong Israeli lobby, has deviated from principles of human rights and international law; and whereas the issue of Palestine/Israel is central to U.S. policies in Western Asia which have had disastrous consequences (e.g., Iraq); and whereas recent discussions were opened in many ways as a result of events such as the publication of President Jimmy Carter’s book Palestine: Peace not Apartheid, the publication by Stephen Walt and John Mearsheimer of their research paper entitled “The Israel Lobby,” and the growing BDS movements in England, South Africa and North America, among others; be it resolved that ADC calls on its members and supporters to:
a. Plan events for the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People (November 29, 2007, the thirtieth such day since the UN General Assembly declared this day of solidarity in 1977) and for the 60th anniversary of the nakba, highlighting the inalienable rights of Palestinian refugees in these events.
b. Support the Wheels of Justice bus tour, which brings eyewitness accounts of the wars and occupations currently taking place in the Arab world to hundreds of colleges and universities, over 200 middle and high schools, and hundreds of churches and other venues in 48 states.
c. Take practical initiatives to heed the Palestinian Civil Society call to action, by taking concrete proposals for BDS to governmental and other institutions, following the recent examples set in England and South Africa.
http://www.adc.org/index.php?id=3124
-------------------------
IV) UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF CIVIL SOCIETY IN SUPPORT OF THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE; INTERNATIONAL COORDINATING NETWORK ON PALESTINE, European Parliament, Brussels August 30-31 2007
Realizing the inalienable rights of the Palestinian People: 60 years is enough! End the dispossession; bring the refugees home!
PLAN OF ACTION ADOPTED
Relevant section: "We commit ourselves, and call on global civil society, to join Palestinian communities inside Israel, in exile and the Occupied Palestinian Territory in mobilizing for a year of educational and campaigning work beginning on November 29, 2007. That year will include May 15, 2008, as a day of global mobilization to commemorate the Nakba, and the continuing dispossession and denial of Palestinian rights."
PDF File of all resolutions:
http://www.badil.org/40-60-campaign/UN-Call-to-Action.pdf
---------------------------------------------
V) Proposed by Middle East Crisis Committee, Al-Awda-CT, and Wheels of Justice Network and amended and adopted at the annual convention of the US Campaign to End the Occupation (PDF file at http://endtheoccupation.org/downloads/2007proposal3.pdf )
Name of the proposal: A year of commemoration and action for Al-Nakba
Category of the proposal (Anti-Apartheid Framework, BDS including the CAT Campaign, communications/functioning of US Campaign, 60th anniversary of al-Nakba, or other): Al-Nakba
Description of the proposed action, event, idea, etc.:
We propose organizing a year of collaborative events to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Nakba in order to educate, support, and advance the Internationally recognized rights of Palestinians including the rights of refugees to return to their homes and lands and to self-determination and equality. The events would launch on November 29, 2007 on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People and end on November 29, 2008. We call for joint actions of all member groups of the US Campaign and for sharing of resources and ideas especially linking to previously adopted projects (Boycotts, Divestments, Sanctions) and adopted frameworks (International law, Human rights, Apartheid).
Goals of the proposal and how they will be achieved:
1) Awareness raising: A focus on two areas: a) Debunking the usual myths used to deny implementation of human rights and international law (for example, see the beginning of compiling of such distortions and factual responses to them at http://www.qumsiyeh.org/liesandtruths/ ), and b) Educating people about positive plans for peace based on human rights and International law (especially the Palestinian Civil Society Call to Action – see: http://www.pacbi.org/boycott_news_more.php?id=66_0_1_0_M). Both areas obviously also related to U.S. policy. Awareness raising is accomplished through several events to be planned to coincide with key dates to include at least: Saturday November 29, 2007 (International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People (see http://www.un.org/depts/dhl/palestinian/ ), April 9, 2008 (Deir Yassin Massacre), Weekend of May 16-17, 2008 (nearest to Nakba Day), June 20, 2008 (International Refugee Day), and December 10, 2008 (60th Anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights). They could involve film showings, vigils, congressional visits etc. and could involve local, regional, and/or national events (a committee would be created to decide details).
2) Solidarity: Facilitate trips to Palestine including areas on both sides of the Green Line in 2008. These trips can include fact-finding missions, youth exchange, support for the International Solidarity movement and the hundreds of organizations and groups that bring delegations to Palestine. The goal is to have maximum International and diaspora/exile Palestine presence in 2008. Facilitate awareness and education about individual Palestinian narratives in all forms of media. Disseminate Palestinian voices about their experiences of the Nakba.
3) Support for Palestinian steadfastness through economic means. This includes helping market Palestinian products (e.g. olive wood artifacts, olive oil, embroidery) and services (e.g. web design, video productions) around the U.S.
4) Link these activities to previous campaigns and projects and frameworks of the US Campaign. Examples: a) The Caterpillar Campaign would be pushed in the contexts of 60 years of Palestinian dispossession and home demolitions, b) The Palestinian Civil Society call for BDS was adopted by the US Campaign and it does relate to the Nakba (i.e. BDS until Israel complies with international law and respects the rights of refugees), c) The adopted framework that emphasized Apartheid can build upon with recognition and education on issues like unrecognized villages inside the Green Line, unjust laws on land ownership etc.
5) Use this as an opportunity to link with indigenous groups to build solidarity and educate.
6) Empower Steering Committee to take a leadership role in coordinating with other actions/events throughout the country. The US Campaign should support the concept of organizing a mass mobilization in May 2008 in collaboration with Palestinian and Arab communities, the international community, and the anti-war movement. Such a mobilization would be a central event in the year of activity and would build upon and give momentum to activities throughout the year.
7) The US Campaign should present its member groups with a menu of activities to help guide the days of action. For example, calling for and coordinating a simultaneous presence outside of all Israeli consulates in the United States.
Resources (monetary, staff time, production and distribution of materials, etc.) that this proposal would require from the US Campaign (please include a budget if applicable):
This would require building some limited resources by the US Campaign staff, board, and volunteers. Much of the text and so on is already available and volunteers can be recruited to do it. Printing costs of flyers and fact sheets would be similar to costs of printing the items done before by the US Campaign (e.g. about the refugees or the framework of apartheid). But much of these would be recovered through donations and mobilization that occur around this subject. Some of the four goals listed, if/when adopted by our member groups at our annual conference, would be carried forward by member groups. The US campaign staff would be asked to lead on areas consistent with the Campaign focus on U.S. policy (e.g. goals 1 and 4 above) but can provide some support in the other two areas (goals 2 and 3) for example by having groups network with each other and publicize ongoing projects as we have done in the past.
Work that the proposing group/s are committed to doing to advance this proposal:
Elements of this proposal are already in consideration and in several cases approved in the groups we work with: Wheels of Justice Network, Middle East Crisis Committee, Academics For Justice, Palestinian American Congress, Al-Awda-CT, and others. Some of this work is already being done or planned (and have developed some resources for it). We are committed to recruiting groups that work on this issue or could work on this issue (e.g. dozens of refugee advocacy groups, many human rights groups, etc).
----------------------------------
VI) U.S. Popular Palestinian National Conference
Palestinians in the US: Reclaiming Our Voice, Asserting Our Narrative
Organized by The U.S. Palestine Conference Network (USPCN)
Preparatory Meeting
Washington, DC
November 9-11, 2007
We call upon Palestinians in the United States to join us on November 9-11, 2007, in Washington, DC to participate in the third Preparatory Meeting for the Popular Palestinian National Conference, Palestinians in the US: Reclaiming Our Voice, Asserting Our Narrative. The Conference will take place in 2008 to coincide with the 60 Year Anniversary of Al Nakba.
The U.S. Palestine Conference Network (USPCN) is not an organization. It is an open arena and network where Palestinian- American organizations, associations, village and town-based clubs and Palestinian individuals residing in the U.S. can come together. The purpose of the Conference is to empower us to assume a key role in realizing Palestinian national and human rights. We have an obligation to become full participants in the national struggle by developing a principled, inclusive and nonpartisan voice.
We pledge to ensure an inclusive meeting where all views are respected. We are aware of the diverse outlooks and opinions amongst Palestinians in the U.S. and we invite the participation of all Palestinian- Americans and Palestinians living in the U.S. who are willing to commit to making the Popular National Conference a reality. All participants must accept and support our three points of unity which are adopted from the Fundamental Palestinian National Principles:
* Self-determination and equality for the Palestinian people
* The Right of all Palestinian refugees to return to their original homes, lands, properties and villages (a natural right supported by international law and UN Resolution 194)
* End of Zionist occupation and colonization of Palestine
Application Process
Please confirm your interest in attending the Washington, DC Preparatory Meeting by filling out the application form located on our website at www.palestineconference.org under the “Register for the DC Organizing Meeting” tab or by e-mailing the attached application form to PalestineConferenceUSA@yahoo.com . Please note that preregistration is required and all applications must be received no later than November 2, 2007.
You will receive a confirmation letter with your registration status within one week of submission. The confirmation notice will contain detailed logistical information, including meeting location, hotel rates, transportation, etc. A registration fee of $50 will be collected onsite in order to cover meals and material costs. Please do not hesitate to contact us at PalestineConferenceUSA@yahoo.com if you have any questions.
--------------------------------
VII) The Wheels of Justice Network is working to share innovative ideas for commemorations and actions in the year of Nakba. In our last conference call, we agreed to publicize these things during the October 27, 2007 anti-war events and to then work on a number of events starting with local events on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
Projects that are underway include
- creating a fund to help activists with limited income travel to Palestine on solidarity missions (or in the case of Palestinian youth, increasing connectedness)
- support for projects that strengthen steadfastness by Palestinians in their lands and of education and a dignified living of Palestinians in Refugee Camps outside of Palestine.
- sharing tools and resources for activism
To join the network, please read the following:
The Wheels of Justice Network (wojn@lists.riseup.net )
The idea behind this network came about as the bus tour ( www.justicewheels.org ) traveled in 48 states in the US and was hosted by hundreds of organizations working for peace and justice. Through this activity and other activities by key members (talks, conferences, conventions etc.), we have collected hundreds of key organizational contacts and tens of thousands of individual contacts. An important asset we developed is the credibility we built for doing actions to reach beyond the choir (to middle schools, high schools, colleges, churches, mosques, community centers, etc and in the media world with hundreds of stories in mainstream publications). Bookers, speakers, managers, and drivers (all volunteers) made these contacts and served by spreading the message. We found that a great side benefit is learning from host groups’ new skills and new ideas that we did not think of before. We transmitted those to our own local groups. The reverse was also true (many local host groups learned new ideas transmitted verbally by those on the bus). But there are limits of this: interactions limited to people actually on the bus interacting with host groups or individuals attending events; the informal and verbal communications that is not available to others, etc. There was no systematic way for communications between groups working for peace and justice. Such a communication forum is important in order to:
a) Share lessons learned from mistakes and challenges in other places (so that different groups do not have to reinvent the wheels so to speak)
b) Share successes and innovative ideas from each other. For examples the successes of the Somerville Divestment Project, the University of Wisconsin Divestment Project, the Olympia-Rafah sister City Project, the AFSC Olive Oil sale campaign, the Ibdaa cultural tour, the Wheels of Justice, the IMEU media project, the Palestine Freedom Project etc.
c) Share resources (expertise, networking ability etc). For example, some groups have access to excellent and almost free web hosting or web design capabilities, some to vast email lists, some to graphic designers, some to printing presses, etc.
d) Solicit support from other groups for nation-wide or international campaigns (e.g. response to articles in a national or international publications, response to attacks on academic freedom, coordinating global campaigns). The network is now planning a series of evens for the 60th anniversary of the Nakba to launch at the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People (29 November).
Towards these goals we are setting up a listserve that will include representatives from organizations. This listserve will be strictly limited to the goals listed above (e.g. NO posting of news articles, chats or discussions unless action oriented along the lines above). To join the list, an organization must agree to the following conditions:
- Agree to the principles of human rights as articulated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- Agree to the Palestinian Civil Society Call to Action; see: http://www.pacbi.org/boycott_news_more.php?id=66_0_1_0_M
- Agree that the US army must withdraw from all countries in Western Asia and respect the rights of self-determination for people in that part of the world
- Agree to select/elect two members of the group (one and a backup if available) to join the list serve and participate by communicating information in both directions (from WOJN to his/her group and vice versa) to achieve the goals set forth above.
If your group would like to join, please contact qumsi001@hotmail.com with information on the group, its agreement to the principles outlined and the name and contact information of the liaison person/persons.
Wheels of Justice
Danbury Peace Coalition
If Americans Knew, Washington DC
International Solidarity Movement, Italy
Middle East Children’s Alliance
Middle East Crisis Committee, New Haven
Middle East Peace and Justice Alliance, Albuquerque
Palestinian Grassroots Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign, Palestine
Palestine Human Rights Campaign, Auckland, New Zealand
Canada Palestine Association
Siraj Center, Palestine
Somerville Divestment Project, Massachusetts
Boycott Israel Association, Gaza
Palestinian American Congress
Pittsburgh Palestine Solidarity
Friends of Sabeel, North America
Madison Rafah Sister City Project
Boycott Israel Association, Gaza
Students for Justice in Palestine, Penn State
==================
Mazin Qumsiyeh, PhD
http://justicewheels.org
http://qumsiyeh.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
||||||
