Opinion Editorials, Readers' Letters, February 19, 2009

Hi,

I went to www.irs.gov and clicked on charities and saw that one can deduct gifts to international charities to three countries.  They are Canada and Mexico which is not surprising because they border the United States.

The third is Israel which is millions of miles away.

Every non Jewish American should be furious at the double standard  which is applied by the United States.

C.M.
 
My comment: So few choices! Interesting. Why not England or France or Germany or Italy or Portugal or any other country?

Carol Bradford

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Shocking!

UFT Union Dues Still Used to Buy State  of Israel Bonds!!!

I was shocked and dismayed after reading in the February issue of the UFT's newsletter  that union dues are still being used to buy State  of Israel bonds  to  the tune of $165,000 (2007 Financial  Statement).

Do we know how much of our union's investment in Israeli bonds is being used by Israel for buying American-made military hardware in the form of

F-16 fighter jets, helicopter gunships, missiles, and phosphorous bombs that are destroying the civilian  infrastructure of Gaza and killing innocent Palestinian men,women and children (1500 civilians in Israel's latest incursion, a third of them children).

For the past two years, Israel's siege and blockade  of Gaza has prevented the movement of people, food and medicine, the most basic goods necessary for survival.

What is happening to the Palestinians herded into the Gaza Ghetto is happening because of American money  and weapons. If we support such war crimes (the United Nations Human Rights Council voted 33-1 on January 12 to condemn Israel for grave offenses against human rights), by lending members' dues to such atrocities, doesn't that make us all complicit in these war crimes?

And wouldn't it be more advantageous  to invest these funds in our own classrooms  and teach our children the virtues of peace, justice and non-violence?      

George  M Karsa

UFT Retiree

Prescott, AZ USA

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Professor Noam Chomsky: The United States-Israel's Godfather

Tom Compton 

On January 21, 2009, just after Israel stopped its murderous attacks on Gaza, Professor Chomsky, the well known civil rights advocate addressed an audience in Boston and explained very clearly how the United States is Israel's Godfather.  This is worth watching:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30X2tYUGK_8   

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PASSION PIT THEATRE & ZEITGEIST THEATRE PRESENT

GO TO GAZA, DRINK THE SEA

A PALESTINIAN/BRITISH THEATRE PIECE ABOUT THE DIGNITY, COURAGE AND SUFFERING OF THE PEOPLE OF GAZA

WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY JUSTIN BUTCHER & AHMED MASOUD

DESIGNED & CO-DEVISED BY JANE FRERE

FILM DESIGN BY ZIA TRENCH

" A space and a moment - set aside from people's busy email-driven, mobile phone buzzing, credit-crunch anxious daily lives - which people can enter, hear and see enacted the true stories of those in Gaza." Justin Butcher, writer-director

Palestinian and British artists, writers and filmmakers come together to create an unusual and unique piece of theatre in response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. In spite of the constraints, people inside Gaza have contributed photos, video footage and testimonies for this production. The performance also provides a unique opportunity for the audiences to record and send personal messages of solidarity.

Dates: 17th February - 14th March 2009
Times: 7pm Mon - Sat
Duration: 1 hour

Venue:

Theatro Technis
26 Crowndale Road
London NW1 1TT

Ticket Price: £12.50/£10 concessions

Online Bookings: www.stargreen.com/ Tel: 0207 734 8932

More info at: www.gotogaza.wordpress.com