Thursday 23 April 2009

Would you help out over next few days?

1) Two people to volunteer to help with Stall this Saturday (25th April), 12-2pm at Tesco, Leyton High Road just along from Baker's Arms.  If you can do this, please let us know asap (wfpsc@yahoo.com).  You would be encouraging the public to come to our film night, join in with various fantastic community events (like the Interpal Football Match on 4th May) and come to the big national Palestine rally in May.  We have a couple of people already but it's more fun and effective to have a lot more. 

2) Join in fundraising shop-hop this Sunday 26th April!  We're popping in and out of local shops collecting donations and support in Palmerston Road area.  Please email us (wfpsc@yahoo.com) asap if you can join in with this - should be very entertaining and there's already 3 people but the more the merrier.  All funds go to political campaigning by WFPSC. 

3) This coming Tuesday 28th "Film Night" at 7.30pm at the Hornbeam Centre, Hoe Street (near Baker's Arms) - flier downloadable on the post below.  We're showing "The Iron Wall", a documentary film from 2006 about the illegal Israeli Settlements and the building of the illegal segregation Wall to protect the illegal colonisations which are systematically destroying indigenous Palestinian lands.  Do come along with your friends and family.  We'll have a discussion and enjoy refreshments.  Small donation to cover costs. 

4) Twinning is go!  If you are interested in participating in any way, building friendship links initially with Beit Lahiya (in north east Gaza) and moving towards formal council twinning gradually, please let us know (wfpsc@yahoo.com) and we will respond to you about how you can join in.  First meeting in early May.

Friday 17 April 2009

Lots to do


Welcome back after the holiday break!  Read the whole spiel (lots to join in and think about...)

First section is dedicated to our branch activities in Waltham Forest.  Second section contains some of the interesting things being put on by PSC central or other organisations, like STW, the Welfare Association, Palestine Film Foundation and so on....

Quick update: ongoing Waltham Forest political pressure is continuing with our "Letter To The Foreign Office", which we are asking local WF Cllrs to sign.  Many Cllrs have not signed yet.  We have spoken to several who say they agree wholeheartedly with our sentiments, but won't put pen to paper where there is no "clear and direct link with Waltham Forest itself".  So we have more work to do on this to point out there is enormous relevance to Waltham Forest, as hundreds of residents keep telling us.  In the meantime, we are incredibly grateful to all those who made donations to WFPSC at the last meeting on 30 March at which we witnessed a harrowing insight into the real situation in Gaza.  Your donations paid for the hall hire, the leaflets and other information resources.  That fascinating evening ended our hard-working boycott campaign weekend when many of you turned out in grim weather to interact good naturedly with Tesco and local shoppers.  We are making consistent headway with the Boycott Campaign, raising awareness of goods Waltham Forest residents might like to avoid buying, since those goods help fund the oppressive behaviour of Israeli military forces and illegal settlements occupying Palestine.  One of the events we visited that weekend was the excellent Sisters' Bazaar to fundraise for Islamic Relief.  It was an inspiring community effort and we continue to work towards helping other local community groups understand why Palestine as an issue - (the use of the scarf/keffiyeh, many independent fundraising attempts for Gaza, militant radicalisation of local youth) - is playing out in the borough and why our concerned local residents want practical and positive means of applying their energy to support Palestinians, not alienation and disregard.


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FIRST SECTION

WFPSC BRANCH MEETING
Mon 20 Apr * 7.30pm-9.30pm
Hornbeam Centre, 458 Hoe Street, London, E17 9AH
Concentration on Twinning activities and fundraising - we'll hear how the Twinning group is getting on with ideas, and then crack on with a fundraising action plan to pay for our activities!


WFPSC FILM NIGHT - THE IRON WALL
Tue 28 Apr * 7.30pm-9.30pm
Hornbeam Centre, 458 Hoe Street, London, E17 9AH
Tickets £4 waged, £2 unwaged/concessions.  tea & coffee provided.
"The Iron Wall" (with discussion afterwards) 
Directed by Mohammed Alatar - Documentary Length: 52mins, 2006
In 1923 the prominent Zionist ideologue Vladimir Jabotinsky, wrote that,“Zionist colonization must either stop, or else proceed regardless of the native population. Which means that it can proceed and develop only under the protection of a power that is independent of the native population – behind an Iron Wall, which the native population cannot breach.” From that day these words became the official and unspoken policy of the Zionist movement and the state of Israel. Settlements were used from the outset to create a foothold in Palestine. After 1967 and the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, the settlement project was revived to create “facts on the ground” and make the creation of a Palestinian state there impossible. There are now over 200 settlements and outposts throughout the West Bank blocking the emergence of a contiguous Palestinian territory. The Iron Wall exposes this phenomenon, following the timeline, size, and population of the settlements, and their impact on the peace process. The film also touches on the latest project to entrench the settlements as permanent “facts on the ground” – the wall.

We'd also like to encourage you to pop down to the Palestine Film Festival at the Barbican Centre (details further down this email...).


WFPSC AGM
Sat 4 Jul * 2pm onwards
Please mark this date in your diary!  Elections and policy making, with cultural event in the evening.  We are still negotiating on location because we want to get some outside space to have breathing space and room for people to take bored small children out into a play area.  More about this very soon.


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SECOND SECTION

PALESTINE SOLIDARITY TRADE UNION CONFERENCE
Sat 18 Apr * 10am Registration for 11am-4pm Conference
Quaker Meeting House, School Lane, Liverpool L1 3BT
Speakers – Sameh Habeeb (Gaza photojournalist); Manawel Abdel-Al (Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions - PGFTU); Eamon McMahon (Irish Palestine Solidarity Campaign); Greg Dropkin (Liverpool Friends of Palestine), Hugh Lanning (Deputy General Secretary PCS).
Fees – branch delegates £10; individuals £5/3 (concession low-waged/unemployed)
Lunch – Middle Eastern (mainly) food available at a small cost. Crèche available.
Organisers – Liverpool Friends of Palestine & Merseyside Association of Trades Union Councils –tbnw16268@blueyonder.co.uk


CHARITY CRAFT FAIR FOR GAZA
Sun 19 Apr * 11 am - 4 pm
The Mosaic Rooms,
Tower House,
226 Cromwell Rd,
London SW5 OSR
This one day event in the heart of central London is your opportunity to purchase some of the finest handmade craft and gift items including Islamic silver jewellery, handbags, shawls, scarves, clothes, embroidery, ceramics, pottery, silverware, crystal gifts, objets d'art, greeting cards, soft toys and much more.

Also featuring work by Internationally renowned calligrapher Dr Nassar Mansour who will be introducing pieces from his new silver jewellery collection plus paintings by Charles Foster Hall, Ghada Habib and Najia Karim. A tombola offering quality prizes and light refreshments will also be available. Come and enjoy a fun day out with family and friends or just relax over a coffee and soak up the beautiful surroundings of the mosaic rooms. The mosaic rooms provide full disabled access and facilities.

All proceeds from entrance fees, tombola, refreshments and stall hire will go toward the Welfare Association's Gaza Emergency Appeal. The Welfare Association (UK) is a Registered Charity (No. 1020238) which supports humanitarian and development projects in Palestine and in Palestinian Refugee Camps in Lebanon (http://welfareassociation.org.uk).


ROUTE 181, FRAGMENTS OF A JOURNEY IN PALESTINE-ISRAEL
Tue 21 Apr * 7pm for 7.30pm-9.30pm
Passing Clouds (behind the Jazz Bar),
Richmond Road, Dalston, London E8 4AA
Filmmakers Michel Khleifi and Eyal Sivan, a Palestinian and an Israeli, travel together from the south to the north of their country of birth, taking the viewer on a disorientating road trip across this tiny territory with vast ramifications. Encounters along the way with Palestinians and Israelis young and old, suggest a radical counter-history to the founding myths of the state of Israel. Frontiers have been built on the hills and in the plains, on mountains and in valleys but above all inside the minds and souls of these two peoples and in the collective unconscious of both societies.

Organised by Hackney Palestine Solidarity Campaign - Catastrophe Club screens films from and about Palestine


10TH LONDON PALESTINE FILM FESTIVAL
Fri 24 Apr to Fri 8 May
Barbican Centre, Silk St, London EC2Y 8DS or SOAS, Thornhaugh St, Russell Square, London WC1H 0XG
http://www.palestinefilm.org/festivals.asp?s=next/ 

Fri 24 – 19:30 Laila's Birthday + Q&A (Barbican, Cinema 1) (Opening)
Sat 25 – 16:00 Divine Intervention + The View (Barbican, Cinema 3)
Sat 25 – 18:15 Laila's Birthday + Q&A (Barbican, Cinema 3)
Sat 25 – 20:30 To My Father + John Berger Reads Ghassan Kanafani + Q&A (Barbican, Cinema 3)
Sun 26 – 17:00 NAKBA:Palestine 1948 + Panel (Barbican, Cinema 2)
Sun 26 – 20:15 Introduction to the End of an Argument + Palestine Remembered + Sedition (Barbican, Cinema 3)
Mon 27 – 18:30 R-Existence + Smile! You Are in South Lebanon + Welcome to Shatila (Barbican, Cinema 3)
Mon 27 – 20:45 Shadow of Absence (Barbican, Cinema 3)
Tue 28 – 18:15 State of Siege (État de Siege) (Barbican, Cinema 3)
Wed 29 – 18:30 This Way Up + Open Heart (Barbican, Cinema 3)
Wed 29 – 20:30 Friendship's Death + A Space Exodus + Q&A (Barbican, Cinema 3)
Thu 30 – 18:30 House Salad (Salata Baladi) (Barbican, Cinema 3)
Thu 30 – 20:30 Salt of This Sea + 60 Units of Time + Q&A (Barbican, Cinema 3)
Fri 1 May – 18:30 My Land + Recognized (SOAS, KLT)
Sat 2 May – 16:00 Edward Said in Conversation with Salman Rushdie – 1986 (SOAS, KLT)
Sat 2 May – 18:00 Edward Said:The Last Interview (SOAS, KLT)
Sun 3 May – 16:00 We Like Life Tomorrow + Take Me Home (SOAS, KLT)
Tue 5 May – 18:45 La Terre Parle Arabe + Arthur Balfour and Me + Q&A (SOAS, KLT)
Wed 6 May – 18:30 Memory of the Cactus + Stranger in My Home (SOAS, KLT)
Thu 7 May – 18:30 A Summer Not to Forget + Panel (SOAS, KLT)
Fri 8 May – 18:30 5 Minutes From Home + Easy, Easy (SOAS, KLT)


STOP THE WAR COALITION ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Sat 25 Apr * 9am Registration for 10am-6pm Conference
South Camden Community School, Charrington Street, London, NW1 1RG
Nearest tubes Euston and Kings Cross.
Speakers – Tony Benn, Ken Loach, Karma Nabulsi, George Galloway, Rose Gentle, Anas al Tikriti, Andrew Murray, Sami Ramadani, Lindsey German, Jeremy Corbyn and Kate Hudson.
Sessions – Obama and the War on Terror; troops out of Afghanistan; Palestine; Muslims and civil liberties; Iraq briefing; building Stop The War.

Waltham Forest Stop the War branch may be sending a delegation to the conference – get in touch with them via us if you want to be included. Or you can register independently with the Stop The War office as a delegate if you were a member before 1st Jan this year, or an observer if you are a new member (you can join at the conference). Phone 020 7801 2768 to book your place. Entry is £10.


CAMDEN ABU DIS FRIENDSHIP ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE
Sat 25 Apr * 9.20am-6.20pm
SOAS, Thornhaugh St, London WC1
Camden Abu Dis conference will have speakers and film from Abu Dis and information on the situation there, information on the last year's work in CADFA and practical workshops on taking our work forward.  In the afternoon, the theme will be educational and academic links and school twinning, with lots of information, speakers and time to exchange ideas. We will finish with music from ATTAB HADDAD (oud) and KEITH FORD (piano) + a social.
Camden Abu Dis members and others all welcome.
Fee for pre-booked places is £2.50 for CADFA members and £7.50 for non-members.
For more info contact 08454 581167 or email contact@camdenabudis.net


OBAMA AND IRAN
Mon 27 Apr * 7pm onwards
Room G2, SOAS,  Russell Square Campus, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London WC1H 0XG
Chaired by - BARONESS PROFESSOR HALEH AFSHAR Prominent Iranian academic
Speakers - JON SNOW Channel 4 news journalist and presenter; MEHRI HONARBIN-HOLLIDAY academic and writer, leading member of Campaign Iran; ALI FATHOLLAH-NEJAD Political scientist and academic councillor of CASMII; JOHN REES Stop the War Coalition

With the election of Barak Obama as US President the world is asking what will his foreign policy be? In particular towards Iran. A few weeks ago, Obama addressed the 'Iranian people' via a new years broadcast. He spoke of peace, yet in practice thus far all we've seen is a continuation of the warmongering policies of his predecessor.


LE TRIO JOUBRAN TOUR – TAITH CYMRU 2009 WALES TOUR
Sat 2 to Sun 10 May
This is the second visit to Wales by a remarkable trio of oud virtuosos from Palestine: Le Trio Joubran. Samir, Wissam and Adnan Joubran are three young brothers who proudly represent the extraordinary cultural heritage of Palestine, and are the only professionally performing oud trio in the world. On this tour they are joined by percussionist Yousef Hbeisch.
02.05.09 @ 8.00pm – Aberystwyth ARTS CENTRE: 01970 623232
03.05.09 @ 7.30pm – Cardigan THEATR MWLDAN: 01239 621200
05.05.09 @ 7.30pm – Cardiff ST DAVID’S HALL: 02920 878444
06.05.09 @ 7.30pm – Pontardawe ARTS CENTRE: 01792 863722
07.05.09 @ 7.30pm – Milford Haven TORCH THEATRE: 01646 695267
08.05.09 @ 7.30pm – Caernarfon GALERI: 01286 685222
09.05.09 @ 7.30pm – Harlech THEATR HARLECH: 01766 780667
10.05.09 @7.30pm – Brecon THEATR BRYCHEINIOG: 01874 611622


YALLA TO GAZA: HOPE FOR GAZA CONVOY
Sat 2 to ? May
Organised by Palestine Return Centre, Palestine Telegraph and European Save Gaza movement [not to be confused with Free Gaza Boat Flotilla which is happening later in the month, or the Viva Palestina attempts also happening later in May and during the summer], on the 2nd of May a big convoy of hundreds of trucks is leaving Milan, Italy to Gaza.  They Convoy would move to Alexandria in Egypt by the sea and then to Gaza.  The trip itself would not cost you anything, but you have to fund yourself to get to Milan and then return from Gaza.  If you are interested, if you have more questions you can reach us by the contact info below:
يلا علي غزة
سوف تنطلق قافلة تضم مئات الشاحنات من ميلان بايطاليا مروروا بالإسكندرية بمصر ثم غزة في الثاني من مايو 2009. هذه فرصتك الذهبية للذهاب لغزة في رحلة لن تكلفك أي شيء, فقط كن في ميلان وستصل غزة في بعدها مباشرة.
للانضمام يمكنك الاتصال علينا من خلال معلوماتنا بالأسفل:
Direct Link: http://www.savegaza.eu/ 
Direct Link: http://www.paltelegraph.com 


CAMDEN WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL ON ISRAEL'S ATTACK ON GAZA
Sat 9 May * 11am-5pm
KLT, SOAS, Thornaugh St Russell St, London WC1H 0XG
Opening address by Jenny Tonge, with witness-preparation groups, cross-examination of eyewitnesses by Tribunal Panel, "verdict" and reports on war crimes campaign. David Miliband will be called to account for his statements during the attack.


FREE PALESTINE! END ISRAELI OCCUPATION! END THE ARMS TRADE!
NATIONAL DEMONSTRATION

Sat 16 May * 12 noon Assemble for 1-4pm March and Rally
Central London to Trafalgar Square
Called by – Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), Stop the War Coalition (STW), British Muslim Initiative (BMI) and Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND).
Supported by – Amos Trust, Arab Media Watch, Association of Palestinian Communities UK, Britain-Palestine Twinning Network, Campaign Against the Arms Trade, Friends of Al-Aqsa, Friends of Lebanon, Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions UK, Jewish Socialist’s Group, Midlands Palestinian Community Association, UNISON, Pax Christi, PCS, War on Want, Zaytoun.

For further details, merchandise, leaflets or posters and volunteer opportunities, contact PSC national office – 020 7700 6192 and info@palestinecampaign.org or keep an eye on the website:www.palestinecampaign.org 


TWO PLAYS FOR GAZA
Thu 21 May * 7.30pm-10pm
Hackney Empire, 291 Mare Street London, E8 1EJ
Barebones production of staged readings directed by Tom Platten to raise funds for the Gaza Music School & Stop the War Coalition. Introduction by Tony Benn and performers include Tim Pigott-Smith, Corin Redgrave, Janie Dee, Jana Zeineddine, Kika Markham, Roger Lloyd Pack (tbc) and others. Plus music by Reem Kelani and Eugene Skeef.

1) Seven Jewish Children – Caryl Churchill's 10-minute play about the attack on Gaza was first performed at the Royal Court Theatre in February 2009: in seven scenes parents, grandparents and relatives debate how much children should know and not know from the Holocaust to the foundation of the state of Israel, through the many Middle East wars, up to this year's invasion of Gaza.

2) The Trainer – is a surreal comedy about the ‘terror’ laws as they descend into farce. Composer Keith Burstein sues the Evening Standard after being accused of 'glorifying' terror in his opera, Manifest Destiny. When his case goes to the Appeal Court, the judges go to a gym to exercise between court sessions. The gym trainer is Leila, a young Palestinian woman.

Tickets £15 Book online: Book Online or call the Box Office on 020 8985 2424
http://stopwar.org.uk/content/view/1169/1/ 


GAZA 100 - FUNDRAISE FOR SAVE THE CHILDREN IN GAZA
Sat 23 May and Sun 24 May * 12 noon each day
Mile End Stadium, Mile End, London

Organised by Friends of Jews for Justice for Palestinians who hope 4,000 participants will put this event into the Guinness Book of Records for the most people running a relay in 24 hours, and raise £400,000 for Save the Children’s projects in Gaza at the same time.

JfJfP signatories and supporters are invited to take part - you should be willing to run 100 metres in about 20 seconds and raise £100 for Save the Children in Gaza. The minimum age of entry is 11 and those under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.  Registration and details are on IF charity’s website at http://www.ifcharity.com/gaza100.html (including FAQs and planning for the event)

As we would like all participants pledged by your organisation to run at the event together*, we have devised a coding system. This is simply that each person you refer to register would enter a code to enable us to identify them. Your personal code is JFJFP.  This isn’t fixed so if you observe Shabbat - or can only run on Saturday - please choose the time that suits you. Whatever time you choose, please enter JFJFP in the referral box.

Sophie Waterhouse has kindly agreed to liaise with the organisers for JfJfP’s participation, so please also email sopwat6@yahoo.co.uk to let her know you’ve registered.

Once each person submits their registration form they will receive a unique ID number and confirmation of their chosen time slot. They will also be able to download the sponsorship form and event guide, containing general information about Gaza 100. 

Finally, we are encouraging all participants to set up a FREE online fundraising page with Justgiving (after registering for the event) details of which are available in the event guide as well as on our website. Alternately you can click here to set up an account: www.justgiving.com/if/raisemoney

Register for this event via: http://www.ifcharity.com/gaza100.html 
Inform JfJfP via Sophie Waterhouse: sopwat6@yahoo.co.uk

PSC BRANCH FORUM
Sat 30 May * (times tbc)
London
Details for follow about PSC Branch Forum, for branch delegates, this time taking place in London.


EUROPEAN UNION ELECTIONS
Thu 4 Jun * all day
Happening all over the country – your chance to vote to make the EU/Israel Association Trade agreement null and void.


PSC ANNUAL SPONSORED WALK
Fri 3 to Sun 5 Jul
Postbridge, Dartmoor, Devon
Join in much needed PSC fundraising event and meet other PSC supporters over a fun weekend. Wide range of walks available for various abilities. Social event with BBQ and music on the Saturday night.
Accommodation at local Youth Hostel booked out exclusively for PSC. Basic joining fee will cover accommodation, meals and admin costs.
To sign up contact PSC office – 020 7700 6192 and psc.admin@palestinecampaign.org


PSC DAY CONFERENCE
Sat 11 Jul * Morning registration, ending late afternoon
Birmingham (location tbc)
• 1948 and after: ethnic cleansing and the refugees
• The Reality of Occupation: Politics, Economy, Health, Education, Land
• Lessons from the Anti Apartheid Movement
Confirmed speakers: Karma Nabulsi, Rita Giacaman, Samia Botmeh, Daniel Machover, Victoria Brittain. For more information, see www.palestinecampaign.org 

Thursday 2 April 2009

Waltham Forest Unite Against Facism - Quiz Night

WFPSC has recognised the threat that having the British National Party grubbing around for votes in Chingford and Wanstead may pose to local community cohesion, racial and religious tolerance in Waltham Forest.  Although we do not campaign on these issues ourselves - we concentrate solely on Palestine - we hope people will support any local activities that promote racial tolerance and mutual respect, which the sadly hate-driven BNP certainly does not.

Waltham Forest Unite Against Facism (WFUAF) Quiz Night!
Friday 3th April 2009, 7.30pm for 8pm quiz kick-off 
Caliente Tapas Bar, 24 Hatherley Mews, Walthamstow, E17 4QP

Get a team together, or just come along anyway to the WFUAF seriously entertaining Quiz Night at the yummy Caliente Tapas Bar just off Hoe Street.  Tickets are £5 and the event has been organised by Waltham Forest Trades Council.  "Good Luck and may the best team win!" says Dean from the organising group, quickly sneaking a peak at the answers....

Palestine: to exist is to resist

This interesting article about the psychological effects being suffered by Palestinians under intense occupation by Israeli military forces and illegal Israeli occupation settlements was, for a short time, removed by the British Association for Psychotherapy and Counselling from their website due to concerted anti-Palestinian pressure.  In the end, the editorial team reviewed the article and replaced it on their website.  Click here to read it in full, with comments.

Israeli exporters forced to slash prices due to boycott

Bethlehem – Ma’an – Israeli exporters have been forced to cut prices in part because of a worldwide boycott of Israeli products in protest of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land, a leading industry association reported this week.

Israeli exporters have been “losing foreign markets and customers because of the global economic crisis and a growing anti-Israel boycott of locally made products following Operation Cast Lead.”

The findings were made available by the Israel Manufacturers Association on Sunday, and published in the Jerusalem Post the following day. According to the report, 21 percent of Israeli exporters face difficulties selling abroad, particularly to the UK and “Scandinavian countries.” The boycott and the financial crisis were cited as the issues behind a forced price cut by 66 percent of Israeli exporters.

The report emerged as boycott campaigners announced that they are stepping up their efforts in Palestine and internationally.

On Monday in Ramallah, a press conference was held by the Palestinian National Boycott Committee (BNC) in Ramallah, which urged local and international parties to continue their boycott actions. They called the boycott a “tool to realize long-denied Palestinian national rights.” Representative of the BNC and the Palestinian NGO network Allam Jarrar called Land Day an appropriate time to call a Boycott and Divestment Day because both events shared the same goal.

“In Palestine the boycott of Israeli products, institutions and companies is once again gaining ground. Increasing numbers of students, women and ordinary people see the boycott of Israel as an effective form of resistance and are beginning to make it a part of their daily lives,” Omar Asaf, another representative of the BNC and a member of the National Higher Committee for the Defence of the Right of Return said. “In the last month,” he continued, “regional and local committees have been formed to promote the boycott of Israeli products and an end to ties between Palestinian organizations, and their Israeli counterparts.”

According to BNC more than 75 demonstrations, protests and festivals were held in 19 countries to promote the Global BDS day of action.