Dearborn Boycotts Israel

University of Michigan protest against Israeli President--

2012-01-08T07:43:00.000-08:00

--In the Michigan Daily:

See the letter below. It describes the loud protest against the Israeli President, on the Ann Arbor campus of the University of Michigan.

It also strongly supports the Palestinian liberation movement.

To enlarge, click on this letter to the editor dated March 18, 1975:

(Click on image to enlarge it)

****************************

Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1975:Protests for Palestinian human rights were loud, self-confident, and strong.

2012-01-07T21:45:00.000-08:00

Here are some news articles, film announcements, and an interview excerpt, from the Ann Arbor, Michigan press taken from 1975 and 1976. They reflect a very self-confident defense of Palestinian human rights in a major university town.

To enlarge the text, click on these articles from Ann Arbor--

-- including this 1975 article from the Ann Arbor Sun, reporting on a protest, at the University of Michigan, against the Israeli President. This article is cut into two pieces below:

Later, Ann Arbor City Councilmember Kathleen Kozachenko complained at City Council about the aggressive behavior of Ann Arbor riot police against those people protesting the Israeli President at the University. See the March 18, 1975 Ann Arbor News, page 29.

Councilmember Kozachenko had been among those protesters. Ann Arbor Mayor James Stephenson was quoted as saying that he would like a resolution of censure against City Councilmember Kozachenko for attending that protest.

Also from the Ann Arbor Sun, Feb. 26, 1976, is an interview conducted by Herbert Boyd, who taught in the Black Studies Department of Wayne State University. He interviewed Howard Kohn about how the Palestinian people were exiled from their homes in Palestine and how that led to the civil war in Lebanon:

The Bantustans created by "Israel" = the Bantustans created by Apartheid South Africa:

2012-01-05T08:48:00.000-08:00

The Bantustans created by "Israel" = the Bantustans created by Apartheid South Africa:

(Click to enlarge)

**************************

"Boycott Israel" bus advertisement is back in the news:

2011-12-27T10:04:00.000-08:00

Some of the public is commenting on the fact that AATA Board Chairman Bernstein is a board member of Michigan Israel Business Bridge--

"AATA Preps Stage for Future Transit Choice"

ANN ARBOR CHRONICLE (Ann Arbor, Michigan)

December 26, 2011

At: http://annarborchronicle.com/2011/12/26/aata-preps-stage-for-future-transit-choice/

'...Comm/Comm: Bus Advertisement Lawsuit

'By way of background, the AATA currently faces a lawsuit over its rejection of a proposed advertisement that included the text, “Boycott ‘Israel’ Boycott Apartheid.” [For a detailed account, see Chronicle coverage: "Bus Ad Rejection Affirmed"]

'Before approaching the podium, Henry Herskovitz asked if it was appropriate to speak to the lawsuit that had been filed against the AATA about the rejection of a bus advertisement. Herskovitz noted that public speaking at the start of the meeting is intended to be limited to agenda items, and while the lawsuit was not an agenda item, it was included as part of the meeting minutes that were in the board’s information packet for that evening’s meeting. Board chair Jesse Bernstein told Herskovitz it was fine for him to speak on that topic.

'Herskovitz introduced himself as a taxpaying supporter of AATA and a frequent rider. Three board members had conflicts of interest, he contended, in making a decision to reject the advertisement. He emphasized that he supported the right of anyone to join any group they like. However, he said it merits pointing out that Bernstein is a board member of Michigan Israel Business Bridge. MIBB is a nonprofit created “to facilitate business and investment opportunities between Michigan and Israel for their mutual economic benefit.”

'Herskovitz contended that a second conflict was the fact that Jerry Lax is legal counsel for the AATA and also a member of the Jewish Federation of Ann Arbor. Board member David Nacht is member and supporter of the Anti-Defamation League, he said. [Nacht's profile on Linked In also lists membership in the American Civil Liberties Union, the group that is providing legal counsel for the plaintiff in the lawsuit against the AATA over the bus advertisement.]

'The three men, Herskovitz said, support the State of Israel – they’re free to do that. But they had a conflict of interest when polled for their vote on the ad – an ad that was critical of the state of Israel, which they support, he said....'

**********************************

Demonstration for the boycott of Israel, in Johannesburg, South Africa:

2011-12-25T09:31:00.000-08:00

January 2009 in Johannesburg.

A good example for the boycott movement today.

*******************************************

"Activists hold third annual conference on Boycott of Israel in Hebron"

2011-12-18T17:31:00.000-08:00

"Activists hold third annual conference on Boycott of Israel in Hebron"

Sunday December 18, 2011 06:52 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC News

At: http://www.imemc.org/article/62688

The Palestinian branch of an international campaign for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel held its third annual conference in the southern West Bank city of Hebron on Saturday, with several hundred Palestinian and international activists gathering for the event.

The conference was organized by the BDS Movement in an attempt to expand Palestinian civil society’s active implementation of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions as an effective and popular strategy of civil resistance that is deeply rooted in the Palestinian struggle. The economic campaign to pressure Israel to change its policies began with a call from hundreds of Palestinian non-governmental organizations in 2005, and gained momentum after the massive Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip in 2008-9.

According to organizers of the conference, “The conference embodies the unified and determined Palestinian will to secure our legitimate rights, the most important of which are liberation, self-determination and right of return. It also expresses our gratitude to people of conscience around the world who stand on the side of justice in the face of Israeli occupation and apartheid.”

Among the speakers at Saturday’s conference were the Governor of Hebron Mr. Kamil Hmaid, Thobile Ntola, Central executive committee member, Congress of South African Trade Unions- COSATU, Adam Horowitz, an American journalist and BDS activist, Student activists Mukhtar Al-Ja’bary and Fajr Harb, and Haitham Arar & Badera Jaradat representing the Union of Palestinian Women.

They focused on issues like resisting ‘normalization’ efforts, which are events, activities and coalitions which aim to normalize the existing system of segregation and discrimination, often under the banner of ‘peace’ or ‘dialogue’ between Israelis and Palestinians. Speakers also targeted Palestinian businesses and business owners in their critique, challenging a recent report that Palestinian business leaders have over $6 billion invested into Israel, much of it in Israeli settlement activity.

The conference encouraged Palestinian activists to work to implement the boycott according to the criteria adopted by Palestinian civil society, particularly in terms of economic disengagement from Israel; and demanding that international institutions and organizations end their complicity in perpetuating Israeli occupation and apartheid.

********************************************************

"It is time for Palestine at the University of Michigan"--University of Michigan students speak:

2011-12-17T11:00:00.001-08:00

The students of the University of Michigan speak against oppression:

"It is time for Palestine at the University of Michigan"

By Bayam Founas and Noor Haydar

ARAB AMERICAN NEWS (Dearborn, Michigan)

Saturday, December 17, 2011, page 12

See the full article at: http://www.arabamericannews.com/news/index.php?mod=article&cat=OtherOpinions&article=5062

Brief quotes:

"We are committed to standing with the disenfranchised and are staunchly against the sugarcoating of oppression...."

"...Dialogue can only work when two parties are on the same playing field and have significant differences between them. In the case of Israel-Palestine, we have one party, Israel, that boasts the Middle East’s most powerful military (including hundreds of nuclear warheads, illegally held and undeclared) and enjoys limitless material and diplomatic support from the world’s lone superpower, the United States. The Palestinians, on the other hand, are stateless and without basic human rights. They are also victims of the worst of crimes: they’ve had their history and existence denied by those who continuously assert that Palestine was 'a land without a people for a people without a land....' ”

-- End --

************************************

Also:

"ACLU sues over censorship of ‘Boycott Israel’ Ad"

Published in FREE AL-QUDS

December 15, 2011

At: http://freealquds.org/newsite/2011/12/15/aclu-sues-over-censorship-of-boycott-israel-ad/

************************************

Free speech on Palestine is smothered by University of Michigan student government:

2011-12-10T15:31:00.000-08:00

See today's article from the local media:

"Michigan Student Association accused of stifling speech on Israel-Palestine"

ARAB AMERICAN NEWS

Dearborn, Michigan

At: http://www.arabamericannews.com/news/index.php?mod=article&cat=Community&article=5030

December 10-16, 2011; page 15:

ANN ARBOR — A resolution passed by the Michigan Student Association aimed at quelling "vulgar or offense language" or "hate speech" was utilized on Dec. 6, 2011 against an activist who has worked for years with others in the area for the passage of a divestment resolution against products supporting the Israeli occupation of Palestine at the University of Michigan.

An offense against Blaine Coleman was issued by Assembly Speaker Matt Eral according to a report in The Michigan Daily after the activist compared the Israeli military to the Ku Klux Klan.

"Anyone wearing the Israeli army uniform is a Ku Klux Klansman who does not deserve any place at any table in polite society because they are racist killers trying to break the back of Palestine, and they have succeeded," he reportedly said.

Coleman recently made headlines after his ad proposing a "Boycott of Israeli Apartheid" on Ann Arbor buses was denied, prompting the ACLU to file a lawsuit against the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority.

Offenses are used to prevent speech at the meetings, with the second one leading to the end of allotted speaking time and the revoking of speech privileges for that meeting. Five offenses results in being banned from the meetings.

Omar Hashwi, a board member, defended the rights of Coleman and his wife Mozghan to speak at the meeting last week. Mozghan was given three offenses for saying that "there is a fan of the Israeli military among you," in reference to an assembly representative who wore an Israeli army sweatshirt.

"She simply pointed out that there is a fan of the Israeli military in the room which was a fact and the rest were silenced as she attempted to give her reasoning," Hashwi said.

His motion was denied, but not before he spoke up in favor of their speech.

"I can't even begin to express to you how mad I am right now that somebody here just got completely silenced for pointing out that somebody's wearing a certain shirt. Somebody's wearing a shirt, so they weren't allowed to talk even further. I'm so mad. I knew this was going to happen when we passed these rules," Hashwi said.

"Saying that somebody in the room is wearing a shirt bans them from speaking? I'm here shaking because I'm also afraid but I will express my opinion. I will always express my opinion to support Palestine and to support people that have been treated unfairly here today and in the past."

Daniel Cobert, another representative, said that the first two speakers at the meeting who spoke about Palestine and Israel spoke civilly but said that Mozghan did not, and that she continued to fight the objection and speak out of turn.

E-mails to other representatives who supported the offenses against her were not returned as of press time.

Hashwi said he didn't agree with the methods of Coleman and his wife but said he did not believe that the comparison between the Israeli army and the KKK constituted a violation of the rules.

"There will always be people who disagree but that gives us no right to take away their speaking privileges," he said.

At the beginning of the current group's terms, a student organization on campus called "Practice What You Preach" authored a resolution urging the University to not make any future investment in what were deemed to be socially unjust companies. They targeted four companies including Hanes Brand, Northrup Grumman (which was alleged to provide military weaponry to Israel to be used against Palestinians), BP, and Monsanto.

The resolution fell two votes short of passing, however.

*************************************************

"Michigan Student Association accused of stifling speech on Israel-Palestine"

2011-12-10T15:19:00.000-08:00

Arab American News (Dearborn, Michigan), December 10-16, 2011, page 15:

University of Michigan student government effectively outlaws anyone who compares the Israeli army to the Ku Klux Klan.

2011-12-07T07:54:00.000-08:00

"MSA issues offense against anti-Israel activist"

BY CLAIRE HALL

THE WIRE

A blog of the Michigan Daily (University of Michigan student newspaper)

December 7, 2011

At: http://www.michigandaily.com/blog/msa-issues-offense-against-anti-israel-activist

Local anti-Israel activist Blaine Coleman received a second offense at last night’s Michigan Student Assembly meeting after he compared the Israeli army to the Ku Klux Klan.

“Anyone wearing the Israeli army uniform is a Ku Klux Klansman who does not deserve any place at any table in polite society because they are racist killers trying to break the back of Palestine, and they have succeeded,” Coleman said.

Coleman attends the assembly meetings almost every week and calls for the University’s divestment from Israel.

The decision to issue the offense was made by assembly speaker Matt Eral. Two representatives said the language Coleman used was offensive and inappropriate, and two people voiced concerns that the assembly’s rule was not being properly utilized because an offense should not be issued for making people feel uncomfortable.

The assembly ultimately voted to uphold Eral’s issuance of the offense.

The resolution that passed in the assembly on Oct. 25 states that offenses may be issued to speakers during the Community Concerns portion of the assembly’s agenda if they use “vulgar or offensive language” or “hate speech.” A second offense results in the expiration of allotted Mspeaking time and the revocation of the speaking privileges for the current meeting. After five offenses, speakers are considered “ineligible” to address the assembly and to attend the meetings.

MSA president DeAndree Watson said on Oct. 25 that the resolution was brought to the table after two meetings last semester when another resolution concerning divestment from Israel was before assembly and offensive language was used.

During the time allotted last night for representatives to speak freely before the assembly, the subject of Coleman’s offense arose again when a representative said she felt uncomfortable and threatened by his comments. MSA representative Peri Silverman, an LSA junior, resigned and said the assembly shouldn’t continue to deal with such contentious and external issues week after week because it was divisive to the organization.

Echoing representatives’ comments made during the meeting, MSA president DeAndree Watson said after the meeting that he saw the importance of listening to community members’ concerns but also that he thought representatives should feel safe and comfortable in attending the meetings.

“Personally I’m not letting this stop me from doing what I’ve been elected to do … and I think we can continue to move forward and try and make life better for students even with this distraction,” Watson added.

SHOWING 1 COMMENT

Henry Herskovitz

Could someone from the MSA provide a legal definition of "hate speech"? Since I sometimes address the Assembly, I'd appreciate some guidelines in this regard, so that I may tailor my language appropriately. Perhaps the definition exists within the Oct. 25 resolution mentioned in Hall's article, but I was unable to locate the document.

*************************************

Arab American News:"ACLU of Michigan files lawsuit over refusal of 'Boycott Israel' ads"

2011-12-04T15:50:00.000-08:00

"ACLU of Michigan files lawsuit over refusal of 'Boycott Israel' ads"

ARAB AMERICAN NEWS (Dearborn, Michigan)

Saturday, December 3, 2011

At:

http://www.arabamericannews.com/news/index.php?mod=article&cat=Community&article=5005

DETROIT — Charging a violation of First Amendment rights, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Michigan filed a federal lawsuit on Monday, November 28 against the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority for refusing to allow a local activist to purchase a bus ad calling for the boycott of Israel and its apartheid system.

Ann Arbor activist Blaine Coleman hoped to run an advertisement with the words "Boycott Israel, Boycott Apartheid" with a picture of a spider-like creature with a skull for a head on the side or back of an AATA bus to raise awareness.

The ACLU, which wrote a letter to AATA explaining their stance in August, is charging that the AATA's policy of prohibiting ads that are "likely to hold up to scorn or ridicule a person or group of persons" is unconstitutional, hile saying that the policy used to determine which ads to run is vague and overly broad. The lawsuit asks for a court order requiring AATA to treat Coleman's ad the same way it treats all other ads.

"In a free and democratic society, we cannot allow the government to suppress political speech, even if it is controversial, makes some uncomfortable, or stirs our emotions,said Dan Korobkin, ACLU of Michigan staff attorney. The solution is never to censor unpopular speech, but to allow others the same opportunity to speak."

The AATA rejected Coleman's ad because it allegedly violates its advertising policy, which also states that "all advertising must be considered in good taste...."

...The AATA's attorneys finally responded in November saying that they will not run Coleman's ad.

Coleman said that he had been trying to get the ad published for almost a year but did not receive a response to his emails for months. He is thankful for the support from ACLU in defending his free speech rights but had hoped it wouldn't have been needed.

"It should not be necessary for the ACLU to defend your rights to demand a boycott of Israel; it is the most elementary of free speech rights, period," he said.

"After Israel massacred Palestine as well as Lebanon that should be elementary, of course.

"For generations, boycotts have been an effective tool to raise awareness and effect change, and I personally believe that a call to boycott Israel is the best way to empower the Palestinian people, said Coleman. However, you can't have a boycott if the government won't allow you to speak like everyone else."

The AATA has told various local news outlets that it will not comment on the situation due to the pending litigation.

The ACLU also obtained public records showing that the AATA accepts advertisements about many important issues, including local politics, race, and religion and has run the following ads: “In Washtenaw County black babies are 3x more likely to die than white babies," two political ads supporting candidates for district judge, “Breastfeeding makes babies smarter," and an ad for NorthRidge Church that reads: “NorthRidge Church is For Hypocrites. NorthRidge Church is For Fakes. NorthRidge Church is For Liars. NorthRidge Church is For Losers.”

Dan Korobkin, a staff attorney with ACLU-MI, agreed with Coleman's comments about free speech.

"Once a public agency decides to allow some people to speak, it can't pick and choose between the speech that it likes and the speech that it doesn't,said Korobkin. By allowing some messages, yet censoring Mr. Coleman, AATA is doing exactly what the First Amendment is designed to prohibit.

Coleman has attended various council and board meetings in order to persuade decision makers to join in the worldwide Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against Israeli products over their repeated violations of international law in the occupied territories.

He said he would like members of the Arab American community and supporters in Dearborn to join him.

"What I would like most to see come out of this case personally is for the Dearborn community to march into Dearborn City Council and demand a resolution to boycott all products from Israel," he said.

*********************************************

"ACLU of Michigan files lawsuit over refusal of 'Boycott Israel' ads"

2011-12-02T20:13:00.000-08:00

"ACLU of Michigan files lawsuit over refusal of 'Boycott Israel' ads"

Arab American News (Dearborn, Michigan), page 15

December 3-9, 2011

(Click on image to enlarge it)

"American Civil Liberties Union files lawsuit against AATA for refusal to run anti-Israel ad"

2011-12-02T09:47:00.000-08:00

"American Civil Liberties Union files lawsuit against AATA for refusal to run anti-Israel ad"

By Krista Gjestland

Heritage Media

ANN ARBOR JOURNAL (Ann Arbor, Michigan)

December 2, 2011

At:

http://heritage.com/articles/2011/12/02/ann_arbor_journal/news/doc4ed79e59bacdb664554042.txt?viewmode=fullstory

The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan filed a lawsuit against the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority Monday morning for its refusal to run an anti-Israel ad on AATA buses.

Ann Arbor resident Blaine Coleman submitted an ad that read, "Boycott Israel, Boycott Apartheid," in December 2010.

In February, AATA refused his request, saying the ad violated its advertising policy. According to the policy, AATA can deny an ad if it "contains false, misleading or deceptive material, promotes an illegal activity, advocates violence or crime, infringes copyright, service mark, title or slogan or if it defames or is likely to hold up to scorn or ridicule a person or group of persons."

AATA also can deny an advertisement if it states or implies product or service endorsement, is a political ad, promotes alcohol or tobacco, or if it contains obscene material.

In a complaint issued to AATA in August, Coleman's lawyers cite several advertisements that violated AATA policy, but were allowed regardless, including ads that advocated breastfeeding, HIV testing, domestic violence awareness and promoting Joan Lowenstein for 15th District Court judge in Ann Arbor.

ACLU-Michigan lawyer Dan Korobkin, who is representing Coleman in this case, said the ACLU got involved, asking for AATA to reconsider based on the complaint submitted.

"We contacted AATA and asked for them to reconsider their position and run the ad," he said. "The actual governing board of the AATA met to discuss the issue and ultimately decided to not run the ad."

After meeting, the bus authority reached the same conclusion, denying Coleman's ad. According to the ACLU's press release, "The ACLU of Michigan's lawsuit argues that AATA's policy is vague and overly broad and asks a judge to strike it down as unconstitutional for violating the First Amendment right to free speech and the 14th Amendment right to due process. The lawsuit asks for a court order requiring AATA to treat Coleman's ad the same way it treats all other ads."

"AATA should run Mr. Coleman's ad under the same guidelines and rules and policies that it applies to every other ad," Korobkin said. "AATA should not be allowed to reject the ad based on its content or the views expressed in the ad."

According to Coleman, it's "racist violence" in Palestine that he takes issue with, and inspired him to try to run the ad.

"It's my personal opinion that Palestinians are facing genocide," he said. "I believe that I have the right and the duty to ask for a boycott of Israel the same way that people asked for a boycott of apartheid South Africa."

Coleman said he could give three examples of why he believes as he does.

"The first example is that Israel massacred over 1,200 innocent, helpless Palestinians in Gaza three years ago," he said. "The second example is that Israel massacred over 1,200 innocent, helpless Lebanese people in 2006. The third example is that Israel was very closely allied with the apartheid state of Africa for many years."

The complaint issued to AATA cites a December 2010 Human Rights Watch Report, "Separate and Unequal: Israel's Discriminatory Treatment of Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories" as support for Coleman's opinions.

The complaint states: "The report states that the Israeli government is responsible for a 'two- tier system of laws, rules, and services" in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.' It alleges that '(s)uch different treatment, on the basis of race, ethnicity, and national origin and not narrowly tailored to meet security or other justifiable goals, violates the fundamental prohibition against discrimination under human rights law.'"

Coleman said he is not against any group of people.

"Is it anti-anybody the demand an end to apartheid in occupied Palestine?" he said. "Of course not."

Korobkin said the ACLU took the case because it believes it's a violation of the First Amendment, and it often take cases it may not personally agree with....

********************************************

ACLU files motion regarding "Boycott Israel" bus advertisement

2011-11-29T10:15:00.000-08:00

"ACLU Files Motion in AATA Bus Ad Lawsuit"

ANN ARBOR CHRONICLE (Ann Arbor, Michigan)

Nov. 29, 2011

At:

http://annarborchronicle.com/2011/11/29/aclu-files-motion-in-bus-ad-lawsuit/

"On Nov. 29, 2011, the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan filed with the U.S. District Court (Eastern District of Michigan) a motion for a preliminary injunction or temporary restraining order, to compel the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority to accept an advertisement it had previously rejected. [.pdf of Nov. 29 ACLU motion]

"The previous day, on Nov. 28, the ACLU filed a lawsuit on behalf of activist Blaine Coleman, who had sought to purchase an advertisement for the sides of AATA buses. The AATA refused to run the ad. The proposed ad includes the text, “Boycott ‘Israel’ Boycott Apartheid,” and an image depicting a scorpion-like creature with a skull for a head.... [.pdf of image and text of proposed ad] "

ACLU lawsuit filed, to display “Boycott Israel, Boycott Apartheid” ads on city buses traveling along the University of Michigan campus:

2011-11-28T16:26:00.000-08:00

"Political activist sues Ann Arbor Transportation Authority for refusing advertisements"

DETROIT FREE PRESS (Detroit, Michigan)

Nov. 28, 2011

At: http://www.freep.com/article/20111128/NEWS05/111128069/Political-activist-sues-Ann-Arbor-Transportation-Authority-refusing-advertisements?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE

A Washtenaw County political activist sued the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority for refusing to post his ads decrying Israel’s treatment of Palestinians.

The ACLU of Michigan filed the suit today in U.S. District Court in Detroit on behalf of Blaine Coleman, who has tried for nearly a year to get his advertisement — “Boycott Israel, Boycott Apartheid” — displayed on city buses traveling along the University of Michigan campus.

The ads feature a skull attached to what appears to be a spider’s body holding other skulls and human bones.

The lawsuit said the transit authority’s board of directors rejected the ad this month saying it violates transit policy because it would defame or likely hold a person or group up to scorn or ridicule.

ACLU lawyer Daniel Korobkin said in the lawsuit that the refusal violates Coleman’s constitutional free speech and due process rights. He wants U.S. District Judge Mark Goldsmith to declare the policy unconstitutional.

A message for comment was left with the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority.

***************************************

"Ann Arbor bus agency sued over anti-Israel ad:

"ACLU sues bus agency in liberal Ann Arbor after anti-Israel ad is rejected"

On WDIV-TV News

Detroit, Michigan

November 28, 2011

At: http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/Ann-Arbor-bus-agency-sued-over-anti-Israel-ad/-/1719418/4837374/-/fetyjg/-/

The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit against an Ann Arbor bus agency after it refused to allow an ad that says, "Boycott Israel."

The lawsuit filed Monday in federal court in Detroit claims the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority is violating the free-speech rights of Blaine Coleman, who wants to put the ad on buses near the University of Michigan.

The lawsuit says the bus agency's board met Nov. 17 and rejected the ad, claiming it violates a policy against ads that ridicule people or groups.

Coleman's ad would say, "Boycott Israel, Boycott Apartheid." He believes the Israeli government treats Palestinians unfairly.

Ann Arbor Transportation Authority Chair Jesse Bernstein said the agency is not commenting because the case is in litigation.

***************************************

"ACLU sues AATA over refusal of anti-Israel bus advertisement"

AnnArbor.com

Nov. 28, 2011

at http://www.annarbor.com/news/aclu-sues-aata-over-refusal-of-anti-israel-bus-advertisement/

"The American Civil Liberties Union has sued the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority and CEO Michael Ford over the agency’s refusal to accept an advertisement calling for a boycott of Israel from pro-Palestinian activist Blaine Coleman of Ann Arbor.

"The lawsuit filed Monday in federal court in Detroit alleges AATA violated Coleman’s First Amendment right to free speech and 14th Amendment right to due process. It argues AATA’s policy is vague and overly broad. It asks the court to order AATA to display the advertisement under the same terms offered to other advertisers and to award Coleman damages, court costs and reasonable attorney fees....

"...The lawsuit alleges that AATA “almost never rejects advertisements for failing to comply with its advertising policy” and offers several examples to support that claim. As evidence, it notes that advertising policy prohibits ads supporting or opposing any candidate for political office or any ballot proposal, but the lawsuit alleges AATA ran political campaign advertisements supporting Joan Lowenstein and Margaret Conners for district court judge in 2008.

"The suit also notes that AATA has accepted ads from religious organizations and run ads with messages such as 'Breastfeeding makes babies smarter,” and “Two-Faced Landlords Can Be Stopped. Housing Discrimination Is Against the Law....' "

***************************************

"Lawsuit Filed Over Rejected AATA Bus Ad"

Ann Arbor Chronicle, at: http://annarborchronicle.com/2011/11/28/suit-filed-over-rejected-aata-bus-ad/

Nov. 28, 2011

"On Nov. 28, 2011, the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan filed a lawsuit against the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority in U.S. District Court over an advertisement the transit agency refused to accept for the sides of its buses. [.pdf of complaint]

ACLU of Michigan staff attorney Dan Korobkin told The Chronicle by phone that on Nov. 29 a motion will be filed with the court asking for a preliminary injunction, to compel AATA to run the ad.

"The ad features the text 'Boycott Israel' and 'Boycott Apartheid,' with an image depicting a scorpion-like creature with a skull for a head. At its Nov. 17 meeting, the AATA board voted to affirm the rejection of the ad, inviting Blaine Coleman – whom the ACLU is representing in the case – and the ACLU to discuss the advertising policy. The board’s vote had come in response to a letter the board had received in August 2011 asking the AATA to reverse the decision to reject the ad. [Chronicle coverage of the board's decision, the legal issues and some other similar cases are included in a report of that meeting: "Bus Ad Rejection Affirmed"]...."

***************************************

"ACLU files lawsuit against AATA over rejection of ad"

MICHIGAN DAILY (University of Michigan at Ann Arbor campus)

Nov. 29, 2011

At:

http://www.michigandaily.com/news/aclu-files-lawsuit-against-aata

"The Michigan chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit yesterday against the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority concerning the company’s refusal to sell advertising space to an Ann Arbor activist who promotes boycotting Israel.

"Following AATA’s refusal of activist Blaine Coleman’s ad, which was intended to read “Boycott Israel, Boycott Apartheid,” the ACLU lawsuit claims AATA’s advertising policy, which requires all ads to be “in good taste” and bans advertising that is “likely to hold up to scorn or ridicule a person or group of persons,” is in violation of the First Amendment due to its “vague” nature. The ACLU is calling for a judge to rule the policy unconstitutional.

"The lawsuit also states that Coleman’s ad should not be discriminated against because of its controversial nature. Dan Korobkin, staff attorney of the Michigan chapter of the ACLU, wrote in a press release yesterday that the case is pursuing the protection of free speech...

"...In the release, Coleman wrote that he chose to create the advertisement to “empower” Palestinians and increase awareness regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict...."

***************************************

"Ann Arbor bus agency sued over anti-Israel ad"

CHICAGO TRIBUNE

Associated Press

2:25 p.m. CST, November 28, 2011

At: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-mi-busad-lawsuit,0,331294.story

ANN ARBOR, Mich.— The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit against an Ann Arbor bus agency after it refused to allow an ad that says, "Boycott Israel."

The lawsuit says the bus agency's board met Nov. 17 and rejected the ad, claiming it violates a policy against ads that ridicule people or groups.

Coleman's ad would say, "Boycott Israel, Boycott Apartheid." He believes the Israeli government treats Palestinians unfairly. A message seeking comment was left with the chairwoman of the bus agency.

***************************************

"Ann Arbor bus agency sued over anti-Israel ad"

November 28, 2011

Same AP article in the Columbus, Indiana Republic, at:

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/8098dac6ab0546d681bef4ecee066217/MI--Bus-Ad-Lawsuit/

***************************************

"Ann Arbor bus agency sued over anti-Israel ad"

November 28, 2011

Same article in New England Cable News (NECN), in Newton, Massachusetts, at:

http://www.necn.com/11/28/11/Ann-Arbor-bus-agency-sued-over-anti-Isra/landing_nation.html?&apID=8098dac6ab0546d681bef4ecee066217

***************************************

"Ann Arbor bus agency sued over anti-Israel ad"

Same AP article in MLive.com (Michigan news)

November 28, 2011

at http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/index.ssf/story/ann-arbor-bus-agency-sued-over-anti-israel-ad/8098dac6ab0546d681bef4ecee066217

***************************************

"Ann Arbor bus agency sued over anti-Israel ad"

November 28, 2011

Same AP article in WNEM-TV News

(Saginaw, Michigan)

http://www.wnem.com/story/16139135/ann-arbor-bus-agency-sued-over-anti-israel-ad

***************************************

"Ann Arbor bus agency sued over anti-Israel ad"

Same AP article on CBS Detroit . com (WWJ TV News)

November 28, 2011

(Detroit, Michigan)

at:

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2011/11/28/ann-arbor-bus-agency-sued-over-anti-israel-ad/

***************************************

"Ann Arbor bus agency sued over anti-Israel ad"

Same AP article on WNDU-TV

South Bend, Indiana

Nov. 28, 2011

At: http://www.wndu.com/michigan/headlines/Ann_Arbor_bus_agency_sued_over_anti-Israel_ad_134647373.html

***************************************

"Ann Arbor bus agency sued over anti-Israel ad"

Same AP article on WLNS-TV

Lansing, Michigan

Nov. 28. 2011

At: http://www.wlns.com/story/16140548/ann-arbor-bus-agency-sued-over-anti-israel-ad

***************************************

"Boycott Israel" advertisement rejected by Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (AATA)

2011-11-28T13:03:00.000-08:00

The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan filed a federal lawsuit on November 28, 2011 against the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (AATA) for violating the First Amendment by refusing to allow a local activist to purchase a controversial bus advertisement that advocates for the boycott of Israel.

See the ACLU press release at:

http://www.aclumich.org/issues/free-speech/2011-11/1637

Here is the "Boycott Israel" advertisement which was officially rejected by Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (AATA) in Michigan:

(Click on the image to enlarge it)

*********************************

" 'Boycott Israeli Apartheid' ad rejection confirmed by Ann Arbor board"

2011-11-27T19:07:00.000-08:00

"Boycott Israeli Apartheid" ad rejection confirmed by Ann Arbor board

Published in the Arab American News (Dearborn, Michigan)

November 26-December 2, 2011

page 15:

(Click on the article to enlarge it)

"The university has faced intense pressure from an organized and momentous Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) campaign..."

2011-11-08T04:46:00.000-08:00

Above: Anti-Apartheid activists rally in Carleton Atrium. Photo courtesy of CUPE 4600

Above: Tree representing depopulated Palestinian Village left outside Carleton University President's office. (Photo by Derek Atkinson)

-------------------------------------------------

"Campus Rally Against Racism:

"Students Protest Carleton University’s Sponsorship of JNF Fundraiser"

by ANDY CROSBY

OTTAWA WORKING GROUP OF THE MEDIA CO-OP

Nov. 7, 2011

At: http://www.mediacoop.ca/story/campus-rally-against-racism/8849

In the lead-up to the Jewish National Fund’s (JNF) fundraising gala in Ottawa, students rallied on Nov. 7 in opposition to Carleton University’s sponsorship of the annual event.

“We are here to protest our university’s proud support of the Jewish National Fund’s annual gala and to challenge President Runte’s position as honorary co-chair of this event,” Dax D’Orazio, spokesperson for Students Against Israeli Apartheid (SAIA), told the Media Co-op.

A flyer circulated before the event accused the JNF of being an “openly racist organization…complicit in ethnic cleansing, colonization and dispossession in Palestine since 1901.” The historic mandate of the JNF was to remove all Palestinians from their land.

Recently, Israel has engaged in a campaign of demolishing Bedouin villages and displacing the indigenous population in the Negev Desert region. The JNF has been accused of stationing bulldozers on the land under police protection in order to clear the land for tree planting and prevent the Bedouins from moving back into the area.

Carleton students and supporters gathered in the Unicentre Atrium for a boisterous rally and then proceeded to President Roseann Runte’s office, who will participate as an honorary co-chair of the fundraiser scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 8.

“Our goals are very clear,” said D’Orazio. “We want Runte to step down as honorary co-chair. We want the institution to distance itself from the JNF, and more broadly we want the university and the administration to explain how and why this decision was made to throw their weight behind the JNF.”

The demonstrators were prevented from entering the President’s office as doors were locked and guarded by campus security.

Protestors left three dead trees outside President Runte’s office to symbolize the depopulation of three Palestinian villages – Dayr Ayyub, Yalu, and Imwas – which were cleared so that the JNF could build Canada Park.

A few minutes before the rally commenced, an email was sent from the President’s office to the Carleton community. The email stated that, “Carleton is a part of the Ottawa community and the JNF’s Negev dinner is an event that honours community builders and leaders and I am pleased that we have been invited to participate.”

In the weeks leading up to the fundraiser, SAIA helped collect and deliver upwards of 800 letters to the university administration and organized students, faculty, and alumni to flood the President’s office with hundreds of phone calls.

The university has faced intense pressure from an organized and momentous Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) campaign demanding that Carleton divest from companies complicit in Israeli apartheid. After a disruptive rally this past spring, which effectively shut down a Board of Governors meeting at Carleton, the university administration threatened students with non-academic penalties if they participated in similar actions in the future.

In particular, students have called out President Runte on the claim that Carleton and its officials do not wish to “take sides”. In the 2008-2009 Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip, which killed over 1,400 Palestinians, students asked Runte to condemn the deliberate bombing of the Islamic University in Gaza. The university's response pleaded neutrality, “…if the president has a personal opinion, he or she should not use the position of president to give it expression and weight. By so doing, it could be implied that this position was one adopted by the institution as a whole.”

As a result of this statement and the university’s inaction surrounding the BDS campaign, students are accusing the President of outright hypocrisy for sponsoring and participating in the JNF event.

Threats from the administration have not deterred Carleton students and faculty from launching effective campaigns and holding large demonstrations on campus.

According to D’Orazio, these threats have “had the effect of bolstering more support on campus and even emboldening student activists.”

SAIA plans to organize another rally to confront the Board of Governors at their meeting at the end of November.

U.S. military shoots 1.8 billion bullets per year.They are forced to import bullets from Israel.

2011-11-08T03:28:00.000-08:00

"US forced to import bullets from Israel as troops use 250,000 for every rebel killed"

By Andrew Buncombe in Washington

THE INDEPENDENT (U.K.)

Sunday, 25 September 2005

At: http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:TgYAP1yEmHAJ:www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-forced-to-import-bullets-from-israel-as-troops-use-250000-for-every-rebel-killed-508299.html+&cd=6&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

(Article also reprinted in the Belfast Telegraph at: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/us-forced-to-import-bullets-from-israel-as-troops-use-250000-for-every-rebel-killed-15050027.html )

US forces have fired so many bullets in Iraq and Afghanistan - an estimated 250,000 for every insurgent killed - that American ammunition-makers cannot keep up with demand. As a result the US is having to import supplies from Israel.

A government report says that US forces are now using 1.8 billion rounds of small-arms ammunition a year. The total has more than doubled in five years, largely as a result of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as changes in military doctrine.

"The Department of Defense's increased requirements for small- and medium-calibre ammunitions have largely been driven by increased weapons training requirements, dictated by the army's transformation to a more self-sustaining and lethal force - which was accelerated after the attacks of 11 September, 2001 - and by the deployment of forces to conduct recent US military actions in Afghanistan and Iraq," said the report by the General Accounting Office (GAO).

Estimating how many bullets US forces have expended for every insurgent killed is not a simple or precisely scientific matter. The former head of US forces in Iraq, General Tommy Franks, famously claimed that his forces "don't do body counts".

But senior officers have recently claimed "great successes" in Iraq, based on counting the bodies of insurgents killed. Maj-Gen Rick Lynch, the top US military spokesman in Iraq, said 1,534 insurgents had been seized or killed in a recent operation in the west of Baghdad. Other estimates from military officials suggest that at least 20,000 insurgents have been killed in President George Bush's "war on terror".

John Pike, director of the Washington military research group GlobalSecurity.org, said that, based on the GAO's figures, US forces had expended around six billion bullets between 2002 and 2005. "How many evil-doers have we sent to their maker using bullets rather than bombs? I don't know," he said.

"If they don't do body counts, how can I? But using these figures it works out at around 300,000 bullets per insurgent. Let's round that down to 250,000 so that we are underestimating."

Pointing out that officials say many of these bullets have been used for training purposes, he said: "What are you training for? To kill insurgents."

Kathy Kelly, a spokeswoman for the peace group Voices in the Wilderness, said Mr Bush believed security for the American people could come only from the use of force. Truer security would be achieved if the US developed fairer relations with other countries and was not involved in the occupation of Iraq. The President, said Ms Kelly, should learn from Israel's experience of "occupying the Palestinians" rather than buying its ammunition.

The GAO report notes that the three government-owned, contractor-operated plants that produce small- and medium-calibre ammunition were built in 1941.

Though millions of dollars have been spent on upgrading the facilities, they remain unable to meet current munitions needs in their current state. "The government-owned plant producing small-calibre ammunition cannot meet the increased requirements, even with modernisation efforts," said the report.

"Also, commercial producers within the national technology and industrial base have not had the capacity to meet these requirements. As a result, the Department of Defense had to rely at least in part on foreign commercial producers to meet its small-calibre ammunition needs."

A report in Manufacturing & Technology News said that the Pentagon eventually found two producers capable of meeting its requirements. One of these was the US firm Olin-Winchester.

The other was Israel Military Industries, an Israeli ammunition manufacturer linked to the Israeli government, which produces the bulk of weapons and ordnance for the Israeli Defence Force.

The Pentagon reportedly bought 313 million rounds of 5.56mm, 7.62mm and 50-calibre ammunition last year and paid $10m (about £5.5m) more than it would have cost for it to produce the ammunition at its own facilities.

*************************************

"University of Michigan students walk out in protest of Israeli diplomat"-- Ann Arbor, Michigan campus

2011-11-07T12:51:00.000-08:00

Published in the Arab American News

October 30, 2011

On the Web at:

http://www.arabamericannews.com/news/index.php?mod=article&cat=Community&article=4877

ANN ARBOR — Last year, the a coalition of University of Michigan student organizations set off a national college trend with their walk-out on a pair of Israeli soldiers at a speaking tour on campus that many deemed a PR campaign to "whitewash" UN war crimes accusations.

On Monday, October 24, many of the same students along with new supporters continued their trend as more than 60 students staged a silent, peaceful walkout of Israeli deputy consul Ishmael Khaldi.

"History has proven that there's no use having a dialogue with an occupying power," Students Allied for Freedom and Equality Education Chair Abbas Alawieh said about the decision to walk out on Khaldi, leaving only about 15 audience members in the Kalamazoo Room of the Michigan League building for his speech.

"Our position on this issue is, end the occupation and that will be the end of the problems (in the region)."

SAFE was joined by members of the Arab Students Association and the Muslim Students Association on campus in their efforts.

The group's co-chair Bilal Baydoun was pleased with how the protest turned out.

"The walkout exceeded our expectations," he said. "We succeeded in rattling the speaker and making him nervous; we sent the message that this campus doesn't welcome him.

"But ultimately, our goal is to prevent someone like this from even arriving on campus in the first place and we feel confident that we will be able to accomplish this as we continue to spread awareness.

Khaldi, who says he's a former Bedouin (wanderer), was invited to speak about what he says are better opportunities presented by Israel to achieve a better life as an Arab in the region.

As the dozens of students walked out on him, he told them that their actions were an example of why the region is struggling to achieve peace.

Alawieh, speaking in the University's Diag courtyard and campus center after the event, strongly disagreed with Khaldi's assertion.

"What Israel and its supporters see as dialogue, the majority of the world sees as a farce of a 'peace process,'" he said, "that has only resulted in the loss of more Palestinian land, the bulldozing of more houses, construction of more internationally illegal settlements, more deaths, and the continued dehumanization of the Palestinians."

He also took issue with Khaldi using his position in Israel as an example of equality, noting that demonstrators held signs noting that Arabs still do not have equal rights in Israel.

"It's almost like saying that racism is gone against African Americans because Barack Obama is president now," Alawieh said.

Alawieh said that the organization wanted to draw attention to the continued occupation of Palestinian land, the reality that Arabs still are far from equals in Israel, and also that Khaldi's boss, Avigdor Lieberman, is on record as having made racist remarks about Arabs.

SAFE member Mike McHenry said he grew up in a pro-Israeli household but changed his viewpoint after becoming a member and attending events like a speech from anti-Israeli apartheid Jewish author Norman Finkelstein last year.

"Learning about the Palestinian issue has changed my viewpoint of human rights issues in general around the world," he said. "What I feel about the speaker is that he seems to have sold out for a better position and benefits for himself within Israel at the expense of his own people."

**********************************************

November 1, 2011:"Students protest Israeli spokesperson at Wayne State University"

2011-11-05T01:04:00.000-07:00

Click on images to enlarge them.

on the Web at:

http://mondoweiss.net/2011/11/students-protest-israeli-spokesperson-at-wayne-state-university.html

********************************

First YouTube video at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xF1mEHloDF8

Second YouTube video at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7P_qS5msJA

********************************

From 2003, the Wayne State University Student Council's resolution for total divestment against Israel:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EbIZBUj7TAg/S9GHXfkzyeI/AAAAAAAAAIg/38lsFh4ofi0/s1600/WSU.bmp

********************************

Boycott-Israel campaign at Sacramento, California food co-op

2011-09-18T02:47:00.000-07:00

"Food co-op turns into battleground over Israeli products"

By SHANE GOLDMACHER
Los Angeles Times

September 9, 2011

Reprinted in the Sacramento Bee at:
http://www.sacbee.com/2011/09/09/3897181/food-co-op-turns-into-battleground.html

"...A small band of members pushed the co-op board to strip store shelves of Israeli-made items, arguing that Israel represses its Palestinian population and the co-op should take a stand. They collected signatures and demanded a referendum on the issue, but the board said no. So the activists launched a campaign to take over some board seats. Votes will be tallied Saturday...

"...Similar battles have flared at co-ops across the nation: in Brooklyn, N.Y. (still going), Ann Arbor, Mich. (boycott rejected), Olympia, Wash. (boycott adopted). They're loosely linked through the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement modeled after the old anti-apartheid boycotts."

*******************************************

"Boycott Israel" Panic Attack #1

2011-09-03T09:42:00.000-07:00

"Boycott Israel" Panic Attack #1

On YouTube at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbnT1hmdD-w

*******************************

When the police shut down a Palestine video in a U.S. university town:

2011-08-15T04:34:00.000-07:00

You can click on the Ann Arbor News article, below, to enlarge it:

Above, you will see a January 14, 2006 news article, entitled "Activist takes video case to ACLU", on page A3 of the Ann Arbor News, showing exactly how a City limits Palestine human rights speech in public forums.

At an Ann Arbor, Michigan City Council meeting, an Ann Arbor Police Lieutenant was sent to stop a 3-minute video of Israeli soldiers breaking the bones of a helpless, captured young Palestinian.

It did not matter that the 3 minutes had been properly reserved in advance with the city government, as is normal for public commentary time.

It did not matter that a computer and projector had already been set up to use the same projection screen that was used by so many others in presentations to City Council, year after year.

In spite of all that, the police lieutenant pulled the cord out of that computer-- which forcefully prevented any projection of that video to the City Council.

**********************************************************

U.S. Congressman Dingell actually says "I have proudly supported more than $300 billion dollars in aid for the State of Israel."

2011-08-14T16:14:00.001-07:00

When Congressman John Dingell appears in his home district of Dearborn, Michigan, why is he never challenged about his overwhelming support to Israel?

Dingell says, "I have proudly supported more than $300 billion dollars in aid for the State of Israel."

Click on Dingell's news release, page 1, above.

Click on Dingell's news release, page 2, above.

___________________________________

Here is Dingell's quote, in his own words:

"...during my 50 years in Congress, I have proudly supported more than $300 billion dollars in aid for the State of Israel. ..."

--Congressman John Dingell, at:

http://www.house.gov/dingell/documents/press_releases/109th_Session2/08-02-06.htm

***********************************************

Campaign to boycott all Israeli products at a New York City Food Co-op:

2011-08-10T05:28:00.000-07:00

The continuing campaign to boycott all Israeli products at a New York City Food Co-op:

_________________________________________

"Group Wants Park Slope Food Coop to Consider Boycott of Israeli Products"

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

By Luna Lin

On WNYC (New York), at:

http://culture.wnyc.org/articles/features/2011/aug/10/israeli-boycott/

"A group aligned with the B.D.S. movement wants Brooklyn's Park Slope Food Coop to consider a move toward a boycott of Israeli products.

"Opposing opinions on issues around Israel and Palestine have long been exchanged in the coop's in-store newspaper, the Linewaiters' Gazette.

"But on July 26, the group Park Slope Food Coop Members for Israeli Boycott, Divestment, & Sanctions proposed that the coop's board vote on whether or not to hold a referendum to poll the coop's 15,000 plus members on the issue.

" 'I think that's a peaceful way to get the message across,' said member Brenda Iijima. 'It's controversial and I understand everyone's sensitivity. But I think what's happening in Palestine is just unconscionable and sad. We are directly responsible for it in the United States...'

"...The Park Slope Food Coop isn't the only food coop to consider a B.D.S. endorsement. The Olympia Food Co-op's board voted to institute a B.D.S. boycott last year. But the membership of the People's Food Co-op in Ann Arbor, Michigan voted down a motion to support the B.D.S. movement in 2007 by a ratio of 3 to 1, as did the Food Co-Op Port Townsend in Washington because its rules don't permit the coop to boycott products from an entire country.

"Doug Walter, who has been the membership director at the Davis Food Co-op in California for 22 years, said his coop's board voted down the endorsement because only 15 percent of its members supported the move..."

**********************************************

Boycotting Israel at another Food Co-op

2011-08-07T11:21:00.000-07:00

Boycotting Israel at another Food Co-op:

See article below.

-------------------------------

"Soy Vey! Could a Hummus Fight Kill the Co-op?,

"BroBos pick sides as Park Slope Food Co-op considers Israeli products ban;

"Dershowitz rends garments: we will ‘make them pay!’

"Nobel laureate Tutu backs boycott"

August 3, 2011

New York Observer

See full article on the Web at:

http://www.observer.com/2011/08/soy-vey-could-a-hummus-fight-kill-the-co-op/

Brief excerpts are below:

"Israel and the Park Slope Food Co-op have a lot in common. Both were founded in part by Jewish socialists. Both are governed by a raucous democracy with laws and rituals to rival the Talmud. Both have a soft spot for hummus and couscous.

"And now both are plagued by the Palestinian question.

"Last week, the co-op held its first open discussion about whether or not to endorse B.D.S., an international movement that calls for the boycott, divestment and sanctioning of Israeli products and companies. Supporters see B.D.S. as a nonviolent way to attack Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories, while critics claim the movement stinks of anti-Semitism. The issue has been batted around the co-op for years, from the bulk aisles to the letters section of the biweekly Linewaiters’ Gazette, house organ of the organic house...

"When the Gaza flotilla fiasco occurred last summer, it inflamed the issue yet again, which led a group of about 20 co-op members to push for a referendum on B.D.S., the subject of last week’s meeting..."

***********************************************************************

South African student bodies slam "Israeli Apartheid Agents" and endorse nationwide Israel boycott

2011-08-06T05:12:00.000-07:00

At:

http://www.pacbi.org/etemplate.php?id=1682

PRESS STATEMENT:

South African student bodies slam "Israeli Apartheid Agents" and endorse nationwide Israel boycott

This afternoon at a joint press conference held at the student center of the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, national representatives of the South African Union of Students (SAUS), the South African Student Congress (SASCO) and the Young Communist League (YCL) slammed the pending trip of "Israeli Apartheid agents" to South Africa.

The Israeli mission to South African campuses is expected to arrive on the 11th of August 2011. Palestinian students have written to South African colleagues asking them to challenge and boycott the Israeli delegation.

Today's press conference was hosted by South Africa's oldest, largest and most representative student bodies - the South African Students Congress* and the South African Union of Students**. Furthermore, members of the University of Johannesburg and University of the Witwatersrand's Student Representative Councils were also present.

An extract of the press statement is produced below:

"We, students and youth of a post Apartheid South Africa, who bear the scars of a racist history and who continue to fight for complete liberation, have a duty and responsibility to stand in solidarity with those facing oppression worldwide. Israeli apartheid is one such form of oppression.

"Israeli media boast that a mission of 150 Israeli propagandists will be sent to universities in 5 countries to fix Israel's "serious image problems". The Israeli mission will begin on South African campuses on the 11th of August, with a delegation that includes at least two aides from the Israeli parliament. A delegation member was clear about the intention of their trip: "We have to create some doubt in their [South African students'] minds."

"Don't patronize us! We lived apartheid, we suffered apartheid, we know what apartheid is, we recognise apartheid when we see it. And when we see Israel, we see a regime that practices apartheid. Israel's image needs no changing; its policies do! We urge Israeli students to instead join the growing and inspiring internal resistance to their regime, particularly the boycott from within movement, rather than waste time and money on these propaganda trips to deceive us Black students, South Africans have no need for these Muldergate-like trips.

"A "major focus of the Israeli trip will be the University of Johannesburg (UJ). On 1st April 2011 UJ's Senate, with the full backing of UJ's Student Representative Council, terminated its institutional relationship with Israel's Ben-Gurion University. Indeed, UJ set an academic boycott of Israel precedent that all other South African and international universities can follow.

"Following UJ's decision, and in response to a letter sent to us by Palestinian students, we urge all SRCs, student groups and other youth structures to strategize and implement a boycott of Israel and its campaigns. We declare that all SA campuses must be Apartheid-Israel free zones.

"As with the struggle against apartheid in South Africa, international solidarity is key in overcoming Israeli Apartheid. In Nelson Mandela's words: 'It behooves all South Africans, erstwhile beneficiaries of generous international support, to stand up and be counted among those contributing actively to the cause of freedom and justice. We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians.'

FOR THE RECORD

A. On Education

1. The Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories has had disastrous effects on access to education for Palestinians. Palestinian students face poverty, harassment and humiliation as a result of Israeli policy and actions.

2. Israel mounted direct attacks on Palestinian education, including the complete closures of two Palestinian universities in 2003 and the targeting and bombing of more than 60 primary and secondary schools during the Israeli attacks on Gaza in 2009.

3. Israel's assault on the education of Palestinians is illegal under international law. The right to education is a fundamental human right enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international instruments.

4. The Israeli blockade of Gaza has had a detrimental impact on students. Gaza's electricity supply is controlled by Israel and shut-down for several hours most days, making it difficult for students to study. Moreover, the blockade means insufficient quantities of educational equipment, such as paper, desks and books, reach students.

B. On Israeli Apartheid

5. Several of our senior leaders have compared Israel to Apartheid South Africa, including Comrades Kgalema Mothlantle, Blade Nzimande, Zwelinzima Vavi, Rob Davies, Jeremy Cronin, Ahmed Kathrada, Winnie Mandela, Ronnie Kasrils, Denis Goldberg, the late Kader Asmal and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

6. Both the former and current United Nations Special Rapporteurs for Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories have requested that Israel be investigated for the crime of apartheid.

7. In an official report commissioned by the South African government in 2009, the Human Sciences Research Council confirmed that Israel, by its policies and practices, is guilty of the crime of apartheid.

8. In November 2010, South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation called upon the Israeli government to cease their activities that are reminiscent of apartheid forced removals.

C. On Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS)

8. Palestinian civil society, including student groups, have called for a policy of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) of Israel until it abides by international law.

9. This call has the endorsement of the largest and most representative coalition of civil and political society in Palestine. The call also has the support of a growing number of progressive Israeli groups.

10. In 2010, the United Nations Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Professor Richard Falk, said: It is politically and morally appropriate, as well as legally correct, to accord maximum support to the BDS campaign.

11. COSATU, South Africa's largest trade union federation was one of the first unions to endorse the BDS call. Subsequently, numerous other international trade unions have also adopted a pro-BDS position.

12. Several international groups have began to advance the BDS call in the cultural, consumer, sports, economic and academic spheres. Earlier this year the largest student union in Europe, the ULU, passed a motion in support of BDS."

ISSUED ON THURSDAY THE 4th OF AUGUST 2011 BY

South African Union of Students, South African Student Congress and the Young Communist League of South Africa

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Themba Masondo +27 (0) 791993421 - masondothemba@gmail.com

Mbuyiseni Ndlozi +27 (0) 11 7174450 - mbuyiseni@gmail.com -

Kate Joseph +27 (0) 722299613 - Katejoseph3@gmail.com

Muhammed Desai +27 (0)842119988 - mdesai.work@gmail.com

* SASCO is South Africa's oldest and largest student organization.

** The SA Union of Students (SAUS) comprises all South African university Student Representative Councils and is the most representative student union in the country.

www.bdssouthafrica.com/2011/07/student-campaign.html

http://www.bdssouthafrica.com/2011/07/student-campaign.html

*************************************************************

Students demand divestment against Israeli occupation, at Evergreen State College:"We will push you until you divest."

2011-05-12T03:51:00.000-07:00

"Board of trustees told to divest"

COOPER POINT JOURNAL (Evergreen State College)

by ERIN FINCH

THURSDAY, 12 MAY 2011

At: http://cooperpointjournal.com/news/board-trustees-told-divest

The Evergreen State College Board of Trustees’ May 11 meeting was mobbed with students and community members full of opinions on the campus divestment movement. The Library boardroom was at capacity, with students and faculty standing along the walls, spilling out of the room to outside of the doors, straining to hear the comments.

The public comment section of the board meeting was not designated as a discussion of college divestment. However, all but two of the comments voiced during the hour-and-a-half related to this issue.

Those who signed up to make a public comment were given roughly two minutes to speak their piece, while the board remained silent for the duration.

The overwhelming majority of speakers voiced varying levels of support for the divestment resolution passed in 2010 by campus-wide election. While some gave tentative support, calling upon the board to take the vote seriously and debate it openly, others took a more radical position.

Evergreen alum Anna-Marie Murano vehemently demanded that the Trustees obey the student election supporting divestment. “So far, the board of trustees has failed us. The president [of the college] has failed us,” she said.

“I ask you, as people in power, to follow our lead. You don’t need to lead, just follow us. There are plenty of us that will stand in front of you. Look at all the people here today,” continued Murano.

“This is the beginning. This is not the end, this is the beginning, and we will push you until you divest. We will divest. I will tell you: Red Square will start looking like Tahrir Square unless you start doing something,” said Murano, wrapping up her comment dramatically.

Some voiced concerns about divestment and the possible effect it could have upon the academic atmosphere at Evergreen.

Senior Josh Levine said that he did not think divestment would serve Evergreen’s goals. “The end goal of the college is the educational opportunities it provides its students,” said Levine.

“I’m afraid that if Boycott Divest Sanction has its way with this campus, it will curtail the faculty. It will curtail the students,” said Levine. “It will not allow them the full variety of studies that might otherwise be permitted. If a student is going off into the middle east to do a contract, or a faculty person chooses to invite an Israeli philosopher or scientist to campus, would we have to go through an approval process because we’re putting money into the Israeli economy?”

The only other issue brought to the board related to the ongoing classified staff contract negotiations. Evergreen employee Lin Crowley, who is on the union negotiation team, expressed her frustration with the process, which she described as “at an impasse.” She then reiterated the union’s demand that administrators agree to the same level of pay cut endured by classified staff.

At end of the comment section, Nathan Brockett, the student member of the Board of Trustees, expressed his desire to take some kind of action even if divestment is not an option.

**********************************************

Stanford University campaign for divestment against Israeli Apartheid:

2011-04-15T04:50:00.000-07:00

This flyer announced an April 14, 2011 event for divestment at Stanford.

Notice the photo from the 1980's, showing Stanford students demanding "Stanford out of South Africa":

Click on the flyer to enlarge it.

***********************************

"Quakers to boycott products from Israeli settlements"

2011-04-08T03:16:00.000-07:00

While declaring the boycott, the Quakers stated:

“In the face of the armed oppression of poor people and the increasing encroachment of the illegal settlements in the West Bank, we cannot do nothing,”

----------------------------------------------------------

QUAKERS IN BRITAIN

05 April 2011

On the Web at: http://www.quaker.org.uk/quakers-boycott-products-israeli-settlements

Quakers in Britain have agreed to boycott products from the Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The settlements are illegal under international law. Quakers consider that this boycott is a nonviolent move for peace for Israelis and Palestinians. The decision makes clear that Quakers are not boycotting Israel.

Half a million Israeli settlers live illegally in the West Bank (including East Jerusalem). The settlements and infrastructure on Palestinian land are protected by the Israeli government and military and prevent or restrict Palestinians access to their land, water supplies, education, health services and more. Extensive settlement infrastructure divides up Palestinian land, creating obstacles to peace.

Palestinian Quakers are calling for Quakers around the world to consider boycott, divestment and sanctions because of the worsening situation caused by Israel’s occupation. The decision was made on Saturday (2 April) by the representative decision-making body for Quakers in Britain, Meeting for Sufferings. The Meeting has not yet considered a Quaker view on divestment and sanctions.

The Meeting heard that most Jewish Israeli peace groups support boycotts of settlement products.

“People matter more than territory” says the minute from the Meeting. And, “We pray fervently for both Israelis and Palestinians, keeping them together in our hearts. We hope they will find an end to their fears and the beginning of their mutual co-existence based on a just peace. And so we look forward to the end of the occupation and the end of the international boycott.”

“In the face of the armed oppression of poor people and the increasing encroachment of the illegal settlements in the West Bank, we cannot do nothing,” the minute continued.

“We are clear then that it would be wrong to support the illegal settlements by purchasing their goods. We therefore ask Friends (Quakers) throughout Britain Yearly Meeting to boycott settlement goods, until such time as the occupation is ended.”

Quakers consider that this boycott builds on their other nonviolent moves for peace in the region. Since 2002 Quakers in Britain have trained human rights observers for the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI). The observers, called ecumenical accompaniers, work with Palestinians and Israelis to promote nonviolence by their protective presence, to monitor human rights abuses and to advocate for an end to the Israeli occupation.

The full text of the minute follows:

Boycott, divestment and sanctions (Israel/Palestine)

Further to minute S/11/02/4 of 5 February 201, we receive minutes on this matter from the following Area Meetings: Southern Marches (paper S/11/04/mc i a), Sussex East (i b), Surrey & Hampshire Border (i c), Swarthmoor (i f), North London (i g), Cambridgeshire (i h), East Cheshire (i i), Ipswich & Diss (i j), North West London (i k), Bristol (i l), Hampshire & Islands (i m), Devon (i n), Manchester & Warrington (i o) and North Cumbria (i p).

Our assistant clerk has summarised the 14 Area Meeting minutes received, and we have returned to our consideration of the issues raised in the papers received at our last meeting (paper S/11/02/A prepared by Marigold Bentley, Assistant General Secretary of Quaker Peace & Social Witness (QPSW), the Kairos Palestine Document A moment of truth (paper S/11/02/B), and the Quaker Council for European Affairs Discussion Paper entitled Responses to the call for boycott, divestment and sanctions (S/11/02/C)).

We have heard of the responses of Jewish Peace Groups within Israel. We hear these Israeli citizens risk being criminalised by their government if they actively support the Palestinian call for cultural and economic boycott. We were informed that most Jewish Israeli Peace Groups support the boycott of settlement goods, and only some support a boycott of Israel.

A just peace for Palestine means security for Israel too, and nonviolent protests by both Israelis and Palestinians for the end of the occupation are heartening to observe.

For nine years Quakers have been witnessing individually and through the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) to the human rights abuses of the military occupation of the Palestinian Territories. Today we have considered whether we should add nonviolent action to our witnessing – not as punishment or revenge, but as an external pressure to achieve change.

We understand the history and the trauma of the past, but it is Israelis who are the stronger and they need to make the changes.

John Woolman's words (Quaker faith & practice 26.61) remind us of the powerful sense we have of being brothers and sisters with people of other faiths. There are three main faiths in this part of the world, and we want to proceed in ways which allow dialogue to continue. We consider we should now act publically and, well-informed, be able to explain our action to others - because people matter more than territory, and because we approach others with a desire for peace.

Difficult decisions taken by us today can be reversed. The request for boycott comes from those who will suffer most, but a decision for boycott will give hope to Palestinians and support to those in Israel who are working for peace.

In the face of the armed oppression of poor people and the increasing encroachment of the illegal settlements in the West Bank, we cannot do nothing.

Our hearts are full of compassion for Israelis and Palestinians, all of whom are suffering from the effects of the occupation.

We are clear that it would be wrong to support the illegal settlements by purchasing their goods. We therefore ask Friends (Quakers) throughout Britain Yearly Meeting to boycott settlement goods, until such time as the occupation is ended.

We are not at this time proposing to boycott goods from Israel itself, being unwilling to jeopardise continuing dialogue with Israelis and British Jews.

We pray fervently for both Israelis and Palestinians, keeping them together in our hearts. We hope they will find an end to their fears and the beginning of their mutual co-existence based on a just peace. And so we look forward to the end of the occupation and the end of the international boycott. We envisage our future relationship with both peoples as one of loving and generous co-operation.

Although we unite in this decision we recognise that Friends have different views, and we must treat one another tenderly.

ends

Notes to editor:

For interviews contact Anne van Staveren on 020 7663 1048.
Approximately 23,000 people attend Quaker Meetings for Worship in Britain, and there are more than 475 Meetings.
Quakers are known formally as the Religious Society of Friends.
Meeting for Sufferings has authority to speak on behalf of Quakers in Britain (formally known as Britain Yearly Meeting). It brings together representatives of the 70 Area Meetings across Britain, and the Trustees of Britain Yearly Meeting. About 180 Quakers were present on Saturday.
The World Council of Churches set up a programme called the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) in response to a call for international help from church leaders in Jerusalem. The aim of this programme is to end the Israeli occupation and bring a just peace based on international law. Since 2002, on behalf of British and Irish churches and church organisations, Quakers in Britain have trained more than one hundred human rights observers for the EAPPI. Read more on EAPPI at www.quaker.org.uk/eappi
Read more about boycotting produce from the Israeli settlements at www.quaker.org.uk/settlement-produce
The minute refers to Quaker John Woolman. In 1762 he said: “There is a principle which is pure, placed in the human mind, which in different places and ages hath different names; it is, however, pure and proceeds from God. It is deep and inward, confined to no forms of religion nor excluded from any where the heart stands in perfect sincerity. In whomsoever this takes root and grows, of what nation soever, they become brethren. (Quaker Faith and Practice 26.61)

Media Information
Anne van Staveren
0207 663 1048
07958 009703
annev@quaker.org.uk
www.quaker.org.uk

************************************

At New York University:"Students for Justice in Palestine rally for divestment from Israel"

2011-04-07T03:35:00.001-07:00

"Students for Justice in Palestine rally for divestment from Israel"

by Amy Zhang
Published April 6, 2011
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS (NYU)

At: http://www.nyunews.com/news/2011/04/06/06protest/

Students for Justice in Palestine called for divestment from Israel in a rally on West Fourth Street on Tuesday. But their voices didn't go unopposed: Gesher: Israel club at NYU and Violets for Israel set up their campaign right across the street.

The issue of contention was the ongoing Isreali-Palestinian conflict, which pits mainstream Palestinians, who demand a state in the West Bank and Gaza strip, against right-wing Israelis, who claim that a creation of a state would destabilize a peaceful Israel.

Shouting war cries while battling the wind and rain, both sides caught the attention of passers-by strolling through the middle of their skirmish.

"Hey Israel, just face it. Apartheid is racist," shouted members of the SJP. "Resistance is justified when people are occupied!"...

************************************

Pushing to dump Israeli investments at the University of Colorado

2011-03-31T03:55:00.000-07:00

"CU grad lobbying university to pull investments from Israel:

"Board of Regents has no plans to take up the issue"

By Brittany Anas, Staff Writer

Daily Camera (University of Colorado at Boulder)

Posted: 03/30/2011 08:13:53 PM MDT

At: http://www.dailycamera.com/cu-news/ci_17737840

A University of Colorado graduate is lobbying the school to pull its investments from Israel.

Activist Michael Rabb has started a grassroots movement and has submitted a proposed resolution to the Board of Regents, asking CU to examine its investments and endowments and divest from companies that he says support "immoral occupation and apartheid in Palestine."

"Some of these companies provide weapons and covert surveillance supplies that maintain the occupation by force," says the petition he's circulating at CU. "Others take or exploit Palestinian resources, including scarce water and even the land itself."

But Jewish organizations say Rabb's proposal would divide the university. And so far, the regents haven't taken up the matter.

"For us to get involved in the politics of Palestine and Israel isn't practical," said Regent Steve Bosley, R-Broomfield.

In the past, CU has divested from Sudan and South Africa.

CU system spokesman Ken McConnellogue said CU hasn't researched what investments would be affected by the activists' proposed divestment from Israel, but officials believe it's "minimal." The regents have not requested the university to report that information to them.

The proposed resolution Rabb is asking the board to consider says: "The Arabs in Palestine continue to suffer under Israel's illegal and immoral regime of military occupation, colonization and apartheid, and ... the University of Colorado has a proud tradition of non-discrimination and commitment to human rights."

The Jewish Community Relations Council -- an umbrella coalition representing 37 local and national Jewish organizations in Boulder and Denver -- sent a letter to the Board of Regents calling Rabb's resolution outrageous. In their letter, Janet Sherman, director of the group, and Rick Kornfeld, chairman, say the Israeli-Palestinian conflict should not be compared to apartheid and the government-sanctioned racial segregation in South Africa.

"While it is tempting to look exclusively at one side or the other to shoulder the blame, one-sided reactions do not serve to improve complicated circumstances," the letter says. "Instead, they exacerbate them. Therefore, we condemn all calls and campaigns for boycotting, divestment and sanctions of Israeli academic institutions, professors, products and companies that do business with Israel. We believe that any and all of these actions are counterproductive to the goal of peace."

In the 1980s, a student-led push and ultimately a national movement prompted the regents to selectively divest from certain companies doing business in South Africa. By 1988, more than 150 universities had participated in the anti-apartheid divestment campaign.

In 2006, CU regents unanimously agreed to pull investments from Sudan after a student activist raised the issue. At the time, board members said they were concerned that investments could support genocide in Darfur, and CU became among several universities to divest from the civil war-torn region.

Contact Camera Staff Writer Brittany Anas at 303-473-1132 or anasb@dailycamera.com.

****************************************

"Edinburgh University Students Vote Overwhelmingly for Boycott of Israeli Goods"

2011-03-30T04:36:00.000-07:00

"Edinburgh University Students Vote Overwhelmingly for Boycott of Israeli Goods"

At: http://www.alternativenews.org/english/index.php/topics/economy-of-the-occupation/3418-edinburgh-university-students-vote-overwhelmingly-for-boycott-of-israeli-goods-

A motion to boycott Israel was overwhelmingly passed at the Edinburgh University Students Association (EUSA) General Meeting on Monday 14th March. In what was described as a ‘landslide’, the motion, ‘Boycott Israeli Goods in EUSA shops and supply chains’ received around 270 votes in favour, with only 20 students voting against...

...After the motion was discussed for around 15 minutes, it was put to a vote and the result was so comprehensive that no count was required. The passing of the motion led to rapturous applause in the George Square Lecture Theatre, where the General Meeting was held, and was by far the most welcomed result of the night.

Similar motions have been passed at SOAS, Manchester, and Sussex Universities in recent years. This latest result seems a clear indication that students in the UK are continuing to play a prominent role in the campaign for a just peace in Palestine.

The motion came in the wake of recent protests against Israeli officials speaking at the University. In February, student activists shut down a talk by Ishmael Khaldi, advisor to Israeli foreign minister Avidgor Lieberman, and, two weeks ago, over 100 students protested against the invitation of Israeli ambassador Ron Prosor to the University.

The proposer of the motion, second year Maths and Music student Daniel Beesley said “I am overwhelmed with the outcome of the General Meeting. It is great to see students of Edinburgh University once again standing up against injustice, just as they did during Apartheid South Africa. EUSA represents that views of students and we are sure they they will take on board what was clearly the opinion of the vast majority who attended the GM, and endorse the boycott.”

The motion’s seconder, Liam O’Hare, a student of International Relations, said: “Israel has occupied, ethnically cleansed and practised apartheid against the Palestinians for 63 years. The BDS movement seeks to force Israel to abide by international law and is gathering huge momentum year on year. I think the General Meeting proved that the student population at Edinburgh University do not want goods from an Apartheid state on campus and, despite the meeting narrowly not being quorate, I fully expect EUSA to act upon this motion.”

___________________________________________________________________

Hundreds of Students Demonstrate for Divestment against Apartheid Israel--

March 29, 2011

At: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/business/Carleton+board+meeting+cancelled+students+block+access/4524452/story.html

Carleton University administrators were forced Tuesday to abandon a meeting of the board of governors when some 200 students, yelling, chanting and shouting slogans about democracy, blocked access to the meeting room....

...The students claimed to be protesting the administration’s decision to prevent them from attending the board meeting, and to debate a motion that calls on the university to divest pension funds from companies that do business with Israel. A campus group, Students Against Israeli Apartheid, which was involved in organizing the protest, says the executive committee of Carleton’s board of governors blocked a motion seeking debate on the issue from being added to the meeting agenda, and notified them that only a prearranged group of students would be allowed to attend the public meeting.

The administration has taken the position that its pension fund committee has already reviewed the university investment program. Last fall, Carleton amended the rules governing the plan to state that “environmental, social and governance factors should be considered in investment decision-making.”

SAIA, however, wants Carleton to divest money from companies that deal with Israel, which they claim is violating international law in its relations with the Palestinians. The board’s executive committee turned down the student motion because it felt the pension committee had already addressed the issue.

___________________________________________________________________

"UJ severs ties with Israel's Ben Gurion"

MAIL & GUARDIAN (South Africa)
March 23, 2011

At: http://mg.co.za/article/2011-03-23-uj-severs-ties-with-israels-ben-gurion/

"The University of Johannesburg (UJ) has cut all ties with Ben Gurion University (BGU) in Israel.

"In a heated debate that led to a secret ballot, the senate voted on Wednesday by a strong majority to sever all ties with the university....

"...'Israeli apartheid'

The vote follows a UJ petition in September last year, calling on UJ academics and students to cut ties with BGU. According to Dasantha Pillay of the UJ Petition Committee, "As the UJ senate met today, over 400 South African academics, including nine vice-chancellors and deputy vice-chancellors [highest non-ceremonial university positions], had joined the campaign..."

___________________________________________________________________

Stirling Local Council votes to Boycott Israeli Goods

2010-12-18T05:47:00.000-08:00

Stirling Council to Boycott Israeli Goods

STIRLING COUNCIL TO BOYCOTT “APARTHEID” ISRAEL

Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign: Media Release

Wednesday 15th December 2010

At: http://shuafat-stirlingpartnership.blogspot.com/2010/12/stirling-council-to-boycott-israeli.html

The Council members are shown below.

Only 2 of them opposed the Boycott:

Stirling Council became the latest local authority to support a campaign to boycott "Apartheid" Israel on Monday, after condemning Israel's "open aggression and disregard for International Law."

The motion by Labour Councillors Colin Finlay and John Hendry states, "Apartheid was not acceptable in South Africa and it is not acceptable in Palestine", and instructs procurement officers to "ensure future agreements and contracts boycott all Israeli goods".

Two of the 22 members on the SNP-led Council, both Conservative, opposed the motion.

Councillor Colin Finlay:

Councillor Finlay, who helps run the Stirling branch of the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (SPSC), said he was delighted at the decision: "More and more Scottish councils are distancing themselves from Israel and its racist apartheid policies. Palestinians deserve our support, so I am delighted that Stirling is playing its part in the international boycott campaign. This is a significant step in the right direction."

Speaking from Palestine, SPSC Scottish Secretary, Sofiah Macleod said that Palestinians were "buoyed up" by this and other similar acts of solidarity.

Just last week, Edinburgh Council rejected an attempt by Veolia to take over a range of public services in the city, after hearing evidence from Macleod of the French firm's involvement in Israel's illegal settlements. City leaders had also received legal advice that contacting Veolia could expose the local authority to "legal action for failing to take on board their obligation to recognise and comply with their duties and responsibilities under the Geneva Conventions and international law."

________________________________________

END

Notes for editors:

1. The Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign started in autumn 2000 in response to the Palestinian second uprising against Israeli occupation (Intifada). The SPSC has branches and groups of supporters in several Scottish towns, cities, and universities, as well as individual members across Scotland and elsewhere.

For further information, contact:
SPSC Chair, Mick Napier: 0131 620 0052; 07958002591

Email: media@scottishpsc.org.uk (default reply to this email)
Website: www.scottishpsc.org.uk

2. Motion to Stirling Council, Monday 13th December 2010, Item 20(b) on the Agenda:
http://minutes.stirling.gov.uk/PDFs/Scouncil/Agendas/CouncilAgenda.pdf

Blockade of Gaza

"Stirling Council condemns the Government of Israel for its continuing illegal occupation of East Jerusalem, the West Bank and the blockade of Gaza. Council notes the heroic resilience of the people in these areas in the face of Israeli Defence Force's open aggression and disregard for International Law. Stirling Council recognises that Apartheid was not acceptable in South Africa and it is not acceptable in Palestine. This Council therefore resolves to reassess its current procurement arrangements and ensure future agreements and contracts boycott all Israeli goods. Council also agrees to write to all Scottish Local Authorities, Westminster and Holyrood Governments calling on them to implement an immediate boycott of all Israeli goods."

--Signed by Councillor Colin Finlay and Councillor John Hendry

The motion was passed subject to the following being added: "within the legal framework set by the Geneva Convention and the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2006"

Marrickville Municipal Council votes to support boycott against Israel, by a vote of 10 to 2.

2010-12-18T05:32:00.000-08:00

Marrickville Council first to support the boycott Israel campaign

December 17, 2010 09:31 PM PST

On Sydney Educational Broadcasting's community radio, in Australia, at:

http://2ser.podomatic.com/entry/index/2010-12-17T21_34_06-08_00

Marrickville has become the first local council in Australia to join the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign against Israel.

This week the Council voted 10 to 2 for the motion to support the BDS -- an international campaign designed to stop trade and investment in companies, sporting teams and other institutions with ties to Israel.

It aims to coerce Israel to restore human rights and return occupied land to Palestinians.

The United Nations and Australian Federal and State Governments have refused to support the BDS.

But the NSW Greens are backing the campaign.

2SER’s Elise Scott spoke with Green’s Marrickville Councilor Cathy Peters, who put forward the motion this week.

**************************************************

AUSTRALIA:

Marrickville Council votes to support BDS 14Dec10

At: http://australiansforpalestine.com/34297

December 15, 2010

Greens, ALP and an Independent councillor united at Marrickville Municipal Council to adopt the following resolution moved by Greens Councillor Cathy Peters:

“That:

In particular recognition of its sister city relationship with Bethlehem and the strong support for this relationship from local progressive faith communities and other community members, Marrickville Council support the principles of the BDS global campaign and report back on any links the Council has with organisations or companies that support or profit from the Israeli military occupation of Palestine with a view to the Council divesting from such links and imposing a boycott on any future such links or goods purchases.
Marrickville Council boycott all goods made in Israel and any sporting, institutional academic, government or institutional cultural exchanges.
Marrickville Council write to the local State and Federal ministers (Carmel Tebbutt and Anthony Albanese) informing them of Council’s position and seeking their support at the State and Federal level for the global BDS movement.”

**************************************************

Seattle buses say: "Israeli War Crimes: Your Tax Dollars at Work"

2010-12-18T05:20:00.000-08:00

Click on the TV news photo to enlarge it.

-----------------------------------------

" 'Israeli War Crimes' signs to go on Metro buses"

The full TV news report is on Seattle's KING 5 TV News at:

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Israeli-War-Crimes-signs-to-go-on-Metro-buses-112108154.html

by ALLEN SCHAUFFLER / KING 5 News

SEATTLE – "Israeli War Crimes," the enormous advertisement reads. "Your tax dollars at work."

To the right of the image is a group of children -- one little boy stares out at the viewer, the others gawk at a demolished building, all rebar and crumbled concrete.

It's an ad you'll be seeing soon on a handful of Metro buses in downtown Seattle.

A group calling itself the Seattle Mideast Awareness Campaign has paid King County $1,794 so that 12 buses will carry that message around town, starting two days after Christmas. That's December 27: the two-year anniversary of Israeli attacks on Gaza...

_______________________________

Associated Press finally hounds the White House about jailing of Palestinian...

2010-12-17T19:07:00.000-08:00

The video and story are on the Web at:

http://mondoweiss.net/2010/12/matthew-lee-of-ap-why-is-it-beneath-the-united-states-to-come-out-and-say-something-about-this-person-who-is-a-practitioner-of-nonviolence.html

The YouTube video is also at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ngx6UDjFWQ

**********************************************

"Wayne State Student Council...demanded that Wayne State dump any Israeli investments."

2010-12-17T19:05:00.000-08:00

"Jack soft on Israel"

In the METRO TIMES (Detroit, Michigan)

December 15, 2010

At: http://metrotimes.com/news/letters-to-the-editor-1.1077422

Re: "Leadership for sale" (Dec. 8), Jack Lessenberry can't have forgotten how Israel massacred 1,400 innocent Palestinians in Gaza, less than two years ago.

Yet Lessenberry is not campaigning against Israel. No, Lessenberry is venting his spleen against Helen Thomas.

Helen Thomas is rightly incensed at how Palestine is robbed, starved and massacred. She dared to demand action against Israel, as we all should.

How on Earth did that drive Lessenberry to libel Thomas as "a vulgar anti-Semite"?

Instead, Lessenberry should have joined her in demanding action against Israel, at long last.

Lessenberry should have joined the Wayne State Student Council in April 2003 — when the council demanded that Wayne State dump any Israeli investments.

Instead, Lessenberry has gravely dishonored himself and Metro Times. He chose to shield the Zionists, as they starve Gaza, and to strike Helen Thomas with a libelous death blow.

I hope to see the Metro Times replace Lessenberry's column with one by a human rights fighter who hates racism — like Helen Thomas. It's shameful to shield the Zionists. Stand with the occupied people of Palestine, and boycott Israel.

—Blaine Coleman, Ann Arbor

*******************************************************

Students protest Israeli military propaganda at the University of Massachusetts:

2010-12-08T08:33:00.000-08:00

This exact protest, against campus propaganda from Israeli soldiers, was originated by University of Michigan students.

The protests have already spread to Arizona State University, and to the University of Massachusetts , as you can see below.

The U.Mass. protest video is below.

"University of Massachusetts, Amherst -- IDF soldier protest -- December 2nd, 2010", on YouTube at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XucLn1EtWzs

_____________________________________________

One of the members of Students for Justice in Palestine has written that the protest was in accordance with the call for boycott, divestment, and sanctions against Israel:

"Another silent walk-out in protest of Israel’s PR campaign"

Excerpted from the main article at:

http://mondoweiss.net/2010/12/another-silent-walk-out-in-protest-of-israels-pr-campaign.html

"...In doing this action, we are also in accordance with the call for a boycott, divest, and sanctions movement against Israel. Until Israel is held responsible for their crimes against humanity, until they remove all troops from occupied territories, until they accept the right of return, and abandon the systematic policy of carving up the land – we will continue to boycott Israel to the fullest extent. Israel is a colonizer-settler state which has forcibly expelled the indigenous people from their land for decades. Despite condemning international accounts of their domestic policies, Israel is still being financed by economically powerful companies and countries. As a form of non-violent resistance, the boycott movement as a necessity needs to swell and multiply. We see hope on the horizon, and as a coalition, we are attempting to foster ways to reach those ends until Palestine is free, imbued with joyfulness and sovereignty..."

Another Food Co-op Votes to Boycott Israeli Goods.

2010-11-29T04:54:00.000-08:00

Dublin Food Co-op Votes to Boycott Israeli Goods:

At: http://www.alternativenews.org/english/index.php/topics/economy-of-the-occupation/3044-irish-groups-continue-supporting-bds

Members of Ireland’s Dublin Food Co-Op voted overwhelmingly to boycott Israeli goods at a Special General Meeting on 25 November.

This was the third attempt over the last 2 years to bring in a boycott of Israeli goods, reported the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign, and this time the motion finally passed with 50 in support, and only 6 against.

The Dublin Food Co-op, which was formed in 1983 and is based “on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity,” had in the past an unwritten policy not to stock or sell Israeli produce, though some member were doing so anyway.

The boycott motion states: “The boycott, if agreed, shall remain in force until such time as the state of Israel agrees:

a) to allow humanitarian-aid and un-armed peace activists entry into Palestine without the threat of violence and death from Israeli armed forces; and

b) agrees to honor UN resolutions regarding the unlawful occupation of Palestine in the so called Israeli 'settlements'.

The boycott, if approved, also includes Dublin Food Co-Op's artisan food producer members and organic farmers who occasionally sell at the co-op, fruit and vegetables imported from Israel.”

The decision will affect the co-op’s 1,200 members and is in the vein of their organizational principles, which state that “co-operative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others.”

A week earlier, its biennial conference Ireland’s Technical Engineering and Electrical Union (TEEU) unanimously voted to “support for a boycott campaign of Israeli goods and services and a policy of disinvestment from Israeli companies” as a result of the Israeli state’s continuing breaches of international law and human rights abuses against the people of Palestine.

***********************************************

Conference demands "End U.S. Aid to Israel" --

2010-11-28T18:37:00.000-08:00

Berkeley:

"Palestine, American Wars, and Islamophobia in America"

End U.S. Aid to Israel
Billions for Education, Not War and Occupation
Defend Civil Liberties and End FBI Raids

Speakers include:

Hatem Bazian, UCB
Michael Shehadeh, LA 8
Ziad Abbas, MECA
Barbara Lubin, MECA
Jeff Mackler, UNAC
Masao Suzuki, Committee to Stop FBI Repression
Blanca Missé, UCB Student Worker Action Team
Cal Students for Justice in Palestine
UCB Muslim Student Association

Sponsors: United National Antiwar Committee (UNAC), Cal. Students for Justice in Palestine, UCB Muslim Student Association, Middle East Children's Alliance, One Struggle One Fight, Arab Resource Organizing Center, Alliance for South Asians Taking Action, and the International Socialist Organization.

For more info, call 510-268-9429, email teachinNov30@gmail.com, or visitteachinNov30.wordpress.com.

Download the flier.

Tuesday, November 30, 2010 - 7:00pm

UC Berkeley • Pauley Ballroom

Location:

2475 Bancroft Way

Berkeley, CA

______________________________

Today's campus movements to divest from Israeli occupation--

2010-11-28T17:38:00.000-08:00

"Campuses work to further the BDS Movement"

ARAB AMERICAN NEWS, page 14

Dearborn, Michigan

November 28, 2010

At: http://www.arabamericannews.com/news/index.php?mod=article&cat=Community&article=3630

Click on images to enlarge.

Campuses work to further the BDS movement
By Nick Meyer
Sunday, 11.28.2010, 01:14am

The apartheid situation in South Africa ended in the 1990s in large part because of boycotts on college campuses, and many scholars have argued that the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement (BDS) is the most effective way for ending the current blockade and occupation of Palestine by Israeli military forces.

The BDS movement against companies with Israeli ties has been active at American campuses in recent weeks in response to desperate pleas from human rights organizations, the United Nations, and world political leaders to end the occupation.

Sabra hummus removed after divestment push

On November 19, Chicago's DePaul University announced that their dining services organization would discontinue the sale of hummus made by Sabra, an Israeli brand that students have said is known for its vocal and material support of the Israeli army, which has been accused of numerous war crimes in Gaza by the U.N. The products were removed from store shelves for the rest of the semester with a ban likely in the near future according to the Huffington Post.

DePaul's Students for Justice in Palestine organization provided research that the Strauss Group, which co-owns Sabra hummus, had direct monetary ties with Israeli forces that continue to enforce the illegal occupations of Palestinian land.

The boycott is being used as a blueprint for how to effect change at the college level from the ground up.

Sabra hummus is also the target of a boycott launched by The Princeton Committee on Palestine at Princeton University in New Jersey as the group has created a referendum asking the school's dining services to sell an alternative brand of hummus.

EMU in Virginia, University of Southern California pushing for divestment

At Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) in Virginia, a group of students is pushing for divestment from companies supporting Israel's military as well.

The liberal arts Christian college's Students for Morally Responsible Investment (SMRI) group has met recently with the administration and other Mennonite institutions in an attempt to continue the BDS movement and to promote the peaceful ideals of the Mennonite church.

Divestment resolutions have been passed at various schools across the country including one by the University of Michigan-Dearborn's student government.

The University of Southern California's Students for Justice in Palestine organization is also planning to make its own push for divestment from companies supporting the Israeli military.

Columbia University checkpoints raise awareness

Echoing a demonstration held this year at UM-Dearborn by the Arab Student Union, New York-based Columbia University students dressed as Israeli soldiers stopped other students on their way to class at mock checkpoints resembling those set up in the West Bank in Palestine. The event was held on Thursday, Nov. 18.

Some students were ordered to the ground and blindfolded in demonstrations of life for Palestinians at military checkpoints in the West Bank.

Other students on campus came together for a counter-demonstration, saying that the checkpoints didn't accurately represent the situation in the occupied West Bank.

The Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine said its demonstration was meant to protest human rights violations at checkpoints that many human rights activists have witnessed from their time working in the West Bank.

******************************************

Princeton University boycott campaign against Israeli Hummus--

2010-11-28T05:22:00.000-08:00

"Princeton students: Boycott Sabra hummus.

"Palestinian group wants Israeli product removed from campus stores because it serves 'occupation' "

by Yitzhak Benhorin

Published in YNet, 11.27.2010

See full article at: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3990406,00.html

"Hummus feeding the 'occupation'?

"Next week students at New Jersey's Princeton University will be called upon to prevent Sabra-brand hummus from being sold at restaurants and stores on campus.

"A number of Palestinian students, joined by a Chilean Jew, decided to campaign against the tasty snack on the grounds that it serves "the occupation".

"The boycott attempt is fueled by the Palestinian students' discovery that the Israeli Strauss company, which owns Sabra together with Pepsi, supports and cares for soldiers from the Golani Brigade.

"The Princeton Committee on Palestine decided to hold a vote deciding whether to sell Sabra's competitors on campus after pointing out the irony that hummus, traditionally an Arab dish, was being marketed by a company affiliated with a state allegedly violating Palestinians' rights...."

****************************

Jewish Witnesses for Peace Strongly Supports the Boycott against Apartheid Israel--

2010-11-26T05:11:00.001-08:00

"Synagogue Vigil Group Celebrates Seven-Year Anniversary"

Published in AnnArbor.com,

November 21, 2010

At:

http://www.annarbor.com/community/community_wall/synagogue_vigil_group_celebrates_seven-year_anniversary/index.php

When you pass by Beth Israel Congregation on Washtenaw Avenue on any Saturday morning between 9:30 and 10:45 – no matter if there's knee-deep snow, minus six-degree temperatures, or thunderstorms - you’re sure to see at least a half dozen people holding nicely-printed signs saying how atrociously Israel is treating the Palestinians. These are the "Vigilers" of the Jewish Witnesses for Peace and Friends (JWPF), an organization led by Henry Herskovitz, which has just celebrated its seven-year anniversary this past September.

The group, many of whom had been to Palestine with the Michigan Peace Team or the International Solidarity Movement (which was co-founded by JWPF member Thom Saffold) witnessed the imprisoning conditions under which Palestinians are compelled to live. Other painful observations included the Israeli Defense Forces’ shooting randomly into crowds of civilians at weddings, funerals, and peaceful protests; into houses, too often killing anyone unlucky enough to be standing directly inside, or at children throwing stones at well-armed soldiers or at bulldozers knocking down homes of innocents.

The group's aim was to introduce the public and synagogue members to what was going on in Israel/Palestine, in the absence of unbiased media coverage and because of Henry’s not being permitted to speak to the Congregation inside about his recent trip to Palestine. The Ann Arbor Police Department has – at the instigation of Beth Israel congregants – examined this group from head to toe, and has concluded that its presence on the public sidewalk is completely street-legal.

But it appears from the Zionist community’s statements, letters, and actions that a great many still support Israel's claimed "right" as a Jewish state foisted upon an unwilling population in Palestine. Many congregants would like the Vigilers to go away so that they can pray in peace. But the Synagogue, and all Jewish worship places in this intellectual town, still have an Israeli flag inside and the congregation at Beth Israel still offers the traditional prayer for the state of Israel and its soldiers.

"Why do you keep on vigiling?" several JWPF people were asked. Replied Gloria Harb, of Palestinian heritage, "It’s the only way I can express my outrage. I feel our signs express the ideas our mass media refuse to debate. We say what needs to be said." Marcia Federbush, historically Jewish, said, "We have to remind people once a week of how barbarically the Israelis are treating the Palestinians. This is a good place for people to mention Palestinians in their prayers." And Henry Herskovitz, who in Ann Arbor is considered the arch anti-Zionist spokesperson, answered, "What better place to protest Israel’s atrocities than in front of the House of Israel? (Beth Israel in Hebrew means ‘House of Israel’)."

Well-known activists, like the beleaguered but always cheerful Rev. Edward Pinkney from Benton Harbor, Daniel McGowan, President of Deir Yassin Remembered, and Hedy Epstein, co-founder of the Gaza freedom boats, have come to town to join the JWPF vigils.

**************************

From the 73 comments below the article:

The leadership of these Palestine vigils also comments --

"...In addition to raising awareness of Israel's crimes, our vigils also strongly support boycotting Israel until the following are achieved:

"1. The full civil and political equality of the Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel within Israel;
"2. The prompt implementation of the rights of Palestinian refugees of 1947-8 and 1967 to return to their homes and properties in Israel and Palestine as stipulated in UN resolution 194; and,
"3. The prompt end of Israeli occupation and colonization of all lands seized by Israel in 1967.

"These demands are part of the 2005 Call by more than 170 Palestinian political parties, unions, NGOs and networks, representing the entire spectrum of Palestinian civil society -- under occupation, in Israel, and in the diaspora.

"Readers should continue to boycott Israeli goods now stocked at the local People's Food Co-op.

Additionally, there are distinct rumors that a well-known anti-Zionist plans to run again for the Board of Directors in 2011. Stay tuned."

****************************

Irish Trade Union Votes Unanimously for Boycott against Israel

2010-11-26T04:48:00.000-08:00

"Another BDS Victory: Irish Trade Union TEEU Votes to Boycott Israel"

ALTERNATIVE INFORMATION CENTER

November 26, 2010

At: http://www.alternativenews.org/english/index.php/topics/economy-of-the-occupation/3039-another-bds-victory-irish-trade-union-teeu-votes-to-boycott-israel

At its biennial conference last weekend, the Technical Engineering and Electrical Union (TEEU) unanimously voted to “support for a boycott campaign of Israeli goods and services and a policy of disinvestment from Israeli companies” as a result of the Israeli state’s continuing breaches of international law and human rights abuses against the people of Palestine."

The Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) welcomed the passing of the motion[1].

TEEU General President, Frank Keoghan, welcomed the motion saying: “It is an expression of the solidarity and empathy that members of the TEEU, and indeed all Irish people, feel for the suffering people of Palestine, that this motion received the unanimous support of our Conference.”

The motion was submitted by the TEEU’s Executive Management Committee, and speaking from the floor one delegate outlined the rationale for the motion, saying: “The global trade union movement has consistently demonstrated its commitment to Palestinian rights by adopting labour-led sanctions as a form of effective solidarity with Palestinians. The TEEU should be proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with our Palestinian trade union brothers and sisters, those brave Israelis – Jewish and Arab - who promote BDS, and those trade unions from Britain, to Belguim, to Canada to South Africa and beyond that have taken the principled decision to support BDS.”

IPSC National Chairperson Freda Hughes praised the passing of the resolution saying: “The IPSC congratulates the TEEU on passing this historic motion, and we proudly welcome the TEEU into the ranks of the Palestinian-led worldwide Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) coalition that will finally bring to an end Israeli apartheid, occupation and the oppression of the Palestinian people”.

[1]: The full text of the motion reads as follows:

Conference pledges its support for a boycott campaign of Israeli goods and services and a policy of disinvestment from Israeli companies as a means of encouraging the Israeli government to comply with International Law and to cease violating the human rights of the Palestinian people and will pursue active engagement with Palestinian and Israeli human rights groups and civic society organisations as appropriate.

*********************

"Minnesotans Call for Divestment from Israel"

2010-11-20T04:32:00.000-08:00

"Minnesotans Call for Divestment from Israel"

by Minnesota Break the Bonds Campaign, Nov 20, 2010

At: http://imeu.net/news/article0020058.shtml

The video is produced by the Minnesota Break the Bonds Campaign (MNBBC), a statewide organization calling for Minnesota to divest from Israel Bonds until Israel complies with international human-rights law. We are Palestinians, Jews, Christians, Muslims, students, professionals, parents, community members and allies working together to bring fair and honest Palestine-centric education to Minnesota, to support justice and human rights, and to examine our relationship as Minnesotans to Israel's occupation of Palestine.

****************************

Boycott-Israel candidates are 100% victorious at Olympia Food Co-op.Boycott victory at DePaul University, too--

2010-11-19T13:50:00.001-08:00

"Record Turnout For Olympia Food Co-op Board Election"

Nov. 17, 2010

At:

http://www.olympiabds.org/2010/record-turnout-for-olympia-food-co-op-board-election.html

Olympia, WA — In a record turnout, members of the Olympia Food Co-op have chosen four new representatives and one incumbent for the organization’s Board of Directors. The large turnout was attributed by many in the community as a response to the July 15 decision by the Olympia Food Co-op to boycott Israeli goods in support of Palestinian human rights. The ballot included 14 candidates and the five elected are: Rochelle Gause, Erin Genia, John Regan, Eric Mapes, and TJ Johnson.

“An organization that places social justice and sustainable practices at the forefront of the policy decisions is an organization I am proud to serve,” says newly elected Erin Genia, a low-income mother of three, a recipient of Master of Public Administration, and a member of the Sisseton-Wapheton Dakota Oyate.

Over the next two years, the newly elected board members will bring a wide variety of expertise to their positions. John Regan has worked with a 43-year-old food co-op in Barquisimeto, Venezuela; Rochelle Gause has worked with food justice, local farming, and low-income communities, most recently with GRuB; TJ Johnson is part of Sustainable South Sound, and served as a city-council member who stood out for his support of the anti-war movement; Eric Mapes is a law student with experience from working with the Immigrant Family Advocacy Project and the Street Youth Legal Advocates of Washington.

All five elected candidates have publicly expressed support for the current boycott of Israeli products.

“I see the boycott as an integral part of the Co-op’s mission to encourage economic and social justice and view the election results as a strong confirmation of the Co-op membership’s supportive stance of the growing Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions [BDS] movement” says Rochelle Gause, one of the elected candidates with a long history of working for Palestinian human rights, and also a member of the local advocacy group Olympia BDS.

This election reaffirms the Co-op’s importance to the Olympia community as a healthy and socially just alternative to mainstream grocery stores.

Olympia BDS remains dedicated to continuing the process of education and discussion on the issue of justice for Palestinians.

Olympia BDS (www.olympiabds.org)

contact@olympiabds.org

Press Contact: Andrew Meyer (360) 628-3087

********************************

"DePaul divests from Israeli hummus product"

By Sami Kishawi

Nov. 19, 2010

At: http://smpalestine.com/2010/11/19/depaul-divests-from-israeli-hummus-product/

Today marks another win for the global boycott, divestment, sanctions (BDS) movement against corporations that profit from severe human rights violations. Chicago’s very own DePaul University just announced that their dining services will be discontinuing the sale of hummus manufactured by Sabra, an Israeli brand known for its vocal and material support of Israeli Defense Forces. The administration has temporarily suspended the sale of Sabra products and will likely move towards permanently banning the brand from campus.

A little over two weeks ago, members of DePaul’s Students for Justice in Palestine expressed concern over the sale of Sabra products after discovering that Chartwells, which provides dining services to the university, had introduced the Israeli-brand hummus to food and dining facilities throughout campus. Acting on their concern, the students compiled research and revealed that the Strauss Group, co-owner of Sabra, has direct monetary ties with elite Israeli military forces currently and historically involved in the illegal occupation of Palestinian land.

One week after bringing the issue to the attention of campus administrators, the university informed campaign organizers that Sabra products are set to be removed from shelves for the remainder of the school quarter and will most likely not be sold on campus in the future. (Read the email sent to administrators at the end of the post.)

The ultimate success of this modest divestment campaign isn’t that it resulted in the removal of a product from campus cafeteria shelves but, rather, that it has undoubtedly set the framework for future campaigns in college campuses throughout the United States.

With exactly 156 colleges and universities using Chartwells for their campus dining needs, the BDS movement against IDF-sponsoring companies like Strauss Group and Sabra can potentially reach national heights. By discontinuing the sale of Sabra products, DePaul University has made its stance clear: Any product or company involved with flagrant human rights violations against Palestinians or any other people does not mirror the principles on which the university is founded and is therefore not welcome on campus.

The administration’s quick response indicates the importance of preserving and respecting Palestinian rights by divesting from companies that do the exact opposite.

DePaul’s divestment from Strauss Group-owned Sabra products comes less than a month after a similar attempt at divestment hit the streets of Philadelphia. Over two dozen activists gathered at a supermarket near the University of Pennsylvania to protest the sale of Sabra hummus. A video of the action was released to the public via YouTube where it quickly grew in popularity and eventually prompted Strauss Group to remove all references supporting the Israeli military from its English-translated website. However, the Hebrew version of the website still maintains the corporation’s public support of IDF activity.

Major BDS campaigns generally take years of concentrated grassroots efforts before any significant progress is made but that did not deter the small group of DePaul students from voicing their concern and offering alternative solutions that fell in line with the university’s code of ethics. The efforts put into this divestment campaign, both at DePaul and in Philadelphia, serve as a model for future college BDS movements. Any institution of higher learning that promotes morality, justice, and respect must make sure to abide by its principles. If it doesn’t, it is up to the students to make sure things change for the better.

--Sami Kishawi

— — — — — — — — — — — —

Email sent to DePaul administrators:

Hello Stephanie and Joe,

My name is Shirien and I’m part of Students for Justice in Palestine at DePaul. I’m writing you because it has recently come to our attention that Chartwells has started selling Sabra hummus products at DePaul. Many SJP members, as well as several other students, are deeply disturbed about this development. SGA President Ross R., as well as DePaul alumni Ben M. (both CC’d) recommended that we get in contact with you both in order to assist us with this matter.

The reason why we are concerned is because the company which manufactures Sabra hummus, the Strauss Group, has been a voice of support for the ongoing Israeli occupation through its ties with Israel’s military. This is apparent in their vocal support and material sustenance of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), namely the Golani Brigade. The Golani Brigade, Israel’s elite force, is known for its history of severe human rights violations. Many instances of these violations are well documented, from the assassination of Israeli PM Yitzhak Rabin to the torture and humiliation of Palestinian detainees. Because of this, a boycott campaign against Sabra is happening at many universities in cities across the nation.

Many of us students are concerned about DePaul affiliating with a company with such strong military and political ties. We feel that continuing the sale of Sabra products at DePaul is in violation of our Vincentian values, which require us to stand against injustice. This goes for any other companies affiliated with human suffering.

We would like to meet with you both so that we can discuss this matter more in-depth. CC’d to this email are key board members from SJP, as well as Erez, who is on the Fair Business Practices Committee. We want to voice our concerns and perhaps present alternative hummus brands that are more socially conscious. We hope that you can hear us out and help steer us in the right direction of how to go about addressing this.

Would it be possible to set up a meeting some time next week? I included everyone in one email thread so we can all be in the loop. Please let us know what you think. Thank you for your time and consideration!

Sincerely,

Shirien

— — — — — — — — — — — —

Palestine rights demonstration at Columbia:Mock Checkpoints expose Israeli Brutality

2010-11-19T04:24:00.000-08:00

"Israel, Palestine groups clash on College Walk:

"The Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine set up mock checkpoints—to resemble those manned by the Israeli army in the West Bank—drawing crowds and counter-protests for several hours."

by Leah Greenbaum and Anna Etra

COLUMBIA SPECTATOR

November 19, 2010

Students dressed as Israeli soldiers stopped other students, ordered them to the ground, and blindfolded them in a demonstration that drew multiple campus groups to a standoff on College Walk Thursday afternoon.

The Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine set up mock checkpoints—to resemble those manned by the Israeli army in the West Bank—drawing crowds and counter-protests for several hours.

Organizers from CSJP said the demonstration was meant to protest human rights violations at these checkpoints, while representatives from pro-Israel groups argued that the event was offensive and the checkpoints are a needed form of protection.

Four groups under the Columbia/Barnard Hillel, the umbrella organization for Jewish student life, set up camp opposite CSJP on the sundial and distributed fliers telling passersby that checkpoints were a necessary evil and a product of a complicated relationship.

“Our gut reaction was to show up with suicide belts and say, ‘See this is why we have checkpoints’,” said Jonah Liben, GS/JTS ’11 and Hillel’s Israel coordinator. “We did not want to stoop to that level of evocative anger.”

Dina Zbeidy, GSAS and a member of CSJP, who marched around Low Plaza with army garb and a cardboard gun, said she spent most of her life on the other side of an AK-47.

“I had to go to a checkpoint every day for two years, so I know how they act usually,” she said, explaining that she lived on the Arab side of West Jerusalem and always dreaded the hour-and-a-half security check, where she would be shoved and yelled at.

Lior Hemi, GS, who donned an Israeli flag in protest of the checkpoint, questioned the methods behind the protest.

“I think it’s fair to do demonstrations, I think it’s important, but a lot of the time it’s one-sided,” he said. “How is it going to enhance my cause to show the other side’s satanic side? Is that really going to make me look better? I don’t think so.”

Yasmina Raiani, CC ’12 and one of the organizers of the CSJP event, said the focus of the event was on violations of human rights, not political debates.

“The point is to be talking to people who don’t know that much. I talk to people, especially Zionists, who are distorting the truth or approaching me aggressively,” she said.

After the second round of mock security checks, a loud argument broke out in the middle of College Walk between the supporters and critics of Israel.

Ravi Bhalla, CC ’13, said he was happy to see such a spirited debate, even though he said both sides seemed to focus on minutiae.

“I think they’re both a little too animated,” he said of the students who threw around expletives and references to lethal explosives. “That said, it is incredibly interesting. I’m really happy to see this kind of stuff going on. … There’s obviously stuff both clubs could probably do to make the situation better.”

Eric Schorr, GS/JTS ’12 and vice president of LionPAC, a pro-Israel group, said on behalf of his organization that he was incredibly offended by the mock checkpoints.

“They [CSJP] held a radical demonstration distorting the reality of what happens at checkpoints in the West Bank,” he said, adding that not everyone who passes through a checkpoint is treated so roughly.

Still, Alaa Milbes, GSAS and a member of CSJP, said their goal was clear—to “portray what Palestinian students go through on a daily basis....”

*******************************

Princeton campaign to boycott Israeli aggression --

2010-11-19T04:10:00.000-08:00

"Students campaign for alternative hummus"

by Alaka Halder

DAILY PRINCETONIAN

November 19, 2010

At: http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/2010/11/19/26950/

The Princeton Committee on Palestine has sponsored a referendum in next week’s USG elections that asks Dining Services to sell an alternative to Sabra hummus in all its retail locations on campus.

The Strauss Group and PepsiCo each own 50 percent of Sabra Dipping Company. The Strauss Group provided Israeli soldiers with care packages that include Sabra hummus.

In August, Philly Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions, a Philadelphia group that encourages activism against Israel, released an open letter calling for a boycott of Sabra for the same reason.

Both PCP and Philly BDS take issue with The Strauss Group’s support of the Israeli Golani Brigade. Members of the Brigade have been reprimanded by the Israeli military for inappropriate behavior.

The brigade has “a culture of aggression,” Yoel Bitran ’11, president of PCP, adding in an e-mail.

Strauss is Israel’s second-largest food and beverage company. It provides care packages and sports equipment to Israeli soldiers as part of its corporate social responsibility program, Sabra representative Ilya Welfeld said in an e-mail.

PCP started a petition in support of the referendum last Thursday. More than 200 students have signed it, the threshold for getting a referendum on the ballot.

“The Princeton Committee on Palestine objects to the fact that Sabra is the only hummus brand that is offered in most University stores and that students who wish to eat this traditional Arab food are forced to buy a product that is connected to human rights abuses against Arab civilians,” Bitran wrote in a statement concerning the issue.

“This lack of choice is particularly egregious and violent for Princetonians of Arab descent, who cannot eat the food that is quintessential to their culture unless they are willing to support crimes against their own people,” the statement continued.

Bitran also created a “Boycott Sabra Hummus” event that had 129 people listed as attending as of Thursday evening.

In response, officers of Tigers for Israel created their own event on Facebook, titled “Save the Hummus!--Vote Against the Sabra Hummus Boycott.” It had 1,878 people listed as attending as of Thursday evening.

If a majority of students vote in favor of the referendum, the USG will inform Dining Services, USG president Michael Yaroshefsky ’12 said in an e-mail...

*******************************************

"US Mennonite students push for divestment from Israeli occupation"

2010-11-16T03:29:00.000-08:00

"US Mennonite students push for divestment from Israeli occupation"

Nov. 15, 2010

At: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/13564

Eastern Mennonite University students are pushing their institution for divestment from companies supporting Israeli military occupation of Palestinian lands.

On 12 November 2010, Students for Morally Responsible Investment (SMRI) presented their case against EMU's investment in businesses which help fund or further oppression in Israel-Palestine.

Leaders of SMRI have now met with Everence (a Mennonite financial institution), Mennonite Educational Agency (MEA) and the EMU administration, seeking a change of policy.

They say they are hopeful about progress made at the meetings - including the Financial and Audit Committee of EMU last week.

"The presence of 35 EMU students right outside of the meeting room, sitting in vigil, in solidarity, and in support, was amazing to see," said senior (final year student) Jessica Sarriot.

"Clearly, implementing more just economic involvement in Israel/Palestine is something many people at EMU care deeply about. I think the understanding of divestment as 'do no harm' goes a long way in explaining its support here," she added.

SMRI sees this as an issue that does not stop at EMU, but affects the greater community and Mennonite Church in the USA.

Senior Mark Fenton also spoke of the complexities involved in being "true to our identity as a Mennonite institution - a peace church - and having integrity about our identity."

***********************************

At Brandeis University:Campaign for divestment against Israel

2010-11-12T08:05:00.000-08:00

"Rothchild advocates divestment from Israel"

November 12, 2010

In the Brandeis Hoot, at Brandeis University, at:

http://thebrandeishoot.com/articles/9100

A small group of people met on Tuesday night for an intimate discussion with Alice Rothchild on the possibility of utilizing a BDS-boycott, divestment, sanctions-strategy in order to counter the Israeli occupation of the West Bank.

Alice Rothchild is a gynecologist and obstetrician who has been politically active throughout her life, and particularly so in attempting to promote social justice for the Palestinians. She has gone on many trips to Israel to learn about the conditions in the West Bank. Rothchild is also particularly notable for the recent publication of the second edition of her book, “Broken Promises, Broken Dreams: The Stories of Jewish and Palestinian Trauma and Resilience.”

The event was sponsored by Brandeis Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace, and was entitled “Difficult Conversations: Alice Rothchild on BDS.” The event started off with Alice speaking about her views on the occupation as well as Israel in general, and then she made her way into speaking about BDS as a method to solve what she sees as a crucial problem. She took a chance at the beginning of her speech to acknowledge the controversy of her ideas.

“So what I’m going to do,” she stated, “is invite you to step outside the box. I am speaking to share, not to convince. I don’t have to prove that I’m right, but I want to share with you how things look to me.” She also acknowledged that “Boycott, divestment, and sanctions is probably the most difficult topic in the Jewish community today.” However, she also argued the point that it is not uncommon for ideas which seem radical to be accepted with time.

“I think it’s important,” Rothchild stated, “to remember that there are a lot of radical ideas that were once really difficult that are now mainstream, like Zionism,” which Rothchild characterized today as “the litmus test for being a good Jew.”

Throughout her speech, the common theme was one of bemoaning the conditions of the Palestinian people, primarily in the West Bank, but also touching on Gaza and Israel Proper. She described the negative effects of the 500 to 600 checkpoints along the Green Line, as well as within West Bank Borders through explaining how sometimes women going into labor are delayed at the checkpoints and wind up not being able to make it to the hospital. She also talked about how sometimes Palestinians are restricted from walking along certain streets, even if the street in question is in front of their house. Generally, she likens the control of the Palestinians by Israel to any other oppression throughout history, seeing everything as a pattern of one party controlling and oppressing another.

“Change Arab to Native American, African-American and Japanese and obvious parallels emerge with our own legacies of colonialism, slavery, segregation, detention camps and civil rights struggles”.

She used all of this description of the plight of the Palestinians in order to show how this is a serious problem which needs to be solved, and she believes it can be solved through BDS. Boycott, divestment and sanctions, as described by Rothchild, is a method of using the economy in order to promote social justice. It could be as simple as not buying hummus made in the West Bank. Perhaps labels could be put on products coming from the West Bank which state their origin explicitly. While Rothchild admitted early on in her speech that it is a controversial idea, she argued that BDS is an integral part of social justice movements and is perfectly acceptable.

“BDS is an old tradition. It is a part of activist tradition. It dates back in the US to the 1700s to the Quakers who refused to do business with slave owners…It’s been used against apartheid South Africa…It was used by Jews who boycotted goods made in Nazi Germany.”

She then came to the question, as she explained, of “why BDS now?” She responded by saying simply, “and I think what I’ve heard, over and over again is ‘everything else has been tried’.”
After Rothchild finished speaking and answered questions the group broke up into smaller discussion groups of a few people each, and people got a chance to have intimate conversations about their views on what Rothchild spoke about and about Israel in general. It was a friendly atmosphere, which seemed to accept any viewpoints.

Following this, the group came back together although some had already started to trickle out, and discussed the issues.

When asked about the event, John Sussman, a senior, had a positive tone.

“I think it was a pretty informative and pretty provocative event. I think it was very balanced. I think it was very conciliatory. I think it was a chance to share an opinion from an American Jew about how we as American Jews can and should care about Israel and care about changing its policies.”

Paraska Tolan, another senior, also found it interesting, and yet had a little criticism.

“I thought it was pretty interesting. I wish she had spent more time on talking about specifically boycott, divestment and sanctions because I think that’s why a lot of people came. They were here to be shocked.”

Overall, it was a very interesting event. Regardless of different beliefs on the subject, it was certainly a very comfortable environment in which everyone was allowed to speak and express their feelings openly on a very controversial issue.

*************************************

Students protest Israeli military at Arizona State University

2010-11-11T13:46:00.001-08:00

Last month's University of Michigan protest, against the Israel Defense Force, has now spread to Arizona State University.

See this video, which YouTube has rapidly blocked, to anyone under 18:

"Arizona State University students protest IDF speaker"

Full protest video on the Web at: http://mondoweiss.net/2010/11/arizona-state-university-students-protest-idf-speaker.html

IDF soldiers seem to be facing similar protests wherever they speak, for example on October 20, 2010 at the University of Michigan.

****************************

"London hosts campaign to boycott Israel"

2010-11-09T05:01:00.000-08:00

"London hosts campaign to boycott Israel"

Nov. 8, 2010

At: http://www.presstv.ir/detail/150107.html

Hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists and anti-Zionist groups have demanded a full boycott of goods and products made in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Pro-Palestinian activists convened a protest rally in front of a store in London that sells Israeli-made goods and called on all people to refrain from buying such products.

The activists hold a bi-weekly gathering outside the Ahava cosmetics store that sells the Israeli-made cosmetics and are urging Britons and tourists to boycott Israel.

In the latest gathering outside the Israeli-owned shop in London's Covent Garden, the activists called for an end to the siege on Gaza, the right of return for Palestinians and an end to Israel's occupation.

Israeli regime's siege and its closure of the Gaza Strip has included mass restrictions on imports and exports.

The Gaza Strip has six border crossings, five of which are directly controlled by the Israeli army. The sixth crossing, at Rafah on the Egyptian border, has been almost continually closed since June 2006. Israel therefore controls the movement of goods into and out of Gaza.

Chronic shortages of vital raw materials, plus the continuing widespread ban on exports from Gaza to the outside world, have pushed Gaza's economy to the brink of collapse.

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign issued a statement calling on all people throughout the world to to take part in boycotting Israel.

****************************************

"African academics launch boycott campaign against Israeli universities"

2010-11-09T04:55:00.000-08:00

"African academics launch boycott campaign against Israeli universities"

Monday, November 8,2010, 14:21

At: http://www.ikhwanweb.com/article.php?id=27080

Hundreds of African academics with the support of international influential figures announced an initiative to boycott Israeli universities until their state ends its occupation of the Palestinian territories.

More than 200 academics from 13 African universities pledged in a statement reported by different media outlets on Sunday to support the initiative made the university of Johannesburg which calls for ending academic cooperation with the Israeli occupation.

The Egyptian Al-Ahram newspaper said today that a lot of international influential figures support this initiative including noted South African archbishop and Nobel laureate Desmond Tutu in addition to leading figures in South Africa.

The academics' statement noted that the Israeli universities are not targeted due to their ethnic identity or religious faith, but because of their support for the apartheid regime in Israel, especially the university of Ben-Gurion which directly and indirectly support the military attacks which are carried out by the Israeli army against the Palestinians.

The academics also accused Ben Gurion university of sponsoring scientific research projects that serve the armament program of the Israeli army and contribute to the production of prohibited weapons that are used against the Palestinians.

Al-Ahram newspaper pointed out that this boycott campaign was preceded by a report issued months ago by the human sciences research council in South Africa and funded by the department of foreign affairs of South Africa under the title "Is Israel an apartheid state."

The report emphasized that the countries, which pursue the apartheid policy, follow three methods to maintain the domination of particular ethnic groups, and in the case of Israel, the regime there uses laws, courts and security apparatuses to implement its racial polices against the Palestinian and in favor of the Jews alone.

************************************