"One of Canada’s largest student association endorses BDS against Israel"
Ha'aretz, April 1, 2013
At: http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/jewish-world-news/one-of-canada-s-largest-student-association-endorses-bds-against-israel-1.512800
One of the largest student association in Canada passed a resolution endorsing the global boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign against Israel.
With the passage late last week of the resolution, York University's student association joins two others in Canada - the University of Toronto and Concordia University graduate student associations - in endorsing the BDS campaign, according to the York University Excalibur.
The campaign calls for universities to divest from holdings in companies that do business with Israel and to cut ties with Israeli academics.
The vote by the council of the York Federation of Students was 18-2 in favor and was advocated for by the Students Against Israeli Apartheid at York....
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Sunday, March 31, 2013
Monday, March 25, 2013
Epidemic of birth defects in Iraq following its bombardment:
1. See the BBC News report, released March 21, 2013. These birth defects have been attributed to war munitions, by interviewees at the Iraqi Health Ministry & also at Basra Maternity Hospital: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-21873892 .
2. See the BBC documentary, first broadcast March 22, 2013, with longer interviews, including Dr. Muhsin Al-Sabbak and Dr. Mozhgan Savabieasfahani. The BBC also interviews Iraqi Health Ministry staff members. They confirm that a World Health Organization report will show an increase of birth defects following the bombardment of Iraq: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/n3csrmz9 .
3. See also CNN: “Birth defects on the rise in Fallujah”, March 20, 2013, at: http://www.cnn.com/video/?/video/world/2013/03/20/pkg-damon-iraq-fallujah-deformities.cnn#/video/world/2013/03/20/pkg-damon-iraq-fallujah-deformities.cnn
4. See also ABC News (U.S.A.): "Birth Defects Plague Iraq, But Cause Unknown", March 25, 2013, at http://abcnews.go.com/Health/birth-defects-plague-iraq-10-years-us-invasion/story?id=18793428
(The ABC report states that "the Federal Ministry of Health of Iraq and the World Health Organization have yet to release their joint study exploring the prevalence of birth defects in Iraq.")
5. See also SBS World News Australia: “Iraq’s epidemic of birth defects linked to war”, March 21, 2013, at http://www.sbs.com.au/news/video/22742595799/Iraqs-epidemic-of-birth-defects-linked-to-war .
6. See also Al Jazeera: “Epidemic of birth defects in Iraq and our duty as public health researchers”, March 15, 2013, at http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2013/03/2013312175857532741.html .
7. See again Al Jazeera: “Iraq: War’s legacy of cancer”, March 15, 2013, at http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2013/03/2013315171951838638.html .
8. See Democracy Now: “Ten Years Later, U.S. Has Left Iraq with Mass Displacement & Epidemic of Birth Defects, Cancers”, March 20, 2013, at http://www.democracynow.org/2013/3/20/ten_years_later_us_has_left .
9. See also MSNBC: “Bush promised Iraqi civilians a better future. What are their lives like now?”, March 18, 2013, at http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/03/18/president-bush-promised-iraqi-civilians-a-better-future-what-are-their-lives-like-now/ .
10. See also the Chicago Tribune, March 21, 2013, in the column "Soul Poison", at http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/sns-201303201630--tms--rkoehlerctnbk-a20130321-20130321,0,1598481.column
11. See also BBC Arabic, March 21, 2013: هل فاقمت حرب العراق سرطان و تشوهات الاطفال؟ , at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/arabic/multimedia/2013/03/130321_iraq_children_cancer.shtml
(Note: The BBC news report is also on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewpV2OBxLAc )
Monday, March 18, 2013
Boycott Spreads, in Defiance of Apartheid Israel:
The boycott against Apartheid Israel has spread to three local councils in the U.K.
Clackmannanshire Council has now joined W. Dunbartonshire & Stirling in approving boycott resolutions against Israel.
See: http://bit.ly/114zbtP
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And today's Daily Californian (UC Berkeley) has another article on the latest campus victory for the movement to divest from Israel:
"UC San Diego student government calls on UC Regents to divest"
DAILY CAL
March 18, 2013
At: http://www.dailycal.org/2013/03/17/uc-san-diego-student-government-calls-on-uc-regents-to-divest/
"The Associated Students Council at UC San Diego passed a resolution Wednesday calling on the University of California to divest from companies doing business with the Israeli government.
"The final resolution passed in a secret ballot by a vote of 20 in favor, 12 against and one abstention after more than five hours of debate and amendments...."
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Clackmannanshire Council has now joined W. Dunbartonshire & Stirling in approving boycott resolutions against Israel.
See: http://bit.ly/114zbtP
------------------------------------------------------
And today's Daily Californian (UC Berkeley) has another article on the latest campus victory for the movement to divest from Israel:
"UC San Diego student government calls on UC Regents to divest"
DAILY CAL
March 18, 2013
At: http://www.dailycal.org/2013/03/17/uc-san-diego-student-government-calls-on-uc-regents-to-divest/
"The Associated Students Council at UC San Diego passed a resolution Wednesday calling on the University of California to divest from companies doing business with the Israeli government.
"The final resolution passed in a secret ballot by a vote of 20 in favor, 12 against and one abstention after more than five hours of debate and amendments...."
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Friday, March 15, 2013
"UC San Diego student government passes divestment"
___________________________________________
"UC San Diego student government passes divestment"
Arab American News
March 15, 2013
At: http://www.arabamericannews.com/news/index.php?mod=article&cat=USA&article=6535
Arab American News
March 15, 2013
At: http://www.arabamericannews.com/news/index.php?mod=article&cat=USA&article=6535
San Diego — After a four year campaign, the University of California, San Diego's undergraduate student government has passed a resolution urging the university to cease its investments in companies that profit from the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories.
The bill was cosponsored by multiple student government members and was similar to previous bills that have been discussed since April 2010. The bill had previously failed to get approval last year, but that same version received a vote of 20 in favor, 12 against, and 1 person who abstained.
The issue of divestment has gained major momentum in Student Governments across the country in recent years. Similar bills passed by student governments at UC Irvine, UC Berkeley and UC Riverside are raising pressure on the University of California (UC) administration to divest from companies profiting from war crimes and human rights violations in the region.
Student activists say that the UC has a long history of using divestment as a tool for positive social change — starting with cigarette companies to companies profiting from apartheid in South Africa in the 1980s.
But UC President Mark Yudof dismissed these allegations, stating that he sees no reason for the university to divest from Israel when the U.S. has not taken a stance on the issue either.
“The U.S. has not made any declaration regarding the State of Israel and, therefore, we will not bring a recommendation before the Board to divest from companies doing business with the State of Israel,” Yudof told the press.
Yudof is expected to resign this upcoming August, and students are hoping that will position the university to look into a more ethical investment scheme for funding.
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Thursday, March 14, 2013
Los Angeles Times:
A "widening movement" to divest from Israeli occupation.
______________________________
"UC San Diego council seeks divestment from firms with West Bank ties"
Los Angeles TimesMarch 14, 2013
At: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2013/03/uc-san-diego-council-joins-calls-for-divesting-firms-with-west-bank-ties.html
"UC San Diego’s student government joined a widening movement urging the university system to divest from companies that some student activists contend are violating the human rights of Palestinians and aiding Israel’s occupation of the West Bank.
"After a sometimes angry debate that went past 1 a.m. Thursday, the Associated Students’ council voted 20 to 12 with one abstention to endorse a resolution that seeks to end UC investment in such companies as Northrop Grumman, Alliant Techsystems and General Electric. The students contend that these companies provide technology, weapons or other products the Israeli military uses in the Palestinian territories.
"Last week, a similar measure was passed by the student government at UC Riverside and one was approved at UC Irvine in November. However, those advisory measures have no power over the UC regents, who control the university’s massive portfolio and have said they will not take any divestment action involving Israel.
"Supporters of Israel complained that the UC San Diego measure was unfair and divisive. Leaders of the campus group Students for Justice in Palestine, which lobbied for the resolution, issued a statement that applauded the vote, saying it was 'in solidarity with Palestinians seeking freedom and justice.' ”
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"UC San Diego’s student government joined a widening movement urging the university system to divest from companies that some student activists contend are violating the human rights of Palestinians and aiding Israel’s occupation of the West Bank.
"After a sometimes angry debate that went past 1 a.m. Thursday, the Associated Students’ council voted 20 to 12 with one abstention to endorse a resolution that seeks to end UC investment in such companies as Northrop Grumman, Alliant Techsystems and General Electric. The students contend that these companies provide technology, weapons or other products the Israeli military uses in the Palestinian territories.
"Last week, a similar measure was passed by the student government at UC Riverside and one was approved at UC Irvine in November. However, those advisory measures have no power over the UC regents, who control the university’s massive portfolio and have said they will not take any divestment action involving Israel.
"Supporters of Israel complained that the UC San Diego measure was unfair and divisive. Leaders of the campus group Students for Justice in Palestine, which lobbied for the resolution, issued a statement that applauded the vote, saying it was 'in solidarity with Palestinians seeking freedom and justice.' ”
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"UC San Diego Student Government calls for divestment from Israeli Occupation"
The student government of the University of California at San Diego (UCSD) just voted, March 14, 2013, to approve a resolution for divestment against corporations who profit from violent conflict in Israel and Palestine --
* "UC San Diego Student Government calls for divestment from Israeli Occupation"
March 14, 2013
At: http://www.clickrally.com/ucsd-divestment-from-israeli-occupation/
* See also: "UCSD Divestment 2013 Vote"
March 14, 2013
Start watching 4 minutes in, at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzVkNHWpNfw
The UCSD divestment resolution was approved by a large majority of 20 in favor, only 12 against, and 1 abstaining.
Finally, students for Palestinian rights have a reason to feel self-confident and empowered.
---------------------------------------------------------
This victory follows recent divestment resolutions approved by the student governments of UC Riverside and UC Irvine, and many others listed below.
On March 6, 2013, the student government at the University of California-Riverside voted overwhelmingly for divestment against Israeli Apartheid.
The vote was 11-5, and it overrode a veto that attempted to kill the divestment resolution.
That followed a recent vote for divestment at UC-Irvine's student government (in the L.A. Times at http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/11/uc-irvine-student-leaders-urge-uc-to-divest-in-some-companies.html ).
* "UC San Diego Student Government calls for divestment from Israeli Occupation"
March 14, 2013
At: http://www.clickrally.com/ucsd-divestment-from-israeli-occupation/
* See also: "UCSD Divestment 2013 Vote"
March 14, 2013
Start watching 4 minutes in, at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzVkNHWpNfw
The UCSD divestment resolution was approved by a large majority of 20 in favor, only 12 against, and 1 abstaining.
Finally, students for Palestinian rights have a reason to feel self-confident and empowered.
---------------------------------------------------------
This victory follows recent divestment resolutions approved by the student governments of UC Riverside and UC Irvine, and many others listed below.
On March 6, 2013, the student government at the University of California-Riverside voted overwhelmingly for divestment against Israeli Apartheid.
The vote was 11-5, and it overrode a veto that attempted to kill the divestment resolution.
That followed a recent vote for divestment at UC-Irvine's student government (in the L.A. Times at http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/11/uc-irvine-student-leaders-urge-uc-to-divest-in-some-companies.html ).
It also follows earlier student government votes for divestment at:
* Evergreen State College in 2010 (http://electronicintifada.net/content/evergreen-state-students-overwhelmingly-pass-divestment-votes/1067 ),
* Wayne State University's Student Council voted for total divestment against Israel (at http://tinyurl.com/85r6um2 ),
* Arizona State University in 2012 (at http://electronicintifada.net/blogs/nora/bds-roundup-arizona-state-university-student-government-votes-divest-israel )
* The University of Michigan-Dearborn (at http://michigandaily.com/content/dearborn-student-govt-demands-divestment ),
* Carleton University graduate students in 2012 (at http://electronicintifada.net/blogs/ali-abunimah/canadian-first-carleton-university-students-pass-israel-occupation-divestment )
Also:
* The University of Wisconsin-Platteville faculty senate approved its own divestment resolution (at http://michigandaily.com/content/faculty-senate-wisc-passes-divestment-bill ),
* MEChA, the largest association of Chicano youth in the U.S., voted overwhelmingly at its 2012 national conference to endorse the global call for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel ( http://www.nationalmecha.org/archives/2012/03/national_mecha_endorses_palestinian_boycott_call_against_israel.php ),
* South Africa’s governing party, the African National Congress, voted to make boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel part of its official policy in December 2012 (at http://panafricannews.blogspot.com/2012/12/anc-takes-firm-position-in-solidarity.html ), and
* The Olympia Food Co-op, in 2010, voted to boycott all Israeli products (at http://www.theolympian.com/2010/07/21/1310754/israel-cleaned-from-co-op-shelves.html )
* Ann Arbor, Michigan's Interfaith Council for Peace & Justice voted for a resolution favoring divestment against the Israeli military, and now Ann Arbor City Council is faced with demands to boycott Israel entirely:
http://www.annarbor.com/news/protesters-ask-new-ann-arbor-city-council-member-to-spearhead-resolution-to-boycott-israel/
In these votes, every argument that apartheid could make was rejected. After all, the arguments favoring Apartheid Israel are identical to the arguments made to preserve the old dead Apartheid State of South Africa.
Furthermore, Apartheid South Africa was tighly allied to Apartheid Israel. (See http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2006/feb/07/southafrica.israel )
Furthermore, Apartheid South Africa was tighly allied to Apartheid Israel. (See http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2006/feb/07/southafrica.israel )
In closing, look at the ecstatic tweets this morning, from UCSD and UC Berkeley students:
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Saturday, March 9, 2013
L.A. Times reports on UC Riverside divestment victory:
"UC Riverside student Senate urges divestment from firms working in West Bank"
Los Angeles Times
March 8, 2013, 6:38 PM
UC Riverside’s student Senate this week passed a controversial resolution urging the university system to divest from nine companies that the students contend are violating the human rights of Palestinians and aiding Israel’s occupation of the West Bank.
The move is part of a wave of similar measures under consideration, some successful and some not, at other UC campuses.
However, those advisory resolutions have no power over UC finances. The UC regents and other administrators have said they have no intention of any divestments focused on Israel.
Nevertheless, the UC Riverside matter passed the student Senate in an 11-5 vote, enough to avoid a veto by the undergraduate student body president, Liam Dow, who said he opposes the matter. In a letter to the campus, Dow said the divestment resolution “encourages biases instead of reconciliation, and creates counter-productive hostilities that divide the UCR campus.”
General Electric, Raytheon, Caterpillar and Hewlett-Packard are among the firms the resolution described as aiding the Israeli repression of Palestinians. The document said it was important for UC to promote values “of human rights, equality and dignity for all people without distinction.”
The student Senate at UC San Diego debated a similar item this week and delayed action until next week. In November, a UC Irvine student panel approved divestment and in 2010 so did a UC Berkeley student government group, only to have it vetoed by the student president there.
--Larry Gordon
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The move is part of a wave of similar measures under consideration, some successful and some not, at other UC campuses.
However, those advisory resolutions have no power over UC finances. The UC regents and other administrators have said they have no intention of any divestments focused on Israel.
Nevertheless, the UC Riverside matter passed the student Senate in an 11-5 vote, enough to avoid a veto by the undergraduate student body president, Liam Dow, who said he opposes the matter. In a letter to the campus, Dow said the divestment resolution “encourages biases instead of reconciliation, and creates counter-productive hostilities that divide the UCR campus.”
General Electric, Raytheon, Caterpillar and Hewlett-Packard are among the firms the resolution described as aiding the Israeli repression of Palestinians. The document said it was important for UC to promote values “of human rights, equality and dignity for all people without distinction.”
The student Senate at UC San Diego debated a similar item this week and delayed action until next week. In November, a UC Irvine student panel approved divestment and in 2010 so did a UC Berkeley student government group, only to have it vetoed by the student president there.
--Larry Gordon
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