Weekly update 19th February 2010Take

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Take Action for BDS: 27th to 30th March 2010

Following the call made by the Palestinian BNC for a day of Action on 30 March 2010, in solidarity with the Palestinian people and for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel, the PSC encourages all supporters of the Palestinian struggle to respond to this call and begin organising actions from the 27th to the 30th of March.

Email info@palestinecampaign.org and let us know what you have organised so we can publicise via our website and networks.

Bring Israeli war criminals to justice - tell your MP to oppose any change in the law!

An article in the Jewish Chronicle this week quotes senior Conservative MPs saying they will change the law if the current government doesn’t. Please email your MP urgently to tell them to oppose any threat to the law on universal jurisdiction, and ask them to sign Early Day Motion 502, which has 119 MPs signed up.

Sign the petition -Stop Israel silencing artists with impunity: support actor/film maker Mohammad Bakri

Mohammad Bakri, a Palestinian citizen of Israel and one of the country’s most prominent actors and directors, has been fighting for his democratic right to free expression since 2002 when he made the world-famous film Jenin Jenin. The government of Israel censored his film for 2 years, and joined a group of Israeli soldiers in an ongoing lawsuit against him for defamation.

Please sign the petition calling for the nomination of Bakri for the first Free Speech Bear Award at the 2010 Berlinale to call attention to his fight for free expression.

25H FEBRUARY - DAY OF ACTION

Protest outside Royal Court of Justice: Britain must uphold international law - No impunity for Israel, 0930-1030, February 25th 2010
Palestinian Human Rights organisation Al-Haq - lead by Phil Shiner - has made a claim for a judicial Review to challenge the government over its failure to fulfil its obligations under international law with respect to Israel’s activities in the Occupied Palestinian territories.

The hearing will take place at 0945 on the 25th of February - join our protest outside the Royal Court of Justice (the Strand) from 0930 till 1030 and show your support for the Palestinian people. You can also sit in the public gallery whilst the case is being heard. When violations of international law are committed those people who have been violated need to know that cases on their behalf are being supported in the wider world.

Watch MAP’s film: ‘The Silent War: Israel’s Blockade of Gaza’.

Watch Medical Aid for Palestinians’ new film about the blockade, which examines what the three year long blockade means for the people of Gaza, as they struggle to rebuild their lives over a year after Operation Cast Lead.

Justice for victims of ‘Operation Cast Lead’

Badil and other human rights organizations submit joint statement to 13th session of UN Human Rights Council calling for justice and accountability for victims of “Operation Cast Lead”

David Bellamy pulls out of the Zionist Federation talk

According to the Jewish Chronicle, TV botanist David Bellamy pulled out of an appearance at the Zionist Federation’s annual environment seminar, days after pro Palestinian groups said he should be “outraged” by the event. Prof Bellamy withdrew offering no explanation for his absence.

International Human Rights Volunteers Needed in Palestine

The International Women’s Peace Service provide accompaniment to Palestinian civilians (including farmers during the annual olive harvest), document and non-violently intervene in human-rights abuses and support acts of non-violent resistance to end the Israeli military occupation and construction of the barrier throughout the West Bank. IWPS is currently inviting applications from women who would like to join our team of long-term volunteers. For more information visit: www.iwps-pal.org

NEWS:

Israeli soldiers say ‘Talk to Hamas’

Dubai assassination: Britain calls in Israeli ambassador, and Robert Fisk says ‘Britain’s explanation is riddled with inconsistencies. It’s time to come clean’. Seumas Milne: this is no ripping yarn, but a murder to fan more conflict. Daily Mail: Israeli agent says Britain was tipped off.

Over 25% of Israeli settlements violating freeze

International Red Cross tells Israel ‘Let Palestinians live with dignity’

Defending Palestinian children: An interview with Rifat Kassis

EVENTS:

Viva Palestina Convoy Celebration Day

Tuesday 23 February, 7pm, Conway Hall, London

The PFB, MAB, and IUF have organised a public event in honour of Viva Palestina Convoy to Gaza with a keynote speech by George Galloway MP, presentation of the situation in Gaza, and awards ceremony for representatives of the convoy. All welcome.

Olive farmers from Palestinian Co-operatives tour

Speaking about their lives and work, and the challenges of the political situation in Palestine. The tour includes meetings on 24th February in Birmingham; 25th February in Coventry. More details on PSC website.

PSC & MEMO Public meeting with Karen Abu Zayd: ‘Palestinian human rights and justice after the Goldstone report’

Karen Abu-Zayd was UNWRA’s Commissioner-General in Gaza.

24th March, 7.30pm, Cayley Theatre, Luxborough building, Westminster University

Play: “The Promise” Balfour at the Orange Tree, 17th Feb - 20th March

The world premiere of a play about the way in which Zionists influenced British politicians during the First World War. http://www.orangetreetheatre.co.uk/