PSC Weekly update

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� December 22nd 2010, Remembering Gaza 2 years on - Special edition

REMEMBERING GAZA 2 YEARS ON: SPECIAL EDITION

2 years after the war in Gaza the situation remains dire. This weeks update will focus on the siege of Gaza and the events taking place to mark the beginning and end of the war.

Please get involved in our actions the end the siege and lift the blockade on Gaza!

Remembering Israel’s war on Gaza: END THE SIEGE ON GAZA

Vigil outside the Israeli embassy in London 27 December 2010, 1-3pm to mark the second year of the start of Operation Cast Lead.

Between 27 December 2008 and 18 January 2009, over 1400 Palestinians were killed by Israel in a brutal and illegal attack on the Gaza Strip, destroying lives and infrastructure. Two years on, Gaza’s infrastructure has still not been repaired due to Israel’s blockade. Families are still living in tents. UN schools are unable to rebuild as Israel blocks concrete and building supplies. Join us, and bring family and friends, to send a clear message - END THE SIEGE ON GAZA! FREE PALESTINE!

Israeli Embassy, 2 Palace Green London W8 4QB - Nearest Tube High Street Kensington

TRANSPORT FROM BIRMINGHAM:
Coach tickets now available from Birmingham. Coaches will leave from Carrs lane Church at 9.30pm. Tickets approximately £10. To reserve a seat email aleema14@yahoo.co.uk with ’Gaza Vigil’ in the title.

Organised by: Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, Stop the War Coalition, British Muslim Initiative, Friends of Al Aqsa, Palestinian Forum in Britain, Viva Palestina, Palestinian Return Centre, War on Want, Russel Tribunal on Palestine, Amos Trust, The Green Party, ICAHD UK, Friends of Lebanon, Public and Commercial Services union, Jews for Justice for Palestinians.

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Other Gaza two years on events:

Bradford Thurs 23rd December, 4.30pm Gaza Massacre Anniversary: Candle-lit Vigil
In remembrance of the atrocities committed during the assault on Gaza during December 2008, Bradford PSC and partners are asking people to gather at the bottom of Sunbridge Road (opposite the fish & chip shop “The Inn Plaice”) at 4.30pm on Thursday 23rd December 2010.

Aberystwyth Monday 27 December, 11am-1pm, Gaza Vigil: Candle-lit vigil by the Clock Tower (top of Great Darkgate Street, Aberystwyth). Please bring banners, flags, candles (in a large glass jar is best). Between 11 am and 1 pm.

For more information email: eimorley@rocketmail.com

Rally for Gaza on Tuesday 18 January 2011, 7pm, Conway Hall, Holborn, London.

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“Israel/West Bank: Separate and Unequal”
“Under Discriminatory Policies, Settlers Flourish, Palestinians Suffer

(Jerusalem) - Israeli policies in the West Bank harshly discriminate against Palestinian residents, depriving them of basic necessities while providing lavish amenities for Jewish settlements, Human Rights Watch said in a report released recently. The report identifies discriminatory practices that have no legitimate security or other justification and calls on Israel, in addition to abiding by its international legal obligation to withdraw the settlements, to end these violations of Palestinians’ rights”.

Read the full report here: Separate and Unequal: Israel’s Discriminatory Treatment of Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories

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Israel Effectively Denies Palestinian Victims of Operation Cast Lead Access to Justice: PCHR files petition to Israeli Supreme Court

“The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) is filing a petition to the Israeli Supreme Court on behalf of 1,046 victims ofIsrael’s 27 December 2008 - 18 January 2009 offensive on the Gaza Strip (Operation Cast Lead). The petition challenges Israeli policies which effectively deny Palestinian residents of the Gaza Strip’s fundamental rights to a judicial remedy and the equal protection of the law. The case is being litigated by Michael Sfard, and Carmel Pomerantz.

As a result of the physical, financial, and legal obstacles imposed by Israel, Palestinian residents of the Gaza Strip - including the thousands of victims of Operation Cast Lead - are effectively prevented from seeking redress before Israeli courts. This situation results in the systematic denial of fundamental human rights”.

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Missed the last Christmas post? Send a Palestine e-Christmas card courtesy of Reading PSC

Click here for 24 free Palestinian themed Ecards

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Please help fund PSC’s work in 2011 and build solidarity with Palestine

The year ahead is a critical one. Just as with the movement against apartheid South Africa, the movement against Israeli apartheid is becoming the key international issue of our time.

Building a mass movement costs money. PSC’s activities - including its demonstrations, meetings, and its hundreds of thousands of leaflets that are distributed, all are impossible to do without the funding.

Please help us today. Click here to find out more

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BDS NEWS

First Victory of BDS Campaign against Israel in Japan
Palestinian Civil Society reiterates call for a full boycott of Carmel Agrexco

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FEATURES

O’ Little town of Bethlehem - Alice Bach

The Bethlehem Pack - Amos Trust Palestine resource for Churches

John Pilger’s “the war you don’t see” video for viewers in the UK only, until the end of January 2011

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NEWS

IDF soldier charged with killing Gaza civilian: I was only following orders

Israeli warplanes attack Gaza refuge

Israeli troops used prohibited teargas rounds

Another Christmas under siege - Fr. Faisal Hijazin

Bat Yam rally: Death to Jewish women who date Arabs

US Campaign launches ad’s to stop US funding Israel

Christmas trees “provocative”: Nazareth suburb mayor

Israel to deploy new tanks to Gaza

Israeli settlement ’on rise after freeze’

The problem with Israel’s Jewish ’refugee’ initiative

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EVENTS

 Thursday 23 December Bradford: Gaza Massacre Anniversary: Candle-lit Vigil

 Monday 27 December 2010 to 27 December 2010 Gaza Vigil in Aberystwyth

 Monday 27 December Remembering Israel’s war on Gaza - Vigil 27th Dec 2010, London

 Tuesday 4 January Richard Graham MP - A first hand view of Gaza, Gloucester

 Thursday 13 January 2011 Afternoon Play, Escape From Gaza on BBC Radio 4

 Saturday 15 January Ongoing Nakba Conference, London

 Tuesday 18 January Rally for Gaza on the second anniversary of Israel’s war on Gaza, London

 Friday 21 January 2011 Camden Palestine Festival, London

 Saturday 22 January 2011 PSC AGM in London: Freedom for Palestine - next steps for the solidarity movement, London

More events around the UK on the PSC website events section