Posted by: Sammi Ibrahem Chair of West Midland PSC
Dear Friends,
Though I thought that I’d give you a free day and not write today, there is after all news to send. The focus of the 5 items below is Israel-Palestine (OPT). Only 1 item deals with Egypt, and it is a letter of solidarity with the protestors.
Item 1 is in 2 parts—the first informs you about the parliamentary committees set to inquire on the activities and funding sources of Israeli human rights organizations and that the Knesset is set to vote on whether or not to allow them. Following that is a letter from Rabbi Arik Ascherman asking us to write letters to try and stem the McCarthy-like action by writing letters to convince Knesset members to cast their vote against the emergence of the committees. Rabbi Arik furnishes a sample letter, which you can use to send to the Israeli PM or to the ambassadors of your countries.
Item 2 Is OCHA’s brief weekly report of events in the West Bank during the period of January 26-February 1, 2011.
Item 3 is a pleasure to send and very likely also one to read: a link to the website of the campaign to end Minnesota from investing in Israel.
Item 4 Expresses solidarity with the Egyptian protestors, from the Popular Committees Against the Israel Occupation.
And the title of item 5 reveals the content: ‘Zionist Ethnic Cleansing Continues.
All the best,
Dorothy
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1. Haaretz,
February 3, 2011
Knesset may vote down inquiry into Leftist NGOs
The proposed committees were prompted by allegations that organizations were delegitimizing the IDF; inquiry has been widely criticized as undemocratic.
The Knesset might yet vote down a motion to convene two parliamentary committees of inquiry on the activities and funding sources of certain left-wing Israeli nongovernmental organizations, an examination by Haaretz shows.
The proposed committees, which were prompted at least in part by allegations that the organizations were engaged in delegitimizing the Israel Defense Forces, have been widely criticized as anti-democratic, and the bid to establish them currently enjoys only a razor-thin majority.
At present, 61 Knesset members are thought to support the measure, while 59 oppose it. Thus even a tiny shift of sentiment among MKs would be enough to kill it. And that seems quite possible, since some MKs who are on record as supporting the measure are wavering and may therefore switch sides.
Alternatively, in order not to harm their public images, they might not show up for the vote.
Among those on record as opposing the measure are Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin (Likud ) and three Likud cabinet ministers: Deputy Prime Minister Dan Meridor, Improvement of Government Services Minister Michael Eitan and Minister without Portfolio Benny Begin.
Earlier this week, Knesset legal adviser Eyal Yinon said that though the Knesset panels are not illegal, their establishment would set a dangerous precedent by only investigating organizations on one side of the political spectrum – the side “that is currently in opposition.”
He also said the panels would be investigative committees in name only, as they would have even fewer investigative powers than regular Knesset committees.
“These committees, unlike [investigative] committees convened in the past, seek to engage in something that can been construed as narrowing and limiting rights fundamental to a democratic system of government,” including freedom of expression, the right to protest and the right to organize politically, Yinon added.
On Wednesday, the Knesset House Committee approved the composition of the two investigative committees by a vote of 10-7. One committee will be chaired by MK Fania Kirshenbaum (Yisrael Beiteinu ) and the other by MK Danny Danon (Likud ).
Also on Wednesday, Rivlin announced that despite personal reservations about the panels, there is no justification for delaying a vote by the full Knesset plenum on whether to convene them. Kadima MKs Orit Zuaretz and Shlomo Molla had asked him to postpone the vote in light of the opinion issued by the Knesset’s legal adviser.
“Without a doubt, this constitutes a dangerous and problematic precedent,” Rivlin said on Wednesday. Nevertheless, he added, the vote will be held without delay.
Kirshenbaum promised that if the plenum approves the panels, the one she is to chair will issue a comprehensive report with clear recommendations.
The Knesset, she added, has every right to look into the funding sources of organizations that “undermine the legitimacy of IDF soldiers.”
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Action request by Rabbi Arik Ascherman
Dear Friends and Supporters,
This is it.
The outcome of the final vote in the Knesset Plenum expected next week is hanging on a vote or two.
Thanks to all of you who have been writing letters since my previous email, but we need many more. A sample letter appears below. If Prime Minister Netanyahu http://www.pmo.gov.il/PMOEng/PM/Write+to+PM/ and your country’s ambassador would feel that a significant portion of the Jewish community and civil society was deeply disturbed by these committees, this really could translate into a lifting of the Likud decision to impose party discipline or at least enough coalition MK’s absenting themselves from the vote to make a difference.
Obviously this is very personal for me. However, it isn’t overly melodramatic to say that we are at a watershed moment in Israel’s history. I don’t think that the passage of this and the other anti-democratic pieces of legislation winding their way through the Knesset spell the end of Israel as a democracy. I do think they spell a major change in Israeli democracy as we know it. It spells a move from a democracy with protection and respect for minorities to a democracy in which anything is permissible with a one vote majority, and where dissent is outlawed or at least seriously curtailed because it is considered dangerous and unpatriotic. We are compromising our Jewish tradition of discussion and debate, “Eilu v’eilu d’vraim Elohim khayim,” and our prophets stood up to kings. Just a week ago our Torah portion stressed several times our obligations to the stranger, the widow and the orphan. Increasingly in Israel, concern for the “other” is seen as lack of concern for our fellow Israelis. This really is a moment when we need more people like the 4 Likud democrats, who have been given freedom to vote their conscience and may prevent the passage of these bills.
And so, I ask one more time:
Take a moment to write to Prime Minister Netanyahu
http://www.pmo.gov.il/PMOEng/PM/Write+to+PM/ and/or the Israeli ambassador in your country if you wish to preserve Israel’s democracy as we know it, and to insure that RHR and our colleagues can continue to advocate for human rights. If you are a rabbi or other religious leader, Please ask others you know to do so as well. If you are a rabbi or other religious leader, please speak with your congregants. If you can get your local JCRC or any other local or national Jewish organizations you are a part of to adopt a position, as have the ADL, AJ Committee and URJ, than please do so. RHR-NA has been working on a suggested text for a resolution and you can contact the interim co-director Joshua Bloom at jbloom@rhr-na.org (A search has just begun for a new executive director if anybody is interested.) Keep us posted as to what you have done and any responses you receive at info@rhr.israel.net.
After my previous email, some of you asked for a sample letter. A personal letter is more effective, but here is a possible text:
Dear Prime Minister Netanyahu,
I call upon you to use your influence to stop the de-legitimization of Israeli human rights organizations, to prevent the creation of the proposed parliamentary committees to investigate their funding, and to publicly acknowledge the important role they play in Israel’s democracy. Dissent and debate are basic democratic and Jewish values. The Jewish prophets stood up to kings, and we have been taught “Eilu v’Eilu d’varim Elohim Khayim,” “Both these words and these words are the words of the Living God.” Our sages understood that there can be a “Makhloket l’shem shamayim,” an argument for the sake of heaven. Please affirm that people can sharply disagree both on issues and on tactics, yet all be Israeli patriots, truly believing that they are working in the best interests of the Jewish people and humanity. Even when we passionately believe that the ideas expressed or tactics used by others are dangerous to our very survival, we ultimately weaken Israeli society when we stifle debate and criticism. Please publicly point out the information to be gathered by the proposed committees is by law already a matter of public record and that the real purpose of these committees is to incite the public against those being investigated.
Even though it is obviously tempting as a public figure to stifle the criticism which is often directed against you and your government, what we stand to lose is vastly more precious.
Given the fact that one or two votes one way or the other are going to tip the scales on the plenum vote likely to take place on Tuesday or Wednesday, a massive show of concern could really make a difference. In my previous email, I cited this week’s Torah portion’s command to take up a collection for the building of the tabernacle. In a few weeks we will read that the outpouring of contributions was so great that Moses had to tell people to stop. Those of you who have heard me speak (If you would like to invite me to your community, my next speaking/fundraising tour is scheduled for April 26th-May 8th and the following trip will be in the fall. Contact me at ravarik@rhr.israel.net) know that I usually conclude with the Talmudic teaching to look at life as perfectly balanced scales. A seemingly small and insignificant act on our part can tip those scales one way or the other. My hope and prayer is that there will be such a massive outpouring that the Prime Minister will plead with us to stop, and that we will tip the scales in favor of a just and democratic Israel living up to our highest Jewish values.
Protection of Civilians Weekly Report | 26 January – 1 February 2011
Escalation in settler violence: Israeli settlers kill two Palestinians and injure five others in the West Bank. Israeli forces injure at least 27 Palestinians throughout the oPt. UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator condemns water cistern demolitions. In Gaza, events in Egypt affect movement of goods and people to and from Gaza: Tunnel activity declined significantly; Rafah Crossing closed. Wheat reserves increase at the expense of gravel. Power outages last up to six hours daily and cooking gas shortages continue despite increased imports.
4. Popular Committees Against the Israeli Occupation
Palestine
Press release Date: Feb.4th 2011
The great Arab nation
The Egyptian Arab nation; the cradle of great history and future
We salute this great Arab nation, our bothers. This is the salute of freedom from the people of Palestine who have been fighting for decades for freedom and independence, and to retain the honor of Arabs. The Palestinian nation is still standing against the Zionist occupation that is seeking to control all the Arab region, aided by the United States of America.
To the people of Egypt, standing tall like the pyramids and the great dam, to the heart of this Arab nation, that many thought went into a coma, at a time when Palestinians kept hope that something will come out of the Arab nations regardless of different setbacks and defeats, we kept hope that one day Arab nations will revolt to make one last stand against oppression and bring an end to the Zionist occupation of Palestine and all Arab lands.
To the great Egyptian Nation
The Palestinians are watching what is happening across the Arab world in general and Egypt in particular with great pride, from one side because of what the nations are reflecting of its will to change internally to a great better future without criminal outside interference, but from the other side with fear of losing direction.
Even though we fully trust the will of this rebelling people to differentiate between the good and the bad, and its ability to bring the revolution back on track, this could only be achieved, our brothers, by determining the goal and achieving national unity.
The goals set by the youth are clear — a decent life and a society that can be up to the local and international challenges that face the people, the country and the nation. Since those demands affect all sections of society and do not go against any group in principle, we ask you, as our blood flows for freedom, do not let outsiders infiltrate and cause a deviation and, God forbid, the loss of this effort for change. This is what our enemy wants — to destroy our hope once more. We see our future with the unification of our Arab nation; this is the great goal of this uprising in Egypt and all over the Arab world which will reflect positively on all the free nations of the world and especially on the Palestinians.
We call upon you from wounded Palestine, the Fathers and the martyrs, the children who still fight the Zionist occupation regardless of oppression, from Palestine that suffers from the internal split among its people, which is like a poisoned dagger in the back, we warn you of internal clash, and we say unity for our Arab nation.
Because our fight is with the Israeli occupation, it is not over until the occupation ends — from our position that this occupation is the common enemy of all Arab nations and the free world; because of its terrorism on this region’s regimes; because it is the source of nation’s suffering, supported by the USA and some other countries; because of our duty to our cause we announce:
1- We salute the Egyptian and Tunisian people and reiterate the nation’s right to live in freedom and pride.
2- We call for national unity and the preservation of civil peace, and to protect the home front and tolerance among all segments of society, and to deal with conspiracies and foreign projects in order to pass this historic stage successfully.
3- We hope that the rebelling Arab people make it their priority to demand from any government or leadership to come to sever their ties with the Israeli occupation and abandon the Egyptian – Israeli peace treaty. We believe it would be better to direct the masses towards the Israeli embassies and interests as an alternative to targeting the capabilities of the Egyptian people and the headquarters of its security.
4- We call on all free nations in the world, especially Europe and the U.S., to get out in massive demonstrations on 11 \ 2 \ 2011 to confirm the right of peoples to live in freedom and dignity — a day of anger against the Israeli occupation of Arab land, and as a beginning of the Global Intifada.
Long live Palestine
May god protect the Egyptian Nation
The Popular Committees Against the Israeli Occupation – Palestine
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5. Forwarded by the JPLO List
5. Zionist “ethnic cleansing” continues
By Mohammed Watad, source
<http://realisticbird.wordpress.com/2010/01/31/zionist-%E2%80%9Cethnic-c\
leansing%E2%80%9D-continues/www.middleeastmonitor.org.uk/articles/arab-m\
edia/622-zionist-ethnic-cleansing-continues>
January 30, 2010
The drive to empty the state of Israel of its non-Jewish population
began in the run-up to the declaration of independence in May 1948. The
Palestinians call that “the Nakba”, the Catastrophe, and with
good cause. Since 1948, the Israelis have demolished almost 22,000
homes belonging to Palestinians in cities across the state, namely
Jaffa, Lod and Ramla. House demolitions in Jerusalem are part of this
process. Ten thousand more have been sold to wealthy Jews and so,
despite having a Palestinian population of around 75,000 in these three
cities, cultural signs of the Arab presence are being eroded.
According to Sami Abu Shehada, a researcher on Jaffa affairs, “The
political conflict is existential, and we now see negative migration of
the Arabs from Jaffa.” Statistics show that 13,000 Arabs live in the
city, 75%percent of them as tenants in houses protected by state-owned
companies, which appropriated property belonging to Palestinian refugees
and now rent them out, he added. There are 11,000 such “refugee
houses” whose rent is paid to the Israeli government. Palestinians
(the so-called “Israeli Arabs”) are not allowed to
“own” these homes even though they actually belong to them. It
is a bizarre situation.
As you wander around these areas, the features of the houses indicate
that their inhabitants are Arabs; they are made of tin and zinc, with
remnants of some old houses standing as witnesses to the state crimes
committed against their owners. It is hard not to notice the high-rise
blocks and luxury apartments that have been built on Arab land, waiting
exclusively for Jews.
“Two hundred families have been displaced from their homes recently
and, unable to find alternative accommodation nearby, they are forced to
abandon their city and move to Arab towns elsewhere,” said Abu
Shehada. In the meantime, five hundred families are battling with the
Israeli authorities which have issued orders for them to leave their
homes pending demolition.
Such moves on the part of the authorities will, insists Abu Shehada,
see the Arab presence in Jaffa “extinct within ten years”, which
is exactly what the Israelis want, of course. He pointed out that the
Israelis use Arab neighbourhoods as a dumping ground for those
Palestinians who act as collaborators, hundreds of whom have settled
inside these neighbourhoods with their families, reflecting negatively
on the economic and social structure of the Arab population.
Ramla is no more fortunate, with ruins from the past still bearing
witness to the Nakba, and the present situation illustrating that the
catastrophe is ongoing. What of the future? Concerns about expulsion and
displacement persist, and with good reason.
Farida Sha’aban, whose home was demolished, says, “There’s a
lack of stability, with no feeling of safety or security making it a
vague future for the children; my family is still experiencing the
ghost of the Nakba.” Farida’s family reached Ramla in 1953
after they were displaced from the Jordan Valley. “The Nakba,”
she says, “is not a history we tell our children about, it’s a
reality that we live in, and we fear it’s going to be the future as
well.”
Today, 15,000 Arabs live in Ramla, 20% of the population. They face
significant problems, including house demolition, harassment and forced
displacement – ethnic cleansing as well as seeing historical
monuments demolished by the Israeli municipality which seeks not only
to expel the Arab population but also remove any signs that it ever
existed.
Architect Buthayna Dabit, responsible for Mixed Cities Projects in
“Still” Society said, “Ever since the Nakba, Arab residents
of mixed [population] cities are going through a struggle for
existence. In 1948, more than twenty thousand Arabs lived in Ramla, but
after the Nakba only one thousand were left.” Around 63 villages in
the district were destroyed and their people were displaced, she added.
According to Dabit, the majority of Jews have abandoned the old town
and neighbourhoods inhabited by Arabs, and have built walls to separate
Jewish and Arab areas. “And Negev Arabs, who were displaced from
their land close to five thousand people have been settled here as well
as almost five hundred families of the occupation’s
collaborators.”
The architect says that Lod is inhabited by twenty thousand Arabs,
around 27% of the population. One hundred and fifty houses have been
demolished recently by the Israeli authorities, and there are five
hundred outstanding demolition orders. The number of homes labelled as
“illegal” by the Israeli municipality, meanwhile, is close to
2,500. There is no alternative accommodation in the city for those
families so displaced or facing the likelihood of the demolition of
their homes.
In Lod, you’ll find an old woman in traditional Arab costume,
holding one of her grandchildren and burdened with the worry of yet
another displacement; the dust of the Nakba refuses to leave her.
She’s moving with her grandchildren and their future is hers, but
life moves too fast for the refugee camp, leaving the original
inhabitants of the land still living on the margins and among the
debris of their broken homes. The ethnic cleansing goes on.___
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