NOVANEWS
Emergency National Demonstration, Saturday 5th June
To show our outrage at the brutal and illegal actions of the Israeli Government, PSC along with CND, Stop the War, British Muslim Initiative, Friends of Al-Aqsa , Palestinian Forum of Britain and Viva Palestina have called an emergency demonstration for tomorrow – Saturday 5th June.
The march will start from Downing Street at 1.30 pm and head to the Israeli Embassy in Kensington where there will be a rally.
The nearest tube is Westminster on the Jubilee and District lines. Alternatively, you can go to Charing Cross on the Bakerloo and Northern lines, which is a 5 minute walk away.
There are coaches from around the country coming to London – To find out where to get a coach from click here. If you are organising transport and your city is not listed please email info@palestinecampaign.org with the details.
Public rally – hear eyewitness accounts from the Mavi Marmara
Released hostages have returned home to give accounts of Monday’s attack that differ greatly from that pushed by Israel in the immediate aftermath of the incident. Contrary to Israel ’s claim that its soldiers acted in self-defence, witnesses have described how the Israelis shot to kill, with at least four activists being intentionally shot in the head.
It has emerged that the truth behind Israel ’s claim that activists on the boat were armed is that some passengers desperately tried to defend themselves with whatever was to hand after the Israelis began firing live rounds. Witnesses also described how the injured were denied medical treatment for several hours, as Israeli soldiers ignored pleas for help.
Come to a public rally to hear first-hand what actually happened aboard the Mavi Marmara and beyond. The meeting will feature several activists from the flotilla along with other speakers.
7pm on Wednesday 9th June in Conway Hall, Red Lion Square .
Called by PSC and Viva Palestina with Trade Union and other support.
In Sarah’s Words
Still wearing her grey Israeli prison uniform, Sarah Colborne, PSC’s director of campaigns and operations, flew back to London yesterday morning, to tell the world of the horror that took place on board the Marvi Marmara. Addressing a press conference in central London , with the Palestinian flag in front of her, Sarah said:
‘On Sunday 30th May, we set sail for Gaza . At 11pm, Israeli naval boats were detected on the radar and later sighted. A decision was made to move further back into international waters and further from Israel . We started broadcasting from the deck. It was difficult because Israel was cutting off the satellite signal.
Read her full account here >>
Watch Sarah at the press conference here http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jun/03/sarah-colborne-gaza-account
Trade Unions unequivocally condemn Gaza Flotilla attacks – NUS bucks the trend
The trade union movement has rallied round in fervent support of the Palestinian cause. Yesterday, Unison joined Unite and the TUC in issuing a strongly worded condemnation of Israel ’s attack on the Mavi Marmara and calling for an immediate end to the siege of Gaza .
Alongside these unions, a number of others including the CWU and the PCS have been working hard to build Saturday’s national demonstration, which will be addressed by Keith Sonnet, Deputy General Secretary of Unison, and Sally Hunt from the TUC.
Unfortunately, the NUS has bucked this trend. Its statement failed to condemn the attack or demand an end to the siege of Gaza , and requests only an Israeli-led investigation into the incident rather than the independent and impartial enquiry called for by the UN Security Council.
Student PSC is calling on students to email the NUS President, Wes Streeting, and NUS President-Elect, Aaron Porter, demanding that they condemn Israel ’s killing of civilians on a humanitarian mission, call for an immediate end to the siege on Gaza , and support Saturday’s demonstration.
Email Aaron: aaron.porter@nus.org.uk
Email Wes: wes.streeting@nus.org.uk
Please cc: students@palestinecampaign.org
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The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) aims to raise public awareness about the occupation of Palestine and the struggle of the Palestinian people. PSC seek to bring pressure on both the British and Israeli government to bring their policies in line with international law. PSC is an independent, non-governmental and non-party political organisation with members from communities across the UK . Join PSC today!
Palestine Solidarity Campaign
Box BM PSA
London
WC1N 3XX
Tel: 020 7700 6192
Fax: 020 7609 7779
Email: info@palestinecampaign.org
Web: www.palestinecampaign.org
